While working on the month 1 blocks I realized that, while the fabric store running the class is providing the fabric, there is not much of a margin of error. I made a test block using some of the extra fabric we have around here to figure out the mistakes that I would make and how to rectify them before I cut into the provided batik. It helped.
Using the extra fabric I cut the pieces for the month 2 blocks and got busy. I am very glad I did this. There are techniques involved here that I had never done. It was a struggle. I had to re-cut some of the pieces because I just could not get the block to come together. After a lot of work with my seam ripper I sewed and then took this block apart three times. I finally figured it out. This is the test block. Tomorrow, armed with what I have learned, I will work on the real blocks.
note the slight misalignment of the vertical row on the right…
I’ll have to look at them. I’ve seen them around. I’ve just been wary about getting them because I’m not very lightweight myself. I do have a full sized two step ladder that I’ll use and a plastic step stool that I’ve had for about 15 years.
And while they’ll be great for around the house, I can’t imagine me bringing it into Kroger every time I have to go in by myself. Mainly because I know that I would forget it/be in the wrong car/etc. Yes, I have swiss cheese for brains.
I’ve been trying to challenge myself to writing a poem a day for the next year. I started on January 4th and so far, I’ve only missed one day. I’m just trying to get my writing chops back!
Our convenience center here has the same thing. When we were packing up to move to the new apartment, I took all the old machines that had been sitting in closets for 8 years and dropped them off there, never to be seen again! They also take old mattresses and a bunch of other stuff. Mainly, I just use them for regular recycling.
I’m almost hesitant to say this because I can sometimes be a jinx but… as long as it’s not like what happened in Hubby’s office. In January, the pipes burst when we had that cold snap. The took out everything except the carpet, waiting on permission for that. When they finally got it and pulled up the carpet, they found asbestos. This was at Vandy though, and who knows how long it had been since that place had been carpeted (in one of the oldest buildings, in the basement).
drool That sounds yummy. I haven’t tried making my own tapioca cups before. I may have to look into it.
That made me snort my Diet Dr Pepper at the vision!
As is often the case, I am in awe of your productivity. Mine never seems to be that much! I must try to learn from you!
I need to check my local liquor store to see if they have those. It would be MUCH cheaper and better for my alcohol health to get those than a full big bottle. I’m not sure if I’d be too keen on “RED” - I hatehatehatehate watermelon. But I’m pretty sure they’d have a bunch of stuff that I’d enjoy instead!
That is fantastic! Mine usually come to about $400/piece after my vision plan discounts. I’ve got progressives, and sun darkening on mine. I should get blue-light blockers but I’ve been a bad fishy that hasn’t been to the eye doctor since the beginning of the pandemic. It’s definitely time. I may even try Zenni (which is where I got CtE’s replacement pairs) just so the cost isn’t so nuts.
VSP is the plan I have as well. Unfortunately, my eye doctor stopped using them. I still use him for the exams, including the $40 photos of the inside of my eyeballs (I’ve been with him for 17 years, I’m not going to have to start all over.) Last time, I took my prescription to VisionWorks. Not bad, but still more than I’d expected.
I often wish that our school system had that mindset. We’ve had a lot of days lately where they knew bad weather was coming but kept the kids in school all day regardless. Of course, they also know that with the parents here, they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
That is really good! I can understand not wanting to take the bandwidth to explain, but I’m really glad that it was helpful. And the songs sound like they’d be great ones. I’m not sure if I’m familiar with any of them. I hope you do get to do this again in May!
I hope you enjoy it! I love getting together with people I haven’t seen in awhile.
Write yourself some notes on what you want to bring up. It’s what I have to do all the time, even when there’s something that was bothering me on the way there. I’ll completely forget if I don’t have something to refer to (or Hubby in the room with me reminding me what I wanted to bring up.)
I’m not sure if any of us could, even if we tried!
metal mouse, thanks! The trip out and back was kind of relaxing. I spent most of the drive to Dad’s talking to MFN and the rest of the time as well as the time back listening to an audio book.
