Let's play ball!!!

I had several cat naps yesterday and slept in a bit this morning, so I think I'm all caught up and good to get back to serious business today! 

I don't know about you, but this Artemis 2 space mission is just amazing. I know it's over, but hearing all the back stories about the astronauts and what it took to get them there is incredible. It should also teach us, our children, and their children that if you want something, it doesn't come easily. Those four people are the most humble people I've seen in a long time. They are also amazing spokespeople, and show that you don't need a privileged background to succeed - you need hard work, and persistence!! Go Artemis 2 team go!!! Where will the next mission take us? 

I spent the morning at the computer and made huge progress on both presentations for Saturday. Today, I must get myself in gear and get some sewing done. I did a smidgen of sewing yesterday, and that's OK. 

I still had a suitcase of modern quilts that needed to be sorted and taken upstairs. That task is almost complete. Then I had the suitcase from the Monday events, as well as a couple of bags of stuff to put away. 

I brought all the stuff that goes back in Studio B and threw it on the table. I'm happy to report that almost all this stuff is put away. All that remains are the few items that I need to work on this week. Everything else is gone. This packing and unpacking is a challenge, and one must be on their toes to put things back where they belong, or it's a disaster the next time you attempt to find something. 

The table of stuff to put away

It's a slow and methodical process, and you put on some good music or an audiobook, and all is good! 

There are a few things on the cutting table that need to be addressed because I now need the space. I managed to get this pillow out of the packaging. A cup came with it!!! That's from the Pony Express from the Saskatchewan trip. Oh yes -- the Pony Express was working on this trip as well. I dropped off something and picked up other things!

A new bicycle cushion for the living room

I now have a new cushion for the living room and a new mug for tea! 

We had more lightning and thunder around 3:30 this morning, but I was already awake, and so I came down to do some computer work, and I had two velcro dogs surrounding me. Once it stopped, I went back for more sleep. 

These are pictures from yesterday's walk with the girls. The creek in the forest behind the house is rather high. It's a dry creek in the summer.  

The creek in the forest is running high.

And the water is running swiftly through the culverts. At one point, several years ago, this path was flooded. I was traveling when it happened, so I never got pictures, but there were signs that the entire area was shut down. Thankfully, there is a hill between our house and this area. 

The creek has a lot of water.

It was the strangest day -- it was quite warm, low 20 degrees, and the sun came out in the afternoon, and I went for a walk in shorts! I also sat in the backyard for a bit, and Murphy is pretty persistent. 

While I just wanted some downtime, she was insistent on playing with her ball! She's so calculating in dropping the ball in the water. She knows what will happen, and her actions are fully intentional. Lucky for me, there was a slight breeze, and the ball would come back to the edge. She was so careful, and here she's trying to use the log as a brace to reach for the ball. But she knows she will crash into the pond, so that didn't work. 

Maybe this log will hold me!

I tried to show her how to use the net to fetch the ball, so I wouldn't have to get up and use it. That didn't work either!

MOM -- I can't use the net!!!

Then she got miffed and went to lie behind these bushes next to the house. I tried very hard to get her face in the picture, and if you look closely, you can see her eyes. She is quite the pouter when she wants to be!

MOM - I just want to play ball with you!

But we did play ball later, and she was one happy camper. I notice she doesn't play as long as she used to, and that makes me sad. It just means we have to play more often, but for shorter times to keep her little brain occupied! She is one big goofball! 

MOM - can you see me? 

I have several videos to watch in preparation for the weekend classes, and I need to get myself organized to finish watching them. I am not one to speed things up, but I may have to to watch all that needs to be watched. I'm a patient person, I'll just sit back and take the time. Really, there is no need for speed. 

I finished the audiobook yesterday (My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing) and OH MY GOSH. All I can say is this plot is TWISTED!!!! And I finished the ebook (The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery), and it's a fun, light read, and I loved it! I can't wait for a sequel!

I did not go to spin class this morning. I'm still upset by what happened to Joseph, and I really need to send a feedback email. I'm not happy about what happened, and I'm not going to spin in protest. I will have to evaluate that situation when I'm back from holidays. Will I do something other than spin? I'm not sure. I am even considering changing gyms, and maybe this week I'll check it out. 

Thanks to the people who have sent in suggestions for a fall sew-along class. I now have ten ideas!!! Yikes!!!!! Which one will be the lucky winner? I'll be sharing them with my groups this weekend, and then I'll post the ideas online for feedback. The feedback is not a commitment to the pattern or the class; it's just to see what people think. Of course, I'm excited, and I will NOT under any circumstances be persuaded to do more than one. Don't even ask - it's not going to happen. 

I will also be teaching a multi-part session on scrap quilts, which will make two classes. But anything else? Not going to happen unless it's a short one- or two-session class, or maybe the occasional in-person. 

I love being able to spend the necessary time prepping for the class and having the homework completed!

Well, on that note, I'd better get moving as there is a lot to get done today - I have a jacket to make! As for the Virtual Retreat, I will do one on Saturday night only. There won't be time on Sunday, as I'll likely be packing, which only takes a few minutes, but I may be doing the final stitches on that jacket, and I'll need focus!!!!

I'll post the link later this week. We will start EARLIER on Saturday since it's the only day of the virtual retreat. Likely at 3 PM. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!