Life in TANDEM

While I don't have a lot to show for what happened yesterday, I did get stuff done! That seems to happen a lot these days! I have two classes to prep for this weekend, and I'm at a local store teaching all day, so my time has been spent prepping for that. 

For the life of me, I cannot find ONE sample that I'd really like to have today. What the heck could I have done with it? Sigh!! The store might have the same sample, so I'm HOPING! 

Yesterday was all about the weather - it was the most bizarre day I've seen in a long time. When I walked Bear, I had my winter jacket on. Not that I needed it, but sometimes, the first walk of the day is damp. I need to get warmed up! When walking Murphy, the jacket was open - no hat, scarf, or mitts. And I was warm. So when I went out with Lexi, I only had my sweatshirt on and had to take it off! Yep -- that's the kind of day it was. 

Walking in a T-shirt 

When I went out for an appointment at 12:30, the temperature was already dropping significantly, and when I got home at 1:30, it was definitely time to dig out the jacket again. When I went to the grocery store around 2:30, it was time for a scarf and mitts, and it was crazy windy!!!

DH was flying home yesterday, and after TWO aborted take-offs because of mechanical issues? They were airborne. They had been warned that it would be a bumpy flight, and it was. The landing wasn't so pretty either. Thank goodness I wasn't on that flight. I'm uncomfortable with turbulence! 

We've discussed the color of cars before, and most of the vehicles on the market are black, grey, or white. I'd say the next most popular is red, and there are various shades of red! Then blue, a few greens here and there, but what about this one? You won't miss this in the parking lot. It's a Tesla, and well, that would NOT be my car and would not be my color! Perhaps if you have a car like this - no one will steal it. Are people stealing Teslas? 

Hard to miss this car!

Look at this tree I spotted along my walk yesterday. 

A silver-tipped tree

It doesn't show up well in the photo, but it was silver-tipped, and I thought, "No -- it can't be!" But it was!!! Pussy willows about to bloom on February 28? 

Pussy willow buds

I always get a lot of entertainment from watching the girls and a boy, and yesterday was no exception. I'm not sure who copied whom, but these two were inseparable yesterday. 

Drinking water together

They don't have a favorite side, but Little Bear needs to be doing the same thing that Murphy does, or is it Murphy has to do what Bear does? 

I'll help you look for that missing ball

Here they were, waiting for DH to arrive home. 

Keeping an eye on the neighborhood

Lexi tried to keep away from them and really does her own thing. Can you spot the three of them? DH was finally home, and they could relax while we worked on the EXIT game puzzle. Easy peasy!!!! We're now on Day 16 (of 24). He's away often for dinner, so it's hard to get to it every night, and I've been tempted the last couple of days, but I waited!!!

A THREE-dog night

How true is this quote? I love having choices, but too many of them? It becomes a burden. And people are afraid to make decisions, so the fewer choices, the easier it is for them. Pick one and MOVE ON!!!

This came up in my memories last night. How cute -- someone's husband (not mine) made this for his wife. His hobby is model railroads. Very cool!!!

Elaine's Quilt Shop

Well, I'm off to take one more look for that darn missing sample! Where the heck could I have put it? It's probably sticking to something else, and I'm missing it!!!!

Have a super day!! 

Ciao!!!!

The LOST day

Yesterday was a LOST day! I accomplished nothing, yet I did do TWO things. 

My passport expires near the end of June, and I've had a note in my calendar since January that I need to renew it. There was no urgency to getting it done, but I knew I would need it probably in April, so I had time. I had gotten pictures taken, and I worked on printing the darn application. 

My plans have changed, and I need the darn thing in March. Oh boy! I intended to mail the application in, and it would take 20 business days plus mailing time to be processed. But with the changed plans, that was cutting it tight. I may or may not have gotten it, and I didn't want to take a chance. 

With the new dates in mind, I browsed the list of offices and knew I had no choice but to go to an office where I could pick it up in person. That eliminated MOST of the offices since many do now allow for pick-ups. So, I was off yesterday to wait in line at the office near me. 

