I didn't go out all weekend. I mean I didn't go WAY out. Sophie and I did go outside for several walks each day.
I did a lot of stitching though. I got the pachyderms ready to board the ark, stitched up Mr. Sun for when the clouds go away and the flood starts to subside, and appliqued two more hearts for Andy's heart quilt.
I'm not doing too well getting used to paying the bills that Vann handled. For the second month in s row, I've let the water bill run late. I'm also mailing the check for my car insurance a couple of days late--and Vann never even handled that one. I think it's a matter of my engine not operating on all cylinders lately. I can make quilt blocks all day long, but my brain just doesn't want to dwell on boring things like bill paying.
Andy came over yesterday afternoon. She brought the movie "The Lovely Bones." We finished off what was left of the potato soup, then popped up some popcorn and watched the movie. I didn't expect to enjoy it, since I had read the book years ago--and the movies are oftentimes disappointing if you've read the book first. But not this one. It was a excellent movie. Sad, but good.
We have a lot of free-range dogs in our neighborhood. One of them, Sugar, has been spending a lot of time at my house. I keep giant-size Milk Bones for her, and she knows it. It has been so cold and nasty that I put a big doggie bed pillow on the front porch for her for a warm spot to rest in between Milk Bones. On Saturday, the bed disappeared. Sophie and I looked all over the neighborhood but couldn't find it. Yesterday it appeared in the front yard, so I put it back up on the porch for Sugar. Later in the afternoon, Andy went outside and found the doggie bed was on top of the pick-up truck. We still haven't figured out how Sugar got it up there. We brought the bed inside though.
(Note: Sophie is NOT one of the free-range dogs. She never ever goes outside without supervision. Well, except for that time when she was a baby puppy and I shut her out one night by mistake and she had to spend the night outside. But we don't talk about that.
Also that is not a picture of Sugar, but rather Clifford the Big Red Dog. I don't have a picture of Sugar, and that looks enough like her to do the job. She weighs at least a ton and a half and likes to jump up on me and give me big old tongue kisses across my face.)
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 02/15/2010, CarlaH said ...
Hi Susan, so glad to see that you seem to be feeling better these days. Lovely stitching - makes me want to do some embroidery too.
As far as the bills go, this might help:
I have a folder marked BILLS TO BE PAID - I look at it every Monday and pay the bills that are due within a week (I do all my banking electronically - saves time and money).
On 02/15/2010, Debbie said ...
I also do online banking...so much easier than trying to remember all of them (just have to keep an eye on the bank account though!).
I'm loving the hearts you've done...they're beautiful! And the elephants...I love elephants...(Roll Tide, of course!)
On 02/15/2010, Kelly Ann said ...
If you brought the bed inside does that mean that Sugar is next?
On 02/15/2010, Barbara Anne said ...
Love your new pachyderms x2 and appliqued hearts! Sweet to the max, both types. What a profitable weekend you had.
How kind of you to keep treats and a wandering bed for Sugar. To find it atop a vehicle is puzzling. I wonder who keeps moving the bed? It's a neighborhood mystery, isn't it?
As for the bills, I hear you. I hate paying bills and have to do that here, too. I get the heebie geebies just thinking about it.
Ice fog here and that's a whole different kind of eerie!
Hugs!
On 02/15/2010, Deb Price said ...
I know what you mean about the bill paying-quilting and sewing are much nicer to think of! My husband has started doing all the bills-I did them while he worked out of town for 2 years and have NO PROBLEM giving them back to him! We mostly pay everything on line, but you still need to remember to PAY them! I love the quilt blocks you are working on. I need to embroider more, haven't touched it for a long time. I love the hearts! Please take pictures when you are done with them! Hope you are having warmer weather.
Hugs from the eternal cold and snowy Indiana
On 02/15/2010, Donna said ...
Beautiful stitching! Love the elephants and the hearts!
I am not into bill paying either.
Funny about the dog bed :)
Stay warm it is snowing here tonight.
Blessings,
Donna
On 02/16/2010, Thelma said ...
Good Morning Susan,
I enjoyed all your little tidbits this morning. Great job on the blocks, as always.
