Passwords

Have you noticed lately how many flippin passwords you have. Mine all used to be the same. Then this bank, this company and this monitor all wanted them reset. Then you have to have 9 characters. Now you have to have 9 characters and a capital letter. Now I have to have 9 characters, a capital letter, and a number. Then you can't use the password you used in the past. Have you noticed when you were thinking about buying something and decided against it you shut down your computer and didn't empty the cart : the next day you get an email about a 10% discount. The really creepy thing was when I looked at something on Amazon and then a month later got several emails from companys selling the product. Creeps me out.

getting smaller

Have you noticed everything is getting smaller and we are paying 20-50% more. Just watched Philip Marlow. He paid 20 cents for macaroni and cheese. The soup cans and cereal boxes are smaller and poor Maggie doesn't get full on a can of dog food any more. Fabric is coming in at $15.00 per yard and is four inches thinner. Just spent the past 40 min. cleaning baby Bernina. In a class I took years and years ago our teacher had us use q-tips to clean our machines. Those magic q-tips have extended the life of baby bernina. Well as I was cleaning away, I was able to get these smaller q-tips in little tight spots I've never been able to reach. Greasy, nasty and full of lint devils. No wonder these new high tech machines have to be continually serviced. Official diagnosis: too much gunk and way toooo small q-tips. Happy New Years. I take quilt classes in Dallas this Sat and next. Finished one quilt and starting another: Its going to be called "9-lives" and staring

it's so complicated.

All I want is a free image of a cowboy. Found it printed it and lo and behold its too big. Then, this morning I went to look for a free image of a horse. A horse is a horse of course. It takes forever to choose one. Yesterday, I spent the morning looking at fences and prospective. Got that down. Now I'm ready to draw my image on my quilt. Geez!!!! Can't find the cable. Don't know what buttons to push. George is at work. I'm pushing buttons like crazy and I lost my quilting folder. Oh No!!! It has months and months of free images, ebooks, Artsy craft instructions and even a vinyl bag for puppy treats. Where did it go? Photos to follow. I am weaving a quilt background and putting a cowboy and fence on it. Lots of mistakes. But, a mistake becomes a creative moment. My cowboy is that moment. I hope it turns out. Photos to follow 155 calendar days and I am free to begin working on all my saved ideas from my quilting folder. But, alas it is lost. George tried last night to find it. After a 3 hour search it recorded nothing had been lost. George will try again tonight.

a special relationship

I have a special relationship with my sewing machine. With these new high tech computerized machines : you get so many stitches and the little puppy shuts down. It politely lights up a screen that says: take me to your dealer now for updates and a cleaning. I'm getting close to that magic number now. Took her to a guy in Oklahoma a few years back. He screwed up the machine and it never worked right. After a year here in TX with the local service guy and about $500 later.... She was boxed up and sent to Chicago. She got new parts, new guts and a new chord. Even where my Lizzie had permanently left little teeth marks was replaced. (when my first came out of box there was a little adhesive left on wheel. Liz has a thing for adhesive and her teeth perforated part of the machine). For some reason the top and back was not replaced. Everything else is brand new. Its great to know I have a brand new sewing machine that will last another 20 years...............but it would be real cool to have another one w/ more bells and whistles. Our local service guy no longer services my brand of machine. Now I have to risk finding someone in Dallas. I am so scared. I can't afford a new one and can't afford some 1/2 ass mechanic to work on her again. It's worse than shopping for a new doctor. It's also a 2 1/2 hour drive to drop her off and pick her up. But, I never go more than 48 hrs w/out creating some lovely piece of art with her. 19 hours and I begin winter break. Thinking about going to Sea World in San Antonio.

home from New Orleans and we got mice...

Fly all day. Work all day. Come home and find I have mice. 4 frickin' cats and we have mice. Last week, George cleaned out all the pots and pans from where the little buggers were coming in but one got away. I bet he enjoyed all the cat food. He left his evidence everywhere. George is now outside shaking the evidence out of my fabric drawers while I sit here and finish Christmas presents. Did I hear "deadline". Well I guess I needed to freshen everything anyway. Thank goodness for George Jr. He's the one that went nuts trying to capture the little bugger. But, he got away. This morning when George got up to get ready for work he discovered an early Christmas present. Some little fur person caught it last night and left it for our George. Yup. a present right in front of his chair. Photos of New Orleans and quilts next week. Our resource Officer and his wife loved the baby quilt. I put minke on the back for baby Mason. 102 days and still counting. Listening to Cajun music while I settle down and stitch.

