The Wedding

What a wild and crazy day! I feel like I lived through a very surreal moment! You know - you go to weddings all the time (OK -- not all the time, but time to time), but you go to weddings, and they go through the formalities, and everything is beautiful. And you hope that one day your child(ren) will find someone they deem worthy of themselves to marry. 

And then it happens, and well—it was a beautiful day. Absolutely beautiful. But I'm going to start at the top. 

After writing the blog, Little Bear and I were out on the beach. That little guy is pretty funny! He's just so little, and he's like a chick magnet. Sorry if that term offends anyone, but you can't go anywhere with him without someone falling in love with him! 

Little Bear on the beach

And of course, the little guy overestimated the depth of a pool of water and fell in and then walked in the sand, and he was dirty. Well, I certainly wasn't giving him a bath, and thankfully, the sand fell off. I brushed off as much as I could, and I swear the rest fell off in the car when I went to pick up one of the guests at another hotel. 

OH NO -- Bear got dirty!!! 

A few of the guests joined M on the beach for early morning yoga. Bear and I hung around to get some pictures. I knew no one else was covering the event, so I helped out. 

Early morning yoga on the beach

Then I was off to Tofino and Rhino Cafe for my morning breakfast. Yes-- I could have eaten at the hotel, but riding the bike in was much more fun! DH brought Bear in the car, and they joined me. I hate when they put a pastry with lots of icing into a paper bag. You lose half the icing that way!! Anyway -- it was an apple fritter kind of day, and it was yummy. 

Bear and I are having our morning breakfast.

And there I am with my helmet on and my two jackets, but I was having an amazing time. It was so much fun!!!!

Happy to be riding a bike

I had to stop to take some pictures. That's the beauty of riding a bike; there is so much to see, and since you are much closer to things, you wouldn't see from a car. And since you are on a bike, it's super easy to stop and take pictures.  

A red poppy

This flower was from a huge flowering bush, and those blooms were as big as my hand. They were stunning. 

Massive pink flowers

And then I thought this was an interesting sign. Nicely made up, so it wasn't just a casual thing. I was tempted to take the bike and see just how deadly they were!!! I mean—don't you want to know what a deadly pothole looks like? Perhaps today I can find out!

What's a deadly pothole look like?

I stopped to take a picture of the hotel sign, but now realize, looking at it, there was too much shadow at the time. No worries—we have the memory. 

The hotel sign

At one point, I needed something from M's room—what the heck was I delivering or picking up? WAIT -- it wasn't that at all. I was trying to finish the ring bearer pillow, and they had goodies, so I stocked up for fortification while I finished the pillow. Yes -- it was a big day for pastries. I'll deal with the consequences when I get home. 

More pastries

And then Bear and I sat in the library and worked on the pillow. The pillow was done basically. I had to find someone to put their finger on the thread so I could tie it tightly, so I went to M's room, where some of her friends were, and one of them helped me tie it. That was to give the pillow a tufted center. 

Working on the ring bearer pillow

And there was Bear, and he sat between my legs on the chair while I tried different ways of attaching the pillow to his harness. The pillow just kept wanting to shift, but I think I finally figured something out. But as I sat there, two couples came by, took pictures of Bear, and asked all kinds of questions. And then they started asking about the puzzle that was still there. Oh my—I have work to do!!!! But you never know what's going to happen when Bear is around. He was such a good boy and patient as I worked on his pillow. 

Grandma says I'm a very patient boy, and I am!!!!!

Speaking of which, I had a near panic moment earlier in the day. It was a beautiful day. More on that in a moment, so Bear and I decided to sit in the lawn chairs near the hotel. Let me rephrase that, I decided to sit in the chairs and was hoping Bear would join me. He did stick with me for a bit, and then he started to wander around. I decided to get up to keep an eye on him, and all was good. 

Then he went left, while I went right, or he was looking for a quiet place to do his business. It happened so fast, I don't even know what happened. But all of a sudden, he wasn't there! OH MY GOD!!!! I'm not a panicky person, but I had a moment of panic, to say the least. It did NOT help when my phone rang —it was a call from M. OMG—I cannot tell her that Bear is missing. 

