Please ring bell for service....

Have you seen that sign at Walmart? Well, may I say, don't even bother. I went over yesterday, since the bridge is open and it's such a short trip now, and I needed supplies to finish my scissor box...so I went in, and of course since this is a department no one gives a damn about there was no one there. Now keep in mind we don't have a fabric store anywhere near here. The nearest Hancock's or quilting shop is about 45 minutes away, so Walmart is my "port in the storm." Anyway, I stood there for at least 5 minutes, ringing the friggin bell looking like a jackass and finally thought, "screw it, how hard could this be, I've watched them do this a dozen times." So I got their "gun" out of it's holder, scanned the bolt of pellon and cut off a yard and put the measurements into the gun and the white ticket shot out and I pinned it to the fabric as I had watched them do so many times. I repeated the procedure for the second iron on fusing and left the department, supplies in my cart, feeling very satisfied that for that 3 seconds as a Walmart employee I had done a great job. I had a satisfied customer in my hands, and that customer was me. So I waltz to the checkout counter trying to get together a story in case they asked how I got the fabrics and all the checker said was, "wow I've never sold fabric that expensive before." I said, "What, it was $1.47 a yard and I only purchase one yard." So she's calling over for a supervisor since she had already scanned it into her register, I'm starting to look real guilty while at the same time thinking "if they figure out what I did they certainly can't accuse me of trying to steal it." So the supervisor listens to the cashier telling her how expensive this fabric was, and me saying over her, "It's $1.47 per yard" and while I may deserve to pay the $52.50 it was telling them, I didn't want to. Anyway, the supervisor said she would have to take both fabrics over to have them remeasured and repriced and would be back. So now I'm waiting at the register holding up the line (yea, a proud moment). So I said, ring up the rest, let me pay and then I'll wait for the fabrics to come back and get back in line. Now, next time...and future reference...make sure you put in the fabric as a part of a yard. I put in 36" or so I thought, when I actually was telling it 36 yards instead of 1 yard. Will I do it again, you bet your ass, but I'll do it correctly. And...the end result, I came away with my fabric faster than if I waited for someone to answer that stupid bell. They use to have a phone in that department, but I think when we started using it to call them to tell them to get someone over to the department to cut our fabric they felt we misused the phones as that wasn't what they were there for. I can't wait to see what they do now...although my feeling is the fabric sections are going to be discontinued. Crap!!! Somehow I always end up driving to Salisbury. Crap! Moving on...I began working on the next section of my ABC sampler....you can't see it here, but I wanted to prove I'm working on it. This has been such a labor of love I'll be sorry to see it end. This has been fun, even when there has been a difficult stitch, which I'm finding more of as I'm getting closer to the end however, when there is so little to be stitched you can easily get through it. I expect to get this section done by Sunday, and then...there is only one more section out and then I'll be waiting for the next 2 sections to be published. I'll be ahead of the game...whoppee...and then I will get back to Maidens of the Sea. I started the finishing work on my Scissor holder that slips into the Orleans Carpenters little shaker box. I got all my supplies together, and then cut out around the shapes and low and behold cut one of the too close to the stitching for comfort. I'm so disgusted with myself...I mean how many times do I have to do this before I get it right. This is why I should just send everything to Carolyn...however, I know it's not that difficult and I keep telling everyone they can easily do it, so I thought it was my duty to prove it.....I need to stop proving things to myself and just let it go!!!! Anyway, I'm still finishing it, hope to have it done and in the shop tomorrow and I'll be sure to take a pictorial so you too can make fun of me. Got to go...mail to open, Olde Colonial to unpack...oooh, I ordered another casket from them...just not going to be happy until I have one stitched...check with you later. Have a great day!

Oh My God....

Today one of the companies I deal with a lot asked me to fill out a survey form. Since I ignored their last request, which they mentioned, and felt they wouldn't move on until I had filled out the form, I decided to get it over with. Now I'm feeling older than ever. I'm almost in the last age group...the over 65. Now age to me really has been just a number, however, I've been feeling older in the past 12 months thanks in no small part to my physical pains, arthritis, and hurt from the knees down. I do realize my weight has played a large part in that pain, however, my age is certainly not helping. But I've never been in the last age group on a questionaire. I really feel that 100 is the new 80 (these numbers move as I move up the age scale), and 60 is the new 40...and if that is the case, should they not add more age categories. Or, as I suspect, does no one give a damn what over 65's think, say or do? I should start a revolution, and I would, except...I'm too tired! But...I'm still sitting at my desk working (O.K. blogging is work at times)..., I'm still making executive decisions (I did make the decision to put Sara and Mary in charge of making decisions)...I'm still a valuable member of the team (I sign the checks), so when did I become insignificant? I have a feeling when the people are looking at the surveys they check to see what the age group is and throw in the trash anyone who checks 65 & over (much like Publisher's Clearing House throws my entries for $1,000,000 in the trash when they get them). So to all those who feel we are insignificant in our 65+ years....Screw you. (the fact that I'm almost 60 is preparing me for the 65+ category...they are my future and I'm fighting for them).

