#CelebratingOthers with Laura Murphy

Many people have opinions on everything in life, especially on politics, but not everyone does anything about it. So let me introduce you to my friend, Laura Murphy, who had an opinion and is doing something about it! I'll get to that in a minute...

Laura and I met in preseason for Cross-Country at Bowling Green State University when I was a sophomore and she a freshman in the fall of 1981. With her wild blonde hair and friendly personality, she was instantly likeable by the entire team. Our bonds as a team, and our individual friendships as well, were fostered with each mile we shared in practice, and eventually, road tripping to the meets in the MAC (Mid-American Conference). Laura's tenacity as an athlete came forefront during track season in the spring of 1982, where as a freshman, became the MAC champion in the 1500M run.

That is pretty amazing to win as a freshman, right? Well, this young lady went on to win the 1500M run the following three years and is a four-time MAC Champion! She also earned All MAC honors in 1982; 1983 and 1984. In 1983, Laura was also a member of the MAC CC Championship team and was inducted into the BGSU Athletic Hall of Fame, class of 1992, a well-deserved honor for sure.

After her amazing collegiate career, Laura reached another level as a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the Marathon (1996 and 2000). In fact, in 1996 she was also selected as the Michigan Runner magazine Runner of the Year. She continued running and training and represented Hanson's
Brooks at the USATF&CC Club Nationals in Greensboro, NC, where she lead her team to a fourth place finish. She enjoyed a long and winning career on the track and on the road racing circuit, and I am thrilled for all her successes she enjoyed  throughout the years post collegiately.

Laura graduated from BG with a BA in Economics in 1985 and received her Masters degree from Wayne State University in Industrial/Labor Relations in 1993. After graduation she moved to Chicago where her early jobs led her to better business opportunities culminating in working for the Mid-American Regional Bargaining Association, a job where Laura said she learned so much and had a boss who encouraged and mentored her to join professional organizations. It's there she learned to network and work her craft (construction trades; road builders, cement contractors, operating engineers and the like). The longer she worked there, the more she realized the importance of contract negotiations, union work and grievances to hopefully benefit all workers in those fields.

Interestingly, not long after Laura moved to Chicago (1986), she met her husband, Mark Neal, at a party. He was a graduate student at the time at Northwestern in Evanston, IL., and then earned his PhD. After his graduation he went to work for General Motors in Detroit, MI, moving there in the fall of 1989. Laura followed in 1990; and they were married in Rochester, MI, in July of 1991, where they still live today.

In October of 1997, Laura and Mark had twins, a boy, Casey, and a girl, Abbey! Life was busy for them, and Laura said it was best to be home with her children at those tender ages. Never one to sit around, Laura got involved in the PTA; nannied for friends, started a running club when her kids were in elementary school, and was the Rochester College Cross-Country Coach. They traveled when the kids got a little older and even went on a fantastic family trip to Nicaragua!

So what about those strong ideas? Well, we learned that this orange-loving gal who gutted it out on the track and won most of her races; then had a winning streak in her road racing/marathoning days, and that she is easy-going and very likeable, so she took a leap of "faith" in 2016 to help campaign and elect Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from the 8th District in the State of Michigan. It was her very first experience in any type of politics, or campaigns, or elections. But she was determined to makes some changes in whatever capacity she could, and no matter what side of the aisle one sits on, Laura Murphy took matters into her own hands to try and make a difference! I think that is quite admirable and I am proud to call her my friend!

Currently, Laura is the part-time Oakland County, Michigan Community Liaison and is learning the ropes of Congress through Congresswoman Slotkin on a daily basis.

This past fall, Laura was featured in a Washington Post article during Ms. Slotkin's campaign. Please check out:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-michigan-mom-tries-to-woo-her-trump-voting-neighbor-to-switch-sides-will-she/2018/11/07/1638c6e0-e1fc-11e8-8f5f-a55347f48762_story.html?utm_term=.02c91adb3f7f

In addition to her work now (along with nannying a local Rochester family), she also loves to travel, ride bikes, and kayak. In fact, Laura and I traveled to Puerto Rico last month and had a great time. She was also a part of the South Africa trip in 2015, where four BGSU friends enjoyed two weeks in that beautiful country. And last fall, she and her husband went to Hawaii (she helped Mark measure the Kona Ironman course - he is an official measurer).

