On the tip
of the point of a needle
Arms outstretched
One tiny breeze can break the spell
balanced on the tip
of the point of a needle
like a dancer en pointe
untried, fragile gossamer wings spread
one breath can tip the balance
to soar and fly
or to fall and fail
never having flown, fear of breathing
Balanced on the tip
of the point of a needle
to fall without trying
to try and possibly fall
Antici..........
................
pation. (Sorry, Dr. Frank...)
I choose.
I fly.
387 days
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
End of the year...
Been away a bit again, sorry about that.
Lots of hassles around the hacienda - made for a rather tense Christmas weekend. Almost all sorted now, however. Few more days ought to bring things back to "normal" - as normal as it gets around here.
Got a few presents, sent a few presents. Have a couple more to send. In all, despite the hassles, not a bad thing.
I want to say something here... I'll probably regret this, but maybe it's time to comment on the comments and stuff.
Many years ago, I met a guy online who rather surprisingly became a dear friend very quickly. We have an extraordinary friendship, one that has withstood a lot of challenges and issues. We've "been there" for each other through some awfully rough shit in both of our lives. This isn't a "romantic" thing - (not that he isn't attractive that way, but we both have other "commitments") - but rather a soul-bonding friendship that transcends mere physical desire. We have both felt that we can tell one another "anything", without being judged or condemned. He's one of the few people who can bluntly tell me to get my head out - and have me listen, rather than telling him to piss off..
He's pretty protective of me - although he knows I'm capable of being Bitch of the Week on my own and has called me on it more than once. He knows what will make me laugh, and he knows me at my best as well as my worst. He's gone by a LARGE number of nicknames over the years, in many venues - but lately he seems to have settled in my blog as "Visionary."
A relatively short while ago, I also met online a guy whom I enjoyed sparring and teasing around with. Again, not in a romantic or physical sense, but someone I enjoyed talking with. While I didn't agree with everything he says, nor he with me, we had good times talking and discussing. He had started to learn about me, but didn't know everything - especially the bit about how I really am able to completely write off what I consider to be a toxic situation. You folks know him as BBC.
A few months ago, BBC made a comment about me that was based on partial truth - but more on his own assumptions based on those truths. I'm not going to go into it here - but it was enough for me to say to him "Goodbye" and stop reading/commenting on his blog or responding here.
In the midst of all the hassles and turmoil this week, one thing I got was an e-mail from BBC, with what I firmly believe was a very sincere apology. I respect that.
Bill - I accept your apology - thank you for it. I am trusting that you, unlike others, are smart enough to know that "sorry" doesn't count if you plan to do the same thing again, and I'm certain you won't.
All the rest of you? I suspect that BBC and Visionary may well continue to spar and spit in comments. I'm ok with that. I'm certain my "readers" know the difference between MY opinion and that of those who comment. With only a VERY few exceptions, I've always let comments stand.
Merry Christmas, All.
Happy New Year.
Bright Blessings to each and every one of you.
Sewmouse.
389 Days
Lots of hassles around the hacienda - made for a rather tense Christmas weekend. Almost all sorted now, however. Few more days ought to bring things back to "normal" - as normal as it gets around here.
Got a few presents, sent a few presents. Have a couple more to send. In all, despite the hassles, not a bad thing.
I want to say something here... I'll probably regret this, but maybe it's time to comment on the comments and stuff.
Many years ago, I met a guy online who rather surprisingly became a dear friend very quickly. We have an extraordinary friendship, one that has withstood a lot of challenges and issues. We've "been there" for each other through some awfully rough shit in both of our lives. This isn't a "romantic" thing - (not that he isn't attractive that way, but we both have other "commitments") - but rather a soul-bonding friendship that transcends mere physical desire. We have both felt that we can tell one another "anything", without being judged or condemned. He's one of the few people who can bluntly tell me to get my head out - and have me listen, rather than telling him to piss off..
He's pretty protective of me - although he knows I'm capable of being Bitch of the Week on my own and has called me on it more than once. He knows what will make me laugh, and he knows me at my best as well as my worst. He's gone by a LARGE number of nicknames over the years, in many venues - but lately he seems to have settled in my blog as "Visionary."
A relatively short while ago, I also met online a guy whom I enjoyed sparring and teasing around with. Again, not in a romantic or physical sense, but someone I enjoyed talking with. While I didn't agree with everything he says, nor he with me, we had good times talking and discussing. He had started to learn about me, but didn't know everything - especially the bit about how I really am able to completely write off what I consider to be a toxic situation. You folks know him as BBC.
A few months ago, BBC made a comment about me that was based on partial truth - but more on his own assumptions based on those truths. I'm not going to go into it here - but it was enough for me to say to him "Goodbye" and stop reading/commenting on his blog or responding here.
In the midst of all the hassles and turmoil this week, one thing I got was an e-mail from BBC, with what I firmly believe was a very sincere apology. I respect that.
Bill - I accept your apology - thank you for it. I am trusting that you, unlike others, are smart enough to know that "sorry" doesn't count if you plan to do the same thing again, and I'm certain you won't.
All the rest of you? I suspect that BBC and Visionary may well continue to spar and spit in comments. I'm ok with that. I'm certain my "readers" know the difference between MY opinion and that of those who comment. With only a VERY few exceptions, I've always let comments stand.
Merry Christmas, All.
Happy New Year.
Bright Blessings to each and every one of you.
Sewmouse.
389 Days
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Schlaf im Himmlischen Ruh
As a kid, we had to learn to sing that auf Deutsch (Schtille Nacht, Heilige Nacht). Such were the punishments of attending Lutheran grade school. We also TRIED to learn to sing Adeste Fideles - but since we weren't Roman Catholic we didn't do so well with the Latin.
We have carols playing here all day long. It's not as annoying as the stores, because they have ALL the songs, not just the 2 that annoy me. D, one of my co-workers has house-lighting fever. I fervently believe his family is single-handedly responsible for all global warming due to their conspicuous electrical consumption. ComEd must LOVE them.
In some ways, I miss the whole childhood Christmas Eve school pageant/service thingy. Practicing walking on the wooden risers on the stage in the Gym without STOMPING LOUDLY. Remembering the Auf Deutsch words and learning to walk up the risers in a choir robe without tripping and falling on your face and dropping the little electric candle you were holding as you marched in.
Enviously wanting to yank every one of the long blonde banana curls out of Rhonda's hair. (Mom thought I looked cute in a short page-boy style. Ugh.) Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with no breathing room in front of the kindergartener's chairs they brought in for us to sit on - and thinking you would faint from the lack of oxygen before the 8th graders ever finished the "Magnificat", and wishing we could just fast-forward and skip over to "Joy to the World" and get out of there and do the presents-opening thing...
Wondering why we had to bring TWO cars to church when we lived only 1/2 mile away, and Dad always left the service/program about 20 minutes before we did... (Hello, Santa!!)
On the other hand - putting up lights and a tree for just a few weeks is so much work for so little "perk" - I'd rather spend the time working on the house.
Tomorrow is my last day of work for the year. All this 4th Quarter vacationing is sooooo unusual for me. Not that I'm complaining. Much.
396 days
We have carols playing here all day long. It's not as annoying as the stores, because they have ALL the songs, not just the 2 that annoy me. D, one of my co-workers has house-lighting fever. I fervently believe his family is single-handedly responsible for all global warming due to their conspicuous electrical consumption. ComEd must LOVE them.
In some ways, I miss the whole childhood Christmas Eve school pageant/service thingy. Practicing walking on the wooden risers on the stage in the Gym without STOMPING LOUDLY. Remembering the Auf Deutsch words and learning to walk up the risers in a choir robe without tripping and falling on your face and dropping the little electric candle you were holding as you marched in.
Enviously wanting to yank every one of the long blonde banana curls out of Rhonda's hair. (Mom thought I looked cute in a short page-boy style. Ugh.) Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with no breathing room in front of the kindergartener's chairs they brought in for us to sit on - and thinking you would faint from the lack of oxygen before the 8th graders ever finished the "Magnificat", and wishing we could just fast-forward and skip over to "Joy to the World" and get out of there and do the presents-opening thing...
Wondering why we had to bring TWO cars to church when we lived only 1/2 mile away, and Dad always left the service/program about 20 minutes before we did... (Hello, Santa!!)
On the other hand - putting up lights and a tree for just a few weeks is so much work for so little "perk" - I'd rather spend the time working on the house.
Tomorrow is my last day of work for the year. All this 4th Quarter vacationing is sooooo unusual for me. Not that I'm complaining. Much.
396 days
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Winter Wonderland
I grew up near Addison, Illinois - a small town out in the rural area, but with a nifty little amusement park - now long gone - Adventureland
They have since widened the cross-street, built a "berm" in the former parking-lot and turned the area into a business park. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to go wandering around in the remaining wooded area there - would I find old "Skee-ball" tokens? Perhaps a cheap metal ring with a plastic "stone"? I wonder if anything remains of the amusement park that once was?
I drive past it every day on the way in to work. Such memories. *smile*
In the spirit of "The Season" - whichever "Season" you choose to celebrate - here are a couple links. First the lyrics to "Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear" - sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland" - couldn't find a YouTube version that I liked.
Then this video of a song that Kal Trauma Queen once sent me back in the days when we hung out in Harry's Bar. Ho Ho... EVERYBODY sing!!!
398 days
They have since widened the cross-street, built a "berm" in the former parking-lot and turned the area into a business park. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to go wandering around in the remaining wooded area there - would I find old "Skee-ball" tokens? Perhaps a cheap metal ring with a plastic "stone"? I wonder if anything remains of the amusement park that once was?
I drive past it every day on the way in to work. Such memories. *smile*
In the spirit of "The Season" - whichever "Season" you choose to celebrate - here are a couple links. First the lyrics to "Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear" - sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland" - couldn't find a YouTube version that I liked.
Then this video of a song that Kal Trauma Queen once sent me back in the days when we hung out in Harry's Bar. Ho Ho... EVERYBODY sing!!!
398 days
Friday, December 14, 2007
X-Mas Carols Rant
[rant on]
Since Nancy Pelosi still insists that impeachment is "off the table,
All I want for Christmas is for Mariah Carey to SHUT THE FUCK UP
And yes, John, This is Christmas - so shut the fuck up, you're dead and your wife's an old hag who can't sing.
What the fuck happened to the old fashioned "Firestone Christmas Album" carols that they played in the stores when I was a mere lass? Bing and Burl and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Handel, Tschaicovski and the Vienna Eunuch's Choir? Jingle Bells and Silent Night and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the Sleighride song, and roasting your chestnuts over an open fire? Tannenbaumen und Wassail?
While I think it's cute that Grandma got run over by a reindeer, and I'll gladly buy Alvin that Hoola Hoop he's wanted for years, and I always giggle at "Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear" - when it comes time for that "Old Xmas Spirit" - I just can't get it from John and Mariah. And unfortunately, those seem to be the ONLY two songs they're playing in stores I patronize this year.
Bah.
HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[rant off]
402 Days
Since Nancy Pelosi still insists that impeachment is "off the table,
All I want for Christmas is for Mariah Carey to SHUT THE FUCK UP
And yes, John, This is Christmas - so shut the fuck up, you're dead and your wife's an old hag who can't sing.
What the fuck happened to the old fashioned "Firestone Christmas Album" carols that they played in the stores when I was a mere lass? Bing and Burl and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Handel, Tschaicovski and the Vienna Eunuch's Choir? Jingle Bells and Silent Night and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, the Sleighride song, and roasting your chestnuts over an open fire? Tannenbaumen und Wassail?
While I think it's cute that Grandma got run over by a reindeer, and I'll gladly buy Alvin that Hoola Hoop he's wanted for years, and I always giggle at "Walkin' Round in Women's Underwear" - when it comes time for that "Old Xmas Spirit" - I just can't get it from John and Mariah. And unfortunately, those seem to be the ONLY two songs they're playing in stores I patronize this year.
Bah.
HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[rant off]
402 Days
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Ice, Ice, Baby...
Gah, I hate that song.
Anyhow.
There is ice all over my car. There has been ice all over my car for about 4 days now. Maybe 6. Time flies when there is ice on your car. The weather has been stupendously awful. Sn*w, Rain... Snain.... This morning it was raining, but it is supposed to change to Snain and possibly Sn*w this aftnoon.
The first day of the ice-car was interesting. Usually when I have to chip my windshield free of ice it is a gut wrenching nightmare of tiny chips and frozen hands, culminating in very bad words flying into the chill winter air.
This last time, I got in the car, started it and got the heater blowing icy air at the windshield (as it had not warmed up yet), then got out with my WID (Weapon of Ice Destruction) hand-ice-scraper and dragged a corner across the ice on the windshield. To my surprise, the whole sheet of ice shattered into bajillions (exact number) of pieces which politely slid down the hood and onto the pavement.
Now, this was not just a tiny bit of ice - it was approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. It had been raining and snaining for most of the night previous. I was impressed - but cautious. I then attacked the ice on the side windows and the rear window - to similar effect. What do you know - polite ice!
Ever since the ice storm, I notice traffic has been lighter. Perhaps Governor Blagojevic has issued the ultimatum I suggested - that at Thanksgiving we deport everyone born or raised south of the Mason-Dixon line back south of it, or over to Indiana until Easter. After that they can come back. They just can't drive in winter. In Indiana, nobody would notice. (*Ducks from possible thrown things from John*)
I think I may have a line on that pheasant plushie - I was at Petco the other day and saw dog toys - pheasants, mallards and such. I think they are training toys for hunting dogs. Shhh - don't tell anyone, but Lea got her GrandDog a new stuffed plushy hedgehog for Xmas - it has squeakers in its tummy and has a santa hat.
405 days
Anyhow.
There is ice all over my car. There has been ice all over my car for about 4 days now. Maybe 6. Time flies when there is ice on your car. The weather has been stupendously awful. Sn*w, Rain... Snain.... This morning it was raining, but it is supposed to change to Snain and possibly Sn*w this aftnoon.
The first day of the ice-car was interesting. Usually when I have to chip my windshield free of ice it is a gut wrenching nightmare of tiny chips and frozen hands, culminating in very bad words flying into the chill winter air.
This last time, I got in the car, started it and got the heater blowing icy air at the windshield (as it had not warmed up yet), then got out with my WID (Weapon of Ice Destruction) hand-ice-scraper and dragged a corner across the ice on the windshield. To my surprise, the whole sheet of ice shattered into bajillions (exact number) of pieces which politely slid down the hood and onto the pavement.