Before leaving the house at 9:30, I checked the wait time, which was 2 hours and 45 minutes. YIKES!!! The office closes at 4 PM. I took a book and some other stuff and wore my sweatshirt and sunglasses because it was a nice day. 

I envisioned arriving and sitting for 3 hours in a chair, and I could entertain myself. I stopped at Tim's, got a tea and a cookie, and had some chocolate in my bag. 

Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the parking lot to see the line snaking OUTSIDE the mall. Oh boy - this does not look good. 

I parked and got in line, which was around a small jut in the building, so you couldn't even see the door. Then there was the security guard who gave us the speech! Stay in the line; applications must be filled out and a PRINTED copy (not on your device); you could be sent to the back of the line if you didn't meet the requirements; this office is ONLY for passports, etc. 

Even though we were in the shade, the temperature was OK, but I had NOT planned on standing outside in my sweatshirt. The line crept along, but we made it inside in under an hour! Then the line snaked along the hallway, and again, we got the lay of the land from the security guard. Stay to the side of the wall, don't block doorways, single file, etc. 

He spent much time policing the end of the line because people would walk along and then pop onto the back of the line. AH - EXCUSE ME -- the back of the line is outside!!! You should have seen people's faces! They must have come in the other entrance or were hopeful!

That indoor line seemed to go on forever, and it took at least one more hour to reach the front of that line. Then, in groups of four, we were allowed into the office, where someone checked our documents to see that everything was in order. There were eight wickets, two of which were used for passport pick-up and six for verification. Of the six, maybe three were being used. 

My back was tired by this time, but I was OK, knowing that a seat was just around the corner. I got a number and moved to the next room, which was full of people waiting. There were about sixteen wickets in this room, but at any given time, there were about eight being used. 

I paid $20 to be able to pick up my passport in two weeks. I waited over two hours in the room with chairs! It took me over 4 1/2 hours to get that errand done, and that does not include travel time!!!

Thankfully, when I pick up the passport, I can go directly to the front door and be directed inside. 

When I left at 2:30, there was NO line-up outside, but there was still a line in the mall hallway. I don't think they could even clear the room with the chairs, let alone deal with those in the hallways. That's insane!! Why not have more people at the wickets? 

And when they called one number, no one showed up! I hope they were not yakking and missed it!! People do not pay attention when the numbers are called and it took some people precious time to get to the wicket!!! 

I get it that you can mail in your passport, and next time (in ten years), I'll mail it in six months BEFORE it expires. But when I was in North Battleford (population of 19,000), my Dad and I had to go to their Service Canada office, and there were ZERO people in line! Wait -- that's not true - two people were being serviced, and we were next in line. I should have done my passport then! 

I live in a city of over 800,000, and there are TWO underutilized offices!

When I left, it was pouring rain, with lightning and thunder. I knew that from texts on my phone, and the girls and a boy were home alone!

I had barely arrived in the house when it started to pour buckets, and there was hail. The hail was bouncing off the pond's surface like a tempest at sea!

Hail on the pond's surface

Hail on the deck

I was hungry and exhausted, so I had lunch. How can one be exhausted from doing nothing? While I waited at the passport office, I read my book. It was a gloomy, damp day, and I was tired, so I curled up on the couch and had company (Lexi was on the other side as there was not enough room for her), and we had a great nap!

The girl and the boy "protecting" ME from the storm

I had zero ambition to do anything when I woke up, so I spent the rest of the day reading the book, which I finished before going to bed!

I spotted some photos on IG or Facebook of a sewing room. Here's an idea that I like. A great way to display your zippers to easily find one. I could use something like that for my zippers, which are crammed into a box. 

Excellent storage idea for zippers

Now, I get that everyone does not have a nice open space to sew, but when I saw this, I cringed. The rest of the room was gorgeous, but her sewing machine was crammed into this tiny space! And missing the view and the light of that glorious window. I would have put a foldup ironing board in the room, moved a table under the window, and shortened the workspace if I had no other choice. 

Cramped sewing space

That would be like sewing in a can. I couldn't do it! 

Well, on that note, I have a lot of stuff on my list today, and I'll get done what I can. There is much to do, and I have to prioritize, which is easy as I look at the list and the due dates! And next week is looming with my many Zoom events! 

