On 10/31/2017, Genevieve said ...
Happy Hallows Day! Thank you for sharing your great pictures.
On 10/31/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
and Happy Halloween to your and your household!!
I'm sewing two more blocks for the AA (almost Amish) quilt!. These will be #14, #15 of 25 pieced blocks. The rest are plain squares!
Hugs!
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I have errands to run today, so I should be saving my energy for them. But I was compelled to come up to the sewing room and cut a few squares. Although Happy Christmas Tree quilt looks simple, and is simple, it requires the cutting of almost 400 squares of various sizes. And since I can't rotary cut sitting down (I've tried and tried) and can stay on my feet for only about 10-15 minutes at a time (and that's pushing it), it takes a while for me to cut 400 pieces. For most of my quilts, I cut a bit and sew a bit. But I felt that this quilt would be much easier to put together with all the squares cut before the sewing begins. I have about 90 more squares to cut, then I can sit down and start sewing.
But for the rest of today, I have to do errands: go to the post office, do some grocery shopping, and go with Ramey to take her dog Buddy to get his laser treatment on his leg. The good boy got a hot spot on his leg and wouldn't stop licking it, so it turned into a huge problem. However, with the laser treatments, it is almost well again.
Have a great autumn afternoon, everyone.
On 10/26/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
What size are your 90 uncut squares supposed to be? I have many Christmas squares cut so would be happy to send you some. Say the word!!
Wishing Buddy well.
I'm making the almost Amish quilt and have 7 blocks completed of 25! Did you see my email?
Hugs!
On 10/26/2017, Debbie Price said ...
Would you be able to sit and cut if you used an office chair that had various heights? If your table was short enough and your chair got tall enough? I can't sit and rotary cut in a normal chair. Of course, I'm so short my feet normally don't touch the floor in most chairs!
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In the early morning, the sun comes in my living room window and makes little squares of warmth on the carpet. This is where Skipper likes spend his mornings.
But my Skipper takes care of his mates too. He has two favorite toys: Blue Toy and Tiger. I watched Skipper this morning as he came into the living room carrying first Blue Toy and then Tiger and laid them in one of the sun squares. Then he lay down in another one.
My Skipper is a good boy.
On 10/25/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Sweet!
Hugs!
On 10/25/2017, Debbie Price said ...
Oh, what a good boy!
On 10/25/2017, Margaret said ...
That is the sweetest story.
On 10/25/2017, Karen in Michigan said ...
Oh my, how sweet our fur babies are. I remember when Skipper was a stray--it doesn't seem like that long ago. Now he has a home and friends and a patch of sunlight.
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When my sister Ramey and I were kids, our favorite Saturday afternoon activity was a trip to the Roxy Theatre, our local movie house, to see a scary movie. VIncent Price starred in many of these spine-tingling thrillers--including "House of Usher," "House of Wax," and our all-time favorite "The Tingler."
So when Ramey saw my Halloween quilt, "Trick or Tree," hanging in my foyer, she hatched a plan. The next time she came back to my house, she had in hand this wonderful Vincent ornament. It's like he was made for my tree quilt. And the black cat seems to approve too.
Thanks, Ramey. Now maybe we should get together for a viewing of "The Tingler." I think I gave you a copy for some occasion not long ago. Or was it that you gave me a copy? Oh whatever. You bring the wine, and I'll pop the corn.
On 10/25/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Perfect!! Where on earth did Ramey find Vincent? Methinks DS1 and his sweetie would love one.
Hugs!
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Last night my sister Ramey brought me a wonderful ornament to add to my Halloween quilt, “Trick or Tree,” which I have hanging in my foyer. I wanted to post of photo today, but I’m having photo download problems for some reason. Not even Jesse can figure it out. I’m tired. I’ve been fighting with it most of the day. So instead of seeing my excellent Halloween gift, here’s a picture of the project I’m currently working on--very, very, very slowly.
