Birthday Girl: KAYLA!

As many of you know, my cousin's daughter, Kayla, is a freshman at the nearby university, SIU-E. That's short for Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. So, this summer, I've been blessed by many visits from that side of the family. I know they're here to see Kayla... but I pretend they're excited to see me too! :)

Today is Kayla's birthday, and she is now 19! And, this past weekend, it was the family visit weekend for the campus - a perfect time for more family to be in town. So, Sheila, David, Brittany, Stacey and Dave drove on down and stayed with me. (Actually, Brittany took advantage of some sister bonding time and stayed with Kayla in the residence halls, but all of us enjoyed a visit at my house Saturday evening and Sunday morning.)

Here, after our homemade pizza supper, are proud Mom Sheila, proud Dad David, and the birthday girl Kayla.

Across the table are Brittany, Stacey and Dave.

I inquired about Kayla's favorite cake (cherry chip with whipped icing), and we enjoyed that delicious treat - decorated with all 19 candles - before opening presents. Here, Kayla is showing off her fantastic new stereo.

We got a late start on the homemade pizzas, so we finished the party pretty late. And, before we knew it, it was time for bed. But, we gathered the next morning for some sausage gravy and biscuits and some more visiting before heading to church. No matter how many times I told David to just leave the dishes for me to tidy up when I returned from services, he wouldn't listen. I was thankful for his help... and the help of everyone who left the kitchen so clean. It was a relief to walk in the door that afternoon and be able to rest and reflect on the wonderful weekend.

I know Kayla's family - especially her sister and best friend, Brittany - misses her very much. But, I have been very thankful to have my cousin so close and to have her attend worship services with me each weekend. Now, we just need to find a way to persuade Brittany to move here!

If Only 'Only' Were Used Properly

Currently, a taped commercial which features a celebrity and an upcoming event is running on one of the local network stations. When speaking about the event, the celebrity states a phrase similar to this: I only will have backstage access.

From listening to the rest of the commercial, I believe he means to say the following: Only I will have backstage access.... meaning the other networks will not have the exclusive coverage that he will have.

To some, the correction may seem picky. But, for those who are paying attention, the difference is important. There's a big difference between saying you're the sole person who will have access AND saying the only thing you will be doing is having access. Understand?

In short, the only should be placed near the item that is being modified. It's easier to see when moving the only around in a sentence, so below are the six different meanings inside the sentence 'Mike placed a letter in the mailbox.' (It is important to note that inflection in voice may also cause a change in some of the meanings, but the following are what these sentences usually mean.)

1. Only Mike placed a letter in the mailbox.
As discussed above, Mike is the only person who mailed a letter. No one else but Mike placed it in the box.

2. Mike only placed a letter in the mailbox.
The only thing Mike did was mail a letter. He didn't do anything else.

3. Mike placed only a letter in the mailbox.
The item Miked mailed was one letter. He didn't mail another.

4. Mike placed a letter only in the mailbox.
Mike mailed a letter and not a box or a parcel in the mailbox OR (depending on inflection) Mike placed a letter in the mailbox and nowhere else.

5. Mike placed a letter in the only mailbox.
Mike mailed a letter in the sole mailbox.

6. Mike placed a letter in the mailbox only.
Mike mailed a letter in the mailbox and nowhere else.

See the differences? Probably the most common misuse we hear is 'It will only take me a minute' OR 'It only will take me a minute' when 'It will take only a minute' is what is usually intended. So, if you just take a pause to consider what is being modified, the placement of only should be simple to determine.

As always, this is what I learned. So, if you learned it to be used in a different manner or you believe I am incorrect, please correct me. I need all of the help I can get.

Quilling 101

Many of you have written to me to ask me more about quilling, so here are the basics. Quilling is known most commonly as paper filigree, and it is traced back to the 14th and 15th centuries. (Other names include paper-scrolling or paper mosaic.) Many believe that French nuns and monks created this technique to decorate religious objects, and the designs are believed to simulate wrought iron and carvings of the day. The technique gained the name quilling when American settlers used bird quills as their main instrument.
In short, quilling is the art of rolling or curling paper. The paper strips often come in bundles such as this. And, the paper is wrapped around the end of the slotted quilling tool shown here. You will be able to purchase them on numerous web sites. I purchased mine at a Dick Blick art store.
One should insert the very end of the paper into the slot, start twirling to wrap the paper evenly, give one final twist to tighten the roll, and release the paper. The end result will be a coil such as this. After the end of coil is attached with a tiny drop of glue, the quiller can leave the coil as a circle or pinch and twist it into particular shapes such as a teardrop.

Artists will then combine these coil shapes with other maneuvers of paper. Bending, folding, curling the paper like you would curling ribbon... If you search the internet, you will see all types of beautifully elaborate work - not just these goofy animals. I bought a beginner book, and these just happen to be the examples that are provided. But, many of you might recognize this technique after looking at a family member's framed wedding invitation or marriage certificate. Click here for some examples from the 2002 International Festival of Quilling.

Underwater Adventure Party

Tressa turns 4 today, and yesterday was her birthday party. It had the theme of an underwater adventure, and as usual, Tracy did a wonderful job in planning, decorating, baking, and hostessing.
Jeff had the difficult task of hanging the net which corraled the fish Tracy, Tressa and Abi made. They spelled out "Happy Birthday Tressa!"

The centerpieces were awesome with blue balloons, sand, sea shells, and a live gold fish in a bowl, and each of Tressa's friends was able to take a fish home.

The biggest hits were the handmade mermaid fins for the girls and pirate gear for the boys. I had to lighten the pictures because of the dark pavilion, so they won't do justice for Tracy's hard work. But, here you can see Tressa and Abi sporting their fins. They were so adorable!

Below are some scenes from the party. It was a great day for Tressa and for all of us who attended!

Home Decorating

:) = finding an autumn tablecloth with a tinge of aqua (to match my dining room walls) after four years of looking and paying next to nothing for it

:( = opening it up and realizing that I didn't look closely on the package to see that it is VINYL. VINYL?!???!?? I should have known.

Let me beat all of you to it by stating that - despite my dislike for the material and its tendency to hold in wrinkles for months at a time - it probably is best for spill-prone me. Oh well.