Quilt, Read, Eat, Sleep.... What Else Is There? discussion

So here we are in September. Dang! At any rate, this is my very favorite month because 1) school started, 2) temps started to drop, and 3) there's a different slant to the light. Today did not disappoint. The high is suppose to be 73. I have all the doors and windows open.

Have any of you heard of Nikki Jean? I would describe her as a smooth jazz singer. I first heard about her on the Tavis Smiley show (I was up way too late at night!), and thought she was really good. I "liked" her on FB. About a week or so ago she posted and link to a video. I had Glenn watch it and he ordered the CD for me. (He really is a good guy most of the time!) I think her voice is amazing. She reminds me of Corinne Bailey Rae whom 2 of my girlfriends and I saw at Red Rocks near Denver last summer! I think I'm going to have to convince them we need to see Nikki if she goes to Denver!

I decided to take the quilt top to Sheridan next week rather than sending it up with someone else. This way I can stop in Buffalo on my way home and have lunch with my friend who is also a retired English teacher. It's always a fun time.

Remodeling is progressing. We're on hold right now. The main electric panel for the shower has to be replaced. Moen is sending a new one and it should be here next Wednesday. I'm guessing that the countertop and shower doors will also be in next week. If that's the case, Kris should be finished by the end of the week. Yea!

Guess I'd better get some sewing done. I'm trying to get all my computer "stuff" done now. I've noticed for the past week that I don't have a very good connection at night, and I can't stream Netflix. I called the ISP today and they're sending someone out on Tuesday. Apparently our signal is weak. Hmmm. You think? Geez!

Have a good Labor Day weekend if you're in the US!

I am anxiously awaiting the last day of September...LOL> That is the day that I leave going to Washington for a quilting retreat in Leavenworth with some of my QCA friends. I have never been to the west coast so I am really excited to see the state as well as meet some really nice people. Oh yeah...and do some quilting...LOL>

I'll wish you a good trip now, Nancy. Tell those I know hi for me. :-)

Judy I will definitely pass along your regards. It is a really nice group going...Gini, Patti, Joyce and Kris from Maine. It is going to be so fun.

How cool is that! I think I wish I were going - except I have plans already for that time. The 30th is my birthday, and Jaci (niece) and I are going on a quilt shop-hop which means we're doing a lot of driving. Our plan at this point is to go to Greybull, WY. I think I've been there once in the 30+ years I've lived in WY! There's not a lot between here and there, maybe one other quilt shop, and I can't remember how long it takes to get there - maybe 4+ hours? It will be fun, though!

Nancy wrote: "I am anxiously awaiting the last day of September...LOL> That is the day that I leave going to Washington for a quilting retreat in Leavenworth with some of my QCA friends. I have never been to t..."

Nancy, I live 20 minutes from Leavenworth. It is such a quaint and lovely little town. There is a quilt shop in Leavenworth and there is one in my town of Wenatchee. Many quilt retreat ladies venture into Wenatchee during their retreat time and come to the quilt shop. We should connect up. September is beautiful here, I know you will have a good good time!

I'm not taking as exciting a trip as Nancy, but I am taking one. I'm in Illinois and am taking a tour bus full of quilting buddies to Quilt Expo in Madison, Wisconsin on Friday. I'm excited about it. There is supposed to be a ton of vendors. Sometimes at these things I spend so much time shopping that I hardly have time left to do the show justice.

Kathryn wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I am anxiously awaiting the last day of September...LOL> That is the day that I leave going to Washington for a quilting retreat in Leavenworth with some of my QCA friends. I have n..."

Kathryn I think we are supposed to go to the quilt shop in Wenatchee one of the days we are at retreat. I think maybe on Tues Oct 5 but I am not sure. There may even be a spot left if you are at all interested.

Judy wrote: "How cool is that! I think I wish I were going - except I have plans already for that time. The 30th is my birthday, and Jaci (niece) and I are going on a quilt shop-hop which means we're doing a lo..."

The 30th is my birthday
Happy birthday early Judy. I know I won't remember when the time gets closer. Have fun on you shop hop. I wish you were coming to the retreat. I would love to meet you.

I just finished a baby quilt top. Hope to get it sandwiched today so I can start quilting. After I finish this one my DD has put in an order for 2 baby quilts and a lap quilt. Says she needed them yesterday...LOL> She does that all the time.

Good luck with all the quilts you have to make Nancy!

