...RAIN!
[hearts and angels]
8.27.2013
8.23.2013
Go figure
Got up this morning and the temperature in the house was a little chilly. It wasn't horrible by a long shot, but decidedly cooler than I would have thought the boys would let it get. Of course, when I wandered down the hallway to turn the fan off I found their bedroom ceiling fans still turning (against house rules), and both of them cuddled under the summer-weight blankets (and anything else they could find) on their respective beds. HA!
Their rooms are right under the attic fan we use to cool down the house, and over the last few days (and throughout this heat wave) we have utilized the lovely old beast to its full potential. Bliss!
Still, I can't understand (even after several discussions) why neither of them flipped the switch on the fan once they began to shiver sometime during the night; nor why they left their ceiling fans on; nor why they didn't simply slide their windows shut while they lie in bed freezing.
Go figure.
But I'll go you one better. I got up to 'fix' things, and found I needed to turn on the floor fans in the lower level and in the living room despite the lovely 65*F throughout the house. Without the circulation happening from the large attic fan, I was not as comfortable as I would have thought - even with a steady sixty-five degrees!
Go figure....indeed.
Their rooms are right under the attic fan we use to cool down the house, and over the last few days (and throughout this heat wave) we have utilized the lovely old beast to its full potential. Bliss!
Still, I can't understand (even after several discussions) why neither of them flipped the switch on the fan once they began to shiver sometime during the night; nor why they left their ceiling fans on; nor why they didn't simply slide their windows shut while they lie in bed freezing.
Go figure.
But I'll go you one better. I got up to 'fix' things, and found I needed to turn on the floor fans in the lower level and in the living room despite the lovely 65*F throughout the house. Without the circulation happening from the large attic fan, I was not as comfortable as I would have thought - even with a steady sixty-five degrees!
Go figure....indeed.
8.21.2013
For you relatives who drop in occasionally
My mom asked me to write a handful of folks (relatives) to let them know how she was doing, and to also inform them that she would be offline and fairly unreachable by phone for a bit.
So I did this.
I was to let them know she wouldn't be jumping to her feet to answer the phone, and that sitting at her PC to correspond would be next to impossible for her (for the foreseeable future). I was to let them know this so they wouldn't be worried or offended or upset should they not receive responses from her in a timely fashion.
Well, I did it in my way, BCC-ing those on the list. It's just what I do (a holdover from my corporate days), and apparently some peoples took this as a personally pointed message - an affront, if you will. Their panties are in a bunch and mom is probably on a couple of poop lists because of it.
Well...I'm sorry!
If you're ticked off, if you're a little honking mad at my messages, well...then blame me, and leave mom out of your nasty little blah, blah, wah, wah sessions. Do what one person did and respond with a nastygram to me. I can handle it, and it's totally my issue anyhow.
But g e e z, try a little understanding and stop taking everything so personally maybe, will ya? The world doesn't revolve around you, because it's too busy in my orbit. [schmarmy sarcasm intended]
So I did this.
I was to let them know she wouldn't be jumping to her feet to answer the phone, and that sitting at her PC to correspond would be next to impossible for her (for the foreseeable future). I was to let them know this so they wouldn't be worried or offended or upset should they not receive responses from her in a timely fashion.
Well, I did it in my way, BCC-ing those on the list. It's just what I do (a holdover from my corporate days), and apparently some peoples took this as a personally pointed message - an affront, if you will. Their panties are in a bunch and mom is probably on a couple of poop lists because of it.
Well...I'm sorry!
If you're ticked off, if you're a little honking mad at my messages, well...then blame me, and leave mom out of your nasty little blah, blah, wah, wah sessions. Do what one person did and respond with a nastygram to me. I can handle it, and it's totally my issue anyhow.
