At 2:30 this morning, I was woken from a deep sleep by my daughter crying. Seems her ex-friend posted some bitter, ugly things about my daughter again on the ex's blog. Honestly, Andrea asked for it since she left a comment on the blog. But, the ex had no business writing Andrea's full name in capital letters. I advised Andrea to eliminate the blog from her favorites, don't go there again and do not respond to the lies. Also told Andrea that she's far better off without this creepy crud in her life. Better friends and relationships are ahead. Anybody and everybody who has grown up knows that in life relationships change all the time. Andrea's a very sensitive, caring girl who needs to develop "thicker skin", as Michael would have said. Keep her in your prayers.
I received an e-mail from the shop owner regarding my groovy boards. He wanted to confirm the patterns and number of the patterns I wanted. He's only had since September to remember this! GEESH! I was told he was going to make another effort to get these and would tell me later all the problems he encountered obtaining them. I really don't care about that - what I do care about is the weeks/months passing by with no communication. Makes it sound like I'm the one causing issues when he claimed he wants this completed.
It was also the first day I drove my VW Beetle in the snow. Wow! No issues at all; the snow removal teams in SW Ohio did a good job with the roads.
Another retirement quilt gifted today. My co-worker Steve is retiring. I've worked with him for ten years and he will be greatly missed.
Love ya,
Cathy
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Blood Pressure
Just as I thought, my blood pressure was way out of line. My doctor prescribed some medication for that plus a mild anxiety drug. The great thing about the pills - I felt better 30 minutes after taking the things. It may be all "in my head", but I am feeling better. I'll take that any day!
Andrea appeared to be doing better last night when she returned from work. She has an appointment with her nurse practitioner today. Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts - keep 'em coming!
I slept much better last night.
Will report back soon.
Love ya,
Cathy
Andrea appeared to be doing better last night when she returned from work. She has an appointment with her nurse practitioner today. Thank you for all your prayers and kind thoughts - keep 'em coming!
I slept much better last night.
Will report back soon.
Love ya,
Cathy
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Muddling Through
Nine months ago today I lost my best friend/husband. In a lot of ways, it seems like he died just yesterday. But, in many aspects, it's been a LONG nine months. There's this huge hole in my life right now that I've tried my best to fill with friends, family, church, quilting, etc. These activities are kind of like pouring sand in a sieve; passing right through the hole. One of these days though, I pray that hole will close up. It's going to take time, I've been told.
It does not help right now that I'm dealing with my daughter's anxiety issues. Her so-called best friend has ended their seven year friendship based on a lot of false accusations and bitter, hurtful words to my Andrea. Anybody who knows Andrea knows she's not capable of the things she's been accused of. But now my darling girl is suffering inside - on top of her already raw grief. As a mother, I'd like to literally smack the ever-living crap out of the x-friend. But, as a Christian and in respect to my girl, I'm doing my best to steer clear of the brat who has caused so much pain. I'm feeling a bit of sadness about it too - the x-friend was a fixture in our family for years - she even went on vacations with us and told me I was more of a mother to her than her own mom was.
On to other "scum" - still no e-mail communication from the shop owner regarding my groovy boards. Jennifer, if you're reading this, yes, I would like the name of the shop you deal with - it would be nice to deal with reputable people.
During all the drama of the last few days, I realized it was time to see my doctor about my blood pressure - it's been horrible the last few times I took it. So, I have an appointment this afternoon.
One of my quilting friends came over to the house on Saturday afternoon with a king-sized top. We loaded it on the frame, I showed her how to operate the Avante and voila - two hours later - she was done with the quilting. She was amazed. I finished piecing a top - a kit from Connecting Threads with the Parlor Pets line - need to order the backing for it now. I also dug out an old project I started two years ago- log cabin blocks from the Judy Martin book. The design wall is now filled with the blocks and I'm making more for a "Sunshine and Shadows" pattern - appropriate, eh?
Well, the sun is not shining today in southwestern Ohio, but it will again someday. Of that I am certain. I'm reading through the Bible again this year. The chapter in Genesis that I read yesterday had a verse which said God can do anything. I believe that and with that faith, I KNOW brighter days are ahead.
