Learn something new every day

It is thrift shop day. But I often don't get there until 10:30 or 11. But this morning my husband called around 9 to ask if I wanted a ride. Heck yes! So I met him at the gate at 9:30. The manager was shocked to see me arrive so early. MaryAnn was there, too. She gave me the cutest shirt. I'll have to take a pic to show it off. Chris was going to take me to lunch, so I didn't pack anything. But he called and cancelled. But that was alright because Ella (the manager) bought lunch for the four of us. Most volunteers are on vacation right now. Then Cathy called to ask me to help her quilt a QOV. So a little after 1, I went over to the AnC center. She brought a couple of unfinished pillowcases with her to work on so that she wouldn't 'take over'. It was a good idea because I have to learn to operate the computer by myself. That is the hardest part of longarm quilting. It took a little over 2 hours, and then Chris came and drove me home. I had to have more lunch because the salad Ella got me didn't have enough protein. I had finished up the homemade mayo so I used what was left of the wasabe mayo. Whew!! Goes right up the old nose. I spent the rest of the day doing Sudoku and following links in e-mails. I learned how to make an oatmeal facial scrub, I heard a Celtic group sing Carol of the Bells, I read about the benefits of taking fish oil, I saw a video on anti-aging practices (and how if you can hold on long enough, future technology may make aging obsolete). Apparently taking a nap every afternoon correlates with living longer. I read about contaminants in public drinking water and the filters available to take them out. And I read about homeopathy. Now it's time for bed.

The few, the proud, the quilters

I planned to arrive early at the SPC so I could play Christmas songs on the piano. Since Pam is out of town, I tried to catch the bus, but missed it, so I had to walk. I arrived at the same time as if I had waited for the next bus. So I was not early, but no one arrived for some time, so I still had a chance to be alone and play. People were late and not many came, but we sure did get a lot done. I think it was that those that came brought quilt tops, so all we had to do was sandwich and tie them. To make up for being late, most left early. Lency came to ask questions about a stocking project. Finally she gave me a ride to my gate and I took her to our apartment to embroider some names for her. She offered to help me put the machine away, but I needed to have it out so I could replace the boxes there with PVC and shelves. (which I did. Now I have room for more fabric) After she left, I ate lunch and opened a box Chris brought home from work. It was from my sister and contained decorations for the tree (gee, it must have looked pretty bad in the photo) and assorted gifts. Thanks, Faye. Michele and I put the tinsel on the tree. Then I finished the pillowcase I started Thursday night. We are up to 7 now. Then I took the latest pile of charm squares and made another panel. Oh, I did stop for supper. My nose ran constantly and the only way to get my hands free to sew was to (Karen - stop reading here) stuff tissues up my nose. It worked quite well. My nose was getting raw from all the blowing.
I finished the evening by reading e-mail.
P.S. I remebered what we did Saturday. Laundry. The machine wouldn't drain and it turned out that the water in the drain hose had frozen.

Dark Disney

This is a double post because we turned in early last night. I should have made myself get up and post because now I can't remember what I did on Saturday. I know that I DIDN'T work at the thrift shop even though they asked me to. It was cold outside and I had stuff to do around the house. I am not saying I got that 'stuff' done. A friend of Michele's came over around 5:30. We had supper then all went to the movies. We saw "The Princess and the Frog". It was pretty dark for a Disney Movie. And one of the good guys died. I wanted to stand up and shout 'Nobody dies in a Disney movie, I want my money back!'. But since it was free, I kept quiet.
After the movie, we drove Kim to the subway station. Then we went home to bed.

I woke up feeling guilty for eating a bunch of sugar-covered doughnuts. They were so good I just couldn't help myself. Then I realized that it was only a dream. Phew!!
Then we got up and dressed for church. Church was the usual. Afterwards we had snacks. We went over to the PX for wrapping paper, then to the Arts and Crafts center to cut down a closet shelf. Finally we went to the commissary for groceries. I got 4 avacados. I never had them before, but they are supposed to be a source of good fat. My goal is to add good fats to my diet. It might even be working, because my husband said I looked smaller. And if HE noticed...
I read for awhile, and Chris made me some egg salad for lunch. Then I made three baby quilt tops in preparation for tomorrow. I also assembled all the stuff I plan to take. Only then did I get on the internet. IT is the biggest time consumer I have ever seen.

Look!! More finished quilts!