I worked on it for about an hour today, and made a little progress. But so far, I have only about half the pieces cut out. When all the pieces are cut, I’ll show some pictures of the layout with my actual fabrics. I have all the green, brown, and aqua pieces cut, and some of the red.
When I decided to make it and ordered the pattern, I thought I was taking on a wall hanging project. Turns out it’s a full-size quilt. But the whole thing is made from 5 1/2”, 5”, 2 1/2”, and 2” squares, very easy.
Whenever I get this photo downloading deal figured out, I’ll show you the gift that Ramey made for my Halloween tree. Hopefully, before Halloween.
On 10/21/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
What a charming Christmas quilt this will be! Love the reds in the tree, the star, and the peppermint border! Tho its size was a surprise, you'll be so glad you made this quilt. :)
I look forward to following your progress.
Good luck with the camera bother. For some reason, I have to restart my computer before I can upload photos. Nobody can figure out why that is, but you might try that.
Hugs!
On 10/22/2017, Debbie Price said ...
That quilt is so cute! I really need to quilt more. I always have so many projects started at once, what's one more!
Technology is really a blessing and a curse! Don't get me started!
I do hope you have sorted out your yardman troubles. Maybe he just had a bad day. Still, he should have finished the job or talked to you.
Take care!
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I confess: I’m am the worst at answering comments from my blog readers. But please be assured that I read every single one of them and take them to heart. And if you ask me some specific question, I do try to answer (if I don’t forget). I often even go back to past posts and read comments. I love to hear from you folks.
I thought I would take this morning to reply to a few recent comments here. Since I don’t have anything else to write about. I haven’t done any work in the sewing room for days and days--as folks in these parts sometimes say, “I haven’t hit a lick at a snake,” as far as sewing/quilting goes. So nothing there. I did read a good book (Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King and his son Owen King) but I’m just not in the mood to review it. Maybe tomorrow. Haven’t seen any good movies or gone any place fun. The furbies haven’t done anything interesting. So you see, I don’t have much blogging material except to acknowledge your wonderful comments.
I’m glad so many of you found the review of Before We Were Yours interesting and/or useful. It definitely goes down as the best book I’ve read this year.
As for making the bed, as I expected, some of you share that hassle with me. Several of you made suggestions as to how to make it easier to get the fitted sheet on right the first time. Those were definitely “DUH” moments for me. I’m going to mark all my fitted sheets according (when I get around to it). I laughed when I read Dondi’s question to herself: Why don’t you just shut the bedroom door to keep the cat out? I have asked myself this often. Same for: Why don’t you just shut the bedroom door to keep Taco from waking you up in the middle of the night walking on you or giving you a kitty massage? I can’t answer those questions, either, Dondi. I think I just don’t want to be rude to Taco.
Many also had helpful suggestions as to how to deal with my guy who does my yard work. They were all valid, but I have to tell you that my very favorite (and the one I plan to use) came from Helen in Switzerland. She suggested that maybe it was time for grandson Jesse to talk with the yard guy. Hey, Jesse, could you come here a minute.
Another subject that many of you often comment about is our shared chronic illness experiences. The old saying goes that “misery loves company.” I promise you, it’s not that. I don’t take pleasure in knowing that others have to push through pain and fatigue to accomplish ordinary tasks and everyday life experiences. But I do sympathize with you deeply; and hearing your experiences, for a time, takes my mind off my own problems. God bless and keep you all, and may the cure be found soon for whatever ails you.
On 10/20/2017, Helen in Switzerland said ...
I'm glad you like my suggestion Susan! I just think sometimes these young guys think they can rip off an older lady and maybe a chat with Jesse will bring him up short - do let us know how you get on!
On 10/21/2017, Pat said ...
I have enjoyed your posts for some time. You're an encouragement to me to just keep going. You accomplish so much in spite of your fatigue and pain, which I certainly relate to. More & more I want to be in my sewing room, which often causes me neck pain, but also most times helps me not think about it. I have a dog (Oscar) and two kitties (Thelma & Lucy) who keep me on schedule! Never, never, never give up. (Churchill)
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I don't usually get in a really bad mood, especially considering how bad I feel all the time. But yesterday, I hit a wall. I was mad at the world, and especially at my yard man.
