Scheduled for delivery!

Doug has scheduled delivery of my machine on Saturday!  Woo Hoo!  This is also the day my daughter is moving back home for the summer.  A double good day, in my opinion. 

We were thinking of going to visit my mom and his mom up north on Saturday, but we are going to go another time.  Just too much going on right now.  Maybe in a few weeks we will go.

Ev put up a few more of the firring strips today before he went to work.  I'm going to see if Nick will want to hang a couple more sheets of drywall tonight and I can tape and spackle them, and go over the spackle areas with a second coat that I did last night.  Want to keep moving forward here so we have at least the sanding done by Saturday.  That is my goal because I do not want to be sanding when that machine is in the room.

Spackle Queen

That's me.  I am the Spackle Queen!  Ev and Nick hung drywall and I taped and spackled.  I was probably the only person in the county spackling today with dangly earrings on...I forgot to change clothes before I started.

We have about 4 more sheets of drywall to hang, tape, and spackle.  Then it will be sanding and painting time.  I just want to get the sanding done before the machine arrives and time is running out!

The one wall has had a couple sheets of white drywall on it for a few years, but we never did get around to putting more up.  We are putting the green, mold resistant, stuff up now.  The windows need to be replaced and a lot of other things need to be done down there, but this is a good start.  Consider these the 'before' pictures...   And don't ask why there is a guitar there - I really have no answer for it...  lol

Storming again

Not staying online.  Storming again, and expecting some pretty bad ones, hail included.  Yuck.  My poor car... 

Washed, ironed, and cut some strips for a baby quilt.  I kind of changed my mind about making that baby quilt in flannel.  Don't think I'll like the way it quilts on the machine, but not giving up totally on it.

Got a lot done on the basement.  Hung a couple drywall sheets and cleaned up the floor pretty good.

Basement cleaning

Oh, don't the wheels turn slow...  Nick worked on getting some of his stuff out of the basement again tonight.  Tomorrow is the last day to take junk out to the city pick up site, I think, so we have to get that carpet up.  I will be majorly upset if we don't get rid of it now when it's free to dump it and end up having to pay to get rid of it later!

Tomorrow is the final day of the Paducah show.  I wonder if Doug will be going home tomorrow night or Sunday?  I wonder if my machine is ready to be delivered?  Ohhh, I'm so excited.....

Top tally

I went upstairs and looked around at my unfinished quilt tops.  I have ten tops.  Most are ready to be quilted.  A couple need a border on them.   One has to have some stitching removed.  I think they will give me lots of practice when the longarm gets here!

I also did a few loads of laundry.  I was washing some of the material I had gotten a couple months ago and just didn't get all washed and put away.  There are about two loads left to wash.  I folded and took upstairs all that was washed, but haven't put it away just yet.

Just not feeling it

I am burned out at work.  Just not feeling like being here.  I know it's a couple weeks until our Tennessee vacation, and that is probably the reason for the lethargy but I need to kick it if I want to have a job to come back to!  I know I'm really lucky to still have a job in these desperate times, so I'll not whine anymore here today.  Sorry!

He did it!

My darling son cut his hair tonight!  It's been years since he had it cut.  It looks really good!

Hello Mr. Groundhog

So I'm driving home from work last night and a couple blocks from home this guy is sitting up along the side of the road, just checking out the scene!  He wasn't shy at all, as I just sat in the car a few yards away from him.  This morning, when I was on my way to work, wouldn't you know it, he was on the other side of the street, sitting up just like this again!  I was going to take another picture, but he must have gotten bored because before I could get out my camera he waddled off.

I'm leaving work early today for that funeral.  Certainly not a fun reason to be getting off early, but I want to be there for my brother and nephew.  I'll be driving to the funeral alone, again, as it's not possible for Ev to go with me since he has to work this afternoon.  Nick has a job interview and Johanna has a final, so I don't expect either one to be there.  It's okay, not a big deal, and I'll just sit with my dad and his family.

Repeat tenants

Last year a bird made a nest in the crook of the gutter downspout from the garage roof to the ground.  This year, a Robin made a nest there and had three baby birds in it.

This year, as of yesterday, Ivy's bird total is three.

'nuff said.

