maybe a little

Maybe I was little once.  I used to buy my clothes in the kids dept.  Then I hit 50 and got married.  I used to like a little french fry:  Now I dream about the whole shebang.  I used to date a little.  Then I got married.  I used to clean my bathroom a lot but now I clean it a little.  I drive a little to work each day but drive 150 miles to buy fabric.  I once made these great big traditional quilts until I discovered little art quilts.  I used to buy a lot. a lot of fabric until I realized I would never use it.  But, I sure like looking at it and fondling it.  We used to watch a lot of tv, but now we have none.  I wish I had time to read a lot but right now I only read a little.   I am down to 67 school days.  Maybe that's only a little?

just a little

"Just a little"  certainly is not the American Way.  Came home.  Made soup.  Had salad and drank a coke.  Guess I'm not really dieting. Wish I would only drink a little coke. Quilted a little every evening these past 6 nites.   Have my cowboy on the quilt.  Wish I had time to quilt a lot.  Now to attach the horses.  Hope I finish it before the dog show. Bought groceries, I wish inflation was just a little.  Sticker shock again.  I made butternut squash and apple  soup.  It's to die for. Had it in New Orleans.   Had to stop at store for apple juice.  Couldn't find a little.  Had to buy a quart.  You know when it says a dime size of shampoo:  I use 3x as much.  Its hard to smell just a little.  When it says 1/2 cup of apple juice I add 3/2's.   When it says a tsp of cough medicine:  I take just a little more.  If a little works than a lot more will too. I drink 2 big swallows.  Is that a little?  I'm struggling w/ our new wash machine.  It takes a little soap.  Oh so little.  Wasn't concentrating and had to spoon a whole bunch of liquid soap out of the drawer. (new machines have limits on soap with soap drawers).  When George made a little fire last nite (texas homes have fire places???).  He made sure it lasted all nite.  And, when I said I wanted a little cat:  we ended up w/ 4 and an 18 pounder. 

Spring was sprung

For about 10 days we had 70 degrees and clear skies.  Now we have the 40's and moisture but no rain.  Had to turn the heater on.  Starting to add embelishments to my quiltlets.  So much fun to work in a series.  Definately need to purchase some better stablizer.  Can't wait to put on appliques.

So, how long does it take?

I've spent 20 summers not working.  By early August I'm just a mess, knowing I have my days and nites all screwed-up;  knowing I have to be back at work in 10 days.  What does it feel like??  June 1,  and Aug 1, knowing I do not have to get into a routine or ever work again.  When will retirement set in?  It took me 20 years to realize I was old.  It took me 10 years to realize I am an art quilter.  It took me 10 years to realize that I married a great man.  (he likes to work, he ain't an idiot, and no one else on this earth would have let me care for 10 cats when we were flat broke).  How long will it take me to realize:  I'm free.  Free at last ( you know that feeling when you take your shoes off - after a very long day: free at last).
Put the back on my cowboy quilt.  Starting the doggie collars this week.  Photos to follow.  15 weeks, 105 calendar days 70 school days.  Wait Less than 70 :  sort of.  Texas Library association is having:  James Patterson, Henry Winkler, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Lemony Snicket present.  I get to go.  Yippeeeee!!!  I can't believe I get to meet Lemony Snicket.  I saw him on a talk show when his books were first published and he did the entire interview wearing a paper-bag.  I stalked critters in Disneyland, Stalked Lauren Hutton in Dallas, Drooled over Andrew Mccarthy in Austin and Dallas and now I'm proud to say:  I'm going to find:  Snicket's true Identity.

Days and nites.

