Been a very long time - since I spent hours and hours sitting at the quilting frame. Which explains quite adequately why the fish quilt has yet to be finished.
This weekend, however, I made a committment to myself to really stretch out and do a measurable quantity of quilting so I can get the Charming Young Man's quilt off the frame and into a box and off to Scotland so I can put the fish quilt back on, finish it up and then (hopefully) have Amanda's ready to go and Pirate's in the works.
So I did work harder at it, and I have calloused fingertips to prove it - and managed to get a goodly chunk done. I'm fair certain that given a bit of habit-forming, I should be able to complete a goodly chunk every day and have it finished sometime this decade.
Spent part of the time with The Lion King movie running in the background (set up my laptop on the ironing board and used it as a DVD player), a movie I for some reason remember as being longer and cuter than what played. I also started to watch the Blues Brothers twice, but never did manage to get to Aretha's song.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Little Blue Boxes
Having now finished 1/2 a row of the first-part of the quilting, I can say with some confidence that this is all coming out OK. Took a peek at the back and it will be fine. Nice marching row of little blue boxes. Considering how well the light gets through the unquilted part to show the color of the patchwork above, I'm totally certain the weight will be perfect for a summer quilt.
I've been looking at getting a new vacuum cleaner. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate the bagless one I have. The little cup gets full of cat hair so fast I am constantly stopping to empty it, and for all it says it is HEPA filtered and all, there is still a mass of icky dust and pet hair all over. There is one at Sears that looked interesting - an actual Hoover - WITH A REPLACEABLE BAG - that has a "dirt sensor" - if the area you are vacuuming is still picking up stuff, a light stays on to tell you to keep going over it until it is actually clean. I like this idea. Kili is much the same color as my carpet for the most part, so it is hard to tell if you've gotten most of the shed cat hair up intil you lay down and it fluffs into your nose.
Got a flu shot yesterday (work provides them free). It didn't burn during the injection, which it normally does for me, so that's all good - but the nurse/technician/whatever who gave the shots not only did not provide lollypops - HE DIDN'T HAVE SMURF BANDAGES!! Only plain yucky tan ones. I was bummed.
The note they gave along with it states a number of possible side-effects, including.... "malaise". Malaise. Yes, I can just see me calling in to work "Hi, Boss? I can't come in today. I got that flu shot yesterday, and I have malaise." Yes, I can see that going over very well, indeed.
*LAUGH* It's funny - now without my "countdown" - I find it harder to end posts. Seems something is always missing.
I suppose I'll have to find something else to look forward to.
I've been looking at getting a new vacuum cleaner. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate the bagless one I have. The little cup gets full of cat hair so fast I am constantly stopping to empty it, and for all it says it is HEPA filtered and all, there is still a mass of icky dust and pet hair all over. There is one at Sears that looked interesting - an actual Hoover - WITH A REPLACEABLE BAG - that has a "dirt sensor" - if the area you are vacuuming is still picking up stuff, a light stays on to tell you to keep going over it until it is actually clean. I like this idea. Kili is much the same color as my carpet for the most part, so it is hard to tell if you've gotten most of the shed cat hair up intil you lay down and it fluffs into your nose.
Got a flu shot yesterday (work provides them free). It didn't burn during the injection, which it normally does for me, so that's all good - but the nurse/technician/whatever who gave the shots not only did not provide lollypops - HE DIDN'T HAVE SMURF BANDAGES!! Only plain yucky tan ones. I was bummed.
The note they gave along with it states a number of possible side-effects, including.... "malaise". Malaise. Yes, I can just see me calling in to work "Hi, Boss? I can't come in today. I got that flu shot yesterday, and I have malaise." Yes, I can see that going over very well, indeed.
*LAUGH* It's funny - now without my "countdown" - I find it harder to end posts. Seems something is always missing.
I suppose I'll have to find something else to look forward to.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Progression
So. This weekend I wrestled the International Quilt onto the quilting frame. This morning I started quilting it. The quilt seems loose - floopy - and it's ploofier than I thought it should be - but perhaps that is because I only have large squares done and not the cross-lines that will fill in and make it (hopefully) less ploofy.
It feels good to be working on it. The top, thus far, looks quite a great deal like what I pictured, and I do like the colors. I've run it past 3 of my male friends and they all say they like the colors and pattern - so I'm sure it will go over well with the recipient.
Got a squishy package at work this morning. Juan came over with a silly grin and handed it to me. The last of the fabrics for the quilt for Pirate. (Remember Pirate, Amanda?) Now I have to dig out my drawing for the boat quilt.
Yes, Amanda - yours will be first!