Yesterday, my bonus sister and her husband put an electronic lock on Dad’s door. This was so we could all get in if there was a problem, even if we didn’t have the key. I’ve got to say, I both love and hate the stupid thing. You’re supposed to touch the screen to “wake it up” and then type in the code. I misremembered the key to hit after the code, then I couldn’t get the stupid thing to wake back up. When I left it was supposed to be as simple as close door, touch keypad, it would lock. Yeah. No. It took about 5 tries to happen.
Getting everything done at Dad’s went fairly smoothly. I did a bit of general cleaning and straightening - making his bed, doing some dishes, stuff like that. (Though, the three wasps that had drowned themselves in his coffee cup were not things I was expecting to see.) I took care of getting all of his clothes/computer/CPAP together before attacking the fridge, since I hadn’t brought in my coolers. It was easy enough to put Dad’s stuff in the back of the van and bring the coolers in than if I’d had to bring everything out at one time. Because that’s exactly what I was thinking when I left the coolers in the car.
The fridge wasn’t nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be. I had to bring a bunch of things home - mainly milk, creamer, yogurt, some veggies, eggs - just to make sure they wouldn’t go bad. But I only had to throw out a couple of bits of leftovers and the coffee that had been sitting in his thermos since he left. He had an unopened gallon of milk so I just put that in the freezer for him. Now the only thing left to do is contact my nephew and ask him to pick up the trash from Poppy’s. There are a few bags that have been there for awhile, so I suspect he’d forgotten (again) that he was supposed to stop by and do it. Shouldn’t take too much of a reminder though.
Now Hubby and I are getting ready to go to the arcade. It has been FAR too long since we’ve been to one and we’re thinking about pairing it with dinner out. The kids are old enough to fend for themselves.
Howdy Y’all! We deheathenated, had a very good brunch (we know how to put on a feed!), I had a not too long search committee meetin’, and then it was back to da cave for nappage, which is now completed. Now chillage ensues. I shall be spendin’ some time over the next few days doin’ edits on the Parish Profile the search committee will submit to the Diocese for approval. With Diocesan approval, we will then get Vestry approval and the profile will then be launched on the sooper seekret place where Priests in search of a Parish go to see what’s out there. The thing is a powerpoint presentation thingy that gives a “snapshot” of who we are and what we are lookin’ for in a new full-time Priest. Like y’all want or need to know all that. Oh well, keeps me off the streets I reckon. We want to send it to the Diocese and get all the approvals within the next two weeks, so lots o’ stuff to do on a deadline.
BTW, dang y’all have been yakkin’ it up today!
MOOOOOOM the local landfill has an area to recycle electronics as well. I’ve heard from others in other places that it’s a pain in the patoot where they are. Glad it’s not true for you or me. Hope FCD is less coughy today. FIL is no doubt rattled after the loss of her husband of oh so many years. Stuff like that can mess with one’s thinkin’ processes and so forth.
RealFish hope you find a lot of stuff at dad’s house that is freezeable and/or still usuable.
Pilot safe travels back to the homeplace!
Die hope you feel better soonest!
doggio you could march around the complex wavin’ the duster and shoutin’ “Hosanna in the highesr!” The neighbors probably won’t think you’re any weirder than they already think.
red How nice that Nelson will get to have a family reunion!
Oopsie glad you had fun at the thingy. “All My Tomorrows” is one of my favorite songs.
That is super smart! It took me years to figure out that I could practice tricky stitches with leftover floss and fabric before using the good (pricey) stuff.
I can’t see what you are talking about on the right side, what sticks out to me is the bottom gray chevron. The top point doesn’t quite match the point on the red square, and the right corner doesn’t match up with the black one. I’ll bet that if you had shifted the right corner up one thread, it would be perfect. Please don’t hate me, my eyes just do that automatically.
Do you work from the center out or side to side?
Once again, I am in awe of your wonderful color choices. That would make a super cute purse.
On the right, the corner squares as well as the chevron point is about 1/16th inch higher than they should be. You are also right about the bottom chevron’s point. These can be corrected in the real piece by moving just about a needle width over as I sew.
On a nine patch like this I get the sub pieces done first and then work in rows from left to right. I just miss pinned the right hand row
I’ve found that fighting a test stitch for a couple of days makes doing the real one a whole lot easier when I go for it because I’ve already made all the mistakes.