She was laughing and said that Bear was just around the corner. They had been watching me from their hotel window!!!!! PHEW --- saved by the onlookers, but busted as a trusted dog sitter!!!! We all had a laugh, and then I kept a closer eye on the little guy. 

This was Bear with all his wedding garb. He had on a white shirt, and I made him a green bow tie - more on all that another day. And then he had a new leash and harness, and his pillow. At one point, I think there was a corsage for him, but he had no more room!!!!

I'm a very handsome boy!!!!

The one thing that I am very proud of M for is her attitude towards the day. She has spent enormous amounts of time planning the wedding, and you could tell. Details were taken care of, some things probably went awry behind the scenes, but through it all, she was graceful, gracious, and so at ease. There wasn't a single moment that I felt she was "panicky" because something didn't go well. She said, " It is what it is." And that just made my heart sing. Be flexible, and nothing will ever disappoint you. I am so proud of her for that. She really and truly has grown up. But do your kids ever grow up in their parents' eyes? I am very proud of her for the woman she has become!

Thankfully, I'm a quick-change artist. I was watching some videos on my phone, and at 12:35, DH came back from hanging out with the guys. I was still lying on the bed with Bear, and we needed to be in the room at 1:15. Oops. I ran downstairs and grabbed a sandwich and a chocolate croissant for lunch. Then into the shower, but not before comforting Bear, as there was a tsunami-warning drill (no danger for us), and poor Bear did NOT like that. 

Anyway, I showered, blow-dried my hair, got dressed, ate my lunch, and still arrived at 1:15. There is no time to waste!!! Close friends and family members (ladies only) met in M's room, and when she came down the stairs in their loft room, she was radiant!!! The photographers and videographers captured the moments, and it was an unreal experience for all of us to share. 

But I have to include this memory here. I got my ears pierced years ago when I was a teenager. Over the years, I stopped wearing earrings, and one of the holes had closed. So I haven't worn earrings for eons. She had mentioned to DH that she wanted me to wear long dangly earrings, which - you know me - if someone asks me to do something, I tend NOT to do it. And can you believe that someone called me spiteful because of it!!! Well, we don't want any negative thoughts here, but the idea stayed in my head. 

One day at the mall several months ago, I spotted a place that does ear piercing, so I thought, "What the heck," and got my ears pierced. It didn't hurt nearly as much as when I was younger! Then, the day before we left, I hadn't bought any earrings yet, so I had to scoot to the mall, went back to the same place, and found some funky dangling earrings. 

I never told anyone about the earrings, and no one at home noticed that my ears were pierced! Now I can wear funky earrings -- yes -- I didn't need pierced earrings, I could have worn clip-ons. 

I wore them yesterday, and when we hugged when I saw her, we both started crying, which was OK for me but not for her! Her day was just beginning. But it was all OK, and I feel like we have cemented our relationship that much more! I swear the first thing she noticed was those long, dangling earrings! 

Then DH and I walked down to the beach where the wedding would take place. I wanted to get Bear prepared. When I came through the trees to the beach, it took my breath away. The view was stunning, and the weather was perfect. They could NOT have asked for a better day or place. 

The wedding venue

Just a side note: they had their first date on the beach somewhere in Vancouver. They got engaged on a beach in Maui and are now married on a beach in Tofino!!! The beach is their happy place!

Here is the arch that we picked up at the party rental place. The hotel did an amazing job of camouflaging it. 

The wedding arch

But seriously —look at that view!!!!

The view from our chairs

They had a commissioner do the ceremony, and it was beautiful. They did NOT want anyone taking pictures during the ceremony except one of their best friends. That way, they would get some immediate pictures of the ceremony. I had to chuckle because, from a couple that posts a ton of pictures on IG, to tell people not to take pictures was an oxymoron. But they had the professional photographers there, and the one friend who took some, so they could have some pictures of the ceremony. 

Why? They wanted people to be in the moment of their ceremony and to experience it through their own eyes, not through a camera's lens. I thought it was a brilliant move, but OH MY -- it was hard to sit on your hands!!! 