It feels good to be working on it. The top, thus far, looks quite a great deal like what I pictured, and I do like the colors. I've run it past 3 of my male friends and they all say they like the colors and pattern - so I'm sure it will go over well with the recipient.
Got a squishy package at work this morning. Juan came over with a silly grin and handed it to me. The last of the fabrics for the quilt for Pirate. (Remember Pirate, Amanda?) Now I have to dig out my drawing for the boat quilt.
Yes, Amanda - yours will be first!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Blogging, Quilting, Video Games
I like to write. I like to read more. I suspect that has some bearing on why I update on infrequent and sporadic occasions, not necessarily due to any specific impetus, but just 'cuz I wanna. I read more blogs - and I comment on some of them (not all, and not always). I am bad that way, because essentially I"m saying "Entertain Me - I don't care if you're entertained" - which is BAD and WRONG.
I like to try and imagine how my posts sound to others - so I try to write them coherently (EPIC FAIL) and with an eye to letting others have a bit of a chuckle along with me wherever possible - such as in the possessed toilet post.
I certainly don't write for personal financial gain (hysterical laughter) or for fame (yeah - avg. 7 readers per day - uh huh... fame. RIGHT). I just write about what I know and what I think and how I feel. This would be why there are only 7 readers and I'm related to at least one of them.
But that's ok! The writing itself is cathartic - helps purge some of the deamons and quiet some of the nagging self-recriminations and anger-management issues in my head. Being as far from "perfect" as I most certainly am - I am just grateful for anyone enjoying what I write - or even reading it, for that matter.
They say that plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery.
Got an e-mail from a teacher in another country, telling me that one of my posts had been purloined by a student and with small variations presented as their own. Just in case said student returns - That was VERY VERY BAD. Please do not do that again.
Scolding aside, I'm rather amazed, amused and a bit flattered to imagine someone thought MY ramblings worth such effort.
So, yes. I do like to write and read - and I've been glued like a plecostumus to the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes volume 1. I can't find Volume 2. I'm sure it is in one of the bookshelves somewhere.
Even more than reading, writing or - for that matter - playing online computer games, I love quilting. I love picking out the colors, the fabrics and the patterns. I love sewing the little pieces together and watching what was a mental-image (occasionally translated into a very horribly childish black & white pencil scrawl) turn into a finished blanket.
I love silently critiquing the work of other quilters who work in the same sort of patchwork "genre" as I do. I love to watch the layers come together and the patterns from the stitching outlining on the back side. (Yes, I've been known to lay on the floor underneath the frame to check for "puckers" and also just to amuse myself with how "blankety" it is becoming)
So, since I know that at least ONE of my dear online gaming friends reads here occasionally - I do feel a tad guilty for ignoring the game for so long, but as of late last night I finally finished piecing the top for the latest of my "creations" to survive my inner editor and become a reality. Tonight I will wrestle it onto the frame and begin the hand-quilting part. This bit is time-consuming, tedious, and utterly wonderful as a meditation-type exercise. As long as my hands don't cramp up, I hope to have this finished in time for Christmas.
Now that we are at the very boring hand-quilting stage, I suspect World of Warcraft will again have some small appeal for me.
FOR THE HORDE!
I like to try and imagine how my posts sound to others - so I try to write them coherently (EPIC FAIL) and with an eye to letting others have a bit of a chuckle along with me wherever possible - such as in the possessed toilet post.
I certainly don't write for personal financial gain (hysterical laughter) or for fame (yeah - avg. 7 readers per day - uh huh... fame. RIGHT). I just write about what I know and what I think and how I feel. This would be why there are only 7 readers and I'm related to at least one of them.
But that's ok! The writing itself is cathartic - helps purge some of the deamons and quiet some of the nagging self-recriminations and anger-management issues in my head. Being as far from "perfect" as I most certainly am - I am just grateful for anyone enjoying what I write - or even reading it, for that matter.
They say that plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery.
Got an e-mail from a teacher in another country, telling me that one of my posts had been purloined by a student and with small variations presented as their own. Just in case said student returns - That was VERY VERY BAD. Please do not do that again.
Scolding aside, I'm rather amazed, amused and a bit flattered to imagine someone thought MY ramblings worth such effort.
So, yes. I do like to write and read - and I've been glued like a plecostumus to the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes volume 1. I can't find Volume 2. I'm sure it is in one of the bookshelves somewhere.
Even more than reading, writing or - for that matter - playing online computer games, I love quilting. I love picking out the colors, the fabrics and the patterns. I love sewing the little pieces together and watching what was a mental-image (occasionally translated into a very horribly childish black & white pencil scrawl) turn into a finished blanket.
