Out with the old!

Did you notice what I missed yesterday? As I was walking the dogs, where I get my most profound thinking done, I realized that if I don't change the pharmacy on my chart at the doctor, they will merrily send the next prescription to the old pharmacy, which hopefully won't be for a year, but I'll forget by then. So I called the doctor to make that change. Good grief - they need the fax number. FAX? I didn't have that, but when I went to pick up the prescription, I got the fax number, so that's on my list of people to call today. 

It was a totally insane day, but I accomplished a lot. I even got some sewing done, and since I can't or don't really want to share what I'm sewing now, I specifically sewed something I could share with you. 

Remember the stack of quilts that need binding? Oh boy --- I was going to have that done in December, and they are still sitting there. So, I got one binding done this morning! 

One quilt is bound!

With the craziness of the days, I don't get to the sewing machine until late in the afternoon. But progress is being made, and that's all that counts. 

Okay, so I might become hooked on podcasts and want to give up audiobooks. The hardest thing about change is remembering that I'm trying to make a change. With the podcast app in my library folder on my phone, it's easy—I open the folder for something to listen to, and I pop open the podcast app. The podcast is on Patreon, and I had to pay for it, but it was well worth it! 

OH MY GOSH --- it's hilarious, and I laugh out loud when I listen. I have hours and hours of this podcast to listen to, so it will take a while to catch up, but I'm trying to listen to two episodes each day. They are hilarious, entertaining, and exciting to hear as this young couple dismantles and rebuilds their house. Looking back, I think they were so naive, and that's part of the draw. But they are good at what they do; naive or not, they have learned a ton!  

While I also follow them on Instagram and Facebook, the podcasts provide so much more information that is not possible on the other platforms. 

I may have to find another one once I'm caught up on that series. Hmmm --- what kind do I want to listen to? Quilting? Maybe. But I don't think I want to listen to someone being interviewed. Good grief—I want people to tell me their stories. Well, I suppose that's like an interview. I'll test out a couple, so if you have a good one, particularly not a quilting one, I'll test it out. To be honest, I was even thinking of a political one. Politics has changed a LOT, and we need to know what we are voting for and about! This is NOT your grandparents' politics we're talking about. Even the roots of the two main parties are no longer what they used to be! Remember - we have an election in a couple of weeks. 

And it's not that I'm against quilting podcasts—not at all. Quilting has consumed my life for 25 years, and I want to listen to and do things besides quilting. 

With my noise-canceling headphones, I can easily sew and listen the same way as if it were an audiobook. I'm hooked!

Then, it became a day of drop-offs and pickups! I received this bag of quilt tops for community projects that need to be quilted. I told this person I would do that for her in exchange for her taking a huge pile of scraps from me. I have someone who recently got a long arm and is looking for quilt tops to practice on. It's a perfect match! 

Quilt tops to be quilted

So I'll find some backing in my stash, piece together some batting, and all will be good. AHA—I know what you're thinking. Why don't I just give Diana some of the quilt tops that Diane made? I can't do that, as Diane had a cat, and that will not work because of allergies, which is very unfortunate. 

This will work, but I have some work cut out to prep those quilt tops. I also gave out some stuff from the Pony Express that had been waiting for this drop-off. 

Then, I had to bundle up some equipment I no longer needed. Some of that left the house yesterday, and more will go today. It feels good to get some of this stuff moving, as I'm running out of room. It took me a few minutes to locate a basket of accessories for one piece, but all is good! It's not that I'm running out of room, but things look messy! 

That resulted in shifting more stuff downstairs, but everything is currently up and running—at least what I need. The stuff is not in its permanent place, but there is not really a permanent place for anything in Studio B. 

I had managed to get my desk pretty clear, and most of the paperwork was up-to-date, but by the end of the day, look at the mess. So now, I'll spend part of the day clearing up this stuff. I swear, it's like a merry-go-round. It's hard to stay on top of everything that happens daily. 

This accumulated yesterday

Then, I needed to dig out some magazines, as I was looking for a particular issue. I went to the box in the office where the issues where my work was published are kept. Oh boy—there are a few. 

I sorted them by title. There are twelve titles in total, and within each title, there are multiple issues. I was quite prolific there for a time, but I do not have time to do that at the moment, so it's been a while since I submitted anything. 

Places I've been published

That's not entirely true, as I continue to submit to A Needle Pulling Thread for every issue. I could NOT find what I was looking for, so I went downstairs to look for more magazines. Oh—shoot—there were about 10 more issues that should have been in this pile, and can you believe it? I found what I wanted in the second-to-last magazine! Of course! 

And let's not forget the Tech Tip series I wrote for A Needle Pulling Thread way back! Yes -- I've done a lot of writing for blog posts and magazines over the last fifteen years. I made the cover of several issues but I was never about getting the cover, I was just excited to be in the magazine! 

I need to put that box to rest. And instead of those magazines being in a box on the floor, could I find a better home for them? Hmmmm --- I'm surveying the space, and I'm going to find a better home. It's ridiculous to have that box on the floor. It's one of the last boxes on the floor in the office, and it's time to make it go away. Stay tuned for that. 