But g e e z, try a little understanding and stop taking everything so personally maybe, will ya? The world doesn't revolve around you, because it's too busy in my orbit. [schmarmy sarcasm intended]
8.18.2013
That was an experience
I returned late last night from Grand Rapids, where I walked my third quilt show (although this particular show was a LARGE international deal-i-o). Karl attended with me, and I had the good company of friends Barb and Jean...but we missed my darling friend Maria.
There were SO many quilts, not just the contest-involved quilts, but three or four additional collections to view. Then there were the vendors; one for every brand of long arm machine available on the market, and three-hundred others! What did they sell, you ask. Well, if you can imagine it, and it has anything to do with quilting, sewing, needlework of all kinds (and some crafting, bleh), then it was there!
The biggest thrill was obviously seeing my "Peace Quilt 1" hanging on display, and I probably spent a good deal of my time just listening to the comments of others and watching them take photos of it.
Don't know that I will enter many more contests in the future, but I will make my way to see more in the future.
There were SO many quilts, not just the contest-involved quilts, but three or four additional collections to view. Then there were the vendors; one for every brand of long arm machine available on the market, and three-hundred others! What did they sell, you ask. Well, if you can imagine it, and it has anything to do with quilting, sewing, needlework of all kinds (and some crafting, bleh), then it was there!
The biggest thrill was obviously seeing my "Peace Quilt 1" hanging on display, and I probably spent a good deal of my time just listening to the comments of others and watching them take photos of it.
Don't know that I will enter many more contests in the future, but I will make my way to see more in the future.
8.15.2013
8.13.2013
Who knew?
Yesterday was "Middle Child Day," - but I am only learning of it now?!?!
Another government cover-up?
;v)
Another government cover-up?
;v)
8.12.2013
The skunks are at it, again
I am not certain why we are experiencing another onslaught of skunk aroma this morning, but the odor began around 5:30 this morning, and has only grown stronger (a.k.a. WORSE) over the last hour or so.
Usually this only happens in the spring around mating season, but apparently the lil' varmints have decided to give it another go for the year. (?)
Pew!
Usually this only happens in the spring around mating season, but apparently the lil' varmints have decided to give it another go for the year. (?)
Pew!
8.11.2013
Rhymes with....
Most people on FB suck big (rhymes with 'kicks'). Seriously, this is why I began eliminating them from my 'friends' list. HA! It's growing smaller.
Greater MI disappointments
Well, they abound, those MI disappointments.
I guess I've always known I could count on being let down by my MI relatives - e v e r y time.
You know that story, "Man Without a Country"? Well, I am a woman without a family. Good to know I have some things I can truly always count on.
Some people have probably just realized (or not) that they've been eliminated from the ol' FB page. Happy day for you all! Merry Christmas.
I guess I've always known I could count on being let down by my MI relatives - e v e r y time.
You know that story, "Man Without a Country"? Well, I am a woman without a family. Good to know I have some things I can truly always count on.
Some people have probably just realized (or not) that they've been eliminated from the ol' FB page. Happy day for you all! Merry Christmas.
8.09.2013
If wishes were fishes
Or something like that.
However, I wonder:
If wishes were fishes, does that mean my garage would be full of fish? I mean, if every time someone wished for something - anything - would they still only get a fish?
However, I wonder:
If wishes were fishes, does that mean my garage would be full of fish? I mean, if every time someone wished for something - anything - would they still only get a fish?
8.07.2013
You Nancy Sinatra devotees will get the musical reference
"...and then I went and spoiled it all
by sayin' somethin' stupid like...
...the weather's been nice."
[kicks over a chair on the way out of the room]
by sayin' somethin' stupid like...
...the weather's been nice."
[kicks over a chair on the way out of the room]
Yes, more weather-driven blogging
It's been glorious over the last week+ (since returning from the U.P.). Color the weather 'delightful'. Never too warm; rain insufficient enough to take little notice of; nights perfect for sleeping. *Aaaaahhh*
It's even been cool enough to annoy the mosquito population! Take that, you bloodsuckers!