I’m really looking forward to seeing your work in progress, you picked some gorgeous fabrics and colors.
Not to worried on that call, house was built in 1997 and I bought it new, and carpet was replaced several years ago. So only issue is where the water came from (disassembly is scheduled for Moanday afternoon).
Was going to to gym after dining out early, but nappage took over and became sleepage, so I’m afraid that is scrapped for today. Did get a new keyboard (the ‘s’ on my current one ssssssssssssssssticks). Rain due tomorrow morning so we’ll see if soccer practice will be held or not.
Nellie, I’m holding off on calling the plumbers until I can see the damage and then do more of a trace of it, the guy who was here wanted to get into my walls and I’m leery of letting them do that unless I’m sure that is the problem.
Have re-read all and simply am not computing (too soon after nappage). So yea, boo, hugs tears and grins wherever needed and maybe will get one more post this week (we’re close to 400 posts for the week, that’s a lot for the MMP).
nellie, Nelson’s mother Fifi, her littermate Ginger and his little brother / cousin (Ginger’s pup with Frankie) Pugsly are all my sister’s dogs too. Nelson’s paternal grandfather, Napoleon was one of her tribe, along with his paternal grandmother, Gracie, who went to be my parent’s spoiled lap dog. Nelson was a litter of one, while Pugsly was one of six. He’s two weeks younger than Nelson. My boy gets to see one or two members of his natal family whenever Sis or I travel to each other’s homes. I do celebrate his birthday with extra treats and a new toy as a rule. No party hats though (he doesn’t like anything on / over his head).
pilot, I rarely drink vodka, but keep a bottle of Skye in the liquor cabinet for guests and occasionally making vanilla.
That’s smart on making a test block hippy. You do nice work.
I spent a whole $6 for a good sized box of stuff at the yard sale. The ribbon and card / envelope pairs were worth that alone. I sorted that this afternoon, got the lunch prep done and made a pot of aig roll soup (basically eggroll filling with a couple of quarts of broth instead of wrappers). Chilling until bedtime.
Chore are done, and I’m getting ready to make the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Having a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. I have a pint of Stolichnaya for when I want vodka.
Good idea. Getting the mistakes(and cursing!) out of the way.
Oddly enough, they haven’t been able to rent the apartment above for for the last six months, in spite of numerous showings.
I am finally home for the day. It’s been a good day but I am so very drained. Hubby and I couldn’t hand out at the arcade as long as we’d hoped. My back and his foot were just not up for standing at a console for a couple of hours. Well, that and I’ve lost even the small amount of skill I had at pinball. The balls kept running straight between the flippers. We did enjoy it though and we may decide to take the kids at some point.
After the arcade, we stopped for dinner at a Chinese Buffet that we didn’t think we’d been to before. Hubby recognized it when we pulled up. I didn’t recognize it until we went in. But they’ve got some very good items on their bar - primarily their crab rangoon and their bourbon chicken. They also had a few things that I was used to seeing at dim sum. All in all, we both left incredibly full. We made a stop at Taco Bell for CtE and BtY since they kinda had to eat. Now I’m just thinking about the things that I still need to do tonight.
I did, however, find that one of the student groups in the district is organizing a Walk-Out tomorrow to protest gun violence. CtE didn’t attend last Thursday, but they want to tomorrow. The district is trying to do a Walk-In instead of having the kids leave campus, but I’m not sure how many of the kids are going to go for that. I figure I’ll write an excuse note for CtE and if they decide they want to go to the Walk-Out, they’d have it. They won’t need to use it if they decide to stay and participate in the Walk-In. I’m just grateful that they are as engaged on the topic as they are.
I’m really looking forward to tomorrow morning. Family Storytime is back at my library branch! We’d been closed for 3 weeks so it’s been a month at least since I’ve seen the kids at Storytime. I’m hoping they remember me. I do love volunteering for it. Plus, I have a couple more books waiting for me and a few more to return. My Monday mornings in the library are my favorite, because I get there when the staff does and help with pre-opening stuff. It makes me feel a little more a part of it all.