I love silently critiquing the work of other quilters who work in the same sort of patchwork "genre" as I do. I love to watch the layers come together and the patterns from the stitching outlining on the back side. (Yes, I've been known to lay on the floor underneath the frame to check for "puckers" and also just to amuse myself with how "blankety" it is becoming)
So, since I know that at least ONE of my dear online gaming friends reads here occasionally - I do feel a tad guilty for ignoring the game for so long, but as of late last night I finally finished piecing the top for the latest of my "creations" to survive my inner editor and become a reality. Tonight I will wrestle it onto the frame and begin the hand-quilting part. This bit is time-consuming, tedious, and utterly wonderful as a meditation-type exercise. As long as my hands don't cramp up, I hope to have this finished in time for Christmas.
Now that we are at the very boring hand-quilting stage, I suspect World of Warcraft will again have some small appeal for me.
FOR THE HORDE!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday, and the Auditor is in....
So I got up this morning, and the Pumpkin Toy was at the top of the stairs. I kicked it down, went to the bathroom, and when I came out, Kili was at the top of the stairs, staring at me. Angrily.
She proceeded to tell me off, in no uncertain maows. I don't speak Cat, but it was fairly obvious she was unhappy with me because she couldn't find Mindi. They'd been together since before birth. How the hell do you explain to a cat that another cat just isn't gonna come back? This promises to be a difficult little while at la casa de Sewmouse. Spent an extra 15 min. this morning snuggling with Kili, but I still felt sad when I left for work.
Helen, of Margaret and Helen commented on the Glenn Beck 9/12 protesters. One paragraph stood out from the others for me. Click the paragraph to read the entire piece:
Let me just say something about the 9-12 Project. On September 12, 2001 everyone was an American. There were no Blue States and no Red States. There were no Black Americans and no White Americans. There were no Europeans, no Asians, no Hispanics, no Africans… The world was standing with America against the evil that is terrorism. The globe was united like never before. And what did our President do when given that moment? He told us all to go shopping while he and his buddies planned a war. And 8 years later the 9-12 project has been reduced to a movement of no Blacks, no Hispanics, no Asians… just 78,000 white people who can’t spell.
She proceeded to tell me off, in no uncertain maows. I don't speak Cat, but it was fairly obvious she was unhappy with me because she couldn't find Mindi. They'd been together since before birth. How the hell do you explain to a cat that another cat just isn't gonna come back? This promises to be a difficult little while at la casa de Sewmouse. Spent an extra 15 min. this morning snuggling with Kili, but I still felt sad when I left for work.
Helen, of Margaret and Helen commented on the Glenn Beck 9/12 protesters. One paragraph stood out from the others for me. Click the paragraph to read the entire piece:
Let me just say something about the 9-12 Project. On September 12, 2001 everyone was an American. There were no Blue States and no Red States. There were no Black Americans and no White Americans. There were no Europeans, no Asians, no Hispanics, no Africans… The world was standing with America against the evil that is terrorism. The globe was united like never before. And what did our President do when given that moment? He told us all to go shopping while he and his buddies planned a war. And 8 years later the 9-12 project has been reduced to a movement of no Blacks, no Hispanics, no Asians… just 78,000 white people who can’t spell.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
R.I.P. Mindi
It is never easy to lose a pet.
Mindi was the snugglebunny - the one weaned too soon, who sucked on shirts and blankets. I couldn't sit on the sofa without her crawling up into my lap and trying to spit-wash my shirt.
Today Mindi went to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Her kidneys shut down and she could barely move, unable to eat or even get her head up long enough to drink. There were no options. I could have prolonged her life perhaps a few hours to a few days - but only by putting her into the pet hospital and having her hooked up to IV's and catheter &etc. Hardly a "quality of life". I made the decision to let the vet ease her way.
We are now a 1-cat, 1-human family. It will be lonelier without her throaty MAOW to remind me to fill the food and water dishes. I hope Kili will be OK.
Mindi was the snugglebunny - the one weaned too soon, who sucked on shirts and blankets. I couldn't sit on the sofa without her crawling up into my lap and trying to spit-wash my shirt.
Today Mindi went to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge. Her kidneys shut down and she could barely move, unable to eat or even get her head up long enough to drink. There were no options. I could have prolonged her life perhaps a few hours to a few days - but only by putting her into the pet hospital and having her hooked up to IV's and catheter &etc. Hardly a "quality of life". I made the decision to let the vet ease her way.
We are now a 1-cat, 1-human family. It will be lonelier without her throaty MAOW to remind me to fill the food and water dishes. I hope Kili will be OK.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I am disgusted
Shame on you, Joe Wilson.
