A trip to the bookstore

I LOVE the idea of the electoral candidate getting his kids involved in making posters! We need to teach kids from an early age (well, old enough to know) about elections and why they matter. Your signs stand out, and kids learn something. What a smart idea! 

That was in response to a comment on the blog about all the AI-generated signs having the same look and feel. Zero creativity in that exercise, and those posters were way too wordy. 

So even with the best-laid plans, the day didn't go quite as I had envisioned. I got lots done, and yet I didn't. My morning, like I'm sure yours is, was busy. By the time I got the blog written, DH off to the train, the house a wee bit tidier because the cleaning service was coming (I know, we have to discuss that topic one day), and the girls walked, it was well after 9 AM. The dishwasher didn't get unloaded until much later. 

I was off to my massage, and I did explain what happened with the physio and my ribs. But all was good. Misty mentioned that I seem much looser than I have been in the past, though she still found some tight spots; of course she did! That's what I pay her for! But it felt really good. One day I should just have a relaxing massage, maybe with hot stones and super relaxing music, and fall asleep. That will never happen with these ones, and I'm OK with that. 

Then it was lunchtime, and I had a few errands to run after that. The traffic in the area I went to was HIDEOUS. One or two lanes were closed for road construction, and traffic backed up everywhere! If I had known, I would have taken a side street to get to my destination, but all was good. 

I wanted to check out Indigo and spent a long time browsing the books and magazines. I took lots of pictures (why not) of things that I found curious or fun! Of course I did - who else takes pictures in the bookstore? 

For the Bob Ross fans, he is never going to die. He died on July 4, 1995 - and was only 52!!! But he lives on everywhere. I spotted a coloring book. 

Bob Ross coloring book

As I was looking at the quilting magazines (I didn't buy any), I looked at the section next to me. OH GOSH, tell me AI redid the covers of all those magazines. Seriously??? The front page design is the SAME for all of them. Even the coloring on the front cover picture is similar. Boring!!!!! 

Similar style magazine front covers

If you are into puzzles and want something with loads of variety, here are two brands I recommend. Game (World of Puzzles) has a huge variety of puzzles, lots of logic, some Sudoku, crosswords, and a whole raft of other types. This magazine has been around for YEARS (I'm guessing 50+ years) in various formats, but it's an excellent variety of puzzles. 

Games World of Puzzles

This is the other brand I highly recommend - Dell. It's been around for years, and while they have many magazines, I love Math & Logic Puzzles best. I've never had a problem with any of the puzzles. Well, except that some of them might be tough, but they all made sense! 

Dell Math & Logic Puzzles

They also have lots of new game types, which I noticed on the online puzzle site I now have a year-long membership to. OK, I caved and bought both magazines so I could learn some of the new puzzle styles. 

Then I spotted 3D puzzles and these miniature rooms. They are adorable!!! I have one, and I should dig it out and make that my puzzle for the week. 

Miniature rooms - 3D puzzles

Seriously? I thought this book was fun!!! I didn't buy it - I was tempted, but it was somewhat expensive; however, there is a sale coming up! Imagine if we got back into the habit of writing mail. But this was more - just create a small piece of art, decorate the envelope, and send it! I really, really like this idea, and I know the perfect person to receive my snail mail! 

The Art of Snail Mail

I just Googled it - the book is brand new and created by an Australian (?). Here's a short video about the book. I think the concept is brilliant, and it's a chance to put the screens down and do something with our hands. Since we all have amazing craft supplies at home, imagine making mini pieces of art and sending them to someone. 

Then I found this book about quilting. I told you -- I explored the entire store, something I haven't done in a very long time, but it was fun! I found this book, "School of Quilting," in the craft section. There aren't many quilting books left at the bookstore. I wish that had been the case when I was learning - I wouldn't have so many books!!! 

Anyway, this book is very expensive and wrapped in plastic. Who wants to buy an expensive book you can't look at? You know what they say, "you can't judge a book by its cover!"

Expensive book wrapped in plastic

Then I spotted a book: sewing clothes for Barbie!! Barbie never dies!!! I was very excited about this book because these sewing crafts and skills are back in vogue. Let's hope they stay forever!!! I was tempted, but I don't need more patterns for sewing Barbie clothes, but imagine some young person getting their first sewing machine and this book!

Sewing Clothes for Barbie

In the checkout line, there are a HUGE number of impulse-buy items. Of course there is. I wonder how many people buy things from here. It must be loads because there is always tons of stuff there. I spotted small handwork kits; these were cross-stitch. 

Mini cross-stitch kits

And there was a punchneedle kit as well. 

