Again, I must admit that I have nothing to report on the UFO front. Well, that's not exactly true. I have bundled up lots of fabric to sell at the guild yard sale on Monday. In a way, fabric counts as UFOs. Potential projects, never completed--never begun actually. So maybe, USOs (unstarted objects)?
But I haven't been idle. I made this red geranium wreath for the front door. The one I was using, which is covered with pink flowers, is falling apart. Every time the breeze blows, the door opens or closes, or a bird flies by, more blossoms plummet to the floor. I decided it was time for another one.
So I made my own because the already-made ones are so expensive. I got all the ingredients on sale at JoAnn's (except for the little baskets and ribbon, which I already had). And the glue gun, some florist wire, and I spent a pleasant 30 minutes or so putting it together. Very easy.
As you can see, I added a cardinal, my favorite bird. He doesn't pop out very well against that red door, does he? But he's there.
I thought the little baskets would add a sweet touch.
I bought me a new toy yesterday. For about a year and a half now, I've had a real strong hankering for an iPad. Not one to make impulse purchases, I decided to think on the matter for a while and make sure I really really wanted one before I took the iPad plunge.
Well every time I'd think I had made up my mind to get one, something in the house would break (dishwasher, air conditioner, etc.) or the yard would need work or something. And I'd decide to put off the purchase for yet a while.
I don't know what happened yesterday. I had an appointment with Gwen to get my hair cut, and while she was snipping away at my bushy bushy blonde (well, white) hairdo, and my head grew lighter and lighter, the iPad iDea took on life. As soon as she had snipped sufficient, I got in my car and drove right to the nearest iPad dealer, which was at a kiosk in WalMart.
Well that was an experience in and of itself. The representative on duty seemed a mite clueless as to the whys and wherefores or activating internet service on the iPad I chose. She telephoned her AT&T rep, who apparently was equally, if not more so, cluess and got no help. So she called in a couple of other in-store, iPad reps from who knows where. Another woman and a man.
Apparently the second woman decided right off that she wasn't going to be of any help, so she didn't stay long, but the man, Larry, hung in. I could tell immediately that Larry knew what he was doing, but the first woman rep, Melisa (with one s), became resistant to his advice right away. Every tip he tried to get across to Melisa was a bitter pill she refused to swallow. I kept thinking, why did you call him in to help if you weren't going to listen to him?
At one point, Melisa actually started screaming at Larry, at which point I almost called off the whole deal and left. But that was the very instant that Larry decided to give up on and ignore Melisa and do the thing himself. He went to another phone at the desk nearby and started dialing.
"Who are you calling, Larry?" demanded Melisa.
"Somebody," answered Larry.
"WHO?" Melisa shouted.
"AT&T."
"But I already called AT&T. They said they can't do that."
"Uh huh," mumbled Larry.
"Who are you calling, Larry?" Melisa persisted.
"Activation," he answered.
"I ALREADY CALLED ACTIVATION!!!!!!" I believe if I hadn't been there, she might have inserted a very naughty word between "called" and "activation."
Larry just very cooly sat his ground and began speaking to someone on the other end of the line. When he finished, he hung up, looked at me and said, "You're activated."
I thought Melisa was going to sling a rod. Her face actually turned red and I think I saw a puff of smoke waft from her nostrils. All she would say, however, and she said it several times, was, "But I called activation. They told me they couldn't do it."
I couldn't help it. By that time I was tired and aggravated and just wanted to go home. "It takes a man," I said softly.
Now of course I don't believe that the fact that he was a man got Larry the needed results where Melisa, a woman, had failed. But I just throught Melisa's attitude deserved a poke in the butt about then.
But anyway, I got my iPad (see photo above), internet activated (they call it data activated at the iPad store). I stayed up till way after midnight last night playing with it. I really love it. If you're thinking of getting one for yourself, I just have one piece of advice. Talk to Larry.
Below is Blogless Barbara's progress for the week. You'll be happy to know that she actually made UFO progress and wasn't nearly as long-winded as I was about my lack thereof.