Good News....Bag News

Yesterday I received Good News and Bad News both relating to the same issue...C.A. Wells. The good news, we've booked her for 2008 & 2009, and the bad news...it's in November. Why is that bad, well because it's too close to Jamboree and I know many of our home stitchers would like to do both and the cost with each will probably prohibit that, but we had no choice, so I apologize to all those who have to make the choice, but at least we're on board now and perhaps will be able to change the month in the future. Sara is looking into projects and we'll be picking something soon so keep checking back. I am pleased to say that after approximately 4, if not more, hours I finally conquered one type stitch on my ABC Sampler. It was called the "Maltese Cross" was the bain of my existence for 2 nights and if I never see that one again it will be too soon....however, I moved on last night and I should be done with this section this week and then 2 more sections and I'm caught up. I can't believe how far behind I was only to almost catch up...it's a great piece...but since I've been working so diligently on it, I've fallen behind on my Mermaids of the Sea so I'll need to get back to it this weekend and finish it...I'm so close. Of course in the finishing department I'm also backed up with several projects waiting for finishing. And as we all know, I seriously hate to finish my own work...but think it's necessary at this stage in the game just to prove to everyone else (who I keep saying can finish their own) that it can be done by a novice. Today it's overcast, dreary and cold here and a perfect day to stay home and stitch, unfortunately, in my world that's not possible as I sit here in the office working on the financials to take to the bank to beg them to give me, oops loan me some money. I really think they should come to be and be excited to hand me the money because I've got a sparkling personality and I have a great sense of humor...all qualities the bank does not care about. Yea, that sums me up perfectly...I'm filled with the qualities that no one needs....why oh why wasn't I born rich? (something my girls are probably asking themselves right now)...anyway, I've got to end this for now to get back to crunching numbers...have a great day and try to work in a little stitching.

Another Weekend Gone By...

Another weekend has come and gone and what did I get done? I worked the shop since Sara had the nerve to ask for one weekend a year off...what the heck is the matter with that child...but I preservered and worked the shop all by myself. And...I was able to handle it. Unfortunately, Saturday I checked out all the new stuff and ended up taking a shopping bag home filed with new projects, fabric and fibers....and that's why I shouldn't be left alone in the shop. I don't have the sense God gave a billy goat. And it never seems to matter to me that every closet, drawer and cubby hole in my house is filled with bags holding projects to be done, or projects started and not completed. No, this is my addiction and my sponsor took the weekend off and I fell off the wagon. On the plus side I did work on my ABC Sampler (I keep meaning to take a picture to show you my WIP (work in progress)...perhaps tomorrow. Anyway, I've run into a couple of difficult stitches (it was so much more fun when I was able to do a stitch first try, but now I'm doing one, tearing it out, doing it over and tearing it out again, however, this is also making me learn new stitches, but honestly, some of these are just too hard, plus I found another glitch in the chart (where the diagram doesn't match what she's telling me to do). That's when common sense takes over and I do whatever I think the correct way is...perhaps I'm making up some new stitches myself. I tried to blog while I was at work, however, couldn't get on the site. Kept telling me my password didn't match my sign in. I just hate it when that happens because I know I was using the correct password and couldn't get it to take...Crap!!! So that's my excuse for not blogging over the weekend and I'm sticking to it. I look at the weather map and I still see snow in places, but here in Paradise it's sunny and brisk. No parkas for us down here, just a light jacket at this point would work. It sure is lovely in the neighborhood, except for that friggin seagull who keeps getting in our trashcans. I can't tell you how distressing it is to arrive home and find your trash strewn all over the street. It's a game this damn gull and I are playing and little does he know we have a gun and I'm about to use it. (just kidding, I hate guns and won't pick one up, but perhaps I could aim it at him and scare the bejesus out of him...stinking little flying rat). Got to run...talk later...have a great night!

