On ordering food

Happy Canada Day!!!! Look—I found a new pattern yesterday, and while I won't have time to make it for this year's Canada Day, it would be simple to make next year. I got it at Stitcharie, but I think I bought the last one, as someone else in the class purchased the second-to-last one. And we can celebrate Canada Day any day of the year! It will be great to use up some red and white scraps. 

New Canada pattern

I'm home! It sure feels great to be home, and I didn't find the drive that bad last night, though I did stop at one of the OnRoutes for something to eat. AH -- there is a Booster Juice at this location (Woodstock). I swear the two girls in front of me, one of whom was chatting merrily on her phone instead of with the person she was with, took forever to place their order. I had no idea what they ordered, but seriously - pick a flavor and be done with it. 

The world is getting so fussy, and there is a certain coffee chain that caters to this. The orders are so long and so complicated that you wonder why. If you want a coffee, then just order a coffee, and maybe you put sugar or cream in it, but all these options? Some of those "coffees" are laced with hundreds of calories, and then you wonder why our society is so unhealthy. But I digress. 

Wait --- while the staff member was preparing my Berry protein drink, the lady with the phone came back (still on the phone) and asked if she could have her smoothie thinned out as she couldn't drink it through the straw. It was a slow process to get my smoothie! When she first came back and asked for the drink to be thinned out, I didn't hear what the staff member said to her. The customer's response? "I don't have time for that!" 

My smoothie was the perfect consistency. I have no idea what the other lady's problem was. There are just customers like that, and there is nothing that you can do to please them. 

Anyway -- I digress. I will admit that I am tired this morning and will probably need a nap, and then we are on to change the leaders on the long arms - mine and hers! I'll remove my leaders this morning and clean the rails. WAIT --- I have to sew the metal bits in for the magnets. Yikes -- I completely forgot about that. Hmmm -- there might not be time for a nap!

We had great sessions on software at Stitcharie yesterday, with loads of questions, and many people went home with their heads full of information. Now it's up to them what they do with it. 

I wish I had access to a session like that when I was new to software. At least when I would have opened it, I would have had some idea of where to start. 

When I left the hotel in the morning, I decided to use the luggage cart instead of making several trips. It worked very well. 

Using the luggage cart

It was so cold in that hotel, I almost froze. The first thing I did, and I do in all hotels, is turn off the AC. It is set so high that I'm about to freeze to death. The lobbies and hallways were like ice boxes. I get it that people are hot, but the more you are used to the heat, the less it will bother you. We are NOT AC people at our house, and with a couple of strategic fans, it's just fine. 

Perhaps by the fourth day of this heat wave, we will turn on the AC just to get rid of the humidity in the house. But the basement is like a refrigerator, and with the dehumidifier going, it's comfy once you start moving. 

Before "work" yesterday, I went to Tim's, and this sign is located on the side of the building. 

Outside the Tim's

Other provinces have similar signs with their own provincial symbols. Wait—after a little bit of research, I found the artist and some other information. Here's a screenshot from Cindy Scaife's Facebook page. 

The art at Tim's

I see they also have magnets for various areas of Canada. I am NOT buying the magnets. 

Tim's magnets

Nor did I buy a donut. 

The donuts stayed at the store.

But one thing that I noticed is that the person who comes into the store is THIRD in line to get served. What do I mean by that? Well, Tim's has always had a drive-thru. Well, maybe not at the very start, but it's known for its long drive-thru lines. And many staff members are assigned to fulfilling the orders from the drive-thru. 

A few years ago, they introduced mobile pickup ordering on the app. That has now taken second place for fulfilling orders. I watched a guy walk into the restaurant and step in front of me. He was older; I didn't argue, but I was standing at one of the order counters, and he went to the other one and got served first. 

He got his coffee and left, and I'm still standing there. So I moved to that order desk. The staff member said, "Wait a minute," while he fulfilled a few orders and placed them at the Mobile Order Pickup spot. That location is for any orders placed on the app or at the in-store kiosk, which this store didn't have. Or at least, I didn't see it. 