You don't deserve the respect of being called "Representative". You are no-class, disgusting, and unfortunately a typical example of how low the Republican Party has fallen. Shame on you.
Shame on the voters in the 2nd Congressional district of South Carolina.
Shame on Nancy Pelosi for not having his ass hauled out of the joint session.
Even at the lowest point of GWB's "approval ratings", the Progressives, Democrats, Independents, etc., never stooped to the level of HECKLING the President during a speech in the chambers of Congress.
You, Joe Wilson - are NOT a gentleman. You are a thug, a reprehensible piece of bought-and-paid-for corrupt political hackery. SHAME ON YOU.
I note that your chutzpah in behaving like an ill-bred, in-bred Professional Wrestling fan, (as opposed to a civilized member of Congress) doesn't extend itself well - you've removed your website (Coward!!!) and are not answering your office phones (COWARD!!!)
Shame on you.
You don't deserve the respect of being called "Representative". You are no-class, disgusting, and unfortunately a typical example of how low the Republican Party has fallen. Shame on you.
Shame on the voters in the 2nd Congressional district of South Carolina.
Shame on Nancy Pelosi for not having his ass hauled out of the joint session.
Even at the lowest point of GWB's "approval ratings", the Progressives, Democrats, Independents, etc., never stooped to the level of HECKLING the President during a speech in the chambers of Congress.
You, Joe Wilson - are NOT a gentleman. You are a thug, a reprehensible piece of bought-and-paid-for corrupt political hackery. SHAME ON YOU.
I note that your chutzpah in behaving like an ill-bred, in-bred Professional Wrestling fan, (as opposed to a civilized member of Congress) doesn't extend itself well - you've removed your website (Coward!!!) and are not answering your office phones (COWARD!!!)
Shame on you.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Updating
Ok, so I went to the Dentist yesterday and came back out with one less tooth. Again, not overly PAINFUL - but that whole bit of chomping down on cotton and waiting for the bleeding to stop was miserable.
It took several hours for the bleeding to stop enough for me to feel comfortable taking out the cotton gauze. Do. Not. Want. Dry. Socket.
Of course, then it took another couple hours for me to settle down and be able to sleep for about 10 to 15 min. before it was time to get up and struggle to work. I ALMOST called in, but since I wasn't throwing up, I dragged ass in.
Been dragging ass all morning like a dog with hemmorhoids. *sigh* Yogurt and protein drink for breakfast, I have another protein drink and some applesauce for lunch. Maybe for dinner I will make myself some scrambled eggs and jello. It's as bad as being in the Hospital. I hate Dentists.
In the mean time, while I was being miserable last night, I updated my linky thingy over on the sidebar there ---->>. I took off people who have taken their blogs "private", and those who don't update anymore or deleted them. If you think you have been disincluded in error, please e-mail me at my profile address and I'll reinstate you.
If you've gone "private" and not sent me an invite - sorry I'm not good enough. I miss you. Bye.
I've also added a couple that I've followed for a while but hadn't added due to terminal laziness. Hi.
It took several hours for the bleeding to stop enough for me to feel comfortable taking out the cotton gauze. Do. Not. Want. Dry. Socket.
Of course, then it took another couple hours for me to settle down and be able to sleep for about 10 to 15 min. before it was time to get up and struggle to work. I ALMOST called in, but since I wasn't throwing up, I dragged ass in.
Been dragging ass all morning like a dog with hemmorhoids. *sigh* Yogurt and protein drink for breakfast, I have another protein drink and some applesauce for lunch. Maybe for dinner I will make myself some scrambled eggs and jello. It's as bad as being in the Hospital. I hate Dentists.
In the mean time, while I was being miserable last night, I updated my linky thingy over on the sidebar there ---->>. I took off people who have taken their blogs "private", and those who don't update anymore or deleted them. If you think you have been disincluded in error, please e-mail me at my profile address and I'll reinstate you.
If you've gone "private" and not sent me an invite - sorry I'm not good enough. I miss you. Bye.
I've also added a couple that I've followed for a while but hadn't added due to terminal laziness. Hi.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
When Toilets Attack!!!!
Or maybe it should be "Toilets Gone Wild!!!"
Perhaps... "Rosemary's Toilet". "The Haunted Toilet"
"Revenge of the Potty" would just be silly.
So Friday night I got home a bit late. Fell asleep reading, and awakened to the feeling as if the bed had grown a set of "Magic Fingers". Leg spasm, or mini-earthquake? You decide.
