Whew! Christmas is over; all Christmas guarantee quilts were finished by December 21st, and I have stopped throwing up! Yep, the flu. It went through the family like dominoes falling. First Kai, then me, then Laura, then Joe, all down with the intestinal flu. Kai's continued on into the chicken pox - what a bummer. In spite of being vaccinated, he hadn't had the booster and somewhere was exposed to it. He had a light case; and if he hadn't had the flu first, probably wouldn't have felt so bad. Missing Christmas mass and the choir and program performances that he had worked so hard on was probably his biggest disappointment. Fortunately, Quinn got her booster early and will not be getting the chicken pox, and Kai has bounced back and is allowed to go out in public tomorrow!
In spite of our illness, Christmas was great. It was our turn to have both daughters, husbands, and family for Christmas Eve and Day! Fortunately, I cooked the easiest and best Christmas Eve dinner, Paula Deen's No Fail Rib Roast. I would put something in the oven, go lie down, turn something off, go lie down, etc. I skipped mass so I wouldn't spoil it for others and was drowsing in front of the tree when everyone came home starving for dinner.
It's become my tradition to give everyone in the family pj's on Christmas Eve as well as a game or something to keep people occupied -- we also exchanged family gifts that evening so Santa wouldn't be overshadowed on the next day. Torn paper, empty boxes, and satisfied children were the result.
Everyone enjoyed seeing Lily, the chocolate lab puppy, and spoiled her with lots of hugs. It was great to see Daisy and Lily interact - Daisy really has taken an almost maternal concern for Lily and since Daisy is the best dog ever, there's hope for Lily, who right now plays for an hour, sleeps for three, and according to Lisa and Jeremy she also eats nonstop and pees every hour. Maybe Lily's middle name is Marley. All I know is I got some great pictures of Quinn and Lily!
I hope everyone who reads this had a great holiday and is looking forward to the New Year!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Puppies
Technology failed us on the way to Malta. Lisa and Jeremy have decided to add a chocolate lab puppy to their family for Christmas, and because it was a surprise for her husband, Lisa asked Laura and me and the grandchildren to ride along and see the puppies when she put down her deposit. Sounds great! A fun Sunday afternoon ride with squirming puppies at the end -- what could go wrong?
Lisa mapblasted the directions (this is the technology part) and we were off - a winding up and down trail over three counties, going back and forth and looking for places that went straight (I swear that's what the directions said). It was enough to make some stomaches queasy, and we were lucky that the kids fell asleep. On Saturday there had been snow, but it had all melted at home. The further south and east we went, the more snow was left on the countryside and back roads. Our progress became slower and slower. Of course, we missed a turn or two and resorted to looking at the map and coming onto our final road from the opposite direction. But we were there, almost.
As I turned on to the road, Laura yelled, "Stop." We were at the top of a steep hill, covered with snow and cinders. I cautiously backed up to the berm while Lisa called the owners of her puppy who explained we were almost there --take a right just halfway down the hill. I put it in low and we cautiously descended and turned into their large clear driveway. And then, in the yard, there they were, ten black and brown puppies tumbling about in the snow. Even 4 year old Quinn who's a bit nervous around dogs was thrilled at the cold little noses and warm fur. Kai tried to act like he wasn't interested, but soon even he was out of the car to check out all the excitement.
Lisa's new puppy was inside, staying warm and clean for her new owner to check her out. She's adorable and her name will be Lily. Lily will be coming home on Sunday to meet Jeremy and Daisy, a 2 year old chocolate lab the kids rescued last year.
It was definitely a fun day and I chuckle every time I think of it. The owners are going to meet Lisa halfway when she picks up Lily so it won't be quite as much fun. Even if she were to have to travel all the way to Malta again, we now know it's not near as difficult as the mapquest program made it. If you want to get to Malta from Jacksontown, take route 13 south until it intersects with route 37 east. Turn east on 37 and it will take you directly to Malta. Go figure. We came back that way on Sunday. It was a pleasant trip home but not worth any chuckles.
Lisa mapblasted the directions (this is the technology part) and we were off - a winding up and down trail over three counties, going back and forth and looking for places that went straight (I swear that's what the directions said). It was enough to make some stomaches queasy, and we were lucky that the kids fell asleep. On Saturday there had been snow, but it had all melted at home. The further south and east we went, the more snow was left on the countryside and back roads. Our progress became slower and slower. Of course, we missed a turn or two and resorted to looking at the map and coming onto our final road from the opposite direction. But we were there, almost.