Anyway, the ceremony was beautiful, and the sun beamed down on them as the waves crashed behind them. We could NOT have asked for a more perfect day. 

Wait -- I'm coming to their picture. Here is a close-up of the ring pillow. And I love how the commissioner called it. The ring BEARer pillow. It was so adorable. 

The ring pillow

I had made some small (6") pillow forms way back when, and they were made to put some funky folky stuff on the outside. I used the satin from her dress and made a cover. I'll tell you more about that experience another day. The lace is the bits of lace that the dressmaker sent me, and I stitched it to the pillow. 

And there are their two bands attached to the pillow. 

The wedding bands

Once the ceremony was over, it was time for family and friends' photos. We had picked up a bunch of games at the party rental place, and so while the photos were happening, the games were used. And it was almost time to go before I realized that I did not have a picture of the happy couple!!!

The happy couple - Dillon and Madeline

They both looked amazing, and Dillon had a bespoke suit made —oh boy, it really makes a difference in the fit. And M's dress was covered in tulle and lace, and that was quite the task to wear that on the beach. While the beach wasn't very deep in sand, it was deep enough that it was hard to walk on with shoes. I went barefoot until it was time for pictures. And in all that—I do NOT have a picture of me in my outfit!!!

Dillon and Madeline

After pictures, we headed to the dining room for dinner. And I have stuff to share there, but not today. And after that, we went to another party venue on the property for the dance! Here's a picture of the first dance, and they have been practicing it, and they were so cute!!!

The first dance

We walked back to the hotel (about 5 minutes), and it was pitch black. No lights, but I have zero issues seeing in the dark. 

As we arrived at the hotel, I looked up and OH MY --- look at the stars. Yep -- this photo was taken with my phone camera. It's amazing what those cameras are capable of. 

The night sky

Bear hung out with me for most of the day, but he had a sitter from 4 - 10 PM. So that gave me a bit of a break, although he's no trouble at all. Just not allowed in the dining room! I came back to the room to get him and took him back to the dance. HEY -- I had to get some steps in somehow!!!! 

When we finally got back to the room, the poor little guy was exhausted. He went straight to bed and hasn't moved an inch. WAIT --- let me rephrase that. He's a snuggler, and I swear I woke up sleeping on the edge of the bed. But what a cutey and you can't complain!!!

Exhausted after a very long day

And there it is --- the wedding. It was perfect! The couple looked stunning; the weather was perfect; there was laughter and joy; all their close friends and family were nearby; and all the hard work of planning went off so smoothly that it was seamless. People kept asking me about details, but I had nothing to do with the planning. I may have helped with a few things, but it was all Madeline and Dillon. They did an amazing job. 

I am so proud to welcome Dillon into our family, and I wish them all much joy and happiness in their new life as a couple. Love you both to bits!!!!!

And a huge thank you to all the friends and family who came to the wedding. As mentioned last night at dinner, getting to Tofino is not easy, and it took us two days to get here. But it was so worth it, and it holds such special meaning for the happy bride and groom. We had been here 27 years ago with Madeline when she was little. I need to dig those photos out when I get home. And I believe they were here a couple of years ago or last year? I'm not sure about those details. I'm sure they will be back!  

On that happy note, I'm out of here. We are meeting some friends for breakfast, not in Tofino, and I might go for a bike ride afterward. I'll see how the day goes. 

There is lots more tos hare, but that's it for today. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

 

A GOOD news day

 Have you ever had one of those days when the stars are aligned, and everything works out exactly as you want? 

That seemed to be the case yesterday. And I have to say that nothing was earth-shattering -- it was just good news all around. 

It started when I got this e-mail. 

While I knew this update was coming, I can now download and install the new software. The last time a new upgrade happened, I had to wait months for my turn. They don't want to overload the support team, so they stagger the updates. We paid a high price for that software which runs the long arm computer. And naturally, we expect updates and upgrades, but I certainly did NOT expect them to be included in the original price. Thank you to APQS and the Grace Company for the most fantastic support EVER!!!

