Essential travel items!

Interesting comments about clips, pins, and magnets! So, does anyone use them for what they were intended? I think I also saw online that they "could" be used to baste your quilt. YIKES!!! How much would that cost to buy the magnets, and how heavy would the quilt be? And the cutting system? I don't think so! Too cumbersome. I understand that some people struggle to hold rulers, etc., but there are alternative methods to assist them beyond using magnets. 

Let's see if anyone else has some suggestions. I think I'm good with the hair clip type, as it works exceptionally well; it's light, inexpensive, and easy to use with one hand. You could buy one pack of the hair clip pins (even those deemed for quilters) and share them - it would cost pennies per person. I'm not a fan of pins for anything - pins slip, yet some people pin like mad. You don't need to! But everyone has their choice of how to work. 

I'm in a bit of a mess this morning. I finally made it to the travel clinic to get my yellow fever shot. While I was there, the doctor convinced me to get some other shots, so I ended up getting FOUR shots - two in each arm. Yikes --- my arms are like dead weights. They didn't hurt at the time because the guy was rattling all kinds of things about travel, but as the evening went on and this morning, I can feel each and every shot! 

It's better today than last night, but yikes --- my muscles feel like I've been working out for days with hefty weights. And I came home with a collection of Band-Aids on my arms! I'll be fine! But on top of that, I hadn't been to spin class in a while, so my quads were also sore! I'm a mess! 

My Band-Aid collection

The first thing the doctor asks me is, "Do you know the four things you should keep on your person - all the time while travelling?" I think he meant specifically on a plane, but it's kind of the same. Do you know? The first was your passport. The second was your cell phone, the third was shoes, and for the life of me, I can't remember what the fourth thing was. Money? 

The idea is that those items should never be stored in the overhead bin. I agree, and I rarely take my shoes off on the plane, but I told the doctor I went one better, and I keep those items he mentioned in my waist pouch. If there were ever an emergency, I wouldn't even have to think about it - I'd just get up and go! My important stuff is attached to me! Yep --- that waist pouch is essential for travel, at least in my world. 

If you want to nap on the plane, you don't need to worry about someone getting into your things. You simply turn the pouch around so it sits on your back (this is a very slim pouch) and tuck your shirt over it, and no one is even aware it's there! 

I pulled out all my travel gear yesterday, and it's strewn all over the bedroom floor. The kitchen island is also covered with stuff. I don't usually take a lot with me, but this time, due to the location, we need insect repellent and a lot of medication, and well, way more than I like to travel with, but we will likely need it. Not only do I have to do that for myself, but DH needs it as well. 

I pulled all my travel clothes out, and now I'm going to see if they all fit in my backpack. Of course, they will. I'm not taking much. I ordered my new hiking shoes the other day, and they were supposed to arrive yesterday. By 5 PM, which is the usual drop-off time at my house, nothing had arrived! I was sitting on the front patio last night, and at about 8 PM, the UPS truck came whizzing up and screeched to a stop in front of the house. 

I was going to meet him in the driveway to save him some steps. I could hear him rattling things around in the truck, but there was no package. He had it on his list, but where the heck is the box? Is someone else wearing my shoes this morning? I see it's rescheduled for delivery tonight. 

I will try to sort through a few of the things I pulled out and put away what I absolutely do NOT need. Then I'll have a must-take pile, and a few things I'll mull over. I do not travel with fancy clothes, nor do I take a "good" outfit. I'm traveling, so they get what I bring. 

I've been debating whether to bring my sleeping bag for the climb. We will be sleeping high up for several nights, and I wasn't sure mine would be warm enough. Did you know the best way to stay warm when camping is to sleep naked? Yep -- I learned that years ago. Keep your clothes in the sleeping bag with you. Anyway, did I want to drag that sleeping bag around for the following two weeks? I caved and ordered one from the tour company. I'm taking my orange jacket, but I'm also going to get one of theirs. There's no need to carry things around if I don't need to. That orange jacket is super light and compresses into a tiny ball. 

I think the only thing left to buy is a pair of hiking pants. I have a pair, but they are not heavy enough for this adventure. They weigh 10 ounces! 

