Sunday, September 11, 2011

The AJ-Belt and Buckle Wildlife Refuge

About the only thing I collect in this fulltime lifestyle is tee shirts from places I’ve visited or volunteered.  That habit is how I ended up with my memory quilt.  Several weeks ago, I mentioned to Robyn that this is the first time I’ve stayed in a place so long, and never bought a tee shirt.  I had thought about buying one at Brookfield Zoo the second time we were there, but just couldn’t talk myself into doing that.  I know zoos serve their purpose for educating young ones and providing research, but I just feel sorry for the caged animals.  If it weren’t for the grandgirls, I never would have gone there.

Since I’m pulling out tomorrow, I made a final trip for this summer to visit Robyn and her family.  She was making NY BBQ chicken, and I couldn’t pass that up.  None of that red BBQ sauce for me; I love the NY style.

I was in for a surprise when I got there.

IMG_3345 Robyn, Avery (AJ), and Phoebe (Buckle), had made a tee shirt for me (Belt) to remember the summer.

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It aptly had the name of the AJ-Belt and Buckle Wildlife Refuge.  What a hoot!  Front and back of the tee shirt depicted the stages of a monarch butterfly that I had introduced the grandgirls to.  But, it was more than that.

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Each butterfly was made with the hand prints of the grandgirls…Avery on top, and Phoebe the bottom wings.

IMG_3349 IMG_3348

AJ’s foot made the chrysalis, and Buckle’s foot made the newly emerged butterfly.  I can just imagine the chaos there was with the girls having that paint all over their hands and feet!  Rolling on the floor laughing

IMG_3350The caterpillars going into the J formation before changing to a chrysalis were made with the side of their little clenched hands.  I don’t know how Robyn ever came up with this idea.  She is one special, talented, daughter!  What a keepsake I have from this summer.  It’s my favorite tee shirt ever, and I will wear it proudly.

The girls even had two gifts for ‘Emma the Gog.’  Two toys for her to play with: a skunk and a fox, those dog toys with no stuffing.  Emma loves them, and pranced around giving them each a good shake.  The girls have grown to love Emma, and Emma has learned to be less rambunctious with the little ones.  Overall, it’s been a marvelous summer.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

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34 comments:

  1. Sue and DougSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    what a great gift!!!

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  2. Dennis and DonnaSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I'm sure you know how much you are blessed by family....a great tribute to you, Judy...Be safe..and I hope we can meet you along the way sometime....

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  3. Jim and SandieSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:24 PM

    That Tee is beyond special. What a wonderful, creative idea.

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  4. A couple of newer paintings 2019September 11, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Oh my, what a lovely keepsake. You certainly do have a talented and imaginative daughter. I'm surprised her house doesn't have paint all over it from little hands and feet. Something to treasure.

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  5. Laurie and OdelSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:43 PM

    That gift made my eyes teary. Isn't it great to be so loved?? What a special gift.

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  6. Luci & LoreeSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    Oh, that t-shirt is really special!! Some people are just really talented, to be able to think of that & how to do it! What a memory...

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  7. RobbieSeptember 11, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    I got teary eyed also...what a wonderfully creative and love filled gift!!

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  8. Carol KSeptember 11, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    You couldn't buy a tee-shirt like that at the zoo, or anywhere. Good job, Robyn. Lucky you, Judy Belt!

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  9. Alan and Marilyn McMillanSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    What a gift of love -- very creative. I can see it as the center of your next quilt!

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  10. MerikaySeptember 11, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    Wonderful, wonderful! What a talented daughter you have. Not only is it a fun tee shirt, but she was able to get the gils involved in it and they are so small!

    I just finished watching project runway .. a "reality" fashion designer elimination show, and Robyn's tee shirt is the best garment I have seen tonight!

    Tell her how much all of your blogger friends loved it.

    Travel safe on your next drive.

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  11. The Good Luck DuckSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:23 PM

    That shirt is darling. I love imagining the little girls' excitement making this for you.

    Roxanne

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  12. JackSeptember 11, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Safe travels my friend.

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  13. Lynne (WinnieViews)September 11, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    This will certainly be your most cherished t-shirt ever! What a beautiful and creative gift to remember your summer with the girls.

    Safe travels tomorrow!

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  14. GypsySeptember 12, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    The t-shirt is so special and was made with so much love.

    I feel the exact same way about zoos, and don't know if I could ever go back into one.

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  15. meowmommaSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:36 AM

    Oh My... I can just about imagine how very special that tee shirt is to you and how proud you are going to be every time you wear it and are asked about it and get to explain it!!

    As I'm sitting here in WY counting down to kisses and hugs in KS, it sure does make me want to wiggle my nose and get to my Grands that much faster...

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  16. ChrisSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:21 AM

    I know you'll be proud to wear that special tee shirt. Made with so much love. Safe travels.
    Chris

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  17. Karen and AlSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:41 AM

    What a wonderful gift. I have to admmit, it made me tear up a bit too. It was the perfect way to remember your summer with the girls and I'm sure they had fun making it. Now aren't you glad you decided to summer there?

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  18. Karen and AlSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:42 AM

    I sure wish blogger had a way to correct your previous comment. I do know how to spell admit!

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  19. MacSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:49 AM

    A very special Tee for Belt the Bird Lady of Blog Land. This special Tee needs to be the center block in your next quilt.

    Mac & Dianna

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  20. what'supwithsusanandcompanySeptember 12, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    What treasure! Not just the shirt, but the family too.
    Safe travels.

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  21. ErinSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    What a wonderful keepsake!

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  22. squawmamaSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    T-shirt $20 ~ Paint $10 ~ decorations PRICELESS! What a treasured gift! Just beautiful and it made me feel so emotional...
    Have fun
    Donna

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  23. UnknownSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    That is the coolest gift! She is amazingly creative. :)

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  24. KarenInTheWoodsSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    What a wonderful gift!!! Glad you took good photos of it, because I am sure with all the proud wearing you are going to do, it will be long gone years from now and you can have the photos to remember it by.

    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  25. RickSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    A perfect gift for a perfect 'belt'!!

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  26. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:58 PM

    The best! You, your daughter, and your grands. Just the best! Thank you for sharing your family with us.

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  27. Catherine, Jo Beth and GraceSeptember 12, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    That is a wonderful Tee Shirt. We saw two monarchs at Palo Duro. The migration should start soon.

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  28. RV Khronicles of KevelynSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    You are truly loved. What an amazing gift! Your daughter is certainly talented and creative!!!

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  29. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    A great gift! I think I had a couple of those caterpillars in my MH.

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  30. Janna and MikeSeptember 12, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    That made tears come to my eyes, what a thoughtful gift!

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  31. BarbSeptember 13, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    What a bummer about the coach, I hope it's an easy fix.

    I've never seen a more clever, caring gift. Robyn sure is a special talented daughter! I'll bet they had a blast making your tee-shirt and thinking about how much you would enjoy it. :)

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  32. John and AnnSeptember 13, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    What a special daughter and grandbabies you have. Your t-shirt sounds precious. Sorry to hear about more mechanical troubles, but at least you are safe in the campground and not out on the road somewhere, like you said. Maybe the delay was meant to happen so that you would still be somewhere where we can catch up to you!!! Hugs. Ann

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  33. KathySeptember 14, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Awesome T-shirt from the girls! So much talent!

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  34. Margie and RogerSeptember 16, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    What a talented and thoughtful daughter and granddaughters you have! How very thoughtful - I know you will cherish it. Unfortunately it brought back memories of Margie and her grands - your grandchildren are lucky to have you in their lives.

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