Party of Fourteen...

Last night was our wrap-up dinner to close out our work as a committee for the class reunion. We all agreed that we've renewed old friendships, and that we'll continue to gather from time to time just to enjoy each other's company. Two members couldn't make it, but I'm sure they'll join us again in the future.

We only have a few loose ends that couldn't be tied into a neat, little bow, but those things will be taken care of very soon. Our classmates pictured l-r (front row) Julie, Dan and Pat. (second row) Mary, Janet, Brad, Max, Karen S., Cal, Deb B., Karen C., Al, Me, and Deb O. Missing are Rem and Mickey.

This is the most dedicated, hard working, fun committee I've ever had the pleasure of being associated with, and I'm truly honored to have been their leader for the past fourteen months. I almost wish we could do it all over again! Almost. Thanks to all that, together, we could help create wonderful new memories for us and all our classmates.

The Big Night Came and Went...

Reunion night finally arrived! We  all had a blast. I've been getting messages in our classmate group or on my own page on Facebook, and all of them are complimentary.

This photograph was taken later in the evening. We had grade school groups from each of the schools gather, and this is ours. These are all students who shared the same classes, became friends and went on to junion and senior high school together. We've been friends since as early as 1961. My BFF, Cyd is in the yellow shirt, and as usual, I wasn't too far away from her in our school photos. (Why change a tradition now?)

 

 

Our whole committee gathered Saturday morning to decorate. Our Decorating Committee members really outdid themselves. Most of the planning committee was there to help, along with a few others who just came to help. We had individual floral arrangements, candles and "remember when" cards on every table. We even had an archway for everyone to pass through that night. Here! Take a look around.

Look at how they outdid themselves on the entrance to the venue! People felt welcome from the moment they headed toward the front doors. We had two registration tables set up, and each classmate received a current printed classmate directory and a class mug that we had produced by 4Imprint. People were surprised and impressed.

 

My decorating committee worked overtime to create a welcoming and beautiful atmosphere. By the time folks started to arrive, the candles were lit, '70s music filled the venue, and people were ready to party.

 

Every table in the entire venue was decorated. We had two cash bars, and even those had decorations. It really was so pretty by the time people started to arrive.

Nearly three hundred people attended and there was plenty of room for more. The pep band performed, and they were a big hit. They made their exciting entrance, playing as they marched in from the hallway. Lots of grins and people were surprised and happy to hear the performance.

 

This is the last photograph I'll share. My friend, Julie - in front - is holding a print of all the students who went on the senior trip to Washington, DC. We decided to take a photo of the group members who were at the reunion. 

Take special notice of the couple in the back. They fell in love on that trip. They were married after graduation and have made a happy life together all these years. I made sure to say, "I knew you when..." and we had a great conversation afterward.

All in all, the classmate assessment was that this was a rip, roaring success! I'm so happy that I was a small part of that. Our goal to have a memorable event worthy of our class, and I think that was achieved. Now, I'm going to take a nap...again. lol

Friday Night Mixer...

 

This will be a quick post today as I'll be off and running early today. Lots to do before this evening's celebration. I'm going to the bakery to pick up our sheet cake and cupcakes, and then heading to the venue to help the committee with set up for tonight.

Last night's mixer was a huge success! We had over 100 people there. Everyone engaging with old school chums, and reminiscing. It was wonderful, and many stayed until after 10 pm. Handsome and I left around 9:30. I'd been greeting each classmate and was starting to get a scratchy throat from all the conversation, so it was time to go home to a hot cuppa tea with honey, and then off to bed.

There were a group of us from the old neighborhood and grade school, so we got one of our mates to take a picture of all of us together. Some traveled great distances to be here. l-r: Dennis from CA, Dave from TN, me, my BFF Cyd from GA, Dick from Fond du Lac, Dan from Fond du Lac, and Chip from MN. 

More of "Old Home Week" on Monday. I'll see about getting more photographs to share with you. I really didn't have time to take any myself, so I'll see what we can come up with from the group. Gotta run!

Bringing In The Sheaves...

Well, maybe not exactly sheaves. Maybe only a few stems left around the field edge from the actual harvest. The farmer who owns the field north of the farmhouse also farms a couple acres that belong to us. I share photos of the entire field all the time. Only a wide, two acre strip parallel to and adjoining our yard belongs to us. Nonetheless, the entire field was planted in wheat this year, and after turning a beautiful golden color, became the epitome of amber waves of grain under a gentle breeze.

Over the past couple of weeks, the wheat was cut and separated leaving the hay behind that was recently baled. We were sad to see it go because it really was beautiful. On my morning walkabout with Tag, Handsome and The Girls  yesterday, I noticed some of the wheat along the edges hadn't been harvested. I pulled the stems in front of me and brought them inside.

