The pathology report came back just as predicted - a fatty tumor, benign! I am sooooooo relieved. Thanks everybody for all your positive thoughts and wishes. Perhaps I should celebrate by ordering more fabric? Yeah, that's the ticket!
It's so stinkin' hot here and from what I heard it's going to get even hotter by the weekend. Good time to just stay indoors with the air conditioning and get a lot of sewing done. Last night I started sewing the strips together for an Around the World quilt that I'm donating to our company's United Way silent auction. I also pinned half of the binding down on Turquoise Geese in preparation for the hand sewing.
Friday's an off day from the usual fun and frolic at the office. Personal day for the dog's dental surgery, my car's new battery and Andrea's Twilight book party at Border's. She's quite anxious to hear if she won anything in the short story contest. I'm hoping she did win - her story was a good effort for her first contest, plus if she wins, I don't have to shell out $30 for the new book she wants.
We haven't seen Bev and Martin for weeks, so Michael and I are going to meet them at an English pub in Norwood on Saturday night for brews and fish and chips.
BTW, if anybody reading this can help with this, I'd appreciate it: I'm looking for scarlet and grey thread to quilt my brother's Ohio State quilt. Does anybody know where I can get my hands on scarlet and gray variegated thread?
Keep on stitchin'
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Whirlwind Weekend
...and it started in the outpatient surgery suite at Jewish Hospital. Suppose that was the "low" point of the weekend. The breast biopsy procedure wasn't all that painful - I've had dental work that's more painful. It's just the results of the biopsy that has the potential for being more frightening and sometimes mental "pain" is more of an anxiety causing agent. I should find out the results early this week. The physician's assistant who prepped me for the work and operated the ultrasound machine was a real help. She tried to keep my mind off the procedure and asked me what I was doing before I came to the surgery suite. "Finishing a quilt," I replied. "OH! I'm a quilter, too," she said. Thus began a lengthy conversation about quilting, fabric, patterns, etc. "Excuse me," the doctor said about half-way into the procedure,"I hate to interrupt your conversation, but I need Ann to do something," Stupid doctor, doesn't he know NEVER to butt in when we're discussing our addiction? LOL.
The family reunion was a lot of fun. I got to see cousins I haven't seen in years. One of my cousins is a few years younger than me and she's already a grandmother three times over! The party planners did a fantastic job of making everyone feel welcome and happy. They gave each family a small photo album of old photos, which I really treasure. Andrea was amazed - "I didn't know I had this many people in my family," she exclaimed. It's true they'll probably remain strangers to her, but at least she knows they're out there. I was blessed in that our families were still all based in southwestern Pennsylvania when I was growing up and my relationships with my cousins are amongst my best memories. Family gatherings like Saturday's were held at least once each summer, not every 15 years. But when one family's in San Diego, another in Houston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, etc., it's tough to get them all together. My cousin, Lisa, wasn't able to make it. That was the only disappointment I had.
Good to be back home though. All three of us missed our beds. And the pets were pleased to see us return.
I finished the quilting on Turquoise Geese last night. I'm very pleased with how it turned out and will post a photo once the binding's done. It took a little over a week to complete the quilting using the rotation system. If I can keep a quilt top loaded onto the frame at all times, I should be able to "catch up" soon.
Another work week. Ugh! At least it will be a short four-day one for me. I'm taking Friday off to accompany Andrea to her book club, take Daisy to the vet's for her dental surgery and get the battery in my car replaced.
Keep on stitchin'
Hugs,
Cathy
The family reunion was a lot of fun. I got to see cousins I haven't seen in years. One of my cousins is a few years younger than me and she's already a grandmother three times over! The party planners did a fantastic job of making everyone feel welcome and happy. They gave each family a small photo album of old photos, which I really treasure. Andrea was amazed - "I didn't know I had this many people in my family," she exclaimed. It's true they'll probably remain strangers to her, but at least she knows they're out there. I was blessed in that our families were still all based in southwestern Pennsylvania when I was growing up and my relationships with my cousins are amongst my best memories. Family gatherings like Saturday's were held at least once each summer, not every 15 years. But when one family's in San Diego, another in Houston, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, etc., it's tough to get them all together. My cousin, Lisa, wasn't able to make it. That was the only disappointment I had.
