First Quarter of 2009

This month is almost half way through, where is the time going. This month was the celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. Ron surprised me again. This time for a trip to Maui to celebrate. We left on Monday the 2nd. On the way to the airport I saw a rainbow over Chicago. It was our beacon of luck. There was a snowstorm on the east coast and some of the flights to Chicago to move planes were cancelled. We had to move to plan B. We ended up on a non-stop to Honolulu. Ok, it was coach and 10 hours, but it got us to the islands. We had to catch an inter-island over to Maui. It all worked out. Ron had booked a great place on the beach in Kihei by the Azeka plaza. ( and wasn't there a quilt shop in the plaza, and didn't I sign up for a class.) Tuesday was our annivsersary. We had planned on going to the beach at sunset and saying our vows again. The plans were good, the weather did not cooperate. It was windy, quite cool, and no sunset. We did it on our leni. It was still cool.

On Wednesday we went on our first Whale watch. WOW!!!! We were out for 2 hours and saw a lot of whales. By the lighthouse we was a mom, nursing her baby. You could see the baby swimming around her. The boat ride was wonderful. Only problem, it was cool, gray, cloudy. We did not let the weather stop us. We traveled down to Wailea, up to the Pilani highway,,down the Kihei Road. It had been almost 5 years since we were there. There had been many changes. On Friday I did take a Hawaiian Quilting class. It was fun. I did get my pillow top appliqued before we came home. Bonnie, Ron's sister is stationed at Scolfield in Honolulu. She came over to Maui on Friday night. On Saturday we went Whale watching, this time out of Lahaina. It was the only time we got some sun, and warmth. Checked out the Maui Brewing Company for dinner. We had changed condo's on Saturday. Sunday we took Bonnie toward Upcountry. Went to see the surfer's. Talk about wind. The waves were pretty big, at least to us. You could still see whales out in the distance. We did drive up to Makawco. Then toward Kula, where there is a Lavender farm. We found it, but it was closed, next time. By now there was either a mist, or we were in a cloud. We dropped Bonnie at the airport. It was fun to see her and play tour guide. Monday was checkout and get ready to travel home. Did find the coolest scrapbooking store in Wailuku, and of course Sew Special in the mall in Kahului.

The weather was not in our favor this time, but we still had a great time. When can I go back again. I would be willing go and stay in a condo that didn't face the ocean. I would take cuts, just so I can go back. I love it there.

On to other things. We were finally able to convince Dad he needed to move here. When he said OK, we got the ball rolling. He and I drove the van to his home, and started packing. Who knew he had more in the attic of the house. I don't think that stuff had been touched in 30 years. We did get it gone. Linda flew down to help. Matt and the kids come over to start packing tools to take back home. Ron flew down to drive the truck back to Illinois. The house is on the market. Dad is now settled at Alden of Waterford in Aurora. He is only 3 miles from here. I go over a couple time a week. I bring his laundry home to do. Everything else is being taken care of or done for him. We have gotten all sorts of things set up for him. He is meeting people and has his meals with different people every day. They take him to church on Saturday. He has shipboard services on a stationary ship???? He seems to be doing well. Only complaint is it is cold up here. We keep telling him Spring and Summer are coming. Linda had traveled up with us to help Dad get settled in. She

stayed for a week. It was fun having her here too. We got a chance to all put our Toth University t-shirts on for a picture. It has been a little over a month since Dad moved in. We are still getting things moved around.

Now that he is here I may start to get some time to sew. I have lots of projects to get caught up on. I have sewed a bit since we got home from Maui. Princess has helped me.

In February the bee met at the hotel in Naperville for a quilting weekend. That was great. They were showing off the African quilts we were challenged to make. We had each received a packet of African fabric from Marita's stash and were to use it to make a quilt. WOW!! Lyn has already made 2. Barb made one, Marita was putting the border on her's, Marge had her's done, and Linda was still working on her's. I had not even started. I made African Women. I got all the ladies done. Put the borders on after I was home. Started to machine quilt it, but not so sure about it. It takes a lot to shove it through the opening on the sewing machine. We will see.

Today was the Quilt Gathering put on by Riverwalk Quilters Guild. Ami Sims was the speaker. It was a great day. I wore my jacket that I had purchased in Hungary. It was a pretty, sunny, warmish day. Yea!! It is always fun to go to this event. Lyn, Judy, Marita, Marge and I were there. Tomorrow is Lyn's birthday. "60" such a nice age.

I think that is about it for now. Need to catch this up more ofter. Saw Robin's, Spring is on it's way!!!!!