I haven't had a chance to read about all the new features, but one I know that I'm excited about is the ability to do an edge-to-edge AROUND applique! Hopefully, it's pretty intuitive to make that happen. I hope to download and install it today. Tomorrow may not be a good news day, although the last upgrade I did worked like a charm. 

And here's the thing about those updates --- the instructions are super clear and straightforward. The support team that created all this stuff is AMAZING, and it means that we can do it unassisted in our homes. You have to LOVE technology and Angela Clark. I've NEVER regretted this purchase!

I hear a couple of sewing machine upgrades coming as well, and since both of my primary sewing/embroidery machines are Wi-Fi enabled, the next time I turn them on, I should get an update. Thank you to PFAFF and Husqvarna Viking for making that happen.  Again -- I don't have to take my sewing machines anywhere to do that. And what is the update? I should be able to use the NEW 200 by 200 metal hoop, among a few other minor changes. I'm so excited!! 

The NEW Quilter's Metal Hoop

And also, speaking about sewing machines and software, I ran a virtual software session yesterday (mySewnet.com) for a local shop, and I absolutely LOVE when the students submit photos of what they have done. We talk about how they did it and is there a better way, etc. Well, the group yesterday did NOT disappoint. They were full of questions, and they were not shy to experiment. While I had an agenda, we went totally rogue and off-topic, and I could talk like I knew what I was doing, even when we ventured into digitizing. 

Me and digitizing in embroidery software? I love all this technology, and while I still have tons to learn in that software, each day brings a new victory! I WILL get good at it. Such a change from years ago when I first bought embroidery software, and I looked at the screen, and well -- I didn't get far. Now, I'm ready to conquer anything!

Speaking of conquering things, you know how much I love my Virtual Challenges from The Conquerer. Well, guess what???  They are bringing some of them to REAL LIFE.  OH MY GOD --- I was so excited when I got this e-mail, I could hardly stand it. 

That is crazy, and I want to go on the first one, which is to the Base Camp in Nepal. But the timing doesn't work for me, and I don't want to change my plans.  DRAT!!!!! There are some in New Zealand next year, but I would bet by now that they are full. 

They have a Facebook group with 168K members worldwide, and it's the MOST supportive group of people I've ever met. We all get each other, and it doesn't matter if some people are walking the first KM they walked in years, or you're a nut job like me. We all get it, and we all support each other. Knowing that I'm part of a community like that (even an online one) makes me very happy. It's so much fun to meet each other and get to know each other better. 

So -- I'll check again on those New Zealand trips, and I WILL walk a real challenge ---it's just a question of which one and when. 

As if that wasn't enough excitement in the day, I found Easter chocolate when I went to the grocery store. Now I shouldn't be buying this, but it's Easter. After that --- I need to cut back on the chocolate. I've been so good for so many years. I think the deadline stress is getting to me and well --- eat more fruit or something! I have no problem eating chocolate; I just don't need gobs. So I'm secretly enjoying my Easter chocolate over the next few days. DH's eyes aren't as good as mine when it comes to finding chocolate!

Easter chocolate

I got another customer quilt done to help with the good news day, and now, I've got some trimming to do, which I hope to accomplish later today. Although I have two deadline projects that I'd like out of the way by Friday. 

Customer quilt - DONE

And the BEST news of all is that I made fantastic progress on the Cherrywood Challenge. There are several styles of embellishments on the piece, and one type is completely done, and I have to say it looks incredible! I had to play with it slightly, but it's looking exactly how I envisioned it. 

Then I moved on to another embellishment style, which is also working out exactly like I planned. I love when that happens. I don't have a problem visualizing things in my head; it's the translation to the real thing that can be hard -- well, isn't that what a challenge is all about?

Scraps from making embellishments for the Cherrywood Challenge

I should quickly finish this style today, leaving two more embellishment techniques, and I also hope to get those done later today. Then all that remains is to trim the piece, attach the embellishments, and add the binding. I CAN DO THIS by May 1. 