Baking

Yesterday I baked two apple pies.  I think they turned out good, but we haven't tasted them yet.  Took one to my uncle's this morning, along with some homemade applesauce and a bean salsa.  When I make apple pies and there are leftover apples, I just throw them in the crock pot and let them turn into applesauce. 

The bean salsa recipe started out from Jo's Country Junction, then I improvised.  Added some cucumber and changed up the dressing.  It was pretty good when I was taste testing it.  Going to nibble on it today or tonight while watching Frozen Planet.  The last episode is tonight.

Quilters, A Musical

Last night Donna and I went to see a musical called "Quilters".  It was presented by a group at the college in a town about 45 minutes away. 

The musical had just 8 ladies for the actors.  One was the 'mother' figure and the other 7 were her daughters.  It told the story of pioneer women and how their quilts played a big part in their lives as they struggled to make it in the wilderness. 

It was a good story and the actors did a wonderful job.  Glad I got to see it!

I did it!

I ordered my longarm machine!  Decided that the time was right, so I called the Nolting Rep and ordered a 2002 24"Nolting Commercial Machine with a stitch regulator on a 12' table.  I am so excited!  It will be delivered after the Paducah Show, which is going on next week. 

I'm not concerned that this machine is 10 years old, because of the excellent reputation Nolting has, and the fact that when they take machines in for trade, they completely take them apart and replace any worn part before reselling them.  The same people that built the machine originally perform this work.  There is also a one year warranty on part, labor and electricals.  Basically, everything except abuse.

The price was right in my range, and Nolting will deliver, set up, and get me started quilting away!  The time leading up to delivery of the machine will be spent getting the room ready and making some practice tops.  I'm thinking of a simple pieced top in the size of the lap quilts for the nursing home. 

Even though this machine is a few years older than the one I was going to get from the private seller, I feel much more confident, especially because it will have the Nolting warranty and customer service supporting it.  It's costing me less for this machine than it would for the other one, and I'm getting more.  I might not be getting more goodies on the machine, but I just feel I'm getting more because of the fact that I have a 'safety net'.  Spending a lot of money and not having anyone to call if something goes wrong really scared me.

I also know that there are a lot of people who would look at my situation and tell me to save the money  for a rainy day instead of buying the machine.  But the truth is, I know myself, and I know that if that money is put away, I'll chip away at it and pretty soon there won't be anything to show for it and the money will be gone.  This machine is an investment.  I'm giving myself six months of practice on it, then hopefully I will be ready to take in customer's quilts.  My plan is to try to quilt one or two customer quilts a week.  Keep in mind that I work full time outside the home.  If I just quilt one a week, that would generate enough income to cover half a car payment if we need a different car.  I'm thinking a minimum of $50 per quilt, and that's shooting low from all I see online.  Baby quilts might be even less, but I could do them quicker, so could do more.

Anyway, once I'm confident on the machine, I'll figure out the rest.  I'm thinking if I advertise my services on the internet, local quilt guilds, quilt and fabric shops, I should generate enough business to do what I want.  Time will tell.  Wish me luck!

Please say a prayer

Please say a prayer for my 15 year old nephew, Austin.  His mother, Amy, just passed away at age 36.  Even though she and my brother had divorced several months ago, this is still a big shock.  A prayer for his mother also would be appreciated.  Thank you.

A yummy salad

I went home for lunch today and threw together a salad that turned out to be pretty yummy.  Aldi had some mixed lettuces that I bought a while back.  I put those in with some leftover chicken, tomato, green onion, grapes, all with some balsamic vinegar for a dressing.

Of course, a couple hours after I got back from lunch, I was hungry so I had a snack - a really good mini burger that I made a few days ago for dinner.  I just love those dollar rolls they have at Wal Mart and I use them to make mini burgers, or sliders as we call them.  Ev likes them too because they reheat well.

So I'm over being upset about the longarm.  I am just telling myself that it's going to the person it is meant to go to and something better will come along for me.  I don't hold any grudges against the seller.  He has to keep harmony in his family, and I understand how that can be.

I think I'll start piecing that baby quilt on the Featherweight.  Will be the first thing I do on it, so hopefully it works okay. 