Now, none of this stuff is bulky or heavy. I always laugh when ordering any kind of camping/hiking/outdoor gear - the weight is always listed, and these things weigh mere ounces!!!! But if I don't have to carry it, why bother? 

My Pony Express staging area is getting reduced, but there are still a few things that need to be taken care of. This is one area. 

Part of The Pony Express

And here is the other. There are some quilts to be picked up, and some boxes that need to go to the recycling depot. 

The main staging area

I'll try to address all that today or tomorrow. 

One of the items on the list was to pick up the stuff from the shoemaker and drop off another of Murphy's leashes. YES -- that girl is hard on leashes. However, these are made of leather and have been around for a long time. 

This was the leash that came with her, and it's a firm canvas-type leash. Both of the metal hooks had died, so she now has new ones. I don't know how long they will last, but let's see what happens. 

Murphy's leash is repaired

I have a beautiful pair of felted slippers, but sadly, they quickly got a hole in the bottom. So I found some suede soles that I could put on them. It has been sitting in my "to-do" pile for a long time. 

My felt slippers

I took the soles and slippers to the shoemaker, and voilà - they are fixed. He left the extra sherpa lining on the soles, so they are going to be very comfy. His suggestion was to put a rubber sole on the bottom, but I had already purchased these suede ones. Next time! 

My felt slippers are repaired!!

And I had another leash to be fixed, but he took care of that while I waited! So, everything relative to the shoemakers is done! Let's see how long it will be before Murphy destroys it. She didn't chew anything - she just pulls so hard that the stitching comes undone or the metal on those clasps wears out! I know! Thankfully, she's better in the pulling department, but I'm not sure about her! She sees an e-scooter and she wants to chase it. Or a squirrel? 

The leash was repaired while I waited

There are not many shoe makers around anymore, and this guy was busy. I had to wait while someone picked up a pair of shoes, and while he was fixing my leash, two other people came in! Let's take care of those shoe makers! 

I didn't accomplish a lot yesterday. I seem to be in summer mode, and I'm in slow motion. But that's OK. I pressed the backing for the next quilt, and I got a chuckle. I had to join the fabric, and I see that I matched the print along one section. 

Nice matching job on the print

However, when I joined the two halves together, that didn't happen. The back is loaded on the long arm, and I hope to get to it today. I managed to complete some more machine embroidery. So, progress is being made, but slowly. This quilt has been sitting in the "to be quilted" pile for at least 15 years! 

The center seam of the backing is NOT matched

Of course, I'm reading! I think that's why I want to eliminate everything else from my life. I want to read! Although I know I would be bored if that's all I did. 

I sat on the front patio last night, and it was glorious to be out there. I even put on my shirt, as it was cool! I know!!!! But the birds? Oh my goodness, I don't know what they were saying, but the cardinals? There was one that perched on top of a very tall tree and proceeded to tell the entire neighborhood that he was in charge and no one was to try to do anything about it. 

A very noisy bird

He was getting a bit annoying after a while, and then he flew away! 

Well, that's it for today. I have a lot to do, but in my slow-motion mode, it's going to take days to get it all done, and I don't have that much time. I'll just do what I can - I'm not going to stress about it - it's quilting, not brain surgery! 

OH -- by the way, if anyone is interested in attending a quilt retreat, please let me know. It's at Spring House Retreat - the dates are September 8 - 14, but you can come for just a couple of days if you wish. This is probably the last time I'll be offering this opportunity, so if you've ever wanted to experience a retreat, NOW is the time to let me know. Send me an email - elainetheriault@gmail.com

Don't forget the Virtual Retreat this weekend. 

July 26 - starts at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693702241?pwd=QpQkm8Ppppy1XwCPOqva1bcgJCWKdP.1

Meeting ID: 826 9370 2241
Passcode: 795071

July 27 - starts at 3 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073536036?pwd=uxRqMnK1aSKrmrcSO78w8QQs5g44eA.1

Meeting ID: 810 7353 6036
Passcode: 596838

And on that happy note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!