If it gets into the Cherrywood Challenge, then KUDOS to me; if it doesn't, KUDOS to me for making it happen; either way, I'm a winner. I had fun thinking it up, and I've had the pleasure of making it, and it's more fun now that it's turning out exactly how I wanted. 

There was so much happening yesterday, and it was all good. The pond got opened, despite the snow, which is now all gone. I didn't get a picture of that. 

Murphy was totally bored, and this is how I found her when I returned from the grocery store. 

Watching the world go by

She absolutely loves that window seat!

And it's time to think about CHRISTMAS. Well, not really, but here's the thing. A specific quilt store puts out an Advent Calendar at Christmas. I haven't signed up for it, but I watched as the daily gifts were opened. So much of it was promotional items or items that I would NEVER buy. And it supports a US store. It is not a problem, but we are CANADIAN, and wouldn't it be great to support a quilt store trying very hard to be a great shop? There are LOTS of other fantastic Canadian shops as well! 

Guess what?? There is a store doing just that. And we need to support them. Check out Watergirl Quilt Co., located in Prescott, Ontario; they have put together a quilt Advent Calendar. I don't usually sign up for this kind of thing, but just this once, I signed up. (Thanks, Mary and Gwen! - enablers!!!) Check out the video -- Michelle is so funny and so excited -- she reminds me of myself on the excitement part. 

So if you were thinking of buying this advent calendar from somewhere else, support Canadian and get on the Watergirl Quilt Co. list!! Then, starting December 1, we can open our presents together.  

There might have been one or two other small victories yesterday, but I've forgotten them. Don't you just LOVE when a day comes together like that? 

Yes -- there is still lots of paperwork to do, there is lots of sewing/embroidery/digital cutting/quilting to do, but it'll get done. Slow and steady is my motto. 

On that note, I'm off to the gym for another spin class. Can I get a repeat of yesterday? I doubt it -- that was a gold star day, to be sure. But every day can be a gold star day -- you just have to change how you look at everything!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

All in a Row

 I have to say that it feels AWESOME to get back to the gym! There are not many people there at 5 AM, but that's OK!! And yes, what I do at the gym could easily do at home - walking and stretching. But I hope to add some weights in there soon. That's not the point - the point is that I've been going to the gym for 40 years! And I like it - it's part of my routine. And you know me - I like routine!

I have to admit that I was a slug yesterday, and I'm quite happy about that, although I still walked 10.5 KM. I had a quilt class in the morning, and I promised to send them their homework notes by tonight. Well, I'm happy to report that I sent the homework last night! Yes -- for once, I was right on time. I don't think that has ever happened, but the patterns we chatted about were so mixed up in the cutting instructions that I felt they needed them right away so they could get to work. 

Sometimes, I think we need better editors for quilt books. Not only are some of the ideas totally unrealistic, but then the instructions are totally off track. And can you tell me why, with whimsical designs that they would suggest turned-edge applique?? I don't get it. I could be an editor! But that's OK - it actually makes it easier for me as a teacher when the patterns are not the best!

We didn't have a lot of show and tell. This is a weird class as there are many rows in the book, and you only need 5 or 6 to make a quilt. So some of the rows that I mention might never get made. That's OK. They will know HOW to make it if they ever want it. And I'm all about mixing and matching -- make one block instead of a row, or mix the rows up!

Here is the book that we're using. 

All in a Row Again book

This is the second book in this series. There is an All in a Row book. 

All in a Row book

Oh, shoot - I didn't rotate this row, but this is Kathi's row of mountains. The pattern is NOT from our book. But that's OK - it's part of her quilt or will be part of her quilt.

Kathi's mountain row

Here are the new blocks that we worked on yesterday. It's all about the house and the barns and the outhouse! OK -- so the outhouse was a beach cabana in the book! I still need to put a crescent moon on the door. 

New blocks for All in a Row

There is one row with barns, including the three barns above, one row with beach houses, which I will make into an outhouse, and one row with the duplexes. I'm going to make ONE quilt from these random blocks. I've got a few more blocks to make, which will happen next month. I need to figure out how to place them. I want the quilt to be DONE by November, which will be our big reveal. I was NOT going to do a third quilt and then POOF - the idea for the third quilt was formulated!!

