Pitch-in Friendsgivingish Dinner

A month or so ago we talked about having a pitch-in with friends.  We never scheduled it because of various things going on etc.  But with thanksgiving coming up I thought why not now.  

I invited some friends over.  

I made pot roast and spinach artichoke dip (more about those later).  

People showed up.

They brought dishes.

They played with Jones.

We fixed plates.

We ate.

We talked.  

We watched YouTube videos.

Jones entertained.

I held baby Louise.

Jones gave her hugs.

There was dessert.

I took literally one photo and didn't pay attention to my phone.

It was a good evening.

(Said photo is here... jones waving bye to Louise)

quilt for Louise - half square triangles

I actually finished this in August!  About a week after our friends daughter Louise was born.  I kept forgetting to give it to her and to take pictures of the quilt!  But I did get some pictures by my friend Amy Garro aka http://13spools.com and http://indyfamilyphoto.com/index.php/about/ at the September IMQG meeting.  

This quilt was really simple the blue fabrics my brother sent me from a leftover project he did.  I paired them with this Kona pink and then did two different designs with hst on each side originally the quilt was to be much larger but the baby was due, so I improvised.  I actually still have about 8-10 more triangles so maybe they will appear in another project. 

I love the back best on this one and the puckering from the quilting.  There is something so lovely about the random triangles I think.

Jason Vanoskey 1984-2015

I have started this post several times over the last month.  It's still very real and very sad for me to even write.  I keep expect him to text me and say that he is coming by for dinner, or that Jayda wants to do crafts, or to find out where I was going to church.  

Let me back up for a second and say Jason Vanoskey was a staple here at the house and in our lives.  There are people you don't just consider friends but you consider them family like Kathleen.  And Jason was one of those people.  

He often was the last to leave a party.  

He didn't care if I was fixing hot dogs and macaroni for supper he was hungry and he was coming and eating it and seconds.

He fell asleep on the couch more often then not.

He could devour a pizza in less then a minute.

He got in trouble for running at my pool party.

He made us watch cross fit videos.

He ate cheeseburgers faster than I can say cheeseburger.

He could jump on top of a dryer from standing position.

He told us about his women dramas.

He danced with me at many weddings.

He trusted us with his daughter.

He loved holding and hugging on my baby.

He shared scripture and truth with us when we needed it and when we thought we didn't.

And he couldn't wait until it was time to rip his shirt off in any sporting event.

He was my people.  

Funny story about Jason, before Dustin and I met.  He and Dustin were at the grocery store together and I was there with my friend Amy (who had previously dated Jason), and Jason saw us told Dustin to stay far away from Amy and I, that we were "trouble".   A week or so later Dustin actually met us and totally disregarded Jason's warning.  And obviously we know what happened after that.  When I told Jason about this later he had no recollection of it but we always chuckled about it.

That last time we hung out we ate cookies and talked about college funds and how his ideal women was like his mom.  He hugged me on his way out the door like usual.  I didn't know that would be the last time I would see him.  I didn't know that my texts a week later to him would be the last ones we exchanged.  Sometimes God has plans.  Sometimes we don't understand what the plans are and just have to accept that God is at work.  I am comforted knowing that Jason was both a Christian and Disciple.  I know I will see him again in heaven and he will tell me about his latest workout and girl and he then he will fall asleep on the nearest sofa.  I miss you Vanoskey.

Lynley got Married

One of my best friends got married like a month ago.  It was beautiful, fun and amazing.  I am so glad that John and Lynley found each other.  You can tell they truly love each other and its awesome sauce.  Lynley was looking especially beautiful.   Kathleen and I were bridesmaids and so you know we took like a million selfies.  We also tried to give her a million amazing ideas like monkeys instead of bouquets and leopard suit dresses.  Thankfully she shot down all my ideas.   We also had guest appearances from Justin Timberlake, Tupac, Biggie and a handful of other celebs.  Here's a few of my snaps.

Here's to a long and magical wedding!  

Totally Rad 1980s Going away Party

So in like two weeks Kathleen is moving back to Bowling Green for grad school.  We are super sad to say the least.  So we threw Kathleen a 1980s themed picnic. We had a spread of 1980s foods -  manwich, twinkies, fruit rollups, Mac and cheese and cool ranch Doritos.  Oh and Capri Suns to drink.  

We dressed up in 1989s costumes including baby jones (don't all babies need sweat bands).  Not too many people wore costumes but you know we we did - Kathleen went for late 1980s Denise Huxtable from the cosbys while I was 1980s workout.  

We also gave party favors of cassette tapes with Kathleen's picture in them.  They were a big hit despite nobody having a cassette player.  

It was a good party thanks to everyone who came. 

 

#7 Be Spontaneous with Amy

So for Amy's birthday we got spontaneous #7 from the list.   We started out picking her up blind folding her and taking her to the JW for a slumber party (that was also #38 on my list).  She was so excited she also had no idea what was happening.  

