A group of us are going on the guild's retreat next month at Blue Licks Park in KY. We're already discussing drinks (alcoholic, of course), projects and what to bring. Imagine - four solid days of no home responsibilities - just sew, eat, drink and sleep a little.
My sewing room regained, I loaded a Halloween quilt onto the frame last night and made two passes before the bobbin ran out. I tend to stop once a bobbin runs out and start working on something else for a while - sort of gives me a break from free-motion quilting. I'll get back at it tonight. Trouble is, I can't find my sidewinder. I put it somewhere in the mad rush to get the room tidy for our guests and I can't remember where it's gone! Same goes for my seam rippers stand. Bought some backing material for several projects to go on the frame within the week. With the retreat coming up, I'll concentrate on getting quilting done on the frame and leave the piecing projects for the four days in Blue Licks.
Did you see that there is a new Nickel Quilts book? It's the third one by Pat Speth, called "Amazing Nickel Quilts". I have the first two books and love them - made one project so far from that series. I'll have to give DH some strong hints about the new book because my birthday is coming up soon and the man is totally clueless when it comes to presents.
Got some cross stitching done last night as well when I watched a little television. Biggest Loser is on tonight - one of the few shows that I watch on a regular basis. So, I'll get some cross stitching done tonight too. I think I'm about half-way done with the 2008 Prairie Schooler Santa.
Andrea's going trick or treating on Friday night with her friends and they're all coming to our house afterwards for a sleep-over. Instead of ordering pizza from Donatos (YUM) I'll make little individual pies and each girl can adorn their pizza the way they want - then I'll pop the pizzas into the oven. It's always so maddening to try and get home on Halloween night after work, get dinner first, then scoot the kiddies out for begging. Since it's the end of the month, we're expected to stay late at the office (ugh) until all the payable business is processed. Then everybody and his brother are on the highways struggling to get home just like me. So, I'm trying to go about it a bit more intelligently this year. The kids can eat their dinner AFTER the candy gathering. They won't starve and sometimes they're so pumped up before going out, they don't eat anyways.
Our visitors from England were amazed by the Halloween decorations in our house and how other folks in our subdivision put lights out, have blow up creatures and displays. I guess it's not as big a deal in the UK as it is here. I love Halloween - great holiday for kids. Forget all that stuff about witchcraft, pagan celebrations, evil spirits. I know that's what the date used to be. Today - it's a good time for kids to pretend, have fun and provide business for the dentists. The only truly scary bit for me? I met my ex-husband on Halloween. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a good one!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Homestretch
Apologize for not posting a thing for twelve days, but I've done next to nothing in the quilting/sewing department since our company arrived nine days ago. Fortunately, I'll regain my sewing room tomorrow, hence the title of the posting today.
I adore my step-daughter, Leah, and wish she could stay longer. Unfortunately, it's a package deal with her mum, Margaret. Ms. M literally took over my kitchen for days - baking stuff for our get-together on Saturday night and a roast dinner on Sunday. As my husband warned me and we've experienced during past visits, Ms. M takes a lot of delight in not only cooking, but dirtying every freakin' pot, pan, utensil in the kitchen! The resultant mess was left for me to clean up. My oven needs a good cleaning now, but I'll wait until she leaves tomorrow to tackle that chore. Needless to say, our dishwasher's had quite a workout and I should buy stock in SOS wooly pads.
It's been somewhat amusing to hear Michael and Ms. M go at each other at various times throughout the visit. Leah commented that it was just like her childhood - poor kid. No one can doubt why those two were destined for divorce after hearing their "discussions".
Leah and I went to church on Sunday morning. First time in quite some time that I've attended a service. The revelation - I missed it and more than likely will start attending more often. My brother and his family are quite active in the church, so I'll have company most Sundays. During our drive home from church, Leah confided in me that she is seriously thinking about leaving her spouse. No tears on that one, folks. The man is only slightly less of a loser than my first husband. I bought a study Bible for Leah yesterday since she told me she lost her Bible during their trip to Florida last month.
Ok, I did get one project done - a table runner that needs to go to England with Leah as a Christmas pressie for another family member.
One day this week the girls went to Keepsakes, a cross stitch store in Sharonville. I haven't picked up a cross stitch project in ages, but I purchased the 2008 Prairie Schooler Santa - I've made these little Santas every year since they started, I think 1984. So when I don't have any hand sewing to do whilst watching television - I'll pick up a cross stitch project. I've missed it. Lord only knows I have nearly as many unfinished cross stitch items and patterns as I do quilting stuff. Possibly more. Yes, I know I'm hopeless.
Looking forward to re-joining the land of the quilters tomorrow.