Since I'm not one to enjoy the political process (I do vote, however), I am amazed at Laura's high energy in working in her county and with Congresswoman Slotkin and all that that entails. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, and Laura has "proved" in many aspects of her life, that she is one very strong woman who gets things done and keeps her eye on the prize! Bravo!

BSoleille! The bright side of #CelebratingOthers with Laura Murphy!

Terri

Photos of Laura and a couple from our recent journey to Puerto Rico and Culebra (she also helped me schlep two bags of quilts to the San Juan Children’s Hospital; pediatric cancer ward:

Rainforest in El Yunque

In the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa; Laura, Jodie Smith, me and Helen Gruniesen

Laura and her family (twins are now 21)

Laura and Mark on their wedding day

PSA on External Hard Drives

How often do you backup your computer? If you are in business setting, most likely your server backs it up automatically, and that's a good thing. Once while taking an Apple class at the local mall, a business owner frantically ran into the store and up to the Genius Bar where, in big crocodile tears, he cried to the techs that his computer died and he never backed it up; hopefully wondering if those "genius techs" could make the herculean task of retrieving this man's business (he mentioned that his  entire business was on it, and now the computer failed him).

Thankfully, my computer prompts me after a week of not backing it up, and today the pop up said "it's been 20 days since your last backup." Lo and behold, I made sure to back it up pronto today.

When those prompts pop up, I can never forget that man and how distraught he was that day.  Unfortunately, I've learned through him that it really does matter to get out that external hard-drive, plug it in, and backup the computer. Easy peasy for the peace of mind it brings.

BSoleille! The bright side of a simple external hard-drive needed for even your personal computer!

Terri

So small, yet so efficient and it can hold a lot of data for sure!

Maryland's Top 100 Women with Dr. Aziza Shad

We are thankful for a night of celebrating others with The Daily Record and their selections of the Top 100 Women in Maryland, of which Dr. Aziza Shad was one of their 100 in 2019. This event was created to recognize outstanding women leaders in their respective fields, plus their community service and commitment to mentoring. It was an honor for my husband and me to celebrate this milestone with Dr. Shad, her husband, Tahir, Julie Broas, Debbie Amey and her son, Kyle, and staff of LifeBridge Health.

As we know, women have come a long way in establishing themselves in business, education, law and medicine. In addition, what we have all collectively learned through the years is that it's really the small incremental steps each woman takes to just "show up," and in effect, inspire, lead, fail (yes, fail too), and mentor others to help shape ourselves, our sons and daughters, and our communities (and while I am at it, our states and our nations) at large.

This particular program was designed to shine a spotlight in leadership roles and to help more women achieve top positions in their professional endeavors. I think the "class" of 2019 did just that, and we could not be more proud of Dr. Aziza Shad as one of the recipients of this prestigious award. BRAVO! (It should be noted that apparently over 520 women were nominated for this statewide honor, the largest number in the history of the program.)

BSoleille! The bright side of Maryland's Top 100 Women....with Aziza Shad, M.D.

Terri
First photo of Tahir and Aziza Shad

Dr. Shad in top left corner

Debbie and Kyle Amey; Julie Broas; Tahir And Aziza, me, Bill and Mary Jane

With the "rock star"

Nature's Heart Art

Finding hearts in nature is something to celebrate, especially when not looking for them but identify them in a blink of an eye. While in Puerto Rico recently, hearts in nature seemed to be "everywhere" and obligatory photos were taken to prove the love...

BSoleille! The bright side of Heart Art...

Terri

Special Love Gala 2019 with Bill and Ryan Tomoff

Will All This Fit in the Suitcase?

"The Best Daughter" was in town recently for a visit and prefers to travel "light." That means one carry-on suitcase and a bag so she can traverse through an airport and into an Uber/Lyft with ease. When she arrived to the house, she began "living out of her suitcase" and spreading a lot of her items around the suitcase, not keeping too much in it...ahem. If one took a good look at it, you could say the suitcase "vomited" its contents with no hope of going back in...ever.