sitting in new orleans

Made it to New Orleans.. Had to be at the airport at 6 am. didn't get to hotel until after 4 pm. Its been a very long day. It was too late to sight see. I walked around looking for something to eat. Had red beans and rice. Just the way I remember it Decatur street used to be a creepy street. Now they have a river walk, aquarium and lots of shopping. Meals start at $28. ouch. Lots and lots of live music. spent my evening listening to blues and zydeco. tried to watch tv: 75 stations and I could only find War Horse to watch. Going to swim pool next. Sitting in lobby writing this. I'm tooo cheap to pay $16 for it. Room with tax is $150. I think that is more than enough. They also want $33/ night to park a car. To get a class of milk: its $4.50 through room service + $3.00 delivery charge. Went to 3 convenience stores and none carry milk. Went to find the apartment I lived in 30 years ago. Still exists. photos later. Its right off of bourbon street. Now its a seedy, creepy part of Bourbon. I'm looking forward to class tomorrow but not looking forward to being brain dead. It will be interesting who gets put in my group..

New Orleans

Thursday I fly off to New Orleans.  Learning how to present workshops to adults.  I jumped at the chance.  It will help me teach  my quilting classes.  I will be staying 3 blocks from the Aquarium.

                                                              Susan's quilt.  flowers and pastels

I just love North Texas

Last year winter was so mild my closet was confused.  I don't have a closet big enough for both winter, fall, summer , and spring clothes. I would hang-up my winter clothes and it would get so hot, I wore my summer outfits.  Then it would turn nippy and I would wear my early winter clothes.  In the meantime I would wash my summer clothes and fold them neatly on the floor in my carpet.  Then, I would need them again.  Wash my winter clothes fold them to the floor and hang my summer clothes.  Today, we had a snow day and its not even Christmas yet.  It's more freezing ice.  I spent the day embroidering and almost finished the baby quilt.  Finally got out of my jammies around 11 o'clock.  Watching Daniel Day Lewis.  He is such an amazing actor.  You can find my quilts at thephotoquilter.com.  Photos to follow.

Quilt Classes

I need a quilt class.  I need to be around my own kind.  Just read an article about why adults take classes.  They learn to improve work, improve life or improve social status.  I like to take quilt classes because you always pick-up tidbits that improve your skills.     Its interesting that when you teach adults they all come with prior knowledge.  I love reading.  Every time you read a book you bring your own personal baggage to it.  You may love it and your best friend will hate.  It just depends on your personal past experiences on how you relate.  I read the "Hunger Games" last year and just saw catching fire.  I completely lost myself into the movie, the book, the sounds the characters and smells.  The scene with the monkeys:  I jumped , I screamed and my neighbors jumped with me because I screamed so loud.  I just love personal baggage and I love that I have a 3 day work week next week and am going to New Orleans to learn to teach adults.

Shorter and shorter. And, I don't mean me.

Have you noticed that canned foods are getting smaller.  Shrinking by the ounce.  Have you noticed that frozen dinners are shrinking in size.  And, now fabric has shrunk.  I was making table toppers and cut several at one time.  Then I went to cut backs from different bolts of fabric and lo and behold the backs were 2-4 inches short.  Whenever I do quilts for customers and friends I always ask for an extra quarter yard.  Holy!  Moly!   I don't even have enough fabric left over to make a pillow.  113 days and I retire.  We have a new M & M at school.  I'm 2/3 done with officier maloney's baby quilt.  Mason was born at 7 lbs.  As soon as it it done I will have time to post photos again.

I'm so tired and I'm so full

I love Thanksgiving.  Had another round of food at supper tonight.  Why oh Why do I eat so much and that Pumpkin Pie is calling my name.  What is this phenomenom?????     The more I eat the more I want.  It should be once I meet my caloric intake I'm done.  But, its nuts.  I'm so full but I want more.  I'm so tired.  I just love tryptophin.

the last holiday

115 days left and I become a professional artist.     195 calendar days and I am no longer a professional middle school teacher.  Today is the last time I will leave school for Thanksgiving Holidays.  This week was the last time I will decorate the library for the winter holidays.   YIPPPEEEE!!!!  I have led a blessed life.  I surround myself with books, children and pets.  And, I have a husband that makes a turkey the way his grandma made them.   10 years ago, when we were first married, George thought I would make Thanksgiving dinner.  Ha!  The Weds before Thanksgiving we finally went to the store to buy a turkey and all the fixin's.  He got up at 6 and made pie, turkey and mashed potatoes.  10 years later he continues making a giant stock pot of mashed potatoes that we never ever eat before they turn funky. This year we broke our family tradition and bought a turkey on Tuesday.  Last year we went to the grocery so late on Weds that they only had 4 turkey-lurkeys left.   And, I am  proud to confess that in over a 1/2 century I have never ever stuck my hand in a turkey's butt.

