Saying good-by is such sweet sorrow

 It feels pretty weird to be sitting in a hotel room, and I don't have to be "on duty" until 9 AM. And it's five AM. Whatever will I do with myself for four hours! Well, I have to write the blog, and I'm going for a walk, and perhaps I'll find a geocache or two to give me something to do. I did NOT get all my KMs in yesterday. I missed it by 4 km, which is still pretty good considering I did NOT have a proper walk with the girls and the boy, nor did I get an afternoon walk. 

Most of those KMs were made by walking the room and ensuring everyone was on track with the assignments. Do those KMs count? You bet they do -- I barely sat down all day, and every step requires energy -- why should we count just the intentional walks? I think NOT! EVERY step counts. 

The morning was a bit chaotic as I still had a few e-mails to send, and I had a quilt label to make for someone. Then some last-minute packing and OH MY-- – remember to pack a few clothes. Then the car had to be packed, the dogs went for a short walk, and for the first time since Little Bear was with us, we all went together. 

The big girls were on their leashes, and the little guy followed. He's so darn cute. And all was great until we were on the way home when a BIG skunk appeared around the corner of a car in a driveway, and they all went crazy. 

When you see a dog walker with multiple dogs, and I mean multiple -- sometimes six? I have no idea how they do it. It's a challenge to walk my two and then keep an eye on the little guy so he doesn't get lost. Thankfully, he listens very well and likes to follow. I don't know if he even saw the skunk, but I scooped him up. The other two were going ballistic, in particular Murphy. The number of barking incidents we have on every walk is insane! We cannot get through one walk (40 minutes) without multiple barking incidents. Sometimes only one (that's a good day), and others - well, she's just enthusiastic, and did you know there are MANY squirrel conventions in the morning. She can't handle the squirrels. 

However, we managed to avoid the skunk, who was probably thinking -- I'm out of here! These dogs are too darn noisy!

I took a quick shower and said goodbye to Little Bear (miss you lots) and to M (miss you more) as they were flying back home to Vancouver in the afternoon. It was so nice to have them around for the time we did. Can't wait to see you next time, which is already planned. 

When I was walking on a street in my neighborhood that I don't usually walk on, I spotted this sign. How cute is that? It put a smile on my face. Wouldn't it be nice to have tiny inspiring messages around to brighten our day? 

Random sign

 

I love walking in my neighborhood, especially in the morning. There are the usual people, and they all say HI, or we wave if we are across the street or too far away. A simple gesture like that can make someone's day. So, we need to start greeting strangers by acknowledging them. Not everyone, and there is a place for it. But why not smile at the next person you see that you don't know. What does it hurt? Besides, most of us (especially me) look much younger and happier when we smile than when we do not!

Remember my old shopping bag that wore out? Yep -- actually wore out. What in the world are we going to do with all these reusable bags. I'd almost say they are more of an issue than the plastic ones. I now have a different shopping bag - it's bigger, and that works for me. I never did shorten the handles. But I use the same one over and over and will continue to do so until it wears out. In the meantime, I have oodles more sitting there waiting to be used. 

I was at Indigo the other day, and I had forgotten to take a bag with me. OK -- I wasn't planning on buying anything. I should know by now -- if you take money, take the shopping bag. The guy wanted to know if I wanted a bag. Yes -- I'll buy one, but when I saw how big it was, I said, "No" and carried my two items. People --- USE those reusable bags!!!!

This was my bag the other day. I had to go to the drugstore, and OH MY -- my favorite snack (popcorn) was on sale, so I bought four bags. See how that larger bag comes in handy? 

Four bags of popcorn and a car scrapper in the shopping bag

Then, I stopped at the hardware store and got a scrapper for the car. OH -- I also bought some spray glue. The next stop was the grocery store. And it all fit in the bag, and it wasn't heavy. 

Added in a few groceries

The day before, it was filled with thrift store finds - picture frames and some stuffies! We won't go there as I have plans for them. 

Here's one problem I find with reusable bags. Let's say I went shopping with my car. I go to the drugstore and fill the bag with popcorn. Then, when I go to the hardware store, will I bring that almost full bag from the car to the store? That just drives me crazy. So I could have multiple bags in the car and take an empty one. But I really like the idea of going from store to store with my bag and filling it. I guess the same thing could be said for leaving it in the car, but taking a full bag out of the car and carrying it in -- that just seems weird. 