Time has passed s-l-o-w-l-y for me following the shipping of my beloved PQ1 to Paducah, KY. In little less than one week, my quilt will be on display to the world (essentially) - after all this time! I am excited, nervous, hopeful, fearful, failing-blase'. I am going to relish next Saturday for the milestone marker in my life that it will be!
I hope some of you will be able to make it to Grand Rapids, MI to see the AQS International QuiltWeek Contest and Show at the DeVos Showplace. You'd better believe I will be there!
And now, back to the weather.
It's even been cool enough to annoy the mosquito population! Take that, you bloodsuckers!
Time has passed s-l-o-w-l-y for me following the shipping of my beloved PQ1 to Paducah, KY. In little less than one week, my quilt will be on display to the world (essentially) - after all this time! I am excited, nervous, hopeful, fearful, failing-blase'. I am going to relish next Saturday for the milestone marker in my life that it will be!
I hope some of you will be able to make it to Grand Rapids, MI to see the AQS International QuiltWeek Contest and Show at the DeVos Showplace. You'd better believe I will be there!
And now, back to the weather.
8.05.2013
Challenges
A friend on a social network site challenged people to use one word to describe their 'ex.' Some folks answered directly and quickly, and some of them wrote paragraphs based on the answers of others.
I was neither of those; I asked whether or not I could hyphenate my answer - because one word was not going to accomplish the task.
Disappointing.
Underwhelming.
Philanderer (although "cheater" sounds clearer).
Abusive.
Drunkard.
Hurtful.
Lackluster.
Unfaithful.
Serial liar.
Uncommited.
Thoughtless.
Those are the most immediate thoughts which popped into my mind, but a more fitting word would be "regretful".
No, he has/had no regrets - rather, the regret is on my part.
I regret having continued with the marriage past the birth of my first son; I regret allowing my inlaws to sway my feelings to the point of closing my eyes to the big/bigger issues (a familial history of drinking to excess); I regret wanting to believe his lies and excuses when caught redhanded with evidence of cheating; I regret allowing myself to feel guilt with thoughts of leaving him to begin a happier life (which I should have done sooner); I regret marrying him in the first place, and not insisting upon one of several other options we could have embarked on (and no, abortion was not one of those).
So many regrets. More than I've listed here. More than I care to indulge in here, but this would be my list of words, any one of them appropriate, but not enough. Not completely, at any rate, but "regretful" comes closest, I suppose.
I am trying to put him out of my mind, trying to make up for lost time, trying to let go of those regrets.
This is a challenge.
I was neither of those; I asked whether or not I could hyphenate my answer - because one word was not going to accomplish the task.
Disappointing.
Underwhelming.
Philanderer (although "cheater" sounds clearer).
Abusive.
Drunkard.
Hurtful.
Lackluster.
Unfaithful.
Serial liar.
Uncommited.
Thoughtless.
Those are the most immediate thoughts which popped into my mind, but a more fitting word would be "regretful".
No, he has/had no regrets - rather, the regret is on my part.
I regret having continued with the marriage past the birth of my first son; I regret allowing my inlaws to sway my feelings to the point of closing my eyes to the big/bigger issues (a familial history of drinking to excess); I regret wanting to believe his lies and excuses when caught redhanded with evidence of cheating; I regret allowing myself to feel guilt with thoughts of leaving him to begin a happier life (which I should have done sooner); I regret marrying him in the first place, and not insisting upon one of several other options we could have embarked on (and no, abortion was not one of those).
So many regrets. More than I've listed here. More than I care to indulge in here, but this would be my list of words, any one of them appropriate, but not enough. Not completely, at any rate, but "regretful" comes closest, I suppose.
I am trying to put him out of my mind, trying to make up for lost time, trying to let go of those regrets.
This is a challenge.
8.04.2013
Check and check....and done!
Was able to prime and tape off the areas needing repainting last night, and got busy with the remaining processes this morning - early!