Love ya,
Cathy
It does not help right now that I'm dealing with my daughter's anxiety issues. Her so-called best friend has ended their seven year friendship based on a lot of false accusations and bitter, hurtful words to my Andrea. Anybody who knows Andrea knows she's not capable of the things she's been accused of. But now my darling girl is suffering inside - on top of her already raw grief. As a mother, I'd like to literally smack the ever-living crap out of the x-friend. But, as a Christian and in respect to my girl, I'm doing my best to steer clear of the brat who has caused so much pain. I'm feeling a bit of sadness about it too - the x-friend was a fixture in our family for years - she even went on vacations with us and told me I was more of a mother to her than her own mom was.
On to other "scum" - still no e-mail communication from the shop owner regarding my groovy boards. Jennifer, if you're reading this, yes, I would like the name of the shop you deal with - it would be nice to deal with reputable people.
During all the drama of the last few days, I realized it was time to see my doctor about my blood pressure - it's been horrible the last few times I took it. So, I have an appointment this afternoon.
One of my quilting friends came over to the house on Saturday afternoon with a king-sized top. We loaded it on the frame, I showed her how to operate the Avante and voila - two hours later - she was done with the quilting. She was amazed. I finished piecing a top - a kit from Connecting Threads with the Parlor Pets line - need to order the backing for it now. I also dug out an old project I started two years ago- log cabin blocks from the Judy Martin book. The design wall is now filled with the blocks and I'm making more for a "Sunshine and Shadows" pattern - appropriate, eh?
Well, the sun is not shining today in southwestern Ohio, but it will again someday. Of that I am certain. I'm reading through the Bible again this year. The chapter in Genesis that I read yesterday had a verse which said God can do anything. I believe that and with that faith, I KNOW brighter days are ahead.
Love ya,
Cathy
Friday, January 6, 2012
Dilemma Update
I e-mailed HQ and was told there is no backlog on most of their Groovy Boards and certainly no back log since September. OK- so I e-mailed the shop in Columbus again and the owner finally e-mailed me back. Oh, my word, was he ever angry. Told me that somebody at HQ was going to lose their job and accused me of questioning his integrity. I don't know what or whom to believe now.
What I do know is that I will NEVER, EVER order another thing from this shop in Columbus. I've never had this bad of an experience with any other merchant. Even Sears was better than this with the washing machine issues we had several years ago.
And it goes to show you that not everybody in the quilting industry is a nice person.
Love ya,
Cathy
What I do know is that I will NEVER, EVER order another thing from this shop in Columbus. I've never had this bad of an experience with any other merchant. Even Sears was better than this with the washing machine issues we had several years ago.
And it goes to show you that not everybody in the quilting industry is a nice person.
Love ya,
Cathy
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Customer Service Dilemma
I purchased an HQ Avante last summer during an out-of-town quilt show. Part of the deal was an additional $500 worth of Avante supplies for free. And, yes, it was written in the contract. I've since used about $300 of the deal - purchased some items when the in-house instructor came to my house for my start up lessons.
Well, redeeming the rest has proven to be a nightmare. I went to the quilt show in Sharonville in September with the specific purpose of meeting with the shop owner at their booth to obtain the rest of my supplies. He wrote down the request since he didn't have the items there with him and promised to get back to me. When I didn't hear back, I phoned and left several messages. Once, I actually got to talk with the shop owner who assured me the shop had every intention of honoring their promise to me. Still, no action.
I e-mailed the shop around Thanksgiving. A few days later, I received part of my order - a stylus. Still no sign of the groovy boards I wanted. E-mailed again and the response was the HQ company is having difficulties with the groovy board manufacturer, the shop owner had dropped the ball, the company had forgotten about it too, etc. BUT, he wanted to assure me that I was not forgotten. This was three weeks before Christmas.
I still have no groovy boards.
Any suggestions? I'm about ready to drop the whole thing and order groovy boards straight from HQ to see if I was being fed a "line". But that means I have to pay for something I was already promised.
This whole situation has definitely made me think twice before doing business with a brick and mortar store. It's tons easier with my work schedule to feed my quilting addiction over the internet and the customer service I've received from various sites has been superb, including HQ. I like supporting small local businesses, don't get me wrong. But when they cannot meet their promises after repeated opportunities, they're losing more than one customer - they're losing their reputation.