Cajun Fabric and photos

Wanted to post photos but spent evening listening to a webinar on my new laptop and was actually able to participate.  Can't wait to take an online Bernina Class now so I can participate.  Then, I spent the past 90 min trying to make travel plans to New Orleans.  Needed gender and age.  Who would have thought it would have been found under travel plans at the end of page and not near the personal information like your middle name. Duh?  But, they are done.  Man!  I wonder what fabric I can find with a Cajun Flavor.  I love Zydeco Music.  Can't wait to eat at those backwater dives off of Bourbon Street.  Did I ever tell you I lived in New Orleans for two years.  I even did a sprint at Louisiana State.    photos to follow if I don't die waiting for the next 16 days to end.  Never thought it would be so hard to finish my last year.

Creating for myself

The Cat Show was a success!  I will have to learn a new way to market myself.  Going to team up with a professional photographer and put fabric photos on purses and bags.  Got invited to a huge art show but they want $500 to buy in.  That folks is a lot of frickin money.  Just can't do it until I retire.Now I get to sew for myself.  But, wait!  I have two t-shirt quilts to finish and one on the way.  I have a baby quilt to complete for a special colleague of mine.  Where will I find the time.  I have to put my room back together first.  What a mess.  Fabric everywhere.  Pillows everywhere.  Threads stuck everywhere floor, carpet and me.  Can't see my cutting table.  Christmas fabric everywhere.  But, if you read this......you will be receiving pillowcases for the holidays.  If you have a pet would you rather have a pet bed?  118 school days left.  Can't wait for the American Thanksgiving.  George makes a mean turkey and killer pumpkin pies.  More about that later.

excited, excited.

Nothing like getting caught at work.  At least it wasn't me.  A teacher leaves his classroom to go get coffee for himself and another teacher and the AP walks into his room and he is not visible.  My partner teacher walks out of class each day to go get a cup of coffee why I do the lesson.  Busted!  My boss came in to evaluate us today.  tehehehe!!  too bad I was so crabby.  It is so sad that 14 year old kids can't multiply.  Other excitement is that I'm making lined christmas stockings w/ little animals on them.  cute, cute cute.  And, I'm going to New Orleans in 10 days to learn about being a trained for International Baccalaureate Schools.  Wow!!  I spelled:  IB correctly.  I guess I'll pass the test.  7 schools days and it's Turkey Time.  George makes a mean turkey.  Photos later.

3 hours and no break

I have got to remember to get up and move.  I sit in front of my sewing machine and get into a rhythm.  Just can't move.  Just zone out.  Just fall into a comfort zone....  Now my butt hurts.  Spent the past  hour nipping threads and cleaning up projects.  Wanted a bunch of them to have little fringes.  Wish there was an easier way then pulling threads. Spent the last 2 hours pulling threads.  But fringes look cute.  Speaking of cute have you ever watched the Christmas Bunny?  Makes me want to make a snow bunny on a sled quilt.  umm great idea. 202 calendar days and I can pull threads all day long.

Sew a little Quilt a little

Making quilt projects for Christmas.  Hope I didn't screw-up my machine making those pet beds.  Making a funny sound.  Done everything I know to fix it.  Making little mug rugs w/ cats on them.  Cute, cute, cute.  Yippee for an upgrade.  Did I hear upgrade?????  It has taken forever to download my photos unto my laptop.  Now I have a new laptop.  Photos to follow soon. Next week is the cat show.  If I don't sell my cat stuff check your mailboxes.  Cat stuff for Christmas this year.

Went to maximum security prison today.