I'm off to spin class to rev up my energy to tackle the many tasks today!!!

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!!

Get a library card!

I need to renew my passport which expires in June. I had so much trouble printing out the form -- of course I did! I must have filled the darn thing out 10 times before the stars aligned and the form was printed! So I'll drop it off today. How many hours will I wait? 

I could mail it, but I'd rather know immediately if there is an issue with any part of the application process. 

We had Monday sewing and it's always fun! I didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I made progress and that's all that counts. 

So yesterday was a day about books!! I stopped at the library simply for something to do! How sad is that? But the library is a fascinating place and you never know what you're going to find. Plus, it's on my walk. So I started by searching the catalogue -- remember when we had those little index cards? I love those index cards! 

Wait a minute -- there's a brand new catalogue! I knew it was coming, but this is cool. More information about the location of books and well, it's different, but in a good way!! The catalogue online hasn't changed - at least when I check from home, but from the library? WOW!!!

I got a chuckle as the majority of books that I was looking for were only available as AUDIOBOOK or EBOOKS!!! Wow -- and many of them were available only on Hoopla. Hoopla is a library resource that your library has to subscribe to and our library does not seemed to have scrimped on their subscription as we have access to so much on Hoopla. 

There will NEVER be an end to entertainment with a library card! If you don't have one, you should get one!!! 

I listen to audiobooks on my phone, and I'll view ebooks on my iPad. I haven't used my iPad a lot, so I downloaded the app to my iPad. Thankfully, Hoopla syncs between devices so that helps remember what is where. 

Digital resources on the iPad

Here's another chuckle. I was searching for books on Design Space (Cricut's software) and I found 10 books in Hoopla. Eight of them were audiobooks! Hmmm--- how helpful is a software manual in audio format? I'll download one, just to check it out!!! 

Yikes -- one could spend so much time checking out resources. There is only one danger to all this. I am doing this research to learn and then I pass the learning onto my classes. Which I'm OK with. But when the group becomes dependent on ME to do all the research? Hmmmm---- they can Google just as easily as I can! Perhaps, I need to back off or I need to find a happy medium - maybe I need a reward system for those that Google and then experiment? 

The bottom line is that only some of us are curious about things in the world and DRAT - I spotted a book at the library about curiosity. I didn't get it yesterday, but I think I might go back today. It looked like a fun read. Kids are curious - most adults are not. Why is that? We should be asking questions and trying to learn new things by exploring. Perhaps our society is killing that in kids today. Everything is spoon fed, so there's no need for them to learn. 

I think the most important tool that anyone can teach to another person is the ability to learn to learn! I might be failing in that by giving too much help, but I can see the lightbulb turn on for some and that's reward for me! I MUST make sure that everything I pass along is a step forward, but not ALL the steps. I will have to reign myself in on that one! 

While on the Monday call, I was sorting stuff. Well, I was digging out some handwork. I have this small Sue Spargo kit (wool applique) and it's time to get it done. I made a start by also digging out my Sue Spargo book on stitching. 

Supplies for Sue Spargo applique (wool)

She likes to use Eleganza thread (three weights - 3 - 5 - 8) (it's her thread produced by Wonderfil) so I assembled all that I won. It's now all in one bag, which is a huge start. 

My Eleganza thread

After gently chiding others not to go down multiple paths, I was chided to NOT start something new or go down a new path. And I'm not - I already own this! So it's OK if I want to stitch it. I won't have time for weeks to even look at it, so I'm OK with just sorting it out when I can get there. 

I got one more customer quilt done and it's trimmed. It was nice to work on something small for a change! 

Customer quilt - DONE

The next one is loaded on the machine and of course, it's a giant! But I'm working my way through the quilts and soon I can start working on some Quilts of Valour - if I get time. 

The weather was glorious yesterday and I went for a walk. Then when I got home, I had to sit in the backyard and enjoy the sunshine with the girls and the boy! Murphy is getting quite jealous (fed-up) with all the attention the little guy gets. She has become super clingy and loves to WALK right where you are walking. It's very annoying. Lexi? She just wants to be petted. 