A punch needle kit

And finally, when I reached the cash register (not because of a line, but because I'd spent so much time in the store), I was happy to see a Canadian author's (Louse Penny) books plastered at every cash register. I didn't buy the book because I am far down the list of books I want to read by her, and I will get it from the library. 

Louise Penny's new book at the cash register!

Thanks to a friend, I acquired another jigsaw puzzle. OK, it seems I'm hooked on the Villager puzzle brand. How can you not, when this is their slogan? 

Love this slogan

The artwork is by my online friend, Cynthia Frenette. She won the artwork competition for a puzzle sold exclusively on BC Ferries. The puzzle was recently released, and a friend of mine happened to be taking the ferry, so she bought it there. It arrived at my doorstep yesterday. Thank you for that. I also think the puzzle went on a bit of a tour before it reached my house. 

NEW Villager jigsaw puzzle

Cynthia made the artwork for M's wedding puzzle. Yeah Cynthia!!!!

Villager is a fairly new Canadian company, and they only use Canadian women's artwork. They are hand drawn/painted. The puzzles all have a similar feel, and many depict scenes from across the country. I'm OK with that, and I'm certainly OK with supporting our artists and this small (but fast-growing) Canadian puzzle company. I also got their advent calendar, which is new this year, and it sold out on her website in 98 minutes!! I missed that sale by 30 minutes because I don't know how to properly set alarms on my phone! But I managed to find it somewhere else, and it arrived while I was away last week. 

Now let me tell you about the quilting in my day. I decided to work on another block for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. Yes, it finally dawned on me that I can't just leave these blocks out and expect the quilting fairy to work on them for me. I actually have to do the work myself. Hmm -- that was a revelation!! (LOL)

So the next block was half-prepared, and as a group (when I taught the class), we discussed it a lot. Many people didn't want to include it in their quilt. Hmm, I'm not sure why so many of these fabric photos are turning out this way. I must pay better attention to that. 

The block is prepared for the satin stitching.

Anyway, after dinner, because that seems like the only time I get to sew these days, I started the satin stitching. And guess what? The block is done!!!! Yeah!!!

One more block is done!

I did a count, and yes -- there are still 29 blocks to make. With this one finished, that's 28 left. 

Then I thought I'd mess around with the Dresden plate block. I cut the missing four blades. That still boggles my mind, and I had quite the chuckle about it. All these years, the big issue was that I can't count! It's a wonder I can work on any kind of logic puzzle and be successful!!!!

Four more blades cut

I also made a small template of two layers of freezer paper to attempt to turn the top edge under. I experimented with that, and it looks fine from the front. 

Top edge turned under.

And the back. 

It looks fine from the back.

So I prepped two of the blades, and then I called it quits for the day. Finishing off the blades will be a task for today, BUT only after I get some sample work done! Let me tell you, I am very happy with my progress; it's slow, but that's OK. Slow is better than not doing anything. 

Two blades prepped

Here is the next block, also prepped, and I'll work on that next. 

The next block

To be honest, I think these two are the last ones that are technically prepped. For the rest, I sorted some fabric scraps. Once these two are complete, I'll sit down, look at the remaining blocks, and start with those that need paper piecing, or perhaps finish the applique blocks. I'll see how it goes and figure out a plan of attack for the rest of the year. I MUST get these blocks done, and hopefully the quilt tops BEFORE the end of the year. 

Here's my current, and I mean current, project table. All of these projects are on the Visual To-Do list, and all of them are for a class or a club. I need to work on all of them this year! Several of them are taking up a lot of space, and it would be amazing to put some in the "to be quilted" pile before the end of the year. I'm working on it!!!

My VERY current work table

Well, that's it for this morning. I'm running a wee bit late (I get so wordy when I write), and I still need to edit the blog, and then I'm off to the gym. While I can be a few minutes late, it's just me working out for me; I don't want to wait at that traffic light, so I have until 6 AM to get through it. What a silly deadline, but it works!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

How many years does it take to fix a mistake?

Someone posted a comment that all quilt stores are becoming the same, so what is the point of shopping at one versus the other? While that may be true to some extent, I think the "copying" goes back even further. 

The FABRIC is becoming the same, so shops don't have as much variety as they used to. And SADLY, what fabric companies make reflects what sells the most. We used to have easy access to categories like 30s and Asian, two categories I haven't seen in quite a while. That doesn't mean they are completely gone - I just haven't seen them. 