Now, this was not just a tiny bit of ice - it was approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. It had been raining and snaining for most of the night previous. I was impressed - but cautious. I then attacked the ice on the side windows and the rear window - to similar effect. What do you know - polite ice!
Ever since the ice storm, I notice traffic has been lighter. Perhaps Governor Blagojevic has issued the ultimatum I suggested - that at Thanksgiving we deport everyone born or raised south of the Mason-Dixon line back south of it, or over to Indiana until Easter. After that they can come back. They just can't drive in winter. In Indiana, nobody would notice. (*Ducks from possible thrown things from John*)
I think I may have a line on that pheasant plushie - I was at Petco the other day and saw dog toys - pheasants, mallards and such. I think they are training toys for hunting dogs. Shhh - don't tell anyone, but Lea got her GrandDog a new stuffed plushy hedgehog for Xmas - it has squeakers in its tummy and has a santa hat.
405 days
Friday, December 07, 2007
Cold Call Cold Shoulder
Salesmen, as every sane person knows, are the lowest known form of life.
Insurance Salesmen are the lowest known form of salesman - thereby making the single-cell paramecium look rather like a galaxy-sized complex organism by comparison.
Hey, salesman? Coming to the door at NOON FIFTEEN - is NOT the way to introduce yourself to a potential new client. You have just managed to do several things...
1) you have pissed off the backup receptionist who
a) Does not want to have to deal with people at the door
b) Has her own work to finish and has reluctantly agreed to put up with answering the phone so the receptionist can eat
2) You are NEVER, EVER, EVER, under ANY circumstances, going to get to see the "Traffic Manager" - because HE'S EATING LUNCH, YOU FUCKING MORON!!!
3) You've committed the lower-level of sexual harassment by mentioning how "cute" the receptionist's nails are. Shut the fuck up and slink off back to the tar pit you oozed out of this morning, buttwipe. She's young enough to be your daughter - PERVERT.
Guess what, assmunch? The receptionist came back to my office and asked how to deal with you. You're lucky she's a nicer person than I am. What I told her, and what she told you are very different things. Same result, but at least she didn't call you what I did, foreskin breath.
So now, you've pissed off the accountant too. Which means that if the traffic manager ever DOES make the collosal mistake of doing business with your company - I'll make sure it takes a looooonnnnnnnggggggggg time for you to get paid.
Die in a fire.
409 days
Insurance Salesmen are the lowest known form of salesman - thereby making the single-cell paramecium look rather like a galaxy-sized complex organism by comparison.
Hey, salesman? Coming to the door at NOON FIFTEEN - is NOT the way to introduce yourself to a potential new client. You have just managed to do several things...
1) you have pissed off the backup receptionist who
a) Does not want to have to deal with people at the door
b) Has her own work to finish and has reluctantly agreed to put up with answering the phone so the receptionist can eat
2) You are NEVER, EVER, EVER, under ANY circumstances, going to get to see the "Traffic Manager" - because HE'S EATING LUNCH, YOU FUCKING MORON!!!
3) You've committed the lower-level of sexual harassment by mentioning how "cute" the receptionist's nails are. Shut the fuck up and slink off back to the tar pit you oozed out of this morning, buttwipe. She's young enough to be your daughter - PERVERT.
Guess what, assmunch? The receptionist came back to my office and asked how to deal with you. You're lucky she's a nicer person than I am. What I told her, and what she told you are very different things. Same result, but at least she didn't call you what I did, foreskin breath.
So now, you've pissed off the accountant too. Which means that if the traffic manager ever DOES make the collosal mistake of doing business with your company - I'll make sure it takes a looooonnnnnnnggggggggg time for you to get paid.
Die in a fire.
409 days
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
What I did on my Late-Autumn vacation - cont'd.
So, I met Brisco the dog, and got the royal treatment by S and Leandra - including all the Diet Pepsi I could stand. These 2 women are great cooks, btw. Thanksgiving feast was absolutely awesome, I even ate a second helping of orange potatoes (yams, sweet potatoes... whatever. They're orange.) I usually don't because folks make them too syrupy sweet. These were great.
I have no idea what order things went in from this point - but we drove into Seattle to visit a store I found there years ago when I was with Flappy - Gargoyles Statuary - in the university district. I love this store. It's got atmosphere and some really adorable merchandise. The prices aren't entirely outrageous either - although I have to limit myself to ONE piece each visit (I could easily load up on them!)
Leandra loved it too - she bought a cute little squatty round box with a dragon on the lid, done in a verdigris on black finish with celtic knots around the bottom part. I got a moon goddess in a dark walnut stain.
This is the same shop that sold me "Smokey" - my dragon. Nothing there was quite as impressive as Smokey this time - but everything is visually interesting and although the store is not huge, it does take quite a while to check the whole place out. I picked up one of their catalogs on the way out.
Then we went to do lunch. I kinda wanted seafood, so Lea asked her Garmin GPS (Lea is directionally-challenged) for a restaurant, and it led us to a mall. I am going to suppose that the seafood place was in the mall somewhere, but we didn't feel like braving mall traffic on the weekend after Tgiving, so we decided to go to the mexican restaurant around the corner. Food was good, but when we left, the GPS unit kept trying to get us to go back into the mall, instead of giving up on that and letting us go home.
Eventually we got home, however, and without having to stop for more coffee!!
We did a lot more running about and having a good time - just spending time with my friend and her daughter was great.
Flew home on Monday, a little more crowded than on the way out, but not too bad, except for having to get up at O-Dark-Thirty to get to the airport before dawn. (While Starbucks does not open that early - the espresso-hut did!! 24oz mocha with 2 extra shots...) Another semi-uneventful flight (kept getting knocked in the knee by the drinks cart as the flight-floozies rolled it back and forth repeatedly.)
Got back to O'Hare, bit of a wait on the luggage, took a cab back to the house - got in around 5:30 pm, and spent the rest of the evening being very POINTEDLY ignored by two miffed cats who felt they had been deprived of their Bastet-Given-Right to pets on demand.
After emptying my suitcase almost directly into the clothes washer, I cooked up a batch of "Tyson's Jumbo Wings O'Fire", had a nice large glass of wine and sacked out early - knowing I had to go to work the next day.
The rest of the week I spent catching up at work and agonizing over what to get for C&L for a baby gift. C works with me, and his wife L is expecting their first, and the shower was on this last Saturday. I ended up hitting K-Mart and picking up a few odds & ends in green and yellow (they've opted to wait for the birth to find out gender), and a copy of Dr. Spock and a set of childproofing locks & latches & socketplugs. Her mom and 2 other relatives (aunt? cousin? I'm terrible with this stuff) really threw a heck of a bash. Nice posh restaurant/banquet hall, good food and pretty decorations.
These ladies could start their own mini-business doing party consulting, with their attention to detail.
So, starting tonite, I'm going to have to get all those holiday cards finished and into the mail, and then I think I'll try to find some time to work in a pedicure and some "me" time.
But it's been fun - and I think I'm liking that again!
412 days
I have no idea what order things went in from this point - but we drove into Seattle to visit a store I found there years ago when I was with Flappy - Gargoyles Statuary - in the university district. I love this store. It's got atmosphere and some really adorable merchandise. The prices aren't entirely outrageous either - although I have to limit myself to ONE piece each visit (I could easily load up on them!)
Leandra loved it too - she bought a cute little squatty round box with a dragon on the lid, done in a verdigris on black finish with celtic knots around the bottom part. I got a moon goddess in a dark walnut stain.
This is the same shop that sold me "Smokey" - my dragon. Nothing there was quite as impressive as Smokey this time - but everything is visually interesting and although the store is not huge, it does take quite a while to check the whole place out. I picked up one of their catalogs on the way out.
Then we went to do lunch. I kinda wanted seafood, so Lea asked her Garmin GPS (Lea is directionally-challenged) for a restaurant, and it led us to a mall. I am going to suppose that the seafood place was in the mall somewhere, but we didn't feel like braving mall traffic on the weekend after Tgiving, so we decided to go to the mexican restaurant around the corner. Food was good, but when we left, the GPS unit kept trying to get us to go back into the mall, instead of giving up on that and letting us go home.
Eventually we got home, however, and without having to stop for more coffee!!
We did a lot more running about and having a good time - just spending time with my friend and her daughter was great.
Flew home on Monday, a little more crowded than on the way out, but not too bad, except for having to get up at O-Dark-Thirty to get to the airport before dawn. (While Starbucks does not open that early - the espresso-hut did!! 24oz mocha with 2 extra shots...) Another semi-uneventful flight (kept getting knocked in the knee by the drinks cart as the flight-floozies rolled it back and forth repeatedly.)
Got back to O'Hare, bit of a wait on the luggage, took a cab back to the house - got in around 5:30 pm, and spent the rest of the evening being very POINTEDLY ignored by two miffed cats who felt they had been deprived of their Bastet-Given-Right to pets on demand.
After emptying my suitcase almost directly into the clothes washer, I cooked up a batch of "Tyson's Jumbo Wings O'Fire", had a nice large glass of wine and sacked out early - knowing I had to go to work the next day.
The rest of the week I spent catching up at work and agonizing over what to get for C&L for a baby gift. C works with me, and his wife L is expecting their first, and the shower was on this last Saturday. I ended up hitting K-Mart and picking up a few odds & ends in green and yellow (they've opted to wait for the birth to find out gender), and a copy of Dr. Spock and a set of childproofing locks & latches & socketplugs. Her mom and 2 other relatives (aunt? cousin? I'm terrible with this stuff) really threw a heck of a bash. Nice posh restaurant/banquet hall, good food and pretty decorations.
These ladies could start their own mini-business doing party consulting, with their attention to detail.
So, starting tonite, I'm going to have to get all those holiday cards finished and into the mail, and then I think I'll try to find some time to work in a pedicure and some "me" time.
But it's been fun - and I think I'm liking that again!
412 days
Monday, December 03, 2007
Testing - 1-2-3
Hello? hello? Is this thing on? *tap tap*
Where in the world has Sewmouse gone? I'm sure all of you have been frantically asking this... Several of you? Maybe one? Certainly one??? *sigh*
Anyhow - that little monster known as RL (Real Life®) caught up with me and I've been slightly incommunicado for a few weeks.
So, lets see - where to start.
Got back from Florida and got hauled back into the craziness that is end-of-year processing. Despite all the hustle and bustle at work, I really do like what I do, and I like the people I work for and with - so even though it is busy and a bit crazy, I go home feeling tired but good.
At home, the computer decided to start screwing up on me, turning off the keyboard and other delightful things, so I decided to get to work on my crafty projects instead of websurfing and blogging.
I'm working on putting together homemade "seasonal" cards. Christmas cards for my family and Christmas-celebrating friends, Yule cards for others, "winter" cards for others yet. So far I've had several turn out great, and a much larger number that have had to be discarded for lack of greatness. I'm picky about what I will send out.
This brings us up to the Tuesday before our US "Thanksgiving" holiday. In a fit of complete insanity, Leandra and her daughter "S" sent me a plane ticket to come to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving plus a long weekend with them and their dog.
(Leandra will now thwap me and remind me the dog only belongs to S, and that she is NOT Brisco's "doggy gramma".)
For some bizarre reason I found myself getting rather quietly paranoid of the whole TSA/DHS gauntlet at the airport. I kept seeing myself getting pulled out of the line and denied boarding for being a "terrah-ist" because I had my laptop charger/cord in my breifcase, or because of the "Backwards Bush" countdown timer on my keychain (I left that at home!!) or because of my blood-glucose meter that looks like some kind of weird James-Bond-ish bomb triggering device.
Hey! Just because I'm paranoid does not mean everyone is NOT out to get me!!
Anyhow, this became a great joke among SOME folks who shall go nameless but were called "Brat" and scowled at.
Other things that concerned me were what to do about my car, and packing. I wanted to bring some things to work on, since there would be a lot of "down time" during the football games and stuff, and I get antsy and anxious if I'm just sitting with nothing to "do". I brought along a couple skeins of this bright multi-colored yarn and some plastic crochet hooks. I also brought the fabrics for YET ANOTHER quilt top I'm working on - but didn't get to them, other than to show Leandra how well they "meshed" in the color scheme.
Clothes, sweaters, hygiene products, newly-purchased hairbrush since the one went AWOL in Florida... Leandra's birthday present, some books, my laptop, a couple DVD's (5-hour flight), and my fuzzy foamy slippers. Good thing on the foamy slippers, too - since they only have a wood-burning stove for heat and I'm a forced-air-natural-gas-furnace kind of gal.
Fortunately, through the goodness of a couple of my co-workers, I was able to leave my car at my house and take a cab home from the airport when I got back. At $22/day for parking at O'Hare, (in the "CHEAP" lots!!!) it would cost more than the damn airfare just to park there while I was gone. So one kind co-worker - "D" - drove me and my luggage from home to the office, then another co-worker - "T" - took me to the airport. "T" is a supervisor, and so it was even more impressive to me that he would take time from his schedule to haul me and my luggage around. I doubt either of them reads this, but... Thanks guys!!
Since I was leaving early on a non-major carrier the day before the "rush" travel day, I didn't have much trouble getting checked in, and no trouble at all with security. Found a nice place to sit down at the gate and about 10 min after I got there, they announced a 2-hour delay. *sigh*
10 minutes before we were supposed to start boarding, they announced another delay - another hour or more. I wandered off and got something to eat and some coffee to tide me over. After about 25 minutes, they announced boarding, so whatever was the holdup got resolved. The flight was uneventful, I watched one of my movies on the laptop, and got to Seattle about 10 pm. local. My luggage came down 3rd of the pieces from my flight, so that was all easy. Snagged a Starbucks mocha for the drive out to Everett and we got home about 11 or so.
Seattle and surrounds are great. A bit too hilly/lumpy for me because of the stick-shift thing, but damn if there isn't an espresso hut on every other streetcorner. Kind of pretty too. Reminds me a bit of Denver.
First thing when I walked in the door, I got to meet Brisco. Brisco is a 60 lb. German Shorthair Pointer - (I think that's right?) mostly brown with some white on his chest and muzzle. LONG muzzle, and a funny bulbous nose, dark brown eyes you could get lost in - long legs, stub tail and long silky ears. Wayyyy full of energy. A real DOG dog. I liked him right off.
I enjoyed him a lot - the only "down side" is that he's a food thief and you have to watch him every second if there's anything within reach that might even be MISTAKEN for edible. Dog has poisoned himself with chocolate, raisins and some other "people-foods" that dogs should never eat. Even had to watch him with the champagne. He didn't go after my diet pepsi, however.
