A minor loss

 OK --- I tried to come up with a catchy title regarding toenails, but I didn't want to gross anyone out with a title. I'm happy to report that one of the two toenails fell off, and the second one, the one that was black and blue, is looking much better. Yeah!!!! Baby steps, and it's incredible to see the new, teeny-tiny toenail growing in place. It makes you wonder why we even need them. 

If you do some research on this, a toenail that falls off can happen for many reasons. My trauma occurred when I descended Mount Kilimanjaro. And it's mostly because your toes hit the end of your shoe and get bruised, causing the nail to separate from the nailbed. Or something to that effect. 

This time, I don't think that was the cause at all. My shoes were huge - almost too big for me. What I think is happening is that I grip the inside of my shoes with my toes, and of course, with the constant downhill, I have a grip of death with those toes. I suspect that intense pressure dislodged the toenail. It is only my right foot - the left has zero issues. 

The same with bunions, blisters, calluses - it's all on one foot and not the other. I strongly suspect it's all because of that darn toe that broke some years ago. So when the medical people say, "We don't set broken toes," I think that is wrong. I am suffering (OK -- suffering might be a strong word), but I have many issues with that right foot because of that broken toe. 

So I'm adding that to my list of things to take care of in October besides the grooming for Murpy, and other appoinrtments for me. I need to see a podiatrist to see if we can solve this issue once and for all. It's just darn annoying. And I want confirmation that my gait has changed because of how that broken toe sits. 

I've been wearing a sock on that foot constantly to protect the nails from catching on anything. One down and one to go!!! I'm sure if there were a nurse around, they would "rip" that other toenail off as well. But I'm letting nature do its thing!

Yesterday was a very long day, but I get totally energized by what I'm doing, and so I'm like the Energizer Bunny and I just keep going!

I was up very early and loaded the car. I didn't take pictures, but it was packed as I had an embroidery machine and two large suitcases in there besides some of the other samples. I'm getting good as it only took about 10 minutes to load, but where were those men to help me when I needed them! Thanks again to the gentlemen at the Buckhorn Quilt Show who loaded my car when I was leaving. 

Then I was off in the dark! I guess you know that it's very dark in the mornings now! Thankfully, the traffic wasn't too bad on the highway, but there are a lot of trucks. 

As I worked my way down to Windsor, Ontario, I thought of many people that I "passed" along the 401. You need something to keep you occupied as you drive! So people who live in Londa, Chatham-Kent, and many other places along the way. I stopped twice - once at Tim's to get some breakfast and once to take a bathroom break. I was fine with the driving, and all was good. 

Sunrise at the OnRoute stop

Thank goodness for Google Maps, because it brought me to the exact place and at the exact time it said I would arrive. I also used it last night to get to my hotel. For a minute, I thought it had gone crazy. The event is in Harrow, but there are no hotels around, so I had to drive to Windsor for a hotel. Lots of crazy little roads and then poof -- I'm in the city. OK - the roads were not little, nor were they crazy, just typical roads in the country! 

We have a great group of people at the machine embroidery workshop. And all levels - some of them are very experienced or very comfortable with their machines, while others are total newbies. 

So they managed to get the project done, although not without MANY questions. That is a result of people not understanding their embroidery machine, and I get it - we all have to start somewhere. Still, they definitely need to create something every day (at least until they get it) so they don't forget what buttons they need to push to make that happen. I'll be giving them a little chat about that later today. 

We started with a small project in the hoop, and then we moved on to an appliqué project in the hoop. 

One of our projects yesterday

I didn't get all the cardholders in that picture, but we are a fairly large group. 

Meals are provided, but people eat and rush back to their embroidery machines. Which makes me laugh, but they are excited and eager to learn, so let's run with it!!!

Then, after dinner, I presented a trunk show of all things machine embroidery. Some of it was commercial designs that I stitched, but most of it is stuff that I created from thin air! Well, with the help of my embroidery machine and the Creativate Embroidery Software. I will never forget when I first purchased that software back in 2008 or somewhere thereabouts. 

And can I just stop here for a minute and say that while I am NOT a fan of using AI for writing (only editing), it does a fantastic job at providing a synopsis of any question you ask it on Google. What stuns me is the speed at which it compiles that information. Of course, we must remember that it only compiles what it reads, so if what it reads is garbage, then the symposis is garbage. So beware, but it's good. 

Anyway, I saw that software demoed at a Creative Festival, way back, and I was enamored with it. However, I got it home, opened the software, and was like a deer in headlights. I had no clue where to start. I played around with it a bit, but had no idea what it could do. Now, many years later and several versions later, I'm still learning it, but I'm way more proficient than I was before. 

Of course, I did not book a hotel room before I left. How crazy would that be? I did check to see what the availability and prices were like, and knew I would find something. And I had no trouble finding a room, and can you believe that before taxes, it was under $100!!!! And it's a very decent room and clean. That's all I ask — I don't need fancy. 

So I'm now ready to go. We have a lot to cover today, and I'll be heading home later this evening. I'm sure it'll be slow, as I'll probably need to stop for a nap. I'm much better at driving in the morning than I am at night. 

And I'm almost finished with my audiobook - A Two Spirit Journey. It is unbelievable what happened to this person in their life. She overcame so much, only to be thrown another curveball, and yet she overcame that as well. I can only imagine how difficult it is and was for a gay person to exist in a world of heterosexuals when it was/is "wrong" to be gay. I'm not going into more detail than that. I don't want any kind of backlash! But wow!!!

And in case you are keeping tabs on me and wondering why I'm not sending out Zoom links for UFO Club tomorrow morning, those will get sent out early tomorrow morning, as I do not have the distribution lists with me. I must learn how to put those on the shared drive so I can access them when I'm not home. 

September 19 and 20 - Machine Embroidery Workshop - Thimble Quilts and Sewing Company, Lasalle, Ontario   --- call the store to get the details and get signed up. This is a great event and loads of information. If you are new to machine embroidery, you will go home an "expert." Or at least a whole lot more confident. 

September 23 - Stitch by Stitch, Kingston, Ontario, A what's new with PFAFF and Husqvarna Viking. Two separate events. Check for times - one is in the afternoon (PFAFF), and the other is in the evening (HV). 

September 25 - Store Opening - Sewing Machine Magic - Cobourg, Ontario. This store sells PFAFF sewing machines, and I'm excited to present a series of demos that day. It's all about the magic!!!!

September 27 - Colour My World (Online class hosted by me) at 9:30 AM. I need to send out an acknowledgment to those who have paid. But you have all the information you need. No supplies required for the first class. An email will be sent out on Sunday regarding the class. 

September 27 and 28 - Virtual Retreat - the links will be posted on my blog next week. 

I need to find another audiobook to listen to, as this one won't last the entire trip home. 

On that note, I'm out of here!!!! Wait -- this was the price of gas last night as I headed into the hotel. I should have filled the car for the trip home, but I was tired. It was almost 10 PM when I fell into bed. 

Cheap gas!!!

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!