Quality time with the boy and one girl

So maybe, on a nice warm day, I can get outside in the gazebo and work on that Sue Spargo project. I hate to waste a beautiful day when we can be outside. When I walked, I only wore a sweatshirt and wasn't cold in the least. I think today will be the same. The weather is crazy and while we're enjoying this warmth, we are going to pay later for the lack of moisture! 

OH -- I should say that I finally finished reading a book last night. I would NOT recommend this book to anyone and I'm not sure how it got on my list. It's called Breaking and Entering by Don Gillmor and I have no idea what the point of the book was. It was depressing -- NOTHING in the book went right for the main character - it was one disappointment after another. I swear I was getting depressed while reading it. I didn't want to stop reading it because I thought - it has to have some happiness in it, but it did NOT!!! 

Well, it's time to get moving and get the day started!! Get out

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

It's all about the dogs!

It was a busy day, but I don't have much to show for it! Unless you want to watch the video of our digital cutter class. Last year, the session was one hour, which never seemed enough. This year, I added 15 minutes. Yesterday, we went almost 30 minutes over that, and I have prided myself on NOT doing that in the past! Sigh!!!! 

But the information and the participation are amazing, so I don't want to NOT do it! It's not that I'm UNAWARE of going over. I'm very aware - I'll have to plan the lesson better, but I had several people sharing information, and I wanted to get that out there. 

Later today, I must finish the follow-up to all the weekend classes. I've been up for over an hour already and answered emails. 

I don't get it -- I have forwarded the Zoom links to everyone in all my classes. Since it's the same Zoom link, they should have it. Yet I received THREE emails yesterday from people saying they didn't get my reminder email. Well, they should NOT need a reminder email -- they have all the information, and all they have to do is go back to the saved link and open it up at the appropriate time. 

I've responded to them this morning, and hopefully, I won't get those emails in the future. And they send it two minutes AFTER the class starts. I'm on Zoom and NOT checking emails!!!! But we'll get it straightened out! 

I managed to get a customer quilt done, and all the quilts are trimmed. I need to get in touch with the owners so they can arrange to come and get them. So, that was a productive day! 

Customer quilt - DONE

Lexi had a productive evening the day before, as this is what I spotted in the living room. Occasionally, she finds a hole in that quilt and goes to town. I'm not sure how much batting is left in it!

Someone had fun with their quilt!

But she was pleased as punch about it. 

MOM -- Look at me - I HATE batting! 

I must look at that quilt; perhaps it's time to let it go! It's so huge anyway, I'm not a fan, but she likes it. And why does it get pulled out of the big, comfy bed instead of sitting on the floor? Hmm -- I might wash it, fold it in four, and SEW it shut. Then it won't be so unwieldy, and she can't get more batting out of it! Yep -- that's the pioneer spirit in me! 

And what about Little Bear! What happened to his hair? It was getting long, and somehow, he got food in it, so it was heavy and covered his eye. Since it was a busy day, I didn't have time to give him a bath, although he desperately needs it. He's starting to look grey, not white! I got out the scissors and gave him a quick trim!! He can see clearly now! 

GRANDMA -- are you there? I can't see you!!! 

And that Murphy is pretty sneaky when she wants to be. I can be downstairs by myself, busy working away. Then I turn around and she's watching me! She crept down the stairs and just sat there watching me. Creepy!!!!! And I'll find her anywhere - behind the long arm, in the middle of the main room. I never know when she's going to pop up!

MOM - I got your back! 

As usual, we had a great time on the Virtual Retreat Zoom call. There's so much information sharing and great conversations, and, well, it's such fun to open the call to people in various places! I've met some wonderful people through the Virtual Retreat, which allows one to keep in touch with people who have moved away! 

It will be a busy week, and I didn't get everything completed on my list from last week. So, I have to make the to-do worksheet for this week later this morning. I think the sheet is helping me stay focused on the tasks for the week, which is good, and so far, I'm not scrambling at the last minute. It also helps that there are fewer classes, but there still doesn't seem to be enough time to complete everything!!! 