However, if you guessed that everything fit right back in it when it was time to leave, you guessed correctly! Who would have thunk that? We were all amazed when she eloquently "squeezed" everything back in successfully; with no need to sit or stomp on it to zip it closed. That's some kind of packing for sure; and by gosh, all that stuff was packed for approximately a two week stint of travel in that one "little" suitcase.

BSoleille! The bright side of "packing light."

Terri

Lingering Thoughts of Puerto Rico (Culebra!)

Isn't one of the best things about returning from a vacation the lingering thoughts? Like the feel of the sun on your face, or sand between your toes (beachy vacations for sure). And even though I am/we are back and in the saddle of our regular routines, I do find my mind drifting back to the beaches, hikes, food (love those red snappers!) and those amazing turquoise waters of the Caribbean.  I would love to go back someday...and take in more of the soft ocean breezes and the serendipity we found around the islands.

It's a gift to leave only footprints in the sand, knowing full well they would be washed away when the tide rolled in. So when Laura and I left our running shoes at the hostel-on-the-ocean in Loquillo, Puerto Rico, after hiking in the Rainforest at El Yunque, we left our mark with this small, but welcome, donation. Our host, Tyrone, exclaimed that they will be worn by someone affected by Hurricane Maria and that they would be thankful for something other than cheap sandals to wear on their feet. A win-win for all.

BSoleille! The bright side of sunny beaches, warm sand and running shoes left behind.

Terri

 Photos: view from our outdoor kitchen in the hostel; and our shoes all cleaned up!

There is NOTHING Like the Blooming Cherry Blossoms

The Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, are really special and something to experience once in a lifetime for sure. A close second, I must admit, are the BBB's, or most commonly known as the beautiful blooming blossoms around the Crofton Parkway. This past Saturday morning was glorious sunny day to trek around the parkway, taking in the faint pink blooming trees for close to four miles. And let's face it, the photos do not do the blossoms justice, as they are so much more striking in person. I am in full cheerleader mode for full blooms in celebration of Spring and thankful for warmer days and pretty flowers in the days ahead.

BSoleille! The bright side of Blooming Spring!

Terri

Special Love Gala 2019

After a great trip to Puerto Rico, retuning last night, first thing on the agenda was attending the Special Love Gala at the Tyson’s Corner Hilton this evening. Thankfully, it was a stellar event raising needed funds for the cancer kids and their siblings from the Washington DC metro area attending camps in the Maryland and Virginia regions. 

First up, a huge HOW HOW of congratulations to Jay Robinson, who received the 2019 Randy Schools Light of Love award for all this tireless efforts in volunteering and supporting Special Love Programs through the many years. Jay, a cancer survivor himself, has put family, faith and service to work for the greater good of mankind, albeit a lot of cancer patients and their precious families. We are all better because of Jay in our lives, even for a Special Love family weekend or week at camp as his valiant efforts of all things Special Love are deeply appreciated. 

On a personal note, Bill and Ryan both shared our families story about Ryan’s journey with  childhood cancer. I videotaped the entire speech and plan on posting it soon (I’ll post the date it will be on YouTube). I could not be more proud of their speeches, but Ryan ultimately nailed his extraordinary experience and mesmerized the crowd with his compelling thoughts on exactly what this camp really means to him, and all the kids who attend it each summer!  HOW HOW Ryan!!

If you are local, and may like to support a fantastic cause, please check out specialovecamps.org You will be amazed!

BSoleille!

Terri

El Yunque Rain Forest and Beyond

Finishing out our stay in Puerto Rico (back on the big island yesterday), we hiked the 3.6 mile  trek into the rain forest since we couldn’t hike to the peak due to construction vehicles up on the mountain. However, Laura and I felt maybe it was a wee bit more exciting to traverse through a muddy and rocky trail with flora and fauna smacking us in the face (as well as spider webs) as we climbed and descended down to the river. We were thankful to complete two good hikes while on this trip; first one going to Rasaca Beach in Culebra, and today, on the big island of PR. 

