Why My Carpets Aren’t Clean

A few days ago, I started to vacuum the carpets. Before I was finished with one room, my back was hurting really badly so I had to sit down and rest. That vacuum cleaner is still sitting in the same place I left it. I don’t even remember how many days ago that was.

You see, the pain in my back did nothing but get worse. It was so bad last night that I went to bed with tears in my eyes. But, thank you Jesus, it’s better this morning. 

 

In fact, it’s so much better, that now I could vacuum if I wanted to. But I don’t want to. In fact, I think I have developed a moderate to severe case of vacuum-o-phobia.

Fear the Vacoom!

I fear that if I turn that thing on, my back will commence to scream again. I’d just rather sit here and read a book. Or maybe go upstairs and sew the last three rows onto Jesse’s quilt.

Anna wasn’t able to come this week due to family issues. So the carpet really really needs vacuuming. It’s just a question of which is more important, cleaning the carpets or pampering my back. I choose my back.

One of these days, I’m going to take the advice of my friend Bobbi and get me one of those vacuums that even a cat can operate. But first I have to train Taco and Bella to use it.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/29/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

I once read that housework, properly done, can kill you so I urge you to favor your back and not take chances!

I did a tad of raking yesterday and stopped when my back told me to. Oh, yes!

I;ve been reading but perhaps I'll sew a simple border on my tardey green star.

Hugs!

---

On 03/29/2017, Pat said ...

Bless you-I have that phobia. Got an injection today for sciatica. Hurt worse than any other I've had. Hope it settles down in couple of days. Feeling like the couch or bed will be my home for a bit. But I think I need to walk some. So hard to decide-ha! Hope you're better!

---

On 03/30/2017, Linda Enneking said ...

I bet your grandson wouldn't mind doing it if you asked him. It sounds like he is willing to pitch in and help where needed, but if he is like most men he may not notice the carpets need sweeping unless you point it out. Whatever you do, take care of yourself and enjoy the day without risking further pain.

---

On 03/30/2017, Brenda Pruitt said ...

My back and the backs of my legs have been screaming with pain lately. I've tried all kinds of stretches for my legs, but nothing seems to work. I feel your pain!
Brenda

---

On 03/30/2017, Linda said ...

I understand. I've heard that vacuuming is one of the worst housekeeping tasks for the back. Go easy.

---

On 03/31/2017, Beverly said ...

Ugh, Susan. I can really relate to this one. Sweeping, too. And, like you, I opt for my back to not hurt.♥

---

On 04/04/2017, Joanne said ...

Taco might love one of those contraptions, but I wouldn't bet on Bella.
-----

---

Blue Jungle Night Progress

I have all the rows finished for Jesse's quilt. All I have to do is sew the last three rows to the quilt top and the top will be finished.

I have to decide who I want to do the long-arm quilting. Lena is backed up for the next eight weeks, and I don't want to wait that long to have it done. I know a few other terrific long-arm quilters. Just have to decide which one I want to do it and find out their schedules,

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/28/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a wonderful quilt and you or Jesse will be delighted to own it. Have you two decided who gets it? I imagine that needs to be decided before a quilting design is chosen.

Hugs!

---

On 03/28/2017, Joanne said ...

This quilt is absolutely fabulous!!! I love the color plan, and the pattern is so good.

---

On 03/29/2017, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Turning out great. If Jesse doesn't want it, I'll send you my address.
-----

---

My New Bauble

I just love my new necklace of colorful freshwater pearls. Got them from a Groupon offer. I didn't even know freshwater pearls come in all these wonderful colors.

I got a lot of work done on Jesse's quilt on Saturday. Coming down to the final stretch. On Sunday, I went to church and then lunch with my sister Ramey. But today, I have given in to the back pain and spent most of the day on the couch. I did get a pot of chili made, but little else. I haven't even felt like reading. Just kept the TV on and listening to the very troubling news.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Coffee and a Good Book

 

I’ve spent the past week or so on the sofa with one good book or another. It has been one of those times when the thought of going up the stairs and sitting at the sewing machine seemed impossible. The back pain was especially bad. It is better this morning--a bit. So I’m going to climb those stairs and sew until I feel I should stop. Then I’ll come back to the sofa with another book (I’m now reading Under the Skin by Michel Faber), another strange one.

I have lots of quilt sewing on the to-do list, and I feel like I have fallen down on the job lately. Time to get the Bernina buzzing.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/25/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Sorry to hear your back has been hurting so much. Bummer and bother! Hope you feel lots better soon.