It's Ugly in Paradise

I do mean ugly...it's rainy, overcast, not snowy and pretty, wet and damp like a dog's coat..yes I do believe it smells doggy here (or could that be me?) Anyway, I'm trying to find a bright side of the day....forgot it there is no bright side here, I'll just try to get through it as quickly as I can. Anyway, Survivor happened, Yauman got kicked off and he was the person I was rooting for so now I'm aggravated at the entire program. But on the upside....I finished the Sampler Scissors Box...or should I say I finished the stitching...now I have to put it together (a whole other issue for me)...anyway, that was exciting. And I will finish another section of my ABC Sampler tonight...oh, I'm on a roll. We uncovered the "Hearts of America" kit, which Sara said we didn't get in Nashville, but apparently she was wrong because I found it in a bag this morning (we're still unpacking...actually Sara finished this morning) so Joyce, we have it in house now. Sara just called over to say, "Guess what just arrived from With My Needle?" and I said, "The basket" at which time I heard a gasp, a sign and a big NO MOM, the turtles. When I said to her, look, stop with all the noises when I don't guess correctly, I'm going to be 60 in a few months and I can't help it if I don't guess correctly. She informed me I was guessing wrong much more than I use to and it was annoying her. So for all the daughters out there....I am you in a few years so get over yourselves and treat your mother as you would like to be treated when you can't remember her name or where you parked your car, or whether or not you put your underwear on before you left the house. We are all headed in the same direction. It's not as if your mind is going to move that quickly when you get to reach 60...know that, and resolve to have a little more patience with us as we did with you when you were young and stupid, (not so long ago). We're trying and we're here, count your blessings. And Sara remember when I left for France and you had to do my work? Remember what you said when I got back? You didn't realize how much work I did and you didn't enjoy having to do it all. Well, perhaps that's why I can't remember everything because I'm still keeping 100 balls in the air on any given day. Give me a break. But the good news is...We got the Turtles in...and are they cute!!!! By the way, I think I told you that the Route 50 bridge was open again. I feel like a free woman now and try to find things to do that makes me go across the bridge just so I can said I did. It's strange how dependent we are on having that bridge open. There are 3 ways off this island, Route 50 bridge, Route 90 bridge around 62nd street, and drive through Delaware. Route 50 is the closest to me so I never use the other two routes so closing one of them would not have bothered me. That's why they did it...all to get at me. Yes, I'm sure that was the reason...and it worked. Not having that bridge for a month sucked the joy out of my life, but the Joy is back and I'm grateful.

It's gorgeous in Paradise but colder than "a witches tit"

I have no idea what that means or if the witche's tit is even cold, but...my mother always said it and it's stuck with me (this sticks with me but I have no idea how to do algebra anymore...my mind is a wasteland). Anyway, I'm in the 'clean up this crap' mode today and have been packing trash bags with all the paper work I've ignored since October (I did at least open a great many pieces to make sure the bills had been taken care of) but I'm tired of working on piles of mail. And catalogs, I wish I had a dollar for every catalog I get in a year's time...I'd be a millionaire. Around the middle of November I start saving catalogs just in case I need a gift I can just order on-line. However, every February or March I then start taking the catalogs to the dumpster and it's taking 2-3 garbage bags to get it all out. And that means me doing the hauling, and you know how opposed I am to physical labor (I think by looking at me you knew I wasn't a jock.) Honestly, with everything on- line why do they bother to send the catalog in the first plea Everytime I move it falls on the floor which is giving me exercise so perhaps I should leave well enough alone, however, it's just too much. Of course I have to keep stopping to look at something on the web. Stasi B. just e-mailed me about the Abigail Basket. Unfortuntely I knew it looked familiar but I couldn't remember where I saw it so I called my dear sweet daughter Sara who acted like I had just asked her to carry a baby for me. I got that "Mom..don't you remember..."(if I had remembered I wouldn't have called her for God's sake)...anyway, it's part of the life cycle. My mother aggravated me because she couldn't remember her own name after the age of 50 and she passed that wonderful quality down to me. Just remember Sara...I'm passing everything down to you. Speak to me as you want Michael to speak to you (and that's so not going to be pretty). Anyway, I'm not putting it up on the site yet because, of course, they didn't have all the supplies or something at the show so they are suppose to send it when it is ready, but I just have to show you...isn't it fabulous. It's called Abigail's Basket and it comes with the basket and all the smalls instructions...ohhh, I can hardly wait. Honestly, I'm going to need a room just for all the smalls I'm planning to stitch. Of course if I never get them finished I won't need anything but a basket to put them in. I may have to call on Carolyn as I get some of these done. I'm just too lazy sometimes to do it, although I'm going to try. I think it's important that we all know how to finish, and I do, but knowing and doing have turned out to be two different animals all together. Uh, oh, it's 4:30 and tonights a Survivor night. You know I'll be talking about this tomorrow....so I'll talk to you soon. Have a great night, bundle up folks as it's freezing out and they are calling for snow...great weather for staying in a stitching.