I bet there are many people who "feel sorry" for me that I have to shop on foot and carry my stuff home. They must think I do not have a car because why would I walk and do all that shopping? Because I kill two birds with one stone -- I do not need to fill the streets and parking lots with another car, and I get exercise. I swear, when I see some parking lots, it's way faster to walk, and I can go anywhere on foot!

Perhaps I need to make a sign to wear that says, "My car is at home - my legs appreciate the exercise" or something like that. I live in a somewhat densely populated suburban area. Imagine if more people walked to do simple errands? 

While at the grocery store, I passed the shovel display. Hmm -- scoopers, shovels, and mini shovels. I was thinking of the mini shovel for winter. But that's a lot more shovels to lift, but at least they are lighter. I think I'm going to get a new shovel. And YES -- I will walk to the store and walk the shovel home. 

New shovels

It is funny how much we are in love with our cars. Even to the point that some people feel having a car is tied to our independence. Nope --- while I've had my own car for most of my adult life, I do NOT equate a car to independence. Especially when living in a large city. When I was a student in Montreal, I sold my car. I couldn't afford it, didn't use it much, and lived about a 15-minute walk from the Metro (subway). And there was a bus. You do NOT need a car in the city! Well, for the most part, and for what I do. I do NOT have small kids that need to be driven everywhere. 

OK -- so can you tell me what's going on here? By the way, we can have barking incidents in the house, as she loves to "talk" to other dogs and animals on TV and comes running when she hears her favorite commercials come on! But Murphy -- this is a hockey game - what's going on? I think she watches enough sports with DH that she's become a sports fan. 

DAD -- hockey -- there's a score!

The other day, DH was watching car racing or something, and he shut the TV off and walked away. I said, "What about the dogs? They were watching - so he turned it back on!

And I had to laugh at Little Bear. He was desperate to go somewhere yesterday. He saw the suitcases out, and he had zero issue with jumping right in. 

Grandma -- I'm coming with you!!!!

This was the sample suitcase, but he also jumped in my clothes suitcase. Gosh --- he's so cute! And so little!!! His travel bag was in the closet, and it stayed there until just before he left, as he would go nuts if he saw it sooner!

The night before M left, I was downstairs trying to finish an embroidery design. It required a wee bit of babysitting, so we opened up a small table as all the other surfaces were jammed with stuff. And we played our EXIT escape room game. 

Escape room game

We needed scissors and much thought. 

So, M is pretty good at the games. Although we still had to look at some of the clues. But NOT before we gave it a good shot. And what I find is that we are on the right track, but just don't take the final leap. That happened on all the clues. We read the first hint -- yep, we already did that. Then we read the second clue -- yep --- we've already done that. M was good at thinking about other things, but we couldn't put them together. When we read the final clue -- AHA -- we get it now. 

The bottom line is that we need to look at and question every mark or thing that is different. That's the part that we miss. Not always, but a couple of times. We work well as a team on these games, and we will try and finish the remaining clues from a distance. It's hard to explain, but we don't take the paper materials literally. Not only are they puzzles to solve, but often the paper pieces of the game are so connected -- these are not just mental puzzles, but there are physical props, and they must be used creatively. We need to improve the creative use of the props.

I laugh because the game says -- 1 - 2 hours, with ten clues. We're way past that time frame and still have four clues? But we are having fun, and we are learning, so when I open my Advent Calendar, I might have a chance of completing it!

I have some work to do for one of my groups, so I may work on that this morning when I have a bit of downtime. And I have some shopping to do in this area - more on that another day. Then I'm on as a helper this afternoon, or I might be sitting the afternoon out. Depends on how things play out. But there are many things to learn, and it's great to be in touch with the dealers. I'll be at many shops in the next month, so it's good to see them here. 

On that note, I'm out of here. I'm going to get dressed and go for a walk.

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Progress is good

 Have you ever had something to do but say you'll leave it for the morning. Then you can't sleep, so after lying there for a while, you finally get up to do it? Then when you wake up, you feel crappy from lack of sleep? Yep -- that's my morning. Thankfully, I'm a morning person, so I don't feel crappy for too long! I can't imagine how people cope if it takes them several hours to wake up as part of their routine!

By the way, I learned vinegar is great for unclogging glue tips! Thanks, Brenda! I did not have time to make that happen yesterday, but when I'm back and have applique on my brain, I'll try it. 

We had two great Zoom classes in the morning, and I hope to share some of that with you over the next bit. I also got all my homework for the UFO club done this morning. Yes, the club is this morning, and YES, I finished it this morning! 