What we are seeing is so much of the same! I don't want to put a designer name in the blog so it gets flagged when someone searches, but I know of several designers - three of them come to mind immediately, and their collections are the same YEAR AFTER YEAR. The motifs might change somewhat, or the color might shift slightly, but over the designer's lifespan, they are the same! 

I remember back in the day when I bought a ton of fabric from one designer because I loved it (it's still sitting there untouched!), and when I looked into it, each of their 27 collections (at the time) was IDENTICAL in coloring; only the motif had changed. OK -- they may not be identical, but very similar. You could easily substitute one collection for another. 

Even other designers' collections are similar! And let's face it, that is what sells, or manufacturers wouldn't keep printing millions and millions of yards of fabric for each release. Of the MANY fabric companies out there, if each company released, let's say, 15 collections three times a year, that's a whole lot of "new" they have to create! The lookbook for one company I just checked just released NINETEEN new collections. 

Of the 19, many were similar to collections released in past years. Why would they come up with something new when people absolutely go nuts and buy and buy and buy? And if a certain style sells, then why not print more of that kind? It is US, the consumers, that are making the stores the same!! 

As usual, I've generalized a wee bit, but how many blue/teal watercolor collections do we need? At this point, there are probably 20 of them? The company releases a new one three times a year (I think). But the quilting community keeps buying them, so they keep on making them. All they do is change the theme - the look is very similar. 

Some designers are so popular that shops and consumers will buy those collections SIGHT UNSEEN. That is obscene. The only way to force change is to STOP buying, and then designers will have to work hard to find something new. 

Well, Miss Murphy seems to be hopping up onto her bed much more frequently these days. That means her legs are feeling stronger? We still help her on the stairs, and that is becoming routine for all of us, so that is good. 

MOM - I need a bath!!!!

I need to call the groomer and try and figure out a way to get her groomed. She desperately needs a bath. But she won't be able to stand for as long as they need. I'm sure we can arrange something like two appointments? 

Yesterday I gave her a wee taste of freedom. In the forest, we often walk off the path; well, it's a secondary path the city doesn't service. The forest is one huge squirrel convention at this time of year, and I thought I'd let her have a wee bit of fun. Given the condition of her legs, that may or may not have been smart, although she seemed fine all day and this morning. 

I dropped her leash. She went about 10 feet and then looked back at me. "MOM - something is not right." So I picked it up, and she immediately started pulling. So I dropped it again, and this time, she took off. But not super fast as she would have in the past. But she bounded around the forest while I walked on the secondary path. When I came out the other side, she did too, came to me when I called, and we continued our walk. 

She was excited, and I cut the walk short as I knew she would be tired. Silly girl, but she had fun with the squirrels. 

And then there is our lazy Lexi. She insists on lying under the table, a habit DH taught her. She can get pretty obnoxious while she waits for something. He eventually gave her some off the table, and then she ate the rest of her food. I wish he had NOT trained her to do that. Murphy, who loves to eat, never got food at the table, so she is elsewhere. 

MOM - just making myself comfortable while I wait

I had to clean my sewing machine because I ran out of "prewound" bobbins. Since I can't remember when I last cleaned the machine and changed the needle, I use five or six bobbins as an indicator. When the bobbins are gone, it's time to clean the machine and change the needle. It works for me. 

My indicator for changing the needle and cleaning the machine

Then I trimmed those two winter quilts and stitched the binding to the back of the first one. When I made the binding, I wasn't sure I had cut enough strips, and sure enough, I ran out. I need about 18 inches of binding. 

Not enough binding

However, I just made this binding two weeks ago, maybe three, and do you think I can find the fabric? I remember it in my hands, debating what to do if I was short, but where did I put it? I immediately checked the tubs of blue fabric in the stash room, but it's not there. OK -- so I only checked the top, but I can't imagine it got buried. I may have no choice but to go through that tub to try and find it. 

Then I decided if I am going to be serious about getting some of the projects off the Visual To Do list, then I'd better put my money where my mouth is. By the way, those winter quilts are on the list, as is this next project. 

I had prepared some appliqué blocks for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler. I cut out the shapes at the quilt retreat, so all I had to do was place the pieces on the background square, set up the machine for appliqué, and finish one block!!!

One more block done

When I'm machine embroidering, I keep stabilizer bits for embroidery or appliqué. A few small pieces were all I needed for this block. 

Using up stabilizer bits for appliqué

So I kept going and got a second block done as well. 

You can see how scrappy some of the stabilizer is on the backs of the blocks. I don't like the waste. So if I use every piece of stabilizer twice, that makes me feel better. Some larger pieces might get used a third time! 