Painted the undercoat of color around nine or so, then cleaned up and busied myself with other things waiting for that to dry suffiently. I was watchful and worried that bubbling might occur again, so I tried to keep my mind off of it as I knew there would be nothing I could do about it if it did happen again.
Several hours later I started in on the LAST COAT! I even painted the wall socket covering for the phone/internet jack before cleaning up the second time! This was about an hour-and-one-half ago.
So far, so good. :)
Tonight Karl and I will move the furniture around into place and begin living with it in a new configuration; dining table in the space outside the library and the arm chairs into what might normally be considered a dining nook. We'll see how we all feel about it for a while, then if it proves too weird to live with, we'll put things back in a more normal placement (dining table in the nook and chairs in the living space).
Pictures will be hung shortly, then I will set about figuring out how to install something low-profile in nature for the purpose of hanging wall quilts along the wide open wallspace.
Woohoo!
Painted the undercoat of color around nine or so, then cleaned up and busied myself with other things waiting for that to dry suffiently. I was watchful and worried that bubbling might occur again, so I tried to keep my mind off of it as I knew there would be nothing I could do about it if it did happen again.
Several hours later I started in on the LAST COAT! I even painted the wall socket covering for the phone/internet jack before cleaning up the second time! This was about an hour-and-one-half ago.
So far, so good. :)
Tonight Karl and I will move the furniture around into place and begin living with it in a new configuration; dining table in the space outside the library and the arm chairs into what might normally be considered a dining nook. We'll see how we all feel about it for a while, then if it proves too weird to live with, we'll put things back in a more normal placement (dining table in the nook and chairs in the living space).
Pictures will be hung shortly, then I will set about figuring out how to install something low-profile in nature for the purpose of hanging wall quilts along the wide open wallspace.
Woohoo!
8.02.2013
Step one: Check
Have the plastering done - all of the patching is finished (hopefully). If it dries successfully before nightfall I will have it sanded and cleaned up....and ready for priming ASAP.
Oddly enough, today the color looks more brown than deep, deep purple - like the paint chip. Either way, I love the look of it.
Oddly enough, today the color looks more brown than deep, deep purple - like the paint chip. Either way, I love the look of it.
Catching up
I took the time yesterday to finish the paint job I began last week (before leaving to stay with mom), but ended up in tears.
Everything was moving along fine, then I began to peel the tape at the wall junctions and at the ceiling. Yup, you guessed it! The paint came of in large pieces along the ceiling, and by the time I could get it to stop, several inches were gone! Today will be a day of cleaning up the edges with a blade; using plaster to fill in and smooth it all over; sanding the dry compound; washing the wall down in those areas, then; priming the repaired spots and repainting.
Although, to be truthful with myself, the priming and painting will most likely happen tomorrow. Everything needs drying time, and I don't want any further issues with this paint job!!! Besides, there were also spots in the middle of the wall where it bubbled up and pealed, too, and those will need the same treatment. So I have enough to do with the filling and such to keep me from priming and painting today.
I don't know why this happened, since the first layer went on without any hitches or glitches - this just doesn't make any sense. It was/IS all very frustrating and disappointing, and I washed up everything in a flood of tears last night.
The boys had their own clean-up to attend to, since Hobbes lay down with her tail draped across the lid of the paint can! I couldn't believe it - the one time I grabbed the can to pour more paint in the tray and went right back to work without replacing the can lid!!! Really, Hobbes?!?!?!?
I'm still shaking my head over that one. I'll keep you updated on everything. Sadly. I won't get to move the furniture to it's experimental spots, but that's the breaks I s'pose. Of course, it also means there will be a further delay in hanging the art back on the walls and getting the new quilt pole hung as well.