I'm off to spin class. Then we have Monday sewing, and after that, I'll be back at the computer trying to clean up the emails from the weekend! Well, those that I need to forward to people. And the task list for this week needs to be completed. I have ONE week of relatively quiet, and next week, I have loads of Zooms and will for three weeks in March. Yikes!!!!

On that note, I'm out of here!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

What is your PURPOSE in life?

I didn't think I was going to make it this morning! I mean getting my presentations ready. I went to bed relatively late for me, but I got up when the PILL alarm rang! I notice that's my last one, so I must go to the drugstore to get more. 

But the presentations are ready. Yesterday, I wondered if I had enough content for one of them, but after putting all the pictures together, I wonder if I'll get a chance to talk! This whole business of sharing in the Zoom format is fantastic, and I've learned so much. Not only have I learned the techniques (talking digital cutters), but we are accountable to each other, and I want to be an active participant!! Yikes --- it's a crazy world, but I LOVE it. 

While walking, I remembered seeing some videotapes on the camera shelf. No idea what's on them, so I should deal with that now. When I got home, I discovered TWO new tapes, which went in the giveaway box. Two empty cases went into the garbage, and one tape went to the store to get transferred to a DVD. It's super easy to deal with a few things at a time, but this was only after a somewhat major sort through the contents of that shelf. 

More camera supplies were dealt with

The little tripod (I've got several - some I will never use - I must dig them out) went into my retreat bag. I often forget to take the big tripod to put the phone on to take a picture and then have to try to rig something up. This one weighs nothing and will be perfect to place the camera against. The legs are very bendy! It might be an excellent tripod to throw in my backpack for hiking!

I was pretty happy with my production level yesterday. I got a customer quilt done. 

Customer quilt - DONE

Then, I went to work on the Tequila Lime quilt. Those darn paper pieces were long and caused me no end of grief! Rip - rip - rip!!!

Paper piecing

But I persevered and finished the units for Group B!!!!

Paper piecing is DONE!

After sewing ALL the B sections, this is the scrap that I had. If I had cut the shapes per the pattern, I would have had MUCH more than this. It's all about learning to do things right, or in this case, economically!!! 

Scraps from paper piecing

While it was a bit chilly yesterday, the sun was out, and it was a glorious day!! When I returned from my afternoon walk, Little Bear and I sat in the gazebo for a few minutes! He's so cute, but I wish his tongue didn't hang out. Oh well, that's what happens when you have no teeth. 

Hanging out in the gazebo

And Murphy has taken to bringing the outdoors indoors. There were leaves all over, and Lexi left a nice pile of mud, which was now dirt so that all got swept up!

Leaves in the house

We are making significant progress on the EXIT Game, as we are now on Day 13 -- halfway! And we've only looked at those two clues. Yeah us!!!! But it's teamwork -- neither of us would make it on our own! Yesterday, we had to cut the top of the box in two! 

Progress on the EXIT Game

OK -- this quote screams ME!!!!

Super quote

Yep --- when I discovered quilting, I found my PASSION. Well, not exactly. It's hard to say if the passion is quilting or teaching! But let's say, in my case, it's a good mix. 

I finished reading Viktor E. Frankl's book - "Man's Search for Meaning". Holy smokes!!! That was a fascinating read. He was a psychiatrist who ended up in the concentration camps during the war. He has MANY insights into the world and why it's going the way it is - mental health issues, depression, suicide, etc. I'm not sure that I could wrap it up in a nutshell, but here is an article about the book. 

Guess what? This book was written in 1946, and the last part was revised in 1983, so what he says is NOT new, but our society refuses to change. 

The bottom line is that we need a PURPOSE in life. We need to have a reason to get out of bed each day. And WE alone have the choice to make those decisions that make us get through life meaningfully to each of us. Our purpose CANNOT be the same as someone else's! And SUFFERING is part of the purpose of life! It makes us stronger, and there is NOT enough meaningful suffering today. 

I listened to the audiobook (5 hours); if you get a chance, you should read it. It was fascinating. Thanks to someone on the blog who mentioned it. 