More scrappy bits

And now two more blocks are complete. YEAH!!!! I thought I had about 20 blocks to finish, but the number might be closer to 30. It doesn't matter; if I can work on at least one per day for the next bit, I can easily finish by the end of the year. My goal is to have the three tops together by the end of the year. I'd better get moving! 

I finished two blocks for Sylvia's Bridal Sampler.

Appliqué can quickly slow people down, so here are a couple of tips. By the way, I'm doing a satin stitch around raw edge fused pieces. 

The first tip: find a good SATIN STITCH, not a zigzag stitch, on your sewing machine. There is a huge difference between the two. And use an open-toe foot so you can see what is going on. If you don't know the difference, let me know, and I'll see if I can find a picture. I don't have time this morning. 

Use an open-toe appliqué foot.

Secondly, know the functions on your sewing machine and use them. This is the function panel on the PFAFF Creative Icon 2. From the left: presser foot up and down; the needle threader (moved to the far right on the Creative Icon 3, which makes sense). Next is the scissors, which I don't really use because I prefer long tails when I'm doing appliqué. Next is the TIE OFF (extremely important for appliqué), as is the STITCH restart, and finally the needle up/down. 

The function panel on the creative icon 2

All of those are game changers for appliqué if you use them correctly. Another thing about this machine (and many others) is the presser foot that pops up slightly when the needle is down, so you can pivot frequently. That was extremely important on all those curves and those points. I've done so much appliqué in my life, I think I could do it in my sleep! I will NOT do appliqué without those tools and functions. 

OH - and here's another tip. When I'm done stitching, I press the block from the back using a wool pressing mat so I don't compress the stitches on the front. This is the only time I use a wool pressing mat. 

Pressing from the back on a wool pressing mat

So that is two more blocks done, and well, I'll take better count later on what is left. 

I'm almost embarrassed to explain what happened to the next block. But there is a Dresden Plate block in this quilt, and I have the pieces cut, and I've attempted to sew it at least TWO TIMES before, but it just didn't work. I couldn't get a circle, and I was frustrated. I've tried Dresden rulers; I've double-checked the pieces multiple times. But I need to finish this block, so let's try it one more time. 

I laid out all the blades on the sewing table so I could tackle it later today. 

The blades for the Dresden Plate block

It looks like it will make a circle - right? WRONG!!!!! 

I have 16 petals in my block, which is common. Then, for whatever reason, I had an epiphany last night and counted the petals in the book's block. OH!!!!

The pattern

Seriously?? Each quarter has FIVE blades, not four. So I am missing four blades!!! No wonder mine never formed a circle. 

The pattern instructions are correct; I just didn't read them right. And this thing has been an issue for how many years? I just shake my head in disbelief. BUT the important thing is that I have figured it out, and now I can cut four more blades and get this thing together. 

Depending on how my sample making goes today, I might be able to piece that. I'm trying to decide whether to turn the rounded end under before sewing the blades together or after. It might be easier to do it before; it will be fiddly as heck with those twenty blades, but then it will be easy to zip around and do some invisible machine appliqué on the turned-under edge. 

I can't believe I made a mistake like that, and that I didn't catch it even though it didn't make a circle!!! Life happens, move on and get the block done!

Here is my Halloween Trick or Treat bag. I embroidered this last year, and I sewed the bag back together because I didn't have access to a free-arm embroidery machine when I made it. 

Sample bag for Halloween

I rinsed out the water-soluble stabilizer, but it still felt stiff. So I threw it in the washing machine, and it is soft and beautiful!!! 

I spotted this saying on a video clip that someone sent me. 

"Be careful collecting things

Be reckless collecting memories"

You can't have too many memories, and you certainly don't want to not do things. As someone mentioned in a comment on the blog, for many events in our lives, "there are no do-overs," meaning the event happens only once! If you don't go, you will never have that memory. 

Think about that! If it's too much trouble, too emotional, too far, too many people, or whatever excuse you come up with, that event will NEVER happen again!! Don't say no to collecting memories, especially with family and friends. 

I need to get moving; it's going to be a busy day (as usual), and I also have a massage today. I'm a bit worried about my back, so I need to warn her about what happened with the physio a while back. Oh my, my legs are a bit sore this morning from my workout, but it's all good!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Ciao!!!

It's all about the puzzles

After last week's decluttering, I surveyed this office this morning, and YIKES!!!! I had better get my act together. Actually, I have a pile of books in boxes that were supposed to be picked up in September, but that didn't happen, and now the new date is in November. Then, as I did at my aunt's, I should just start at one side and work my way around. 