Good to be back home though. All three of us missed our beds. And the pets were pleased to see us return.
I finished the quilting on Turquoise Geese last night. I'm very pleased with how it turned out and will post a photo once the binding's done. It took a little over a week to complete the quilting using the rotation system. If I can keep a quilt top loaded onto the frame at all times, I should be able to "catch up" soon.
Another work week. Ugh! At least it will be a short four-day one for me. I'm taking Friday off to accompany Andrea to her book club, take Daisy to the vet's for her dental surgery and get the battery in my car replaced.
Keep on stitchin'
Hugs,
Cathy
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Rotation
I tried something new last night and I think it's going to work well for me in my efforts to get some of those quilt tops completed. For one hour, I'll work on a top loaded on the frame. Once that hour is done, I can switch to another piecing project and work on that for an hour. That gets my two hours in each day and "forces" me to finish some of those tops hanging in the closet. I'd like to get the quilting done on a variety of tops so I can handsew the bindings whilst I watch television or am somewhere away from the machines. Now, if I could just stick to this mid-year resolution. My New Year's resolution of not purchasing more fabric fell by the wayside a LONG time ago. There is no hope for me!!!!
Don't know if I've mentioned it, but the Bumpus house has been sold!! A young single man has bought it with help from his parents. They seem like very nice people and keen to get the place spruced up. The kittens the Bumpus family left behind are sleeping in the log pile and jungle gym over there, but Andrea and I have been feeding them for several weeks now. They're getting quite used to us and even let us pet/hold them. They hear our back door open and they run to us! It's so cute. Michael has agreed that we can keep them outside and he will build a cat shelter for them provided we get them neutered - all three kittens are girls. I'm searching for a low-cost place to get the work done - so far the best I can find is $40 per cat through the Humane Society. The mom cat? She's expecting another litter and we haven't seen her for a few days.
Keep Stitchin'
Don't know if I've mentioned it, but the Bumpus house has been sold!! A young single man has bought it with help from his parents. They seem like very nice people and keen to get the place spruced up. The kittens the Bumpus family left behind are sleeping in the log pile and jungle gym over there, but Andrea and I have been feeding them for several weeks now. They're getting quite used to us and even let us pet/hold them. They hear our back door open and they run to us! It's so cute. Michael has agreed that we can keep them outside and he will build a cat shelter for them provided we get them neutered - all three kittens are girls. I'm searching for a low-cost place to get the work done - so far the best I can find is $40 per cat through the Humane Society. The mom cat? She's expecting another litter and we haven't seen her for a few days.
Keep Stitchin'
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Tuesday Tidings
The biopsy has finally been scheduled - Friday at 1:30. That "pleases" my family to no end since our day trip to Lake Erie will be postponed. We'll still be able to drive to Akron for the family reunion on Saturday though. Honestly, I tried to get the procedure scheduled for Thursday, but they were already booked. I just want it DONE!
I got a lot of sewing done last night - on the frame and piecing. I finished the borders on the Care Bears quilt. Also, got the initial cutting done for the Quick Trip quilt I'm donating to the silent auction at work. That's not due until the end of September, but it's best to get it out of the way. I haven't even started the July assignment for Stash Pot Pie, but I do have the fabric selected.
Work hasn't gone well this week. One of my file assistants has been transferred to another area and it's causing a lot of upheaval with my largest producing office, me and the assistant involved. And frankly, my mind's not on the work.
I think I'll go fabric shopping at lunchtime. That's an answer to ANY ailment!
Keep on stitchin'!
I got a lot of sewing done last night - on the frame and piecing. I finished the borders on the Care Bears quilt. Also, got the initial cutting done for the Quick Trip quilt I'm donating to the silent auction at work. That's not due until the end of September, but it's best to get it out of the way. I haven't even started the July assignment for Stash Pot Pie, but I do have the fabric selected.
Work hasn't gone well this week. One of my file assistants has been transferred to another area and it's causing a lot of upheaval with my largest producing office, me and the assistant involved. And frankly, my mind's not on the work.