[heavy sigh]
Everything was moving along fine, then I began to peel the tape at the wall junctions and at the ceiling. Yup, you guessed it! The paint came of in large pieces along the ceiling, and by the time I could get it to stop, several inches were gone! Today will be a day of cleaning up the edges with a blade; using plaster to fill in and smooth it all over; sanding the dry compound; washing the wall down in those areas, then; priming the repaired spots and repainting.
Although, to be truthful with myself, the priming and painting will most likely happen tomorrow. Everything needs drying time, and I don't want any further issues with this paint job!!! Besides, there were also spots in the middle of the wall where it bubbled up and pealed, too, and those will need the same treatment. So I have enough to do with the filling and such to keep me from priming and painting today.
I don't know why this happened, since the first layer went on without any hitches or glitches - this just doesn't make any sense. It was/IS all very frustrating and disappointing, and I washed up everything in a flood of tears last night.
The boys had their own clean-up to attend to, since Hobbes lay down with her tail draped across the lid of the paint can! I couldn't believe it - the one time I grabbed the can to pour more paint in the tray and went right back to work without replacing the can lid!!! Really, Hobbes?!?!?!?
I'm still shaking my head over that one. I'll keep you updated on everything. Sadly. I won't get to move the furniture to it's experimental spots, but that's the breaks I s'pose. Of course, it also means there will be a further delay in hanging the art back on the walls and getting the new quilt pole hung as well.
[heavy sigh]
8.01.2013
Mom, call me if you need me -
Well...hello!
Attempted to post yesterday, to update you all as to what's been transpiring in my life over the last week (or more), but blogger is again on the fritz. [primal growl] I am going to try and make this brief to avoid any further blogger BS for the day, so I hope you can read between the lines in this abbreviated report.
Arrived home from the U.P. two days ago in time to pick up Karl from his last day of summer semester. He had just taken his final and was ready to leave the building. He was expecting to see Jean there, as she had offered to drive the distance from Clio to Aub Hills to gather him if I couldn't make there myself. THANK YOU, JEAN!
Mom is mending after her [deleted for privacy's sake], that's where I was for the week. Besides that, the timing was right to be there for her birthday, too. Happy birthday, one more time, mom!
The week was a rainy one so I wasn't able to get out and weed whack her driveway (or around her flowerbeds), but it was neat to watch the clouds billowing over Lake Superior.
Brian is looking forward to the start of the Renaissance festival this month, and will be dividing his time between Lowe's during the week, the comic book shop in Fenton, and the festival on the weekends through September.
Thirteen days to go before the start of the quilt show/competition, and sixteen for me before I can attend it and then take my quilt entry home! Can't wait to see it hanging with other entries from around the world and from across the United States!
OK, so let's see if blogger will allow me to post this today, without issue.
Have a good day!
Attempted to post yesterday, to update you all as to what's been transpiring in my life over the last week (or more), but blogger is again on the fritz. [primal growl] I am going to try and make this brief to avoid any further blogger BS for the day, so I hope you can read between the lines in this abbreviated report.
Arrived home from the U.P. two days ago in time to pick up Karl from his last day of summer semester. He had just taken his final and was ready to leave the building. He was expecting to see Jean there, as she had offered to drive the distance from Clio to Aub Hills to gather him if I couldn't make there myself. THANK YOU, JEAN!
Mom is mending after her [deleted for privacy's sake], that's where I was for the week. Besides that, the timing was right to be there for her birthday, too. Happy birthday, one more time, mom!
The week was a rainy one so I wasn't able to get out and weed whack her driveway (or around her flowerbeds), but it was neat to watch the clouds billowing over Lake Superior.
Brian is looking forward to the start of the Renaissance festival this month, and will be dividing his time between Lowe's during the week, the comic book shop in Fenton, and the festival on the weekends through September.
Thirteen days to go before the start of the quilt show/competition, and sixteen for me before I can attend it and then take my quilt entry home! Can't wait to see it hanging with other entries from around the world and from across the United States!
OK, so let's see if blogger will allow me to post this today, without issue.
Have a good day!
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