Now about that new car...................

 

 A day without frustrations is a good day indeed! So I didn't necessarily get as much work done as I needed to do - well as I wanted to do, but progress - it's all about progress!! OH -- I did have one SMALL issue when I couldn't find my presentation for yesterday's class. But it all worked out! It's good to be able to think fast on one's feet. 

I'm happy to report that my Long Time Gone quilt is looking awesome. Sections 5 and 6 (the right-hand side) are now together. It's getting heavy with all those small pieces. I hung it up on the design wall to admire it and realized I still have one small correction to make, but it's right on the edge, so that's easy to fix. All that remains is to get those darn last four pineapple blocks together, sew Section 4 together and add it to the quilt. 

The best news - the end is in sight!! The class is next weekend. The ideal goal would be to have the top done - our final show and tell is in June, so for those not done, there's still time. But I need it done so I can move on - my other stuff is piling up, and I need to get to it. Plus, I need the design wall. 

The problem is that I "work" during the day. And I rarely get to the sewing machine just for fun. So I get up really early in the morning, so I can sew on this stuff. I have TWO entire days with nothing on the schedule, and I'm hoping to make advancements in some sewing projects, but I also have a ton of writing to do and a list of samples to make, so we'll see what happens. 

I have to laugh because often people, including (or especially) me, say that I didn't have time to do something. Well, we all have time - it just a question of prioritizing. The other evening, I received an e-mail about a survey. I love surveys, but this one was especially dear to my heart. How did I like my Toyota Corolla Hatchback? Oh - I will MAKE time for this. 

The survey

It took me over one hour to fill that out yesterday morning, and I was VERY thorough with my likes and dislikes. To be fair to Toyota, the quality of the finishings on the inside and the outside is very well done. I like the look of the car. I bought the car mostly based on fuel economy, and I can't complain about that. But the rest? Oh yes -- I had a few things to say about the car. 

I put some of the blame on myself, as when I purchased the car, I was in a hurry because I needed a new car as my old car had been written off by the insurance. I put my complete trust in Toyota to design and make a car with excellent features (as they have with all my previous cars). I also went wrong because the salesperson that I had was a total idiot, and I should have DEMANDED someone else, and I did not. That was a total mistake!! I try not to regret things in life but that I regret. 

So the moral of that story is - if you're not happy with one person, then DEMAND another. I mean - buying a car is a major purchase and should be thought out. I did NOT do that. 

However, the new Toyota app has made a difference, but over two years for the app to come out? I'm not impressed. Maybe I won't buy another car? Maybe this is my last one? I doubt that - I can see myself having a car. I never thought I would say this, but I can see us becoming a one-car family. OH MY GOD!!!! What's that all about? 

So here's one of the things that I thought about the other day. In our province, we've been in lock-down for quite some time, and frankly (for myself), I haven't really felt many of the repercussions that have affected other people. Our families live very far away (except my MIL), we rarely attend live events, we're not big shoppers, we have a nice house to be locked up in, and the members of our household get along with each other. So we are very, very lucky. And I think, for the most part, we're pretty stable - OK - that might be stretching the truth a wee bit, but our in-house entertainment, AKA Lexi and Murphy, keep us entertained. 

Once the lock-down is lifted, and we can get out, will we? I would very much doubt that I'll go back to teaching in a store. Depending on the situation, it's not worth my time to do that, and most of the stores I teach at will likely NOT go back to hosting in-store classes (that's my take - not the stores). I might need to shop from time to time, but I didn't shop in 2020, so why would I need to shop in 2021? 

I've ordered stuff online and try to buy local. A shop called me yesterday to say that the product I ordered is in. That's going to be my car trip for next week. But do I need to go out? Nope - I'm perfectly happy at home. And I'm not even sewing! 

Here's the other thing that we need to think about. Are people happy to be at home? I know some are going squirrely, but is that because we CANNOT go out or because we really need to get out. You know what happens when you tell your child NO - you can't have that. They will do whatever they can to get that item. The moment you give it to them, they couldn't care less. 

That's what I think is going to happen. When people can get out - some will and some will be perfectly happy to stay at home. It'll be interesting to see the change in lifestyle patterns once the lock-down is over. At this rate, I don't think the lock-down will go away any time soon. 

I did manage to get a quilt quilted, but it was late last night once I finished. It was just that kind of a day with other stuff going on. But I LOVE when a quilt doesn't fight back at me. It makes my life so much easier!! This quilt was a dream to quilt!!! The owner will be very pleased!

Customer quilt - done!!!

I did manage to sneak out for a walk, but I had to cut it short because of my schedule. And I listened to a podcast while I was loading the quilt. Oh my -- that was a lot of fun. So I found a good series of Podcasts to listen to, and I went back to the first one I could find in the app. While She Naps and it was taped during Quiltcon 2017. 

Here's the thing - I could join a quilt guild (or attend as a guest) and endure all the crappy politics and feel guilty because I'm not an active member of the executive. Or I could pay NOTHING and listen to podcasts or Youtube, which is PURE ENTERTAINMENT and/or learning. Which would you choose? Oh, that's so easy - it's silly. I am NOT knocking quilt guilds, but I doubt I'll ever rejoin until the politics go away, which will never happen. Some of the members are so petty, it's mindblowing. I'm too old for pettiness and control issues. Here's what I say to those that think they are better than me - GET A LIFE!!!! And set an example for your children and grandchildren. And now back to Abbey and her podcast!!! God - I'm becoming a hermit, just like my mother!!! I'm OK with that.  

So I've realized how we can live forever. Have you ever read the book by Robert J. Sawyer called Mindscan? I found it on my bookshelf, so I decided to read it. The premise is they scan your brain and transfer it to an artificial body. The great thing about the body? You can be whoever you want. You don't need to eat; you don't have aches or pains. It's just your mind in an artificial and non-organic body! Now imagine how that would be for a quilter. You could actually sew up our stashes!!!

What happens to the old body? It goes to a gorgeous retirement center on the moon!! The main character is JUST getting his mind scanned - I'll let you know what happens. 

Here are a couple of nature pictures I grabbed while out walking yesterday. Isn't this amazing? 

Buds on an evergreen

And here's a gorgeous trillium. There are little groupings of them in the forest, and they are beautiful. 

Trillium in bloom

Here's your task for today. I've been sending this link to everyone, and so if you're having trouble with your  1/4" seam - here's a way to test what is wrong. While I did the test on the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC, the test works for any sewing machine. Get out all your 1/4" feet and test them. If you have some feet that you just can't stand, put them in a Ziploc and get them out of your active sewing supplies. 

And I'm off. I hope to get some fun sewing done today or at least some sewing on my current projects, but the work comes first. I don't want to be late and then get in a panic situation. I'm trying to avoid urgent deadlines. But as you can see - I do work in a lot of personal time each day - over 2 hours of walking every day, reading, listening to podcasts, or watching The Quilt Show. I just wish it could be more, but that's OK. I like the variety!!! And the money doesn't hurt either!

Have a super day!!!  I still have one piece of paper to find. I had better do that, or I might get fired? Oh - that would be great!!!

Ciao!!!!