Getting back yesterday, we took the 45 minute ferry ride back to PR for $2.25 per person, and so worth it to "get in a cruise" on the Caribbean Sea! Our day ended with seeing the Bioluminescent Bay/Grande Laguna where the plankton "lights" up the water for a second. The water needs to keep moving to see the light. Super cool for sure and glad we got that adventure in (most tours were sold out!)

BSoleille!

Terri

Photos are in the comments... it’s the only way I can post them. Thank you for checking them out. 

Super Laid Back Island

The island folk pride themselves on "sometimes we’re open, and sometimes we’re not."  No hours are listed on any viable establishment, and that includes which days of the week they’re open as well. It all works out, but truly chillax all around these parts. The good thing is that the beaches (and very beautiful at that) are always open for "business."

The past two days Laura and I checked out the beaches our buggy (Go Cart) could go to. We even hiked over a very large hill and rock scramble down to a non swimming beach to check a different part of the island this morning (only ones there) adding to the six others we visited: Melones; Tamarindo; Flamenco; Zoni; Resaca and Punta Soldado. All different, but warm waters at each. A crowd favorite was Zoni, with Flamenco a close second (soft white sandy beaches that felt like being in an infinity pool!)

Here are some photos from beach hopping and relaxing...which we are both very thankful for. 

BSoleille! 

Terri

Flamenco Beach

It’s the bomb! No, really, the area was used for bombing/target practice for the armed forces during WW11, and there are still some "inactive" explosives around the island of Culebra. That tidbit of information did not stop us from going to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and having a stellar day enjoying the sand and turquoise waters of the Northwest side of the island. 

We are thankful for warm water in the Caribbean that was comparable to swimming in a pool in July back home. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Culebra

If you have visited here, you know how awesome this little Island off the East Coast of Puerto Rico really is. If you’ve never been, I think I’ll recommend it based on what we’ve seen so far, and the "crowd pleasers" we will try to see in the next few days. 

One highlight was the 30 minute flight over here on 9 person airplane (minivans are larger by far). The wheels stay down the entire way and we probably traveled around 50 MPH - even going wide of a rainstorm near the El Yunque rain forest. 

First and only beach today was Malone near the downtown/ferry area and thankful for the warm turquoise Caribbean water! Funny thing, hardly anyone there and it was so easy to float on your back for some reason. 

BSoleille!

Terri

Quilts Delivered to San Jorge Children’s Hospital in Puerto Rico!

A huge shout of Thanks to the Southern Comforters Quilt Guild who graciously stitched and sewed and lovingly quilted 32 quilts (shown at our show this past weekend) that we (Laura Murphy my travel companion) took today to the San Jorge Children’s Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Another shout of Thanks to Tracy Councill, Art Therapist, and head of Tracy’s Kids, for connecting me to Urania Dominguez, the only Art Therapist on Puerto Rico and who also is a certified Child Life Specialist splitting her talents all over this Hospital. The 10 or so children we met, along with their parents, were very delighted to have received one of our quilts and hearing the story behind our efforts. 

The quilts certainly brightened up the rooms, as they do no matter where a kid battles childhood cancer in this crazy world. 

I/we were thankful for this opportunity to meet the families and children in the throes of their battle on the pediatric oncology unit. 

Below are some of the kids we met! Or shall I say, "heroes!"

BSoleille!

Terri

Life with No Dogs Means Life with Outdoor Pet(s)...This Spring - Birds

Last summer when our last beloved dog Loo-C died in July, it did not take very long for "other" types of pets...or pests, to move into the backyard. A large hornet or wasp nest was built rather quickly, and thankfully, was at the back of the yard, away from windows and doors to cause any havoc.

Most recently, we have a "group" of starlings building, what I think, is a rather large nest in an area under our roof that lost some siding in a storm last year (we are getting a new roof soon, and that exposed area will be filled in). The birds are loud, and quite industrious as they build their nest using insulation, twigs, decrepit leaves and debris from around our yard and beyond. We are not sure if they have flown the coop today because there was no activity of building or squawking. I actually found other birds perched on the gutter, perhaps contemplating it if they should check out the nest right beneath them (it did not happen while I was watching it all play out).