Here are my other two quilts, which have a definite plan. This one is a medallion quilt, and I plan to add other blocks into the center and the corners. I hope it will look totally different for next month. 

My medallion quilt

And here's my row quilt. I still have ONE row to make for this and some applique stitching. And lastly, the outer border needs to be pieced. 

The row quilt

There's still lots of work to be done! So much to do to get up-to-date, not only on this one but a couple of the other ongoing quilts as well. But bit by bit - they will get done!! 

Here's a tip for the chocolate lovers out there. I have no issue eating sugar or fat, but I'm all about moderation. I love dessert, and I love chocolate, but I do not eat candy any longer. Oh, trust me -- I think about it sometimes, but then I just say NO. I got a little lazy with the chocolate, and I would buy my favorite chocolate - Ritter-Sport. Well, there were days where instead of having four squares, I'd eat the entire thing (16 squares). Oh boy -- that's not good. 

So I'm back to eating this kind of chocolate. I know 90%, and you can even get 95%. Bitter, you say? It's an acquired taste, but I have no problem eating it and actually enjoy it. But more importantly, I only eat two squares, and I'm good. 

 

High content chocolate!

After my Facebook account was hacked last week, I reset the password and did the verification process. But then I had to log back to Facebook on my phone, which I haven't done. And you know what? I don't think I'm going to. I can check Facebook first thing in the morning on the computer to see anything earth-shattering, and then that's it for the day. I like social media but do not want to be a slave to it. 

I now check Instagram for a few minutes a couple of times during the day; I check the weather station to see if any cool videos were posted and that's it for social media for me! Pretty sad - right? Nope -- I'm excited to know that I can keep that urge in check. I love technology, but I love it when it WORKS for me, not when it wastes my time!

Well, I'm off to get ready for Monday sewing. What will I work on? And I have another class tomorrow, so I'd better think about prepping for that one. And there are still presentations to get in order. So much to do and so little time, but I did have a wee nap in the gazebo yesterday and then spent some quality tie reading! It was the weekend, after all. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

A race against time

OK -- I'll try not to go on and on about my virtual challenge, but I'm loving it. DH thinks I'm obsessing because I talk about it every day. And some people that I talk to think that the four of us are in a race against each other. NO - we're only in a race against ourselves. I have another challenge where I'm walking across Canada. Each day my FitBit transfers the miles that I've walked to the map. Since M lives in Vancouver and that's where I am right now (having started in Victoria), I thought I'd share my position on the map with you. She lives in Burnaby and I made sure to wave as I walked through!

Me against my pace marker

M - here's a close up of exactly where I am.

My exact position on the Cross Canada Walking Challenge

Now here's the thing. I set an aggressive pace - I must go back and look at what the daily mileage was, but the goal is to walk across Canada in two years. It's a total of 5,184.2 miles over two years. Just did the math - yikes. That equals SEVEN miles a day. My average in the past has been about 6 so it is a stretch to do 7 - EVERY DAY for 2 years. I was away last week and walked about 4.3 miles each day. Let's just say that it's no surprise that I'm about 15 miles behind. Both in this challenge and the one that I'm doing with the Quilt Posse group.

The virtual challenge that I'm doing with the other is to walk Route 66 in one year (that's MY goal). The total distance is 2,280.3 miles and that works out to 6.25 miles per day for one year. I've got to ramp up my walking each and every day to meet those goals.

So you can see - this is NOT about winning or being in front of the others - this is about keeping up to the aggressive pace that I set for myself.

On that note, I've already been to the gym and walked for 2 miles. What I need to figure out is how many steps is 7 miles. I might have to back off that Cross Canada pace a wee bit. I'm thinking that 15,000 steps should equal about 6 miles. Doable for me in a day, but 17,000 every day???  That's a bit of a stretch.

However, I've changed my habits significantly over the past year and not just because of these challenges. I used to use my car to do all my errands. I'd save them up and then take a trip to the mall, then the library, the bank or whatever else needed to be done.

