A Day in the Sewing Room

I've been having such a delightful time hanging out in my sewing room this week.  Am actually staying in there longer than I usually do. I'm sure it's because I rearranged the furniture, my chair, and placed the computer chair mat in there so I can roll around.  I've been watching how-to videos on YouTube (I know. I'm repeating myself) but it's given me a new confidence to try things that I wouldn't in the past.

Today I wanted to dispose of odds and ends of material projects left sitting and odd pieces of material tossed aside.  It's very hard for me to throw anything away that could possibly be used so my little creations are pretty unique.  Or should I say - cornbally.  But that's okay. Once I get the batting in, the backing on, the binding done, they'll be usable for toss around quilts or lap pads.  Here's two....

I often search thrift shops for old sheets that are in good condition as it's way cheaper to use them for backing (and quilt squares and strips) than to invest in all new material.  I'd certainly like to buy material as there's some fabulous stuff on the market these days but my budget dictates I spend my play money on gambling. ha ha    The quilt shown above has three different sheets worked into the design.  (strips going down)

I started with the three neat squares in the middle that I was playing around with when I was trying to learn how to make different patterns.  I wanted to use them up quickly so I could get to some of the other things I had laying around so I opted to just add strips along the side.  Putting on the backing and batting will be done tomorrow.  If my back agrees, that is.

The other little lap quilt I sewed today looks pretty sad but it'll do for a lap quilt in the car or something.

I had an abundance of this yellow and black plaid material that would probably make a man's shirt but I'm not into sewing clothes anymore.  The little squares are not at all aligned properly cause I cut them each into tiny little squares and then sewed them together one by one.  (not the way you're supposed to do it and I won't do it again.)

I didn't want to toss all 16 squares away after I'd gone to all the trouble of cutting and sewing them so I decided to just surround them with ugly plaid material and add the batting and backing.  Would never win a ribbon but then I wasn't aiming for that. I was aiming to use them quickly.

Once I get these two put together, I'm going to try and make a jelly roll quilt where you sew all these strips together. If you want to see the video, go on YouTube and search "40 minute scrap quilt with Valerie Nesbitt."

I had to go out in the garage to retrieve a fan as the sewing room got kind of stuffy as the afternoon went on.  I did manage to get a few things accomplished today besides sewing.  One load of laundry and three letters. Oh, and I got the car washed.  Major accomplishment but I went slow and told my back and shoulders they were going to cooperate or else!

Maddie posted a picture on Facebook of her and her friends so I'll add that here along with one that Mary sent me of Jake and his new nanny, Shonie.

                                                            Maddie is in the green shirt

Saw this next picture on Facebook and thought it was super gross.

World's biggest snake Anaconda found in Africa's Amazon river. It has killed 257 human beings and 2325 animals. It is 134 feet long and 2067 kgs. Africa's Royal British commandos took 37 days to get it killed.

Well, I see there's no golf on tv this weekend; just football so I guess I'll occupy myself in the sewing room again. Maybe I'll go up to the library and pick up a couple of audio books. I need to go that way in about a half hour or so anyhow as I have to pick up the teens at the high school.

Finished an autobiography about Tony Curtis last night. It was kind of interesting to read some of the stuff he wrote about other stars.  Was also interesting to read in black and white just how full of himself he was.  He died in September 2010.

Got a book in the mail today that I forgot I had ordered.

I know it's not "my Charley" that I've been trying to locate but I thought it would be nice to have in my collection.

Thursday morning

Woke up with another calf charlie horse this morning.  I think this is the 3rd or 4th time this week. I can't figure out (as usual) what's causing it.  Probably not drinking enough water but who knows. I'm am taking magnesium and potassium tablets but we'll see....
Besides the pain involved, I get frustrated that I have to get up earlier than I wanted to.  Kind of puts me in a fog all day if I'm not getting enough sleep during the night.  My, but that statement was profound, wasn't it?  Ha ha

I cleaned my bathroom counter and sink and decided to tidy up the drawers with pills and tubes of this and that. Did manage to toss a few outdated items.  A couple of them I had to google to see what they were for.  Antidepresants.  Guess I'll hang on to them. You just never know when you're gonna be depressed again. Ha!