Had a 3 hour tour of Allred Prison.  If you don't behave in the state of Texas you end up at Allred.  We saw general population and then the segregated cell block.  I know people who have closets bigger than these cells.  A steal bed w/ a cheap mattress a toilet and small table.  And, you have a roommate.  You are allowed snacks if you have a family giving you money but nothing personal on the walls.  Clothes and shoes are provided and your clothes come back from the laundry and you could be wearing your neighbors socks and underwear.  It was really humbling.  You have rights and you have rules.  So, many rules, so many doors, so many guards.  I don't ever want to be arrested and I am grateful I got to go home.  I will never be able to understand what it must feel like to hear a judge say "25 years".  We had the chew toy and K-9 dog tonite in class.  Photos to follow.

sew and cut

Sew and cut.  Cut and Sew.  Iron like a presser.  Measure, measure, measure.  The old saying goes:  Measure twice and cut once.  Geez!!!  that's just what I did.  But, I misread the directions.  Now I have these lovely scraps to incorporate into a new quilt. Yikes.  That means I have to buy more fabric to coordinate with my scraps.  What a great discovery.  I just love fondling fabric.  I would sell my soul for a room full of fabric.  An afternoon at a quilt shop.  what a lovely way to spend a day.  127 days and still making beds for cats.

Who changes the rules

Everything is routine and life is not in chaos.  Who changes the rules?  Go to a store.  Find the same brand of green beans and then somebody changes the label.  Buy the same dog food for years and someone changes the color.  Buy all these fancy new rulers, helpers and books and go back to the way grandma made the block.  Up and downs.  Around and arounds.  And, darn it, I'm forced to upgrade again.  I'm so glad I have my baby Bernina and have had her guts replaced.  10 more years and I won't have to upgrade.

measure, measure, measure

It is so irritating to measure and measure and then iron and measure and put the darn thing on upside down.  I used to be so afraid of sewing pockets now I'm putting pockets on table skirts.   Won't lose the scissors or remote anymore just slide into a pocket.   If I could only put a pocket on the side of my head I would never ever lose my keys.  Who would have thought I would have 10 pairs of scissors to go with my 10 different rulers.  I use them all the time for different purposes.  Yikes!!!  I need a bigger room.   Photos to follow.

It is so nice to.........

It is so nice to wake up at dawn again.  It is so nice to come home and have a dog waiting for you wagging his tail and whispering :  you are home now.  It is so nice to sit down at a sewing machine and quilt until I drop.  It is so nice to appreciate everything I have and everything I have lost.  It is so nice to understand the digital world.  Just finished a book about color, photoshop, layers, vectors, pixels etc.  A book made for  just quilters,  It will be so nice come June that I can spend hours quilting, using vectors and staying in my jammies.  132 days 4 hours and 17 minutes.  can't wait,  can't wait

the woes of being a teacher...........

Reading how do you make a child read:?  Does it really matter what a 14 year old read as long as it is enjoyable?  I was just thinking...........    The rule is:  you are reading or you are not reading.  5.0 you are reading.  6.0 you can read anything. 
Anything above 6.0 is about content sometimes vocabulary.  Content:  such as sex,   drugs, alcohol and violence.
Most enjoyable books for our kids are around 5.0-6.0.  Some have 100 pgs some have 300 pgs but its still 6.0.     Even Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet is under a 4.0.  I even called AR on it.  It took a week to get the answer.  Many phone calls from me and customer service but of course they were right.  I would hate to be a parent now.  Such horrible violent, worthless sex out there in books.  Kind of sounds like that Game of Thorns I (yappers)  quit watching.  132 days left and im spending the nite making cat beds.

$$$Money Honey$$$

Just got paid but I am broke.  Could it be I paid for quilt classes?   Type in their names.  National Trainers coming to Dallas.  Susan Brubaker Knapp and Laura Wasilowski.  I am so excited.  Perfect my techniques.  Got to borrow $20 from George so I can go to Fort Richardson.  Civil War Re-enactment.  It's good to have no money.   I  will have photos of my finished quilts to show this weekend.  It's good to have no money. Me and George watched "Monsters University" last nite.  It's really good to have no money.... Do you remember Dolly in "the best little whorehouse in Texas"?  I'm watching that now as I finish another quilt:  Yippeeeee  No Money!!!! Hell ,  who am I kidding?????

Was I ever this young?  Spent a summer working at a zoo.

ready to put binding on 2 quilts.

should I bind the big one or the smaller one first; ummm.  Should I bind it with Hugh Jackman, Travolta or Colin Farrell.  I just can't decide what movie to watch.  It has to be the small quilt first.  The fat cat is laying on the big one.  George Jr. is snoring in the background.  I've had a long day at work and just want to have sewing therapy.  Just watch the needle go up and down and up and down.  Great relaxation tool and instant gratification.  Maybe it will be Denzil, Sherlock Holmes, Johnny Depp, 

 Wait, have any of you watched that new series Arrow?     Its Arrow tonite.

