Home sweet home

Got home late last night from International Quilt Festival in Houston. What a busy time. We worked long hours and met so many people. It was really good to get home though. There really is no place like home. Spent today recovering from a long week and a very long day of travelling. Our flight home got cancelled and we spent most of the afternoon trying to book another flight. Finally got home at 10 pm and then had to drive from Toronto to Brockville. Needless to say today was a bit of a write off.
It was interesting to see all the exhibitors and to have a chance to view the quilt show. There was a wonderful Canadian exhibition with some stunning quilts. The Quilting Arts exhibition was incredible too. I needed a full day to really get a good look but we were just too busy to get away from the booth for long.

It's been a busy couple of weeks. Matt, Beth and the girls are here for about three weeks and we are having lots of fun. Isla celebrated her third birthday on Saturday and so we all helped her celebrate at the McMahon's. Andrew and Krystin made the most amazing cupcakes and Isla got spoiled. She had a great time and spent most of the day in the pool with Kailey.
Erin is getting settled in New Zealand. She finally got her work visa and got a job so she is quite relieved. Monica is back at Acadia and so life in the Holmes house is rather quiet.
Sharon and I have been doing lots of cycling and have clocked over 700 km since mid June. Our goal is 1000 and I think we're going to make it. We've really enjoyed getting out all summer and hate the thought of having to put the bikes away for the winter. The only positive thing is that skating starts soon so I have something to look forward to for the winter.
The cottage renovation is still underway. The foundation is done and the framing starts this week. The septic is done and the plumbers were there today to get things started and everything is ordered - windows, doors, siding, roof etc. It's starting to get exciting now. I can't wait until it's finished.

Sharon and I went cycling twice this week and I went once with Marilee. The weather has been glorious, clear skies and sunshine all week. The mornings are a little nippy when we first head out but it certainly doesn't take long to warm up. Sharon and I have cycled almost 700 km since mid June. I think our goal of 1000 km by the end of September is a reasonable goal. It has been so much fun to get out and ride.
Went to see "Inglourious Basterds" last night. What a movie. Very violent but with so many twists. 2 1/2 hours flew by.
Christine and I are working hard to get all the Northcott quilts done. You can see them on www.northcott.net
Ours is called "Going for Gold".
I was looking around while cycling this morning and noticed that some of the trees are beginning to turn red. I can't say I mind though. I really love the fall. Pretty soon Cherice and I will start skating. Registration starts this week. Just think - if the weather stays nice I can bike and skate!
Matt and Beth and the girls arrive next week. I can hardly wait to see them. It will so nice to have a good long visit. Looks like Beth and the girls will be here for just over 3 weeks. Yippee!!

I think summer has finally arrived. It's a glorious day and I am going to spend it with my friends sitting around Colleen's pool. I haven't swam all summer which is a first for me. Growing up on the river meant swimming all summer long and for the past 15 years we have spent most of our summer at the cottage. Speaking of the cottage, renovations are finally under way. It is starting to get exciting. Once the outside is completed we will get to do the fun stuff - decorating! It's a huge undertaking but when it is finished it will be such a wonderful place to be. We'll also be able to use it year round which will be a new adventure.

It's a rainy day but what else would one expect for a long weekend. I've been awake since 5 a.m. thinking about the fact that today I turn 50. I'm not sure why I'm having a hard time with that but it seems to be weighing heavy on my mind. I've heard that 50 is the new 30 but I don't know if I can buy into that. I guess this will be the year to find out. Yesterday I ran into a girl (well a woman) I went to high school with and she told me that they had a reunion this weekend because everyone from our graduating class was turning 50 and I realized that there is a whole group of us out there with 50th birthdays this year. I don't know why that made me laugh and I thought to myself that I am not alone in feeling somehow that life is speeding by me at a pace I can't quite keep up with.
Yesterday I bought "Katie Holmes boyfriend jeans" - I think it is one of those things that you think will make you feel young although I'm not sure they actually make me look young!! We are all looking for the fountain of youth but maybe it is there right in front of us - in the way we live and the things we do with our lives and the way we take care of ourselves - after all age is really just a number! As my cousin Harriet says. "50 and FABULOUS"

We've just spent a wonderful week in New Brunswick visiting the kids, playing with Isla and snuggling Maeg. The weather hasn't been too bad - a little mix of sun and cloud and rain at night. Yesterday we went to the St James Textile Museum in Dorchester. It was really interesting. We had lunch at a cafe that is in the oldest stone house in New Brunswick.
I can't believe that we have to leave tomorrow. Isla keeps saying, "Don't go home okay?" She is so much fun to be with and so very sweet. She says the funniest things. Today she told Matt when he was teasing her,"Keep your own self to your own self or you can sit on the stairs." I really love this age. I told her that I would have to take her home in my suitcase and she said,"No thank you I'll walk".

We are finally on vacation. Got a late start to our day but I figure it's our holiday so why rush. We drove as far as Edmunston which is about 8 hours from home. That will make a nice short 5 hour day tomorrow and then we will be with Matt and Beth and the girls. Can't wait to meet Maeg and hang out with Isla. I hope the weather is nice because then we can spend some time at the beach which should be fun. I plan to play with Isla all week!! I'm glad to be out of the car. Think I'll kick back with a magazine and an ice cold beer!