Progress on all accounts

I got LUCKY!!! Even though that grey fabric is years old, I found a shop in Ontario that still has it in stock! Yeah! She will be sending me a half meter next week, so I can make the binding for my quilt! As I said -- I got lucky, and it wasn't critical that I use that fabric for the binding, as I could have found something else. Still, it shows that you must be flexible in creating something, especially from fabric you purchased years ago, because you might not find more if you need it!

I was busy with other things, so I didn't get too much decluttered yesterday. What things? I don't remember! Oh yes -- I was on MIL physio duty, and that takes up a couple of hours by the time I pick her up and get her to the appointment and then back home again. 

I also quilted a customer quilt and did some puttering in Studio B. So much to put away, so much to finish up. ACK! I have three Zoom sessions this morning; all the presentations are done, and I almost finished all the work. I hope to finish off those quilts during the Virtual Retreat tonight and tomorrow. I need to get stuff finished and move it out! 

Customer quilt - DONE

And this is why we end up buying duplicate stuff. While cleaning up some stuff  M had left, I discovered this top I assumed she was sewing. I felt something hard in the hem of the almost finished garment. AHA -- it's one of my elastic threaders! It would appear the elastic pulled out, and she abandoned it. Now that's pretty lame! 

A lost (but now found) elastic threader

And how many single socks can one person have? Seriously?? I did keep them in the event when I go through more of her stuff that I find the mates to them, but all of these are single socks! She probably took the others with her when she moved out! Sigh...

Single socks! 

I also found this cute little zipper pull that we probably purchased for her, but it's mine now, and I have an excellent place to put it, but I need to make the bag first. 

A cute zipper pull

This is one of the books I recently finished. When the pandemic started, this book was in the news because it mentions a virus coming out of Wuhan, China, which was called Wuhan 400, and let's just say that the virus we got - well, it was MUCH milder than the described in the book -- thank goodness or there wouldn't be many people around. The book was written in 1981, and while Wuhan is known as a large industrial center, it also deals in the biotech and pharmaceutical world. I don't know exactly when biotech and pharmaceutical came into being. So is the idea of this virus far-fetched, considering it was written in 1981?  

The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz

While the plot depends on that virus, the book doesn't mention it much. I remember searching high and low for this book and did find it at a used book sale, and it's going in the giveaway pile for someone else to enjoy. 

Speaking of giveaway piles, I have my donation box, and some stuff piled up on Lexi's kennel destined for other places. Currently, there is stuff for FIVE different homes. At some point, this spot will also be clear, but I call the area my clearing house as this stuff is on its way out the door -- just not urgent, and arrangements haven't been made yet. 

My clearing house

I think Lexi is telling me that she approves of the decluttering in the office as she is coming in a bit further now and lying down. She is so skittish, doesn't like new things, and HATES clutter. Perhaps that's why she doesn't like toys? 

Here's a tip for you in the decluttering process. You usually have stuff in your hands when you come home, as I did from my errand. The usual dumping ground in our house is the kitchen table. But you can't leave it there. If you have mail, deal with it immediately, put your keys and purse back in their usual spot, and find a home for everything else you brought into the house. And if you can't find a home? Guess what -- recycling or garbage! 

Stuff that I brought into the house from my errand

I swear, not having a home for something drives home the question of do you need what you just brought into the house. So much of what I used to cart home did NOT have a home, so it became clutter. It's shocking, to say the least, and I'm so glad I'm now seeing the way! 

I was off to the drugstore the other day to get toothpaste and batteries and to drop off some expired pills I found. Got rid of the medications, got the toothpaste, and forgot the batteries, so I have to walk back! While I was there, I used the health diagnostic machine. Now I know this is all relative, and it's a machine, so how accurate can it be? But if used regularly, it would make you aware of any significant changes. 

I was practically comatose, it would appear, with a blood pressure of 89/53, but the machine said I was in the bottom end of normal, but still NORMAL. Since it's always in that range, I don't panic. My BMI is 24, which for me is HIGH. I'd like it to be 21, but unless I completely give up refined sugar, that won't happen. Yes -- I've fallen off the wagon, and sugar has snuck its way back into my diet. Not huge, but I won't say no to a sweet treat. The only way to get that BMI back down is to give up refined sugar! Apparently, my oxygen levels are excellent at 99%, and my temperature is fine. My weight is fine as well. I'm NORMAL all around! 

The one thing I would like is to get some blood work done. What is my iron like? And some of the other stuff. I try to eat well, but it would be nice to know if anything is getting out of whack. I know -- I just have to book an appointment, and it can happen. The problem is that if I call my doctor and ask for a physical, I can have one within 24 hours! I should do it next week. 

Looks like I better make another list of things that need to be done as there are a few things I'd like to get cleared up soon. 

Well, it'll be a busy weekend with the Virtual Retreat, and hopefully, I can get some of those projects that are almost complete -- done! 

Don't forget the last day of QUILTsocial. That stationary quilting machine is a game changer. This is the way to go if you want a larger throat space than that available on your domestic sewing machine. Long arms are great, but they are hugely expensive and take up a lot of room, and this does not! Shoot -- the post I gave you the link for today is Thursday, as I gave you Friday yesterday!

Oh, the list of winners for the Cherrywood Challenge was released yesterday. OH MY -- some people are surely talented and creative. Shoot -- I have the link on my phone; I'll post it tomorrow once I figure out how to get it off my phone and onto my computer.  

Here are the links for the Virtual Retreat. 

Saturday, July 30  --- starts at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89254233911?pwd=VGQrTnFybW1HMWpleHA4M2Q2NGVwZz09 Meeting ID: 892 5423 3911 Passcode: 982797

Sunday, July 31 -- starts at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81693717518?pwd=STNoVVQzbDd4ZnROQndNNlpvcC90QT09 Meeting ID: 816 9371 7518 Passcode: 579285

I am so NOT ready for it to be the end of July. I had many plans of what to do with my "down" time, but there hasn't really been any downtime. I still seem to run around with small stuff, although I made leaps and bounds in the decluttering, so I can't complain. 

See you later tonight or tomorrow!!!

Have a great day!

Ciao!!!