I am so excited! Today is the day my friend Lisa (Stashmaster) flies down to California for a visit and to attend the quilting retreat I have organized. I pick her up at the San Jose airport at 8:30 AM, and we will spend the rest of the day hitting all the quiltshops between San Jose and Danville. Our first stop will be Prairiequeen's where April told me we could enjoy some VIP shopping before the store is even open! Then we'll go to The Granary, Eddie's Quilting Bee, The Quilter's Studio, Laurel Leaf, and In Between Stitches. I will take tons of pictures so you all can share my local quilt shop haunts.
All my projects are set up and ready to go, my sewing kit checked and double checked, all my sewing machines are tested and dusted, the snack food and drinks are packed. All I need is to figure out what clothes to wear. Maybe I should keep it simple and just wear my jammies all weekend.
I even got the rules for how to play Left, Right, Center from Tami in Maine! Thanks so much Tami, that is going to be very entertaining for all the gals at the retreat. It turns out that you need a special set of dice with the letters L, C, R on them. Everyone starts out with three fat quarters. When the dice gets rolled, you pass a fat quarter according to the letters on the dice. The game ends when one person ends up with ALL the fat quarters. Doesn't that sound like fun!?? There will be ten of us playing, so someone could end up with enough fat quarters to make a fun scrappy quilt.
After the retreat I am taking Lisa to my father's house to experience one of our family Sunday dinners. There should be quite a crowd, since everyone is dying to meet her. My sisters Andrea and Trish are in charge of dinner, so it will be terrific. Then, I am spiriting Lisa down to Salinas where I live and will treat her to a day and a half of exploring the Monterey Bay area. She will get to meet Ozzie. Dum dum dum dum. I hope he behaves himself and doesn't eat any of her shoes. How embarrassing would that be?
As you can tell, I am very excited about the upcoming weekend. I will be too busy to blog, but expect tons of stories and pictures when things calm down. How I wish all of you blogging friends could be with us! Wheee! Here I go!
Hi again- per your fat quarter game- I am glad to hear you found a way to play! I asked at guild last night but they did not have the story there and your retreat is obviously starting!Sorry! Hope you and your friend have a great retreat! Look forward to seeing some pics.
Posted by: Cara | April 18, 2008 at 06:01 AM
WOOO HOOO!! You pack light! LOL Have a wonderful weekend hun, you have earned it!!!
Posted by: Toni | April 18, 2008 at 06:09 AM
Actually the game ends when there is only one person left with fat quarters and all the rest are in the center. The person who is the last one with a fat quarter gets them all.
You guys are going to have so much fun. That quilt shop hop looks like a great time. I wish I could go. :c(
Posted by: tami | April 18, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Hope you have tons and tons of fun *s*
Posted by: Libby | April 18, 2008 at 08:03 AM
Have fun, Nicole. I'm almost jealous of Lisa getting to spend time with not only you but also Ozzie! But I'm going to the beach, so I won't be jealous. Y'all have lots and lots of fun.
Hugs,
--Susan
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 18, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Sounds like you have a great weekend planned. I put together an annual retreat in my area in the fall. Where do you hold yours at??? I have a fun poem I could send you that is fun to do with groups.
Posted by: Sinta | April 18, 2008 at 09:00 AM
Have a great time!
Posted by: pam | April 18, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Have lots of fun!
Posted by: Diana | April 18, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Have a wonderful time, Nicole. I know you will. It takes a lot of packing to have everything we need at a retreat. *s*
Posted by: Jeanne | April 18, 2008 at 01:39 PM
This is going to be the trip of a lifetime! It really is. I can't wait to hear and see all about it.
To Salinas with Love, *karendianne.
Posted by: Karen Lee | April 18, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I'd say stay in your PJ's all week end, it's alot easier than trying to decide what to wear and so much more comfie!
Posted by: Ailsa | April 18, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Now you sure you taking enough stuffs??? have a wonderful time on your quilty retreat and spending time with your friend!
I hope your puppy behaves too.. mine grew out of chewing shoes then surprised me 3 years after last shoe chewing incident by chewing a brand new pair of $140 shoes.. grrrr @ doggie...
Posted by: Lissa | April 18, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Hope you have the best time ever
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Mary Wood | April 18, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Have a great time!
Posted by: Cara | April 18, 2008 at 06:54 PM
You probably won't read this til you are back, but I hope you have a grand time! At retreat I usually just stay in the jammies. I don't recognize some of those quilt shops so it sounds like a road trip for me!!!
Posted by: Miss Jean | April 18, 2008 at 08:29 PM
Have a wonderful time! Will be looking forward to pictures etc from your travels!
Posted by: Perry | April 19, 2008 at 02:00 AM
Hope you and Lisa have a wonderful time. Can't wait to hear all the stories when you get back.
Posted by: Cindy D | April 19, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Oh wow! How absolutely grand! I say, jammies and then, dress up for dinner by adding a great pair of earrings!! xo Pam
Posted by: Pam | April 19, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Hope your having a great time and I'm sure you are. Can't wait to hear all about it. She's gonna love the Monterey Bay area. And all those quilt shops. I love In Between Stitches for sure. Put that muzzle on Ozzie right now!! LOL
Posted by: Sharon | April 20, 2008 at 10:15 AM