Ok - this is becoming "wall of text" - I'll post more later.
413 days
Where in the world has Sewmouse gone? I'm sure all of you have been frantically asking this... Several of you? Maybe one? Certainly one??? *sigh*
Anyhow - that little monster known as RL (Real Life®) caught up with me and I've been slightly incommunicado for a few weeks.
So, lets see - where to start.
Got back from Florida and got hauled back into the craziness that is end-of-year processing. Despite all the hustle and bustle at work, I really do like what I do, and I like the people I work for and with - so even though it is busy and a bit crazy, I go home feeling tired but good.
At home, the computer decided to start screwing up on me, turning off the keyboard and other delightful things, so I decided to get to work on my crafty projects instead of websurfing and blogging.
I'm working on putting together homemade "seasonal" cards. Christmas cards for my family and Christmas-celebrating friends, Yule cards for others, "winter" cards for others yet. So far I've had several turn out great, and a much larger number that have had to be discarded for lack of greatness. I'm picky about what I will send out.
This brings us up to the Tuesday before our US "Thanksgiving" holiday. In a fit of complete insanity, Leandra and her daughter "S" sent me a plane ticket to come to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving plus a long weekend with them and their dog.
(Leandra will now thwap me and remind me the dog only belongs to S, and that she is NOT Brisco's "doggy gramma".)
For some bizarre reason I found myself getting rather quietly paranoid of the whole TSA/DHS gauntlet at the airport. I kept seeing myself getting pulled out of the line and denied boarding for being a "terrah-ist" because I had my laptop charger/cord in my breifcase, or because of the "Backwards Bush" countdown timer on my keychain (I left that at home!!) or because of my blood-glucose meter that looks like some kind of weird James-Bond-ish bomb triggering device.
Hey! Just because I'm paranoid does not mean everyone is NOT out to get me!!
Anyhow, this became a great joke among SOME folks who shall go nameless but were called "Brat" and scowled at.
Other things that concerned me were what to do about my car, and packing. I wanted to bring some things to work on, since there would be a lot of "down time" during the football games and stuff, and I get antsy and anxious if I'm just sitting with nothing to "do". I brought along a couple skeins of this bright multi-colored yarn and some plastic crochet hooks. I also brought the fabrics for YET ANOTHER quilt top I'm working on - but didn't get to them, other than to show Leandra how well they "meshed" in the color scheme.
Clothes, sweaters, hygiene products, newly-purchased hairbrush since the one went AWOL in Florida... Leandra's birthday present, some books, my laptop, a couple DVD's (5-hour flight), and my fuzzy foamy slippers. Good thing on the foamy slippers, too - since they only have a wood-burning stove for heat and I'm a forced-air-natural-gas-furnace kind of gal.
Fortunately, through the goodness of a couple of my co-workers, I was able to leave my car at my house and take a cab home from the airport when I got back. At $22/day for parking at O'Hare, (in the "CHEAP" lots!!!) it would cost more than the damn airfare just to park there while I was gone. So one kind co-worker - "D" - drove me and my luggage from home to the office, then another co-worker - "T" - took me to the airport. "T" is a supervisor, and so it was even more impressive to me that he would take time from his schedule to haul me and my luggage around. I doubt either of them reads this, but... Thanks guys!!
Since I was leaving early on a non-major carrier the day before the "rush" travel day, I didn't have much trouble getting checked in, and no trouble at all with security. Found a nice place to sit down at the gate and about 10 min after I got there, they announced a 2-hour delay. *sigh*
10 minutes before we were supposed to start boarding, they announced another delay - another hour or more. I wandered off and got something to eat and some coffee to tide me over. After about 25 minutes, they announced boarding, so whatever was the holdup got resolved. The flight was uneventful, I watched one of my movies on the laptop, and got to Seattle about 10 pm. local. My luggage came down 3rd of the pieces from my flight, so that was all easy. Snagged a Starbucks mocha for the drive out to Everett and we got home about 11 or so.
Seattle and surrounds are great. A bit too hilly/lumpy for me because of the stick-shift thing, but damn if there isn't an espresso hut on every other streetcorner. Kind of pretty too. Reminds me a bit of Denver.
First thing when I walked in the door, I got to meet Brisco. Brisco is a 60 lb. German Shorthair Pointer - (I think that's right?) mostly brown with some white on his chest and muzzle. LONG muzzle, and a funny bulbous nose, dark brown eyes you could get lost in - long legs, stub tail and long silky ears. Wayyyy full of energy. A real DOG dog. I liked him right off.
I enjoyed him a lot - the only "down side" is that he's a food thief and you have to watch him every second if there's anything within reach that might even be MISTAKEN for edible. Dog has poisoned himself with chocolate, raisins and some other "people-foods" that dogs should never eat. Even had to watch him with the champagne. He didn't go after my diet pepsi, however.
Ok - this is becoming "wall of text" - I'll post more later.
413 days
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Strange Things I See On The Way To Work...
Pheasant under Grass
When I was a kid, from time to time while riding in the car my Dad would spot a pheasant running thru the fields that surrounded our tiny tiny little village. The place I grew up was quite rural when we moved there, now it's all ghastly creeping suburbia. Being grossly myopic and a bit slow on the uptake (usually riding in the car also meant reading a book) - I almost never spotted them.
Imagine my surprise to see one laying in the median strip in the middle of a busy highway! I couldn't believe it!
I was right. I shouldn't believe it. It wasn't a pheasant. It was a pheasant carcass. Actually, it wasn't even a pheasant carcass. It was a STUFFED pheasant carcass. No, no - not something from the RoadKill Diner. Plush instead of feathers - 3-toed flappers instead of feet... a child's stuffed plushie pheasant. In the median. Of the road. Dead. Killed to death by a car perhaps. The flappers were the giveaway. Before I saw them, I still thought it might be a real pheasant under the grass clippings.
The grand prix
It was a dull shade of Silver - or maybe it just seemed dull because of the overcast sky. All the cars seemed non-shiney today. Came hurtling out of the backfield to a rocking & bouncing stop at the traffic light in the left-turn lane. Rocking so violently that a woman in a car nearby was heard to shout "You need to slow DOWN!!"
That's when I noticed his Chicago Bears-style vanity license plate "DMB41"
Yup. Dumb41 - the Grand Prick. Needs to slow DOWN. *snicker*
The Zebra Car
There is a Zebra Car out on the side of the road at a dealer on Grand Avenue. I want one. They are too farking cute for words. They even have Zap pickup trucks, which look kind of silly - but the little zebra car is too much! Bit pricey, and I don't think I'd use it except to/from work in the summertime, since it can only get up to 25 miles per charge, so I'd not be able to go any further than that - but DAMN it's cute. With gas over $3.10 a gallon again, I bet it would be cheaper than my neon too - even if the neon DOES get over 36 mph highway.
438 days
***Note to Amanda: I'd love to hear from you, but I'm not home as much as before. If you e-mail me your address and phone number (sewmouse (at) gmail (dot) com), I'll give you more contact info. Love you too, Sweetie!***
When I was a kid, from time to time while riding in the car my Dad would spot a pheasant running thru the fields that surrounded our tiny tiny little village. The place I grew up was quite rural when we moved there, now it's all ghastly creeping suburbia. Being grossly myopic and a bit slow on the uptake (usually riding in the car also meant reading a book) - I almost never spotted them.
Imagine my surprise to see one laying in the median strip in the middle of a busy highway! I couldn't believe it!
I was right. I shouldn't believe it. It wasn't a pheasant. It was a pheasant carcass. Actually, it wasn't even a pheasant carcass. It was a STUFFED pheasant carcass. No, no - not something from the RoadKill Diner. Plush instead of feathers - 3-toed flappers instead of feet... a child's stuffed plushie pheasant. In the median. Of the road. Dead. Killed to death by a car perhaps. The flappers were the giveaway. Before I saw them, I still thought it might be a real pheasant under the grass clippings.
The grand prix
It was a dull shade of Silver - or maybe it just seemed dull because of the overcast sky. All the cars seemed non-shiney today. Came hurtling out of the backfield to a rocking & bouncing stop at the traffic light in the left-turn lane. Rocking so violently that a woman in a car nearby was heard to shout "You need to slow DOWN!!"
That's when I noticed his Chicago Bears-style vanity license plate "DMB41"
Yup. Dumb41 - the Grand Prick. Needs to slow DOWN. *snicker*
The Zebra Car
There is a Zebra Car out on the side of the road at a dealer on Grand Avenue. I want one. They are too farking cute for words. They even have Zap pickup trucks, which look kind of silly - but the little zebra car is too much! Bit pricey, and I don't think I'd use it except to/from work in the summertime, since it can only get up to 25 miles per charge, so I'd not be able to go any further than that - but DAMN it's cute. With gas over $3.10 a gallon again, I bet it would be cheaper than my neon too - even if the neon DOES get over 36 mph highway.
438 days
***Note to Amanda: I'd love to hear from you, but I'm not home as much as before. If you e-mail me your address and phone number (sewmouse (at) gmail (dot) com), I'll give you more contact info. Love you too, Sweetie!***
Monday, November 05, 2007
Vacation - part II
Hah - thought I died on the way back, didn't you? You should be so lucky. Bah.
So Dad and I had a great time, at least *I* did. I suspect he did too, although he thinks I was bored. Mostly I needed time to just relax and be with Dad. The shuffleboard thing was cool too, in an old and silly sort of way.
Anyhow, coming back was rough. I did the drive in 2 days instead of three, and my eyes are not doing so great with driving anymore. I'm ok for a few hundred miles, then the lines in the road and all the darting about to make sure no idiots are hitting me becomes tiring. Perhaps I need to do this more, rather than less, because I think if I did the muscles in the eyes would re-adjust.
Marry-your-kinTucky was beautiful on the way back. I'm not usually all that fond of it, being as it is kind of an unnecessary evil between me and Susan in Nashville, Lori in Atlanta and Dad near Orlando - but the fall colors were in full swing and the gorgeous greens and golds and oranges and the occasional flash of bright scarlet were wonderful. I thought of Rauf and his photographs - he would have liked this, even though the colors were more muted and neutral than the bright vivid colors he snaps.
Of course, all this at 75 mph on curvy roads in the lumpiness of Kentucky, so no photos from ME!!
Discovered the delights of "Ginger Beer". It's kind of like gingerale, but not as sweet, not as bubbly - and MUCH more ginger flavored. I decided I like it. There is a store here where I can get it too!
No iced-tea incidents on the way back - once is enough, and I can remember. I did stop at another Comfort Inn - which was equally nice to the nights on the way down - but they didn't give me a username/password for the interwebs access, so I was without for that night. (By the time I figured out I needed it, I was too tired to tromp back down to the lobby and ask for it - and I hate trying to figure out hotel phones)
So the vacation was great - getting back to work was great - and I'll post the final installment on the "Mystery Quilt" on next Sunday when all the laundry is done.
The cats hated me, btw, when I got back. Mindi even hissed at me - which got her some stern words and a glare. Within about 10 minutes they were snuggling up for pets and treats, however. Too old to stay angry long, I suspect.
Ok - off to work.
441 days
So Dad and I had a great time, at least *I* did. I suspect he did too, although he thinks I was bored. Mostly I needed time to just relax and be with Dad. The shuffleboard thing was cool too, in an old and silly sort of way.
Anyhow, coming back was rough. I did the drive in 2 days instead of three, and my eyes are not doing so great with driving anymore. I'm ok for a few hundred miles, then the lines in the road and all the darting about to make sure no idiots are hitting me becomes tiring. Perhaps I need to do this more, rather than less, because I think if I did the muscles in the eyes would re-adjust.
Marry-your-kinTucky was beautiful on the way back. I'm not usually all that fond of it, being as it is kind of an unnecessary evil between me and Susan in Nashville, Lori in Atlanta and Dad near Orlando - but the fall colors were in full swing and the gorgeous greens and golds and oranges and the occasional flash of bright scarlet were wonderful. I thought of Rauf and his photographs - he would have liked this, even though the colors were more muted and neutral than the bright vivid colors he snaps.
Of course, all this at 75 mph on curvy roads in the lumpiness of Kentucky, so no photos from ME!!
Discovered the delights of "Ginger Beer". It's kind of like gingerale, but not as sweet, not as bubbly - and MUCH more ginger flavored. I decided I like it. There is a store here where I can get it too!
No iced-tea incidents on the way back - once is enough, and I can remember. I did stop at another Comfort Inn - which was equally nice to the nights on the way down - but they didn't give me a username/password for the interwebs access, so I was without for that night. (By the time I figured out I needed it, I was too tired to tromp back down to the lobby and ask for it - and I hate trying to figure out hotel phones)
So the vacation was great - getting back to work was great - and I'll post the final installment on the "Mystery Quilt" on next Sunday when all the laundry is done.
The cats hated me, btw, when I got back. Mindi even hissed at me - which got her some stern words and a glare. Within about 10 minutes they were snuggling up for pets and treats, however. Too old to stay angry long, I suspect.
Ok - off to work.
441 days
Monday, October 29, 2007
Vacation Log - Part 1
My hairbrush decided to stay in Florida.
I was looking for it right up until the time I had to start packing up the car to go home - but it never materialized. I suspect it found some hairbrushy place to hide until I left and is now out drinking Mai Tai's on the veranda at the pool. Which is better than I did.
Damn hairbrushes.
I brought my camera with me, but took only one photo, which I have not yet looked at to see if it is suitable for posting. Not that there weren't a lot of lovely things to photograph, but most of them were going past me at 75 mph on the interstate in lumpy Marry-Your-Kin-Tuckey with truckers snuffling their way in front of me scarily. So I am going to try and give a verbal rendition...
There was, rather amazingly, NO construction traffic on the Borman Expressway on the way down. This scared me, as I am firmly of the belief that if the Borman is ever completely construction-free for any length of time, it is one of the signs of the impending apocalypse. No orange traffic cones at all, that first weekend, and I feared for the souls of those of our Indiana Hoosier Bretheren and Sisteren who had not their Blessed and Holy Icons of Faith to genuflect over and worship. [/sarcasm]
So I took my own sweet time and 2 1/2 days of driving to get down to the Land of the Mouse and Palm Trees and Geckos. Only one notable problem - drove through a McD's for a snack in southern Georgia and forgot to say UNSWEETENED when asking for the iced tea. Bleuch. Uch. YUCKY...