I have several bags of books to deal with, a lamp to assemble, and a box for my stick vacuum to recycle. It's amazing how quickly we "unsee" life's detritus. And there is probably enough stuff for a trip to the thrift store. 

I need to focus on the crap on the floor. So I've pulled out the lamp box and the stuff on top, and that's my focus for the week. I don't have the luxury of an entire day right now. 

People were chatting about thrift stores yesterday and how it's better to support one that supports animals or people instead of for-profit stores. I can't help it; that's the one closest to me, and I'm not going out of my way to drop off one box. It's not ideal - I get that, but it works. 

All the presentations went off just fine, and except for one email to send this morning, I've finished all the follow-up emails. 

I have my UFO homework assigned, and I didn't go big this month: two small quilts to bind, plus one quilt block. I should try to bind those quilts this morning during Monday Sewing. I'm not sure how the month will go, and I don't want to end up with loads to do at the last minute. It's all about time management. The UFO Club is working well, and people have gotten so much done since I started that club many years ago. 

As the year winds down (OK, we still have two and a half months), it's time to think about next year, and YES, I'm running the club next year as well. I laugh (well, not really, because it's quite sad) at how many of us have shelves, boxes, and bags filled with UFOs. Yes, I know some of you have no UFOs, but some of us do! I'm focusing on all those "10-dollar" quilts I've taught over the last 26 years. 

I really must count them one day to see how many are done and how many are not! The ones not done will keep me busy!

I zipped off to the mall yesterday, and they seem to be having these market days. It's actually a bunch of vendors trading/selling cards. I have no idea what kind of cards, but it seems to be things like Pokémon? I heard that was big and that there were huge lines at Costco to bring the cards in the first place? I don't follow that, so I have no idea. 

Card trader/vendor market

It was a glorious day yesterday, and the sun was shining, so DH and I and the two girls sat on the front patio reading our books and soaking up the sun. We don't sit there so much in the summer, but these days? It's the perfect spot. 

Then because Miss Murphy is so busy and has a hard time sitting still, I went to the backyard with her. I found one sunny spot I enjoyed for a bit, and then I needed a nap!

MOM - I love the backyard!

On the protein front, I spotted this yogurt at the grocery store, and I bought a vanilla-flavored one. I tried a plain one last week, and it's a bit too bland for my taste. The vanilla is great, and I added a few slivered almonds. So we'll mess around with that and see how it goes. I miss my muffin, but this is equally good and probably a whole lot better for me because it has less sugar! A LOT less sugar!

High protein yogurt

I finished the last presentation (scrap quilts) at 2 PM, and I didn't really feel like sewing after that. So I went for a walk, sat outside and read, and then I did some puzzles. I know! A real slacker! But not really. 

Every time we volunteer to pack puzzles, we get to pick one as a thank-you. I typically go for the 1000-piece ones, but I spotted this two-sided puzzle, so I brought it home, since I don't have one of those. And you have to try all the puzzle types at least once. 

The "front" looks very weird as a puzzle, but I'm game to try something new. 

The puzzle front

And this is the back. At least, there is a big difference between the two pictures, so it should be somewhat easy to know which side is which. However, it will be a challenge to decide which side to do, since both sides look scary! But I put it on the shelf, since it's not my priority at the moment. I guess the idea is to do one side, then take it apart and do the other side! So technically, it's a two for one! 

The back of the puzzle

And yes, I did go back to working on the candy puzzle, and I'm happy to report it's all done!!! I got to the point where I could pick up a piece and knew pretty much where it went. So that is done. Before I disassemble it, I must find the monthly code word, take the appropriate picture, and then I can put this one away. I swear I could smell candy every time I worked on it! 

The candy puzzle

Now I have a dilemma. This is a brand-new (brand name - Eurographics) puzzle, and I don't really think I should give it away. I'm going to keep it to sell or swap. I'm happy to give away the ones I pick up at the thrift store, but not the new ones. 

In my quest to find the monthly themed puzzles, I spotted this one for November - Travel Destinations. It's loaded with travel destinations, and it's a 1,500-piece, so that will be new for me. I might just start it later this week. I wonder if all those little pictures will make it easy or harder to do? I got that one at the thrift store. 

My travel-themed puzzle for November

I also found a Disney puzzle. Someone has one, and I need to find out whether I am borrowing, trading, or buying it. I can pick that one up this coming week. The only one missing, and I'm sure I have something that will work, is the Bookworms theme. I just gave away a bookstore puzzle, but I'd already done it, so I don't need to do it again. I'll check my puzzle stash, and I can always keep an eye out at the thrift store. I also need a cat or dog puzzle, and I'm sure I have one. I LOVE this monthly themed puzzle concept.