I think I'll go fabric shopping at lunchtime. That's an answer to ANY ailment!
Keep on stitchin'!
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Next Step
I need to get a breast biopsy. There, that's out in the open now! I feel better getting that off my chest. (LOL!) After two more mammograms and an ultrasound, the team at Jewish Hospital told me there was definitely a growth in the right breast that wasn't there a year ago. It's small (1 cm) and has all the appearances of a fibroadenoma - which are benign. So, more than likely they said that's what it is, but they still want the biopsy just as a precaution. Doesn't fill me with a lot of glee, but I'll get it done. I spoke to my mom on the phone on Saturday and learned she's had a lot of these over the years, so my genetic track record of re-tracing her history continues.
On Saturday, I went to a yard sale which was advertised to have loads of sewing things. The seller must of dumped a lot of it the night before 'cause there was little for me to sift through. I did find a couple of sewing books - for 10 cents each. Not worth driving 20 minutes to get there though! One never knows what you'll find at these sales.
The rest of the weekend it was so stinking hot and humid outside, it gave me a wonderful excuse to stay indoors and sew. I used the book I purchased from Quilt in a Day - Quick Trips - and pieced a baby quilt all in pinks with a mossy green border. Have to admit I'm very pleased with that. After a trip to Hobby Lobby, I pieced another baby quilt together with Care Bears fabric I found there. When I was bored with piecing, I worked on Turquoise Geese on the frame.
The Care Bears quilt demands an explanation. A friend at work had a baby girl earlier this year. Her husband informed her when she was four months along into the pregnancy that he was in love with another woman (her best friend!) and didn't want to stay married anymore. She didn't say a word to ANY of us here at this office until she returned after maternity leave and had filed the divorce paperwork. Keep in mind that they had just bought a house and have a three year old son, too. So, she's loaded down with a lot of responsibilities and her skunk of a husband is unemployed and living with his mom. We took up a collection at work to help her out a bit, but I felt like there was something more I could do. We didn't have a shower for the baby girl, so I thought a quick quilt would be a nice thing to do. I found out from another friend that the baby's room is decorated in Care Bears, hence the Care Bear fabric which I found at Hobby Lobby. Been searching for it for a month. I feel badly for my friend; she was absolutely nutso about that man. Just shows you how quickly situations can turn sour.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Keep on stitchin'!
On Saturday, I went to a yard sale which was advertised to have loads of sewing things. The seller must of dumped a lot of it the night before 'cause there was little for me to sift through. I did find a couple of sewing books - for 10 cents each. Not worth driving 20 minutes to get there though! One never knows what you'll find at these sales.
The rest of the weekend it was so stinking hot and humid outside, it gave me a wonderful excuse to stay indoors and sew. I used the book I purchased from Quilt in a Day - Quick Trips - and pieced a baby quilt all in pinks with a mossy green border. Have to admit I'm very pleased with that. After a trip to Hobby Lobby, I pieced another baby quilt together with Care Bears fabric I found there. When I was bored with piecing, I worked on Turquoise Geese on the frame.
The Care Bears quilt demands an explanation. A friend at work had a baby girl earlier this year. Her husband informed her when she was four months along into the pregnancy that he was in love with another woman (her best friend!) and didn't want to stay married anymore. She didn't say a word to ANY of us here at this office until she returned after maternity leave and had filed the divorce paperwork. Keep in mind that they had just bought a house and have a three year old son, too. So, she's loaded down with a lot of responsibilities and her skunk of a husband is unemployed and living with his mom. We took up a collection at work to help her out a bit, but I felt like there was something more I could do. We didn't have a shower for the baby girl, so I thought a quick quilt would be a nice thing to do. I found out from another friend that the baby's room is decorated in Care Bears, hence the Care Bear fabric which I found at Hobby Lobby. Been searching for it for a month. I feel badly for my friend; she was absolutely nutso about that man. Just shows you how quickly situations can turn sour.
Stay tuned for more updates....
Keep on stitchin'!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Here we go again!
