When the stars are aligned - or just plain focusing is getting the job done!

Good to know I'm not alone in my frustration with the call centers! To top it off, DH finally had a chance to look at the new remote last night. For whatever reason, he put the same batteries as he tried last time into the old remote, and it worked. I give up! I'm going to make that note for him - put it on the TV. I'm pretty sure he is authorized to chat on our account. If not, you can be sure I'll make that happen! 

Not my problem -- I'm done with that. For the one show that I watch from time to time, I watch it on my computer with no issues! I did watch last week's episode of Project Runway Canada, and the finale is posted today! I have some hand stitching to do, so I'll watch it then. I think I have nailed down the judge's choice - but we'll just have to wait and see. 

Hand stitching while watching Project Runway Canada

Well, well, well --- what a snow day! But that didn't stop me from going to the gym at 6 AM. Good grief -- what was I thinking? Anyway -- Brooke "made" me do a ton of upper body stuff, and I kept thinking about the driveway and all the snow that had to be shoveled! But it was a good workout, and I'm glad I went. I guess I'm one of the hardcore gym people now! 

The local Monday ladies were supposed to go out to lunch, but we canceled and had a Zoom call instead. We usually close the call at 2 PM, but we kept right on until 5!!! It's such a great way to stay in touch with everyone, and I LOVE Zoom for that. Even when you are sort of snowed in, you can still keep in touch. One of the positive things that came from the pandemic lockdown!

While I did not get in a walk in the afternoon, nor did the girls go for their walk (GASP!!), I still walked over 10 KM yesterday! WHAT? The girls didn't go for a walk because our sidewalks and streets weren't plowed until late - I'm not even sure our sidewalks are plowed yet - it's hard to tell because my two neighbours on either side of me are diligent about shoveling! Anyway -- I was tired from all the shoveling, so they didn't go for a walk. Needless to say, their noses were out of joint! 

The main streets and sidewalks were done - it's getting to them that was the issue, and I wasn't trudging through foot-deep snow with a dog! 

This is the amount of snow on my front step. I didn't measure it, but it was deep! Thankfully, it wasn't too heavy, but it was still clumpy snow. 

That's a lot of snow in one dump!

And the guy is cleaning the street. They are doing a fantastic job this year, and the street is clear!! I heard them at 4:30 AM coming back to touch up the windrows. I like that they do this, but I can see a problem, so I'm going to try to keep on top of it. They arrive at your driveway and drop a big blade. Then they scoop the snow to one side. So all is good, but if the snow keeps building up, that pile at the edge of the driveway will get bigger, and the driveway opening will get smaller. We have a double driveway, but still—I don't want issues. So, I will be out there this morning to remove the pile in the corner. It shouldn't take long. 

Clearing our street

But this winter, even after shoveling, the driveways are still snow-covered. We usually have snow, then sun to dry it out. Not this year! I think we'll get some sun this week, so that will be good. And I still need to finish shoveling the front step - I left that narrow channel - it's enough to get out of the house, but it looks messy. I shoveled twice for about 2 hours in total! No wonder I got 10 KM. When the snow is deep, I'm not a snow pusher, as it's often very heavy, especially if it clumps. So I use a shovel - lift and carry! 

Let's say my abs got a fantastic workout, too. They are a bit tender today! But I'm good! 

Look at this girl!! While Princess Lexi (Husky) is warmly snuggled in her bed in the house, Murphy just goes out and plops herself in the snow! 

MOM - I love the snow!!!

So a lot of exciting things happened yesterday in Studio B. This was the quilt that I put the binding on the previous day. Or did I do that yesterday? I forget! Anyway, the binding is on this quilt.

Binding is on Farm Girl Vintage

For all the quilts I want to keep, I've been putting that little label in the binding. It has my name and phone number on it. I decided that there was enough of a story to actually add a REAL label to it. So that's what I hand-stitched while watching Project Runway. 