It really is quite fascinating on how the circle of life can be viewed right outside our windows, but frankly, I'd rather not see them building their nest under an exposed roofline.

BSoleille!

Terr

It's a Wrap for The Best Little Quilt Show in Maryland...

Approximately 550 people came to the Southern Comforters Quilt show this past weekend, and from what I gleaned from the crowd, were enthralled and amazed at the quilts and work involved in pulling off, "The Best little Quilt Show in Maryland!

But besides the beautiful quilts, the Maryland Quilt Challenge, Vendor Hop (Wendy Allen's idea) and great vendors, do you know what makes a great show like this dazzle? If you guessed a committed group of volunteers, and not only our guild members, but members of the memberships' family and friends and a local church's youth group, all working steadfastly together, you would be correct! The Quilt Show Team comprised of Wendy Allen and Susie Stevenson (they are rock stars...diamonds, really) and I spent "hours" behind the scenes to tweak and make some changes and try to improve on what already has been a great local show, much to the members and public's delight. A big shout of THANKS to all who made it to the show and helped with any part of the show including set-up or take-down in any way. Appreciation has been oozing out of us all weekend long!

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing many friends and neighbors at the show (Thank you!), but I was just as pleased to witness the other members of the guild who had their friends, family and neighbors there as well in support of all our artistic efforts. Guests expressed to many of us how impressive they thought the workmanship was in each quilt (about 130+) quilts in total), and thankful they attended our show!

Lastly, I am so honored to be recognized by the public with winning four ribbons; two third place for "Lori and Me" and "Sewfari Bee and Me"; one second place for "Converging Ideas" with Barbara Dahlberg and one first place for "Choppy Seas" in Group Quilts. If you missed the show this year, set your calendar of our show in 2020...sometime in March!

It's not time to rest up and cook a home-cooked meal...and clean the house....or not!

BSoleille!

Terri

A smattering of photos from the show; first one with the Quilt Show Team of Terri, Susie and Wendy (our blonde hair make us fearless!)

Sewfari Bee and Me

 Choppy Seas with hubby Bill

Lori and Me

Elfrieda Harris

Jane McKinley, Wendy Allen, Marion Wise and her daughter, Karen

Deb Hoppe and Robin Stinchcomb

#CelebratingOthers with the Southern Comforters Quilt Show 2019

There are a lot of community events in many towns and cities across the land, but I have to admit, for a local quilt show, nothing can beat the hometown gals that throw a mighty fine quilt show in Bowie, Maryland. Many of you may know, that March is Women's History Month, and with that, history is in the making with the display of 119 beautiful quilts and a plethora of accoutrements (vendors, raffle quilt, raffle baskets, featured quilter, and a vendor hop) that goes right along with this fabulous show.

New this year is the Maryland Challenge using unconventional materials that was judged last night. At 87 years young, Flo Marion's "quilt" entitled: "Is This Our Future?" won first prize. She used plastic bottles, toys, cardboard, beads, snaps, wire and paper and a few other "non cotton" materials to make this stellar inaugural quilt that certainly impressed our judge, Russ Little of https://russlittlefiberartist.com/. A huge shout of Thanks to Russ for your expertise in judging our first ever Maryland Quilt Challenge (17 quilts entered).

The boundless energy of our entire guild is consistently displayed every year. This show does not happen without many giving volunteers.  We have the grit and know how to build the apparatus to hang our quilts, and then, truly transform a basic middle school into a complete art gallery with gift shops (vendors) and free demonstrations to educate the those interested in the nuances in the fiber arts.

If local, please consider coming out to support our guild tomorrow from 11am to 4pm at Samuel Ogle Middle School, 4111 Chelmont Lane, Bowie, Maryland 20715. We have more FREE demos and a whole host more!

Also please check us out at: http://southerncomforters.org/ and "like" us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SouthernComfortersQuiltGuild/

BSoleille! See you at the Show!

Terri

A few photos from set up (Friday night) to our first show day (today/Saturday).

Spring?

I think today is the first full official day of Spring, ushered in sometime yesterday. Here in the mid-Atlantic, Spring started off "rough" with a very rainy day. Not a huge fan of this type of weather, but if it brings sunny days soon with lots of flowers and leaves on the trees, I'm all in once again.