The after church Sunday we had a surprise limo pick her up for lunch and cupcakes.  Lunch was mcdonalds because Amy loves mcdonalds. 

Then we got dropped off at Game paradise for a surprise with more friends and 1300 board games to play.  It was super fun.  Happy birthday Amy!

Girls nights grown up picnic

My five weeks home are expiring Monday!  :(. So I wanted to get together with my girls before my only days are Saturday and Sunday again.  I thought it would be fun to do a grow up picnic on the canal.  So that's what we did.  Everyone brought a dish and we met up on the canal in a nice spot amongst the trees and in the grass.  I brought some champagne and someone else brought some "mixers". And we ate and drank champagne mixers and chatted it up about everything and nothing until it was too cold to be outside.  It was a fantastic night and way to spend time with friends.  

It was also great to be reminded of the blessing the last 5 weeks has been both to my friendships and marriage and really to my sanity.  

PS some of my friends were not interested in having their pictures taken but I did anyway but my friends who eat it up I completely forgot to snap photos of after they arrived.  DOH!  Next time next time.

Let's Get Married - Thank yous!

Our wedding could not have come off so nicely if it wasn't for our people.  So this post is specifically for our people.  Hopefully I don't miss anyone, but let me preface this by saying that we are truly blessed with our families and our friends I often feel as though our cup runs over with remarkable relationships and hopefully we can share the blessings with each of you one day. 
Thanks so much to my bridesmaids who not only threw me some pretty awesome parties.  But went the extra mile dress shopping, made invitations, programs, wedding flowers, centerpieces, set-up, tore down, seamed dresses and more.  They gifted me my make-up and hair, and made sure my dress wasn't ruined getting in and out of cars, they stood in the cold in their summery dresses and owned picture time.  These girls - Kathleen, Lynley, Amy, Rachael, and Lita were pretty much awesome.   They represented seriously.
Thanks so much to the groomsmen, especially knickerbocker and jono who were very supportive to Dustin often leaning him an ear or giving him a needed pep talk.  You also made set-up possible hauling chairs, tables and risers, moving things an inch or two for Kim.
Thanks to my momo who helped out with gift making, pencil sharpening and pinched and saved up so she could help us out with the wedding costs - it meant a lot to us momo.  You are the best and it's great to see how your life has changed in the last few years.

And to JJ - Dustin loved how you are mister taker carer (he had no idea).  It was great how you continually checked to see if we needed anything and you were so helpful with wedding music and getting people lined up and keeping the baby flower girl in line - thank you.
Kim Shrum holy cow you are amazing we've been best friends for 12 years and even though we can't always hangout like we want you still were the best wedding coordinator ever.  You made things and magic happen - THANK YOU is not enough.  
Jill Baar thanks for being assistant coordinator and taking care of clean-up and milk toasts and just helping out where needed.
Megan and Dan you two are an amazing couple and we appreciate the craft help, picking up the cake, cleaning up, and just running out for things as we discovered they were needed - thanks!

Aunt Thea thanks for flying in early and tying a million bows (okay not quite a million), your help setting up was much needed and we also appreciated your assistance making gifts. 
Schreve, Alicia, and Lo - Thanks so much for taking care of last minute things, for keeping Dustin from being so nervous and for the sweet action grill. 
Dustin's Family - thanks for helping clean-up it's always fun to set-up not as fun to clean-up, and thanks for dancing and living it up in the photobooth.
Pastor Aaron - thanks for guiding us thru this process and pre-marital counseling and for being the master of ceremonies.

Jodie Minniear - THANK YOU so much for being our wedding photographer.  You told me you were not a wedding photographer but when I look at the photos you captured us on this special day PERFECTLY and it's truly amazing - don't sell yourself short.  Oh and thanks to your assistants Jeanne and Logan too - I love all three of you.
Thanks as well to everyone who came to celebrate this special day with us we know many of you traveled far to be with us and we appreciate everything. 
(All photos by Jodie Minniear).

Goodbye Friends

The real deal's (meg and Dan) have packed their bags and moved I DC. But before they left I made them a few gifts to remember us by. One a Pinterest project the other just for fun. Sadly I did not get a good photo I their finish Indiana canvas adorned with a button heart, only this in progress one.
But I did snap two photos of the Mini Friends pack I made them. Mini friends being friends on sticks in miniature that come with sayings your friends frequently say. I love the Mini Friends they were too fun I may have to make some another time where I actually take the photos for the project.
Both gifts were well received and hopefully we will see our friends again soon.

The Real Deal Wedding aka When Dan and Megan Got Married

This weekend we celebrated our friends Dan and Megan as they started there lives together. Their wedding was absolutely beautiful and very much them, everything from their unity tree, to the daisies, to the cheesecake bar, and the beautiful hymn prayer sung by dans family, was them. I am so happy for them both and even though in the very near future they will be leaving us and moving to DC we are blessed by their relationship and impact on our lives - here's to the Veale's long and happy marriage.