I paid him $125 to trim shrubbery, weed eat, and generally clean up my yards. The whole job took him no more than 30 minutes (and I have a large lot). After he left, I went out to look around. There were limbs, branches, leaves, and yard junk all over the place.
I am no good at all at confrontation. It stems from half a life of chaos and confusion, I think. I'm not someone who can get in someone's face and give them heck for what a bad job they've done. In the past, I have calmly and quietly pointed out to him how things could be better. It hasn't worked. Time for a new yard man, I guess. The thing is, I like this one very much. He's a very nice young man. But I'm in no shape to clean up after him.
Sorry for the rant.
On 10/19/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
A job unfinished should not be paid for - at least not paid in full. Can you call this young man and ask what happened? Perhaps he became sick, got a call from someone who needed him, or just got hungry? Of couse, he should have spoken to you, but maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. Just a thought.
Wishing you more spoons than you know what to do with! :)
Where did you find the candle holders?
Hugs!
On 10/19/2017, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...
Oh, dear, that wouldn't qualify as one of my rants. He'd be coming back and would understand that he's losing a client. There's no excuse for that kind of shoddy work. Hope you're feeling better.
On 10/19/2017, Helen in Switzerland said ...
I think it's time to get your grandson to talk to him.
On 10/19/2017, Margaret said ...
How about if you call him and politely ask when he is planning on coming back and finishing the job. You can tell him you want to know so you could be sure to be home when he comes around.
Good luck. Don't let him take advantage of you!
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Today was clean sheets day. I hate clean-sheets day. It's a veritable battle. For instance, today's episode took approximately 30 minutes. First, I have to persuade Taco to get off the bed, not an easy task, and remove the old sheets. All that bending and pulling--OUCH!
Now it's time for the clean sheets. First, I have to figure out which ends of the fitted sheet go on top and bottom. I got it wrong the first time, as I invariably do, and had to start over. More bending and stretching, More OUCH!
Once the fitted sheet is in place, I have to rest. Otherwise my back would not last through the next step, which is the top sheet. But before the top sheet goes on, I have to remove Taco from the bed again and use the lint roller to remove his hair from the bottom sheet.
Spreading the top sheet takes several efforts before it's centered, straight, and not hanging in the floor on one side of the other. All the time, my aching muscles (especially the back ones) are screaming bloody murder (and I'm screaming my entire repitoire of cuss words).To tuck the sheet at the bottom, I have to sit on the chest at the foot of the bed in order to lift the corners of the mattress.
Again, a rest stop must be taken. Again, Taco has to be removed and top sheet rolled with lint roller.
Spreading the quilt is fairly easy. It's a lightweight quilt, and it seems to know where it goes. But the final step, that of putting my four pillows into the four pillowcases, is a b.i.t.c.h. I have used the same method to put on pillowcases all my life. It's the way Mama did it. I hold the narrow end of the pillow between my chin and chest and slip the pillowcase on at the bottom of the pillow and pull it up. It used to be a cinch. Now it hurts, and I often get the pillowcase all whoppy-jawed and have to redo it. (That didn't happen today.)
After two pillows are done, it's rest break again to ease the back pain. And since it's rest break, you can probably guess where Taco plants his fine self. Riiiiiigggghhht.
After rolling the quilt and putting on the other two pillow cases, and laying the throw pillows on the bed, I'm done--I'm talking completely done, done in, exhausted and hurting.
Taco says he sure is glad that's over. Now maybe I'll stop bothering him. Of course, he jumped down off the bed when I tried to take his picture. So instead, I'll show the Taco house slippers I found for myself at Walmart.
Now I'm going to take two Ibuprofen and lie down under the ceiling fan. Sheet-changing day is the pits.