My photo today is of the big trees in the backyard that look somewhat lonely without their leaves. However, the silver lining is it's easy to see the birds bounding from one branch to another while belting out a lovely birdie tune.

BSoleille!

Terri

Last Minute Preparations for Quilt Show 2019

We are in the final days before the Southern Comforters Quilt Show this weekend. It's like having a baby and getting the house cleaned and the suitcase packed for the hospital, except we are getting our quilts quilted (and putting on the final touches if they are not already done...), ribbons adjusted and hang-tags prepped for the show. There is no turning back now!

Luckily, Wendy Allen, Susie Stevenson and I had some help this evening with the last of the preparations before we all descend on Samuel Ogle Middle School this Friday to set it all up! A shout of thanks to Jane McKinley and Rosa Walls in making "many hands make light work."

BSoleille! The bright side of the Roy Orbison's song: "Pretty Ribbons"...with Blue being a crowd favorite.

Terri

Tip Toeing Through the Tulips or TTTTT

I simply cannot wait for the tulips to start blooming in the Mid-Atlantic (Maryland), so I cheated and bought some beautiful tulips at the grocery store recently. The squirrels have eaten though all the bulbs I planted years ago, and I never replanted (and boy, they looked good for a few years too). These pink tulips were tightly closed upon purchase, and I wondered if they'd open up at some point. Well, they did, plus have such a nice coloring to them I couldn't resist taking a photo or two or three.

BSoleille! The bright side of terrific tulips and TTTTT.

Terri

Pretty Sky on St. Paddy's Day

Sometimes it's the little things...like an awesome evening sky in March on St. Paddy's Day. It goes with the Irish sayings like:

Keep Calm and Dance with the Leprechauns 

Or

Over that cotton candy sky is a pot 'o gold!

BSoleille! My photo is unleashed and unedited...

Terri

Here Comes the Bride...Gitty Git AKA Katie Gitlin

It's one thing for an adult to "get older", right?  But when our kids gets "older" and go on to college, move out of the family home, or get married...whoa! That age thing catches up with us very quickly, no matter if we "feel" 25!

So when "The Best Daughter's" Pheen teammate got engaged to be married (she/they are in the age group of "everyone" getting married - 25-30 age bracket) I was honored to be invited to Katie's bridal shower that was held today. This lovely bride-to-be was an epitome of happiness, along with her closest friends, Mom Patty, Oma and Aunt Peggy.

And just like any blushing bride-to-be, Katie was showered with beautiful gifts (she could probably serve a mean Thanksgiving feast for 20 but learn to cook first!), and thankful for each item opened.

I loved that the karma was so good in Oma's home, and everyone was happy for Katie and Travis and their upcoming nuptials in May.

BSoleille! The bright side of Katie "Gitty" Gitlin and Travis wedding shower! And...hanging with my Pheen peeps, Patty (Mom of bride) and Angie Kozlowski!

Terri

Patty Gitlin, Angie Kozlowski, and me

Katie with Bill Tomoff (they always had to take a photo each season while playing for the Freestate Phoenix!

Katie and me

Opening presents!

Throwback Thursday to Spring of 1980 - Outdoor Track

The nice weather is upon us, fingers crossed, until the fall again. With the time change over last weekend, it seems that the sun is a little brighter and people can't wait for a "proper" spring (and I'm one of them!).

Spring Track and Field will be outdoors soon (if not already for most high schools and colleges), and not that long ago (39 years to be exact), I was out there on the track slugging it out in the 800M or 1600M runs. Today's photo was found as I was cleaning my Long-Arm Sewing room (AKA back bedroom) and couldn't resist to post it. The track was cinders at James Ford Rhodes High School in Cleveland, Ohio; but we took pride running on any track and in most conditions. It was "fun" to change our spikes to longer ones to race on cinders, as opposed to smaller spikes for all-weather tracks (not many in 1980...but schools started updating their stadiums then).

But more than the spikes, check out the socks we are wearing? Those were the days..., yes?

BSoleille! The bright side of Spring; Track and Field and Longer days with brilliant sunshine! And I am on the far right of the photo; my friend, Ann Gentile Kukucka, is on the far left.