While I was having lunch with my new puzzle friends, I heard that many of them redo puzzles. Hmm -- is that a thing? I must try to get more information. I'm not a fan of redoing or rereading something -- there are far too many new ones to do. I must find out what that is all about. But I think a lot of the people I volunteer with love the speed-puzzling competitions, so the goal is to redo the same puzzle and try to beat your time. I don't think I'll like that.  

I'm right on track with finding the theme puzzles, and I will say that puzzling is a wonderful diversion from sewing. 

But I have some samples to make this week, and I have a busy next couple of weeks with events, so that will take priority starting tomorrow. Today is Monday Sewing, so I'll work on my UFO projects and try to do a wee bit of organizing on the projects I need to finish by the end of the year. The ones on my Visual To-Do list, which I keep promising to share with you, but I haven't. 

I think it's time to focus on those things (my UFOs are on that list) and see what we can do over the next couple of days. The biggest issue with the samples is coming up with the idea. Yes -- no patterns allowed, which works for me. I love creating my own stuff with the tools I have access to. 

OH GOD -- I just opened a blank browser window, and two "new" buttons have been added. I'm sure they've been there for a while. Both relate to doing jobs with AI. Seriously? That is just wrong! Wrong in that we are now going to waste our time making pictures for things, and, by the way, several people have noticed that AI-created "signs" are identical and FILLED with words and other visuals. So much so that they are distracting, they are too busy, and they ALL LOOK THE SAME. 

So if any of you are using AI to create posters, your audience has already gotten tired of it, and we are no longer paying attention to those posters! Just sayin'! 

And this is what is going to happen with AI -- if everything looks the same, it doesn't stand out, and guess what? Your amateurish poster will look fresh and inviting. So don't rely on AI to be a star - you'll just become one of the sheep!

I've got to run as I'm off to the gym this morning. I'll be working out by myself, and that works for me. I have been so hit and miss over the past couple of weeks. I'm so glad all this travel is coming to an end. Next week will be the final long trip of the year, and there are at least two shorter trips, but I can deal with those. 

Have a wonderful day!!!! 

Ciao!!!

A puzzling day!

 Oh- looks like I have a new book to add to my list! Thanks for the recommendations! I love the idea of setting a "moving deadline" to motivate you to declutter. 

We just want to make sure that the deadline is doable, or we will end up feeling worse. I would like my deadline to be the end of the year, and I want to get the garage done! It won't take long, and it would be so nice to get rid of all the rest of the detritus. There isn't much, but it's still annoying and seems to get glossed over repeatedly! 

I still have some trips this year, but I should be able to wheedle out some time. I carved out days to visit my aunt, so why can't I carve out one day to do the garage? That's all it's going to take!!!

I have three presentations today, and I've prepared all of them! I almost missed the boat on one. I had forgotten about it, and around 3 PM yesterday, I remembered, OOPS!!! But I managed to get it together, so that is all good. So many of the pictures were ready; they just hadn't been loaded into the presentation. 

These were the two girls yesterday morning as I was finishing up the blog. They were a tad impatient to get out for their walk! Those silly girls! 

MOM - we are exhausted waiting for you!

I left the house early as I had a date with some puzzles. It was puzzle packing day again. It's like being a kid in a candy store, except we were so busy we didn't even have time to glance at the shelves. This is the warehouse anyway, so no shopping allowed. 

The puzzle warehouse

When I arrived, most of the puzzles were already in their envelopes, as a crew had done that work last night. I was on a plane, so I couldn't help them. 

After that, we got all the puzzles (probably close to 2,000) ready to ship. While that sounds daunting, it's not that bad. Several people picked the orders, someone checked them, and then others packed them in boxes. I made the boxes. I'm pretty handy with a tape gun! 

The boxes are almost ready for shipping.

The biggest challenge is deciding on a box size for each order. Some people ordered a single puzzle, while others ordered 11 or more! The problem is that the puzzles are all different sizes!!!!! These puzzles are for the virtual competitions throughout the next couple of months. So the puzzles are concealed in shipping envelopes so the recipient can't see the picture. We put a label on each puzzle to show the date and time it should be opened. 

A LOT of work happens BEFORE we even pack the puzzles. Someone orders the puzzles and has them shipped to the warehouse. They also make the labels, print the orders, and so on. 

And there are loads of events during those months with a maximum of 90 people per event or something like that. These events sell out FAST, within an hour; every spot is gone. It may not be quite that quick, but it's fast! 