I was later than usual finishing my morning routine. And it was colder than usual. But Chris was kind enough to leave the car just inside the gate for me. So around 10:30 or so I took my quilt tops and Cathy's order and walked to post, then drove to the arts and crafts center. I could have used a second pair of pants, but at least my hands and feet were warm. Cathy couldn't make it, so I was on my own. And it was HOT in there!!! 30 degrees Celcius. Had to open the window and the door.
IT took forever (or so it seemed) to get the backing (enough for two)loaded, and the batting and the first quilt. It was particulary difficult because the batting was hardly bigger than the top. IT had to be EXACTLY right. I got one pass, then Cathy dropped by. I could have finished that one without her because it was an edge to edge design, but since she was there and since she kinda took over, I let her finish it. Then, we just kept rolling and put the second quilt top where the first one left off. The first one was a large stipple pattern, but the second one we did a clamshell design in the middle and ginko leaves in the border. It took all day. I didn't leave until 7. Thankfully Chris, who took the car earlier, returned to pick me up. He drove me home and made supper. I was so tired from being on my feel all day! I spent the rest of the evening checking e-mail and SITTING.

Colorful pillowcases

I woke up this morning with a sore throat which I felt coming on during the night. So I got up and put a cottonball in my ear. As I went about my morning routine, I felt better. I dressed warmly and walked to the thrift shop. Does the phrase 'colder than a brass toilet seat' ring a bell? Brrr.
There weren't a lot of books to shelve, so I spent most of my time reorganizing videos, cassette tapes, and the discount media. We did have some records to shelve, and they go on the top shelf. Luckily someone had put a toy box in the bookroom so I stood on it. About 3, Maryann took Helle and I to our gates so we didn't have to walk. God bless Maryann. I made sure I had everything for class, and read through some of my e-mail. Chris came home and made a chuckroast, but I had to leave. So he helped me carry stuff to the car. Not only did I have fabric, but also the Joanns order. I went to the SPC only to find that someone had filled our storage room with a drum set. That made getting the tools and such very difficult. But then some ladies came and got their husbands to move it. I was a little afraid that with temps in the teens no one would show up. But we had a great turnout. Some were first-timers. And more kids. We made pillowcases for kids with cancer. The girls were so excited with their first ones that the mother asked if they could keep them and make others to replace those. I was able to hand out most of the Joanns order, with only 1 item missing. Then everyone helped to clean up. And it was even colder. I drove home. I got on my computer to finish checking e-mail. But it is cold in here because the window is open. That is because the airconditioner cable was run out the window. I have it stuffed with batting, but can still feel the breeze.

Nothing particular

I did not go out today. There was nowhere to go and it was too cold anyway. Not sure tomorrow will be any better, but am scheduled to go to the thrift shop. I only had three things on my to-do list and didn't do any of them. Not that I didn't try, but one involved website problems, another cost so much I have to think about it some more and the third is just complicated. Don't have the right materials, etc. But I DID put the final border on a quilt top that I hope to quilt on Friday. I DID put some more PVC in the closet (only to find that I have measured incorrectly and the shelves don't fit). I DID find the list of what people ordered from Joanns so I can make sure everyone gets what they ordered and nothing more (or less). I read about how baking soda was used to treat the flu (and possible cancer).
And now I am going to bed.

Cold day

I tried to get to the thrift shop early, like 9 or 10. But till I read my most important e-mails, ate, showered, and took out the recyclables, it was after 10. In fact I missed the 10:20 bus and had to walk to the thrift shop. And it was COLD. I distinctly remember ordering a mild winter. Oh well. I shelved all the books, and videos. I had to do a little rearranging to get them to fit. MaryAnne was there for awhile and we made each other laugh as usual. She offered me a ride to my gate, but I wanted to stay longer. I need to get my hours in because there are so many conflicts this season. I only had 45 minutes last week. At 2:45 I walked to the DHL to check on our travel plans. She still hadn't heard if hotel rooms were available. I called Chris to ask for a ride home, but he was busy, so I took the bus. It was still cold! When I got home, I had some egg salad with homemade mayo and curry. Mmmm. I got on my e-mail for awhile. Then the lady upstairs started practicing her piano. Well, since I couldn't concentrate on e-mail, I got out my trombone and played through a book of Christmas songs. By the time I finished, she had quit. I went back to my e-mail until Chris came home and cooked hamburgers. They were sooo good. He said so himself. Then I watched 13 back-to-back Youtube videos of Wayne Dyer talking about the info in his new book "No excuses". Chris went to bed and I wanted to go with him, but I still have to wrap gifts to ship. It would be nice if I had them ready to go tomorrow.
I left my camera at home today since pieces keep falling off of it. So here is a pic of the teacher from yesterday. He sews AND he's buff.