I knew I would jinx it! AAAAAGGGHHHH

Well, the sweet deal I was planning on getting fell through.  I'm going to tell the whole story here in a minute, but I will say this:  I'm somewhat relieved that this didn't work out because now I will be making my purchase from the person I wanted to in the first place.

I'm ready to buy a longarm machine (for all those that guessed right - you gals are good! :-p ).  Right after Easter I started talking to the Nolting dealer I had visited a few years ago and have kept in contact with.  His name is Doug and he's a nice guy.  He and his wife have a shop up near where we used to camp all the time and he had let me come in and test drive machines when I visited them.  I told Doug what I have to spend and he laid out a few options for me.  One was a used machine, a little bigger and a little older than I was thinking of, but it was in my price range.  I decided to think on it for a couple days. 

In the meantime, on a whim I checked online, on Craigslist.  Unbelievably, there was a machine exactly like I wanted within 4 hours of my house that was for sale right at my price.  I called and talked to the son, who was the contact person on the ad, and we agreed upon a price and I though we had a deal.  All we needed to do was make delivery arrangements.  Last night I receive a text from him that he will be calling tonight so I'm assuming that we are ready to roll.  Nope.  He called to tell me that he didn't realize how many people would be interested in that machine and he received an offer from a woman that was quite a bit more than he was even asking on Craigslist.  Right then and there, I was done with him and that machine.  The man made a deal with me and he backed out on it, and I lost all trust in him.  Now, his excuse was that his dad was uncomfortable with the deal and didn't like the fact that the son had agreed to deliver the machine.  That said, he had mentioned that to me last week and I even agreed that we could work that out, that I was willing to change the delivery agreement.  Last week he said no, he would work it out with his dad.  Either way, I'm the one who can sleep with a clear conscience tonight.

So, after a short bout of self pity and an indulgent dinner of Kung Pau Chicken, I am now back to talking to Doug from Nolting.  The used machine we were discussing is still available.  I'm not jumping right into getting it, because there are a couple more options out there, including the possibility of a brand new machine.  I doubt I'll go with brand new, because it's just a little more than I want to spend.  I do know that I'm going to go through Doug and Nolting rather than a private party.

Live and learn.  I'm just glad all this cost me was time.

Slow day and pieces to the puzzle

It's been a somewhat slow day at work today.  Kind of had ups and downs.  I am just waiting for quitting time.  I really need a nap!  Last night, I woke up around 3 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep for almost two hours.  That was not good.  And wouldn't you know, when I woke up at 3, it was from a nightmare about my secret!  I dreamt that when it came it was all broken into pieces!  Talk about silly.

I should know more tonight about when it will be arriving.  The seller contacted me late last night via text message and said he will be calling tonight.  We have been in contact both via text and phone calls for over a week now and I'm thinking he should have some firm details tonight for me.

Here's a little bit more of the story - not really clues, but at least some pieces to the puzzle! 

I found this item through an online search.  The closest I could find what I really want is four hours away.  The sellers are a father/son pair.  The father lives four hours away to the west of me.  The son lives 8 hours away from me to the east.  The son will have to drive 12 hours to his dad's, load up the item in a truck, and then drive it 4 hours to me.  We have to work out the logistics.  If he (the son) cannot do this, I have other options, but this one certainly is the easiest for me.

If necessary, my son and I could make the drive, pick up the item, and come home.  I think it would fit in the bed of the pickup truck, but I know it would hang out some and I'm not nuts about driving on the highway with it that way. 

Another option is to have a third party go pick it up and bring it to me.  This is an expensive option, as the third party wants a pretty good chunk of change to do this.  They, however, are experts in breakdown, transport, and set up of the item.  I wish it were not so expensive, because I really would go this route if I could.

Stay tuned, more puzzle pieces will be on the way soon....  :)

Flannel

I dug through some of my flannel, thinking I will make that baby quilt out of some of my blues and other baby flannel fabrics.  Then I thought I might find something better in my blue cotton bin.  After rummaging around in it, I ended up back in the flannel.  I kept thinking "Oh, I'll save that for something else" when I was looking through the flannel and then came to the realization that there was no reason to be 'saving' anything like that!  I don't really expect there to be a shortage of blue flannel fabric anytime in the near future.