Neighbors moved out yesterday so now I'm waiting to see who the new people are.  I made a quick Walmart run this morning and as usual, their customer service gets an E!  I wanted a yard of flannel but trying to get a clerk to answer the button they have nearby was useless. I even grabbed a guy who went "in the back" to try and find her.  Typical.  I finally left in disgust. What I should have done was pile the counter as high as I could with material first.  I did leave my two choices there. Darn. I wish I had thought of that.  Next time.  Cause I know it will happen again.

Traffic was kind of "in your face" all the way there and back. Some days are just like that. Usually Fridays.  People darting in and out of their lanes just to pass one car. Red cars seemed to be especially bad. One guy even pulled up to the left of me at a light (I was in the turn left lane; he was in the parking lane) and then he decided he was going to turn left.  So he did. I was glad when I finally turned on to my street coming home. About a block away there's a huge apple tree (maybe two trees) that are loaded with fruit.  Some has fallen onto the street. Seems a shame the people don't think to set up a sign saying Free apples for the picking.  I could probably stop and ask for some but then I'd feel obligated to come home and put up applesauce.  And I'm too tired.  I do hate to see them going to waste, though.

Taped The Late Show with Stephen Colbert the other night but it was a waste of time.  He was obviously nervous the way he kept straightening his paper work and well.....trying too hard.  I'm sure he'll be fine once he settles in.  He only had two guests: Clooney and Jeb Bush.  Both said absolutely nothing worth listening to. And I was none too pleased that Donald Trump seemed to get a whole lot of air time--when he wasn't even there!  How I detest that big mouth  son of a baboon!  Every day he seems to get worse (if that's possible).  What puzzles me is why no one really challenges him. There seem to be some half-hearted attempts but the media, of course, thrives on his poor taste and eat it up.

I did eliminate two more candidates from my list of maybe or we'll see....Huckabee (who I was kinda liking) and Ted Cruz (who I didn't actually like from day one!)  I'm also taking Bush off my list and Christie.  Can't say that any of the others are really impressing me except Ben Carson.  But I'm betting he doesn't have a chance. I'm still liking Hillary, even if the media and other politicians are trying to set a bonfire around her.  Politics really do stink most of the time.

I fixed up my sewing room (again) and I think I'm gonna' be more apt to spend time in there now. I took my computer room floor mat and placed it in the sewing room so I can scoot between the sewing machine, table, and ironing board.  Makes all the difference when you don't have to deal with your back, hips, or legs aching.  I've had a heck of a time with knee pain this past week.  I suppose that's just gonna be the way it is. Period.

I made a homemade pizza for dinner last night.  Crust was an easy recipe using yeast.  Topped it with sausage, onions, carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, and cheese, of course.  It was delightful.

Not so delightful is watching the world news and seeing all those poor people being displaced because of war in Syria.  It just breaks your heart and kind of seems like history is repeating itself when you think about the Jews persecution during the holocaust.  Sad too that it took us so long to actually step up and do something about it.  I suspect there are plenty of people out there who would help if they knew what they could do.

Well, maillady just drove by so guess I'll go see if there's anything of interest in my box today.
Then, it's back to the sewing room for a few hours.  I'm trying out different tips I saw on YouTube videos.

Tuesday morning

I'm feeling a whole lot better than I did yesterday. I had had insomnia the night before and wasn't able to sleep in the next morning because of rude neighbors with barking dogs so my whole day was kind of off.  I did take it pretty easy, though, so that was fine.  I watched golf, baked a pan of brownies, took them over to Jen's house (except for a few for me, of course) and then I pretty much loafed off and on until bedtime.