Its 70 degrees again today.  So glad I'm not moving 500 lbs of snow.  But, I feel Like I'm weighing 500 lbs.  My proportions are so out of control:  no wonder I can't zip my pants.   If I weighed like 500 lbs of snow would that make me lighter? (whiter?)  72 days of school left.  Days are getting longer.  We are moving into spring.  I had a chat w/ George about retirement.  It takes me about 2 wks he thinks : but I think more like 4 1/2 wks into summer vacation to get my days and nites all screwed-up where I'm going to bed after 2 AM.  Sleeping until 11:30.  Still in jammies at 4 pm.   Well in 107 (oh my!) days:  I'm going to have to be really, really self-disciplined about going to bed before 2 AM.  I truly don't want to get my days and nites mixed up.  Maybe I will walk Maggie every morning.  I know she won't let me sleep in if this becomes a routine.  Maggie this gorgeous, loving dog, was found covered w/ 97% of her body in mange.  So malnurished that she was standing on toes not feet.  But she had a will to live and found me.  She is so very grateful to have a family.
tidbit:  did you know that mange in dogs is called scabies in humans?

                                                         Maggie and George Jr. looking out front window on couch.

             My Maggie 10 1/2 years.  Healthy, happy and well protected.

Still enjoys eating ants.  Was her only protein for months until I found her and was brave enough to bring her home:  she was so malnourished I was afraid her diseases would transfer to us our or pets.  But, George let me keep her.

Finished!

Finished another t-shirt quilt.  It is gorgeous.  Thank Goodness to quilt heroes like Elenor Burns and Sue Hausman.  I take my inspiration and skills from them.  How many of you remember watching Elenor on PBS every Sat.  I confess I have six of her books.  I wish they made books like hers today.  Not a detail or step missing.  And, the great Sue Hausman also on PBS.  She had a guest quilter on every week.  They both have retired but I still see their names popping up  I wonder if they know how many lives they have touched.  Me.  I know.  I have taught children to love reading, love the animal world and to become incredible teachers.  I have had a fulfilling Career.
T-shirt quilts are fun to make.

                                                     Notice the little helper on bottom right

 a little too windy

the quilt.  finished

Saw a Robin Today

Left home today full daylight.  Winter is over for us.  So glad I live in North Texas and not the North.  Spent weekend watching geese flying overhead.  They each have their own sound and pitch.  Driving down our street today saw the baby squirrel and robin in our neighbors yard.  Hope those squirrels don't end up in our carport half eaten.  73 degrees tomorrow and 111 calendar days left. Spring is in the air.  Time to wash and pack my winter clothes.

So what is the answer??? Do you really care.

 Is pi a rational or irrational number?  Can you remember?  I do!  I do!  But, who really cares?  A new wash machine arrives tomorrow.  Is there laundry to do?  but, who really cares?  Came home from a windowless building today to an almost spring.  Probably only one more cold day and then I can box my winter clothes.  I care, I care.  The pets have been so stir crazy that Maggie didn't come inside to tell me hello.  She only stopped by the gate to wag her tale.  Now to get ready for the big shed.  Pet hair all over me, the furniture and the bed.  But who really cares?  Pets give us so much pleasure a little fur on black pants never ever bothered me.  So who really cares?.  Let the pet hair flow.  But, the quilt police hate pet hair. I need to quilt in a bubble or buy stock in packing tape.   I go through so much tape every summer getting pet hair off my quilts used for display.  The best tape is packing tape.  Wrap around hand 4-6 times and pat on quilt.   As it loses its sticky just peel down to next layer.  Usually enough for one small quilt.    Samples of my quiltlets for next quilt show.  phase one.

                                                monochromatics

                                                              working with wool

                                            Happy Valentines :  cardinal

going to work in daylight and the exit

Man leaving the house at daylight sure gives one a new lease on life.  Sunrise was gorgeous.  Ate candy today.  How long has it been that you enjoyed a tootsie roll pop.  A new technique my boss explained:  And, I can't believe my 14 year old boys are buying into it.  The technique is the  "exit".  Last 5 minutes of class while the kids are cleaning-up and waiting for the bell: we do the "exit" They have two problems to finish.   Everyone in class can do problems.  Its all review from last semester.  They must turn in paper to get out the door.  The next day.....I draw one name for each problem.  If they get it right :  they can eat the tootsie roll, chocolate, etc:  in front of us.  If they get it wrong.............tehehe   I or my partner teacher get to eat it in front of them.  It is becoming lots of fun.  As I was chewing the tootsie part of the tootsie roll:  my teeth were sticking together.  One of my boys said:  Mrs. Miller you're just teasing us.   I was making all kinds of delicious sounds while trying to keep in the saliva.  We shall know who looked up this question:  "Is pi a rational number?"

life would be so simple if I was a cat.