The mobile order pickup 

This reminds me so much of being with a person, like the person at the Booster Juice stand. It's more important to talk to the person on the phone or to fill the order for the unseen person than to deal with the person standing in front of you. I felt invisible!!!!

One day, I will get the ordering right! But now that I am home, I don't need to worry about ordering anything. If I want a tea, I just go to the kitchen and get it. 

I had taken a drive around Petrolia earlier, and there are some amazing old Victorian houses. Some made from brick and some made from wood. All are beautiful, although some of them needed a bit of TLC.

But as I was walking back to the store from Tim's, I spotted a giant Canadian flag on top of a building. Hmmm—can you tell me how they get the flag up there? It would weigh quite a bit, and well, now I want to know!

How did this flat get on top of the building?

When I got home, I unloaded the car and unpacked the suitcases. I was tired, but not so tired that I couldn't at least empty the suitcases. I hate having my samples crammed into them, and when I pack up wildly as I did, I'm not always neat. So the two big suitcases got unpacked, and the items moved to their respective locations. Upstairs for finished samples, downstairs for working samples. 

This is what I faced this morning when I went downstairs. Of course,  Murphy was there to assist. It was more like supervising than helping. 

Mom - I'm here to help if you need me!

And there was a stack of items on the chair that needed to be dealt with as well. 

More items to sort

There were items on the cutting table, but as I made progress, they were put away. With the two trips back-to-back, there was no time in between to deal with stuff. I now have a handful of thread to find a home for and then to tackle putting away the remaining things on the right-hand side. I have one urgent project to work on, and I have two weeks to make that happen. The items I need are in that envelope. Stay tuned! 

The cutting table is almost clear.

I'm happy to report that the items on the table and on the floor around it are put away. Yeah!!! I now have room to move the stuff from the chair to the table. That will leave my chair free to operate the sewing machine, which I will need as I sew the metal for the magnets into the leaders. 

Good progress on tidying up!

There is a pile of samples beside the sewing machine that I want to tidy up. 

Samples that need some tidying up

I love making technical samples. The ones that show you the good, the bad, and the ugly. But often the edges of the single fabrics go unfinished. It would take no time (yeah right!) to trim them to a nice size and serge the edges. 

Samples need to be upped in finished quality just a bit.

So I set those samples aside, and they will look a bit more professional the next time I pull them out. 

I also have a pile of things on the stairs to bring up. Don't yell at me; this is a good place to put them, and they never stay long. I have already brought up a fair amount of it. I am super careful of stairs, both up and down. I am very aware of that stuff, and since I am the only one who does the stairs, I'm not worried. By the time my helper comes for the long arm, this will be all dealt with. 

Things to bring upstairs

And that's it for today. I can't wait to see how this leader thing goes. I have THREE leaders to sew the magnets into. That means marking the stitching lines and then sewing. Neither should take too long, but there are three of them! 

The girls are happy that I'm home because that means they are going to get a walk despite the heat. I might make it a bit shorter, but they will tell me what they want. They don't care about the heat, at least when it comes time for a walk. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Cherrywood Challenge

Oh gosh!!! Continuing yesterday's theme, another crazy thing happened so quickly that I barely had time to register it! 

Several days ago, we discussed the surround sound system in the family room. I hate it, as four speakers and the subwoofer are all on the floor. It's ugly and takes up visual space, and I wanted it gone years ago. Of course, now there are sound bars that do the same thing. They look neater, and well, I think we need one. 

Two days ago, we talked about a specific brand. Last night at dinner, DH forwarded me an email about that brand. Then he spoke of a different, more upscale brand, and he searched it; I did not. Within 30 minutes, I got IG ads for that upscale brand. 

Seriously??? How did that happen so quickly? And I didn't search on my phone! 

Yep -- if you have a cell phone, you are being monitored EVERY SINGLE minute of the day! Now it would be interesting to do some tests. What kind of things does it pick up? You could have a grand old time testing this! What obscure thing could you mention or search for and see how quickly it appears in your feed? 

