Laurita

I live in deep south Texas, right on the southern most tip of our state, next to the Mexico border and on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. I was born and raised here - have only left for visits to other places.

I love to travel but don't have the resources or time for much of it at this stage of the game. Over the years I have traveled in the U.S. and made many trips into Mexico. I can get a thrill out of a 4 day weekend in Texas - we're such a big place and have lots to see and do, enough to keep me happy! lol

I work fulltime as a facilitator managing a hazardous material plant overseeing purchasing, production, and distribution - thus a woman in a man's world and I'm the queen bee! Love it although I long for retirement, allowing me time to do the fun things in life - those days are actually not too many years away!

I am a quilter and manage to find time to actively participate in 3 quilting bees and sometimes find time to attend meetings at our 2 different local guilds. I was previously a guild president and a quilt show chairman some years back - had the time of my life - but no time for such responsiblity now due to my demanding job and long hours I put in there. I love to piece and create quilt tops, turning my work over then to the quilters to do their magic. I also design and teach 'mystery' quilts - it's a lot of work but also a lot of fun for me. For years I have attended quilt classes, workshops, and retreats. I have a wonderful network of quilting friends.

I have absolutely no time for scrap booking, but have great respect for the creative work so many do. Some day I will have time for such - but for now it's impossible.

I love gardening - we have a small but pretty yard here in our neighborhood that my husband solely maintains and I get to add my input. lol I love blooming plants and flowers - what woman in her right mind doesn't? Hopefully will be able to put in a raised vegetable garden someday!

I have a very supportive husband. Without him I could not live the life I do. I am grateful for him and thankful for the years we have shared.

I love the color red - something about its strength and beauty is appealing to me. You see it in everything I have anything to do with, i.e. quilts, decor, wardrobe, etc. I don't however limit myself to just the color red. Being a quilter you have a palette of colors to work with. I gravitate to bold colors and scrappy quilts. I also believe every quilt needs at least a 'speck' of yellow in it - a MUST.

Speaking of color...when creating quilts I tend to use alot of bold colors, but I also enjoy working with and have great respect for the softness of pastels. I have a quilting room you can't work you way into right now - too much in it and need at least a week to get all the fabric, kits, and goodies organized again! That itch is really stirring in me needless to say!

I also love the Civil War reproduction fabrics. I am currently working on an Underground Railroad quilt at this time with a group of friends. I have a wonderful time collecting and sharing fabrics for such, researching the subject, and making the blocks for the quilt. I have 2 more quilts I plan to make with the Civil War reproduction fabrics.

I am a family person, very close to my brother and sister and their families. I am married to the love of my life and have 3 grown children, all living no further than 6 hours away - makes it nice. I am the grandmother of 4 with one more on the way (3 girls, 1 boy, and another grandson due in Sept.). My G.K. are the most beautiful, sweet, kind, and loving children I know- but aren't all of ours?

I am very much an animal lover. I grew up in the country in a small commuity. We always had a pet dog (or two) and a couple of cats. I now live in a small city and have 6 dogs (dachshunds and wannabes and one min pin of which most are rescue dogs). Our boys are Bandit, Itty Bitty, Lucky, Holdem, Scooter, and Dobe'. They each are very much a part of our family. We also have 1 cat, Rescue aka Ressy. My husband grew up on a true farm - and animals had their place - outside. It took less than our 1st year of marriage to change that train of thought! lol Four of our boys get to come in and 'visit' at times - and two live inside with us because as rescue dogs they were house raised.

I love sweets and candy (my weakness). I love chocolate, peanut butter, and nuts of all sorts in candy. I don't care for licorice or the sweet/sour gummy candy. Sending chocolate to south Texas during the summer months can be challenging as we are typically in the triple digits when it comes to temperatures down here.

I enjoy classical and country western music. I enjoy the oldies from 'my time' such as Eagles, Z Z Top, CCWR. I love country and western music.

I became a reader a year ago (I could read silly, just never had or made time for such). I enjoy novels. Nicolas Sparks is one of my favorite authors - think I've read all of his books. I've learned there are used book stores where you can buy and trade books from! And I have a Nook (gift from hubby), just haven't used it yet - silly me. That's simply because I have all these books to finish reading that I went out and purchased and want to finish those first!

I don't have time for much TV...but we are avid Dancing With the Stars followers. I also enjoy watching the Bachelorette (how funny is that of me). When I have time I also enjoy DIY, home cooking shows, mysteries, and investigative shows. My favorite movie is the Titanic.

My decor is mostly western with a touch of Mexico splashed here and there (and red). Friends have said I have quite a 'collection' of things. Hubby says he's not remodeling again, cause I'll just fill the place up with more 'stuff'. He knows me!

It doesn't take much to bring happiness to me and warm my heart. I've learned it's the little things in life that count. I now can be totally content sitting on the front porch or in our back yard with a glass of tea in hand chatting with hubby, family, friends, or neighbors - and just be peachy! I do however love a little spice now and then - nothing that changing that glass of tea to a margarita or vodka tonic can't do! lol