As I turned on to the road, Laura yelled, "Stop." We were at the top of a steep hill, covered with snow and cinders. I cautiously backed up to the berm while Lisa called the owners of her puppy who explained we were almost there --take a right just halfway down the hill. I put it in low and we cautiously descended and turned into their large clear driveway. And then, in the yard, there they were, ten black and brown puppies tumbling about in the snow. Even 4 year old Quinn who's a bit nervous around dogs was thrilled at the cold little noses and warm fur. Kai tried to act like he wasn't interested, but soon even he was out of the car to check out all the excitement.
Lisa's new puppy was inside, staying warm and clean for her new owner to check her out. She's adorable and her name will be Lily. Lily will be coming home on Sunday to meet Jeremy and Daisy, a 2 year old chocolate lab the kids rescued last year.
It was definitely a fun day and I chuckle every time I think of it. The owners are going to meet Lisa halfway when she picks up Lily so it won't be quite as much fun. Even if she were to have to travel all the way to Malta again, we now know it's not near as difficult as the mapquest program made it. If you want to get to Malta from Jacksontown, take route 13 south until it intersects with route 37 east. Turn east on 37 and it will take you directly to Malta. Go figure. We came back that way on Sunday. It was a pleasant trip home but not worth any chuckles.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
December Rush
December is a great month. I love the anticipation of Christmas and the holidays. Trained by my many years as a school teacher, I close the shop for two weeks around Christmas and New Years and spend my time playing with my family and quilting friends.
With so much to get done for others and myself, I have scheduled Friday Night Free for Alls for the first three Fridays in December and I will actually have everything done by Friday, December 19th! Yippee!
There's another kind of "rush" I feel for December -- It's the joy of watching: my grandson Kai carefully placing ornaments on my tree so the Santa Clauses face outward or serving at Mass and trying not to yawn or sneeze, my granddaughter Quinn climbing into my lap with a book or seriously coloring a picture with only one crayon, my daughter Lisa's chocolate lab Daisy plopping herself at our feet, Lisa and Jeremy together and still obviously in love, my daughter Laura and her love for her husband and children, my husband Joe bonding over football with his sons-in-law.
I have never had any trouble finding the real sentiment of the season -- it's all around me -- I just have to look.
With so much to get done for others and myself, I have scheduled Friday Night Free for Alls for the first three Fridays in December and I will actually have everything done by Friday, December 19th! Yippee!
There's another kind of "rush" I feel for December -- It's the joy of watching: my grandson Kai carefully placing ornaments on my tree so the Santa Clauses face outward or serving at Mass and trying not to yawn or sneeze, my granddaughter Quinn climbing into my lap with a book or seriously coloring a picture with only one crayon, my daughter Lisa's chocolate lab Daisy plopping herself at our feet, Lisa and Jeremy together and still obviously in love, my daughter Laura and her love for her husband and children, my husband Joe bonding over football with his sons-in-law.
I have never had any trouble finding the real sentiment of the season -- it's all around me -- I just have to look.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Miscellaneous
That cough I treated with slushies and chicken soup turned out to be bronchitis. Most of my family has been sick with bronchitis and pneumonia. Having learned that pneumonia is contagious, I will be more aware from now on. We are all on the mend after major drugs, and even though I had to cancel one Friday Night Free for All, we are back on schedule now.
This past Friday we gathered at the new location and everyone likes the new digs. It is so much easier to keep clean and is brightly lit. I can seat 6 to 8 quilters comfortably and a few more if they don't mind rubbing elbows.
BFG's gathers tonight to work on our ninth block of the NQA block of the month. It's my turn to have the block done ahead of time so, of course, I did it today. It's really a pretty block. I find that I have to square up each unit to 4-1/2 inches before I put the blocks together as nine patches, or it won't work. It amounts to shaving off no more than an eighth of an inch but seems to make a big difference, and this way I don't lose any points when I put the blocks together with the sashing and cornerstones.
I have the prettiest t-shirt quilt on the longarm. (That's a statement you don't hear very often.) The t-shirts are all from long distance runs and marathons, sashed in turquoise, with a border of running fabric in the same turquise and greens on cream. It really is quite attractive and is the last one I must finish before Thanksgiving.
Still have a line-up for before Christmas though! No matter how hard I try, the Christmas deadline always sneaks up on me and I find myself coming in early, staying late, and working on Sunday afternoons to get them all done. It's a good time to make extra money though so no whining. Therefore, don't ask, I can't squeeze in another quilt before Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
This past Friday we gathered at the new location and everyone likes the new digs. It is so much easier to keep clean and is brightly lit. I can seat 6 to 8 quilters comfortably and a few more if they don't mind rubbing elbows.
BFG's gathers tonight to work on our ninth block of the NQA block of the month. It's my turn to have the block done ahead of time so, of course, I did it today. It's really a pretty block. I find that I have to square up each unit to 4-1/2 inches before I put the blocks together as nine patches, or it won't work. It amounts to shaving off no more than an eighth of an inch but seems to make a big difference, and this way I don't lose any points when I put the blocks together with the sashing and cornerstones.