I poured it out. I made lots of yucky noises - then I stopped again at a Road Pilot and got some diet pepsi to wash out my mouth. Yeah, yeah, so I'm "Yankeefied" as a dear friend calls me. At least I have succumbed to the delights of eating grits. Except the name is still a bit off-putting.
Anyhow - I stayed at this place called "Comfort Inn" - and it lived up to its name. The room was big and clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly, and even their "free breakfast" was pretty OK. Bit on the carb-heavy side, especially for someone with Type II Diabetes, but I managed to find a few things that were "marginal" and just figured I'd go heavy on the vegetables for the week.
Got to Dad's house, it is in this nice gated community out in the boonies in Florida. Well, sorta boonies - it's kind of turning into creeping suburbia. We had dinner, then he went out to a church meeting and I took a nap - and when he came back we talked until midnite. Nice!
The next morning we had to get up early because he plays Bocce. Apparently this is an Italian-invented bowling game with a little white ball and 8 larger balls (about the size of a 16" softball) in 2 colors. Dad is fairly good at it - at least as good as the rest of his group. He says he wants to get on the "travelling team". I love this. The travelling team "travels" all up and down Rte. 27 to the other gated communities. *giggle*
After that we went on a whirlwind tour of the local supermarkets. Publix and Winn-Dixie. Picked up stuff for dinner and breakfast and totally forgot to get lunch stuff - so about an hour later he ran out again to get some sliced meat and bread. That night we made a roast-beef on the Weber grill. He uses his golf cart to cart the weber to the back yard because the grass in Florida is too coarse to drive the weber through on its own. For all that we had a bit of trouble getting the grill to heat up, once it got going, the meat and baked potatoes got done rather quickly and we heated up the spinach and had a small feast out on the screened patio as darkness fell... clunk.
It does get dark quickly in Florida. Maybe I just dont' notice it GETTING dark, but it seems like it goes from "light and sunny" to "damn dark!" in a quick hurry. Didn't matter. The food was great and the company was even better. Granted, my Dad is never going to understand his rebellious, Lib'rul, feminist daughter - but he tries, and I love him for it. We can converse - and sometimes I can even manage to notice that he's gotten quiet and it's the signal for me to STFU about whatever topic I've gotten mouthy about.
Peace in the family. More important than being right. Except with my brother, with whom I cannot back down, because it would be seen as weakness and him "winning" and that just can't happen. I can't go into the reasons here - now - but I will just say that it has to be either a "win" or a "draw" for me - no losing - when it comes to the sibling. I know its all childish attitude and posturing, but for now that is where my head is at and its the only "comfortable" position I am able to accept.
Anyhow - the next morning we went to play shuffleboard. I had never played before, although I had seen people playing. I suck at shuffleboard - very much. I either push the disc thingy too soft and it doesn't make it over the line - or I push it so hard that it threatens to jump over the backboard and head for the tennis courts. I am, however, deadeye spot on with knocking the other person's disks out of the scoring triangle thingy.
448 days
I was looking for it right up until the time I had to start packing up the car to go home - but it never materialized. I suspect it found some hairbrushy place to hide until I left and is now out drinking Mai Tai's on the veranda at the pool. Which is better than I did.
Damn hairbrushes.
I brought my camera with me, but took only one photo, which I have not yet looked at to see if it is suitable for posting. Not that there weren't a lot of lovely things to photograph, but most of them were going past me at 75 mph on the interstate in lumpy Marry-Your-Kin-Tuckey with truckers snuffling their way in front of me scarily. So I am going to try and give a verbal rendition...
There was, rather amazingly, NO construction traffic on the Borman Expressway on the way down. This scared me, as I am firmly of the belief that if the Borman is ever completely construction-free for any length of time, it is one of the signs of the impending apocalypse. No orange traffic cones at all, that first weekend, and I feared for the souls of those of our Indiana Hoosier Bretheren and Sisteren who had not their Blessed and Holy Icons of Faith to genuflect over and worship. [/sarcasm]
So I took my own sweet time and 2 1/2 days of driving to get down to the Land of the Mouse and Palm Trees and Geckos. Only one notable problem - drove through a McD's for a snack in southern Georgia and forgot to say UNSWEETENED when asking for the iced tea. Bleuch. Uch. YUCKY...
I poured it out. I made lots of yucky noises - then I stopped again at a Road Pilot and got some diet pepsi to wash out my mouth. Yeah, yeah, so I'm "Yankeefied" as a dear friend calls me. At least I have succumbed to the delights of eating grits. Except the name is still a bit off-putting.
Anyhow - I stayed at this place called "Comfort Inn" - and it lived up to its name. The room was big and clean and comfortable. The staff was very friendly, and even their "free breakfast" was pretty OK. Bit on the carb-heavy side, especially for someone with Type II Diabetes, but I managed to find a few things that were "marginal" and just figured I'd go heavy on the vegetables for the week.
Got to Dad's house, it is in this nice gated community out in the boonies in Florida. Well, sorta boonies - it's kind of turning into creeping suburbia. We had dinner, then he went out to a church meeting and I took a nap - and when he came back we talked until midnite. Nice!
The next morning we had to get up early because he plays Bocce. Apparently this is an Italian-invented bowling game with a little white ball and 8 larger balls (about the size of a 16" softball) in 2 colors. Dad is fairly good at it - at least as good as the rest of his group. He says he wants to get on the "travelling team". I love this. The travelling team "travels" all up and down Rte. 27 to the other gated communities. *giggle*
After that we went on a whirlwind tour of the local supermarkets. Publix and Winn-Dixie. Picked up stuff for dinner and breakfast and totally forgot to get lunch stuff - so about an hour later he ran out again to get some sliced meat and bread. That night we made a roast-beef on the Weber grill. He uses his golf cart to cart the weber to the back yard because the grass in Florida is too coarse to drive the weber through on its own. For all that we had a bit of trouble getting the grill to heat up, once it got going, the meat and baked potatoes got done rather quickly and we heated up the spinach and had a small feast out on the screened patio as darkness fell... clunk.
It does get dark quickly in Florida. Maybe I just dont' notice it GETTING dark, but it seems like it goes from "light and sunny" to "damn dark!" in a quick hurry. Didn't matter. The food was great and the company was even better. Granted, my Dad is never going to understand his rebellious, Lib'rul, feminist daughter - but he tries, and I love him for it. We can converse - and sometimes I can even manage to notice that he's gotten quiet and it's the signal for me to STFU about whatever topic I've gotten mouthy about.
Peace in the family. More important than being right. Except with my brother, with whom I cannot back down, because it would be seen as weakness and him "winning" and that just can't happen. I can't go into the reasons here - now - but I will just say that it has to be either a "win" or a "draw" for me - no losing - when it comes to the sibling. I know its all childish attitude and posturing, but for now that is where my head is at and its the only "comfortable" position I am able to accept.
Anyhow - the next morning we went to play shuffleboard. I had never played before, although I had seen people playing. I suck at shuffleboard - very much. I either push the disc thingy too soft and it doesn't make it over the line - or I push it so hard that it threatens to jump over the backboard and head for the tennis courts. I am, however, deadeye spot on with knocking the other person's disks out of the scoring triangle thingy.
448 days
Friday, October 26, 2007
Road Trip
No, I didn't die yet. I've been on a road trip. And a Dad Checkup. Drove down to Florida last weekend, and I'll be driving back starting today. I don't like Florida well enough to live here. It's too hot and humid and although the gecko's are cute, I really don't want to find one on my computer monidtor one morning like Dad has.
It seems hard to convince him that I like spending my vacation time with HIM - not with the mouse or at Busch gardens or anything. It's quiet and peaceful where he lives, he has a grapefruit tree that SOME DAY I will be down here when the grapefruits are ripe - but it is all quiet and serene.
I'll write more later - I need to find my hairbrush which seems to have decided it wants to stay in Florida - it is hiding.
451 days, I think...
It seems hard to convince him that I like spending my vacation time with HIM - not with the mouse or at Busch gardens or anything. It's quiet and peaceful where he lives, he has a grapefruit tree that SOME DAY I will be down here when the grapefruits are ripe - but it is all quiet and serene.
I'll write more later - I need to find my hairbrush which seems to have decided it wants to stay in Florida - it is hiding.
451 days, I think...
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 11
Part 1.....Part 2.....Part 3.....Part 4
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Part 9.....Part 10
Hello again, everybody. This week we will cover some of the basics of finishing your quilt.
As we discussed on Week 1, a quilt is 2 layers of fabric with a warm "filling" between, kind of a cloth sandwich, secured to keep the filling from shifting. In order to do this and have it stay flat, you need to do a few preliminary things.
First off, take your backing fabric. If you bought wide fabric, you can just iron it flat and use as-is. If you bought standard 45" wide fabric, cut the 4 1/2 yard piece into 2 pieces that are 2 1/4 yards each. Sew the two pieces together along the long (selvege) edge to make one very large piece. Iron very flat, making the seam go to either one or the other side, don't "open" the seam.
Basting
Grab your safety pins, a needle, some hideously mis-matched thread - here we go!
Find the exact center of your backing fabric. Mark it with a pin, or some other means that you can FEEL, not just see. I usually like to do the next bit on an old folding canasta table that my Mom and Dad gave me when they moved. A card table works as well.
Lay the backing fabric on the table, WRONG side up (Put the pretty side down) Make sure the center of the fabric is in the center of the table. Now unroll your batting. Find the center of the hunk of batting and clip it to the center of the backing. Smooth both the backing and batting flat.
Now find the center of your quilt top that we just finished peicing. Yes, you guessed it - attach the center of this to the batting - this time with the pretty side UP. Use a large safety pin and pin all 3 centers together and take out any other clips or pins. Smooth the 3 fabric layers so they all lay nice and flat, hanging over the edges of the table like a tablecloth.
This next bit is important, because you don't want to have puckers on the front or the back of your quilt once it is finished. Carefully pin your 3 layers together approximately every 4 inches or so in every direction. I suggest using more safety pins, because they don't fall out if you wiggle things around. When you reach the ends of the table, carefully reposition the "sandwich" so that the parts that are hanging over the sides can be pinned as well.
If you plan to "tie" your quilt, this is probably enough basting. If you plan to either machine or hand quilt (stitched quilting, as opposed to tying), however, you should probably go one step further.
Using an entirely "WRONG" color of thread (for instance, on my pink, brown and green quilt top, I'll use shocking Turquoise) - take very long stitches from one side to the other of the quilt, approximately 3/4 to a full inch long each, in rows about an inch apart. Once this is done, you can remove the pins.
Now you are ready to "quilt" - putting in the ties or the stitches that will hold your 3 layers steady through all your sleeping with it and washing it.
Quilting
There are 3 generally accepted methods for "quilting" a blanket.
The first one is tying the quilt. Tying a quilt consists of making a lot of small knots of either quilting thread or yarn to connect all 3 layers. I have never done this method myself, and rather than steer you wrong, please check out the instructions here - she provides step-by-step drawings and very clear directions.
The second method is machine quilting. Your sewing machine sews layers of fabric together - that is all quilting really is. While I have done machine quilting in my time, it's not my forte, and rather than steer you wrong, check out this site, which gives excellent directions, including videos!
The third method is hand quilting. I am tempted to say I've left the best for last, but that is only because this is MY favored method of quilting. Hand quilting can be done either on a frame or using a large "embroidery" hoop. My preference is the frame, but not every home has the room to use one. Leandra uses a "lap hoop" - a hoop attached to a pedestal that sits in her lap and allows her to quilt almost anywhere.
Decide which method you are going to use - next week I'll discuss hand-quilting in more detail, and we will also discuss binding your quilt once it has been "quilted" or tied.
One thing. This part takes a lot of time. Don't skimp. Take the time to do this part carefully, because this is what will "make" or "break" your quilt. A top with piecing flaws (decapitated triangles, mismatched seams and points) has "character". A quilt with lots of puckers and pleats on the front or back is going to be uncomfortable to use and unsightly. Take the time. A quilt the size of the one we just pieced would take me about 8 weeks to hand-quilt, assuming I allow myself time to do housework and eat and sleep and stuff.
Until next week, happy stitching!
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Part 9.....Part 10
Hello again, everybody. This week we will cover some of the basics of finishing your quilt.
As we discussed on Week 1, a quilt is 2 layers of fabric with a warm "filling" between, kind of a cloth sandwich, secured to keep the filling from shifting. In order to do this and have it stay flat, you need to do a few preliminary things.
First off, take your backing fabric. If you bought wide fabric, you can just iron it flat and use as-is. If you bought standard 45" wide fabric, cut the 4 1/2 yard piece into 2 pieces that are 2 1/4 yards each. Sew the two pieces together along the long (selvege) edge to make one very large piece. Iron very flat, making the seam go to either one or the other side, don't "open" the seam.
Basting
Grab your safety pins, a needle, some hideously mis-matched thread - here we go!
Find the exact center of your backing fabric. Mark it with a pin, or some other means that you can FEEL, not just see. I usually like to do the next bit on an old folding canasta table that my Mom and Dad gave me when they moved. A card table works as well.
Lay the backing fabric on the table, WRONG side up (Put the pretty side down) Make sure the center of the fabric is in the center of the table. Now unroll your batting. Find the center of the hunk of batting and clip it to the center of the backing. Smooth both the backing and batting flat.
Now find the center of your quilt top that we just finished peicing. Yes, you guessed it - attach the center of this to the batting - this time with the pretty side UP. Use a large safety pin and pin all 3 centers together and take out any other clips or pins. Smooth the 3 fabric layers so they all lay nice and flat, hanging over the edges of the table like a tablecloth.
This next bit is important, because you don't want to have puckers on the front or the back of your quilt once it is finished. Carefully pin your 3 layers together approximately every 4 inches or so in every direction. I suggest using more safety pins, because they don't fall out if you wiggle things around. When you reach the ends of the table, carefully reposition the "sandwich" so that the parts that are hanging over the sides can be pinned as well.
If you plan to "tie" your quilt, this is probably enough basting. If you plan to either machine or hand quilt (stitched quilting, as opposed to tying), however, you should probably go one step further.
Using an entirely "WRONG" color of thread (for instance, on my pink, brown and green quilt top, I'll use shocking Turquoise) - take very long stitches from one side to the other of the quilt, approximately 3/4 to a full inch long each, in rows about an inch apart. Once this is done, you can remove the pins.
Now you are ready to "quilt" - putting in the ties or the stitches that will hold your 3 layers steady through all your sleeping with it and washing it.
Quilting
There are 3 generally accepted methods for "quilting" a blanket.