Now, I walk EVERYWHERE - well almost everywhere. And do I group up those errands? I do NOT. I'd be happy to walk to the mall every day to get one new thing or drop off one book each day at the library or deposit one cheque a day at the bank. Then turn around and do it again the next day. I like walking in my neighborhood and I like getting the exercise. If I only go for one thing, it's easy to carry.

So when I saw that I need more liquid calcium this morning, I was thrilled even though I had been to the mall yesterday because it means I need to go to the mall again. It's all about rewiring the brain. I don't need a fancy gym membership to get in this kind of exercise. It's just plain walking in my neighborhood. Although as I mentioned, I was at the gym this morning. I need to get some serious miles in to catch up!

What about the time you say? Well - I'd rather be in great shape, getting my fresh air, and checking out the things around me than sitting at home watching TV or sitting in front of any kind of a screen. I consider this time an investment in my future. I see what happened to my Mom and I refuse to let that happen to me. She became complacent about moving around and has pretty much lost the use of her legs. Her balance and level of security of walking unaided are totally gone. I WILL NOT let that happen to me.

Good habits developed now will continue into my future. And if it's too icy outside - well, I can go to the gym or like I did last week - I walked the halls of the hotel and up and down the stairs to get the distances in. It's all about using what you have available. And if someone sees me walking the halls of the hotel? Who cares!!! I sure don't.

I suggested that our Quilt Posse go to LA once all of us have arrived virtually! Wouldn't that be a hoot.!!!

Speaking of walking in my neighborhood, I'm walking the girls in the woods behind our house. OH boy - we had rain - a lot of rain on Saturday. This is what we had to walk through. That's very unusual for January!! Normally this would be frozen over, but nope - we had to wade through it. Thank goodness for rubber boots. I don't even wear winter boots anymore - I just wear rubber boots. I love them as I can grip the icy surfaces way better with my toes through the thinner soles and so far so good.

The path goes through the water

We didn't have to walk through this puddle, but it's amazing how much water had accumulated in one day.

Water that accumulated from one day's rain in JANUARY

I think it was last year or the year before (It was December 2016) that I posted about all these page-a-day calendars that I've acquired over several years. I pulled them out the other day. This needs to be addressed. So I went through the EIGHT calendars (most had been used for the first month or less).

Page a day calendars

I found two that of them match the dates and days of the weeks as this year. TWO. One I know was from 2003. Not sure about the other one. I put the others away and I'll deal with them next year to see if any coincide with the dates and days for 2021. Not that it really matters as I don't rely on them for the date. But I'm a Virgo and we do like some order.

Two Page-a-Day calendars for this year

Both of them are just pictures. I should be able to manage to read the Dog Shaming caption and glance at the MC Eischer photo and then throw the pages in the recycling. I think I can manage that. It takes less than one minute. Both of them are currently sitting on January 15 - ready for tomorrow. If I find anything interesting in the MC Eischer one, I'm putting it into my inspiration journal.


I also found this tote bag that M bought me. Ritter chocolate is my FAVORITE. Yep - I still eat chocolate, almost every day. BUT I have four squares of chocolate NOT the entire chocolate bar. With all my mileage, I'm entitled to eat chocolate. Now the tote bag is hanging in the room downstairs with all the other tote bags. When I need a tote bag, I can grab this one. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being as organized as I am and can't wait to get the rest of the place cleaned up!!

Tote bag made from chocolate wrappers

Actually, I don't think it was made from wrappers - it appears to be laminated fabric where all the packaging was printed. I've tried most of those flavors, but not all.

Here's my quilt that I finished the backing for the other day. It's now moved into the "to be quilted" pile. I'm super excited about that!! One more bites the dust!

A quilt top, backing, and binding now moved to the "to be quilted" pile

So what did I walk to the mall for yesterday? Why yarn of course!! I wanted to buy ONE small ball of the cotton yarn so I could make the Swifter covers. Shoot - all they had were the big ones. I thought long and hard before I bought the big ball. What I don't use, can be made into dishcloths on the next road trip. To be even more environmentally friendly, I didn't get a bag, but just tucked that ball of yarn under my arm and walked back home.