This is all for the Canadian Jigsaw Puzzle Association. It's a great organization, and you can participate as much or as little as you want. You can check out their website, and there will be two big events that you can visit IN PERSON next year. 

They have many other events to keep people interacting. You can browse their website to find more. The one thing I like, and that fits my schedule and pace, is the monthly theme puzzles. Actually, it's called the Puzzle Along. 

Here's a list of the themes for the rest of the year and into next year. 

During that month, you put together one puzzle (or more) with that theme. Then get the keyword for the month (not posted until the beginning of the month) and post a picture to the Facebook group. I have some puzzles for the upcoming themes on the list, but I don't think I have a Disney puzzle, so I need to add one. 

Right now, I'm working on the Sweet Treats theme for October. 

My candy-themed puzzle for October

This one is called Candy Party or something like that, and it seemed very hard last week, but I made excellent progress yesterday. I will have to be very diligent today to NOT touch it until this evening. 

If you haven't guessed it, I love jigsaw puzzles. I love finding the pieces; sorting is therapeutic, and, well, it just doesn't get better than that! And a very nice diversion from sewing all day. 

Notice in this one that I have many dishes made, but not the candy inside them. And I swear I can smell candy as I'm working on the dark thing! 

Hmmm --- which one will I pick for next month with Travel Destinations as the theme? 

Well, it's Sunday morning, and did I remember to take that darn bone density pill? I did not. So I decided to take the pill and then wait 30 minutes to eat. It's a bit of a pain, but I need to get my act together. A slight delay won't kill me! But not taking the pill could! 

Someone mentioned in a comment about not going to family events or other gatherings. You know what? Sometimes we dread those events - it could be a farewell, a celebration of life. We think it would be easier, less bother, or whatever if we don't go. You know what? We are doing ourselves a disservice. If we don't think we are "good" enough or strong enough to attend those events, what does that say about how we value ourselves? 

So the next time a friend wants to visit, a family member needs help, or you have something you don't want to do, do it anyway!!! Attending those events matters for our well-being. WE ARE IMPORTANT, and others host these events to show you they care! 

This has to be short this morning; I need to get my butt in gear to walk the girls and be ready for the UFO club. 

Ciao!!!!

A LUCKY travel day!!!

 And just like that, I'm home, and soon I'll be off on another grand adventure (just for the day), and it involves packing! No decluttering, but loads of packing. 

I got up early and moved all the glassware to the garage! It wasn't as cool in the morning as it is here, and you could see the stars, so I snapped this with my cell phone. Not bad for a cell phone. But that's why cell phones are so expensive today: it's the camera, not the phone part. That probably costs a few dollars! 

The early morning sky over Salt Spring Island

When I left, the house was neat and tidy, ready for my aunt to sort through more when she had a chance. 

I was sad to leave, as it would be the last time I visited the house, but we managed to get one picture of me on the front steps. DARN --- I completely forgot to get a picture of both of us when someone else was around. We took many pictures on those front steps. 

Last photo of me on the steps

When I took the picture of the sky, I didn't even register that it was clear. No fog!! Apparently, the day before, they had to cancel floatplanes because of the fog. I got lucky!

My aunt dropped me off at the floatplane dock and headed back to the house because Lucie was coming. OK, if all the youth in our world were like Lucie, the world would be a better place. I'm not sure how old Lucie is, but I'm guessing in her twenties. She's a young single mom who is working hard to make a living. She has chosen to help others - I think I mentioned her mom was a hoarder. 

I liked her so much (we all fell in love with her) that I hired her to move all the crap out of the garage, and she did just that. Then she removed more stuff from the house. I'm not even sure what all went, but she took a load of old lawnmowers and filing cabinets to the metal recycling, and then a good part of the stuff went to a giant flea market sale which is happening today. That is why she was so anxious to get the stuff out of the house. 

She didn't want stuff going into the landfill unless absolutely necessary. YES -- I know that not everything will go at the flea market, but at least an effort was made to rescue some things. 

But if the world were filled by people like Lucie, we would be in a much better place. 

As I got down to the seaplane dock, the sun was just coming up. It was a glorious morning! 

Sunrise over Ganges Harbor on Salt Spring Island

Things went smoothly for a travel day, and it was a lucky day for me. Although I have flown over this body of water many times, I never tire of watching the ships and other small sailing craft. No whales, although the pilot mentioned they had spotted whales earlier in the week or sometime just recently. 

A ship between Salt Spring and Vancouver

When we arrived at the floatplane dock in Vancouver, we waited about five minutes for the shuttle to the main terminal, so I arrived at the terminal around 9:30. My original flight was 1 PM, but I had forgotten the seaplane flight was early in the morning when I booked it. 