On 10/11/2017, Debbie Price said ...
I hear you! I never vacuum or change sheets on days I have anything else to do. It is so hard for others to understand how these simple things can put us out of commission like it does.
My cats, Krispie and Meow, do the same thing with the sheets, quilt, pillows. I have an industrial lint roller!
On 10/11/2017, Nicole said ...
Oh, but your bed looks so pretty and you will sleep like a baby tonight.
On 10/12/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Ouch, indeed! I get the cats out of the room, close the door, and then take my time in making the bed. I gave up on pillow shams as there were too much bother.
As for the fitted bottom sheet, I put one corner on and stretch the nearedt corner to see if it reaches. If not, I start over.
Hugs!
On 10/12/2017, Julie in WA said ...
I did not know that a routine chore could be such a challenge for fibro sufferers. I'm sad for you. I can relate to the fitted sheet confusion! I finally took a black permanent marker and wrote a 2" strip of black on the top and bottom elastic, and now it is easy to know which way the sheet goes on the bed!
On 10/12/2017, Bonnie said ...
I am so sorry to hear this household routine is so painful for you. May I suggest you sew a tab on the corner so you know exactly where to start with both sheets? No one would be the wiser.
My cat would RUN for the fresh sheets, and it used to irk me... all that cat hair on clean laundry. Until the day he jumped while the next layer was in mid-air. Somehow I realized he was purring like a maniac while I was ticked off. I forgave him and let him enjoy his fun. It's still a good memory!
On 10/14/2017, Dolores Tanner said ...
Love your slippers!! You do a much better job of bedmaking than I do!
On 10/14/2017, Dondi Murdock said ...
I have fibro also. I don't have Taco, but we have a cat who loves 'helping' with putting the clean sheets on the bed. If I am lucky, I can get the bottom sheet on without Kalette's help. By the time it is time for the top sheet, Kalette's magic radar has kicked in. She loves to hide under the top sheet. I pet her lumpy self for a bit and wait until she comes out. This helps my back while I rest for a couple of minutes. She really loves the stretchy sheets we bought to go with this new mattress. Then it is time for the blanket. We start with Kalette hiding under the blanket for a few minutes. I really have to laugh! This crazy cat is so funny.
Why I don't just shut the bedroom door to keep her out is the big mystery! Could you shut Taco out of your bedroom while you put your sheets on? Why do we put up with so much from little animals? Are we trained or what?
On 10/20/2017, Sandy Gail said ...
Hello There!
I've been reading lots of your blog entries this morning. The one about changing the sheets could be right out of my life! I've had four surgeries this past year and haven't been able to sit at the computer for long periods of time. I had to catch up on all your blogging; I had missed you.
So sorry about your back. I had back surgery in January, the surgeon promised that I would be able to stand for long periods and work in my kitchen. However, my back is now worse than before the surgery. I also had neck surgery, vertebrae were replaced in my neck and it was fused. That surgery seemed to have worked. I also had knee replacement surgery and half an inch of jaw bone removed. In addition to the lupus, I now have fibro, lymph edema, and neuropathy. My back still hurts, my knee still hurts. I FEEL YOUR PAIN!
I wish for your back to be better and for the fibro to settle so that you can enjoy your quilting and blogging and life in general. Sincerely, Sandy Gail
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I finally got this little Schnibble bound and hung it in my kitchen, just in time to celebrate autumn. I really didn't feel like attending guild meeting yesterday, but I went anyway. I'm glad I did. It was good to see everyone as well as some gorgeous quilts. I didn't get any pics. I forgot my camera, and I forgot to charge my cell, which was dead by the time I reached the meeting.
I left the meeting early to have enough energy left to do a bit of shopping that I needed to do. By the time I got home, all the energy was gone. I didn't even cook dinner. I texted Jesse and told him he'd have to bring take-out because I was prostrate with exhaustion and pain.
But I feel a bit better today. I am not, however going to do much pushing today. I'm going to give the body a rest and then try for the sewing room tomorrow.