One of the blogs I read was talking about a couple baby quilts the gal made with a '100 patch' center.  I liked the idea of doing a 10x10 block for the center of the quilt and then just putting a couple easy borders on it, so I pulled as many flannels as I could that would be mostly boyish.  I have 9 fabrics, some of them are only scraps, but some are yardage. I think I"ll just make 4 or 5 inch squares and see how it falls together.

Do you ever make quilt tops and forget that you made them?  When I went to put the star struck top into a drawer where I keep tops that are waiting to be quilted, I was somewhat surprised to find a baby quilt top, made of flannel, for a girl in the drawer.  That sure takes care of the other baby that is due this year!  I guess if I went back several months on the blog I would come across the post where I finished the top, but it just struck me as funny that so many times I will make something and once it's done, it's just out of my head, that quickly.

Another hint....maybe....

Hmmm, what can I say that will be a clue but won't give it away?  Let's see, I guess I could tell you I need lots and lots of room.  Or that it won't fit in a car, so has to be delivered by truck.

And a footnoot - ha ha, 'foot' note - I ended up not getting a cortisone shot, instead was prescribed an oral steroid because I had pain in different parts of my foot.  After a day of being on the medicine (and not sleeping - I was upstairs sewing at 3 a.m. Saturday morning!) I had an allergic reaction and had to stop taking it!  ARGH.  I'm fine and no harm done, but it's aggravating.  The foot isn't hurting right now, so I'm just going to let it go and live with the pain as much as I can.  I can still get a shot if needed, but I'll hold out as long as I can.

I have that meatloaf all ready for dinner tonight.  Just have to make some mashed potatoes and a veggie and we will have a good supper.

Another day of cooking

I'm in the mood to cook today.  I have a chicken baking in the oven, along with a meat loaf.  We had mini burgers yesterday and I had enough ground chuck to make a meat loaf so I though I would go ahead and make it to have later in the week.  The chicken is going to go into a chicken fettuccine alfredo for tonight's dinner. 

Nick and I worked on cleaning the basement room yesterday.  We threw out almost 3 big outdoor trash can's worth of garbage.  The room is emptying out nicely.  Now, it's mostly Nick getting stuff off the shelves so we can take the shelves down.  We will be pulling the carpeting up also.  That won't be a big deal because it's just a piece of padding with a piece of carpet laid over it.  It's not attached or anything.

Here it is

This is the star struck top I have been working on.  It's a good size for a wheelchair lap quilt.  I've decided that it's just not "baby" enough to be a baby quilt, so I'll save it for a Christmas present.  Since the baby isn't due until August, I have enough time to get another top made.  Oh, and I'll add a border or two to this top before I quilt it.  These stars were made from scraps from my 36 patch quilt.  It's Bonnie Hunter's pattern.  Very easy and I like the look of it.  I did change it up just a bit from Bonnie's. 

I still have some strip sets left over from the 36 patch.  What I'd like to do is cut them into four and a half inch pieces, and then either set them alternating directions or even add a plain square in between them.  I'm already thinking ahead to making the quilts for the nursing home this year.

Anyone want another clue as to what my news is?  Hee hee hee.  I'm trying to think of a good clue to give you that won't give it away...  Stay tuned!  :)

Second guessing myself

Oh the side effects... I was upstairs sewing at three a.m.! I did get to sleep a bit after four and when I checked it, my sugar was lower thankfully.

So I got the star struck blocks done and sewn into rows. I even sewed a couple rows together. Now I am thinking this may be a better lap quilt for the nursing home than a baby quilt. It was supposed to be for a baby boy but it doesn't look very babyish. Will put a pic up soon and you can help me decide!

Enough to scare a person into dieting

The doctor put me on a steroid pill for 6 days for my foot pain.  He said it may elevate my blood sugar.  Well, it did.  I checked it and it was 206.  I called the E.R. and spoke to a nurse who said this was a normal elevation with this drug, so I'm not going to get any more upset than I already am, but I'm telling you here and now, this is it.  I'm going on a diet and I'm sticking to it.  If I have to reread this post five times a day to remind me of how scared I was to see that high of a number, I will.