The update here is both the shower doors and the granite vanity top are to be installed tomorrow. Kris has only a couple of other things to do in that bathroom, and then he's finished. His plan is to start on my bathroom on Monday. I really don't think it will take more than a week to do it especially since he knows what he's doing now with the shower and I won't have the granite for the countertop. On the other hand, I do have the shower doors, but those can't be measured until the tiles are in the shower. I think I'm beginning of the end!

I was all ready to go to Sheridan to deliver the quilt top to the quilter and have lunch with my friend yesterday. Kathy, my friend, called Tuesday afternoon and told me she was in the hospital. She and her DH were coming off the mountain after checking on a dam and were in an accident. Kathy broke her back. This is the same Kathy for whom I made the flannel quilt last year because she had breast cancer. The break, however, is apparently a clean break and she's not paralyzed. Praise God! She has to wear a back brace for 6 weeks. I cancelled the trip to Sheridan, took the quilt back to the quilt store, and someone will take it up when they go. I only need to have it finished by Christmas.

Judy I will place Kathy on my prayer list. Thankfully it isn't as bad as it could be.

Glad to hear that the renovations are moving along at a good pace. Maybe you will have your home to yourself soon.

From your lips to God's ears, Nancy, for the remodeling. Thanks for adding Kathy to your prayer list!

The shower doors and granite were both installed today. They look beautiful! Unfortunately, Kris didn't do what he said he was going to do so the bathroom isn't finished.

Judy And the remodel saga continues. As I recall you had the same problem with your last remodel.

Except last year I didn't get angry; this year I did. I talked to Randy, Kris' dad, tonight. He's coming over tomorrow. My feeling is Kris owes me an apology for not doing what he said he would do. We'll see what happens tomorrow. It just all kind of makes me sick to my stomach!

Hopefully tomorrow will be better. Good luck.

If I can get to sleep tonight, it will! Thanks, Nancy. I just hate to get into these kinds of situations. I don't particularly like to reprimand people or to cause them to get angry, but there was no way around this one. The granite and the shower doors look great, though!

Now I'm headed for bed. I'm reading the last of the Beatrix Potter books by Susan Wittig Albert. I love those books, and I'm sorry to see the series end.

Enjoy your book and have a goodnights sleep. Tomorrow will look brighter. It seems that some people never grow up and take responsibility for their actions.

Well, I didn't sleep very well. I woke up at 3:55, wide awake, so I got up and read for about an hour; then I went back to bed and to sleep. Today I have absolutely no energy.

Randy came over this afternoon. I think we have things worked out. He's going to talk to Kris about his work habits (my words, not his). Hopefully we'll get this project finished! I really do believe that Kris is one of the best if not the best carpenter in Gillette. The problem is he doesn't have his priorities straight.

I did finished The Tale of Cottage Castle. Like I said before, I'm sorry to see this series end.

My goodness Judy, things just keep on happening don't they? It is so frustrating to have promises made, expectations set and then someone drops the ball. It makes for gritting teeth, seething and frustrations galore. I am glad to read you are working things out.

Things are pretty calm here in Wenatchee. The newspaper wrote last week that we set a record of not hitting triple digits once this summer. Well, the last few days we have. It's been as hot as 103 degrees on our patio. Today the forecast is for 98 degrees. Next week it is supposed to drop off considerably.

I worked at the quilt shop Friday and Saturday this week. It's been a couple of months since I've done that. There were lots of travelers coming through town. Leavenworth is having their annual quilt shop and many had come over for that.

I started The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilter. Several on-line bloggers started it in June doing two blocks a week. I had the book and wanted to find something to make using DS Quilts fabric from Jo~Anns, so I dove in. I'm doing four blocks a week until I am caught up with everyone. One lady put all of the blocks into EQ and made paper foundation patterns out of all 111 blocks. That helps alot with those odd shaped pieces in some blocks. Marti Michell also figured out the majority of the blocks using her templates. I used to teach Marti Michell's Marti and Me Club at the quilt shop so I have most of her templates, so that has helped as well. Call me a bit silly for adding ANOTHER project to my every growing list. But, it's all fun.

I want to read the Beatrix Potter series. It sounds delightful.

The good news is the remodeling is coming right along. It was a little tense on Monday when Kris showed up, but he's showing up earlier than he was; he's not taking 2-hour lunches; and he's staying until 4:30 or 5. I think he'll be finished with my bathroom by this weekend. Well, everything except the doors. These have to be made I think because of the height, and the glass people couldn't measure until the tiles were up in the shower.

In the meantime, I'm using Glenn's bathroom. I absolutely love his shower! The one drawback is if you hit the button for the body sprays while you're in the shower, you about go through the other wall. That is some cold water that comes out of there! LOL!