Welcome Home Judy

That was the theme of last night's Stitch 'n Bitch as Judy T. returned for 1 night from Colorado. Tom, her saint of a husband, brought her down from a visit with his mother in Arlington so she could attend our monthly meeting. I really feel very privileged that Judy would go out of her way to attend, as well as Jackie J. and Kay F. who come every month from Baltimore, which is 3 hours away, and that's the only reason they are in Ocean City. Judy left us to drive back to Arlington around 9:00 p.m. and while Jackie didn't drive back last night, she goes home today. So to you all....thanks for being part of our group. We love ya. We missed Kay F. last night as she is currently recooperating from foot surgery...we thought about you though. It was market night in the shop and the girls were checking out and purchasing the new "goodies" we brought back from Nashville. Everyone had their personal favorites and surprisingly enough, no two were really the same. Added to the excitment was the show and tell brought in by Jennifer H. and Jackie J. Jennifer brought in her 100% completed Peacock Chair and she did a spectacular job on it. I will give you one hint...our group had trouble with the legs, and Jackie suggested that we purchase legs with a flat base and use them and Jennifer did just that and they worked out perfectly. She really did a professional job on the chair, scissor sheath, and fob and it shows. Kudo's to Jennifer. She also brought in one of the first "goodie bag" gifts from one of the first events we had, finished. It was a Ellen Chester stitching ensemble consisting of an envelope bag, needle book and a wooden pallet with a needlework insert...(Cherished Works ...With My Needle) and I have to say this is the first one I've seen done even though it's been about 8 years since stitchers received the charts and supplies. This is what gives me inspiration, as it does many of us. Jackie J. brought in several items, a Bent Creek specialty piece purchased at our first Jamboree event, the knitting fairy piece finished on a pillow and she used fabric drawn from colors in the knitting fairy...a wonderful piece..which she stitched for a friend, Sweetheart Tree's tooth fairy pillow all ready to give to her granddaughter (precious), a little basket with a seashore design from The Sweetheart Tree that was so cute. When I asked her whose design it was (I'm an idiot) she said, "I bought it from you." However, when she purchased it from me the design was for a fob and I never thought of it any other way...and that's why seeing how others step out of the box is important. It makes you look at designs other ways. I know she brought in other finished products and I'm sorry Jackie, I can't remember what they were right now. But when I talk about stepping out of the box, it's something I don't do easily. Last night I got home and went to sit down to stitch when I realized I didn't have my stitching bag. I went back out to the car and it wasn't there and I realized I put it down after Stitch 'n Bitch to get my purse out of the office and I left it there. I stood there for a few minutes thinking should I go back to the office when it occurred to me I had plenty of projects home (no kidding), extra needles, extra glasses, extra scissors so I thought I might as well pull a project out of one of my stuffed bags. I reached over (I have a few totes in the living room) and found the Orleans Carpenter button box with the Jane Timmer chart and thought I might as well. The was actually a project given to the stitchers at a May retreat as well. Many of the stitchers finished this and brought it in to show me. Everyone's looked so wonderful I wanted one myself. It was small, over one though, but doable in a few nights. I have always loved this project, although I didn't love the colors. There are probably 4 or 5 colors, bright no less, in it and I kept putting it back in the to do bag because I couldn't come to grip with the colors. Back when I pulled this monochromes weren't the rage. So last night I looked at it, thought it would be my cup of tea if it were a monochrome piece and used one overdyed skein of Gloriana and started stitching. Well, by this morning I'm almost done, and I'm loving it too. I love the one color with the different shades that come from using overdyes and couldn't be more thrilled...not only did another "older" project come out of the bag, but I really enjoyed stitching it and it was over one. Now if I can only get it put together...that's my downfall, but maybe like Jackie J., I'll just sit down one day and do all my finishing (yea, like that's going to happen). I now have a goal...let's hope I achieve it. Another plus last night, Pat W. brought in the food (Salty Yarns can't have any event without food) and while we have always had great "eats" provided by our own Renee, she has grown weary after supplying us for years so we decided to take over the job and the ladies that attend offered to take one month each. Pat brought in not only a visually appealing cake, but a delicious one as well. It was a vanilla cake which she added pumpkin and spices to and then she make a filling of cream cheese and cool whip (I believe that's it and could you even go wrong with these two things)..and sprinkled walnuts and a caramel syrup on top...on, my it was delicious. She also brought in a cheese platter and a fruit platter...thanks Pat...it was greatly appreciated by one and all. I also want to thank Renee for all the years she supplied the group with the refreshments....we have always had the most delicious food at Stitch 'n Bitch. Cake is considered a dinner isn't it, at least in my world it is. I never get dinner on Stitch 'n Bitch nights because I never leave work so whatever is brought in is my dinner...thanks ladies. The ride into work today (a full 2 blocks) was uneventful but gorgeous since the sun is shining and it's a gorgeous day today hovering around 35 degrees. A slight breeze...and they are forecasting rain, but it sure doesn't look like it right now. A great day in the neighborhood.