Have you read "Rx for Quilters by Dr. Susan Mech? She's a quilter, too, and wrote this book perhaps 20 years ago to help quilters use better body mechanics for comfort and discuss how to keep quilting as we age. I recommend this book for its wealth of good information.

Good coffee and a good book is a good place to start!

Hugs!

---

On 03/25/2017, Jane said ...

I just ordered Ramey's second book on Kindle. I loved her first book! Thanks for posting about it! Hope your back feels better.

-----

---

You will be scared. But you won’t know why…

That’s how one reviewer described the novel, I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Ian Reid, which I have just finished reading. And I completely agree with that statement. The tension and the dread build from the first sentence until the end. By the time I was halfway through the story, I was yelling at the narrator. In the end, however, I learned why she never answered me.

I admit that when I had finished the book, I had to go back and read some sections over to be sure that I “got it.” I did. 

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Of course, I love thrillers. I like tension and dread in my reading material. So this book was right down my literary alley, as it were. Some of you, I know, like nicer stories. That’s ok. I need stories that keep me awake--perhaps even after the story ends. If you do too, I can highly recommend this very strange and compelling read.

 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/24/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

OOOOH! No thank you! I'll leave the scary books to you and to others.

Hugs!

---

On 03/24/2017, Debra said ...

Sounds great. I'm adding it to my reading list!

---

On 03/25/2017, Ramey said ...

Really good book! One of the strangest books I've ever read . . .maybe THE strangest.

---

On 03/26/2017, Deb said ...

I just checked and our library has this book available, but I hesitated to put it on hold. I like mysteries, but horror....hmm...not sure. Was there lots of bad language?

---

On 04/05/2017, patrica said ...

I so much appreciate your book reviews and have read several of your recommendations. I think we have the same literary taste so I'll be putting this on my must read list.
-----

---

The Road to Prattville: A Ramey Sister Adventure

My sister Ramey Channell had a book signing at the Prattville library last night. She asked me to go with her and I accepted. Prattville is some 90 miles from us here in Leeds, and Ramey was to be at the library at 6:00. She decided we should leave early, at least by 3:00, in order to miss the commuter traffic on I65. 

FIRST SETBACK: Ramey left her house right on time, on her way to my house. But first she had to stop at the ATM to get some money. While at the bank, she discovered she had forgotten her...well, actually, now I have forgotten what it was that she forgot that caused her to have to return to her house to get. (One wonders why my sister and I are allowed out of the house at all.) Anyway, while at her house, she decided to she needed to let Buddy (her border collie) outside before she left. Buddy wouldn’t go outside. After trying for a while to get him out, Ramey realized time was a’wastin’ and she had to go. And she did.

Ramey arrived at my house after 4:00, at which time I was about to call her to ask if she had decided not to go. She explained her setbacks as we got into my car and hit the road.

SECOND SETBACK: From Leeds, one takes I459 to merge with I65 South to travel to Prattville, Alabama. Ramey and I were cruising along I459, confident we could still miss the work traffic, but just by a tweak. We were deep into a conversation about a cousin and her financial entanglements (We had already discussed what an awful time we had making it to Rome, Georgia a couple of years ago after I had missed our exit off another interstate highway) when I gasped. 

“What?” asked my sister. “Do you have a flat tire?"

No, I did not have a flat tire. No no no. “You’re not going to believe this,” I answered. “I missed the exit to I65.” 

Problem was, I hadn’t “just missed it.” While my mind was on my cousin and her disasters, I had missed it about ten miles back. Apparently Ramey had missed it too, since she hadn’t said anything. We were on our way to Tuscaloosa.

At the very next exit, we turned around and headed back toward our exit. Some 20-30 minutes wasted, but we could still make it to Prattville if we could just get on 65 ahead of the commuters.

THIRD SETBACK: We didn’t get ahead of the commuters. In fact, minutes after merging onto 65, we ran smack into them. Well, we didn’t actually run into them. We got stopped before we hit anybody. 

For about, I don’t know, 30 minutes or so, we creeped along like we had nowhere to go, just like everyone else on the highway with us. At one point, Ramey announced that we should just go back home, we could never make it in time.

Fear not, I, the driver, told her. We’re going to get going again right up ahead. You’ll see. 