I'll also share that later this week, but I knew I was getting tired yesterday when I joined two border strips, and I KNEW it was wrong, but I kept sewing. Only to find I had stitched them from bottom left to top right when I should have done the join bottom right to top left. Why do we do these things? 

The join is WRONG

Thankfully, it was a short seam to rip out, and I had not cut my fabric yet. But the borders are on the project, FINALLY. And the next project is pulled to work on. I "failed" miserably at completing UFOs this year. It took me almost all year to complete this top and another very simple one. Too busy with travel and prepping everything else. 

Yes, I'm doing new stuff for the classes (and ultimately for myself) and NOT cleaning up the UFOs. I'm unhappy with that, so something else will have to drop off the calendar next year. Plus, I would love a few days a month (already on the calendar) to get up and do whatever I want instead of meeting a deadline. 

Like I could have a jigsaw on the go. So help me, but I did NOT need to buy this puzzle yesterday when I went to Indigo. But it was on sale because the box was open, but the bag of pieces was not. Then, it was further discounted, and I would get another 10% off with my reward card. I caved, and it came home with me!

New jigsaw puzzle

Then I saw these EXIT games. They are similar to the Advent Calendars (by the same company), and it's for 1 - 4 players. I bought it thinking it could be my training for the Advent Calendar. The level is Novice (two dots), so hopefully, I can do it. It'll be a "fun" thing to do one day in November. 

EXIT Escape room game

You know it's been a productive week when spools of thread are being emptied! Three of them! 

Empty spools of thread

I got another customer quilt done. 

Customer quilt - DONE

This one is Halloween-themed, and I could not resist doing the spider web. 

Spider web quilting

The pattern size allowed TWO rows of the spider web in the frame, but it had to be PRECISELY positioned as there was very little room at the top and bottom for error. I don't think I've ever seen the foot come that close to either edge. 

Not much extra room!

I don't think I can get them trimmed before I leave tomorrow morning. So I'll let everyone know, and they'll get them the following week. Today, I need to focus on the project I must have done for the convention. I have time, hoping nothing goes wrong! 

I managed to get part of the section from Green Tea and Sweet Beans together. I need to do some applique on one block, remake one small section of another, and cut some strips before I can call it finished, but it's all progress. Progress is good!!!

Progress on Green Tea

There always seems to be a ton of stuff that has to be done before going away. Why is that? I'm only gone a week, but there are e-mails to send projects to finish, and stuff to pack. This should be the last (or almost the last) plane trip for work, but I am NOT required to take samples, so that's a bonus. I can get away with a carry-on! Yeah!!

On that note, I'm out of here. The presentations are ready for this morning's sessions, but I still need to walk the girls and the boy! And it just doesn't work to walk them together. I have no idea how dog walkers walk multiple dogs and live to talk about it. 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

Confessions

 A quick note about the Barn Star Sampler. 

Barn Star Sampler

A number of you have realized that you can purchase a PDF of the book directly from the author, and there are other places where you can buy different versions. The Hobby Horse still has about 8 copies! Whether we run the class through The Hobby Horse or I do it myself, we WILL have a class on this quilt. Sooooooooooooooooo    --- if you bought it -- just wait! 

If you want to go ahead and sew it, there will be no need to sign up for the class. Part of the fun is checking out what the others are doing or how they make changes. If you have already sewn it, then well --- no need for the class. 

I just need to squeeze that in, and I know where, but then to squeeze in something else we had in mind. I must look at the calendar this morning. Yes -- I know I'm a sucker for a new quilt, but it's the only way I can allow myself to start a new project! 

I had a very successful morning of paperwork. There's still lots to do, but I'm happy with the progress. And I made significant progress on my blog projects, so I can start writing today. My goal is to be ahead of the deadlines, so I've downloaded many pictures and will be browsing them later this morning and writing. Then back to the sewing machine -- it's pretty "sad" when you wake up thinking -- I could use this stitch on the sewing machine for this part! 

I'm still recovering apps and logging in. That will take a long time, and I will only know I'm missing something when I need the app. 

Plus, I logged into my french quilting group last night. There were only three of us, but it's so much fun to get to know these ladies in french! It was loads of fun, and I managed to repair something while I chatted. 

I'm now down to 36.6 KM to finish off my cardio KM goal for the year. That should be easy -- 12.2 KM for the next three days. I can do that! I've never been quite this close to the end of the year in meeting the goal, but hey --- what's life without a few deadlines! It was glorious to be out without a hat yesterday on my afternoon walk. No hat! And it's going to be warmer today. 