Hugs,
Cathy
I adore my step-daughter, Leah, and wish she could stay longer. Unfortunately, it's a package deal with her mum, Margaret. Ms. M literally took over my kitchen for days - baking stuff for our get-together on Saturday night and a roast dinner on Sunday. As my husband warned me and we've experienced during past visits, Ms. M takes a lot of delight in not only cooking, but dirtying every freakin' pot, pan, utensil in the kitchen! The resultant mess was left for me to clean up. My oven needs a good cleaning now, but I'll wait until she leaves tomorrow to tackle that chore. Needless to say, our dishwasher's had quite a workout and I should buy stock in SOS wooly pads.
It's been somewhat amusing to hear Michael and Ms. M go at each other at various times throughout the visit. Leah commented that it was just like her childhood - poor kid. No one can doubt why those two were destined for divorce after hearing their "discussions".
Leah and I went to church on Sunday morning. First time in quite some time that I've attended a service. The revelation - I missed it and more than likely will start attending more often. My brother and his family are quite active in the church, so I'll have company most Sundays. During our drive home from church, Leah confided in me that she is seriously thinking about leaving her spouse. No tears on that one, folks. The man is only slightly less of a loser than my first husband. I bought a study Bible for Leah yesterday since she told me she lost her Bible during their trip to Florida last month.
Ok, I did get one project done - a table runner that needs to go to England with Leah as a Christmas pressie for another family member.
One day this week the girls went to Keepsakes, a cross stitch store in Sharonville. I haven't picked up a cross stitch project in ages, but I purchased the 2008 Prairie Schooler Santa - I've made these little Santas every year since they started, I think 1984. So when I don't have any hand sewing to do whilst watching television - I'll pick up a cross stitch project. I've missed it. Lord only knows I have nearly as many unfinished cross stitch items and patterns as I do quilting stuff. Possibly more. Yes, I know I'm hopeless.
Looking forward to re-joining the land of the quilters tomorrow.
Hugs,
Cathy
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday's Foolishness
Today's the last day of my company's United Way campaign and they're setting up the picnic/party stuff right outside my office - makes it kind of difficult to concentrate on anything, so I figured I'd blog.
One of the New Business processors on my team won the quilt, so I'm pleased it's gone to an excellent home. This gal now has two of my quilts as I made a quilt for her adopted son about 18 months ago.
I've been able to sew two nights in a row! Wow! I got the main part of the top done for my Stash Pot Pie assignment which is due tomorrow. Hope to get the borders sewn on tonight, but my family wants to swim at the community center and have pizza afterwards, so there might not be time to finish it tonight. If it's any kind of normal Friday for me, I'll probably be bone-dead tired by 8:30 and want to sleep. Sucks getting old. Long gone are the days when I could easily stay up and alert until 1 or 2 am on the weekends.
Meeting Jill at IHOP for breakfast. Hoping that they'll have pumpkin pancakes, but the menu on the internet says not. WAH!!! Then, it's on to Best Friends for another Stash Pot Pie session.
The rest of the weekend? Getting the house ready for our company on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Cathy
One of the New Business processors on my team won the quilt, so I'm pleased it's gone to an excellent home. This gal now has two of my quilts as I made a quilt for her adopted son about 18 months ago.
I've been able to sew two nights in a row! Wow! I got the main part of the top done for my Stash Pot Pie assignment which is due tomorrow. Hope to get the borders sewn on tonight, but my family wants to swim at the community center and have pizza afterwards, so there might not be time to finish it tonight. If it's any kind of normal Friday for me, I'll probably be bone-dead tired by 8:30 and want to sleep. Sucks getting old. Long gone are the days when I could easily stay up and alert until 1 or 2 am on the weekends.
Meeting Jill at IHOP for breakfast. Hoping that they'll have pumpkin pancakes, but the menu on the internet says not. WAH!!! Then, it's on to Best Friends for another Stash Pot Pie session.
The rest of the weekend? Getting the house ready for our company on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
Cathy
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Mid-Week Update
First off, I apologize for not posting much lately. The primary reason for this is that I have not been sewing much at all except for an hour on Sunday. I mean, who the heck wants to read a quilting blog when there's little to no quilting to report.
The raffle tickets are still being sold for the United Way quilt. The deadline's tomorrow and I'm quite anxious to find out the number of tickets we've sold. I know it's not the biggest seller - a week's stay in Daytona Beach is the top seller. Heck, I even bought $5 in tickets for that one!
Jill and I have our spots reserved for the guild's retreat next month. Three days to do nothing but sew, gab and eat. Sheer heaven!
Michael and I purchased a membership at our local community center to use their exercise facilities and swimming pool/spa. Since we bought the membership last Thursday, we've been there three times - the latest being last night. Andrea's now old enough that she can use the exercise equipment so she and I walked on the treadmills side-by-side last night. Hoping her presence will keep me motivated to keep going. Michael's enjoying the swimming, but he's not pushing too hard - it puffs him out and he has to stop mid pool at times.