Right up ahead turned out to be many miles up ahead. But once we got clear of that bottleneck of automobiles, we hauled butt. I never speed. I never never speed. I have always adhered to the speed limited within just a smidgen. I guess the fastest I had ever driven was probably 80, or just below. I am not a speed lover.

On our frantic last leg to Prattville, however, I was pushing 90 much of the time. And once, I noticed I had passed 90 on the speedometer. I can’t say I wasn’t nervous. I was, although I tried not to let my sister know. Actually, I felt like I was flying a small plane. We made it--just a few minutes late, and extremely grateful to not be lying in a crash on I65.

On our way home up the interstate later in the evening (at a very leisurely pace), we notice a bunch of police cars at one exit with their blue lights all flashing. 

“They’re probably looking for those women who flew through here a few hours ago like the roadrunner, pealing up asphalt behind her,” opined my sister.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/17/2017, Ramey said ...

All's well that ends well! I'm gonna get you a chauffeur's uniform for our next trip!

---

On 03/17/2017, Joan said ...

Y'all are pitiful, but so are we all! I'm glad you kept the appointment.. next time, start at 2:00 for a 90 mile trip!

---

On 03/17/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

What a hoot! Glad all ended well - and safely. :)

Hope you're weariing green today!

Hugs!

---

On 03/17/2017, Joanne said ...

Well, not everyone can be like ME! I arrived today for a dental appointment, exactly four days and one hour early. Fortunately, some other appointees didn't show up, so they cleaned me up anyway.

---

On 03/17/2017, Ramey said ...

That's great!

---

On 03/20/2017, Dondi Murdock said ...

That is funny, but at the time, not relaxing! I am so glad to read about someone whose adventures sound like mine.

---

On 03/22/2017, Dondi Murdock said ...

Does your sister have the same gorgeous cheekbones and smile that you have?

---

On 03/22/2017, Dondi Murdock said ...

I'll try this again...does your sister have the same gorgeous cheekbones and smile that you have?

---

On 03/30/2017, Jed Cage said ...

I'm a little late to this conversation, but it does occur to me that this has the makings of a novel or even a movie. Perhaps they could get Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis to play the two of you.
-----

---

Prettiest Fabric Ever

 

This is the Maywood Studios Welcome Home Collection by Jennifer Bosworth. I think this has to be the prettiest group of fabrics I have ever seen. And guess what! I just received a packet of 42 (10") squares of this gorgeous stuff.

My plan right now is to use these squares to make my version of Dianne Springer's "Be Still My Heart," the pattern I purchased  after seeing one made by a guild member at the February guild meeting. The member's quilt was almost identical to the one pictured with Dianne's pattern (photo at left). I love the bright colors, as you probably know, and I had at first planned to make my heart quilt in the same type color scheme. But when I saw these soft, romantic, luscious fabrics, I immediately thought of the heart quilt pattern. And instead of that very random scrappy border, I think I'll order enough of one of the Welcome Home fabrics to make an unpieced border. But which one? I think maybe one of the prints with birds, either the blue or the pink.

But for now, I have to finish up Jesse's quilt (three more rows to go), which I have tentatively changed the name of from "Morning Star," (the traditional name of the pattern) to "Blue Jungle Eve." Why, you might ask? When I started the quilt, I was reading the book Lost City of the Monkey God. Now every time I work on the quilt, I think of that book and that jungle. Also the flora in the prints is a little jungly. I'm just as happy to leave out the fauna (deadly snakes, disease carrying flies, edible iguanas, etc.). Well anyway, that's how my mind works.

***

Yesterday was cold and dark and cloudy, and I woke up with terrible pain which lasted until I woke up this morning. It's still very cold, but the sun is out and my pain level has dropped a bunch. I feel like sewing. So I think I'll get to it.

 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/15/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

What lovely fabric and I love your plan for using it!

Cheers for your progress on Jessie's quilt, too!

Hope you continue feeling like sewing and that the wintery cold doesn't bother you.

Hugs!

---

On 03/15/2017, Joanne said ...

I love those fabrics! You'll make another awesome quilt!

If Jesse doesn't like the star quilt, I'll take it! Seriously, that's the prettiest pattern I've seen in a long time.
-----

---

Happy Birthday to Me

I had a wonderful birthday celebration with family yesterday. Andy, Jesse, and I enjoyed a great fried chicken lunch, compliments of daughter Andy. Then Andy and I watch the movie “Nocturnal Animals,” a very good and intriguing movie--but Andy and I are still not clear on just who wrote the book and what really took place.