I still need to write my poem for today, so I’m going to say good-night for tonight - unless something pulls me back in which, this being the SDMB, is a better than even chance to happen.
red, vanilla made with Skye sounds yummy. I’d also like to flavor a blah vodka with vanilla…
metal mouse, I’m glad to hear that asbestos isn’t a worry. I hope everything else works out to be the easiest answer and a simple fix!
I am hear to report that the biiiiiiiiig trash can has been hauled all the way down to the road for pickup tomorrow. I knew y’all would be worried about that. I really want to go to bed, but it must be dark out first. It’s a rule I made up for myself except when I am sick, which I am not (except the usual in the haid) right now.
The owner might be a diehard Husker fan and this plate was guarding their heart. Once you get a plate it’s yours for 4 years I think, with rights of renewal. Let’s hope that in four years we Huskers won’t have to guard our hearts quite so much. Hope springs eternal.
Howdy all. I had a horrendous night of non sleep. Leg cramps and just could not get comfy. So it’s an early bedtime for me in just a few minutes.
My Mother was a quilter. She did everything by hand including having a homemade frame that she raised into the ceiling when she was not working on it. She also crocheted and did some cross stitch. She tried to teach me and said when I get old I would need something to do with my hands. I wish I’d learned to crochet at least. This then teenager already knew everything so …
We supped upon leftover chili and a salad with homegrown lettuce. Butter crunch is so good. I have about 6 more heads that need eating as I fear they will bolt soon. I don’t know anyone here to foist it off on so more salads in the next few days. I need that space for carrots.
Lazy day at Chez Butters. I watched the tail end of the LSU/Iowa game. I just can’t get into basketball and don’t understand all the rules. I miss NFL. I haven’t tried to watch any XFL yet but I may have to start.
Happy new month and new week. Safe and healthy everyone.
I make traditional dinners. Turkey and stuffing for Thanksgiving, prime rib for Christmas, ham hocks and black-eyed peas and ham hock and collard greens for New Year’s Day, jambalaya and cornbread for Mardi Gras, corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, and ham and potatoes au gratin for Easter.
But today I didn’t make ham. With being gone for five days, I didn’t do any shopping. So Easter Dinner was Shake 'n Bake pork chops, mashed potatoes (with real butter and cream), and gravy (out of a packet).
No park today, I woke up late and I don’t like rushing, especially in the morning.
And I’m tired of the drama.
If Barky/Humpy mom goes, it is just the two of us.
Some of the group will go on the small side, and another part of the group will go to a different park.
I Barky/Humpy mom doesn’t go, but Lui goes, then part of the people will go on the small side because Lui has a little bit of an attitude and can get rough, which is fine when it’s with a dog his own size, but not fine when the dogs are smaller.
Rocky mom got a new dog, Ali, who is still adapting to the park. She is tiny, chihuahua and yorkie, and she likes to go after the big dogs, but then screams like she is being murdered if they chase her back.
Lily never goes anymore because her mom can’t relax with the new dynamic, and Urban doesn’t go anymore because he has a new human baby brother.
All group dynamic is gone. We used to have a good group of dogs that we didn’t have to worry about, except for Echo.
That has changed.
At least Echo isn’t the problem child anymore.
I didn’t get much done today.
I went through a mess of paper, which had me almost in tears because I couldn’t find the one needed. I finally did, but it was filed in the wrong place. There is so much paper anymore.
Medicare is the worst offender; they are always sending me shit and it’s always a stack. My son’s job sends a bunch of shit too. They offer some nice benefits, but it’s so much paperirk.
I wish they would leave me alone.
I made another batch of dogfood, ground beef with celery and carrots, simmered in chicken bone broth.
I’ve been craving a steak sub, so I ordered subs for lunch. One sub makes lunch and dinner for me.
I wanted a ‘real’ sub, the kind that comes loaded up, is messy and drips all over the place while you’re eating it. I ordered a meatball sub for tomorrow, but I got a pizza steak sub instead.
It will work.
Yep. Maybe he likes ham so much he needs to eat it all 8 days from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Maybe for him it’s like Monty Python and spam: 'E likes 'is ham, bacon, sausage, and ham. Or better yet, ham, eggs, ham, bacon, ham, sausage, and ham.
See Monty Python - Spam - YouTube since we can’t embed direct viewable vis this week.