It's a bit scary. I MUST remember to have fun with this. 

We had a training day yesterday on PFAFF machines. Oh my gosh—new stuff is coming—two new machines (embroidery and sewing) and changes to the mySewnet software! And if you are a current user, you are going to LOVE them, especially if you are a Silver-level subscriber! I believe the new version will be available next week (fingers crossed), so watch for that. 

FYI --- the new embroidery machines are NOT top-of-the-line. The creative icon 2.0 will still be the top-of-the-line! 

I decided to buy a new spool of that invisible thread rather than fight with the old one with the broken-down spool. I was going to pick it up today on my way home from the meeting, but then I decided that $20 for shipping was a price I was willing to pay to avoid traffic and out-of-my-way driving. I hope it arrives today. In the meantime, the quilt on the long arm will have to wait!

I took these pictures when I was in St. Hyacinthe. I went to Tim's, and some of the Tim's have local artwork. This was a toonie at center ice of some major hockey event. The writing is too small to read. I've seen these at several Tim's across Canada. 

Center ice toonie

This wooden sign is very cool! I wonder if a local artisan made it, or is it a mass-produced item? I've never seen one before. 

Wooden plaque for Tim's

And they had more local artwork in another corner. It makes the place seem a bit more personal!

More local artwork

Speaking of artwork, these are the posters from TWO of the Cherrywood Challenges. The pink one is Diana, and I had a piece in that exhibit. My quilt is along the right-hand side, third from the bottom. I know you can't see the details, but it's there! You can see it a bit better on the website. 

Cherrywood Challenge poster - Diana

This is the Bob Ross poster, and I also have a piece in this one. Mine is in the third complete row from the bottom and three to the left of the right-hand side. It's a bridge. 

Cherrywood Challenge Poster - Bob Ross

I also completed a piece for the Van Gogh exhibit, but it wasn't accepted. I started and am almost finished with the Prince challenge, but it's still sitting there. 

I am going to buy the latest kit with the Abyss theme. I see so many possibilities with that one—I'm trying to locate a kit in Canada so I can get started! I just checked the Stitch by Stitch (Kingston) website, and I don't see it yet, but I'm sure it's on order! Someone sent me an email about yesterday's post, and they mentioned something that made me think of an idea for this challenge! Inspiration comes from EVERYWHERE!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was pretty quiet, and I'm happy to let the dinner go when it's just the two of us. Why make a fuss? I know some people would say that we are worth the fuss, but I'm NOT a foodie, so I could easily have hamburgers (which I did), and I'm OK with that. All that prep work and no one appreciates it? And you overeat? Not for me! 

However, there is one thing that I cannot miss. Of course - it involves sugar, and that's the pumpkin pie! 

I like making my own whipped cream with icing sugar! I use my decades-old hand mixer—I don't need a new one when I barely use this one, and it still functions. 

Making the whipped cream

But look who comes running when they hear the box being opened. They are worse than two kids. Do you remember when, as a kid, your mother made something with the mixer, and you got to lick the beaters? That's my two kids! 

MOM - hurry up!!!

And so they got to lick the beaters! First Murphy. 

MOM - this is so delicious - we should have pie every day!

Lexi got the second one. Thank goodness our "third" dog stays in the forest. That's a reference to all the hair I've taken off Lexi, in case you happen upon this blog post and wonder why I'm leaving a dog in the forest. 

Mom - I could get used to this! I want more! 

And there it is—my pumpkin pie (store-bought and I'm perfectly Okay with that), but that homemade whipped cream? That's the best!

My Thanksgiving dinner!

I must confess that when I got home yesterday, it was almost 6 PM, and I was wiped. So after dinner, I just vegged out until bed. Remember, that's not a lot of time since I'm in bed quite early so I can get those eight hours of sleep. 

Speaking of keeping dogs in the forest, we had a frost warning last night, and I see the temperature is 2, but it felt like -1. So where was our Lexi? Outside! DH let her out before bed, which I keep telling him NOT to do. Put her on a leash because you know she will stay outside. 