Sister Ramey and niece India joined us later for birthday cake and ice cream, again compliments of daughter Andy. Oh that cake was some kind of good!

After everyone left, Skipper and I settled down on the couch for some more movie watching. I caught an oldie, “Rosemary’s Baby,” on one of the stations. Then I watched “Mr. Church,” that Ramey had brought me as a birthday gift. I can truly recommend “Mr. Church” to anyone. It was a wonderful movie, with a beautiful message, suitable for the whole family. And Eddie Murphy is amazing.

Taco likes birthday parties too. Bella sent her regrets and stayed in her and Jesse’s bedroom.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/12/2017, Linda said ...

Happy Belated Birthday. Sounds like you had a good one. All the best for the coming year.

---

On 03/12/2017, Helen said ...

Happy Birthday Susan......with special wishes for good health and energy in the year ahead :)
Helen

---

On 03/12/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Your cake looks scrumptious and almost too pretty to cut!

Hope the card I sent arrived on time. Happy Birthday to you!

Hugs!

---

On 03/12/2017, Mary said ...

Happy birthday, and many many more! I hope your year is full of happiness and good health.

---

On 03/12/2017, Joy said ...

Happy Birthday!

---

On 03/12/2017, Sylvia said ...

Happy Happy Birthday! Sounds like a lovely day. Birthday cake is the best.

---

On 03/13/2017, gail said ...

Wow..."Happy Birthday" Susan and love your yummy looking cake. Enjoy your special day!

---

On 03/13/2017, Dolores Tanner said ...

Oh, Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!!

---

On 03/14/2017, Inka said ...

And happy Birthday from Germany, too. All the best wishes for health and happiness!!

---

On 03/14/2017, Andrea said ...

Wishing you a very happy belated birthday with many more to come. I so enjoy your blog and if it makes you feel any better, after watching Nocturnal Animals myself, I had to go online to figure it out but that helped and made the movie that much more interesting! Best wishes!

---

On 03/14/2017, Beverly said ...

Oh no, I missed your birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday, Susan. It sounds like a good time and yummy food was enjoyed by all.♥

---

On 03/14/2017, Sharon Williamson said ...

Happy belated Birthday, I enjoy reading your blog...

---

On 03/26/2017, Deb said ...

Very, very belated but very very happy birthday to you! I'm just catching up on blog reading, but hope that you felt treasured on your birthday.
-----

---

Bee Report

It’s a little late, I realize, but here are some photos of show and tell from my quilters bee meeting on Monday. I have spent the days since then cleaning house and getting ready for my book club meeting that I hosted yesterday. 

I spent the meeting time stitching down the binding on my Autumn Charms quilt. Here I take time out to do a show and tell.

Mary U. made this beauty using the lasagna quilt method.

Doris’s Cuddle Quilt No. 1

Doris’s Cuddle Quilt No. 2

Doris’s Cuddle Quilt No. 3 (She’s very productive.)

Martha’s Cuddle Quilt No. 1

Martha’s Cuddle Quilt No. 2

Cyndi made this charmer for her little nephew.

Every couple of months, I’m responsible for hosting a meeting of the small book club/reading group to which I belong. Yesterday was my day. I served lunch of quiche lorraine, sesame green beans, and cucumber tomato salad to five ladies, including me. After lunch, we settled down in my living room to discuss this book. The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston.

For centuries, rumors have circulated about a lost city of immense wealth hidden somewhere in the Honduran interior, called the White City or the Lost City of the Monkey God. Indigenous tribes speak of ancestors who fled there to escape the Spanish invaders, and they warn that anyone who enters this sacred city will fall ill and die. In 1940, journalist Theodore Morde returned from the rainforest with hundreds of artifacts and an story of having found the Lost City But Morde committed suicide without revealing its location. (The curse at work, perhaps?)

Three quarters of a century later, bestselling author Doug Preston joined a team of scientists on a groundbreaking new quest to find and explore this lost city. Preston lived to tell the tale, but not without serious ill effect. He says he doesn’t believe in curses, but whether curse or natural causes, there was a price to pay for his adventuring.

While i found the first part of the book a bit tedious, with lot of description of equipment as well as discussion of apparently every single person who had ever had a cogent thought about the existence of this storied city, when the team finally got to the jungle and got down to business, the story became mesmerizing. 

