Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

This afternoon I was invited to the 11th ADA Brigade Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Cam had nominated me for an award (much to my chagrin) a few months ago and then forced me to add up all the hours I had spent on Project Linus activities. After trying to remember how many quilts I'd made, estimating the number of hours each took to make and adding in all the extra activities I do for the group (blanket pick-ups, kit cutting, sorting/inspecting/organizing), I came up with a grand total of 215 hours. A piddly amount compared to many of the other ladies in our Brigade, but I sucked it up and went to the luncheon anyway.

I joined about 150 other ladies from the Brigade in a yummy catered lunch (with a chocolate fountain and ice sculpture!) and in saluting several outstanding soldiers and wives in their volunteerism. We all received an awesome gift bag filled with all kinds of spa stuff, a certificate and a brigade pin as a "Thank You" from the Brigade. I even got a giant bear hug from the Brigade Commander! Thank goodness I wasn't his wife who received a big dip and huge smackaroo from him when her name was called!

I really enjoy what I do to help the local chapter of Project Linus and in turn, to help children of El Paso. I also like having an outlet for new quilts/blankets that I make so that I don't have to overwhelm my family and friends with them. So, while I don't do this for the recognition or for any kind of payment, the Luncheon was a fun way to be proud of my work. Thank you, Cam, for "forcing" me into this.

"Loot" from the Luncheon
(L to R) Flowers, Tote Bag w/ TONS of spa stuff, Brigade Pin, Certificate, and Fancy Pen Holder.

Close-Up of Certificate

Close-Up of Brigade Pin

Close-Up of Fancy Pen Holder.

More Craftiness

I've remained busy these last few weeks trying to finish up all the half-started projects that have been cluttering our office/craft room/soon-to-be guest room. I've promised myself that before I get to start on anything fun and/or new, I needed to get everything else waiting in the wings done.

First up, I finished a couple quilts that had the tops done, but needed sandwiched and quilted:


I then attempted to finish quilting and binding a super cute baby blanket for a friend. She was moving to Austin and unloaded a bunch of unfinished projects on several ladies in our sewing group before she left. My goal was to free-motion (AKA "meander") quilt. I had practiced the technique before, but it never turned out well. So, I decided just to suck it up and try it on a real project, hoping against hope that I wouldn't ruin her beautiful work.

Finally, one morning I was up WAAAAY before I should have been (I had even beaten Cam up for PT) and decided that I needed some new jewelry to wear to that afternoon's Officer Spouses Association monthly luncheon. I had beads sitting in the craft closet, bought ... of course ... when they were on sale MONTHS ago. I fashioned a cute little pair of earrings, a necklace and two bracelets out of my stash.
I still have a few more projects to work on, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus, I have some ACU tops purchased at the Thrift Shop staring, taunting me to finish so that I can cut them to shreds and make a cute "Army Brat" diaper bag!

After the Ultrasound, It's a ...

BOY! ... Or GIRL! After our "official" ultrasound appointment, we still aren't sure if Baby Billy Bob is of the male or female persuasion.

The good news is that he/she appears to be healthy, is super active (must have gotten those Leber-ADD genes), and looks to be done baking around Sept. 21st. The bad news is he/she would not cooperate for the ultrasound tech, no matter how hard he tried to push and prod to get the "money" shot. So it will be a surprise whether Baby Smith is really a Billy Bob or a Bobbi Sue. Either way, it was amazing to go in and see our baby and listen to the heartbeat! All the goop, on the other hand, was not so fun.

As for me, I'm feeling really well! No sickness, no weird cravings, and only slight little reminders of the little guy/gal kicking away inside ... mostly at night!

(Left to Right) Head and Spine

(Left to Right) Two feet, two legs, two arms, one head

The Speed Bump

Athena likes to be right in the middle of everything we do. Last night she was so tuckered out from playing with the dog next door AND going for a walk that she did her best impression of a speed bump...

11th ADA Brigade - Spring Gala

Last night, Cam and I attended the 2010 11th ADA Brigade Welcome Home Gala, our first formal event with his new Brigade. It was held at a very swanky hotel downtown (which isn't so swanky to drive through ... yikes!) in its ballroom with HUGE crystal chandeliers. The ADA colors (red and yellow) were the decorating scheme which made for a very bright and festive atmosphere. We had a lot of fun and got to see several of Cam's new co-workers and former classmates all dressed up and looking snazzy!

Prior to the Gala, I spent the day with Charla Welch trying to get our nails done (too bad the place we had an appointment was closed), having a long leisurely lunch, accessory shopping and finally getting our "hairs did" together by our favorite stylist, John. In the end, we were two gorgeous gals that just needed our dresses!