I have the prettiest t-shirt quilt on the longarm. (That's a statement you don't hear very often.) The t-shirts are all from long distance runs and marathons, sashed in turquoise, with a border of running fabric in the same turquise and greens on cream. It really is quite attractive and is the last one I must finish before Thanksgiving.
Still have a line-up for before Christmas though! No matter how hard I try, the Christmas deadline always sneaks up on me and I find myself coming in early, staying late, and working on Sunday afternoons to get them all done. It's a good time to make extra money though so no whining. Therefore, don't ask, I can't squeeze in another quilt before Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Recharge!
I think retreat is a funny name to describe an event which so recharges everyone I know. Retreat implies defeat to me and certainly every road trip I have ever taken was a success, one way or another. This past weekend spent at a borrowed home in Lakeside, Ohio was no different. Rosie, Denise, and I drove up on Thursday afternoon, arriving after dark, but that little community still manages to be beautiful. It rained most of the time but we didn't care; we were quilting! Rosie and Denise found some time to walk down to Lake Erie and enjoy the scenery even in the rain. I passed, hoping that my cough would get better. I doctored it with wine slushies and Rosie's homemade chicken noodle soup, and it seems to have worked.
We worked on separate projects on Friday and Saturday morning, but on Saturday afternoon we started in on the real purpose of our trip -- cutting and organizing the kits for the Heart of Ohio Quilters Guild Retreat next February. We took a break to enjoy dinner, meeting Denise's niece and friend at the Nagoya Steak House -- one of our favorites -- it's like dinner and a show --and then were able to finish the kits after dinner.
The hardest part of any recharge is that it ends. Sunday morning we sewed for a few hours and then packed up, cleaned up, and were on the road by noon. Appreciative that someone was willing to share their Lakeside getaway with us, we could endure the trip home and all the duties that awaited us when we got there. We were recharged!
We worked on separate projects on Friday and Saturday morning, but on Saturday afternoon we started in on the real purpose of our trip -- cutting and organizing the kits for the Heart of Ohio Quilters Guild Retreat next February. We took a break to enjoy dinner, meeting Denise's niece and friend at the Nagoya Steak House -- one of our favorites -- it's like dinner and a show --and then were able to finish the kits after dinner.
The hardest part of any recharge is that it ends. Sunday morning we sewed for a few hours and then packed up, cleaned up, and were on the road by noon. Appreciative that someone was willing to share their Lakeside getaway with us, we could endure the trip home and all the duties that awaited us when we got there. We were recharged!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Final Challenge!
Heavy Metal Quilting is moved, slowly being unpacked and starting to look like a place to quilt. It wasn't easy though. After three days of packing and loading the van and driving across the street and unloading the van, over and over again, there was only one final challenge -- the heavy stuff that I and my women friends could not carry. Rose Mary, Kendra, Denise, Khris, and Virginia are the best but we could not carry the machine, its steel 12 foot table, the library table used as a cutting table, or the largest storage unit. The most difficult is alway the steel table -- it's awkward, it's unforgiving, and it's heavy. It's time for the MEN.
The first time I moved the shop, it was from an old victorian house to a building that had previously been the post office -- both with nice extra-wide doors. The second time, I moved into a refinished garage, complete with garage door -- no problem just stroll through the garage d00r with the table. This time the shop moved into an office space with an entry way, the office space itself and a bathroom. The work space is like a T with the bathroom taking a chunk out on the left and the entry way taking its chunk out on the right. The entry way has a door from the outside and a door into the right hand side of the T work space.
I was fortunate enough to be helped by four men: my son-in-law, my son-in-law's Dad, and two quilters' husbands. Also three women and myself were there to help accomplish this final challenge. Leaving the old shop was pretty easy, open up that garage door and shove that table onto the open trailer provided by Khris's husband Jeff. Denise volunteers to stay on the trailer and hold on to stuff so it won't move ( I think she's crazy as how is she going to stop that table if it shifts, but fortunately nothing does. She enjoys the trip and does the queen wave the whole way.) At the new shop Jeff backs up to the front door and is really a bit too close as we need to take the table off and turn it before we take it into the shop. Instead of his pulling forward and then removing the table, they take half the table off and have him pull forward as Denise and Cease, Virginia's husband, walk the back part off. I am now oficially getting nervous. But again all is well. The table is off the trailer and turned in the right direction to be taken into the 400 square foot shop.