Jenni told me that I could watch YouTube on my tv using my Roku device so I was especially pleased to play around with that last night.  Went first, of course, to my own videos.  Apparently, you can also watch Facebook that way so I'm going to try it out next.  I've thought several times about cancelling my cable tv but I doubt it will come to that.  There is so much I DON'T watch but just enough that I do, that I feel I'd be missing out.  Like golf, football, certain news shows, Wheel of Fortune, political debates, a whole lot on PBS, award shows, and every now and again, certain tv programs.  Besides, I have FOUR TVs in this house now and it seems silly to think about not having some programs to watch.

I get a few channels I don't subscribe to on the large digital set in my bedroom. Channels like Root Sports, Hallmark, Animal Planet, cartoons, and AMC.  Not sure why the digital allows me to get them but I'm fine with it --even though I seldom watch tv in bed, it's nice to know it's there.  Most of my viewing is done via Netflix and Amazon Prime but there are other channels you can watch for free or pay as you go using the Roku.

It's not even noon yet and I've been yawning all morning long. I suppose I should have tried to stay in bed longer than 6:45 but sometimes you just wake up and decide it's time to start your day.  I stopped at the neighborhood grocery store to buy stamps, pick up a match 4 ticket, and send off a box. I'd printed a label for it but they're still going to deduct $8 from my refund to cover the postage cost.  That's the problem with buying via catalogs that don't have free returns.  I'll learn one of these days.

I went to Safeway and spent about $25 (fruit, vegetables, meat mostly) and then proceeded to hit a few stores to see if I could find a computer chair mat to put under my chair in the sewing room.  I called a few places first so I wasn't having to run in and run out but it still wore me out and two places required that I go in and look myself.  Like Goodwill.  Didn't find what I was looking for but I did spend $20 on material.  Sheets mostly but they were in really good shape and will be handy for quilts.  This was one of the heavier and brightest.

I also bought a red one and a green one -- both very bright and usable for cutting up.  Watched a few how-to videos on YouTube about quilt making and am anxious to try some of the tips I learned.  A slow process, of course.  Getting the material washed, dried, pressed, and cut is a huge pre chore in itself.

When I came out of Serenity House, I clicked on my car key, heard it ding, opened my driver's door and stared at a seat full of stuff that wasn't my stuff!  Hmmm....I guess he (or she) didn't lock their door)  Saw my car across the lot waiting for me.  Ha!

Got an early birthday present in the mail a few days ago. My sister made me a neat bag and a cute doll I named Rhonda.

Am going to have to stop (this time I mean it!) feeding the birds.  The pigeons invariably return once they discover I've set out seed.  Yesterday, a deer came up to the window in front and nibbled on plants that Sue had planted for me (and they weren't that cheap either!).  Even when I rush out there clapping my hands and hollaring, he just looks at me and takes his sweet time retreating.

Hunter came by and chopped down a large bush-like tree I had growing on the curb. Never did like that bush. We removed one just like it a few weeks ago that was closer to the house.  It's already getting leaves growing on the stump, though, so it will probably grow back completely sooner or later.

Finished a book night before last. Sea Glass by Anita Shreve. Thank you Cousin Cindy. I enjoyed it.

The neighbors next door are moving out today.  They're waiting for a van to arrive to take their stuff to Alabama and then the new people will come. They'll be the 4th family moving in since I moved here in Dec. 2008.

Mary sent me a few pictures of Jake and Andy at the park yesterday so naturally I have to share those.

                                                            Is he cute or what?!

Well, it was kind of breezy and gray outside when I started writing  but the sun is peeking through so perhaps it's gonna warm up. September weather doesn't seem to know what it's doing a lot of the time.  Think I'll heat up a bowl of tomato soup and work a crossword puzzle before taking a quick nap in the recliner. I got a new puzzle book in the mail today that I had forgotten I sent for. It's from Turner Classic Movies and the theme, of course, is 'the oldies.'  That should be fun.

Think I need to get on my exercise bike too.  Darn ole knees are just stiff and achy today. More than usual.  And am getting little electric shock like zingers shooting through every once in a while. I wonder what that is.  Aggravation!  That's what it is!

Optometrist office just called and I'm having new lens put in my frames next Monday. Can't afford new frames. At least not right now.  Medicare paid for the exam but I still have to dish out $159 for the glass part.  Seems excessive to me.

