Reporting live, from Cary, North Carolina!

Terri and I made the trip down this morning to attend the MCQ National Sew-in. The ride was uneventful and unhurried, and we arrived here at the Embassy Suites around 3:30, to be greeted by banners welcoming Marine families. We checked in and found the room where everything is going on this morning, where we met Jan & Sue, founders of MCQ, and found BJ, one of the quilters from Richmond, along with a few other ladies that had already arrived.

As we were walking out to unload our stuff, Kim and Tracy, also from Richmond, walked in. We got stuff in and Terri set up and got right to work. I took our other things to the room and unpacked, set up the Internet connection, then took my camera down and took a few pictures.

I invited Kim and Tracy to go get some eats with us, and we found a little pizza place right around the corner. Pizza was pretty good, but apparently didn't agree with Kim. Sorry Kim! I have to apologize to Kim, she apparently reads the blog pretty regularly. She says that sometimes my posts remind her of her husband, other times they are just slightly disturbing.

So we came back and got back to work, Terri sewing tops and bottoms together, Kim and Tracy were putting them together to be sewn, and I was trimming squares to size. Most of the others went to the conference so we had the room to ourselves and got a good bit done. We broke it up a little after 9:00 this evening.

Terri and I went down to the pool area, spent some time in the pool, then the sauna, then sat in the jacuzzi. BJ had said that she was going to come down, but we hung out until almost 11:00 and didn't see her so I guess she decided not to. Talked to a Marine for a bit before we left.

A word about Marines. I grew up near Quantico MCB, and my general impression of them wasn't all that positive. Crazy fools would sum it up in two words quite nicely. Now I've serve in the military, and my view has changed greatly to one of deep respect. These guys go through things that most people can't fathom just to wear the uniform. Then they go into the worst places imaginable and do a job that nobody else wants to do. They do it with respect and professionalism unmatched. I always find it a positive experience to meet a Marine, one from which I feel I benefit. If I had it to do over again, I'd let the Marine Corps recruiter talk me into signing with them.

Tomorrow morning we start again with at least half of the quilts completed already. We'll find something to do though, right after breakfast!

Bye Kim!