Once a year my company offers free mammograms to its female employees. The "boob" mobile shows up and most of the gals march into the glamorous RV to have our privates squeezed like pancakes. That's not the worst - for me. At least every other year, they give me the additional "jolly" of having the sh%$ scarred out of me with a phone call relaying they saw a spot that needs more views. Well, today was the day for the phone call. I already made the appointment to have the scans done on Friday afternoon, so I can at least get out of the office a few hours early. (One small benefit, but it doesn't take much to make me happy!) What's really annoying is that it's the same spot on the right every time. Well, this will be the 4th go-around for the right boob. Better to be on the cautious side, eh? The good thing about the follow-up scans is that the radiologist reads them right away and you know before you even leave the building if there's a problem or not.
So, if you gals want to hold my hands over the internet, I won't mind. In fact, it will be comforting. "BG" is not too comforting when this happens. What man is?
I think I'll be spending a lot of time in the sewing room the next few days.
Hugs,
Cathy
So, if you gals want to hold my hands over the internet, I won't mind. In fact, it will be comforting. "BG" is not too comforting when this happens. What man is?
I think I'll be spending a lot of time in the sewing room the next few days.
Hugs,
Cathy
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Revelation in the Sewing Room
I discovered books on CDs! After dinner last night, the three of us went to the Mason library. I checked out a couple of quilting books by Jennifer Chiaverini and a book on disc - "Home" - an autobiography by Julie Andrews. Whilst piecing a baby quilt, I listened to the first of 11 discs. Ms. Andrews read her book on tape and she's lovely to listen to. Her life is so interesting! I think I'm really going to enjoy listening to books whilst sewing if they're all this good. There may not be any more "Reds on the Radio" for this gal! Well, probably not since I enjoy baseball too.
Finished the baby quilt top and will get it on the frame as soon as I get Turquoise Geese quilted. I'll work on that one a bit tonight - it's going to take a while since it's a queen-sized quilt.
Right, on to the news of the day: Yesterday was Michael's birthday so he enjoyed some phone calls from England - his ex-wife and his eldest daughter, Leah. Margaret (the ex) and I get along very well, perhaps since she lives so far away! LOL. She's a good-hearted person, just too loud at times. She drives poor Michael batty - which is one reason why they are exes. Margaret and Leah are planning a trip to visit us for two weeks in October. I'm OK with that since Leah will be here. Margaret alone is a big problem. So, I'll book some time off work once they let us know the dates. Looking forward to seeing Leah. Poor woman married young and her husband, James, is a real turkey. He sank all the family's funds into a cafe which by all accounts is barely surviving and Margaret told us yesterday that an ex-employee is suing for harassment. No surprise to me! Michael's son-in-law used to work for James as well, but James fired him two weeks after the wedding in March! The reason? Chris didn't want to move to night shift, so James fired him. Now, there could be more to the story, but it sounds typical of the man. He's a bully. At times I feel bad for my husband since his family is so far away. But with that kind of stuff going on, it's a good thing he's here. It stresses him out so.
Keep on stitchin'!
Finished the baby quilt top and will get it on the frame as soon as I get Turquoise Geese quilted. I'll work on that one a bit tonight - it's going to take a while since it's a queen-sized quilt.
Right, on to the news of the day: Yesterday was Michael's birthday so he enjoyed some phone calls from England - his ex-wife and his eldest daughter, Leah. Margaret (the ex) and I get along very well, perhaps since she lives so far away! LOL. She's a good-hearted person, just too loud at times. She drives poor Michael batty - which is one reason why they are exes. Margaret and Leah are planning a trip to visit us for two weeks in October. I'm OK with that since Leah will be here. Margaret alone is a big problem. So, I'll book some time off work once they let us know the dates. Looking forward to seeing Leah. Poor woman married young and her husband, James, is a real turkey. He sank all the family's funds into a cafe which by all accounts is barely surviving and Margaret told us yesterday that an ex-employee is suing for harassment. No surprise to me! Michael's son-in-law used to work for James as well, but James fired him two weeks after the wedding in March! The reason? Chris didn't want to move to night shift, so James fired him. Now, there could be more to the story, but it sounds typical of the man. He's a bully. At times I feel bad for my husband since his family is so far away. But with that kind of stuff going on, it's a good thing he's here. It stresses him out so.
Keep on stitchin'!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)