Love ya,
Cathy
P.S. I love my Avante!
Well, redeeming the rest has proven to be a nightmare. I went to the quilt show in Sharonville in September with the specific purpose of meeting with the shop owner at their booth to obtain the rest of my supplies. He wrote down the request since he didn't have the items there with him and promised to get back to me. When I didn't hear back, I phoned and left several messages. Once, I actually got to talk with the shop owner who assured me the shop had every intention of honoring their promise to me. Still, no action.
I e-mailed the shop around Thanksgiving. A few days later, I received part of my order - a stylus. Still no sign of the groovy boards I wanted. E-mailed again and the response was the HQ company is having difficulties with the groovy board manufacturer, the shop owner had dropped the ball, the company had forgotten about it too, etc. BUT, he wanted to assure me that I was not forgotten. This was three weeks before Christmas.
I still have no groovy boards.
Any suggestions? I'm about ready to drop the whole thing and order groovy boards straight from HQ to see if I was being fed a "line". But that means I have to pay for something I was already promised.
This whole situation has definitely made me think twice before doing business with a brick and mortar store. It's tons easier with my work schedule to feed my quilting addiction over the internet and the customer service I've received from various sites has been superb, including HQ. I like supporting small local businesses, don't get me wrong. But when they cannot meet their promises after repeated opportunities, they're losing more than one customer - they're losing their reputation.
Love ya,
Cathy
P.S. I love my Avante!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Winter Begins
When is it a good day to snow? Answer: On a day off from work.
That's what happened yesterday - we received our first measurable snow fall and I had the absolute luxury of staying home in the morning. Good thing too - the roads were a mess most of the morning.
Spent the time packing away the Christmas decor and made the decision to purchase a new tree for the 2012 festivities. (The old tree served us well for 15 years for a $29 expenditure.) Once the packing was accomplished, I headed for the sewing room and got eight blocks finished for a lapsized quilt with a kit from Connecting Threads.
Once Andrea crawled out of bed I knew my "me" time was done. We headed out into the snow for a lunch at Chipotle and a movie, "We Bought A Zoo".
The rest of the day - watching television and finishing the binding for a wall hanging. Great day, all-in-all - relaxing start to the new year.
Love ya,
Cathy
That's what happened yesterday - we received our first measurable snow fall and I had the absolute luxury of staying home in the morning. Good thing too - the roads were a mess most of the morning.
Spent the time packing away the Christmas decor and made the decision to purchase a new tree for the 2012 festivities. (The old tree served us well for 15 years for a $29 expenditure.) Once the packing was accomplished, I headed for the sewing room and got eight blocks finished for a lapsized quilt with a kit from Connecting Threads.
Once Andrea crawled out of bed I knew my "me" time was done. We headed out into the snow for a lunch at Chipotle and a movie, "We Bought A Zoo".
The rest of the day - watching television and finishing the binding for a wall hanging. Great day, all-in-all - relaxing start to the new year.
Love ya,
Cathy
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Welcome 2012!
I have admit that 2011 was one of the toughest years in my life. But, I'm looking forward to the new year with perhaps a bit more fervor than I have in recent new years.And here are a few reasons why:
-I want to take better care of myself both spiritually and physically in 2012. I spent the greater portion of the last several years taking care of others. It's time for Cathy to take care of Cathy.
-Learn new things. Meet new people. Keep open to different opportunities. Enjoy stuff outside work. Work is a means to an end and certainly does not define who I am.
That's a few and a good start, don't you think.
Happy 2012 to you all. Best of health and all possible happiness.
Love ya,
Cathy
-I want to take better care of myself both spiritually and physically in 2012. I spent the greater portion of the last several years taking care of others. It's time for Cathy to take care of Cathy.
-Learn new things. Meet new people. Keep open to different opportunities. Enjoy stuff outside work. Work is a means to an end and certainly does not define who I am.
That's a few and a good start, don't you think.
Happy 2012 to you all. Best of health and all possible happiness.
Love ya,
Cathy
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