On that note, it's time to get the girls and the boy out for their walks. There are two Zooms this morning and a Virtual Retreat this afternoon. We had so much fun last night and some GREAT conversations. I was impressed, and when you want to know something, there's usually someone on the call with the answer!!!!

Here's the link for today. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82983517671?pwd=ODdsa1FJenQwdFNaQWFTNGd4bEhPZz09

Meeting ID: 829 8351 7671
Passcode: 117636

We're supposed to start at NOON, but my prior presentation may go over, so don't despair. Just come back!!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Simplicity is key!

In case some of you are getting random responses from me -- I'm trying to catch up on all the comments from the blog! Bear with me -- I should catch up soon!

Somewhere recently, I heard someone say that one of the generations (I don't remember which one, and I'm so confused as to who is whom anyway!) Well, the idea was that you are old if you carry a WALLET! Now, I don't think anyone should generalize about age because of something we carry! For the record, it has been years since I last used a wallet. This is what I use instead. 

My card holder

Someone gave this to me years ago. I do not remember who it was, but it's cute. It folds shut, but it has two sides when you open it up. I have culled my cards and only keep those that I actually use in there. I'm sure there is one or two that could probably go. What I'm surprised about is that it hasn't started to wear. I carry this in my pocket (I don't carry a purse either - only my reusable shopping bag if I need it). 

My card holder open

I was going to make a new one, but why? This one is still good! I have a leather one around here somewhere, so I should dig that one out, but I like this one!!!

I don't carry cash - what is cash? I haven't paid for anything with cash in years!! But I got a chuckle the other day while waiting in line to pay for my massage. And I guess it speaks volumes about the wallet comment. 

The man in front of me paid with his Apple Watch. The lady beside me paid with her phone!!! And yesterday, when I was out, one of the women in front of me had her cards in her phone case, while the young girl tucked her card under her phone in the case! So, I guess that person was right -- who needs a wallet? 

Speaking of phone cases, I'm not a fan of those that flip open, and you can store cards and such on one side. That gets heavy and messy! I don't want to carry that entire thing around the house. I'll keep my little cardholder, and I'm happy. If I go out in the summer and am wearing my butt bag - seriously -- we need to find a new name. I'll call it my runner's or hiking belt; I only take the cards I need - if I need anything. 

Many times, I'm out walking and have NO cards with me at all. Those are the days when I won't be shopping. And as for carrying a purse? I have my lovely Micheal Kors (do you know that purse is 12 years old? It is practically an antique!) But the stuff people carry in their purse is obscene. When I go out, I need a key fob for the car (if driving), and my little card holder (if shopping), and that's it! I don't need anything else. We do not need keys to get into our house, so there is no need to carry keys. 

I like to travel light! It's just like your house - the more stuff you carry, the more likely you are to lose something, the more likely you'll forget something, and it's more stuff to manage. I want simplicity in my life!!!!

I'm giving the book away on organizing your studio. I don't think I need it now, but I'm having a quick read through it before it goes. I've accomplished almost everything she is going through, but this is an INVENTORY page for your stuff. Yikes -- she has you working out cubic feet for fabric storage and books and patterns!!! I did NOT get that sophisticated in my process, but it's a good process, and hopefully, in the end, you have room for everything! 

Inventory for the quilting supplies

I don't know if you can read this paragraph from that book. But I had to laugh -- yep -- it's painful to sort and organize and put "like" things together. But boy or boy -- it makes it super easy to tidy things up! If you click on the pictures, you can make them bigger. 

ACK -- parting is such sweet sorrow

I managed to get everything put away yesterday in Studio B. Well, but that's not entirely true. I have some more Zoom presentations in March - a LOT of them, so I decided to leave the samples sitting out on a spare table. Then I don't have to walk them upstairs and then go and get them again. I'm not sure I'll need them, but just in case. 

I managed to get ONE more piece of Tequila Lime stitched. I swear it was not my day to sew yesterday, and I had to rip two pieces out for being careless in their placement. But one more section is done, and only six to go. Perhaps this afternoon, I can finish them off. It's time to get to work on the next month's homework!

One B section for Tequila Lime

I got mail!!!

