Week 26 Stash Report

Judy indicated this week is the half way point. My use of fabric is behind my goal of 100 yards, but at least I am not adding much fabric to my stash. This week has been hot, hot, hot! Storms have also taken out the electric several time in the past few weeks. One time from about 1 am to nearly 1pm.

I did some sewing this past week, but it was for others and some not much fun. I hemmed two pairs of jogging type pants and am now working on a simple curtain. I could not find the thread color I needed a couple of nights ago or the curtain would be done and out of the house. Now my goal is to get it done by Thursday when they come home for a while.

This week may be busy with all the Freedom Fest activities, but who knows what we will actually watch. We have tickets for the concert and fireworks on the 4th, but weather will be a factor I'm sure. I am not going to sit outside if it is really hot and humid.

Here is this weeks report.

Fabric used this week: 0 yards

Fabric bought this week: 0 yards

Fabric used this YTD 23 5/8yards

Fabric bought YTD 1 3/4yard

Stash busted YTD 21 7/8 yards

Week 24 Stash Report

I have not made a report for several weeks due to the fact that everything stayed the same. While we were on our trip I asked to stop at a Bernina Dealership that was located near the Eastside Mall in Madison, WI. We went to where we remembered it being located and different stores we in the building. I wanted to purchase a couple of pigma pens and a Clover White Marking pen. I thought I was going to be good by not going to a place that sells fabric.

Well as you can see below I went to a quilt shop and purchased 3 fat quarters. I went to Mill House Quilts in Waunakee, WI. Check their web site here and then you can congratulate me on only making the purchases in the picture.
Fabric used this week: 0 yards

Fabric bought this week: 3/4 yard

Fabric used this YTD 23 5/8yards

Fabric bought YTD 1 3/4yard

Stash busted YTD 21 7/8 yards

I was very, very good, because I still had some of my birthday money!
Peggy

"The Rest of the Story" About Our Trip

Bill and my trip started with attending my Aunt Shirley's funeral. Since we had already traveled from Kentucky to NW Indiana we decided to continue on north to visit with relatives and friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Every move was planned before we left home and all went well. The weather was so nice with the cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Spring flowers were just blooming and the farmer's crops were either just being planet or had just started to green up the ground with their glory. The winter wheat was still growing and a vivid green.

We spent the first night near Bill's home town so we could go to the bakery in Bloomington, WI early to see friends and relatives before they started their work day. I love the bread at the bakery, so I had some wheat toast with my breakfast and also bought two loafs to take with us.

Our adventure really started after we left Bloomington early in the afternoon. We first took the River Road on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi north to LaCrosse WI. Then we crossed the Mississippi into Minnesota and continued following the river on the opposite side. Late in the afternoon we stopped in Wabasha, MN. This is the town that the movie "Grumpy Old Men" was based. We were disappointed to find out that the movie was not filmed there, but just based on some of the activities, people and places in the area. I wish we had more time to spend in the area, but we had to move on.

Our destination that night was Hugo, MN where we stayed with friends. We really just enjoyed each other's company due to the fact that Mark had only been out of the hospital a few weeks after having bypass surgery. Debby and Mark's home was so comfortable and the cats welcomed us to the point of one sleeping with Bill and I the second night. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the lovely weather. Bill and I were both amazed at how late in the evening the sun was still shining and how early the sun was peaking through our window in the morning.

When we left MN we headed back to WI. We met Bill's son at a restaurant in Sauk City. He had an appointment there later in the day. Then we went on to DeForest to watch grandson Devin's baseball game. Devin is 11, so the ball skills are really starting to delevop enough in the kids to make the games exciting to watch.

As soon as Devin's game was over we headed to our destination for the evening. We were spending a couple of night's at Bill's nephew Eric and his girlfriend Melisa's
home. This was arranged so we could see Bill's sister Phyllis, niece Kelly, niece Jody and Bill's God Son Mitchell. Bill's son also joined us for the day, so we talked....talked...laughed and just enjoyed each other's company.

Now for what I call the rest of the story. The picture above shows what the front of our van is to look like....minus all the bugs.
This is what it looks like now, after a baby racoon and us met on the road. As you know today's cars are molded and that little hole is between a $1600 and $1700 to have repaired. The condensor was bent and will need to be replaced. Also the boot that keeps the drips from the air conditioner out of the interior of the van is missing. So until we get the van fixed the rug under my feet will be wet. That is unless the humidity and temperature drastically drops here in KY and that is not likely to happen.

We did manage to go to the Farmer's Market on the Square in downtown Madison WI. We didn't buy much, only things we can not grow or get in KY. Two bundles of fresh Rhubarb, a pound of Asparagus and some cheese.

We spent the rest of Saturday with JR and family. Devin spent the night with us in the motel and he went to the indoor swimming pool twice. He wanted to stay there longer in the pool, but I knew we needed to meet his parents early in the morning so we could have breakfast together and Bill and I could be on our way home.

Bill and I took turns driving home. Actually Bill did most of the driving and I slept. I did drive a few hours while Bill took a nap. We sure hated to leave WI. I have one more item to tell you about, but that will be in my post Sunday.