We have an invisible fence for our dog Cooper (no fences allowed in our neighborhood) and the neighbors across the street have the same setup for their dog. Those two dogs sit at the end of the driveways just looking at each other, like they sure would like to play. Well a couple of days ago the dog across the street could stand it no more, he broke across his fence and ours for some fun. I let them play for a good while before I sent him back home. He's not done it again since, but I'm guessing it's just a matter of time.
On 02/16/2010, KAI said ...
The su-un came out and it dried up the landy, landy!
Su-un came out and it dried up the landy, landy!
Everything was fine and dandy, dandy ...!
LOL! LOVE those happy elephants & SO glad they aren't PINK! (Sorry. I'm in a silly mood today!) Bills: You will find a system that works for you! No worries! I've always been the bill-payer because I'm just so ridiculously - well, I HAVE to say it - anal about paying on time if not early. But that's a Virgo thing, I think. Translation: CONTROL FREAK. I love it that the roaming canines feel at home visiting the Yellow House! I think ANYONE would feel at home there! LOVE YOU! (And I'll behave myself next time I comment on your blog. Heehee!)
On 02/16/2010, Jan said ...
Loved the stories about Bailey and Sugar and how very sweet and romantic that Vann proposed to you on Valentine's Day. I hope this year's celebration was filled to the brim with happy memories of your life together :)
On 02/16/2010, Debra Spincic said ...
Bill paying is a real chore. I don't do it at all and if I had to do it, I would probably just let the bank pay them automatically. Who has time for that?
Those elephants are really cute!
On 02/16/2010, Nicole said ...
Good morning Susan! I have found that with recurring bills, I can set up a Bill Pay system with my online banking account that just takes care of them. I get a notice telling me what's due, and have it automatically set up to deduct from my account prior to the due date. You have to keep good records though, because if you forget to write something in your check book it can get you in trouble. You can also just set it up so you get a reminder, and make the payment on your own so you feel more in control.
On 02/16/2010, Carla (from Alabama) said ...
Hi Susan,
Your elephants are so pretty. I like the colors you chose.
I love the hearts too. I feel so inspired to try some of these crafts evertime I read your posts but I work and I seem to run out of time before I can get anything done. Maybe I will get organized enough to do something one day. Thanks for sharing all the beauty with me until then.
On 02/16/2010, mom2fur said ...
I love those elephants!
It's a shame people let dogs wander like that, especially in rotten weather. You are so kind to help them out the way you do.
BTW, I don't really know what "DS" stands for, may be Digital System? But it's a little hand-held video game. It's a fun diversion and I really enjoy puzzle games.
I'm the one who pays most of the bills (with Mike's money, LOL) and it has taken me some time to get a system going to really keep track of them. And even so, sometimes I'm still late. I suppose as long as you do it within a few days, you're okay. They just get ticked if you skip a month.
I keep track of my bills in a black-and-white notebook. I filled up one for the last few years and just started a new one this year. I divide 4 pages into 3 columns each, plus the column to the left of that red line. I used to do 12 in 2 pages but it got a little hard to read. So, anyhoo, I write the names of all my bills down the first (red) column. Then across the tops of the others I write the months. So after I paid the Cablevision bill in January, for example, I put an X there so I know I paid it. As for the rest of the pages of the book, this is where I write down what bills are due, when, and how much--as well as information such as check numbers or confirmation numbers. It really does work a lot better than one of those dokey little checkbooks.
I'm sorry this is so long but I hope it's a help!
On 02/16/2010, Carla (from Alabama) said ...
Susan,
Where were you and your daughter able to find The Lovely Bones? I can't find where it has been released; I want to see it...
On 02/16/2010, Wendy said ...
Why not try online banking with auto pay? I haven't written a check (for a bill) in a couple of years. Luckily, never have had a problem. Great system especially when you're really busy or away from home.
Love the elephantz! And that happy sun. How will Sugar and Sophie get along?
Another good good soup is corn chowder from Mimi's restaurant (we make with milk instead of half-n-half). Recipe online. Do you have Mimi's restrs. back there? Have a good week.
-----