Still boiling water for hot chocolate:  What a concept.  Pets had to eat cold food today.  Still no microwave.  But,  but we got a washer.  Its big enough to wash 3 blankies at a time.  Did you know its an additional $200 extra to get the slate grey color.  And the pedestal is an additional $220.   To get it delivered on Sat is an extra $10.00.  Who is making all this money????    If I was my cat the only thing I would have to worry about is whether to sleep next to Francine or next to George for the nite.  Happy Valentines.  Me and George went out to dinner.  I swear 1/2 of Wichita Falls was out having dinner tonite.  Last year we tried to go out for Valentines and there wasn't an empty seat in any restaurant.  We decided to celebrate early.  I guess you can do that when you've been married 10 years.  did I say 10 years?  Holy Smokes!

Can't live with it. Can't live without it.

Technology.  When it works it works.  When it doesn't....you just want to throw it out the door.  Kind of like a bad husband.   You're just stuck with it.  Can you remember panty hose?  Can you remember living without a blow dryer?  Can you remember life before a microwave?  Can you remember life without "cuddle duds" or Nikes? Can you remember only 2 brands of cereal and 1 brand of cat food.  Can you remember life before high tech face soap?  My sewing machine is being held hostage in Dallas until I get paid again.  She needed a few parts.  10 years old and just needed a little tweeking.  I'm having withdrawals.  Our microwave is being held hostage.  Who ever heard of boiling water for hot chocolate and oatmeal?  Our wash machine has bit the dust.  Can't decide if I need the warranty or not.  $300 flippin' dollars for the darn thing.  Went and got gas today.  Even after 4 years it still burns me up that $20 doesn't fill the tank.  Now I'm thinking about an IPAD.  Can you remember life before the internet??  Can you remember life before instant oatmeal  Will I remember life in 117 calendar days?  Will I remember being a teacher?  Will I get my microwave back?  Ummmm:  sewing machine or microwave???  Wash Machine or Laundromat???  damn! damn!  damn!!!

Beautiful Sunny Day

It's always so beautiful after a storm.  Went for a ride to the Wichitas today.  What a beautiful day but still needed a coat.  George can talk cow.  Photos included.  When I used to go to Yellowstone I would get up 30 min. before daylight and drive through the park to get to the Wolf/Bear park.  I would roll down my window and howl.  I would change pitch and howl.  The wolves would howl back.  It was terrrrific listening to those wolves howl.  Their howls would send chills through me.
Birds from backyard.  Just amazes me that my camera costs the same as a wash machine.  I had no trouble saving and saving and doing w/out to purchase that

                                                               Our backyard

                                                             Off Duty.  Its time to go home

                                                        George talking to LongHorns.

camera.  But it just burns me up that I have to spend the same amount of money for a wash machine.  I just hate it.  And, then when I get it I'm going to have to do laundry.   Wish I had enough underwear so I wouldn't have to do laundry for 6 weeks.  Keep Checking back next week.  Lots more quilt photos to follow.  Its so darn easy to download photos now that I keep my cable tied to my filing cabinet w/ my favorite animal quilt patterns

I cried at school today.

