Just say NO to refined sugar!

I accomplished everything I set out to do yesterday! Did I have high expectations? Not exactly, but I'm trying to get at least three things done. Three somewhat significant things, but that doesn't always work, so I'll take three minor things. 

The biggest issue is that DH and I have been out THREE nights in a row. OK -- that could be taxing on conversation for some couples, but not for us! I keep the chatter going, and I'm sure there are times when he wishes that I would just be quiet. But the conversation is just too great! 

The first night was our regular night out. That's usually pretty quick: have dinner and be back home, since we typically go back to work. I booked tickets to see Spider-Man; the movie started at 6:20 PM and ran 2½ hours. I SWEAR I booked IMAX tickets, but I did not. Silly me. But the moment I sat down, I knew I was in trouble. 

I wasn't comfortable with my sciatic flaring up - where did that come from? I was tired, and I didn't find the movie very exciting. I considered getting up and going outside for a walk several times, but I pushed through, and thankfully the second half was a bit more exciting than the first. I must say, I was a time-watcher through that movie. I couldn't wait for it to end. But we also had dinner at the theatre before the movie, so it was more conversation. 

And last night, we were at the golf course for Thanksgiving dinner. Since I am away this week, it didn't make sense to cook anything at home. We arrived at 5:30, and we didn't leave for several hours. I still had stuff to do at home, but that's OK -- it can wait. 

What do we chat about? OH, let's say AI is high on the list for every single conversation. People are trying to convert me; DH is, too. I'm not saying that AI is bad. I just think too many people use it for inappropriate things. BTW -- DH uses AI all the time, so I know how it works and what it can do. 

Here's an example: DH mentioned that he and his colleagues were given a certain task. It involved some processing, and his colleague wrote a pretty spiffy script to get the work done. My question is, "How long did it take to write that elaborate script? And DH asked, "Did the task even need to be done in the first place?" He made a different decision that handled the task quickly and did NOT involve AI at all. 

So if people rely on AI to do "busywork" tasks, what the heck is the point? Just assign better, more efficient tasks in the first place. And if you think AI is doing a good job - great. But did the task even need doing? That's the question! 

Here's another EASY task that you can use AI for. Someone mentioned that they have their AI agent read a book for them and then ask AI to search that manual for stuff. Why would you restrict yourself to just that book? 

Just ask Google; you do NOT need other AI agents. Good old Google (now enhanced with AI search capabilities) will do the same job. AND it already has access to that book. I know many people aren't happy with Google these days, so pick your search engine and do the same. 

For example, if I wanted to learn how to use a specific tool in Creativate Embroidery Software, I could consult the reference manual, but that isn't always a clear learning experience. As an experiment, I searched for  "How to use the Encore tool in Creativate Embroidery Software." I got EXTREMELY detailed instructions on how to use the tool. It also referenced MANY online sources (videos, blogs, etc.) that gave more instructions. 

So --- do you need CHATGPT and do some of the work yourself? Or do you just use Google AI and search the ENTIRE internet at once? And yes --- Google will also ask follow-up questions. 

Think of the task at hand and find the MOST efficient way to use the tools we have. If you want to use a different search tool, I'm sure it works the same. 

And those conversations go on and on. We have conversations about sales and marketing tactics, relationships, travel, and so much more! We are a very animated couple at the dinner table. And we push each other! Sometimes to the extreme, but we have matured and mostly respect each other's opinions. We still have our moments! 

Some of you might think I am living in a vacuum and reluctant to change, no electronic wallet, no ChatGPT. That is NOT the case. I'm pushed to do these things every day, and I understand the pros and cons, but I am also NOT following the crowd - I am ACTIVELY making choices that work for ME. 

To change the topic completely, does anyone want an electric knife? This knife has been used for crafts, cutting foam, so it is NOT for food. But if you want it - it's yours. 

An electric knife for crafts

And I spotted this picture on the art-dailydose IG account. They come up with the most creative things on that account, and this series paired two objects that had nothing to do with each other. Can you see the two items? 

What two items do you see?

I was looking for a particular quilt top to photograph. Well, as I went down that list, I spotted MANY other quilts that would work for my presentation. I spent a bit of time digging through the tubs! OH MY GOODNESS --- so many memories in those tubs and so many amazing quilts. I am going to have to work harder and smarter to get them all done. Don't bother offering to do them; I'm perfectly happy to work at my pace, and one day I will slow down so I have more time to long arm. I found the quilt top in question, and it was the one I suspected, beige/brown pinwheel. 