The first one is tying the quilt. Tying a quilt consists of making a lot of small knots of either quilting thread or yarn to connect all 3 layers. I have never done this method myself, and rather than steer you wrong, please check out the instructions here - she provides step-by-step drawings and very clear directions.
The second method is machine quilting. Your sewing machine sews layers of fabric together - that is all quilting really is. While I have done machine quilting in my time, it's not my forte, and rather than steer you wrong, check out this site, which gives excellent directions, including videos!
The third method is hand quilting. I am tempted to say I've left the best for last, but that is only because this is MY favored method of quilting. Hand quilting can be done either on a frame or using a large "embroidery" hoop. My preference is the frame, but not every home has the room to use one. Leandra uses a "lap hoop" - a hoop attached to a pedestal that sits in her lap and allows her to quilt almost anywhere.
Decide which method you are going to use - next week I'll discuss hand-quilting in more detail, and we will also discuss binding your quilt once it has been "quilted" or tied.
One thing. This part takes a lot of time. Don't skimp. Take the time to do this part carefully, because this is what will "make" or "break" your quilt. A top with piecing flaws (decapitated triangles, mismatched seams and points) has "character". A quilt with lots of puckers and pleats on the front or back is going to be uncomfortable to use and unsightly. Take the time. A quilt the size of the one we just pieced would take me about 8 weeks to hand-quilt, assuming I allow myself time to do housework and eat and sleep and stuff.
Until next week, happy stitching!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Out of Office
Will return shortly.
Please do not adjust your set. Normal service will resume shortly.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
457 days
Please do not adjust your set. Normal service will resume shortly.
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
457 days
Monday, October 15, 2007
Hmmmmm... Interesting.
| Sewmouse - a dash of confidence - 1/4 cup of loyalty - a pound of honesty Combine in a blender until smooth. | |
| 'What is your personality recipe?' at QuizGalaxy.com | |
Grazillions of Grackles
Mondays aren't really my favorite day of the week. Especially rainy, gloomy, dreary mondays, and this one started out like that. Fall is definitely in full swing, the chill in the air of a morning makes me want to burrow back under the quilts - not toss them to the side and leap into action.
This morning I opened the back door to head to the car and heard the most amazing sound - it was the soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Amazing that someone would be playing that at such an ungodly hour...
And then I saw them. On the TV antenna of the house opposite... 20 grackles, at the least. And on their roof - at least 2 or 3 dozen more. A chorus of birdnoise from behind caused me to whirl about and see in the tree behind our fence another group - hundreds of grackles... grackling.
I made a break for my car - all the while listening to the scratchy cries of the birds - hoping they wouldn't attack and peck me to death. The noise of the Grazillions of Grackles (exact number) was loud enough to drown out the sounds from the expressway nearby. Every single TV antenna, all the roofs - much of the shrubbery and all of the trees - covered in Grackles.
Damn that lady across the street and her stupid bird feeder!!!
462 days
This morning I opened the back door to head to the car and heard the most amazing sound - it was the soundtrack to Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Amazing that someone would be playing that at such an ungodly hour...
And then I saw them. On the TV antenna of the house opposite... 20 grackles, at the least. And on their roof - at least 2 or 3 dozen more. A chorus of birdnoise from behind caused me to whirl about and see in the tree behind our fence another group - hundreds of grackles... grackling.
I made a break for my car - all the while listening to the scratchy cries of the birds - hoping they wouldn't attack and peck me to death. The noise of the Grazillions of Grackles (exact number) was loud enough to drown out the sounds from the expressway nearby. Every single TV antenna, all the roofs - much of the shrubbery and all of the trees - covered in Grackles.
Damn that lady across the street and her stupid bird feeder!!!
462 days
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 10
Part 1.....Part 2.....Part 3.....Part 4
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Part 9
Today is the day - we're going to take all the leftover cut bits and finsih the top of our quilt! Grab the 5 rows of squares that you assembled last week, and the six very long strips of Color A.
Take one strip of color A and sew it along the long edge of one of your rows of squares. Do this to each of the 5 strips.
The next part is to attach the 5 strips to one another, keeping an "A" strip between each of the rows of pieced blocks. You will want to make an effort here to keep the squares in line with one another. The blocks should look as if the pointy bits of each triangle-mini-block are pointing to the ones in the next row. We strive for Symmetry. The lovely part about using these intervening "Sashing" bits (the long "A" strips) is that if you are off by a small amount, it's less noticable.
Sew the final "A" strip to the edge of the pieced blocks that doesn't have one - and you should end up with a lovely pieced quilt-top that looks like this:
For those of you who have made quilts before - now is the fun bit - you know how to finish. For those of you who have not - I'll begin next week with the basics of how to assemble the quilt and turn this pieced top into an actual blanket.
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Part 9
Today is the day - we're going to take all the leftover cut bits and finsih the top of our quilt! Grab the 5 rows of squares that you assembled last week, and the six very long strips of Color A.
Take one strip of color A and sew it along the long edge of one of your rows of squares. Do this to each of the 5 strips.
The next part is to attach the 5 strips to one another, keeping an "A" strip between each of the rows of pieced blocks. You will want to make an effort here to keep the squares in line with one another. The blocks should look as if the pointy bits of each triangle-mini-block are pointing to the ones in the next row. We strive for Symmetry. The lovely part about using these intervening "Sashing" bits (the long "A" strips) is that if you are off by a small amount, it's less noticable.
Sew the final "A" strip to the edge of the pieced blocks that doesn't have one - and you should end up with a lovely pieced quilt-top that looks like this:
For those of you who have made quilts before - now is the fun bit - you know how to finish. For those of you who have not - I'll begin next week with the basics of how to assemble the quilt and turn this pieced top into an actual blanket.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Geese on a Date
I really do need to learn to bring my digital camera along with me more often, although I'm not sure there would have been time to capture this "Kodak Moment" even if I had brought it today.
My office is in an "industrial complex" - lots of small manufacturing/warehousing buildings in a 3-4 square block area. Traffic usually fairly moderate at all times, a bit heavier at morning, noon and evening rush. Substantial 18-wheeler use.
One street does a dog-leg turn from the E-W street to the N-S street - and I have to navigate that one to get to our offices, which are at the end of a cul-de-sac off that dogleg. The morning haze had not yet entirely burned off, and as I approached the curve, through the mist I see 4 "poles" sticking out of the road up ahead. Slowing down, I realized the "poles" were, in fact, Canadian Geese necks - two going South together, and 2 going North together.
Looked like geese on a date. I LOL'd.
Fortunately, they were conscientious geese and got out of the road before I got too close. It was so cute.
We have too many Canadian Geese around here. The area cannot support the numbers, and they are crowding out some of the other waterfowl - especially my favorites, the Mallard ducks. Some towns have taken to having patrols that go around and find nests and break the eggs before they hatch. I sure hope the right-to-life (Anti-Choice) Xtians don't find out about this - it's GOOSE ABORTION!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CALL THE POPE!!!!!!!!
467 Days
My office is in an "industrial complex" - lots of small manufacturing/warehousing buildings in a 3-4 square block area. Traffic usually fairly moderate at all times, a bit heavier at morning, noon and evening rush. Substantial 18-wheeler use.
One street does a dog-leg turn from the E-W street to the N-S street - and I have to navigate that one to get to our offices, which are at the end of a cul-de-sac off that dogleg. The morning haze had not yet entirely burned off, and as I approached the curve, through the mist I see 4 "poles" sticking out of the road up ahead. Slowing down, I realized the "poles" were, in fact, Canadian Geese necks - two going South together, and 2 going North together.
Looked like geese on a date. I LOL'd.
Fortunately, they were conscientious geese and got out of the road before I got too close. It was so cute.
We have too many Canadian Geese around here. The area cannot support the numbers, and they are crowding out some of the other waterfowl - especially my favorites, the Mallard ducks. Some towns have taken to having patrols that go around and find nests and break the eggs before they hatch. I sure hope the right-to-life (Anti-Choice) Xtians don't find out about this - it's GOOSE ABORTION!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZOMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CALL THE POPE!!!!!!!!
467 Days
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 9
Part 1.....Part 2.....Part 3.....Part 4
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Welcome to the latest installment of our drive to making a quilt.
As you will remember, we now have 25 somewhat rectangular "squares" with a stripe down one side, that look like this:
Part 5.....Part 6.....Part 7.....Part 8
Welcome to the latest installment of our drive to making a quilt.
As you will remember, we now have 25 somewhat rectangular "squares" with a stripe down one side, that look like this:
Take five of these and the last 5 of the "A" 12 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips, and add a strip to each on the opposite side from the one there already - thus:
Iron the new seam, then grab the rest of your pieced rectangles. Add 4 rectangles to each of the rectangles you just finished with, "nose-to-tail" in the same fashion as an "elephant parade". When you are finished, you will have 5 rows with 5 squares each, separated by "A" strips.
Ok, yes, that is utter rubbish writing - this is what each row should look like:
If you have been totally conscientious with your measuring, cutting and maintaining consistant seam-allowance, you will have lovely, perfectly straight rows. If like me, you are a bit wonky with all this, you will have rows that do a bit of an up and down dance. Do yourself a huge favor now and "straighten" your rows. Make sure that you have nice, straight edges on both long sides, and nice "square" 90 degree corners at each end.
Making this bit look really nice is going to make a large difference in your finished product - we'll finish up the top piecing next week. As always, if you have any questions, or quilt-related complaints, leave a comment and I'll get back to you within 24 hours. Don't be shy about leaving a question - could be someone else wants to know too!
Friday, October 05, 2007
More Snibbits, because I can't think of a clever title
A blog I read from time-to-time, "The Sneeze" has prompted me to have a gigglefit, thanks to the following quote: "Okay, look. There might be a day when I need a little chemical enhancement to get my soul set on fire, but I’m sure not going to hit a dusty roadhouse, pop Viagra with my old gang and lay down tunes until we all pop trouser tents." If you've never visited The Sneeze before, you might want to take a gander at his
Steve, Don't Eat It posts. I suggest doing so outside the normal mealtime window.
In the interst of maintaining a "FAIR AND BALANCED" news view - Here's some proof even the Democrats can have their "Wide-Stance" moments. Apparently an Ohio state representative decided to download some pr0n on his way to giving a Power-Point presentation to a group of highschool kids. Bet those nude models had some "POWER POINTS" of their own?
Back to work.
Smile! People will wonder what you are up to.
472 days
Steve, Don't Eat It posts. I suggest doing so outside the normal mealtime window.
In the interst of maintaining a "FAIR AND BALANCED" news view - Here's some proof even the Democrats can have their "Wide-Stance" moments. Apparently an Ohio state representative decided to download some pr0n on his way to giving a Power-Point presentation to a group of highschool kids. Bet those nude models had some "POWER POINTS" of their own?
Back to work.
Smile! People will wonder what you are up to.
472 days
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Snibbits
Larry "Wide Stance" Craig has had his Whine and Cheese party in Minnesota court and been denied the motion to retract his guilty plea. I'm laughing.
SCHIP has still been vetoed. Please check the post below and call your Congresscritters and tell them to get that override done.
The Cubs are one step away from the World Series. They will choke. You read it here first.
I really do need to find a "fabricaholics anonymous" group. Yes, I did. I got 6 yards of various blue and white fabrics. I have this idea.........................
I need a plumber. Who doesn't charge an arm and a leg and several major internal organs. To fix a leak. In the shower. Preferably with his clothes on, unless he is really cute and single, in which case I'll waive the last requirement.
Rabbits ate my rhubarb plant. I am thinking of hiring Elmer Fudd. I had thought it was the roofers, actually, but Carol at work told me it was rabbits.
When I got home last nite, the roofers were removing the dumpster unit from the driveway next to mine where nobody lives, and once it was on the truck, they swept the driveways, which was darn nice of them and all. Then I went into my back garden and saw that they had swept my whole patio, which was also darn nice - swept it even better than *I* usually do. Although they knocked over my Smokey Joe - but I can fix that easy enough. But then I looked at the plants to see if anything needed to be pruned or pulled out or anything - and MY RHUBARB IS GONE.
So I thought it was the darn roofers. But Carol says rabbits, and I believe her, so I shall go looking for an Elmer Fudd.
473 Days
SCHIP has still been vetoed. Please check the post below and call your Congresscritters and tell them to get that override done.
The Cubs are one step away from the World Series. They will choke. You read it here first.
I really do need to find a "fabricaholics anonymous" group. Yes, I did. I got 6 yards of various blue and white fabrics. I have this idea.........................
I need a plumber. Who doesn't charge an arm and a leg and several major internal organs. To fix a leak. In the shower. Preferably with his clothes on, unless he is really cute and single, in which case I'll waive the last requirement.
Rabbits ate my rhubarb plant. I am thinking of hiring Elmer Fudd. I had thought it was the roofers, actually, but Carol at work told me it was rabbits.
When I got home last nite, the roofers were removing the dumpster unit from the driveway next to mine where nobody lives, and once it was on the truck, they swept the driveways, which was darn nice of them and all. Then I went into my back garden and saw that they had swept my whole patio, which was also darn nice - swept it even better than *I* usually do. Although they knocked over my Smokey Joe - but I can fix that easy enough. But then I looked at the plants to see if anything needed to be pruned or pulled out or anything - and MY RHUBARB IS GONE.
So I thought it was the darn roofers. But Carol says rabbits, and I believe her, so I shall go looking for an Elmer Fudd.
473 Days
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Compassionate Conservatism
Matthew 25:41-46
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
“The immediate goal is to make sure there are more people on private insurance plans. I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, just go to an emergency room.“
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
George Walker Bush has vetoed health insurance for the poorest of this country's children. Call your senators and representatives NOW. DEMAND this veto be overturned.
1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
474 days
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
“The immediate goal is to make sure there are more people on private insurance plans. I mean, people have access to health care in America. After all, just go to an emergency room.“ Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
George Walker Bush has vetoed health insurance for the poorest of this country's children. Call your senators and representatives NOW. DEMAND this veto be overturned.
1 (800) 828 - 0498
1 (800) 459 - 1887
1 (800) 614 - 2803
1 (866) 340 - 9281
1 (866) 338 - 1015
1 (877) 851 - 6437
474 days
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Dog Ears in the Wind
I see the most amusing things on my way to and from work every day.
Today the first thing was an SUV with a Dog Accessory hanging out the rear window. Not entirely certain what flavor of dog it was - IANTAKC - but it looked vaguely like an anorexic Labrador with unusually long floppy ears.
