Fall Flowers

Finally got outside today to do some yard work. The lawn needed to be mowed (several days ago) and the flower beds needed tending. I got the lillies cut back and some deadheading done. There's lots to do yet, but I didn't accomplish it all before it got dark.

This is the first year for the purple aster and the mums in the pictures.  They look beautiful...and they're huge.

I have three more mums that aren't blooming yet.  Hopefully in another week or so.

Wallhanging for Sewing Room

This past weekend I started another sewing project.  I've been wanting to learn how to hand quilt so I knew I needed a small project to get started.  A wallhanging for my sewing room was the perfect thing.  I went to the library and picked up some books and found a pattern for this quarter log cabin. The colors are going to look great in my bright yellow sewing room.

It was quite an easy pattern but very addicting. Someday I'm going to make a full-size quilt of a log cabin variation. Hopefully this fall and winter I'll get lessons on how to quilt and can get started on the next step. 

Pillowcases

Earlier this week I received a newsletter from one of the quilt stores here in town.  They are collecting pillowcases for children who are hospitalized for cancer treatments or other serious diseases.  The organization that is sponsoring this is ConKerr Cancer.  The pattern is available on their website.

I had gotten enough material for a third pillowcase, but as I was making these last night I found that one of the pieces was so out of shape coming off the bolt that I couldn't get the size I needed out of it.

I'm headed to the quilt store today to deliver my projects and to see what else I can find.  It's customer appreciation days and they have 15% off.  I need to get some fabric for the border of another project I'm making with the yellow fabric I showed in this post.  Happy sewing!

Sewing Projects

I've bought some fabric in the past few days for a couple of fun projects that I'm going to make.  It's all washed and ironed and ready to be used.  Now I just need to make the time to sew.

I'll post more photos once I'm finished.

Rain, rain, go away

We have been getting inundated with rain the past several days.  I've had 14.5 inches since Aug. 3.  My house does not usually have a problem with water in the basement, but after the first 8 inches the sewers couldn't handle all of the water.  I happened to wake up at 2 a.m. and decided to run downstairs and check to make sure everything was okay.  I really wasn't expecting the find anything.  However, I found the drain was just about ready to overflow.  I got the rugs picked up and some boxes moved and by then the water was going all over the floor.  Not good!

I was trying to scoop water out of the drain but since it was still raining outside the water just kept on coming.  So at 2 a.m. I'm outside in the rain knocking on the neighbor's door asking to use their wet vac.  He came over and helped get the water all out. About 20-30 minutes after it stopped raining, the drain was able to handle it again.  But by then the water had seeped under the wall and into the bathroom.  There was also about 4-5 feet of hallway carpeting that got wet also. 

I was up the next night again with water problems, but this time I was able to catch it before it started spreading all over the floor.  Last night I actually got a full night's sleep and will again tonight.  The rain is supposed to start again tomorrow but at least the next day is Saturday and I won't have to get up and go to work if I happen to get water and am up during the night.

I know that I am one of the lucky ones.  I just had a piddly little water problem compared to others around the area. 

My First NASCAR Race

Last weekend I had an opportunity to go to the Iowa Speedway.  They asked for volunteeers at work to help the Tama County Pork Producers grill and give away 5,000 pork burgers.  A free ticket to the Nationwide race was included.  We left Pioneer bright and early.  By 9:30 the sandwiches were being made and put into coolers for us to give away at the tent.  By 11:45 they were gone.

The race didn't start until 6:30 p.m. so we had plenty of time to wander around.  We checked out all of the tents and picked up some freebies.  It's just like the fair!  Even the people watching is like the fair...you never know what you'll see. 

Our seats were waaaaaayyyy on the other end.

Qualifying was mid-afternoon so we watched most of that.  I knew races were loud, but I had no idea just how loud.  After hearing just one car during qualifying, I knew it would be really loud during the actual race.  Good thing for ear plugs!

After a long, hot afternoon, it was time for the race.

After two red flags and a few yellows, Kyle Busch took the checkered flag. 

Can't wait until next time!

RAGBRAI 2010

RAGBRAI was last week and one of the towns they went thru was West Bend.  Mike was riding for the first three days so the first order of business was to make a sign and put it in dad's parking lot.

It was a beautiful day to be outside watching everyone ride by.  Not too hot, and it wasn't raining.  The National Guard was set up across the street from mom's with free water.

We walked uptown several times to see what was going on up there too.  It was packed.  Everyone had to walk their bicylces thru the area.

Lots of riders stopped to see the Grotto and also took advantage of the shade for a quick rest.

A long line of riders coming into town.

Mike finally arrived later in the afternoon.

Seeing all the riders and the fun they have makes me think that someday maybe I'll try at least one day of the ride.  Maybe.