Other stuff went out of the house yesterday. I decided I was done with all those couches hanging out in the family room, so I called the junk people. They were quick, and I got rid of stuff in the family room, the basement, DH's old chair, and the garage. I might as well make good use of them while they were here. 

Bye-bye junk

One of the guys asked if we were getting new furniture. Nope - we already have it. We're becoming minimalists. Less is better. So this is our family room now. The only furniture in it is the built-in bookcase, the two theatre chairs and an ottoman. That's it! We don't need more! 

There's not much in the family room for furniture

Miss Lexi got a new bed. It arrived yesterday. She doesn't look too happy, but she will be fine. She stayed in her kennel all day. She does not like all the kerfuffle in the house, so she stays out of the way and didn't even go near the bed, even though she knew it was hers as her dog blanket was in the new bed. 

But when she went out before bed and then came back in? She hopped right up there to test it out. 

MOM -- is this my new bed?

She sat for a long time, and I swear I saw her wistfully looking up to see where her couch was. 

Mom - where's my couch?

But she eventually lay down, and I spotted her in the bed this morning, so I think all is good, and hopefully, I'm forgiven. It fits perfectly beside the chairs and doesn't look too messy. I moved Murphy's big bed (not the window seat one) into the family room on the other side of the chairs. She hasn't gotten into the habit that that is her spot in that room, but she will. She did NOT even attempt to go near Lexi's bed. 

Mom - this is pretty comfy!

And guess what? The wine fridge is gone from downstairs! Yeah!!! Of course, the two men carried that thing up like it weighed nothing! 

The wine fridge is gone

So that clears up another corner in the house. It was stored in one of the small closets at the end of the area where the long arm sits. Now, the toolbox can be moved out of the way, and all is good. There is NOTHING going on in this area—it will remain like this. 

Lots of empty space

DH was out last night, so I did my computer work in the family room. I got organized and loved the arms on those new chairs to put things on. We need a more elegant TV table on wheels, so I'll pop to HomeSense to see if I can find anything that works. 

Ready to do some computer work

When I sat down, Miss Murphy arrived and DEMANDED that I remove my socks so she could lick my feet. That dog has a foot fetish, to be sure! And she is persistent and insistent! 

MOM -- take your shoes off! Now!

This was the message in my tea yesterday. 

A quote

Do they mean that realistically, as in real storms and rain, or is it related to life in general? I read somewhere that humanity cannot live with total peace and calm. Our brains can't handle that, and we intentionally mess things up—which we do very nicely! How often, when things are calm, do we throw a monkey wrench into the mix? It seems to be the norm. 

It's funny how I have plans for each day and easily get off the rails with something. That's why everything takes so long for me to accomplish. There is so much research and investigation, but I love it all! 

And on that note, I'm off to walk the dogs and then to the dentist. Oh yeah! 

Have a super day!!

Ciao!!!

Now about that new car...................

 

 A day without frustrations is a good day indeed! So I didn't necessarily get as much work done as I needed to do - well as I wanted to do, but progress - it's all about progress!! OH -- I did have one SMALL issue when I couldn't find my presentation for yesterday's class. But it all worked out! It's good to be able to think fast on one's feet. 

I'm happy to report that my Long Time Gone quilt is looking awesome. Sections 5 and 6 (the right-hand side) are now together. It's getting heavy with all those small pieces. I hung it up on the design wall to admire it and realized I still have one small correction to make, but it's right on the edge, so that's easy to fix. All that remains is to get those darn last four pineapple blocks together, sew Section 4 together and add it to the quilt. 

The best news - the end is in sight!! The class is next weekend. The ideal goal would be to have the top done - our final show and tell is in June, so for those not done, there's still time. But I need it done so I can move on - my other stuff is piling up, and I need to get to it. Plus, I need the design wall. 

The problem is that I "work" during the day. And I rarely get to the sewing machine just for fun. So I get up really early in the morning, so I can sew on this stuff. I have TWO entire days with nothing on the schedule, and I'm hoping to make advancements in some sewing projects, but I also have a ton of writing to do and a list of samples to make, so we'll see what happens. 

I have to laugh because often people, including (or especially) me, say that I didn't have time to do something. Well, we all have time - it just a question of prioritizing. The other evening, I received an e-mail about a survey. I love surveys, but this one was especially dear to my heart. How did I like my Toyota Corolla Hatchback? Oh - I will MAKE time for this. 

The survey

It took me over one hour to fill that out yesterday morning, and I was VERY thorough with my likes and dislikes. To be fair to Toyota, the quality of the finishings on the inside and the outside is very well done. I like the look of the car. I bought the car mostly based on fuel economy, and I can't complain about that. But the rest? Oh yes -- I had a few things to say about the car. 

I put some of the blame on myself, as when I purchased the car, I was in a hurry because I needed a new car as my old car had been written off by the insurance. I put my complete trust in Toyota to design and make a car with excellent features (as they have with all my previous cars). I also went wrong because the salesperson that I had was a total idiot, and I should have DEMANDED someone else, and I did not. That was a total mistake!! I try not to regret things in life but that I regret. 