We ended up carpooling together with our next-door neighbors, Sgt. Wengler and his wife, Heather. Heather had such a good night that she even came home with the Wii door price! Unfortunately, the price for a ride to and from home did not equal the Wii in her mind! :D

Here are some pictures from our super fun evening:

All spiffed up and ready to go!
(Prom-style photo! He-he!)

2LT Smith and 2LT Welch showing off their required red socks

With our good friends, Jason and Charla

Next-door neighbors and carpool buddies for the evening, Darrell and Heather

Aren't we gorgeous?!?

Baby Smith Update

Some random updates on the Baby Smith area of our lives (and I'm allowed random thoughts/blog posts, right? Just chalk them up to pregnancy hormones!!!)

Ever since we "officially" announced the pregnancy, I've been dying to do some baby shopping. It's always so much fun to do it for all my friends' kids that it was finally time for me to do some for me! As always, Cam was the voice of reason and helped calm my cravings to spend money...until we made a trip to Clothing & Sales.

My brother, Tim, called from Afghanistan requesting additional bladders for his Camelback so we set off to Post to purchase them for him. While we were there, I decided it was finally time to pick up one of these CUTE bibs I've been eyeing since last September. After that, my shopping appetite was quenched ... for now!


On our last visit to the doctor, the nurse/midwife whipped out the portable ultrasound machine to help us better determine the age of the baby. While the machine was on, we watched Baby Billy Bob (AKA William Robert, as Cam affectionately refers to him/her) wiggle around, saw his/her head, an arm, a leg, spine and ribs. We also listened to the heartbeat which was an emotional event for me... I'd waited so long and watched so many TV shows where others got to experience that, I could hardly believe it was my turn!!! Anyway, the baby is doing well and we are scheduled for our "official" ultrasound in two weeks. Until then, here's a blurry 1st photo of Billy Bob:

Sewing My Heart Out

While Cam was busy painting to his hearts content (...and then some!), I was tucked up in the Office/Craft/Guest Room sewing my little heart out. I've had several UFOs (Unfinished Objects) sitting around for months and decided I need to clear off my sewing table in order to get a birthday present done for my mother-in-law.

First up, a rescued quilt from the March Project Linus meeting. I've been helping sort and bag the donated quilts each month with a bunch of other ladies, all of whom only knit or crochet. We ran across one quilt that was poorly binded and it was sent home with me to be fixed. Once I had the binding off, I discovered that the whole thing was a mess. The top was not square, the backing was too small for the top and the binding was a disaster! Needless to say, I spent a few hours trimming the top, quilting the top to new backing material and then binding it with new binding material. I was so disgusted by the end of it, I didn't bother taking a picture.

But ... after all that ... it whetted my appetite for more quilt-sewing. I finished up a Heart Quilt that I started in January and intended to complete in time for the February Project Linus meeting. I also finished a not-so-"quick" strip quilt pattern that I had picked up fabric for and had cut out months ago.


After all those were complete, I started in on an apron and potholders for Dianne's birthday present. While there were some minor complications with the potholder manufacturing (i.e. I made them WAAAAAAY too big on the first go-around!), 1) I managed to finish in time for the mail, 2) they turned out super cute, I and 3) I think my mother-in-law liked them.


So, I'm onto more UFOs, but at least the pile is a little smaller now!

Home Improvements, Stage 3

As promised, here's an update on what has been keeping us (well ... mostly Cam) busy for the last few weeks.

The downstairs is now completely painted! First, we used up the dark brown paint from the kitchen and family room in our half bath and found that it matches some framed IKEA art we've had perfectly!

Half-Bath Paint and Art

Second, we selected a light gray to paint the hallways and stairway. As Cam was up on our 22-foot ladder, painting away, he kept commenting on how I better like the color because he wasn't going to repaint it. The next morning we discovered that the color we selected had a purple-ish tint to it. While I was ok with it, Uber-Coug Cam could just not stand it. He selected a darker shade of gray and repainted the entire area again.

2nd Attempt at Gray

New Stairway Paint

New Downstairs Hallway Paint

After painting was complete, we dropped a chunk of change at Lowes (Thank goodness for the military discount) on new light fixtures for the WHOLE house. When we moved in, everything was super cool 80s-style and brass-colored ... down to the toilet paper roll holders! We've been replacing the bathroom accessories as we paint bathrooms, but now all the lights are now switched out with brushed nickel ones.

New Upstairs Hallway Paint and Sconces

Funky Kitchen Lights

New Dining Room Chandelier

The Easy Ceiling Fan in Family Room

The Not-So-Easy Ceiling Fan and Entry Light in Living Room
(Photo taken from half-way up the stairs)

All we have left to paint are the master bed and bath and the office/craft room/guest room ... since the green guest room is now becoming the nursery!