I've been working on a wall hanging I got from a quilt shop in Alaska. I think the store is called Robin's Place. If anyone wants the URL, I'll look it up. The quilt is hydrangeas, and they will have Swarovski (sp) crystals in some of the flowers.

Tomorrow my niece Jaci (member of this group) is coming over from Rapid City, SD. We're getting up bright and early Friday morning and going on our own designed shop hop. First we're headed to Greybull which is were Big Horn Quilts is located. Greybull is about 3.5 hours from here. From Greybull we'll head to Sheridan which is about 2 hours. On our way back to Gillette (which is about 1.5 hours from Sheridan) we'll stop in Buffalo at the quilt store there. Luckily, I know where most of the Starbucks/coffee shops are along the way! It should be a pretty drive if nothing else. We cross the Bighorn Mountains 2 times - 1st time toward the south of the range and the 2nd farther north. It's also suppose to be really nice weather-wise!

Of course I'm reading. Jaci initially bought the Wine Country mystery books. The 5th one came out last month, I think. I should finish it tonight.

So, what's going on with all of you?

Quilting retreats? Sounds heavenly.

I'm counting down the days before our departure from Cameroon. 13 days sounds like a month right now because time has managed to stand still.

Closing up work stuff is coming along, and the packing is getting there. I have to cut a few more pieces of local fabric I need to finish my two current quilts and then I'll pack that up to bring back. I figured cutting the pieces now would cut on the suitcase space. And by doing that I can indulge a bit and purchase a bit more fabric instead! Not that I need to now since my mother-in-law said she would gift me her stash of Asian-inspired fabric (a purchase from the Ephrata, WA shop when she came to visit us in Moses Lake years ago!). I'm quite excited about it. Any suggestions for patterns that would work well?

I am trying to read "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese, but it's a little heavy right now. Not sure I will manage to finish it. Another volunteer gave me her copy of "White Woman on a Green Bicycle" by Monique Roffey which I cam keeping for the 30+hours trip back. Very much looking forward to reading it - should make the trip go by faster (I hope!). Can't bring quilting on the plane which would be nice and pass the time well enough. They will surely confiscate that at airport security. Or tell me to pay a fine/bribe for taking "local products" out of the country or some other such nonsense. Best to stick to reading. ;-)

counting the days, counting the days...

I can hear your excitement in your posting, Caroline! I'm excited for you!

Things are moving right along here, too. Kris is almost finished with my bathroom. The shower system is in, the vanity, bowl, and faucet as well as the mirror and light are in. He has to make a cabinet with door to go into the side wall by the door for my medicine cabinet and hang the other towel bar, I think. He also needs to grout a couple of floor tiles in both bathrooms.

I did receive a phone call from the furniture store today. All the bedroom furniture is in. Unfortunately, we're not ready for it. So, they will keep it until I call and schedule an appointment for the delivery.

Jaci and I had a great time last Friday. We left here at about 6 a.m. and got to Big Horn Quilts about 10:30. Along the way we saw a real cow tipping! We think she caught her hoof on the guardrail when she tried to jump from the road to the grass. We both saw all 4 hooves up in the air! It was crazy! We also saw about 14 dead raccoons along the way.

So, we bought fabric in Greybull and in Sheridan. We ate at an A&W Rootbeer stand in Greybull - the kind that has the drive-in slots with the menu you order through. We almost had to wait for the homecoming parade to pass in Greybull, too - not that it would have been that long of a wait, but still. We also went to the yard shop in Sheridan, and we got home about 6 p.m. It was a long but fun day!

Now I've been working on a wall hanging of hydrangeas. It is really pretty but labor intensive. Hard to believe that September is about over!

I am all packed and ready to go to WA for quilting retreat. Leave VA on Friday morning. So excited.

Have a great time, Nancy! Take lots of pictures to share. Say hi to those I know, please!

Nancy wrote: "I am all packed and ready to go to WA for quilting retreat. Leave VA on Friday morning. So excited."

I'm excited you are coming Nancy! The quilt shop here is Wenatchee is looking forward to having all of you come for a visit on Tuesday!!

Judy wrote: "Have a great time, Nancy! Take lots of pictures to share. Say hi to those I know, please!"

Judy I will definitely tell everyone hello for you. I know that I will be taking lots of pics. Now I will just need to figure out how to post them to this site...LOL>

Kathryn I am looking forward to meeting you as well. See you Tuesday with credit card in hand...LOL