Terri

Pedal to the Metal with Quilt Show Prep Time

I think I know how if feels to be a twin like my husband, and his twin bro, Don. They talk multiple times a day, mostly business talk I think, but who knows? While planning for the upcoming show in 11 days, the Quilt Show Team members; Wendy Allen, Susie Stevenson and I, end up talking to each other multiple times a day as well. It's usually quick snippets of information that is shared, but we've been known to yak on longer calls to clarify the many facets that the show entails. The other day we all decided to take a photo of our "quilt show central" in each of our homes. The following photos make it abundantly clear that there is a lot going on for each of us, but we wouldn't want it any other way...or would we?

Of course, it will be all worth it in the end; as these gals are wicked smart and the most organized women I know. I'm thankful that we are very compatible with our ideas (we have a lot of new things going on at the show), and run things by each other so our guild, our guests and our vendors have a wonderful weekend. It's no small feat...and as they say: "Preparation + Opportunity = Luck.

BSoleille! The bright side of a "Lucky Quilt Show Weekend", March 23, 24 at Samuel Ogle Middle School in Bowie, Maryland. Hope to see you there!

Terri

I am having trouble loading the photos onto the blog; I'll try to post the photos in the morning. I hope this is a one-time glitch in Blogger. Photos loaded on 3/13 (day after this post); I guess it wasn't as messy after all...except mine! Wendy starts out below with the Maryland Quilters Challenge on her living room floor.

Terri's messy dining room table....

Wendy's organized table!

Susie's organized quilt show stuff 1

Susie's organized quilt show 2

Footnote to Yesterday's Post...Soccer Fierceness

It is truly and honor that I can be on the pitch refereeing a match of soccer with some top-notch athletes; boys and girls. However, since I am so close to the athletes while on the field, I feel the electricity from the players and intensity in their dynamic play. As a Center Referee, one hears the conversations from one teammate to another in the battle to score a goal, or to move the ball up the field, or to cheer each other on with their decisive moves in one direction or another. As referees, we all try to tune out the yelling from coaches or parents, as it is up to each individual player doing their part to make their team the most effective squad that they can be, because, in the end, they are doing all the work.  From what I see out on that pitch, I sometimes think that the play is a kind of an artform, really, even though it's an athletic event bar none.

So from the twack of the ball being swiftly kicked to another player (teammate, hopefully), or the beads of sweat forming around their brows (even in cold weather), I am amazed with the discipline and determination I see on their grimaced faces when these athletes line up and are ready to compete at their highest levels. I'm not sure a coach or parent can see what a referee can see or feel on the pitch, or even know the ferociousness from the 22 players that stand before us for either 60, 70, 80 or 90 minutes (length of game depends on age). And what is most incredible, most players battle wholeheartedly the entire match whether or not their team is winning or losing. It's fierceness from whistle to whistle and never let up; now that is a blessing for sure!

BSoleille! The bright side of team fierceness.

Terri
Photo from the Fulham vs. Tottenham game; London 2019 (By the way, Tottenham won this game in the 93rd minute; a "Disney Goal"; meaning the goal was scored in extra time with seconds left in the match...this team never let up!

Not Exactly a Half Marathon

I am not sure if I am in "shape" to run an half-marathon or 13.1 miles...straight. However,  today I ran 13.1 miles in five games of soccer which is a lot of running, stopping on a dime and turning in the other direction, and walking and running along the side lines as an Assistant Referee. I must admit I am as sore as running 13 miles straight, so I will "take it easy" for a short spell, and sit at my sewing machine in the coming days to get ready for my guild's annual quilt show.

I am also thankful for the great cast of referees I worked with today at Indian Creek High School in Crownsville, Maryland; the Maryland United Football Club, who also provided the referees a meal at Bobby Q's food truck, and the stellar weather we were blessed with today (started out cool and cloudy, but ended a little warmer and sunnier for all to enjoy). It was fast and furious soccer (my favorite kind) played by the best young ladies (from Maryland, Connecticut and New Jersey) on the pitch from ages U14-U18. So fun!

BSoleille!

Terri