"In photo 1," says Barbara, "is the 4th of July block called 'Red, White, and Blue' in Maggie Malone's book 5500 Quilt Block Designs. It's now quilted (most humbly by me) and trimmed. I'm making the binding from red fabric with tiny white polka-dots.
Photo 2 shows my 'Roses In Winter' quilt, finally trimmed and binding ready. This quilt was made from leftover Evening Star blocks from a quilt I made for my mother in 1995. Its name is from a quotation I once read: 'God gave us memories so we could have roses in winter and our mothers forever.' "
Now below is Mr. Linky. Link up so we can see what you've been doing.
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On 04/06/2012, Linda Volz said ...
Hi Susan -
That wreath is just adorable, I love it. The little baskets and the cardinal (my favorite bird too) are just the right touch.
Too funny about your iPad purchase. I'm glad it ended well and your having fun with your new toy.
Wishing you and all who celebrate a very Happy Easter!
On 04/06/2012, Diane W said ...
I really like Barbara's Roses in Winter quilt, well I like both of them, but Roses in Winter is more my style. You did a good job on your wreath, looks so pretty on your door. I need to make one for my door for the summer. I have all the other seasons but not summer. I didn't make any UFO progress but did make progress on other things, so I'm linking up.
On 04/06/2012, Barbara Anne said ...
Again, your iPod story is a hoot - are you sure you didn't also get the book writing gene from the family gene pool?!
Love your geranium wreath, cardinal, and little baskets. Too cute!
Yes, all of your work with fabrics for guild counts as UFOs, USOs, or anything you want to call it!
Thanks for posting my itty bit of UFO progress. Alas, I found yet another UFO, 4 scrappy little Bear Paw block I put together with sashing about 15 years ago. The pattern was from one of the first Little Quilts books. I stopped back then because it was apparent I'd lose bear claw points when the border went on and that really bothered me then. Now, it doesn't bother me much at all! Also found a bunch of HSTs in the same box.
Hugs!
On 04/06/2012, Dianne said ...
You will Love, Love, Love that iPad. I have one and spend entirely too much time on it. Sorry, Melisa was assigned iPad duty when she is clueless. Now you can play Words With Friends. Enjoy and Happy Easter
On 04/06/2012, Kris of dandelion quilts said ...
Love the wreath, very pretty. And the story...good grief! Glad you are all set. I love mine.
On 04/06/2012, Nancy said ...
Well, I loved your Ipad story Susan. I have been thinking about an Ipad and while waiting at the hospital to be called back for my yearly Mammogram, there was a gentleman waiting for his wife, playing with something that looked suspiciously like and Ipad. I'm not shy, I asked him about it and he smiled sheepishly and said "Yep, it's an Ipad and it is my wife's. I never get to use it unless she is somewhere that she can't take it with her, so I'm playing with it till she comes out." He paused for a moment, grinned and asked, "Do you suppose I have any hope of their being behind back there?" I burst out laughing and then he handed it over to me to look at. I was doing okay resisting until he noticed the Angry Birds game on my phone...well, he showed me his wife's Angry Birds games, all 4 of them and now I think it's pretty much all over but the spending. I will try to resist a bit longer as I just barely got my Smartphone (which I love), however, I really need an Ipad to use in my sewing room, and the car, and in bed and....well, you get the idea. Enjoy!!! Hugs...
On 04/06/2012, Nancy said ...
OOPS...I noticed I have my capitalization wrong on iPad...I aLways dO tHat...*wink*
On 04/08/2012, Deb said ...
Love RED and love your wreath and red door! And I always love your stories, too!
I don't have any UFO progress to report, but I linked what I've been working on....a new project for my daughter to use at the Farmer's Market. One of these days I'll get back to what I need to finish in the first place!
On 04/10/2012, Linda said ...
Your story cracked me up! I have found having white and gray hair in my fifties has given me a new attitude. I quit coloring my hair a few years back. My mother always said, "You can kill a person with kindness" and I'm really learning the meaning of that wisdom these days! Nobody will argue with an older white headed lady when she insults you with kindness! HEE HEE!!
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