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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

~Thoughts and Thanks~

Dear friends,

I have some fun things to share with you! Once again, not a stitching post but I've been productive in other ways. I will soon have my "Texie" sampler finished - by next weekend, I hope, so I'll show you that then rather than bore you with a pic now and another later. It is pretty though and I'm thrilled with how it's coming along.

Remember the movie "A Christmas Story"? Who can watch that movie and not laugh? Nobody in my household, that's for sure. Anyway, my boss just retired after 34 years and I thought he needed a special gift. We had a mannequin in our office, dressed as a soldier, that had seen better days. He had fallen over a time or two and was broken and not really repairable so, what to do but... make a lamp? A military version of the Christmas Story lamp seemed appropriate since we work for the Army (as civilians). We presented it to him at his luncheon last week and it was a big hit. They will take it to live in their cottage up north and will, I'm sure, get a "kick" out of it for a while. My boss is moving into a new role as a contractor working for the government and we wanted to give him a gift that would give him a "leg up" on his competition. What do you think? A little glue, a lamp kit, some cammo fabric, a thigh high stocking and combat boot and well, here you go:



This week was extra special because DEB and I finally got to meet our dear friend ROBIN who was visiting her parents. We spent the day together on Saturday and drove to a couple of quilt stores where we all found some things we just couldn't live without. I don't quilt or sew but couldn't leave without some fabrics anyway. Then it was off to the Antique Mall for more shopping. We didn't have a ton of time in there but we all managed to find a few things. We had a great time getting to know each other better and laughed a lot! Robin brought Deb and I lovely pincushions she had made for us and mine was of course, in my favorite red!

Isn't it beautiful!? Thanks so much, Robin! It was amazing that we had so much to talk about - not a dull moment, lull in conversation or any awkward moments, at all. I think Robin's husband was a bit worried we might be evil people and was worried for her safety with Deb and me. But, we kept her safe and returned her to our starting point safe and sound! She is as as cute as a button with a wonderful, bubbly personality and we all just had so much fun. We were so busy laughing that we didn't take many pictures but we did remember to get one just before we left the antique mall.
This is a pic of Robin and me:

What a fun day!

Finally, let me leave you with this picture. A couple of weeks ago, when all the crabapple flowers were falling, we woke up to see our sidewalk covered with red petals. What a pretty surprise!


Tomorrow is Memorial Day in the USA. A special day to remember those soldiers that have fallen in the defense of our country. My favorite soldier (my dad) is still alive and living the good life and I am so thankful for that! He served multiple tours in Viet Nam and as a family, we lived all over the world. As an adult, I am most honored to work for the Army as a civilian, and all of us do our best to ensure that our soldiers have the best equipment on the planet, when and where they need it. Thanks to Veterans everywhere, those fallen and those still with us, for all that you've given in service to this great nation!

Peace,
Terri

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the lamp! What an awesome retirement gift!

It sounds like you had a fabulous time with Deb and Robin! Your pincushion is simply precious!

Sending your Dad a big thank you for his service to his country!

Robin

Sherry :o) said...

I love "A Christmas Story" - plays for 24 hours at Christmas and is on almost that much here - we all know it by heart! Glad you had a good time with Robin...love the pin cushion. Your progress shots would not be boring! And I love the pink/red sidewalk..how cool...thanks for working with those who serve this country! Have a wonderful Memorial Day...see you soon. Sherry

Nancy said...

We watch the Christmas Story marathon every year plus we have the DVD. I love the leg lamp! What a clever idea for a retirement gift.

Glad you had fun with your friends, and your gift is lovely.

Now wouldn't that be nice to wake up to a petal covered sidewalk every morning! Happy Memorial Day!

Myra said...

That lamp is a hoot! That is something he will always remember. The petals on your walk look like something out of a fairy tale - so pretty.

Cari said...

OMG - the lamp is AWESOME!! What a great retirement gift. You are way too much fun, fun, fun. Glad you and Deb had a great visit with Robin. Life is pretty darn good isn't it? Have a wonderful, good old USA Memorial Day! God blessed America!

Free Art Printables said...

That lamp is hilarious!!!

Siobhán said...

That lamp is too cool! Your boss looks like he love it. I'm glad you, Deb & Robin had such a good time! :) Love the pincushion she made for you.