If you’re looking for an Indiana Jones type adventure, this book might not be for you. But if you’re interested in lost cities, archeology, or huge deadly snakes, check it out.

 ***

I got another row of the “Morning Star” quilt sewn and attached this morning. Almost halfway finished with it. It looks more and more gorgeous as I go. That fabric was a perfect choice. if I do say so.

 

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/10/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Love your Autumn Charms quilt and the wonderful cuddle quilts! That is one lucky nephew of Cyndi's to get this wonderful quilt with the airplane. Allpaluse to all!

Love your description of the book. I'm not much into large snales, boever.

Well done on Morning Star!

Too many badly spelled words so will quit.

Hugs!
-----

---

I’m a Newsletter Star

This is me at the February quilters guild meeting, showing and telling about “Country Girl Sampler.” This photo was in our March newsletter.

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/05/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE!! Just imagine, I have a friend who is a STAR!! Oh, as is her Farm Gril Sampler quilt!!

Hugs!

---

On 03/06/2017, Trudy Abernathy-Neill said ...

That quilt is a beauty! So happy you are up and sewing these wonders once again. Have a great day Susan.

---

On 03/08/2017, Beverly said ...

Susan, you are amazing! I love it - and you, too.♥

---

On 03/20/2017, Sandra Clarke said ...

Beautiful!! You certainly do not let aches & pains keep you from quilting!! Yea!!!

---

On 03/22/2017, Debra said ...

I love it. I'm so glad you were able to go and become a star!
-----

---

Buzzsaw

Some time ago, from some source that I don't remember now, I acquired this bundle of Tilda Sweetheart fat quarters. I have been waiting for just the right pattern to come along to use them. And I think I've found it.

My plan was to do something summery with them.  Maybe something big enough to hang in the foyer during the summer months.

This, as I'm sure most of you know, is the Buzzsaw block. I saw Nicole's example that she's making from Kathy Schmitt Garden Notes fabric, and my Tilda bundle popped into my mind. The saw reminds me a little of bursts of fireworks, perfect for summer.

I didn't use the technique that Nicole is using, however. I used one that starts with two squares of fabric, sewn together on the diagonal to make the test block above. After some cyphering (I hate to even say the word math) to figure out how many squares I could cut from each fat quarter to get a good-size block, I decided to start with 9 1/2" squares to get 17" blocks. A three-block-by-three-block layout will result in a nice wall hanging of 51" x 51". If I add a border, it should be perfect for hanging on my foyer quilt hanger.

Trouble is, I have only nine Tilda fat quarters, which isn't enough to get the nine blocks I'll need. Tilda fabrics are very expensive and is hard to find in the U.S., so I'm going to see if I can come up with nine more fats either from my stash or from a less expensive local source that will go well with the Tildas.

But for now, I'll put away the Buzzsaw block and the fat quarters and get back to work on Jesse's "Morning Star."

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/03/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Love this block in your chosen fabrics! Wising you success in finding more of the Tilda fabrics or other fabrics that play nicely.

Hugs!

---

On 03/03/2017, Nicole said ...

I am so intrigued with that technique! I had all my strips cut out when I heard about it. It sounds like a real time saver!
Your fabrics are divine.

---

On 03/04/2017, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...

Wow, I love that block and the method that you're using. Once a few "must do" projects are completed, that may be the next one us. Thanks for the info.
-----

---

Black-and-Whites

I had to show this fun fabric I got from Lorilie Designs. Don't you just love her fabrics? The Doodle Doggies caught my eye immediately. I'm sure you can tell some of those pups look so much like the late Sophie Belle Patterpaw--especially the doggie with one dotted ear and one checkered ear (except Sophie didn't have that lovely tail.

Soph (above)

None of the pooches really looks like Skipper Lou. Not exactly.

I think this one comes the closest to capturing Skip's spirit and personality. But Skipper's ears stand up.

I got this one just because I love bees. Bees and hearts are my favorite motifs.

I'm not sure what I'll do with either fabric. I'm thinking of pajama pants for the doggies. There's enough for that I think. There's only a yard of the bees, so not enough for pj pants, unless they're shorties. I'm sure something will to present itself.

Back now to sewing on "Morning Star."

---

This post was migrated from the old blog. To see the comments on the original post, CLICK HERE. To add a new comment, click "Post a Comment", below.

On 03/02/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

TOOOOOOOOO cute!

Hugs!
-----

---