Unlike the dogs I grew up with who used to stick just their snouts, or their noses, or on rare occasions their whole head out the window, this canine critter had his whole neck and shoulders out as well. And he was LOVING it. The wind would turn his ears inside out and he'd wiggle around until they flopped down, then the wind would do it again. Happy pooch on a joyride.
Before someone makes a big deal about him being loose in the car - he wasn't really. He had a leash that kept him from jumping out - and I do think he would have jumped out given a chance. I know that it probably wasn't safe and all for him to be doing it, but the look of sheer joy on his face was priceless, and maybe we've legislated and "safetyed" our way out of a lot of joy in our lives.
About 2 miles further along I saw what has to be the stupidest vehicle I've seen since Lombard stopped painting everything lilac. A pink Hummvee. And not just a tasteful deep rose... oh no...
1970's Dennys Retro Vinyl Seat Cushion Pink. LOUD pink. IN YOUR FACE, THIS IS REALLY PINK, PINK.
I lol'ed. Somehow I could see Jaghdwulfe driving it... (now Lea will LOL)
475 days
Today the first thing was an SUV with a Dog Accessory hanging out the rear window. Not entirely certain what flavor of dog it was - IANTAKC - but it looked vaguely like an anorexic Labrador with unusually long floppy ears.
Unlike the dogs I grew up with who used to stick just their snouts, or their noses, or on rare occasions their whole head out the window, this canine critter had his whole neck and shoulders out as well. And he was LOVING it. The wind would turn his ears inside out and he'd wiggle around until they flopped down, then the wind would do it again. Happy pooch on a joyride.
Before someone makes a big deal about him being loose in the car - he wasn't really. He had a leash that kept him from jumping out - and I do think he would have jumped out given a chance. I know that it probably wasn't safe and all for him to be doing it, but the look of sheer joy on his face was priceless, and maybe we've legislated and "safetyed" our way out of a lot of joy in our lives.
About 2 miles further along I saw what has to be the stupidest vehicle I've seen since Lombard stopped painting everything lilac. A pink Hummvee. And not just a tasteful deep rose... oh no...
1970's Dennys Retro Vinyl Seat Cushion Pink. LOUD pink. IN YOUR FACE, THIS IS REALLY PINK, PINK.
I lol'ed. Somehow I could see Jaghdwulfe driving it... (now Lea will LOL)
475 days
Monday, October 01, 2007
Cleaning out the tags: Ketchup
So, folks have been kind enough to think of me and "tag" me with lists of questions to answer and I've been slacking and not doing them because I just really don't want to "tag" anyone else, so here's the deal. I'm gonna post my answers and all, and do everything EXCEPT tag anyone. If you WANT to take these and run with them and answer the questions on your blog - Blog On!! If not - just read what I have here and be a partypooper.
First off, The Magnificent Seven!
I know this has taken forever and a day and a few extra hours, but I've been tagged by John Good from "Left in Aboite" although mine probably should be called "The Mediocre Seven". . .
There were apparently four simple rules--
1. Each player starts with seven random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post with their seven things as well as these rules.
3. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. (I'm NOT gonna do this bit)
4. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog. (See "3" above)
Seven Random Facts About Me
1-The rest of my house can be spotless, but if the carpet or floor is dirty, I cannot relax. The reverse is also true.
2-I haven't watched television other than sports or a rare PBS broadcast for over 15 years.
3-I resided in Colorado for 5 utterly miserable years. Note I do not say "lived".
4-I have an actual full-size Louisville Slugger that I got at "Bat Day" at Wrigley Field.
5-I've seen the Rolling Stones in concert 3 times. "Live" is relative, considering Keith Richards' current condition - I'm sure he was alive at the first 1 in 1974, not too sure the more recent 2. Personally I think he's dead but nobody told him to fall down yet.
6-My high-school class ring is in the cupboard where I keep the large iced-tea/lemonade drinking glasses and the everyday dishes. I have no idea why.
7-My "Best Friend" while growing up was named Carolyn. My current "Best Friend" with whom I am growing old is also named Carolyn. They are not the same woman. There was zero "overlap" - and only about 3 or 4 months between. (For those of you who are my dear friends who are not named "Carolyn", this is not a dig at you - I just spend more time with Carolyn than the rest of y'all. And some of you have graduated from "Friend" to "Sister with a different set of parents" - Sue and Lori most notably.)
Then there was this one from Babzy:
What does blogging mean to me?
Rules of this tag:
1. Name the person, with link, who tagged you.
This bit is easy - it was .... *drum roll* *dramatic pause*...... BABZY!!!!
2. Complete the questionnaire without changing the questions.
Q1. Are you happy/ satisfied with your blog, with its content and look?
The content - yes. It's me. I don't really much give a hoot about what anyone else thinks about it. This is MY spot. If I wanted it to be everybody else's spot, I'd have named it differently. As for the look - well, there are things I'd like to change and add - but I'm not about to spend hours and hours fardling around with it, so I'll just deal with what I've got for now.
Q2. Does your family know about your blog?
Some of them do.
Q3. Do you feel embarrassed to let your friends know about your blog or you just consider it as a private thing?
I don't mind if my friends know. There are certain members of my family that I'd rather didn't know, but if they do... *shrug* I kind of like it when my friends "comment" - especially folks like GradeSchoolBud and Visionary - people I've known for years and years, often in far different venues - and who know the "real me" behind the cranky curmudgeon who posts here.
Q4. Do blogs cause positive changes in your thoughts?
No. Blogs in and of themselves are neutral entities. I take personal responsibility for my own thoughts, actions and emotions. Sometimes I allow what someone else has written to anger me, which is a bad thing, but in general, I simply sit back and enjoy spending some "quality time" with strangers from around the world without having to actually get on an airplane or deal with the awkwardness of introductions or goodbyes.
Q5. Do you only open the blogs of those who comment on your blog or you love to go and discover more by yourself?
I follow links from links from other folks. I love blogs with posted blogrolls.
Q6. What does visitors counter mean to you? Do you care about putting it in your blog?
Bah. Just a little something to look at. Frankly, I don't give a rat's if anyone bothers to read or not.
Q7. Did you try to imagine your fellow bloggers and give them real pictures?
I know what several of my fellow bloggers look like in Real. Sometimes I'll get a mental image of someone based on their content - but usually I wait for them to post a piccy.
Q8. Do you think there is a real benefit for blogging?
Yes, but I don't flatter myself by thinking I know what the specific benefit is for any given person. I don't believe this is a "one size fits all" activity, and I don't think that anyone can say without a doubt that they have the answer for everyone who blogs.
Q9. Do you think that bloggers’ society is isolated from the real world or interacts with events?
I think this is a fairly stupid question. I think it was written by someone who didn't really KNOW about the diverse nature of the blogosphere. To lump someplace like "Crooks and Liars" or "Firedoglake" in the same grouping with somewhere like "Bloggin' Babzy" or "I am livid" is ludicrous. Lumping all blogs into one bundle is the same as lumping all the books in a library into one category "Book".
Stupid question.
Q10. Does criticism annoy you or do you feel it’s a normal thing?
Depends on the critic. I will give far more credence to someone like Visionary or Leandra who posts a critical comment than I ever will to someone like Mike the Drunk or "Vincio" the moron.
11. Do you fear some political blogs and avoid them?
I don't fear political blogs. This is another stupid question. I avoid some, not out of fear, but because the bloggers are such obvious retards that their blogs lower the average intelligence of the blogging public simply by their very existance. I would say a MUCH more accurate verb would be "loathe" - which I do a large number of blogs, but "religious" ones far more often than political ones.
Q12. Did you get shocked by the arrest of some bloggers?
Nope. News to me. Provide a link or STFU, noob.
Q13. Did you think about what will happen to your blog after you die?
Not until I got this question. Frankly, I hope that it stays available "forever" - I like the idea of future generations NOT being bound by the religious bullshit leanings of the archaeological community being able to see for themselves that we are NOT all drones who placidly drink the koolade and eat the cookies and do whatever the "priests" say.
Q14. What do you like to hear? What’s the song you might like to put a link to, in your blog?
I think blogs with imbeded music are lame. I wouldn't ever inflict my eclectic preferences on the rest of the world.
3. Tag people.
No.
And finally, there is this one from Croila:
Do you promote your blog?
Once a month or so maybe if I feel like it.
Do you stick to one topic?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
No.
Who knows that you have a blog?
Oh hell yes.
Do you customise your blog or do anything technical?
Just an ickle lil' bit.
Do you blog anonymously?
Sorta. Not really. Kinda. Like - you won't find my RL name, address and phone in here, but if you already know all that then I'm probably not impossible to find.
To what extent do you censor yourself?
I try to keep things clean enough so Babzy won't yell at me. I often fail.
The best thing about blogging?
Being the Admin with the option to delete any comments that piss me off.
476 days
First off, The Magnificent Seven!
I know this has taken forever and a day and a few extra hours, but I've been tagged by John Good from "Left in Aboite" although mine probably should be called "The Mediocre Seven". . .
There were apparently four simple rules--
1. Each player starts with seven random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog post with their seven things as well as these rules.
3. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. (I'm NOT gonna do this bit)
4. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog. (See "3" above)
Seven Random Facts About Me
1-The rest of my house can be spotless, but if the carpet or floor is dirty, I cannot relax. The reverse is also true.
2-I haven't watched television other than sports or a rare PBS broadcast for over 15 years.
3-I resided in Colorado for 5 utterly miserable years. Note I do not say "lived".
4-I have an actual full-size Louisville Slugger that I got at "Bat Day" at Wrigley Field.
5-I've seen the Rolling Stones in concert 3 times. "Live" is relative, considering Keith Richards' current condition - I'm sure he was alive at the first 1 in 1974, not too sure the more recent 2. Personally I think he's dead but nobody told him to fall down yet.
6-My high-school class ring is in the cupboard where I keep the large iced-tea/lemonade drinking glasses and the everyday dishes. I have no idea why.
7-My "Best Friend" while growing up was named Carolyn. My current "Best Friend" with whom I am growing old is also named Carolyn. They are not the same woman. There was zero "overlap" - and only about 3 or 4 months between. (For those of you who are my dear friends who are not named "Carolyn", this is not a dig at you - I just spend more time with Carolyn than the rest of y'all. And some of you have graduated from "Friend" to "Sister with a different set of parents" - Sue and Lori most notably.)
Then there was this one from Babzy:
What does blogging mean to me?
Rules of this tag:
1. Name the person, with link, who tagged you.
This bit is easy - it was .... *drum roll* *dramatic pause*...... BABZY!!!!
2. Complete the questionnaire without changing the questions.
Q1. Are you happy/ satisfied with your blog, with its content and look?
The content - yes. It's me. I don't really much give a hoot about what anyone else thinks about it. This is MY spot. If I wanted it to be everybody else's spot, I'd have named it differently. As for the look - well, there are things I'd like to change and add - but I'm not about to spend hours and hours fardling around with it, so I'll just deal with what I've got for now.
Q2. Does your family know about your blog?
Some of them do.
Q3. Do you feel embarrassed to let your friends know about your blog or you just consider it as a private thing?
I don't mind if my friends know. There are certain members of my family that I'd rather didn't know, but if they do... *shrug* I kind of like it when my friends "comment" - especially folks like GradeSchoolBud and Visionary - people I've known for years and years, often in far different venues - and who know the "real me" behind the cranky curmudgeon who posts here.
Q4. Do blogs cause positive changes in your thoughts?
No. Blogs in and of themselves are neutral entities. I take personal responsibility for my own thoughts, actions and emotions. Sometimes I allow what someone else has written to anger me, which is a bad thing, but in general, I simply sit back and enjoy spending some "quality time" with strangers from around the world without having to actually get on an airplane or deal with the awkwardness of introductions or goodbyes.
Q5. Do you only open the blogs of those who comment on your blog or you love to go and discover more by yourself?
I follow links from links from other folks. I love blogs with posted blogrolls.
Q6. What does visitors counter mean to you? Do you care about putting it in your blog?
Bah. Just a little something to look at. Frankly, I don't give a rat's if anyone bothers to read or not.
Q7. Did you try to imagine your fellow bloggers and give them real pictures?
I know what several of my fellow bloggers look like in Real. Sometimes I'll get a mental image of someone based on their content - but usually I wait for them to post a piccy.
Q8. Do you think there is a real benefit for blogging?
Yes, but I don't flatter myself by thinking I know what the specific benefit is for any given person. I don't believe this is a "one size fits all" activity, and I don't think that anyone can say without a doubt that they have the answer for everyone who blogs.
Q9. Do you think that bloggers’ society is isolated from the real world or interacts with events?
I think this is a fairly stupid question. I think it was written by someone who didn't really KNOW about the diverse nature of the blogosphere. To lump someplace like "Crooks and Liars" or "Firedoglake" in the same grouping with somewhere like "Bloggin' Babzy" or "I am livid" is ludicrous. Lumping all blogs into one bundle is the same as lumping all the books in a library into one category "Book".
Stupid question.
Q10. Does criticism annoy you or do you feel it’s a normal thing?
Depends on the critic. I will give far more credence to someone like Visionary or Leandra who posts a critical comment than I ever will to someone like Mike the Drunk or "Vincio" the moron.
11. Do you fear some political blogs and avoid them?
I don't fear political blogs. This is another stupid question. I avoid some, not out of fear, but because the bloggers are such obvious retards that their blogs lower the average intelligence of the blogging public simply by their very existance. I would say a MUCH more accurate verb would be "loathe" - which I do a large number of blogs, but "religious" ones far more often than political ones.
Q12. Did you get shocked by the arrest of some bloggers?
Nope. News to me. Provide a link or STFU, noob.
Q13. Did you think about what will happen to your blog after you die?
Not until I got this question. Frankly, I hope that it stays available "forever" - I like the idea of future generations NOT being bound by the religious bullshit leanings of the archaeological community being able to see for themselves that we are NOT all drones who placidly drink the koolade and eat the cookies and do whatever the "priests" say.
Q14. What do you like to hear? What’s the song you might like to put a link to, in your blog?
I think blogs with imbeded music are lame. I wouldn't ever inflict my eclectic preferences on the rest of the world.
3. Tag people.
No.
And finally, there is this one from Croila:
Do you promote your blog?
Only in the sense that it is "promoted" by my putting the URL into the clickable portion of my nick when commenting on other people's blogs. Sometimes I don't even do that.
How often do you check hits?Once a month or so maybe if I feel like it.
Do you stick to one topic?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
No.
Who knows that you have a blog?
Some friends, one family member (that I know of for certain), a couple of co-workers, some long-time internet pals - and everyone who is reading this.
