Duck Hats

• Thursdays are Rotary lunch days. This last Thursday, July 17th, president Betty gifted us with duck hats. Wearing these hats will accomplish two things:

1. make people ask us why we are wearing them, thus providing an opportunity to promote the (Almost) Famous Nutley Rotary Annual Duck Race and
2. making us smile when we put them on (and hope that others smile when they see us and don't rush to have us arrested or committed).

New Adventure in the Works

Well, Jackie Gould has talked me into an ocean adventure, so, today I explored the Royal Caribbean web site to get my feet wet. We will be cruising to Bermuda next July aboard the "Explorer of the Seas."

Searching the web site to learn more about the documents required, what to pack, how to make reservations for excursions, etc., I lingered on the spa and fitness facilities. Perhaps this will also be a good time to take advantage of a facial and a massage. While captive on this floating resort, I might as well do everything that my pocket book and physical condition will allow! http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000mE7vvKsF5pRqEzXtzbZtdBz:12hbiocak?br=R&shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=EX

I will also have to check out Bayonne, NJ in the near future. It is accessible, parking is reasonable at Cape Liberty and the city seems to be in the midst of a makeover. I recall purchasing our first family artificial Christmas tree at a recommended store in Bayonne. (That was the tree that I decided needed to be freshened up after a couple of years. Showering it with the hose in the back yard, I discovered that the trunk was made of cardboard. What was I thinking?) http://www.cruiseliberty.com/

Every now and then, I think about moving to a manageable city. "Manageable" is the key word here. Park-like city blocks, reliable elevators, interesting cultural activities, a good library system, nearby groceries, hospital, office store and movie theater, secure parking, access to the airport, parkway and turnpike - I don't want much. Thinking about it, do I have that here? http://www.bayonnenj.org/

Full Heart

Today is the Fourth of July. After checking Jackie's blog postings and visiting with Bobby this week, I realize that I am content and my heart is full. It's a great place to be.

Garage

Memorial Day weekend was beautiful, and, I was very motivated to clean up and spruce up for Spring. A great "ah-ha" moment occurred at 7 a.m. when the garage clean-up beckoned, but I had not borrowed the shop vac from my friend. The leaf blower came to mind. Not only did I put the holiday decorations away properly and throw out a ton of "stuff," but I also used the leaf blower to dust everything and then blow all of the dirt on the floor out of the door! The garage is a vision of cleanliness and organization :-)

BBQ Spring 2008

The Spring and Fall Bed, Breakfast and Quilts have me hooked. The anchors for my year, I sign up for the next one before I leave the previous. This year, "Raggedy Circles" was my class choice. In soft, rose and green florals and checks, I realize that I have a preferred color palette. Perhaps I should experiment more. This project is easy, quick and refreshing - no squares and triangles, no points to match. Another one is cut out in my sewing room. Organized before traveling to Wildwood Crest's Adventurer Inn this year, it is a combination of two juvenile flannels featuring baby animals. Hoping that it will be Grace's "drag around" blanket, I plan to finish it for Christmas and make a matching flannel rabbit to go with it.
On a lark, Merry May's basket applique project occupied my time on Sunday. Entirely from mill samples found on the giveaway table, Merry cut enough fabrics for me to attempt this little piece. It is adorable! Now, will it be a pillow or wall hanging? Will it be quilted by Linda Hahn or will I attempt to quilt it by hand? Decisions, decisions....