She banged on the door at 6 a.m. to come in, then came in and jumped on the couch. Silly girl!! 

Well, I'm off to get the day started. I'm back at the meeting for half a day, and then I need to take DH for a physio appointment. His shoulder is doing well, and he's taking the brace off daily to exercise his lower arm. Today, the physio gives him exercises for the shoulder. 

After the appointment, I had better get myself in gear to clean up some of that mess downstairs! I don't have a plan, but I better come up with one very quickly, or I better start packing boxes! 

On that note, have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

The "to be quilted" list!

The last day of this section of the marathon! Then, after two days of mini madness, I'll be back on the road! If you live in Penticton, BC, or the area around, come out, as I have a great event planned. Then I'll be in Chilliwack and Surrey for more great events. If you live in those areas, check out the shops. Tom's Sewing Center is in Chilliwack and Surrey, and Black Rabbit is in Penticton! I'm going to make it!!

Here's a couple of observations before I share my photos with you. Is your mouth as sensitive as mine? Why can we eat almost anything, but when something long and skinny is in our mouth, we can feel it, and it's yucky? I'm not talking about hair, but that would be the same. It was a skinny string from a banana, and I couldn't swallow it. It's crazy! 

The second is the continuation of the Tim's story. Some Tim's are notorious for slow and sloppy service. Then, there is one specific Tim's in my neighborhood. This is not the closest one to me, but they are notorious for their speedy service. I don't think I've ever waited much in line—maybe two minutes? It's a crazy place. 

There is a gentleman—I do not know if he is the owner, manager, or employee—who keeps the drive-thru line moving. So the other day, when I tried to pay with the app, and it didn't work, he said I had to turn on the scan and pay feature, which was easy to see when I wasn't in the line. But he is the most efficient person I've ever seen, even when he passed that information to me. 

I am NOT a regular customer, and the app incident occurred two days ago. Yesterday, when I sped through the line, I used the app, got points, and paid with one scan. Can you believe what the guy said to me? "Yes -- it worked today!" Managing his busy line and only seeing people through the drive-thru window, he remembered. I call that exceptional skills. I will stop in one day when it's not busy and tell him that I think he's the best employee/person to ever work at Tim's. He is that good!

And he's been like that for years. When the service was terrible at the one closest to me, I'd drive an extra few km and go there because I knew the service was always the best. I'm sure he knows, but he needs to have it said in person! I was so shocked when he said that, that I didn't have time to react before I needed to get my butt out of the line! 

AHA—I had some extra time yesterday morning, so the girls and I walked through the forest. Look what I spotted!! Yep—they planted grass on the dirt beside the path, and it's starting to grow. That's good because the roots will help to keep that dirt in place. I should have realized there was a plan! 

Grass growing in the dirt by the path

Oh gosh -- this girl needs grooming so desperately!!! Maybe tonight. 

A fuzzy butt

I spent the day cutting kits and helping people with their projects when needed. It was a great day, and the dealers are just that much smarter with their machines!

Cutting kits

When I got home, I felt great, which was a positive thing. So great, in fact, that it was a challenge to get to sleep. I finally got a chance to hang up that piece of artwork for which I had found the sawtooth hangers. It has been sitting around, waiting to be hung for years—so long that I don't even remember where I acquired the piece. That's very bad. 

My new artwork is hung

And now it hangs on the wall with another piece of thread artwork. I have another piece sitting here that needs a sawtooth hanger, and then I have to find a home for it. That's a job for October when I have time to return to the office to continue the tidy-up. 

Thread artwork

We were playing fetch, and Murphy was getting lazy. She sat all pretty by the pond and attempted to ask me to get her ball. I mean, really! I can see the pink ball sitting on the rocks; she has no problem climbing over them to get it! Silly girl!!!!

MOM -- help me!!!!!