                                            Owls :  soon to be a quilt like Angel:  hand painted and quilted

                                                         stolen from a magazine.  do i hear copyright.

                                  I just love this quilt.  134 days and I will love the owl quilt I finished as "retired"

confused

My closet is confused.  I am confused and my internal clock is confused. My closet is not big enough for both summer and winter clothes.  Can't put away summer clothing because it's 78 degrees today.  Can't re-box winter clothing because it's November.  What is a closet to do.   Summer on hangers, winter on the floor.  Next week winter on hangers and summer on the floor.  Then??? who knows it could be 80 degrees or we could get an ice storm.  The leaves are changing.  Time to go look for elk and buffalo.

                                        wild turkeys in the Wichita Mountain Preserve

                                           Prairie Dog

                                          12 days ago too early for the fall colors

The American Prairie where the deer, elk and buffalo play

why is it?

Why is it the more you eat the day before the more you want the next day?  Why is it the more sleep I get the more tired I wake up?  Why is it ?  I follow the rules, do what I'm supposed to do and other people never do what they are supposed to do and they go through life never getting caught.  I am so busted.  Why is it that when I quilt and I measure and measure and take my time that the darn thing still comes out wobbly.  It must be a plot.                                                           look at the muscles in his neck

                                                          a 24 pound cat

                  grandparents were Servals out of Africa

                                        8 years old

                                                 needs a permit to enter Texas

                                            little female

why is it

Why is it that when I sit down to quilt something always happens?  I can't find my thread;  Can't  find my foot, can't find the instructions:  the phone rings or I left my flippin soda somewhere not next to my machine.  Why is it that when I go into a store with only a few items to purchase I end up filling the cart with 15 or more things. Why is it that I now own 8 pairs:  Yup!!  8 pairs of different shaped scissors that just cut threads. Yup! they just cut:  snip! snip!    The scary part is  I wouldn't part with one of them.  How is it possible that technology creeped into scissors and threads.  Why is it that for 50+ years I would never ever have given myself a haircut.   However,  for the past 8 months I've been snippin'  my own hair, waiting and praying for it to grow.   No one tells you that your hair doesn't grow back even and you have to keep trimming it waiting for the rest of it to catch up.  I miss my mohawk.  Yet I have really missed paying $35 for a haircut over these past 3 1/2 years.  Still have the same 2 bottles of shampoo I started w/ before the fun and games began   Ummm:  $35 for 20 minutes.  That makes $105/ hour x 8 hours =  $840 per day.   Good Night Irene!!!!  I'm in the wrong business.  Maybe some hair dresser would like to go in with me and have a quilt shop next to a salon.  Fondle the fabric and pamper your hair.   Maybe its a plot that we don't have any.

                                Lizzie is now too big for a small dog condo.  Great genes and Purina.

     butterflies everywhere.  Heading south for winter.   Take me!!!  the teacher said.

                                             Cali wanting to know why I'm not catching butterflies

                                 take me   still 138 days and still counting

Why is it?

Why is it that the "powers that be"  in the USA are complaining about the oncologists  identifying way too much breast cancer as compared to other countries.   Could it be that early cancer detection has gotten so good that it is saving lives and preventing the mutilation of  breasts?  Could it be that American doctors are doing their jobs and saving lives of women?  Maybe it's a plot.  I guess that's why when food becomes short women who have reached the age of 50  were the first to be left out on the tundra.
                                                                   learning to drive a police car

  

                                                                                      mentor at my school.  college football

                                                                                    
                                                purple and gold...looks just like ASU

You hear about cancer. you hear chemo.  you hear about radiation.  you hear about early detection.  Someone needs to start telling what happens to your body for the next 36 months.

Why is it?

