Thirty One

It's just a number... most commonly connected to the number of days in a month. Tomorrow it is significant for me as it is the number of days until I retire. It is also significant in that this is my 31st year of employment with my Company. Thirty one years is 11,315 days of your life. It is an amazing investment of time. As I reflect on all those days, I have been most blessed to have known all the people with whom I crossed paths. Those people have helped me grow and become the person I am today.

It always rains for Shop Hop

This is the first year that I managed to visit all the shops on the Atlanta Quilt Shop Hop. I've wanted to do this for several years and finally talked by BFF, Pam, into running the perimeter with me. I have been to the local Cobb stores in the past and know from that experience, that it WILL rain on Shop Hop. We weren't disappointed. BFF's DH called when we were on the way to McDonough to let us know we were heading into the path of a storm containing tornadoes. We were not to be daunted from our chosen path and forged on. Total mileage Saturday = 300.

Highlights... Patrick's, in Covington, takes the award for the biggest surprise. Imagine walking into a feed store with quilts hanging from the rafters. When we pulled in the parking lot, we knew that we were lost only to be directed to a visual delight of color. Got fabric, a hunk of side meat, and some cheese.

Met the queen at Tiny Stitches. She was delightful. Tiny Stitches is one of my frequently shopped sites. I'm a bag lady. If you're a Tiny Stitches regular, you understand what that means.

Met the cow at Quilts and Fixins in Jonesboro. DH could not believe picture. So glad I took it to prove to him that people DO get all involved in Shop Hop. They do a lot to benefit their local Human Society. Picked up a yummy brownie to do my part for the cause.

A Scarlet Thread is huge! They are the local Babylock dealer and I didn't even take time to look at the machine embroidery (ME). Got to go back there.

Georgia Quilt & Sewing, in Buford, was the first stop Saturday. Started off with a bang. Found a light box I need for my applique, a ME applique quilt CD and lovely fat quarters.

Intown Quilters, Decatur, lived up to everything I have heard about them. Walk in the door, and you are met by an explosion of color. Signed up for their newsletter.

Sweet Home Quilt Co., Conyers, is in a wonderful old house. It was a pleasure to walk through the house, with its high ceilings.

Red Hen and Little Quilts are two of my neighborhood quilt stores. I frequent them often. They are as comfortable to me as my beloved slippers.

Stitch 'n Quilt, Mableton, has recently moved and is greatly expanded.

Keep your fingers crossed that I win one of the prizes! My BFF and I are going to share.

Definitely Spring & 40 days

The dogwood blossoms are starting to open. We have at least a dozen azaleas in bloom. Joe and the yard crew trimmed the bushes on the fence line by our neighbor and we can now see the entire neighborhood. I love Smyrna in the Spring!

40 days to retirement. I hear the UFO quilts calling my name.

My Civic Duty

I was called for jury duty this week. I am honored to perform my civic duty. It is just so hard to sit and wait. It gives me an opportunity to finish my applique blocks from my recent classes and get caught up on my quilt book reading. I got some funny looks from fellow jurors this morning wearing my magnifying glasses.