AHA -- I went to Fabricland the other day to get something I had seen a couple of weeks ago, and it was niggling in the back of my mind. I'll share it with you when I make something out of it. And I NEED to make that soon. However, I happened to wander through the yarn section, and oh my!!! I found GREEN chenille yarn. I had been looking for eons, and there it was! 

Green and yellow chenille yarn

When I went to unload the dishwasher yesterday, I got a bit of a shock. My FAVORITE plate was snapped in half and nicely arranged in the dishwasher, which I assumed was luck. 

My broken plate

YES -- I did check to see if it was dishwasher safe and it was. I check that detail BEFORE I buy anything, and if it doesn't go in the dishwasher, I won't buy it. 

Dishwasher safe

You know how sometimes we buy things and don't use them. Well, I bought this about one year ago, and while I didn't use it every day, I used it often enough. I like to eat off a small plate, and this was perfect. When I put the two pieces together, enough small bits are missing that it won't work. So I tossed it. 

The broken plate

But I knew it was in a different place than I had placed it in the dishwasher. So when DH rearranged it, did it get hit with something? Everything else seemed to be OK. However, when he got up, he confessed. He dropped it when he rearranged the dishwasher -- seriously?? The plate fell onto a pot and snapped cleanly in half. So why did he wash the bits? He thought I might be able to rescue it, and better to rescue clean bits than dirty ones! 

At least, he confessed, otherwise, I would have been none the wiser and just thought the dish snapped in the dishwasher! How many other dishes have disappeared this way? I only had ONE of these plates, so it was hard to hide the fact that it broke, whereas we have multiples of most other things. Sigh......................

After some research yesterday, I realized that the Ravensburger Escape Puzzle I bought is one of the kid's puzzles!! There are only 368 pieces (about half of the adult ones), and I'm guessing the puzzles will be easier. Should I try to exchange it? Or do it for a quick afternoon's entertainment? 

Only some of the puzzles are shown on the US site for Ravensburger, but you can see more on the french site. I bet some of them are NOT translated into English or were not created in English. And you can always check out Puzzles Canada to buy them! They had way more than this in the store, so they may be hot items. 

And two more quilts got bound. These are for Project Linus, and I plan to get them out of the house by the end of the year. OK -- that is NOT going to happen. 

Binding on Project Linus

Here is the second one. 

Binding on Project Linus

There are still six more to bind, which shouldn't take that long since two are smaller, and only the topstitching needs to be done. I'll have to find the contact phone number again as I lost all that when the phone got switched over. No -- wait -- all that is still in my phone. What a nasty mess -- some stuff came through, and some didn't. Some data is coming back as I log in, but I'll never attempt that again on my own. 

I now have a screen protector, and I must drop the old phone off today. 

I've six hours left in The Shadow Sister. It's incredible how the author winds the story around historical events. OK -- so I understand the past, now where's the connection to the sister? I should be able to finish by the weekend. I only listen when I'm doing mindless sewing and there were times yesterday that I wasn't doing mindless sewing. Even then, there are bits I miss and have to go back to, which is the hardest part about the audiobook. While it's easy to go back in 15-second intervals, it's not easy to find a passage you missed, except by randomly going back. Sometimes, it takes me a few minutes to locate my phone and then I have to go back even farther because the missing word/passage is now that much behind me! 

Well, the sentence isn't missing; I didn't hear it! But you know what I mean. 

All the pots from the garage were picked up yesterday. There was no rush, and I told the person to pick up this week when the weather was better. Better for her, better for me. WOW -- that emptied a bit of the space around the workbench. Since it will be so warm today, I might dig a few more things out. I have some stuff that needs to go to the hazardous waste and recycling center, and today would be the perfect day. That leaves less to clear out in the spring. I guess a good solid morning would have the garage spic and span. OK -- make it a solid day! But I only have part of the day -- I want to get rid of those odd things!

Well, that's it for me! I've got loads to do today, and there is no time to waste! I have to laugh as last night, one of the ladies asked if I was taking time off between the holidays. Hmm --- NO -- I never seem to take time off, but then I LOVE what I do, and I could do it forever. And since I'm my own boss, if I want to slack off for a day here and there -- I'm allowed. I would bet I put in way longer hours than someone who works a nine-to-five job, but I'm OK with that. 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!!