On 10/10/2017, Debbie Price said ...
I am glad you got out and about. Please rest. The sewing will still be there.
On 10/10/2017, Nicole said ...
Love this!!
On 10/11/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
What a lovely Autumn quilt you've finished and hung. Well done!!
Have you thought of tucking a spare camera in your purse so you're always ready to take photos? AMIL did that.
Hope your day of rest will be restful.
Hugs!
On 10/11/2017, Linda Enneking said ...
Thank you for sharing another lovely quilt. I have this one on my short list, just had not decided on what type of fabric to use. I think that decision is made now. I hope your energy returns after a day of rest.
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Old Nate is here. And although he has had his old self downgraded to a tropical depression from a hurricane, he’s still whipping up a good storm on top of us. Lights keep blinking, but so far we still have power. The windows are rattling too. But he’s not supposed to linger long. Weather Channel says he’s traveling pretty fast and should be out of here in a couple of hours.
Most of the churches, including the one I attend, cancelled services for today. So Jesse, Skipper, the kitties, and I are snuggled down safe and dry in The Yellow House. I think we’ll survive unscathed.
I say the country has had quite enough of hurricanes for this season. I hope this is the last one.
On 10/08/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Amen to that!
Hugs!
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Yesterday afternoon, as we were returning from taking my sister Ramey's dog Buddy to the vet, we discussed how we don't feel safe any place anymore. Not at home, not at church, not shopping, or walking our dogs, or at the movies, or anyplace.
This morning, I awoke to the news that there had been a shootout virtually in Ramey's own backyard. Her neighbor to the rear, a young man whom she and her daughters have known for many years and who often cut Ramey's grass, apparently ran amok and began shooting up the neighborhood. He shot one neighbor's beloved dog. At first the vet said there was so much damage that the dog would have to be put down. But further testing gave them a better picture, and now, thank God, it looks at if he will recover.
The news is less good for the gun-wielding young man. The police were called, of course. They approached the man and told him to drop his gun. He would not and began shooting at the policemen. Of course, the policemen returned fire. The man was hit in the chest and died on the scene.
When is this country going to learn that guns and mental illness don't mix. Earlier this year, our Congress (well, the Republicans in it) struck down a bill that would have made it illegal for the mentally ill to acquire guns. That makes no sense to me. And don't go spouting that trash about criminals not obeying laws. If that were a reason to not have laws, then we wouldn't have any laws.
The neighborhood where this occurred is an older subdivision of beautiful homes, well kept lawns and gardens, and neighbors who care about each other. It's a small town where my sisters and I have lived for most of our lives. This is not downtown anyplace. It's not a town where gangs roam the streets and crime is a frequent visitor. It used to be a place where we felt safe. There is no such place in America anymore.
I checked on my sister and her daughter who lives with her just as soon as I learned of the tragedy. They and their pets are all physically fine, but emotionally shook up. I expect it will take a while before they can walk out into their yard without wondering if there's a gunman nearby.
Sorry if you think this is political and inappropriate. To me and my family and my community it's personal. Praying for the family, friends, and neighbors of the young man who died.
On 10/06/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Oh Susan, How sad and tragic this event is. And how unnecessary. You are so right that those who are mentally ill should NOT be allowed to have guns or a gun. Those who voted to allow this are equally culpable in my opinion.
Prayers for all.
Hugs!
On 10/07/2017, Sue, a Florida Farm Girl said ...
How terrifying that had to be for Ramey. It's not so easy to get over that kind of trauma but I pray that she and her daughter will soon find peace. You don't even want to get me started on the gun issue. I want to shake people sometimes and scream in their face about that stupidity.
On 10/07/2017, Denise Copeland said ...
Susan, this is your blog, your thoughts and your ideas. There is no reason on earth to apologize for expressing something that might be perceived by some as inappropriate. I enjoy reading your blog, and I appreciate when you write from the heart (even if I don't agree). I am so sorry for the recent events that have occurred. I feel similarly, I rarely go to public events, and I exercise extreme caution in everything that I do and the choices that I make. I am sending you sincere, healing thoughts to you and your family.