5 years ago I finally found the radio station to die for.  6 months later it was off the air.  Bought and sold.  It was sold to a talk show station. I was devistated. Never spent time with talking heads before.  But, my oh my...it opened my attitudes to work, politics and money.   I started listening to these 2 good ole' boys from Texas.  I would crack-up every morning.  For example when this new taco shop opened up in Dallas, one of the guys said the tacos were filled w/ wild game meat.  You could have an ostrich taco, a goat taco, a snake taco etc.  The main host asked if they had Tiger Tacos.  As the discussion continued :  he wondered what it would feel like eating a wild game taco.   He wondered if he ate a tiger taco :  if he would roar like a tiger.
Now after 4 years...these guys have woken me every morning, entertained and rode with me to work.  I went to work on Monday and the station had been sold.  I feel like I have lost two best friends.   maybe its a plot.

          a wedding in missoui

 after 10 years I still get a thrill when George holds my hand.

            A simple dress but oh elegant

          the beginning of a wedding quilt

why is it that women insist on wearing shoes that hurt.  Do other cultures do this?

why is it?

Why is it that that when you purchase thread and you take care of it that it slowly goes on deconstruct.  My old threads are no longer happy with my high speed machine.  Maybe it's a plot to get me to spend more money.   Lots of photos for the next two weeks.   From police cars to tigers to butterflies.

 Dog Breeders have puppy mills.  Did you know they have "tiger mills"  too.  Just breaks my heart.

was i really this close?  Wild Cat Sanctuary near Springfield, Missouri

ate lunch with a retired teacher today.

9 years retired and she is back subbing.  Hope I look that good at 70.  Hope I don't have to be working at 70.  142 days and still counting.  Thank the Lord for my 30 year old financial planner.  I'm glad I have my ducks in a row so I can retire.  I can't wait to wake up and quilt in my jammies.  I can't wait to fulfill orders in my jammies.  I can't wait to have my jammies on when George comes home from work.  Sat down to download my photos and the camera battery was low.  Just too low to download.  Gonna have to get a new laptop soon.  Took 10 minutes to down load the program to down load my photos.  I wish someone would down load me to a new sewing machine and a studio where I can work all day.  I wish someone would down load me a new laptop.  Check back tomorrow.  Lots of photos this week.

buildings? allergies? light? fabric?

What were they thinking when they built buildings without windows.  Sure it saves on electricity but it sure creates headaches and heartaches.  You arrive in the dark and spend your day under false light.  Someone gets sick and of course they come to work.  Its like a person coughing at you in an elevator.  10 days and you have what they had.  If you don't get fresh air pumped in everyone gets sick.  Then the cycle begins at home , and again:  everyone gets sick.  Or is it allergy season.  Allergies cause headaches and heartaches.  You take so much antihistimine that your head is relieved and your immune system dives.  Or is it the light.  Have you ever tried to sew  in the dark?   I hate sewing under false light.  Its impossible to hand quilt at night unless you have a huge light like they use in stadiums.  I love to sew with the windows open, shoes off and the sun shining.  Guess I'll have to wait 144 more days to quilt and paint in the sunshine.  It just is so hard to go to work when you have to leave in the flippin dark.

fall is finally here.

In North Texas, we get floods, we get snow, we get ice storms and now we have drought.  Sometimes in a 24 hour period the temp may change over 40 degrees.  We had rain for about 24 hours and only received a 1/2 inch of water.  My trees are so thirsty.  And, I am so thirsty.  It has been so cold in our building I forget to drink.  Never thought I would be happy for a few hot flashes during the day.  I know its fall because its pitch dark when I wake up.  I know its fall because me and George are fighting over the thermostat.  I know its fall because I like to spend my evenings sewing and quilting.   I know its fall because I'm making cards to send at Christmas.  Did you know if you use a large needle you can sew through card stock?  What a great and easy project.  Photos to follow

"not my first rodeo"

I just love that expression:  "not my first rodeo".  A parent was talking to me about bottle feeding a kitten.   Should have stolen her when I had a chance.  kind of glad I didn't.  2 hour feedings.  Been on that horse before.  Doing a "cat show' this weekend.  Finished making cat toys.  Hope my animal art work will sell.  I need some extra money to go to the International Quilt Show.  Had to go to work in the dark.  Who the hell changed Day light savings time back to November???   Finished my t-shirt.  It says R E T I R E D   on it.  tehehehe!!! got several compliments already.  Photos to follow soon.    Went to Police Academy tonite.   It was canine nite.  He was cute.  Handsome and healthy.  Could have taken him home too.  But because of the rain... K-9 training has been rescheduled.   We will meet the canine next week.   Saw crack, coke, black tar heroine.  Even though it was wrapped-up in platics we weren't allowed to touch it.   146 days and still counting.

you can never have too much fabric!