I decided to return to Weight Watchers, only this time attend the meetings here at the office. That way, I will not feel any guilt for wanting to sleep in on Saturday mornings or skipping because of quilt classes, etc. I'm here, there is no excuse. Today's weigh in for the first time and I'm mortified. Trying to tell myself it'll be OK - it's another starting point, it is what it is.
Last night after our trip to the community center, Michael and Andrea wanted to go to Skyline Chili for dinner. OMG! I adore their five-ways, but I KNOW it's probably a horrendous number of points on WW. I relented to the family outing, but I stuck to my will and had a chicken salad instead of my usual. You know what? It was tasty and satisfied. It felt good!
Five more days and our company from England will be here - Michael's ex-wife (Margaret) and his oldest daughter (Leah). Folks who know about this think it's really strange that I permit Margaret to visit us - this will be her 4th trip here. She and I get along OK - we have much in common beyond Michael (obviously) and she's usually half a world away, so I can take it for ten days. Their marriage was dead long before I arrived on the scene and they parted as friends. Most ex-spouses, I suppose, don't feel that way. I know there is no way in hell I would want my ex-husband to spend time with us. It will be Leah's first visit with us - and I know she's tickled pink about seeing her dad and having some time to herself. She mentioned to Michael on the phone last week that it will be the first time in almost twenty years that she has gone on holiday by herself and not be responsible for her husband or kids.
My hope is to get some work done on the Stash Pot Pie assignment tonight. Class is on Saturday and I'd hate to not have it completed by then. I've met all the other deadlines. Meeting Jill at IHOP prior to class and keeping my fingers crossed their pumpkin pancakes are on the menu. Tis yummy!
Hugs,
Cathy
The raffle tickets are still being sold for the United Way quilt. The deadline's tomorrow and I'm quite anxious to find out the number of tickets we've sold. I know it's not the biggest seller - a week's stay in Daytona Beach is the top seller. Heck, I even bought $5 in tickets for that one!
Jill and I have our spots reserved for the guild's retreat next month. Three days to do nothing but sew, gab and eat. Sheer heaven!
Michael and I purchased a membership at our local community center to use their exercise facilities and swimming pool/spa. Since we bought the membership last Thursday, we've been there three times - the latest being last night. Andrea's now old enough that she can use the exercise equipment so she and I walked on the treadmills side-by-side last night. Hoping her presence will keep me motivated to keep going. Michael's enjoying the swimming, but he's not pushing too hard - it puffs him out and he has to stop mid pool at times.
I decided to return to Weight Watchers, only this time attend the meetings here at the office. That way, I will not feel any guilt for wanting to sleep in on Saturday mornings or skipping because of quilt classes, etc. I'm here, there is no excuse. Today's weigh in for the first time and I'm mortified. Trying to tell myself it'll be OK - it's another starting point, it is what it is.
Last night after our trip to the community center, Michael and Andrea wanted to go to Skyline Chili for dinner. OMG! I adore their five-ways, but I KNOW it's probably a horrendous number of points on WW. I relented to the family outing, but I stuck to my will and had a chicken salad instead of my usual. You know what? It was tasty and satisfied. It felt good!
Five more days and our company from England will be here - Michael's ex-wife (Margaret) and his oldest daughter (Leah). Folks who know about this think it's really strange that I permit Margaret to visit us - this will be her 4th trip here. She and I get along OK - we have much in common beyond Michael (obviously) and she's usually half a world away, so I can take it for ten days. Their marriage was dead long before I arrived on the scene and they parted as friends. Most ex-spouses, I suppose, don't feel that way. I know there is no way in hell I would want my ex-husband to spend time with us. It will be Leah's first visit with us - and I know she's tickled pink about seeing her dad and having some time to herself. She mentioned to Michael on the phone last week that it will be the first time in almost twenty years that she has gone on holiday by herself and not be responsible for her husband or kids.
My hope is to get some work done on the Stash Pot Pie assignment tonight. Class is on Saturday and I'd hate to not have it completed by then. I've met all the other deadlines. Meeting Jill at IHOP prior to class and keeping my fingers crossed their pumpkin pancakes are on the menu. Tis yummy!
Hugs,
Cathy
Thursday, October 2, 2008
United Way Quilt
Here is the quilt - Around The World pattern- that I put together for the United Way drawing at work. They started to sell raffle tickets yesterday and in one hour sold $300 worth of tickets! I'm tickled pink about that.
I finished 3/4 of the binding on the Care Bears baby quilt last night whilst I watched the Biggest Loser show we taped from Tuesday night. Other than that, it was an uneventful evening. I think we needed that after having a house full of company on Tuesday.
Started back to Weight Watchers meeting yesterday - but I did not weigh in. I keep postponing that as if it will help. (sarcasm) So, last night for dinner, I made a WW recipe of potato soup and grilled sandwiches with fat free cheese on mine. Gotta get back into the habit of writing down everything I eat again. It works - just gotta do it.
Have a great day!
Hugs,
Cathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)