My package arrived

It was the backing fabric for the playmat quilt. The entire backing will be the same fabric and coordinate with the front. It's a gift, so I'm OK going to that trouble, and thanks to Mary, I found the coordinating fabric. And thanks to Ottawa Valley Fabric for having the fabric still around. This fabric came out in 2016. 

The backing fabric for the Playmat quilt

Now, the rest will go to a good home, where a special little boy will have two connector playmats and coordinating fabric for the backing. As mentioned before, there are two extra panels, which I do NOT need. I could have made a quilt for Project Linus, but I decided to give it to someone I know will use it!!! See -- I am downsizing!!! It's a slow process, but I'm good with the pace. 

Fabric to be donated 

I managed to get a customer quilt, but it took forever. There was nothing wrong with the quilt; it was me. I was in slow-motion mode yesterday. 

Customer quilt

I also had to go to the mall to get my passport photos taken. My passport expires in a few months, and I NEED to keep it up-to-date. So, I have some things to correct on my application and hope to pop into the office this coming week. I was going to do it by mail, but I'll go to the office to hopefully speed things along. 

I snapped this photo on my way to the mall. Loads of construction in the area, and I'm always amazed when I see those big boom arms for pouring concrete! What a job that must be to keep clean!!! I love how they are still building the top yet starting to add walls to the outside along the bottom. 

Construction near the mall

I had to wait for the passport photos, so what do I do with 20 minutes? I went next door and had an apple pie crepe!!! My afternoon snack, which I did not need!!! But it was good, and I had a chance to browse the magazines I had bought at Indigo along the way. I also saw that this photo place processes film, so with M's blessing, I dropped off that roll of film. I'll get the photos on a USB stick, so we'll see what the pictures are!!!

Apple pie crepe

The CDs are sorted. The envelopes/pouches were saved, and that is one more task off my plate. I managed to get half of the stuff off the floor beside my chair, and I hope to do more today. 

Sorting the CDs

Hmm - someone is digging in my backyard. It must be the skunks looking for grubs or whatever they dig for. There are little holes everywhere!!!! 

Visitors digging holes!

I may have to give my wind mobile a quick straighten - it looks like it's leaning a wee bit. I still love it even after all the time it's been there, and I do NOT regret buying it!!!

My perpetual window machine!

Here is one of the girls and the boy! He absolutely LOVES to sit in the window, and I can see his head in the window from down the street. Getting into that bed on the stairs is NO big deal for him!! He's a big boy! Thank goodness we found a solution because otherwise, he would drive us nuts with wanting to get in bed and not being able to!!!

The sentinel and the spare

It was a sad walk with Murphy yesterday. We spotted a neighbor who lost her golden to a fungal infection last year. She's been fostering a puppy (also a golden), and he was beautiful. A month ago, she got word that she could keep him. Then, four days ago, he turned on her. He tried to bite her wrist and knocked her down. She is surrendering him today back to the rescue. So there were the two of us crying on the street. I'm so sad for her, but I will offer that she can walk Lexi whenever she wants a dog to walk. I won't let her have Murphy - she's too unruly!

But why would the dog turn like that? It's like Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde - one minute fine, the next he's mad. I feel so badly for her. Two dogs in a very short time. It's hard!!!

I have one presentation this morning, and it's all good to go. It's the final show and tell on the panel class we had in the fall. I'm very pleased with the participation rate!!! It's nice to see so many finished projects - even if some are simple! It's all about the act of completing something!!!

 

It's Virtual Retreat later today. 

Here's the link for today - February 24 - starts at 6 PM

oin Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89816483795?pwd=Mjc3M3pvVmZPdjdsQzlHS3Zhck52dz09

Meeting ID: 898 1648 3795
Passcode: 248667

And here's the link for tomorrow - February 25 - Starting at NOON - but we might be a bit late as I have a digital cutter class just before, and I feel it will run over this month. 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82983517671?pwd=ODdsa1FJenQwdFNaQWFTNGd4bEhPZz09

Meeting ID: 829 8351 7671
Passcode: 117636

Have a super day, and hope to see you at the Virtual Retreat!!!

Ciao!!!!