 

I've always fantasized that I may have been a pioneer woman if there's such a thing as a past life. Along those lines, I wondered what it must have been like to plant and grow your own wheat. Once ripe and ready to harvest, there would have been hours of cutting, threshing (likely by hand), and then grinding into flour to use for baking. I contemplated these things as I gently rolled the seed heads between my fingers and thumb to extract the wheat seed...separating the wheat from the chaff. It was a satisfying endeavor, but not nearly enough to even make a dinner roll, let alone an entire loaf of bread.

This evening launches my 50th class reunion weekend with a mixer just down the road from our venue tomorrow night. This morning, Handsome and I will run errands to pick up the printed material I ordered for tomorrow, as well as a few other things we need (to save us another trip to town later), and then we'll come back home. 

 

I'm hoping I have some time to take another walk along more of the edge of our field to collect any other wheat stragglers, and see if I might be able to collect enough to grind and use. Whatever I collect will have to sit until Sunday before I can process it. We have to be dressed and ready to go back to town for the mixer by 6 pm, and I surely don't want to be late. 

 

I can't wait to share photographs from the reunion, as well as the product of my efforts related to the wheat. I figure, if nothing else, I may plant my own little wheat patch next spring! You won't want to miss upcoming posts, for sure!

 

Computer Work...

 

Please forgive me if I keep this short. I've been sitting in front of the computer screen for longer than I planned yesterday. I had a class reunion planning committee meeting Thursday night, and spent Friday transcribing my notes into our meeting minutes, and then set to creating a piece of camera-ready art for mugs we'll have made to give to our classmates the night of the party.

After I completed that, I had a poster to "build" for distribution, and a few more party-related correspondences to write. Finally, I had to just walk away when Handsome informed me I'd been in my studio for hours, staring at a screen. I got up and help him mow the lawn again. It was cold, but the sun was out and it got me outdoors for a while.

I have just a bit more to do this morning, and then I'm going to turn off the computer and spend the rest of the weekend with my husband and the critters. Here's to a happy weekend to all!

Brynwood Needleworks - Bedroom Set For Sale/Sold...

 

 

Less than twenty four hours after listing our Paul Bunyan bedroom set for sale on Marketplace, the new owners were in our drive and ready to load up their purchase. When I saw the van and short bed truck coming down the road, I was skeptical about whether or not the set would leave in one trip.

I'm pretty proud of the fact that I have the gift of being able to puzzle pieces together so they fit. I moved out of my first apartment in a remarkably packed VW Beetle. This would be a piece of cake.

I measured the length of the truck box, height of the armoire and length of the large chest of drawers. Yes. With the possible exception of the headboard, it was all going to fit.

 

 

Happily, the side chests, bedrails and footboard fit into the van with no room to spare. The wheel well held the footboard in place, so I knew it would travel well. This load was secure and stable, so nothing would be damaged on the hour long drive home.

 

In the end, the headboard fit snuggly between the armoire and chest of drawers. Multiple cargo straps later, the sun came out and the caravan headed out of the driveway and northward home.

 

The armoire was an afterthought, so I took photos and measurements and texted the buyer to see if they wanted that piece, too. When he said yes, I told him I'd charge him half of what I actually wanted for it because it was clean and empty, but still upstairs. He still wanted it, so I held my breath as I watched them carry it down our narrow and steep farmhouse stairs and straight out of the front door.

Like a good blogger, I took photographs. Like a good grandma, I directed this young man to text me once he was safely home. He was so cute. He'd come with his wife, mom and two other young (strong) people. They all helped lift drawers, cannonballs, and the heavier pieces. I helped with a few of the smaller pieces. 

 

About two hours later, my phone signaled a text message. Yes. He sent a photo of the bed set up in one of their bedrooms. The room where it will end up is currently being painted, but he actually said he'd send another photo once it's in the final installation.

I was happy. They were happy, and the first month of 2023 already has a major grouping decluttered from our environs. Talk about multitasking!

 

 

My longest and dearest friend is in Wisconsin from Georgia to attend the funeral of one of her mum's oldest friends. She called me and is coming today for a whirlwind cuppa tea and visit before turning back for home.

Tonight is our planning meeting for our 50th Class Reunion. As I'm the chairman, I'll have a little prep work to do before our dinner gathering. Not much will happen in the studio today, so I'll be busy tossing things that won't be moved this weekend in our "switcheroo fest". Sewing will have to wait until Friday.

Don't fret that I'm doing too much. I spend a lot of time sitting with my feet up to compensate for these short bursts of exertion. I know I'm still healing and am taking great care not to cause any new issues. I promise not to overdo it, but I know how blessed I am that you're concerned for me. Thank you for that.