Tomorrow the guys and I are going to start on the basement.  I'm so excited!  Johanna said she may be moving back home for the summer, so that is going to alter our plans a bit for the room downstairs.  Instead of just cleaning and fixing up the one area that Nick used to use for his bedroom, we will have to clear out the area where the laundry room is.  Going to be a project, but not a horrible one, especially with some help.

Today's clue

You might already have guessed what the secret is, but if not, here's another clue:  I have been looking forward to getting this for years....  And I am going to give it a name!

Have you figured it out yet?  Oh, I'm just bursting to tell....  I'm terrible at keeping secrets.  No one tells me anything around Christmas...  haha.

Friday

As I mentioned in the last post, I have an appointment today (it's with my foot doctor - ugh - cortisone shot!) so it will be a short work day for me.  I think, after Ev goes to work, I'll try and get that star struck baby quilt top put together.  The baby isn't due until August, but time does seem to fly anymore, so I'd rather have it done and ready.  That one is in blue, for the gal who is having a boy.  I need to make one in pink for the baby girl that the other gal is expecting.  Babies, babies, babies! 

I am thankful to God that our kids have chosen to go to school before starting their families.  I know that could still change, but Johanna is in the home stretch now, so I think she will continue and Nick seems to be on that track as well.  I am ready to be a grandma when they are ready to make me one, but hope they choose to live their lives a little while longer without kids.

Snore fest

Between the cat and Ev it was a wonder anyone gets any sleep in our house!

I have an appointment today in a town with a quilt shop. Going to take the bobbin case for the featherweight and see if they have any bobbins.

Would you like another clue?

I'm so excited about my news it's really hard to keep from spilling the beans!  I haven't told a lot of people yet, just in case something happens.  I will say that this does not involve any new members to the family, so if you're guessing babies or pets, that's not it.

That paragraph there could be considered a clue, but it wasn't what I had in mind when I started this post.  The clue is:  We are cleaning out a basement room and putting up drywall.  That's our project this weekend, to get started on that.

What's on my bed?

I'm linking up with Bonnie Hunter's online bed turning party, via Mr. Linky.  This is my 36 patch quilt, finished last Fall.  It still has pride of place on my bed and my darling hubby still says it's bright enough to keep him awake at night!  Love, love, love all the color it has in it!

Just a hint

Just a hint about my secret...  I'm seriously considering taking out the hand stitching I did on Tennessee August.  That's all I'm going to say.  For now.

Cleaning efforts

I cleaned and oiled my Featherweight last night.  Didn't get too much of the outside surface cleaned but the inside is oiled and lubed up well.  Discovered that there wasn't a bobbin in the machine so I went to put one of the bobbins in it that I ordered online.  They don't fit.  Sigh.  So I emailed the nice lady I bought it from and she is sending me some of her bobbins.  I'm returning the ones I purchased for a refund.

Don't want to jinx it

I don't want to jink it, but I am hoping within the next few weeks to have something really cool to tell you all about and show you.  Remember that kid on the Disney commercial who says "I'm so excited!"?  Well, that's how I feel!

The big books

So my darling son is sitting on the couch typing a paper into his computer for his class when he starts talking about sighting sources for his information.  I throw out a few things, one of them being Encyclopedia Brittanica, and he says what's that?  I said please tell me you know what that is, and he says oh!  yeah!  the big a** books!  Now, I am not fond of the language he used, but I couldn't help but laugh because of the description he used.  Cracked me up.

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a happy and blessed Easter!

Cooking up a storm

I've been cooking all day!  Baked a cheesecake early, have a roast in the oven, and two casseroles ready to go in.  I'm taking a break and getting off my feet for a few minutes, then going to peel some potatoes.  We decided to have our Easter dinner tonight since we are going to my dad's tomorrow at noon.  Johanna is coming to spend the night, so we will all be together. 

I have the Featherweight sitting in the kitchen, on top of the chest freezer.  Every time I walk by her, I have to smile and touch her!  It's just the prettiest little machine and I can't believe that she's mine! 

Stopped at my friend's house this morning to see her new grandbaby that was born the beginning of March.  Beautiful baby.

She's here!