You can never have too much energy.  You can never stand at the stove and wait and wait for water to boil.  Never thought I would get to 149 days.  Never thought I'd have to take Annie to the pound.  Never thought I'd have to buy a new laptop.  Shoes or a laptop????   Software or a laptop.  I've been waiting and waiting for a bernina sale to purchase some software.  But, can't run the software w/out the laptop.  Did I hear shoes.  I want shoes too.  Did a fun walk today.   And, later am going to a college football game.  It should be interesting.  We wait for high school to end.  We wait for college to end.  I wait for new shoes.  And, now I wait until I retire.  ummmmm  :  has anybody figured how many minutes a day we wait and wait.  

Headaches, quilting headaches, work headaches and technology headaches.

Man! oh Man!  I feel like someone took a Lead Pipe and slammed me between the eyes.  Can't seem to shake it.  It was miserable on the crazy pills but I never hurt.  You hear about cancer and all the poisons, slicing, dicing and  burning they do to you, but,  you never hear what happens to you a year later or 2 years later.  Recovery just sucks.  Recovery on my laptop just sucks.  It is 10 years old and is slower than a cell phone with a dieing battery.  The hard drive must have a headache. I feel like taking a Lead Pipe to it.   I hate being forced into upgrading.  Pretty soon my cell phone won't run unless I buy the data plan.  I will hold out as long as I can. $39/ month.
 I can take a two day quilt class on software for my machine or creating patterns.  Come home and try it and after an hour I'm stuck and stuck and stuck.  George comes along and plays with it for 10 minutes and I'm sewing and sewing again.  I broke down and bought a baby back-up for this laptop and had George look at it.   My laptop is now picking out its casket.   Decision.  New laptop or a weekend at the International Quilt Show.  I hate making adult decisions.

call me! email me! ask me to come and teach a class. 149 days left.

Why is it that when you wait for your computer to load it takes forever.  Why is it that when you wait for your spaghetti to boil it takes forever.  Why is it that when you want to lose 10 lbs before the wedding :  it takes forever.  Why is it that I have to leave for work in the dark.  Pretty soon I will leave for work in the dark and get home after dark.   What happened to the long days and beautiful summer sunshine.  Just can't please a person.  Complain that summer is too hot.  Complain that I'm too fat and eat more ice cream (yummy in my tummy) .  Complain I don't have enough time in a day and the day just gets flippin shorted.  Where is the justice.  Fly me to the Bahamas.  Fly me to Ireland.  Fly me to Quilt Guild where I can teach a class.  Call me and I will teach you how to make your own quilt patterns.  No school Monday.  Oh My!!!  What shall a person do?  Photos to follow.

squad cars and wedding belles

I can't believe me and George have been married 10 years.  We flew from Montana to AZ to get married.  I wanted only 2 people.  It ended up being 35.  Had my honeymoon at the Phoenix Zoo.  Wanted to get married for $5.  Things have a way of getting out of control  Rabbi $300.  Plane Tickets $1600.  Rental $280 and we hadn't even landed in Arizona yet. A dear friend made my dress.  Not including above:  We spent $500 to get me married.  I guess I started going crazy 10 years ago.  Almost didn't make it to my own wedding.  Left my drivers license at home.  Talked myself onto the plane in Montana but the lay-over in Salt Lake almost forbid me to enter the gate towards the planes.  Me and George forgot his wedding ring.  He got married in a plain, elegant $79 ring from Target.   I can't believe he wore it for years.  I can't believe I didn't change my name on driver's license for 3 1/2 years.  The cats got their name changed before me.  I can't believe I still have 150 days left.  Photos to follow

One little corner, one little cookie

 Sitting here at the corner of my sewing table.  Eating one little cookie after another.  Hit a bakery on my way home helping the cookies would make my headache go away.  I looked at my baby back-up generator and power strip next to my tv.  Where the hell did these cables come from.  Sewing machine has electrical cable and cable for foot pedal.  My tv, dvd, and vhs player all have cables + cables for sound and picture. My laptop has cables that go to my electronics and a cable for sound.  Don't need to worry about the crazies taking over because these flippin cables are going to encroach onto my living space.  The bakery had NO cherry pie.  I need to enter into a fairy tale.  I need some happy endings.  Went to PT today.  GEEZ!!! it was yesterday.  I thought being crazy was on the downward side.  Guess not.

                                                                  wedding photo.  more to follow