After several measurements, I had forewarned the guys that the outer door would have to be removed and then it would be clear sailing. After a consult and a gathering of tools, the door was off. As we tried to carry the complete table into the new space, it suddenly became obvious that my measuring was incorrect. Looking at the two metal rollers that cantilever out to the side of the table, my men decided they just needed to take one roller off and it would be fine. Fortunately Jeff is the king of all tools and had everything needed. The table started forward again and there was success until the end of the table which has more thingamajigs on it than the other reached the outer door, the table was stuck again. This also left one man trapped in the shop and all others outside discussing what to take off the table now. My son-in-law Jason climbed under the table and between the doors to rescue his dad Gary and help him lift the rest of the table. Have I mentioned this table is really heavy, made of steel, and not on wheels, which if I ever move it again, it has been suggested that I purchase some. The men decided to remove the second roller cantilevered on the side of the table but only at the rear where it was stuck. We were good to go!
But the big concern now is not getting it through the outer door, but turning the 12 foot table toward the center of the T as it comes through the second door. This turn being difficult never entered my mind but it was and by less that an inch we made the turn! Whew!
Now Jeff puts it all back together, and the only bolt lost is one I had taken off to remove the center roller which allows the sewing head to be removed for the trip. The rollers are back on, the sewing head is back on. I plug it in, sew a few stitches; all is well!
I am so grateful to my friends for their help. The only thing that could make it better would be if we'd had a video camera.
The first time I moved the shop, it was from an old victorian house to a building that had previously been the post office -- both with nice extra-wide doors. The second time, I moved into a refinished garage, complete with garage door -- no problem just stroll through the garage d00r with the table. This time the shop moved into an office space with an entry way, the office space itself and a bathroom. The work space is like a T with the bathroom taking a chunk out on the left and the entry way taking its chunk out on the right. The entry way has a door from the outside and a door into the right hand side of the T work space.
I was fortunate enough to be helped by four men: my son-in-law, my son-in-law's Dad, and two quilters' husbands. Also three women and myself were there to help accomplish this final challenge. Leaving the old shop was pretty easy, open up that garage door and shove that table onto the open trailer provided by Khris's husband Jeff. Denise volunteers to stay on the trailer and hold on to stuff so it won't move ( I think she's crazy as how is she going to stop that table if it shifts, but fortunately nothing does. She enjoys the trip and does the queen wave the whole way.) At the new shop Jeff backs up to the front door and is really a bit too close as we need to take the table off and turn it before we take it into the shop. Instead of his pulling forward and then removing the table, they take half the table off and have him pull forward as Denise and Cease, Virginia's husband, walk the back part off. I am now oficially getting nervous. But again all is well. The table is off the trailer and turned in the right direction to be taken into the 400 square foot shop.
After several measurements, I had forewarned the guys that the outer door would have to be removed and then it would be clear sailing. After a consult and a gathering of tools, the door was off. As we tried to carry the complete table into the new space, it suddenly became obvious that my measuring was incorrect. Looking at the two metal rollers that cantilever out to the side of the table, my men decided they just needed to take one roller off and it would be fine. Fortunately Jeff is the king of all tools and had everything needed. The table started forward again and there was success until the end of the table which has more thingamajigs on it than the other reached the outer door, the table was stuck again. This also left one man trapped in the shop and all others outside discussing what to take off the table now. My son-in-law Jason climbed under the table and between the doors to rescue his dad Gary and help him lift the rest of the table. Have I mentioned this table is really heavy, made of steel, and not on wheels, which if I ever move it again, it has been suggested that I purchase some. The men decided to remove the second roller cantilevered on the side of the table but only at the rear where it was stuck. We were good to go!
But the big concern now is not getting it through the outer door, but turning the 12 foot table toward the center of the T as it comes through the second door. This turn being difficult never entered my mind but it was and by less that an inch we made the turn! Whew!
Now Jeff puts it all back together, and the only bolt lost is one I had taken off to remove the center roller which allows the sewing head to be removed for the trip. The rollers are back on, the sewing head is back on. I plug it in, sew a few stitches; all is well!
I am so grateful to my friends for their help. The only thing that could make it better would be if we'd had a video camera.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Slow Motion Move
Moving is always such a quagmire of things. I have changed the electric into my name, signed up for village water, arranged to have the phone transferred, and patiently waited on my good-intentioned new landlord to empty the space, paint the walls, clean the carpet, and now finally install a window into the previously claustrophobic space. I am ecstatic about the window, but I keep hoping I can start moving the little stuff in so that the big stuff will only take a short time to move on Saturday.
Knowing I need to keep busy, I have a simple quilt on the machine, am piecing a top for a client, and am packing all at the same time. Also BFG's will meet here tonight to work on Block #8 of the NQA block of the month. Their special treat will be a tour of the new space! The next time I blog, I hope I am moved!
Knowing I need to keep busy, I have a simple quilt on the machine, am piecing a top for a client, and am packing all at the same time. Also BFG's will meet here tonight to work on Block #8 of the NQA block of the month. Their special treat will be a tour of the new space! The next time I blog, I hope I am moved!
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