How many blogs do you read?Not a clue.
Are you a fast reader?Oh hell yes.
Do you customise your blog or do anything technical?
Just an ickle lil' bit.
Do you blog anonymously?
Sorta. Not really. Kinda. Like - you won't find my RL name, address and phone in here, but if you already know all that then I'm probably not impossible to find.
To what extent do you censor yourself?
I try to keep things clean enough so Babzy won't yell at me. I often fail.
The best thing about blogging?
Being the Admin with the option to delete any comments that piss me off.
476 days
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 8
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Part 7
Ah, another week gone and here we go with another bit of assembly on our Mystery Quilt. This week we're going to be combining the remaining assembled strips. Grab up the 25 pieces with the "B" center squares, and the remaining 25 triangle-strips.
Remember those round-head pins? Grab them, we're going to need them now. There will be some tricky bits here, so you might want to read through before you start sewing.
Ok, we are going to sew together these 2 different types of rectangles, along one of the LONG ends - drawing below shows the resulting piece.
The thing about this bit is that you have 2 seams that need matching here. If you don't pin first, you will probably end up with a piece that has at LEAST one of the seam junctions off-kilter.
In order to minimize this problem (or even better, eliminate it!), I use pins to hold the seams together where I want them to meet, and "ease" the rest of the length of the strips to fit between them and on either side. I put one pin on each side of the seam I'm matching, as close to the seam as I can manage, thus keeping the "wiggle" while sewing across them to a minimum.
I leave the pins in until I have sewn OVER the seams. Sometimes if a seam seems to be particularly problematic, I will baste the seam allowance area first, either by hand or machine, then go back over and sew the entire seam. I'm an accountant. I get retentive about details. Sorry.
Just as with the problem of decapitated triangles, the problem of unmatched seams is something small, but annoyingly visible. You can live with a small variation, and I'll let YOU decide just how "small" of a variation you can handle.
Allrightey then. You now have 25 pieces that look like THIS:
And 25 pieces that look like THIS:
And you are getting to be an absolute wiz kid at matching those seams, so let's do ourselves one better. Turn the pieces 90 degrees and sew those 2 different rectangles to one another... like THIS:
Once you are finished, you will have 25 of these pieced squares with an "A" stripe along one side.
Aren't you feeling crafty right about now??? You should be!
Ok - that's enough for this week. Great job - see you again next week, same quilt time, same quilt channel.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Cats
Ok, so some people kinda post pictures of their cats on Friday. And I usually don't. In fact, I'm NOT a "friday cat blogger"... REALLY
It's NOT MY FAULT that today is Friday. That's a COINCIDENCE. HONEST!!!
Besides, I'm not going to pretend that my cat is typing this - they're not allowed in the room where the computer lives because they chew cords, and I've already had to replace 2 monitors because they chewed thru the data cords. Damn felines.
This is Mindi:
What you can't see in the photo is Mindi's absolutely incredible bright blue eyes. 3/4 Siamese, 1/4 goddessonlyknows. I call them "Siamutts".
This is Kili, helping me to show Leandra how things were coming on during the construction of the quilt we eventually gave to Randy:
And so you may say "How the hell can you tell which is Mindi and which is Kili?" And a good question that is. They are really sisters - from the same litter, even. But Mindi has the white nose, and Kili has a black nose. And although it is hard to see in the photo, Kili has a white "blootch" in the middle of the top of her back, as if she had walked under a newly painted white bridge or something.
Inventory today. Uck. Fiscal year-end suxxors.
479 days
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Crying Kili
The cat is crying. Or talking to herself. I'm not 100% sure.
I cannot see the cat. The cat's sister is pawing at doors that have been closed for weeks and cannot possibly have a cat behind them.
I am in a position where I cannot get up to find the crying cat without massive effort and having to un-do a lot of the housework-chore-work that I'm in the middle of trying to complete. I holler for the cat to come out and tell me what is wrong. (Unlike the poster known as "Wistaria" who believes she holds conversations with her cats, I know damn well Kili has no idea what I'm saying.)
Eventually Kili comes down the stairs with her favorite felt stuffed-mouse toy in her mouth, still "talking". Looks up at me, yells "MAOW!!!!" - then stomps off (yes, STOMPS) and has a bit of a kibble snack.
Cats. *sigh*
480 days
I cannot see the cat. The cat's sister is pawing at doors that have been closed for weeks and cannot possibly have a cat behind them.
I am in a position where I cannot get up to find the crying cat without massive effort and having to un-do a lot of the housework-chore-work that I'm in the middle of trying to complete. I holler for the cat to come out and tell me what is wrong. (Unlike the poster known as "Wistaria" who believes she holds conversations with her cats, I know damn well Kili has no idea what I'm saying.)
Eventually Kili comes down the stairs with her favorite felt stuffed-mouse toy in her mouth, still "talking". Looks up at me, yells "MAOW!!!!" - then stomps off (yes, STOMPS) and has a bit of a kibble snack.
Cats. *sigh*
480 days
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
On being fat
Hello
Taken about 2 years ago - caught in the act of hand-quilting, and with my hair down (it's usually pulled back in a low tail down the back). Not the best photo, but then, I'm not particularly photogenic. I am, however, quite chubby.
Frankly, this is no worry for me. Considering the number of guys who pester me for sex - I'm in no hurtin' spot. I do wonder, however, about men whom I have no interest in, who seem to find a need to make pointed remarks about my physical attributes. This photo is a bit older - taken at a convention - I'm the one on the far right side.
Now, admittedly, I'm behind Dave, so you can't see all of me - but even without that - you CAN see that the "fat" bit certainly is NOT my ass. *grin*
Yeah, I'm fat. I don't really expect that to ever change. Between physical conditions and medicines related to them, there's little chance I'll ever be a teeny-tiny little woman.
But you know what? I have decided that I LIKE it that way. Because #1 - the guys I LIKE - are interested in me. And #2 - the guys who call me a fat-ass and act like fucking jerks DON"T want me - and I'm 250% OK with that - because they're repulsive.
*smiles sweetly*
Thank you for the ladder, Mike.
481 days
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Lord of the Rings
Been doing a bit of MAJOR work around the house, and in need of some background noise. Since the cats have disabled the audio system, and I haven't gotten off my fat derriere to purchase even just a crummy CD player for the livingroom, I popped in LOTR last night while I was working downstairs.
Now, mind you, I ONLY ever will watch or listen to the EXTENDED VERSION of the 3-film trilogy, since the theatrical release should have been named "Lord of the Arwen" considering the oral gratification that was OBVIOUSLY going on involving Mr. Jackson's Johnson and the silicon-enhanced simpering lips of Ms. Tyler. It's the only justification I can imagine for him goosing up the throw-away character of Arwen - a MINOR, BIT CHARACTER in the Tolkein original.
Speaking of Ms. Tyler's pudgy lips, why the heck she felt the need to get all those injections is beyond me - she's got the wide-mouth-frog genes on her dad's side already. [/katty snark]
Anyhow - the LOTR extended version is absolute magick, and great for the "background noise" thing - although it is hard not to sit down and get caught up in the story. Perhaps if I am "good" and finish up all the chores this week, I will reward myself and let me watch the whole thing "marathon" style with popcorn and Pepsi this weekend.
I think I've narrowed down the hotel thing to 2 or 3 choices. Thanks for the suggestions, I will definitely go with a "chain" place, and if I stay a bit outside the city limits that will help on the cost as well.
I think they are going to re-roof my condo. They did the one next-door last week, and this morning there were rolls of roofing material on top of the low-level-ranch outside my upstairs hall window. I wish they would fix the fences first, but every time they screw around with the fences, they end up mutilating my garden. I hate sub-contractors.
482 days
Now, mind you, I ONLY ever will watch or listen to the EXTENDED VERSION of the 3-film trilogy, since the theatrical release should have been named "Lord of the Arwen" considering the oral gratification that was OBVIOUSLY going on involving Mr. Jackson's Johnson and the silicon-enhanced simpering lips of Ms. Tyler. It's the only justification I can imagine for him goosing up the throw-away character of Arwen - a MINOR, BIT CHARACTER in the Tolkein original.
Speaking of Ms. Tyler's pudgy lips, why the heck she felt the need to get all those injections is beyond me - she's got the wide-mouth-frog genes on her dad's side already. [/katty snark]
Anyhow - the LOTR extended version is absolute magick, and great for the "background noise" thing - although it is hard not to sit down and get caught up in the story. Perhaps if I am "good" and finish up all the chores this week, I will reward myself and let me watch the whole thing "marathon" style with popcorn and Pepsi this weekend.
I think I've narrowed down the hotel thing to 2 or 3 choices. Thanks for the suggestions, I will definitely go with a "chain" place, and if I stay a bit outside the city limits that will help on the cost as well.
I think they are going to re-roof my condo. They did the one next-door last week, and this morning there were rolls of roofing material on top of the low-level-ranch outside my upstairs hall window. I wish they would fix the fences first, but every time they screw around with the fences, they end up mutilating my garden. I hate sub-contractors.
482 days
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 7
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Ok, this week we are going to add on some bits to some of the strips we made before.
Grab up 1/2 of the triangle strips, and 25 of the "A" color pieces that you cut as 12 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch pieces. You will have 5 "A" color pieces leftover, and 25 of the triangle strips, put these aside, as you will need them later.
We are going to sew the A color piece to one side of the triangle strips - this is where you need to watch carefully to avoid chopping the points off your triangles! See the drawing below for the placement of the new bit onto your strip:
Carefully iron the new seam toward the "A" strip. Even though the color of the A strip is going to be likely lighter than the "C" pieces that are next to it, the amount of overlapping seam-allowances at the triangle points would make lumps if you iron the other direction. Just like in oatmeal or mashed potatoes, lumps are not a good thing.
Ok - next week more real life photos - for now we are done!!
Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Ok, this week we are going to add on some bits to some of the strips we made before.
Grab up 1/2 of the triangle strips, and 25 of the "A" color pieces that you cut as 12 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch pieces. You will have 5 "A" color pieces leftover, and 25 of the triangle strips, put these aside, as you will need them later.
We are going to sew the A color piece to one side of the triangle strips - this is where you need to watch carefully to avoid chopping the points off your triangles! See the drawing below for the placement of the new bit onto your strip:
Carefully iron the new seam toward the "A" strip. Even though the color of the A strip is going to be likely lighter than the "C" pieces that are next to it, the amount of overlapping seam-allowances at the triangle points would make lumps if you iron the other direction. Just like in oatmeal or mashed potatoes, lumps are not a good thing.
Ok - next week more real life photos - for now we are done!!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Blink...
"Without a commitment to withdraw partisan and sectarian politics from the selection of senior inspectors general leadership, there is the likelihood that investigations will not have credibility."
So sayeth the sages who are reporting from Iraq on the state of the "government" there and their courts system.
Ironic, huh?
In other news:
I am so "L33+". Last nite on the way home from work I realized my left turn-signal had a lamp out. By process of elimination (checking for reflections in other people's bumpers), I realized I was also missing a brake-lamp, as both the turnsignal and brake use the same lamp. Joy. *sigh*
I also had a trunk full of boxes, which I had to unload first, so I went home and unloaded - then realized that since I had the car going anyhow, it wouldn't be all that hard to drive to a "service station" - which isn't that easy to find anymore! - and get it fixed.
On my way to finding the Marathon station that still has a mechanic on staff, I noticed a "Car Quest Auto Parts" store - so I drove in. I went in my trunk and pulled out the carpeting away from the back of the taillight, and voila - within seconds I had a burned out light-bulb in my hand. Went in, showed it to the guy, and got a new one for $1.38. Went back out to the trunk, plugged in the new one, started the car, checked to make sure I had turnsignalage - and SUCCESS!! Drove off with working lamps. WOOT!!
Would have cost me over $10 at the service station, no doubt. I am feeling very sassy and superior for this - which is silly because it's only a freaking taillight bulb - but hey, ya takes yer "attagirls" where you can gets 'em, eh?
486 days
So sayeth the sages who are reporting from Iraq on the state of the "government" there and their courts system.
Ironic, huh?
In other news:
I am so "L33+". Last nite on the way home from work I realized my left turn-signal had a lamp out. By process of elimination (checking for reflections in other people's bumpers), I realized I was also missing a brake-lamp, as both the turnsignal and brake use the same lamp. Joy. *sigh*
I also had a trunk full of boxes, which I had to unload first, so I went home and unloaded - then realized that since I had the car going anyhow, it wouldn't be all that hard to drive to a "service station" - which isn't that easy to find anymore! - and get it fixed.
On my way to finding the Marathon station that still has a mechanic on staff, I noticed a "Car Quest Auto Parts" store - so I drove in. I went in my trunk and pulled out the carpeting away from the back of the taillight, and voila - within seconds I had a burned out light-bulb in my hand. Went in, showed it to the guy, and got a new one for $1.38. Went back out to the trunk, plugged in the new one, started the car, checked to make sure I had turnsignalage - and SUCCESS!! Drove off with working lamps. WOOT!!
Would have cost me over $10 at the service station, no doubt. I am feeling very sassy and superior for this - which is silly because it's only a freaking taillight bulb - but hey, ya takes yer "attagirls" where you can gets 'em, eh?
486 days
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Holiday Planning
So I'm planning to take a couple days off work next month and go down to Florida and visit the Dadster. Gonna drive. Which means I'll be stopping over about 1/2 way down. Trying to find a decent hotel/motel/whatever to stay because I don't want to spend a fortune, but I am also not wanting to freeload on my friends either.
Meh.
I hate doing all this research baloney. I'm not sure I trust the "user reviews", because sometimes there is a one-off bad stay at a hotel - and sometimes folks have expectations that are vastly different from my own. For instance, I expect a certain level of cleanliness/quality at a 3-star rated hotel than I do at a 2 or 4 star one, but this is MY expectations. What do you do when you research the same site on several booking sites and get 3 different ratings?
"The best part of our stay was the hotel" vs. "What a dump! Don't stay here!!" Who to believe?
Tonite I'll have to make a decision, most likely, so that I get the rate that I'd prefer. But I sure do wish I had a way to run a real-time robot-cam through all the possible hotels before I made a reservation!!
487 days
Meh.
I hate doing all this research baloney. I'm not sure I trust the "user reviews", because sometimes there is a one-off bad stay at a hotel - and sometimes folks have expectations that are vastly different from my own. For instance, I expect a certain level of cleanliness/quality at a 3-star rated hotel than I do at a 2 or 4 star one, but this is MY expectations. What do you do when you research the same site on several booking sites and get 3 different ratings?