I confess I cried at school today.  American Education is a numbers game.  People in power making decisions are so far removed from the children I can honestly say:  they believe they have a child's best interest at heart.  And, if that was true:  we wouldn't be in this mess and teachers would be the one's making the decisions.  I cried because of my students.  I have 12-14 year old students who can not multiply.  I have 12-14 year old boys and girls who did not know their times tables.  I was a tyrant.  I would not give in.  I called parents.  I drilled and killed. They had to be accurate.  If they missed one the highest grade was 75.  And, I would not cave.   I nagged.  I whined.  No matter how old a child is, no matter how much he hates school he still wants to please his teacher.  Well I gave them another times test.  The little buggers all finished.  I mean all students finished w/ 100% accuracy the test in under 3 minutes.  When we started, the majority couldn't finish under 5 minutes.  So, I confess.  I cried.  I was so proud of them.  Darn it!!!  It's going to be so hard to walk away.  120 calendar days left.

What a flippin idiot.

It is all relative.  When its 45 degrees outside.  I whine its too cold.  And, wish it was 85 degrees. When its 85 degrees outside I whine its too hot and wish it was 45 degrees.  I spend days wishing to retire and then I lose sight of my goals.  Had a fella' come visit me at school today.  ummmm His parents grew up in Alaska and moved to Australia and settled in Seattle.  A friend told him about me and all we talked about was Montana.  We looked and looked at my photos of Montana and then photos of Katmai National Park.  Now I know why I need to retire.  I want to create a line of animal quilt patterns.  There is such a need for realistic animals.  I haven't worked on these patterns since I became ill.  Now that I'm no longer ill and starting to get my life back:  I can't wait to get back to Montana.  You can see these photos:  www.thephotoquilter.com.   Hey Mrs Moose and Mr. Bear:  I'm coming back home.

puppies.

Started the puppy quilt today.  I never thought this would be possible.  It took me longer to pick out the fabric than  it did to cut the puppies.  What happened to those scissors and trash bag on the floor?  What happened to a week of mindless tv while I cut pups?  I cheated and used a die-cutter.  Oh my twelve puppies in 10 min.  Maybe I should cut some more?

monochromatic

Monochromatic:    1. Having or appearing to have only one color.
Been digging through all my scraps and short pieces of fabric.  I'm attempting to make a monochromatic quilt.  Well a monochromatic quilt-let.  It was so much fun I decided to make a bunch of quilt-lets in one color.  Next I took those scraps and wove monochromatic quilt-lets.  Took another quilt class in my jammies and wacthed how to make a series.  Now I need to come up w/ a monochromatic idea to put on top of my monochromatic series.  Photos to follow.  122 calendar days left.  Have my retirement papers signed. 

snow day!!

I just love North Texas.  Last week 70 degrees and today no school because its icy roads and snow.  Can't believe George wants to move back to this sub-freezing weather.  He was out shoveling snow and playing ice man yesterday.  Complaining and complaining they shut the city down for 3 inches.  Made him run to the store and he commented how bad the road conditions were.  We got to stay home but he had to work.   tehehe. He shouldn't complain about a lousy 3 in.  I didn't go out.  It brought back memories when I had to do morning duty in -20 degree weather.  Its all relative.  My first summer in Montana I wore a coat and my first winter hear in TX I wore only a sweater and never turned on the heat.  I remember morning duty: 1 pair of gloves and mittens.  A scarf and my coat hood tied tight.  sweats on-top of my jeans.  A shirt and a sweater plus my coat.  2 pairs of socks.  Then I became friends with other teachers.  I had on the same style coat and the same style pants as everyone else.  Paid the same too.  Bought at the same stores.  go figure.  but my clothes were thin and unlayered. My students used to hate putting my mittens on for me and tucking my scarf in.  They would beg to be let in early.  Hah!!! 
Finally made it to February.  Signed the retirement papers and sent off to state.  So, this is the last Ground Hogs day that I have to worry about getting up in the dark and driving off to work.  Yippee!!!

Ok!! I'm too scared to play.

Been looking on the internet the last few nites on how to bling dog collars and make puppy bandanas. Oh no!  Its all over my  page :  pet accessories, and pet collar notifications and advertisements.   Who gave these guys permission to track me?  I just got a doggie advertisement on my yahoo email page.  Who told these guys that I'm linked to me?  I'm scared but Maggie will look beautiful soon.