My Featherweight has arrived!  She's beautiful!  Here's the before picture.  I'm going to clean her up, although she's in pretty good shape already, and give her a good oiling and lube.  Can't wait to sew on this baby.

Ev's truck wouldn't start start yesterday when he had to go to work.  He bought a new battery today and put it in and all is well. 

Look who's come for dinner!

Mr. Raccoon had taken up residence in the back wall of our office building and we had a wildlife expert come to trap him.  We aren't sure if there are other family members living in there or not....

A funny story, I may have told before, comes to mind with this.  The wildlife expert is related to a neighbor I had when I was younger.  This neighbor used to have all kinds of animals as 'pets', including raccoons and goats and whatever.  When my husband, then a city boy, and I came to visit my family for the first time since getting engaged, he got out of the car and looked around.  Well, the neighbor had a goat, and this goat was tied to a dog house.  I asked my then future husband what he thought and he said, "It's nice here, but that sure is one ugly looking dog over there!".  Oh my, I laughed and laughed and laughed.  I said, "That's because it's a goat, honey..."  Surprisingly, he still married me.  haha.

Pictures, Old Stories, and an "A" grade

First, the pics...

These are a few of the star struck blocks I have been making.  I like the way they look. 

The rest of the star struck blocks are halfway sewn together and are waiting for me to get back to them.  They go together pretty quickly.  I could have done a better job on the white parts, because the seams don't match perfect.  I don't think the baby will mind... 

And, for my babies, even though they are all grown up, a couple of Easter bags.  They are waiting to be filled with goodies.  Not sure what all is going in them, but I know for sure they will each get a chocolate rabbit!

Today I visited with my Uncle Ray for a bit.  I took him a pie I had bought since I haven't baked any pie lately and was feeling a little guilty.  I also felt guilty because I had a piece of said pie when I was visiting...with ice cream.  Not on my diet, but what can I say... 

Last week when Uncle Ray and I went to dinner we drove around a little, visiting some familiar areas.  One area we drove past was some land that the coal mining company used to own.  It was right across from the mine that my Great Grandpa and family worked in.  My Great Grandpa is Uncle Ray's father (technically, Uncle Ray is a great uncle, but that gets a little long in the tooth).  Anyway, I remember my family telling stories of living in the 'company houses'.  These where homes built by the coal mining company that they rented out to miner's.  Uncle Ray was telling me that they were built from scrap lumber that the mine company purchased when they tore down the 1904 World's Fair in Chicago.  Those houses must have been horrible.  Cheap, to say the least.  Sure have come a long way from those days.

I went up to Springfield today and took another test for a State position.  I received an "A" grade, thankfully, and it's good for an entire year, so I don't have to go through that again anytime soon.

While in Springfield, I stopped in the new JoAnn Superstore.  I don't know if it's just me, but it seems that the JoAnn stores fabric areas are shrinking again.  They have so much other stuff that I'm not interested in in the store.

The frogs are back

The peeper frogs are back, earlier this year than previously.  They love our pool, right up until we open it and put chemicals in it!  I love them, and they drive Ev crazy.

Tomorrow I'm making a trip to Springfield and plan to make a stop at the new Joann store there.  Excited about that!

Been reading a lot on my Nook.  Quilt mysteries.  Of course, when I read a lot, I don't sew much. 

Found out one of the gals is having a boy, so I can move forward with a baby boy quilt at least.

Monday again

This weather is ridiculous.  High 80's on the second day of April.  Yuck.  Hot weather is not condusive to quilting.

My Featherweight should be arriving soon.  I'm so excited!

I have all the pieces pressed for the star struck blocks.  Played with the layout, mixing colors or matching colors for the stars.  I like it better when the dark colors are matched for the stars and the light colors are mixed up.  That's how I plan to put them together. 

This week two of the gals who are expecting baby's will be having ultrasounds and hopefully will find out if they are having a boy or a girl.  That will help me in my decision on what to work on next! 

Anticipation

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my Featherweight.  I ordered extra bobbins and gear lubricant for it online, and they have both arrived.  I have purchased the recommended cleaner for the machine and it is patiently waiting alongside the bobbins and gear lube for the machine.  Please, Mr. Postman, be swift!