This got dropped on my doorstep - a belt bag that was part of some promotion. I was asked if I wanted it before it came my way. You could see me for miles wearing this one! It's a bit larger than my other ones, so this will be perfect when I need to carry a few more things. I do NOT like wearing those belt bags as cross-body bags, even though I do. It looks so darn awkward to have that bag right at your breast. And the straps are not at an angle, so the bag doesn't look nice at all!! So the "fanny" pack is out, and the belt bag is in!!!  Thanks for the bag! You know who you are!

A new belt bag

I needed a minor adjustment on my sewing machine yesterday, and that got done so I could bring everything from the meeting home. It came into the house and even got brought downstairs. Then, I had something to sew. However, it certainly helps to plug in the foot pedal when you attempt that!! 

It won't sew without the foot pedal attached

Then I got in my head that I needed a certain book. Oh, what a nightmare that is. I'm pretty sure I know what the book looks like, but could I find it? I searched the entire bookcase but did not find the darn thing. I can find the information online, but having the book would certainly help. 

Searching for a book

As I went through the books, I found so many projects or techniques that I want to spend more time on, but there's not enough time!!! It's really sad, to say the least! The books need to be in better order and cataloged, so I have a complete list of them. While the list won't tell me where they are, it should help. 

So yes, ALL the books need to be removed from the shelf, sorted by technique, style, or topic and then put back on the shelf. What a fun job that will be!

A couple of rolling carts sit in front of the bookcase in one spot. I spotted this on the floor when I pulled the cart away from the bookcase. What the heck is it? 

A mystery part

It looks like the base of something. It's black and shiny, and I'm sure it's metallic or at least substantial plastic. And it's broken off a corner. Now, what the heck could that be from? I have no idea!

On my way home, I noticed the gas prices were relatively low—just under $1.40 a liter. I would need gas in the car to get to and from the technical course today, so I made a mental note to return last night. It was even lower when I remembered and I actually got to the gas station. This morning, I bet the price will be about 5 - 10 cents higher, so it's always worth it to get your butt out of the house after dinner and fill up the car. This was the price at almost 9 PM. 

Gas price is LOW

Here's another moment of not trusting my organizing system.  Some people would say this is why they do not organize. I decided that I have two small quilts that MUST be in my suitcase next week. One I stumbled upon as I was searching the tubs in the "to be quilted" area to find a couple of quilt tops to take next week. This should be a sign to me -- if I remove a quilt from a "to be quilted" tub, it should go in the queue for quilting. I might just do that because this one top has been pulled multiple times. 

That triggered my memory of another quilt that I wanted to pack. I knew that it had been residing on the old messy table of half-finished projects. So, I searched for that quilt top but couldn't find it. I saw many other things that were in the same box as that quilt top, but not that quilt top. 

I had glanced at the list of "to be quilted" projects, but I was in a rush the other day and didn't take the time to scan it properly. I went back late last night and spent a bit more time perusing the list and there it was. It was in a "to be quilted" tub, but it wasn't in the tub with the most recently added items. I had found some holes in some of the other tubs, so it got shoved into an older one.

I must learn to trust my system and then take the time to read the darn list. If I had done that, I would have found the quilt in a minute, several days ago. Once I know which tub it's in, it's a breeze to locate the quilt. Hence, the list. So, now that I'm organized, why am I not trusting myself? Or am I just in too much of a hurry? 

Well, I'm off for the day. Wait- there's a virtual retreat this weekend. Here are the links. 

Saturday, September 21 - starts at 6 PM

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

Meeting ID: 898 1648 3795
Passcode: 248667

Sunday, September 22 - Starts at Noon

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

Meeting ID: 829 8351 7671
Passcode: 117636

If you want to take an in-person machine quilting class or attend a lecture on improving your sewing habits, be sure to sign up for those classes, which take place tomorrow at The Hobby Horse. 

Have a super day!  I hope you are all remembering your commitment (OK, so I committed you) to cleaning up/tidying up your spaces! All it takes to get started is a drawer! That's easy, and it shouldn't take a lot of time. So hop to it!!!

Ciao!!!!