So the moral of that story is - if you're not happy with one person, then DEMAND another. I mean - buying a car is a major purchase and should be thought out. I did NOT do that. 

However, the new Toyota app has made a difference, but over two years for the app to come out? I'm not impressed. Maybe I won't buy another car? Maybe this is my last one? I doubt that - I can see myself having a car. I never thought I would say this, but I can see us becoming a one-car family. OH MY GOD!!!! What's that all about? 

So here's one of the things that I thought about the other day. In our province, we've been in lock-down for quite some time, and frankly (for myself), I haven't really felt many of the repercussions that have affected other people. Our families live very far away (except my MIL), we rarely attend live events, we're not big shoppers, we have a nice house to be locked up in, and the members of our household get along with each other. So we are very, very lucky. And I think, for the most part, we're pretty stable - OK - that might be stretching the truth a wee bit, but our in-house entertainment, AKA Lexi and Murphy, keep us entertained. 

Once the lock-down is lifted, and we can get out, will we? I would very much doubt that I'll go back to teaching in a store. Depending on the situation, it's not worth my time to do that, and most of the stores I teach at will likely NOT go back to hosting in-store classes (that's my take - not the stores). I might need to shop from time to time, but I didn't shop in 2020, so why would I need to shop in 2021? 

I've ordered stuff online and try to buy local. A shop called me yesterday to say that the product I ordered is in. That's going to be my car trip for next week. But do I need to go out? Nope - I'm perfectly happy at home. And I'm not even sewing! 

Here's the other thing that we need to think about. Are people happy to be at home? I know some are going squirrely, but is that because we CANNOT go out or because we really need to get out. You know what happens when you tell your child NO - you can't have that. They will do whatever they can to get that item. The moment you give it to them, they couldn't care less. 

That's what I think is going to happen. When people can get out - some will and some will be perfectly happy to stay at home. It'll be interesting to see the change in lifestyle patterns once the lock-down is over. At this rate, I don't think the lock-down will go away any time soon. 

I did manage to get a quilt quilted, but it was late last night once I finished. It was just that kind of a day with other stuff going on. But I LOVE when a quilt doesn't fight back at me. It makes my life so much easier!! This quilt was a dream to quilt!!! The owner will be very pleased!

Customer quilt - done!!!

I did manage to sneak out for a walk, but I had to cut it short because of my schedule. And I listened to a podcast while I was loading the quilt. Oh my -- that was a lot of fun. So I found a good series of Podcasts to listen to, and I went back to the first one I could find in the app. While She Naps and it was taped during Quiltcon 2017. 

Here's the thing - I could join a quilt guild (or attend as a guest) and endure all the crappy politics and feel guilty because I'm not an active member of the executive. Or I could pay NOTHING and listen to podcasts or Youtube, which is PURE ENTERTAINMENT and/or learning. Which would you choose? Oh, that's so easy - it's silly. I am NOT knocking quilt guilds, but I doubt I'll ever rejoin until the politics go away, which will never happen. Some of the members are so petty, it's mindblowing. I'm too old for pettiness and control issues. Here's what I say to those that think they are better than me - GET A LIFE!!!! And set an example for your children and grandchildren. And now back to Abbey and her podcast!!! God - I'm becoming a hermit, just like my mother!!! I'm OK with that.  

So I've realized how we can live forever. Have you ever read the book by Robert J. Sawyer called Mindscan? I found it on my bookshelf, so I decided to read it. The premise is they scan your brain and transfer it to an artificial body. The great thing about the body? You can be whoever you want. You don't need to eat; you don't have aches or pains. It's just your mind in an artificial and non-organic body! Now imagine how that would be for a quilter. You could actually sew up our stashes!!!

What happens to the old body? It goes to a gorgeous retirement center on the moon!! The main character is JUST getting his mind scanned - I'll let you know what happens. 

Here are a couple of nature pictures I grabbed while out walking yesterday. Isn't this amazing? 

Buds on an evergreen

And here's a gorgeous trillium. There are little groupings of them in the forest, and they are beautiful. 

Trillium in bloom

Here's your task for today. I've been sending this link to everyone, and so if you're having trouble with your  1/4" seam - here's a way to test what is wrong. While I did the test on the Husqvarna Viking Designer EPIC, the test works for any sewing machine. Get out all your 1/4" feet and test them. If you have some feet that you just can't stand, put them in a Ziploc and get them out of your active sewing supplies. 

And I'm off. I hope to get some fun sewing done today or at least some sewing on my current projects, but the work comes first. I don't want to be late and then get in a panic situation. I'm trying to avoid urgent deadlines. But as you can see - I do work in a lot of personal time each day - over 2 hours of walking every day, reading, listening to podcasts, or watching The Quilt Show. I just wish it could be more, but that's OK. I like the variety!!! And the money doesn't hurt either!

Have a super day!!!  I still have one piece of paper to find. I had better do that, or I might get fired? Oh - that would be great!!!

Ciao!!!!