Two labels on my "to keep" quilts

I have now run out of those small labels, so I hope my order comes soon. Not that I have any other quilts to bind at the moment, but still - when I want to bind one - I don't want to have to wait for the labels to arrive. I should contact them and see what's happening. 

There's the label, which I print out on the printer. But for some reason, I have to set it to print BLACK INK only, or it prints in red. Sigh................

The label for my quilt

So that is super exciting, and I can say that this project is COMPLETELY finished. And guess what that means? This quilt is on my visual to-do list, under the category of MANY BLOCKS! So I had a private, and jubilant celebration, as I removed that picture!! 

One project OFF the 2026 visual 'to do' list

This morning, I went down because I still have work to do for the three classes/clubs for the weekend. Since I'm in very good shape to get everything done, I took a few minutes to start organizing for next week and what I need to work on. Remember to look at deadlines and those goals when choosing what to work on! 

Things to work on next week!

And while I was doing that, I surveyed the current project tables - there are two of them, and I've been trying to corral all the items into containers in the event I need to remove that stuff to set up my filming area. So that area sort of got rearranged today. Technically, there is a third table as well, but it's way off my radar for this year. 

The back side of the current project tables

The front of the current project tables

Yes - I totally get that the piles are high. But I don't really want to put this stuff away. And to be honest, I don't have room. Oh yes -- I could find room by squeezing it in here and there, but most of this is piddly stuff (OK -- NOT all), but a good part of it can be completed quickly with a bit of focus. So that is my goal. Will I get it all done by the end of this year? I'd love to say YES, but I don't think that is realistic! 

So I'll do what I can! Oops -- forgot there are three tubs of stuff UNDER the table. 

More current project stuff under the tables

Some of the major projects are on the visual to-do list, while most of the small stuff will get clumped into monthly UFO commitments. So we should see a difference at the end of the year - how much? We'll just have to wait. 

But someone asked me yesterday how I like having more free time to work on my stuff. I LOVE it, and I'm going to try to avoid a super busy schedule going forward. It's not like I spend all day down there sewing - I do other things, so I'm a happy camper!!! Between walking the girls, walking for errands, going to the gym, and reading or doing a jigsaw puzzle, I spend plenty of time doing things other than sewing! 

Then, while scouring the tables, I pulled out stuff that I need to work on today! And a good part of this has already been dealt with, and I'll leave the sewing for later today. So all is good and organized, and I can finally say that my cutting table is being used wisely! The entire length is usually clear except for what I'm working on. There is one tub at the far end that technically should be moved to the current project table. 

This is today's agenda!

You do not know how happy that makes me! I feel like I can tackle anything, and I've pretty much eliminated the "mental" need to have everything strewn on that table. I can pull what I need for the day or week and then quickly take it off if I need the table for something else, which I shouldn't really need if I plan well. But let's say I need to cut fabric - it would be easy to clear that table. 

How many years has it taken for me to arrive at that point? LOTS!!! The sewing tables and the ironing board are also clear. I make a point of clearing them off before I close down, or I do it first thing in the morning. A few things are sitting on one table because I need to finish them for Sunday, and I didn't want them on the cutting table. Don't worry - I have a system!!! I ran out of time last night, and the stuff on the cutting table is more important. This stuff is gravy, but still needs to be done by Sunday!

What needs to be done on Saturday afternoon

WOW -- it feels great to actually be finishing things. Trust me - there are a lot more finished things to share with you, but that will have to wait until next week, after the presentations this weekend. One presentation of three is complete, except for adding a few more pictures from the students as they come in. The other two are starting to come together - I took a bunch of photos this morning, so I need to get that organized later today. But there is NO need to rush—everything is going great and on schedule!

Will I celebrate? You bet! I'm going to celebrate each little success because it means I'm one step closer to getting total control of the mess. Slow and steady! Focus and perseverance! 

And on that happy note -- the girls and I will be heading out shortly to see what kind of a winter wonderland we have today! They are anxiously waiting for me to finish editing! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!