Tidying Things Up

When DSis came to visit, we had a list of things to do. Or rather, things we didn't want to forget to do. We accomplished almost all of the list.  (How I love to mark things off a good list!) Many of the items involved visiting quilts stores in and about the vicinity, and while doing so, we picked up their free Row By Row Experience patterns.

Now here's the thing. This wasn't even on my radar until DSis showed up.  I have four (4!) quilts of varying sizes requiring quilting, and two (2!) more planned and ready to cut. I suppose that is beside the point because after we collected...I don't know...18 patterns, DSis reminds me to not stash them too far back in the closet.

Fast forward to the end of our visit. I return home and it is county fair season. Being retired now (WooHoo!) I am taking other's entries to the local fairs, and also able to watch the judging, which is awesome, but also time-consuming. I have those four quilts mentioned above to sandwich, one of which is a oversized monster. And then DSis starts sending me photos of her Row By Rows (RXR), which are looking awesome.

Again, here's the thing. These are cute little projects that are mostly easily done with small amounts of fabric (scraps!) and also a good way to learn a technique. Like fusible applique.  Back in the day, there was only needle turn applique which is pretty limiting. New fangled fusible bond makes applique magic and new machines have control and fancy stitching that even the Rocketeer can't really match.  (Or I haven't figured how to make it do so!). And I think...I should try one or two. They really are addictive.

So here's this other thing. When DSis finished hers, and then won the prize at her LQS, I WANTED A PRIZE, TOO! (Competitive, much? I have never denied that. Well, actually, I tried to, but gave up in 8th grade.) I kicked into high gear, and seriously did not much else but that damn RXR for four days. I was super focused. And a little bit crazy, I will admit, but finished it up on a Sunday morning. We took it to the LQS in Estes Park, and I won a fabulous stack of fat quarters.

Since then, I did the grocery shopping, since according WonderGuy (who was a PAL through this), we were down to CRUMBS in the pantry! I have picked up fair entries. (More PRIZES!!) The 110 degree sweater is done blocking (And is pretty darn awesome, too).

I have blocked a pair of socks and taken photos of the sweater, the socks, and two hats for Ravelry. The garden has started producing. And the house has been cleaned. and two small knitting projects almost complete.

So all tidied up, right?

Now I can start on the four quilts, and I have put patterns to yarn for (I am not kidding you) three sweaters and five shawls (of varying sizes).

Bits and Pieces and Something Different

My new old job, as a temp (without benefits), has been extended through the end of the year. Yippee! The boss is working for the permanent w/ benefits approval. They like me! They really really like me!! I am just lovin’ it, too. Real work, a sense of accomplishment, learning and growing, being appreciated. It’s just a nice thing to get up to each morning.

My camera is scheduled to show up tomorrow. I bought a Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel). Verra, verra excited I am. It will probably show up while I am at work, and Wonderful Guy says he will have it all figured out by the time I get home. (He works from the house.) Without reading any instructions. That’s how he rolls. Not how I roll. One of the ways we are different. And he knows how saying that will get me. After all my research and thinking and weighing and shopping around…to think he will get to it first and open it…

Grandbebe Two has not made her entrance yet.

Dearest Sister has a trip planned to my fair city in just a few weeks. She will meet her newest grand-niece (who will surely be here by then!), help me with Quilt, the Third, and together we will visit a local quilt show. And visit. And laugh. There will be lots of laughing. There always is.

I clipped the ‘more than 400 miles’ mark on the bike with today’s commute, and yesterday I saw a very large, several pointed buck elk resting in a field on my ride home. It was enough to make me stop, get out my phone (which, btw, is still working!) and snap a photo.

I have also clipped the ‘more than 400 posts’ on the blog this week, and I am wondering if some change up might be due. I am wondering about the layout of the blog, but that is cosmetic, and I just don’t know about that. Fun, but maybe just fluff. Still thinking that one through. And I am thinking about a contest later this month. A new baby/ lot of running of the bloggery mouth/ general end of summer celebration give-away. I haven’t put that all together yet. (Maybe some catnip? I have plenty after all.)

But this is what I have been thinking of for changing for a while, and I think I am going to start doing now. I have seen, in other blogs, authors who respond to their commentors as a commentor. I don’t always remember which blogger I read does that, or to check back myself, nor do I always read all the comments made by others. I am sort of a ‘between me and you’ type. I tried to answer my commentors with an email or with a comment on their blog.

But then…things change. Opinions, tendencies, ways we do things, and the time we have to do those things…and I find that I am not getting my commentors responded to. I have taken to reading the comments besides my own on other blogs, and am finding interesting discoveries there. I want commentors who ask questions feel like they are answered (Lynne-see camera, above!), and I surely don’t need a whole post devoted to such. Plus answering a question pertaining to my post in a comment on about another’s post…is disconnected at best.

So. I am going to start commenting in my own comments…right back atcha! If you remember, check back for answers to your questions, and otherwise snappy repartee.

Try it. It will be swell!

Progress and Keeping Busy

Last Saturday, Wonderful Guy headed out early on the Bandit to meet a friend for breakfast. I chose to stay home, wanting and hoping to get some things finished up and off. my. list.
Well. I had a pretty good run at it.

The results of quilt, the second have been posted. And thank you all for your very kind and generous comments. Dearest Sister and I both appreciate your remarks.

Planted iris, which means I found places to plant eight different iris rhizomes. Not an easy thing at all in the yard, and still allow for maximum unimpeded lawn watering by the sprinklers, which is someone who shall remain nameless greatest concern. (Or so it seems.)

Six dishcloths were seamed. All caught up.

Two bebe sweaters had ends woven and were blocked. Seaming was completed last evening. Only fasteners remain.

I cleaned and stored the dried catnip and lavender.

There was a trip to the farmers market.

All the inside plants, and the outside container plants were watered and fed.

I caged the tomatoes.

I caught up on some paperwork for a group I chair.

The current book was finished.

I completed my research, and decided to change to a free internet security provider.

A call to Verizon resurrected the flushed phone when the battery arrived.

And we took a field trip to Mount Evans on Sunday.

It was a really, really good weekend.
And to top it all off?

I ordered the dSLR camera I have been jonesin’ for since last fall.
I hope I can wait ‘til it gets here…which ought to be Friday.