"The best part of our stay was the hotel" vs. "What a dump! Don't stay here!!" Who to believe?
Tonite I'll have to make a decision, most likely, so that I get the rate that I'd prefer. But I sure do wish I had a way to run a real-time robot-cam through all the possible hotels before I made a reservation!!
487 days
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
"Ya can't catch me, 'cause the rabbit done died - yes he did"
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Emo-ooooooooooooootion
Gah, I love that song. Love the whole album, actually. 12 inch record and the title cut and all, not to mention the equally top-40 "Walk This Way"
And not just because it all so vividly recalls the "Aerosmith Story" which I will refrain from retelling to protect the gentle sensibilities of the other party involved (because it is kind of embarassing and all)
No, I love that specific song "Sweet Emotion" because it is LOUD!
As a general rule, I drive to and from work with no radio, no CD, no tapes - just the hissing of tires (or tyres if you are UK), the swisssshhhh of air movement, the myriad small noises from the engine and a suspect muffler noise that may soon require some attention.
And then there are those moments... when someone wants to share their (c)rap "music" or Cuntry and Western, or *shudder* contemporary female pop "artists". Or the VERY worst - mariachi "salsa" garbage.
#1) Turn on CD player
#2) Make sure track 3 is set to play
#3) Turn up volume to almost maximum
#4) Enjoy the song stylings of Messrs Tyler and Perry
#5) Enjoy the lack of (c)rap, C&W, mexican Oompah or Brittney
This often also will result in #6) Enjoy watching the idiot blasting THEIR songs try to avoid your car - thus allowing you to turn off the CD player again.
*very... big... evil... grin*
488 days
Gah, I love that song. Love the whole album, actually. 12 inch record and the title cut and all, not to mention the equally top-40 "Walk This Way"
And not just because it all so vividly recalls the "Aerosmith Story" which I will refrain from retelling to protect the gentle sensibilities of the other party involved (because it is kind of embarassing and all)
No, I love that specific song "Sweet Emotion" because it is LOUD!
As a general rule, I drive to and from work with no radio, no CD, no tapes - just the hissing of tires (or tyres if you are UK), the swisssshhhh of air movement, the myriad small noises from the engine and a suspect muffler noise that may soon require some attention.
And then there are those moments... when someone wants to share their (c)rap "music" or Cuntry and Western, or *shudder* contemporary female pop "artists". Or the VERY worst - mariachi "salsa" garbage.
#1) Turn on CD player
#2) Make sure track 3 is set to play
#3) Turn up volume to almost maximum
#4) Enjoy the song stylings of Messrs Tyler and Perry
#5) Enjoy the lack of (c)rap, C&W, mexican Oompah or Brittney
This often also will result in #6) Enjoy watching the idiot blasting THEIR songs try to avoid your car - thus allowing you to turn off the CD player again.
*very... big... evil... grin*
488 days
Monday, September 17, 2007
More babbling
So it seems the Shrub has come up with a name for the guy to replace Not-So-Speedy Gonzales as Attorney General. Some guy named Michael Mukasey. Apparently some retired judge or something. Never heard of him, actually. Every time I see his name I think of Michael McCaskey, and considering what HE did to Da Bears...
Bend over, grab your ankles and prepare for the worst.
In the process of making the "mystery quilt" along with whatever 2 or 3 readers are also interested, I've managed to move 2 steps beyond what I've already posted (always good to know WTF you are planning to spring on folks BEFORE you spring it), and I am surprisingly happy with the choice of fabric colors I've made. My digital camera is crap, and the colors are always just exactly NOT what they really are when I take photos, but the colors you see on the blog here are actually fairly accurate (pink, brown and mint-green) - even though the original pieces that I used for the photos were using a much brighter and more "POW in your face" kind of lime-green. The switch has made a world of difference, instead of being "all bright and loud", the quilt is now going to be "soft, warm and subtle" - not my usual style, certainly not my usual choice of colors - but damn, it looks nice. So far. I have surprised myself.
With the waning of summer comes the waning of the tomato plants. Last night must have been fair cold, because the baby-tomato plants are all rather wilty-leaved this morning. The midsize tomato plant is in a more protected corner and still seems "OK", but I suspect I'll have to gather in the last bits off that in the next day or so and then compost the remains. I should take an "after" shot of those 2 "baby" tomato plants. I swear they became almost "Attack of the Killer Cherry Tomato" size. (Quick! Someone get an STP sticker!!) They took over most of the fence and trellis, and then headed out into the narrow alley between our gates. Someone tucked it back into my garden again, so it's weaving in and out of the fence boards, with baby greenies still on it.
Nightmares still bothering me. Actually, very vivid, very bright and highly detailed dreams in general, and several of them being of the "wake up with adrenaline rush" variety. An example was the one where somehow I drove off a hilly road into a flooded bridge over a lake that washed away in front of me and the car sink in the lake. Managed to get out, and Manda was with me, she got out too, but I couldn't find her and she was hollering for me, so I backfloated and then she paddled up to me and I got her to backfloat and towed us both to the shore and got out, but the police wouldn't help us get the car out of the lake, and I was late for work.
Ok, who said dreams make sense? Fucking effluvia of the brain. This is not the first time I've dreamed of driving into deep water. I guess I have some kind of subconscious Mary Jo Kopechne syndrome or something.
490 days
Bend over, grab your ankles and prepare for the worst.
In the process of making the "mystery quilt" along with whatever 2 or 3 readers are also interested, I've managed to move 2 steps beyond what I've already posted (always good to know WTF you are planning to spring on folks BEFORE you spring it), and I am surprisingly happy with the choice of fabric colors I've made. My digital camera is crap, and the colors are always just exactly NOT what they really are when I take photos, but the colors you see on the blog here are actually fairly accurate (pink, brown and mint-green) - even though the original pieces that I used for the photos were using a much brighter and more "POW in your face" kind of lime-green. The switch has made a world of difference, instead of being "all bright and loud", the quilt is now going to be "soft, warm and subtle" - not my usual style, certainly not my usual choice of colors - but damn, it looks nice. So far. I have surprised myself.
With the waning of summer comes the waning of the tomato plants. Last night must have been fair cold, because the baby-tomato plants are all rather wilty-leaved this morning. The midsize tomato plant is in a more protected corner and still seems "OK", but I suspect I'll have to gather in the last bits off that in the next day or so and then compost the remains. I should take an "after" shot of those 2 "baby" tomato plants. I swear they became almost "Attack of the Killer Cherry Tomato" size. (Quick! Someone get an STP sticker!!) They took over most of the fence and trellis, and then headed out into the narrow alley between our gates. Someone tucked it back into my garden again, so it's weaving in and out of the fence boards, with baby greenies still on it.
Nightmares still bothering me. Actually, very vivid, very bright and highly detailed dreams in general, and several of them being of the "wake up with adrenaline rush" variety. An example was the one where somehow I drove off a hilly road into a flooded bridge over a lake that washed away in front of me and the car sink in the lake. Managed to get out, and Manda was with me, she got out too, but I couldn't find her and she was hollering for me, so I backfloated and then she paddled up to me and I got her to backfloat and towed us both to the shore and got out, but the police wouldn't help us get the car out of the lake, and I was late for work.
Ok, who said dreams make sense? Fucking effluvia of the brain. This is not the first time I've dreamed of driving into deep water. I guess I have some kind of subconscious Mary Jo Kopechne syndrome or something.
490 days
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Mystery Quilt 2007 - Part 6
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5
Hello Again Everybody.
This week's installment is very easy-peasy. So easy-peasy that I've not taken any "Real Life" photos even!
Gather up the 25 solid "B" squares and the rest of the un-used "horizontal" A+C squares.
What we want to do is take two of the "horizontal" squares and sew the long "A" side of each of these squares to opposite sides of one of the "B" squares. Sounds tricky? Bah. A picture, however being worth 1,000 carpal tunnels, when you are done, your piece should look like this:
Remember, the White is "B", the Yellow is "A" and the Green is "C". In other words - on THIS nifty strip, the 2 colors that are used in the "triangle" squares are not touching each other at all.
When you're finished, you should have 25 of these strips. Iron the seams toward the INSIDE - toward the "B" solid square.
Put them aside with the 50 you made last week - that's it for now! (Told you this week was easy-peasy!!!)
Hello Again Everybody.
This week's installment is very easy-peasy. So easy-peasy that I've not taken any "Real Life" photos even!
Gather up the 25 solid "B" squares and the rest of the un-used "horizontal" A+C squares.
What we want to do is take two of the "horizontal" squares and sew the long "A" side of each of these squares to opposite sides of one of the "B" squares. Sounds tricky? Bah. A picture, however being worth 1,000 carpal tunnels, when you are done, your piece should look like this:
Remember, the White is "B", the Yellow is "A" and the Green is "C". In other words - on THIS nifty strip, the 2 colors that are used in the "triangle" squares are not touching each other at all.
When you're finished, you should have 25 of these strips. Iron the seams toward the INSIDE - toward the "B" solid square.
Put them aside with the 50 you made last week - that's it for now! (Told you this week was easy-peasy!!!)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Fall has Fallen
Ok, that's a stupid title - but "Spring has Sprung" is equally stupid. It was COLD this morning. I kept having to leap back into the covers to get warm because I left the windows open in the bedrooms and the hall. One can only take SO long of a hot shower before even the greatest new water-heater is depleted.
For once, however, I've not encountered as many hordes of yellow-jackets as usual. This is a Good Thing©.
If you didn't read yesterday's post about Mattel - please do. Your kids' lives may depend on it.
Our dear Babzy has taken to using the word "georgebush" in replacement for "Fuck". Much too long for me to type, and in my not-so-humble opinion, FAR more offensive than a simple euphenism for coitus. Babzy, you little potty-mouth. *grin*
495 days
For once, however, I've not encountered as many hordes of yellow-jackets as usual. This is a Good Thing©.
If you didn't read yesterday's post about Mattel - please do. Your kids' lives may depend on it.
Our dear Babzy has taken to using the word "georgebush" in replacement for "Fuck". Much too long for me to type, and in my not-so-humble opinion, FAR more offensive than a simple euphenism for coitus. Babzy, you little potty-mouth. *grin*
495 days
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Boycott Mattel this Christmas
Folks, I know I've sent out a few "this is bad for the world" shouts for not supporting various "artists" or companies, but this time I am asking that you think of the safety of your family.
This week, Mattel has announced yet another toy recall. More lead paint and other dangerous things in their toys. Did you know that Fischer Price is owned by Mattel? You remember Fischer Price - those toys for tots with the fat little people and things, that kids are forever putting in their mouths?
The Chairman and CEO of Mattel doesn't think this is a problem. Poisoning your children or grandchildren is too bad - but he has a bottom line to manage, and regardless of what the law says, his bottom line is more important than your kids' health. Don't believe me? Would you believe the man's own words from the Wall Street Journal?
"Mattel Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Eckert said in an interview that the company discloses problems on its own timetable because it believes both the law and the commission’s enforcement practices are unreasonable. Mattel said it should be able to evaluate hazards internally before alerting any outsiders, regardless of what the law says." Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2007
Nope. That man is not at ALL concerned about your kids.
So here is the deal. I'm not asking you to boycott Mattel in order to get them to change their practices or their suppliers - not asking you to try and force them to make their toys HERE where there is oversight and they are held responsible. I'm asking you not to buy anything from Mattel for your kids so that they aren't poisoned.
Because unlike Robert Eckert, I care about your kids, even if I've never seen or met them. And I'd rather see them playing with something that won't kill them.
Leandra has already decided not to purchase any toys for her granddaughter this christmas. She is going to make toys from patterns I'm sending her that I bought from Annie's Attic many years ago. Stuffed animal dogs that actually LOOK like the breeds, a tote-bag barn full of small stuffed barnyard animals. A travel pillow with a pouch shaped like a lilypad that holds a stuffed frog toy. Knit sweaters and vests. "Pretend" food and drinks made from yarn and plastic canvas.
I have no personal connection with Annie's Attic other than as a satisfied customer. Their patterns are adorable and many of them make up very quickly and easily. If you make it yourself, you KNOW what is going into it.
Think about it, please. Please take care of your children. You know Mattel has already stocked up on whatever it is they plan to sell for Christmas. Their warehouses are full, and with the constant, continuing "oops, made in China, got lead in it" recalls, I am fearful for the fate of the kids who get these poisoned toys this christmas.
496 days
This week, Mattel has announced yet another toy recall. More lead paint and other dangerous things in their toys. Did you know that Fischer Price is owned by Mattel? You remember Fischer Price - those toys for tots with the fat little people and things, that kids are forever putting in their mouths?
The Chairman and CEO of Mattel doesn't think this is a problem. Poisoning your children or grandchildren is too bad - but he has a bottom line to manage, and regardless of what the law says, his bottom line is more important than your kids' health. Don't believe me? Would you believe the man's own words from the Wall Street Journal?
"Mattel Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Eckert said in an interview that the company discloses problems on its own timetable because it believes both the law and the commission’s enforcement practices are unreasonable. Mattel said it should be able to evaluate hazards internally before alerting any outsiders, regardless of what the law says." Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2007
Nope. That man is not at ALL concerned about your kids.
So here is the deal. I'm not asking you to boycott Mattel in order to get them to change their practices or their suppliers - not asking you to try and force them to make their toys HERE where there is oversight and they are held responsible. I'm asking you not to buy anything from Mattel for your kids so that they aren't poisoned.
Because unlike Robert Eckert, I care about your kids, even if I've never seen or met them. And I'd rather see them playing with something that won't kill them.
Leandra has already decided not to purchase any toys for her granddaughter this christmas. She is going to make toys from patterns I'm sending her that I bought from Annie's Attic many years ago. Stuffed animal dogs that actually LOOK like the breeds, a tote-bag barn full of small stuffed barnyard animals. A travel pillow with a pouch shaped like a lilypad that holds a stuffed frog toy. Knit sweaters and vests. "Pretend" food and drinks made from yarn and plastic canvas.
I have no personal connection with Annie's Attic other than as a satisfied customer. Their patterns are adorable and many of them make up very quickly and easily. If you make it yourself, you KNOW what is going into it.
Think about it, please. Please take care of your children. You know Mattel has already stocked up on whatever it is they plan to sell for Christmas. Their warehouses are full, and with the constant, continuing "oops, made in China, got lead in it" recalls, I am fearful for the fate of the kids who get these poisoned toys this christmas.
496 days
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