Using a serger to benefit your quilt making

Thanks for your comments about the Facebook Live. OH GOSH -- I wondered if anyone could hear Murphy barking! No one else was home, and I could do nothing - the show must go on! Next time, I'll find a hidey hole for her with NO WINDOWS. I imagine she was barking at the squirrels in the backyard. What a silly girl!!! Thankfully, she didn't go into her full-blown ballistic mode!

For those who missed the session, you can watch it at this link. Knowing when the link went live was challenging, and I was trying to watch the laptop screen at the beginning! Next time, I'll start looking directly at the primary camera a few seconds before!  

If you want a WRITTEN copy of most of what I said, there are two ways to get that!! I know!!!

The first is to go to QUILTsocial and check out these links. These posts were written in May 2023. 

Day One -- Getting to Know the Husqvarna Viking Amber Air s600 Serger

Day Two - Piecing a quilt top on the serger

Day Three - NINE ways to use the serger for quilting

Day Four - Why a Coverstitch is handy!

Day Five - Troubleshooting when things go wrong!

The second way to get some of that information is via the QUILTsocial magazine - Issue 28. It was a free download in January 2024, but now you have to pay ($4.95) if you want to download it. It's free to view online. All five of the blog posts are in the magazine. 

I can't say enough about how valuable a tool QUILTsocial.com is. I've made so many tutorials or reviews of projects and techniques. When teaching a class, I often send the links to my groups because there is so much exciting material, and it's already done! I have lists for many topics!!!

And while I'm far from finishing decluttering my hard drive, the little bit I've done already makes a huge difference in finding things. 

 Another successful Zoom is under the belt! I used to do a lot with slides in a presentation, but for some of these, it's just as easy to do with the real things, and that's what I did last night. 

I got everything prepped; it didn't take long, and I was all set. I LOVE those little orange stools. They are so handy for the tight spots I have to sit in for a presentation. 

The "before" of the Zoom call

See how neatly everything is stacked in the appropriate pile. 

And then when it was over? Yikes -- things just got thrown onto the floor! It's a mess, and I need to tidy it up later today. 

The "after"

And there's another class you can sign up for. The first session was supposed to be this weekend, but we goofed on getting ourselves organized, so the new dates are March 23 and April 20. You can sign up for it through Thimbles and Things. If you already have a Class Pass, all you have to do is send me an e-mail with your pass number to get signed up!!! These dragons are super cute!! Should I make them in Harry Potter colors? Chinese Fireball, Hungarian Horntail, etc. 

New class in March and April

My calm January and somewhat calm February were fun. March will be stupid, and it's time to start booking travel for the year! Yikes!! There goes the peace and quiet! 

My massage was awful. At one point, I almost called "uncle" and was going to beg her to stop! Yes - my shoulders were so tight, I knew it wasn't going to be pleasant, but I needed her to get the tissue moving. I can blame NO ONE but myself for not stretching more and not standing up straighter. I'm better at the posture thing (OK - so that's probably all in my head), but the stretching? What's stretching? I NEED to do it. 

Today, there is nothing on the agenda! I mean as far as appointments or meetings. Lots of stuff on the TO-DO list, though, and I'll spend the morning doing paperwork to clear some of it. And I just dumped a bunch of things on the floor beside my chair that I need to deal with today. I MUST do that. 

I've got to start writing again soon, and well, it's going to be busy! It's March, which will be busy - I still have one week of peace and quiet! 

Remember, it's Virtual Retreat on Saturday and Sunday. Here are the links. 

Saturday, February 24 - starting at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89816483795?pwd=Mjc3M3pvVmZPdjdsQzlHS3Zhck52dz09

Meeting ID: 898 1648 3795
Passcode: 248667

Sunday, February 25, Starting at NOON

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82983517671?pwd=ODdsa1FJenQwdFNaQWFTNGd4bEhPZz09

Meeting ID: 829 8351 7671
Passcode: 117636

Oh, one last thing -- I spotted this video I posted on my YouTube channel a while back. I always tell people they should use a STILETTO (Quilter's Awl) instead of pins. Check it out.

OK -- time to get the girls and the boy sorted out for their walks, and I can figure out how to spend my "free" day!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!