Of course, waking in this manner requires the obligatory bathroom visit. In the dark. Because I don't want to turn on lights. Mission accomplished, I reset clothing to rights and reach for the flushing lever. I push it down. Suddenly the floor begins to shake. Clanking noises! Banging! The water tank sounds like there are rattlesnakes in it, hissing and slapping against the sides. My heart races! Adrenaline pumps! The thought of a huge plumbing bill and possible flooding of the entire house looms! I yank up the handle and silence prevails again. I stop shaking. There is no sound of water overflowing anywhere.
Slowly the adrenaline seeps back into wherever adrenaline seeps when it's done scaring the woohoojus out of you.
I turn on the sink to wash my hands.
The water spits and gurgles. The pipes bang and clatter. But only for a few moments. Then the only sound is water rushing into the basin.
Only then do I remember.
On my way to work Friday morning, I saw a fleet of village trucks and a backhoe over near the local swimming pool. Apparently there was some sort of water-main leak.
Bet they had to turn off the water.
Uh huh.
Air gets in the pipes...
No, the toilet is NOT possessed, Sewmouse, you twit.
I flush again.
No problems.
You know - ya can't make this shit up.
Perhaps... "Rosemary's Toilet". "The Haunted Toilet"
"Revenge of the Potty" would just be silly.
So Friday night I got home a bit late. Fell asleep reading, and awakened to the feeling as if the bed had grown a set of "Magic Fingers". Leg spasm, or mini-earthquake? You decide.
Of course, waking in this manner requires the obligatory bathroom visit. In the dark. Because I don't want to turn on lights. Mission accomplished, I reset clothing to rights and reach for the flushing lever. I push it down. Suddenly the floor begins to shake. Clanking noises! Banging! The water tank sounds like there are rattlesnakes in it, hissing and slapping against the sides. My heart races! Adrenaline pumps! The thought of a huge plumbing bill and possible flooding of the entire house looms! I yank up the handle and silence prevails again. I stop shaking. There is no sound of water overflowing anywhere.
Slowly the adrenaline seeps back into wherever adrenaline seeps when it's done scaring the woohoojus out of you.
I turn on the sink to wash my hands.
The water spits and gurgles. The pipes bang and clatter. But only for a few moments. Then the only sound is water rushing into the basin.
Only then do I remember.
On my way to work Friday morning, I saw a fleet of village trucks and a backhoe over near the local swimming pool. Apparently there was some sort of water-main leak.
Bet they had to turn off the water.
Uh huh.
Air gets in the pipes...
No, the toilet is NOT possessed, Sewmouse, you twit.
I flush again.
No problems.
You know - ya can't make this shit up.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
I can no longer eat almonds. *sigh*
Bought a can of almonds (dry roasted, lightly salted) - and was enjoying a small handfull at lunch when CRUNCH... CRUNCH... CRUNCH!! but no owie.
But I certainly wasn't gonna keep chewing that really hard bit, so I spat it into my hand (nobody else around. I'm usually not quite that uncivilized) - and found a rather large piece of dental material.
Yes, I broke my tooth. *sigh*
It doesn't hurt, but I sure as hell am not going to be chewing almonds with it anytime soon. I have a dentist appointment on Tuesday evening. Again - no pain, no sensations at all - but you know how your tongue gets all excited and interested in the "something different" like a nosey puppy? grrrrrrr
Hate that bit.
I have gotten the camera to work. The colors aren't quite as screwy as I thought they'd be - still not "right" - but not as bad as I feared. I would love to post photos here, but I asked the Charming Young Man if he would rather see progress reports or have it be a surprise, and he wants to be surprised, so I'm taking the progress report photos anyhow and will post a Flickr slideshow when I have confirmation that he has, in fact, received the package. (which may be a bit yet - do not hold your breaths.)
But I certainly wasn't gonna keep chewing that really hard bit, so I spat it into my hand (nobody else around. I'm usually not quite that uncivilized) - and found a rather large piece of dental material.
Yes, I broke my tooth. *sigh*
It doesn't hurt, but I sure as hell am not going to be chewing almonds with it anytime soon. I have a dentist appointment on Tuesday evening. Again - no pain, no sensations at all - but you know how your tongue gets all excited and interested in the "something different" like a nosey puppy? grrrrrrr
Hate that bit.
I have gotten the camera to work. The colors aren't quite as screwy as I thought they'd be - still not "right" - but not as bad as I feared. I would love to post photos here, but I asked the Charming Young Man if he would rather see progress reports or have it be a surprise, and he wants to be surprised, so I'm taking the progress report photos anyhow and will post a Flickr slideshow when I have confirmation that he has, in fact, received the package. (which may be a bit yet - do not hold your breaths.)
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