Halloween

Here is the Halloween costume I made this year. Mom helped me sew the wings and I painted the design on and made the crystal snaps and antennae for my hair. It was a lot of work but it turned out OK.

In case you can't tell...it is a Butterfly.

Quilt - Phase 2

I went home this weekend to work on the quilt with mom. She has already sewn the small pieces we cut out last time I was home to form 56 blocks. We sewed the blocks together and did the 2 borders while I was home.

Growing Up

Lani is getting so big!! My parents traveled to Lubbock to my brother and his family. According to my Mom she is walking all over the place and "talks" a lot to. I was sad that I didn't get to see her but hope to see her soon!

Lani wearing the Miss July shirt Aunt Janet made with the help of Grandma Allen.

Lani reading to Grandma.

Playing in the sand.

Ruthie and 9/11

Mother/Daughter Time

My mom and I started working on a quilt together this weekend. After some time at the store, my OCD self finally decided on several patterns to make a quilt. We cut out over 500 pieces of material. My dad jokes that we cut all that material just to put it back together again. Here are some pictures of the beginning stages. Oh...and just to add a little embarrassment to the mix...we watched Mamma Mia and sang all the songs.

Blah!!

This picture of my niece pretty much sums up my mood today!Although after looking at her I can't help but smile. Such a funny little girl.

Happy Birthday Mom!!

My mom's birthday was 8/9. Since she was in Kansas with my dad, I went home this weekend to see her...with a surprise!!

I walked in with a cake box and she said "Is that one of Ann's cakes?!?!"

**Vince's sister-in-law Ann makes beautiful cakes***

She opened the box and was so thrilled to see a Quilt cake.

Every part of the cake was edible...and yummy!!

She didn't want to cut it so I did it for her.

Should I Boycott?

Let me start by saying that as a recruiter I am unable to hire certain candidates due to their criminal background. Perhaps the professional sports organizations should adopt these same guidelines.

Well, I read this morning that Michael Vick would be back in the NFL on the Eagles and I have to say it struck a nerve. I have already had someone tell me that there are other convicted criminals with drug charges, domestic abuse etc playing professional sports. Well to that person I said this "Perhaps they should reevaluate their hiring criteria".

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for animals...even animated one. Happy Feet was on last night and I had tears in my eyes for most of the movie.

At this point I don't know what action I will take to protest the reinstatement of Vick but at least this blog helped me get it off my chest.

George Strait

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved George Strait!! My dad and I used to sing "All my ex's live in Texas" so when I found out Vince got tickets for last nights show I was super excited.

We met some friends at El Patio in Midtown at about 2:00...no Margaritas for me though. Sidenote: anyone reading this that isn't familiar with El Patio they have very strong Margaritas. After a few hours there we headed to the concert.

Julianne Hough was the fist act. I give her a C+. Blake Shelton followed and I was very impressed by his performance. Sugarland was next and they were AMAZING!! They sound great live. This is my second time seeing them and I would definitely pay to see them again.

Then it was time for George. WOW is all I can say. He sounded great and just has the best smile around.

The only negative about the show is that I was on the aisle so I people walking by me all night. Since we were in the lower level, the people in on the floor came up to our level for bathroom breaks.

We had a great time...Thank you to Stephanie for coming up with the idea.

Friends....

....everyone should have a friend like Wendy. Not everyone would sing "Careless Whisper" by Wham! and "The Right Stuff" by New Kids on the Block karaoke style.

(This was taken at my 30th birthday party)

How twins are made...

This is from an e-mail my mom sent...thought it was cute.

Newport, Rhode Island

Vince and I headed to Newport Rhode Island a couple weeks ago for my friend Joslyn's wedding. We had the best time!!

My hilarious brother texted me and asked if "everything is smaller in Rhode Island"...good one huh?

Friday when we arrived we had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It was fabulous. Joslyn's family and friends made us feel so welcomed.

Saturday was the big day. I got my hair done...it took 80...yes 80 bobby pins to get all of my hair up. All of the girls hopped in a limo and headed to the church. The wedding was gorgeous and the reception was a blast.

(I know I am stooping...it is a habit since I am so much taller than most of my friends)

At the reception: We are singing "Girls Just Wanna have Fun"

Sunday we walked around and enjoyed Newport. At one point we were standing along the harbor and saw a huge Horseshoe Crab in the water. It looked like a huge rock until it started moving. That night, we went to a College League baseball game at the ball park across from the hotel. The Newport Gulls just happened to be playing the US Military All Star Team. I don't think I have had that much fun at a baseball game in a long time.



It was a great trip!!

Lani's First Birthday Weekend

I flew to Lubbock this weekend to see my family and celebrate my Little Lani's first birthday. She is so close to walking and is a funny and loving little girl.

I got her these pop bead for Christmas. Larry and Janae said the loves to wear them around her neck.

My mom playing "So Big" with Lani

Lani and I had some girl talk after we woke up from our naps.

Memories

My brother and I grew up listening to Michael Jackson's Thriller album. We played the record...yes the record which I still have... on my little plastic Fisher Price record player over and over (hope that doesn't embarrass you Larry). I probably listened to it more than Larry and I will admit I danced around my room using a tinker toy or a brush as a microphone and tried to moonwalk. Now moonwalking on carpet doesn't really work but hey...I was 6.

I was channel surfing while packing for a my trip tomorrow and came across CNN and did a double take when it said he died. Most people focus on his out of control life in the recent years but I will always remember him as the Michael Jackson that scarred me with his Thriller video.

Thank you for the memories.

Rest in Peace

Ruthie...

I love the song she is talking about!!

Moonbeam Designs by Janet

I have updated Moonbeam Designs...check out the link to view the cards added.

Nothing much new...

I was going through some pictures on my computer and found the pictures from my trip to Boston last year. There was a rose garden with some gorgeous roses. Here are a few of them.

Happy Earth Day!

Cubs Fan!!

We start'em young in the Allen Family!

Moonbeam Designs

I have set up a secondary blog to post pictures of the cards I make. Feel free to add this to you list of blogs you follow.

http://moonbeamdesignsbyjanet.blogspot.com/

Shopping with Ruthie

Guess that is a good way to describe Pink!

Cubs 4 - Astros 2!!

Baseball season's underway
Well you better get ready for a brand new day.
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They're singing ...
Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

They got the power, they got the speed
To be the best in the National League
Well this is the year and Cubs are real
So come on down to Wrigley Field

We're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Baseball time is here again
You can catch it all on WGN
So stamp you feet and clap your hands
Chicago Cubs got the greatest fans.

You're singing now ...

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Go, Cubs, go
Go, Cubs, go

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
The Cubs are gonna win today.

Wedding Shower

I had a wedding shower this weekend for my friend Joslyn. I am a bridesmaid in her wedding in Newport, Rhode Island this summer.



First step in planning... designing and making all of the invitations by hand:

Second...order a cake to match the invitation.

Third. Make centerpieces with pictures of the bride and groom:

This one was on the bar surrounded by food. I placed LED lights in the vase which illuminated the clear and red stones:

The shower was great!!! I made martini glasses for everyone and of course served red Pomegranate Martinis to match the decor.

Joslyn was a great bartender....and so was Katie!!

All in all...I would have to say it was a great night!

Thank you to Audra, Beth and Katie for helping make this a wonderful evening!

(and thank you to Vince for chopping veggies and Ann for making a gorgeous cake)