Mary Gaboury called last night and said Dave is suffering from a kidney stone.  Man, I hope I never have to go through that.  Or shingles! Or any of the other stuff that can befall a person nowadays. Even the flu knocks me for a loop in these later years of mine.  It's hard stayin' alive.

Feeling Like Fall

Crawled out from under the covers this morning and decided right away that it was gonna be a sweatpants kind of day.  A tad chilly and suspect that ole furnace might get turned on this month. Hopin' not, though.  My goal is to get as far into October as I can. I think I'm in that "nesting stage". Going from room to room, tidying up here and there, rearranging, and rethinking what I need to keep, and what needs to go away.

Also looking over the yard. I'd really like to get that bushy curbside thing chopped down. Hunter helped me dispose of one just like it next to the window of this room but since we didn't dig out the roots, it's already growing little leaves to let me know he's comin' back.  That's okay.

I don't know why I don't care for it all that much. The one nearer the house would be full of bees when it was blooming those blue flowers and they became an annoyance every time I went out to try and water.  I like trees and planted three in the back yard. They're all doing fine. One even provided prunes this year.  This "tree" though, is more like a bush who always needs trimming.

Inside, I made up a fresh batch of hummingbird nectar and set out the cute houses that my sister-in-law, Lill, made several years ago. I'm storing yarn in them now.

I also collected all the fans and am hoping the twins will help me store them in the garage this weekend "if" they decide to spend the night when their folks go see Kid Rock.

 I'd also like to get the patio table and chairs into the garage.  I never actually used the table for eating outside; more of a holding area for plants and stuff.  I used to sit in my lounge chair and soak up the sun but since my knee and shoulder surgery, I've found it's a little harder to get up out of several chairs. I've had to boost my recliner up with a pillow and my computer chair has become the only thing I'll use for sitting at the dining room table or sewing table.

I noticed my little pig collection that I had outside was looking kind of dirty so I soaked them in bleach and brought them in with my other little piggies. This is how I entertain myself now. Ha ha

I really should rethink all the knickknacks I have here and there.  Cows in the bathroom, elephants in the frontroom, pigs on the book shelf, and frogs in the hallway.  sigh.....   But oh well, I guess I can clutter up the joint if that's what makes me happy.

I'm heading off to the sewing room now.  Dug deep into my material barrel and found a few things I forgot I had in there.  I love finding forgotten treasures -- in this case, pieces of material.

Need to get that hummingbird nectar hung out first, though; they've been zinging in hunting for it in both the front and back yard.

Here's a picture of the twins starting their sophomore year. Maddie told me yesterday that she LOVED not being the youngest in high school this year.  Ha!  Before she knows it, she'll be a big shot senior and I suspect she'll be the type who bawls at graduation.

Politics

I enjoy politics...sorta.  This season, though, it's been more of a love-hate relationship.  Sometimes when a public figure stands on the grandstand and decides to stump for the highest position in the country, it can make for an interesting news watch.  Other times, it only causes aggravation.  I speak, of course, about Donald Trump.

My personal opinion is that he doesn't actually want to be president.  Not just because he isn't playing by the rules, but because he is so bent on spouting off opinions to rile folks up, it's easy to see he's on his own ego trip and enjoying the ride immensely.  The more offensive he can be, the more press he gets -- and that's the bottom line with The Donald.

That's not to say that politicians need to be nice and free of sin.  We all know politicians get their hands dirty and that's been going on since forever.  I think what I object to the most regarding Trump is his success at roping in the news media to provide him with more and more air time.  I've been none too happy for many years with the way our news media has manipulated the masses.  They can
influence votes because they have the inside track and no how to present the news "that is not really the news."

I looked forward to the presidential campaigns and speeches and I'm very curious to see who the top two contenders are going to be.  I've liked Hillary for years and I still do.  This hoo haw about private email servers is so politically motivated, I don't understand how the public can't see through it.  In this electronic world we live in today, I think everyone understands that our private lives are always in danger of being hacked into one way or another.  No matter what spin is put on it and what round table discussions are served up for us to digest -- this email server issue is a NON ISSUE with me!