My most favorite veteran--my dad--is now my guardian angel in heaven. My thanks go out to your dad for his service for our great country.

Bertie said...

Love that stocking lamp, looks like your boss loved it too!!

Love the pincushion in the cup, cute.
Your friend Robin has a lovely blog as well.

Happy Memorial Day today, my parents were always grateful to be liberated when they touched down in Arnhem.
Saturday & Sunday was the Dunkirk remembrance, very emotional.

Carol said...

Too funny about the lamp, Terri!

Please thank your dad for his wonderful and brave service to our country...Happy Memorial Day to you and your family!

Julie M said...

Awesome Lamp Terri! I'm sure he'll enjoy it, for a while anyway!

Beautiful sidewalk too.

It's sounds like you had a great time with your friends too.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Loraine said...

Oh my Goodness Terri! Your creativity blows me away. What a fitting idea for the broken maniquin! So funny. I bet he loved the lamp. You are too cute.
So happy you got to meet Robyn. Meeting blog friends is quite a treat. You know so much about them before the meeting, it's like a great reunion. I keep thinking of our get togther in September! :) Won't it be a great time?
The petals are beautiful, too. What a great idea to take a picture.
Have a wonderful Holiday. A special one for sure. Many hugs dear friend!

Margaret said...

That is one unique retirement gift! What fun! Glad you had fun with Robin. Beautiful gift that she made for you! And those petals on your walkway -- looks preplanned! Beautiful! Happy Memorial Day -- thank your dad for his service to our country!

Vinniey said...

I love the lamp, it's cool! Your boss looks like he is very happy with it. The pincushion from Robin is so cute and pretty in red. Thanks for sharing the sidewalk, I've never see this before. Have a wonderful memorial day, Terri. :)

Unknown said...

Terri, that lamp is hysterical and it looks like your boss got a "kick" out it.

How fun to get to meet Robin - she is so sweet! It sounds like the three of you had a great time.

I am grateful for your father's service to our country!

Enjoy your weekend.

Susan said...

Love the lamp! Looks like your former boss is a good sport!

Kathy A. said...

Oh, my - that is quite the lamp! What a creative idea and finish! You go girl!
Isn't it wonderful when you meet new stitching friends. Especially when they are normal LOL.
Gld you had such fun. I love the pincushion and it looks so nice in the teacup.

Sherry said...

Love that lamp! What a hoot! How fun that you and Deb got to meet a stitching friend! I love that pin cushion too. How sweet of Robin to make these!

Deb said...

Hey Terri - That lamp is a hoot! It looks like your boss got a real "kick" out of it! What a great idea! That is definitely going to be a real conversation piece for years to come. It makes you laugh looking at it because it's so unique!!!

Saturday was a lot of fun and I hope that we can do it again when Robin comes back. Too bad that we ran out of time. I think that we could have done a lot more damage, don't you? Of course, I think that we did quite a bit!

Isabelle said...

Oh My God, Terry , your lamp is too nice and strange : I must admit that I never saw one like that before your picture :-)
I believe you had a marvellous time with Deb and Robin! Your pincushion is just nice!
I hope you spent a wonderful Memorail day :-)
Have a great week,
Isabelle

marylin & poussy said...

Cuckoo my friend and good it is what this leg! Of the never seen here we have in no way this kind(genre) of article! I kiss(embrace) you in very fast! love

Raven/Missy said...

The lamp is hilarious! Definitely gives one a leg up. or leg on..either way LOL

Your pin cushion is wonderful!

I'm glad you had fun with your friends, the picture is perfect :)

MyLifesAStitch said...

We did have a fab time. :) So glad we did it!

That lamp is absolutely hysterical and is exactly the way I pictured it. The camo shade adds the perfect touch. Love it!

mainely stitching said...

The lamp is a hoot! What a great gift!! :D

Kajsa said...

Awesome lamp, I'm sure he will tresure it;>. Those are lovely pincushions!

La Dolfina said...

That lamp was genius. My husband and I love that movie too!! Your boss looks delighted with his new lamp. That was a rockin idea for a retirement gift!!
Love your blog... you are adorable :)

Pumpkin said...

That's hilarious! Great job Terri. Love that movie :o)

What a nice day you must have had.