Ball of cotton yarn

Now I can make several of the darn Swifter covers as I think we have three of those Swifters in our house. That's a job for next Monday or that would be an excellent thing to do in the evening when I'm listening to my audiobook. If I don't have something in my hands - I'll fall asleep.

Well - as usual, there's a whole lot that needs to be done today so I'd better get started.

Have a super day!!!!!

Ciao!!!

I could have been poisoned!

We had a super meeting yesterday morning.  It was the first official meeting of the West End Modern Quilt Guild.  And we are now an official member of the Modern Quilt Guild.  We're almost at the capacity of the tier for which we signed up. We do have a few spots left from what our initial goal was but not everyone was at this meeting although we did people sign up even if they weren't there. And that's on the first meeting!  I'm super excited about the response and can't wait to get to know these ladies better although I do know a fair number of them already.

Then I was home to get down to work!  I scanned the meager contents of our fridge and found something for lunch. If ever there is a major event and we can't get to the stores, we'll die from lack of food. And if there is ever a major event where we lose electricity, we won't lose any food!  The pros and cons of a nearly empty fridge. But we could drink because who would want to waste all that beer and wine!

After lunch, I felt like I needed a little something sweet. I went to my chocolate stash and pulled the LAST item from the stash. I've decided to NOT buy more - I'll probably die from lack of chocolate and if there is a power outage, there are no reserves anymore!  Anyway, I pulled out the last item and laid it on my cutting table. Then I had a really good look at it.  Oh, my!  This is a critical situation.

Ah - check out the expiry date

Yes, indeed. Check out that expiry date.  Sept 15, 2017. And what was yesterday's date?  Sept 15, 2017. Good thing I discovered that because well I could have been poisoned eating chocolate past its expiration date!!!  Phew!

As I was merrily sewing, I was using one of my UFO projects as my ender and leader. I grabbed one of the blocks and OH! This doesn't seem quite right.

Does this look right to you?

 Indeed when I look at the good one (on the right) and the one on the left, there's a mistake.

Ooopsy!!

 So I ripped off the last section I had sewn on. But when I went to sew it back on, I realized that I had made another mistake on the block so had to rip off the light section as well. Then it was ready to sew back together.  I hope there aren't other mistakes in the other blocks.

I'm getting down to nearly nothing left of this light fabric. I still have a few blocks to go (forgot to take a picture), but I should be OK. But just!  How's that for calculating fabric by the seat of your pants!

Hopefully enough fabric to finish!

I'm not even sure how many blocks I'm making, but the end quilt will be a lap size - or should be.  I have one more strip to sew on after I'm done adding the one that I'm currently sewing on which is a strip of the light which you didn't see. And that last strip has those silly little corner things that have to be cut, marked and sewn on BEFORE that strip can be sewn to the blocks. I'm not out of the woods on getting this done, but I'm getting closer!!!

I'll give you a total recap of what else got done yesterday when I do my Motivational Monday report.  Let's just say that if you're focused - a lot can happen!

We did go out to dinner last night. DH had been away the entire week and previous weekend and I talked his ear off - poor guy! I had no one else to talk to in the evening all week and there was a lot stored up waiting to be said! I wasn't quite like the couple I saw on vacation - it wasn't 100/0, but well maybe 80/20  - OH GOD!

As I was madly working yesterday, I had to clear off the ironing board. So yes it's clear.

Ironing board - clear

 And where did everything go???   I did a CLEAN SWEEP - yes right onto the floor. This is stuff that needs to be dealt with in the near future, but I had more pressing things to take care of yesterday!!

Clean sweep - right onto the floor

 And yes - I did find another block that needed to be fixed! This one still has to be ripped out. No time for that yesterday!

One more block to fix

 And that chocolate?  Oh yes - it was good!  And it's all gone and right on time!

Yum yum!

So no more chocolate - I can deal with that!  I can!  I will!

And on that note, I have a couple of very anxious girls who are begging to go to the park!  We're off!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!