On 10/07/2017, Dolores Tanner said ...
Read "Before We Were Yours" on your recommendation and it was very good, thanx!!
I totally agree with your comments on the state of the world or out area of it.... and try to find positive things to get my mind on, sometimes that takes a while and some effort...
On 10/08/2017, Sheryl Colle said ...
So sorry for what your sister and daughter are going through. It seems the whole world is full of evil. But all we can do is concentrate on the positive and do what we can to spread God's love and grace. I know that no place is immune, but glad I'm out here in the middle of nowhere, away from the cities.
On 10/09/2017, Dondi Murdock said ...
What a horrible event! It will never be forgotten, but I hope it leads to better legislation. When the quiet majority does nothing, the minority rules. We need more help for mentally ill people also and less denial by their families, neighbors, and communities. I'm not blaming anyone because often symptoms lie so quietly no one knows. What I really mean is we need more treatment facilities for people with mental issues. Depression is a disease just as cancer is a disease. We never put people down who have cancer, but for so long we have treated mental issues as a personal fault. A disease is a disease. It is never an excuse for violence--please do not think I am soft on this issue. I just know from experience how hard it is to open up when a family member gets depression. I will send my prayers to Ramey and her once innocent neighborhood.
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It has been a while, I know. It seems every thing I do these days requires super-human strength and hard pushing. I've logged more couch time in the past few weeks than I'm proud of. Last week, I didn't do much of anything except read. I haven't been in the sewing room for a couple of weeks, I think, until this morning.
This week, I decided it was time to get off the couch and have a life. So on Monday morning, I attended quilt bee at my friend Mary U.'s house. Then yesterday, I attended luncheon and book club at friend Lana's house. Today I came up to the sewing room and seamed up backings for "Star Spangled Summer" and "Heartwarming." So now they're both ready for the quilter.
Mary Englebreit Scotty Dog fabric will be the backing for
"Star Spangled Summer."
I've had this piece of fabric for a long long time. I don't remember when I got it or where it came from. I'm thinking maybe the free table at guild. It's not as high quality as I like to use, but it seems right to back "Heartwarmng" so I'm using it. It's just more lightweight that what I use, but I think it will work.
On both Monday and Tuesday evenings, I was pretty much zonked out. Maybe I overdid it, but it's either overdo or don't do. And I can go with don't do for just so long, then I have to do. So far today, I feel pretty good. Nothing's hurting too badly and my mitral valve isn't having a hissy fit. But then I haven't been on my feet too much either.
The state of the country and all the disasters of the past few weeks are not helping. I have grieved through winds, floods, fires, and lack of basic necessities for people all over the country and the world. I have held my breath and worried, wondering when WWIII was going to start. But when nearly 600 people were mowed down by a nut with an assault rifle in Las Vegas Sunday night, I thought maybe that was all I could take of the news. So I lightened up considerable on the amount of tv and internet news that I digest. Somebody let me know when I should light out for the hills.
As I've said many times in the past, I'll try to be a better blogger than I've been lately. I'm pushing.
On 10/04/2017, Barbara Anne said ...
Love the quilts and their backing fabrics!
So glad you got out of the house to attend the guild meeting and the book club meeting! I know how many spoons that took but you did it!
I believe the good karma of our quilting and creativity helps the planet and our world in more ways than we can know.
Peace be with you, sweet friend!
Hugs! :)
On 10/05/2017, Debbie Price said ...
Those fabrics are going to look great with the quilt fronts. I'm still not brave enough to take on such a large quilt. I stick to small ones.
I become so frustrated with the do/don't do that my body seems to love! Some days I think I have finally accepted I need to do small bits of work, rest and then do more. Yet, if I feel good, I think I should do a ton of things! Of course, we know how that always turns out!
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