I don't have blinders on when it comes to Hillary, however. I'm still looking over the other folks and I haven't made up my mind yet. There are a few republican candidates that I kind of like -- Ben Carson, Mike Huckabee, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul -- in that order -- at least for now.
On the democratic side, I'm also listening to what Bernie Sanders has to say.

I haven't researched each of these candidates and I don't claim to know their records but I've still got time to Google everything that I want to know.  And believe me..... doing your own research is more productive than letting the people with TV microphones in front of them helping you make up your mind.  Except for PBS, all the television folks present slanted opinions -- AND I'M HAVING NONE OF IT!

Okay. I'm done ranting on that subject for now.  It's early (7:30 a.m.) and heaven knows why I felt compelled to write about this.  Maybe something was going on in my dreams.

Got an appointment with the optometrist today and will be picking Maddie up at high school to take her for her physical at the doctor's office.  Otherwise, it's sewing, reading, and surfin' the net.  Oh, and cookies to bake.  I made up the batter yesterday (banana chocolate chip)  but was too tired to do the oven part so I stuck the bowl in the fridge.  No Labor Day weekend plans to speak of, and I don't recall going on one single picnic this summer.  There was a time when picnics were commonplace on my list of activities. How'd that change?

Back and Forth Weather

I woke up early and found myself WIDE AWAKE. Never know for sure why that happens but you just have to go with the flow.  I was up and dressed by 5:30 a.m.  Guess who's gonna need a nap when she finishes blogging today.  I think her name starts with a J!

It's been a pretty productive day, for the most part.  I picked up Hunter and ran three errands. Cashed in my Match 4 ticket ($28 winnings) and bought myself another for the next 10 draws.  Stopped by Walgreen's to pick up photos for Maddie and then filled up the gas tank at Safeway.  I paid bills yesterday and made a point of depositing at least some in savings. By the time I paid the dentist and the other monthly bills, the ole checkbook was looking kind of lean.  I'll have to watch my pennies thru September.

Want to get a little sewing done today but I'm already feeling like I'm running on fumes so I may have to wait until after my nap or just give up the idea and try for tomorrow morning.  I have to make some cookies too.  Priorities, you know!

I watched a show on Amazon Prime last night that apparently is a series so I'm kind of looking forward to the second episode this evening. It's a PBS offering called 'Heat of the Sun.' Pretty good. Also started reading  the first book of Game of Thrones.  I bought the first season on DVD but am saving it for a while.

Hunter sent me pictures he took of him and his dad when they went hiking in the mountains. I wish I was strong enough to hike. The views are something to behold. Seems odd to see no snow up there when you drive around the PA streets. Sure hope that changes soon.

 Love this one of Wayne having to stop and rest.  I admire him for doing this, though. That father and son activity is something Hunter will always have to remember.

                                              Hunter said they could see Canada very easily.


Here's three views of the  high school that I took yesterday when I was the taxicab.

These shots I took in the back yard this morning. Going to have to stop buying bird seed again as the blue jays are just as bad as those pigeons once they discover a feed place.

I bought these at Walmart a couple days ago as I saw them advertised and wondered if they were any good.  I had one today and it was WONDERFUL!

These are three pictures I saw in the Leader this morning that I thought were pretty nice. Town portrait is in two pictures as I couldn't copy the whole thing as one. I didn't recognize anyone.

This was a shot of the boat haven. It sure has changed since I was a kid riding my bike in the area.

Was so happy to have Hunter here today. Since school starts tomorrow, I needed to use him as quickly as I could. Ha!  He replaced my doorbell and the new one plays all kinds of tunes.  He also  got down on his tummy and vacuumed the refrigerator coils as well as the area behind the fridge. Also replaced the water filter for me.

Here's Jake in his new raincoat.  Him and Mama had a nice long walk in the rain yesterday which was a real adventure when you get to stop and look at water going down the gutter and into drains.

And last but not least, here's three pics from Facebook that made me laugh out loud......