black friday

It's true, that last post about cell phones was written on Monday and set to post on Friday, because I knew I wouldn't be posting that day. I knew this, because my mom and grandma and I had big plans of sewing.

Unfortunately, in order to sew, we needed to go to JoAnn Fabrics. On Black Friday. In the morning. Yikes. So mom and I set went together and it was an experience to remember. And mostly, just to remember never to go again. On Black Friday. In the morning.

We got there and found our fabric and then found the line to get our fabric cut. There were 25 carts in front of us, most of which looked like this:

...take a moment to notice how small that cart is compared to this woman's fabric! Before I took this picture I asked the driver of the cart for permission to photograph her loot. She looked at me sort of funny and I said, "I just don't know how I can explain this experience to my husband without pictures!" She and her line-waiting buddies all laughed and we bonded in our JoAnn-Togetherness.

It was an adventure, and in a cool we're-all-in-this-together sort of way, it was fun. We made friends with the people in our lines, asking everyone around us what projects they were going to make with all of their fabric. And after an hour-and-a-half of standing in lines, we were able to come home and start sewing. Yes! Did you know?!! Over the last two weeks I have learned how to sew!!! More on that later...

I found my life list!!!

This fall we took a 6600 mile road trip over the course of two months (you can see pics and read stories at http://www.grovesonthego.wordpress.com/ ) While on one of those glorious stretches of North American highway, I took the time to write out my own life list (otherwise known as a bucket list). I thought I had lost this until this weekend when Rory came across the notepad. WhaaaHooo!

Becca's Life List:
Go to Buffalo, NY for the annual wild wings festival
Live in a lighthouse for a summer (you can sign up to do this!)
Host a Greenleaf Elementary School class of 1992 Reunion
Complete all Jessica Sprague classes (http://www.jessicasprague.com/)
Paint on canvas with acrylic paint
Host a weekly neighborhood ladies tea
See a whale in the ocean
Learn to sew well enough that I could do it on my own (without my mom's patience having to be utilized every single time.)
Learn how to can food.
Make a BIG gladiolas arrangement like my uncle carl
Volunteer at a hospital to hold babies when their parents can't be there
See a bear in the wild
Attend a Creating Keepsakes University convention
Participate in the Alzheimer's walk
Go to a hot airballon event
Do the Lake Superior circle tour again with a pop up trailer (all time favorite Harrington family vacation.)
Learn Spanish until I am fluent
Get a huge glider kite like they had on the Oregon coast
Attend a storytelling convention

Thankfully I've got my life to accomplish these, and I can't wait.

What would you put on your life list?

A new favorite summer pastime...

At the beginning of the summer we were driving home from Target and saw these hot air balloons that looked like they might crash into a housing development. Naturally, Rory and I chased them just to be sure they landed safely (or just to see what might happen...)

We watched these balloons dance on the ground as they landed and as we took pictures we made friends with the pilot of the colorful balloon pictured. He gave us his card with a website of where and when this particular balloon club meets. So this summer, we have enjoyed a few glorious evenings watching these magnificent balloons take off and land again. Come and join us! http://www.nebraskaballoonclub.org/
Watching a hot air balloon event was on my Life List, so it just doesn't get any better than this. It is free, it is beautiful and it is a great way to take in a summer evening.