Gwen's 66th Birthday: October 2021

     A few years ago, the Temple Firefighter's Association purchased an office building downtown. They use it for association gatherings (meetings, parties, storage, etc.) and allow family member to reserve it. I never thought that purchase would be such a plus for our family. Little did I know, it would turn out to be the perfect party place.

Our family hasn't been able to gather together since the COVID-19 pandemic began. We did attend Scott and Molly's wedding; but, masks were worn, we were socially distanced to the point where hugs and kisses weren't even considered.  Now that all family members old enough to be vaccinated have that added level of protection, we felt confident about getting together again.

With Leslie's family driving in from the Ft. Worth area, Ryan's family coming up from Leander, Rebecca's family driving in from Gatesville, and Scott and Molly coming over from Killeen, Temple is kinda sorta mid-way. But, the condo is way too small to host any parties! We decided to reserve the Union Hall and meet there.

Things were kept simple: catered soups, salads, and bread sticks from Olive Garden, snacks, cake, pie, ice cream kept everyone fed. Each family brought a game or activity to keep us entertained. The Union Hall has a foosball table, pool table, basketball game, dart board, and tons of extra room for the grands to have their own space. The adults were able to sit around and chat; something we haven't done in such a long time!! 

Our gathering was simply wonderful! I think we will be using the Union Hall for most family gatherings from now on. The pictures below are captioned to record what was going on. 

Scott being his typical goof ball self.

Chowing down on soup and salad.

So much room and yet cozy enough that we could all share in the conversations.

The kids playing foosball. I don't even know if that's the right term or how it is spelled; but who cares!?!

Scott still being a goof ball. Poor Molly.

What a great picture, Becca!

Gwen and Ron

Leslie and Ryan

More foosball for Sophie, Samantha, and Sophia.

Team Maggie won!

"Can you really tell the difference in colas" challenge.

Cola taste testing.

Is it Coke, Pepsi, HEB cola, or RC!

Honestly, the only thing they could tell was which one was the HEB version.

Evidently, it doesn't taste as good.

Sophie and Samantha

Becca

G and Molly

clockwise from the bottom: Sophie, Samantha, Scott, Becca, John, Leslie, and John's daughter.

Thanks to Aunt Jamie, a game of ax throwing.

We had some wild throws thanks to Sophia!

I can't remember the name of this game! A movie game that included quotes, phrases, one word clues, acting it out, and other methods to guess the names of films.

A super funny game of Meme's. It was a little PG-13 rated at times.

A cruise-like "Newly Wed Game" planned by Jamie.

Party Mimi and her Party Thor shirt.

Texas sheet cake... yum!

Ryan and Jamie

Samantha trying out the basketball game. 

Ryan and Sophia

Samantha and Boomer

Molly and Gwen

Simply the BEST birthday celebration EVER! But, not, I'm not finished yet. Here are some pictures taken during our non-professional photo shoot. 

We had Scott and Jamie bring their cameras and took photo's at the church next door to the Union Hall. Considering the fact that we didn't have a professional photographer, I think they turned out fantastic. Well, most of them did. Some are just hysterical!

The entire crew!!! It made this mother's heart so happy!!

Leslie's family

Gerson, Sophie, Maggie and Leslie

Ron, Gwen, and Boomer

Rebecca and Seth

John and Rebecca

Ryan's Family

Ryan, Jamie, Samantha, and Sophia

Scott and Molly

Our kids: Scott, Rebecca, Leslie, and Ryan

The Grandkids: Mimi, Seth, Sophie, Poppy, Maggie, Samantha, and Sophia

These just made me chuckle....

No one could possibly have such a crazy, loud, fun-loving, supportive, and dedicated family. Love them all bunches!!

Etsy Shop and Sami Show; Final Chapter

When I inherited all of Mom's sewing machines, gadgets, notions, books, patterns, and fabric, it was overwhelming! There is a whole post, complete with pictures, describing the vast amount of stuff we moved out of her house after she passed away. I honestly never expected to whittle it down to a reasonable amount. 

Over the past two years, I have donated boxes and boxes of fabric to the local quilt guild. I've made quilts to donate to local charities. I've made stacks of pillow cases to donate to the nursing home. I finished several of Mom's unfinished quilts and gave them to all of my children and grand children. I finished one of her baby quilts and gave it to a niece's baby. I turned several of her orphan blocks into art work for the walls of my home. I even convinced one of my daughters to help me set up an Etsy shop and participate in the local Sami shows to sell various items.  

Our last Sami show and most recent inventory items have pretty much used up the miscellaneous bits and pieces that really weren't big enough or numerous enough to make a quilt out of. I had reached a point where I was going to have to start buying fabric to go with what was left in order to make something that had matching fabric in it. That's when I realized it was time to stop.

During the time I've been using up Mom's dribs and drabs of fabric, my designing, cutting, sewing, quilting, and binding skills have improved ten fold! While it has been bitter sweet to work through her stash; but, I think she would be proud of my growth as a quilter. 

So, this is the last post about items I've made for the Etsy shop or a Sami show. The existing inventory will be available as long as the current listing is up. Once they expire and it is time to renew, the shop will close and we will no longer set up at Sami Shows. I'll even retire my tax ID number!

It was fun having Maggie, Sophie, and Leslie help out at the Sami Shows. I loved that the girls made their own craft items and sold them as well. I appreciated Leslie's administrative support with the shop; but, now it is becoming a job. That's when you realize it might not be much fun if you keep going. I don't want to turn a hobby into a job because it takes the pure joy out of it. 

So here are the final pictures of Etsy Inventory and our Sami Show experience. It was fun; but, the party is over!