Back from Michigan and Mackenzie's Big Day Out

S. and I went to Michigan for a long weekend (Friday was a furlough day). We left on Thursday and got back to Atlanta last night. I was so excited because I got to meet my niece Mackenzie for the first time in person. I am so happy that my SIL said I could put photos of Mackenzie on my blog because I know all my readers want to see The Cutest Baby Ever.

Here she is!!! 6 weeks old and stylin' in stripes!
Here she is in an outfit I bought for her (note: I do not "do" PINK for babies!).
I thought this outfit looked a little Tim Burton-ish from his Beetlejuice period what with the stripes and all. People who know me and my brother will completely understand. We are big-time Beetlejuice fans from way back. 1988 to be exact.

I also got to play with Mackenzie's big brother Jack. Jack says "I know I'm Aunt Gretchen's favorite because she brought me fancy organic dog biscuits and the baby got none haha! I'm also going to play with her toys when no one is looking hee hee!"

My mom, SIL, and I took Mackenzie on her first big day out....to a quilt store!!!! Yep, Mackenzie visited one of our favorite shops Mabelena (check out their website and you can "friend" them on Facebook too!).
She loved being at the quilt store and looking at all the colors. I guess the batiks put her to sleep though.
But of course, she is a Moda girl at heart! Look at that smile!!!

Anyway, S. and I had a great time visiting with family and playing with Mackenzie and talking about Mackenzie and taking lots of pictures of Mackenzie.

PS: I am not a "baby" person except when it comes to Mackenzie.
PPS: I already miss Jack...
and Mackenzie.

Furlough Friday #3

Well it's another Furlough Friday and again I found fun things to do. I thought I would stay home and not spend any money on Furlough Fridays but so far I have gone to the movies (July) and saw John Oliver perform (August). Later today (since I'm writing this at 1:13 AM), I am going to the East Cobb Quilt Show!!!! Can't wait! 400+ beautiful quilts as well as some vendors. Also in the vicinity is one of my favorite BBQ places (Williamson Bros.) and Little Quilts. I have my camera, fresh batteries, and a little (very little) spending money in case I find something that is a necessity. Stay tuned for photos and a report....

Furlough Friday #2

Here I am on furlough again (thanks Governor--not!) I have been rather blah this whole week. I think it is the dregs of summer, not the dog days of summer because dogs make me smile and I seemed to have lost my smile this week.

Hopefully that will change as I am going to see John Oliver (from the "Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and my favorite podcast "The Bugle") perform. I've never been to a live comedy act before so I'm looking forward to it.

Well Morph and I need to get busy sewing on his quilt. More later.

Furlough Friday #1

Today's furlough day is sponsored by Gov. Perdue. Hey gov, why aren't you taking a furlough day?????? What no shared sacrifice?
So in honor of not getting paid today, I went to the movies because that's what everyone did during the Great Depression. S., E., and I went to see Public Enemies. The last movie I saw at the theater was Defiance. So I was really looking forward to overpriced popcorn and Coke.
It was a GREAT movie. Although not entirely historically accurate, I highly recommend it. I may be biased though because I highly recommend all Johnny Depp movies. I also love gangster movies. Being so predisposed to liking it--I LOVED this movie. I can't wait for it to come out on DVD. Johnny Depp in 1930s clothes, driving 1930s cars, and toting big guns--what else can a girl want?

Joining the ranks of the furloughed

Well I knew it was happening, it was just a matter of when and how many days per month. The shoe was in the air and now it has dropped. Yesterday at my day job, we were informed that we are going to be furloughed one day a month starting in July through at least December.

Furloughs in the military mean time off = fun. Furloughs are also a measurement of distance = 220 yards. In Great Recession speak, furloughs = mandatory day off of work without pay. Not fun and not going anywhere.

Yes, I am thankful it is only one day a month (so far). Yes, I am thankful I have two jobs when lots of people don't have any. Yes, everything could be much much worse. However....

I am still bitter and tired. State employees had had no cost of living increases since 2000 (even when the state's economy was good) and now essentially a pay cut. I have not heard one iota from the governor's office about the governor sacrificing any of his pay, nor the lieutenant governor, nor the secretary of state, etc. etc. Hello.....Make that Bitter with a capital B.

Today I'm thinking of moving to France to raise goats or perhaps sheep.