While we waited for the shuttle bus, several ladies chatted about how much they'd have to pay for their luggage and whether it was overweight, etc. Both ladies were flying to the US. I said that I could carry 3 suitcases at 70 lbs each. One of them immediately asked me, "What credit card do you have?" I am NOT a fan of this business of everyone offering a credit card to get special privileges. I know many people pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees for a credit card that gives them access to the lounge or other privileges. I refuse. I only need ONE card, and it's working well for me. 

Enticing people to get another credit card in return for privileges just increases the risk of getting into trouble with credit if they're not careful. We have a small limit on one shared card, and it works! 

I checked online and saw a 10:10 flight, one at 11 that was pushed back to 11:30, one at 12, and then my 1 PM flight. I wanted to switch to an earlier flight, but I didn't want to pay the fare difference, so could I fly standby? I went to an agent immediately upon arriving at the airport, explained my situation, and before I knew it, I was confirmed on the 11:30 flight at no charge. Yeah!!!!

So I went to find something to eat and a place to sit while I waited. Since I have new airline status, I now have access to the lounge, but the lounge was under renovation! Of course it was, but I knew that because a friend of mine had been there recently and told me. 

The lounge is closed.

There is a private cafe for the airline which was near the gate, so I went there. Imagine my surprise when, while looking for a seat, I ran into a friend from back home!!! This is someone both DH and I have known for eons -- we were colleagues, and at one time, we all lived together in a big house. He and his wife came to M's wedding. We chatted, but he had work to do, so I sat and waited. 

Actually, I was watching the upgrade list. This was indeed my lucky day. There were 40 business-class seats (the lie-flat beds), and only 20 people bought those tickets. A huge list of people were waiting for an upgrade, and I happened to be number 18!!! Yep, I got one of the last seats, so I had the pleasure of a nice, comfy seat for the flight home. 

My seat on the way home

I managed to watch the final Harry Potter movie. Can you believe that in all the years since those books and movies came out, not a single person told me outright what the ending was? I kind of knew, but I was never certain. It was a great movie, and it was fun to see the whole cast back for the finale. WAIT, I had read the books, so I knew what was going to happen, but even though I read them way after they were released, no one told me the ending. 

Then I watched a couple of episodes of Modern Family. I loved that show when it was on years ago - a true comedy, and it really was a modern family!! 

DH agreed to pick me up, but my phone was dying, so I told him the scoop. He was stuck in traffic (Friday night rush hour), so when I got off the plane, I found an electrical outlet and charged my phone a bit. 

Then we went to the restaurant for a late dinner. Yep, I talked his ear off; I bet he missed me and my chatter all week. 

The girls, of course, were excited to see me, and we did NOT go for a walk because it was late by then, but I was still on Vancouver time, so I decided to do a wee bit of unpacking and then work on my jigsaw puzzle. I have seven nights to finish that. 

A bit more progress on the jigsaw puzzle

I scour the boards for more pieces and am starting to become familiar with what goes where. Then I attempt to locate a spot for them, then find more pieces. It's coming together, but it's slow. That's OK -- I'm good with slow. Remember my motto that I picked up in Africa, "Pole Pole", slow!!! I still wear that bracelet. 

I also got my jigsaw puzzle advent calendar in the mail. This thing went like hotcakes, but I scoured the internet until I found a copy in Alberta. And now, starting December first, I get to take part in it. 

My advent jigsaw puzzle

And that's a wrap for today. It's going to be a very busy weekend, but that's OK. A few busy weekends and days remain this year, but things are starting to wind down. Says me!!!!

Anyway, if you ever get the chance (who am I kidding, we are all going to have to move one day), I really enjoyed this last week. It was a ton of hard work, but it was so satisfying. I really enjoyed spending time with my aunt. Would I do it again? You bet I would. I would have loved to do that with my parents, especially my mom. The memories we could talk about, the things we looked at. All of that would have been fun with Mom, but she doesn't want it, and we would never have thrown anything away. 

That's the sad truth. And while the timing was a bit wonky for me, it didn't matter. I will still get my work done on time, and I had a wee enjoyable mini-vacation! 

I must run; I need to take the girls for a short walk before I have to leave. 

Notice there is no list today, BUT I have one final thought about decluttering. If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to help a friend or a family relative, TAKE IT!!! Our time on this planet is limited, and if you don't reach out, help, and enjoy relationships, what is the point? 

It is going to be a GLORIOUS day!!!!

Ciao!!!