Digging through the tubs of quilt tops

This fall, I took on TWO scrap classes, but I can reuse the same material for both, Show and Tell, Forty Shades of Grey, and My Kinda Town. That's five hours of classes, plus four hours of clubs per month. That is nine hours. The clubs don't take much time. But the biggest issue is scheduling time, and when something comes up, I have to move things around. Between personal trips and work, it's been a nightmare. 

NOTE to SELF: Nine hours per month is too much. I have the same amount scheduled through April, then 8 hours in May and June. Nothing in the summer. Next fall, do NOT schedule so many events; I struggle to find a consistent day of the month to offer the session. And if I have to move something, it's not pretty. 

OH --- I have to share this with you. In our Many Blocks club, I'm working on Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. That quilt has 140 blocks, and I have done most of the easy ones. I haven't been working on it as diligently as I would like, so I got busy the other day and did this. 

I had prepped a few blocks on the one day I was at the quilt retreat. This particular block was going to be a challenge. Look at the pieces. 

That's a lot of itty bitty pieces.

Here is the block, and I swear that every single seam was a Y-seam, meaning you had to stop and start ¼" in. Well, not the curved pieces, but those were tight little curves. 

The block is not pretty, but it's done!

I will NOT win an award for the piecing on this block, and the edges aren't as even as I would typically make them. The back is very ugly, BUT the block is more or less 6½", and it's DONE. As they say, done is better than perfect, and I'm just happy it's done. 

I have some applique blocks coming up which will be a piece of cake compared to that one above. This just needs some stitching and is sitting on the sewing machine waiting for me to come back. 

The next block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler

In total, there are about 21 blocks to finish. I hope to get them done by the end of the year. It's time to stop this madness and finish this quilt. 

Why? How long do I want to work on this? Not long, but I don't want to abandon it again! PLUS, I want to start a new Many Blocks project for 2027. I already know what I want to work on, and it's FUN, bright, and cheery. 

As I dug through the tubs of quilt tops, I glanced at posters of all the year-long projects I have made, and OH MY, there are still lots that aren't finished. There are four pages of these quilts for a total of 80 quilts. I haven't figured out how many are not done. 

One of four posters of the ongoing quilts I've taught

Look at this cute girl. She stole Lexi's bed. 

MOM -- this is NOT Lexi's bed. It's for both of us!

Then she moved to be right in front of the fireplace. She doesn't settle like she used to, but then she's not the same girl! But still full of beans on most days. 

MOM - I'm trying to get warm!

So what were the three things I needed to get done? I got this quilt quilted. This is one of the quilts on those posters. 

The second winter quilt is done!

And so you don't think I keep using the same picture for both; here they both are. They need to be trimmed and bound! AND add a label. 

Both of the quilts are quilted.

Then I made a scrappy backing for one of the community project quilts I keep promising myself I'll finish this year. The backing is the blue you see around the edges. I think there are four more to quilt. 

The backing (blue) is made for the scrappy quilt.

And the third thing? I think it was to get my laundry done, so I could pack my suitcase last night when we got back from dinner! 

It's only been two days since I completely eliminated refined sugar from my diet, and I still need to replace those morning digestive cookies. Brooke says I should just throw the food away. I can't do that, so I will finish the box, but at two cookies per day, I don't think there's much sugar. And those gummies (supplements) need to be replaced, too. 

Anyway, in two days, I already feel better, and I know that is simply psychological, but I'm OK with that. It's the POWER of making and holding onto those decisions that is making me feel better. 

Look at that lovely spread of desserts at dinner last night. I wasn't even tempted. NOT ONE BIT. 

The dessert table that I completely ignored last night

It was a rainy kind of day, and when we got home I had to give the girls a quick walk. The lights in the front yard look so pretty. Subtle, but pretty! Murphy and Lexi were both happy to go out for a bedtime walk, even though they came in a bit wet! 

The lights at night in the front

I just have to finish packing up the rest of my portable office, and then I'm off. I will NOT be getting upgraded this morning, too many people on the flight; however, I am happy to report I'm not at the bottom of the list. Of 41 people on the list, I'm number 18. How will that change when I get my 50K status on this flight? 

This is a personal trip, so thankfully no heavy luggage required. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. I'll be in a different time zone, so the blog will likely be late each day until I'm back. 

It will be a WONDERFUL day!!!

Ciao!!!