Peggy

Shirley Fae Aumiller

Bill and I recently returned from a trip. It was an unplanned trip, but not a surprise trip. My Aunt Shirley passed away at the age of 90 years and I think 348 days. Normally I would not post obituaries, but this one was so well written by her daughter I have included the link here. I don't know how long it will be on line, but it is well worth reading. It also includes her picture which shows so much of her personality.

My Aunt Shirley was a kind woman. She enjoyed people and always had a smile on her face when you stopped by to see her and her family. We stopped by unexpected one day to discover that my Uncle and her were remodeling the house. I'm sure my parents knew they were working on the house, but I did not know. If any of you have taken down plaster walls I am sure you are aware of the dust and mess it makes. Not in their house! Some how they managed to keep the house clean while remodeling! I remember her house was always neat, clean and shiny. The yard was well cared for also.

I don't know if this is correct, but in the back of my mind I remember my Aunt Shirley playing baseball at one of our family picnics. She also joined many of the relatives in active...and I recall noisy, games of bunco.

My parents, Bill and I were at her 90th birthday party last year. She was so happy to see those who were able to attend. Bill and I were very happy to be able to take my (Dad and Mom) to see his sister one last time while both were still able to enjoy each other's company.

My cousin Shirley Jean had kept us informed about her mother's decline. It was my job to keep my Dad informed. A few days before she died I told my Dad that Aunt Shirley was very near to her death. Seeing that my Dad spent time with my Aunt when he was young I noticed he was emotional about the announcement. When I learned about her death Bill and I went up to tell my parents. At first my Dad showed little emotion and started to talk, but then said I will tell you something tomorrow and started to cry. The next day he told us that Aunt Shirley came to visit him during the night before she had died. So he was not surprised she passed. Bill asked if they had a nice conversation and he said they did. They were very close even if the two of them didn't see much of each other after both left NW Indiana.

I feel fortunate to have know my Aunt Shirley and know that she is now resting in peace in Heaven with our Lord, his son and the rest of the family who proceeded her.

Stash Report

Mine stash has not changed at all for weeks on end. I have been busy sewing a quilt for Quilting Treasures for them to show at Market. ( http://magicthimblecreations.blogspot.com/2009/05/busy-month.html ) Judy's rules indicated that we don't count that fabric that came in and most of it went out again. Also with it being spring the garden had to be planted. We also had company and took a trip with them to Talladega, AL so most of them could go to the NASCAR races. I stayed with Bill's nephew's family and watched it on TV.

I have been very good to resist going to a friend's home to get fabrics that are being given away. My friend is in a nursing home with multiple problems including her memory. She will spend the rest of her life there, so her husband is going through her stuff and giving away things that their immediate family does not want. He offered it first to the local quilt guilds and the remaining sewing craft stuff is going to a charity store we have in town. So all of her stuff will be going to good causes.

Peggy

A busy month

It has almost been a month since I last posted. For those of you who know me I think you know why I have not posted. This spring has been a rather wet one in KY and whenever we could get outside we were mowing, gardening, repairing things that got broken etc. While in the house it was the usual stuff of cooking, cleaning, laundry and we had company plus we took a short trip with the company.

Beside all the normal spring stuff we had to take our dog into the veterinarian because she was bit on the leg by a poisonous snake. We caught it in time so she didn't have any permanent damage, but she did spend 2 days in the hospital and 2 days in the kennel because we had no way to keep her contained. He hind leg was bit, it swelled up and was tender. She responded well and is just fine now. Five days after we picked up our dog she had a seizure. It was unrelated to the snake bit, but she did go back to the veterinarian on an emergency call just to be sure she was alright. We brought her home the same evening and she has been fine ever since.

I also made a quilt for Quilting Treasures to display at Market that just happened in Pittsburgh. The picture we took of the quilt before sending it off isn't very good, but I will post it for you to see. The fabric will come out in August and is called Pink Ribbon Signature Collection II by Karen Neuburger. It is soft pinks, blues, yellows and white with butterflies, flowers, dots and the breast cancer ribbon. I love the designs and managed to use each of the 12 fabrics from the collection in one quilt. I posted the EQ image and then the bad picture of the real quilt.

It us beyond me why I have an undeline now. The color was also blue and print was bold. I could fix that, but not the underline. So I will end for now.

Peggy

Quilt Show Conversations

Bill and I had to make a trip to town today to pick up some things before our trip to Alabama. We also attended a meeting this morning concerning our neighborhood, but that is another story all together. Due to the meeting we ended up in town at lunch time. Normally we have coffee in town between the breakfast and lunch crowd, so those eating lunch today were not the people we normally visit with in the mornings. The restaurant was busy so we took an end table for one or two people. The tables in the restaurant are set close to each other and it is difficult to not hear what the conversation is at the next table. So this is what happened at the next table of 3 people when we sat down. It ended up being 4 people at the table 3 men and a woman.

The man sitting close to Bill was talking about the winning quilt at the AQS Quilt show being held in Paducah this week. He knew all about the quilt, who made it, where she was from, that she was arriving today, how long it took her to make the quilt etc. I didn't really think that was so unusual to hear that conversation, but then he continued to talk saying "I really want to see that quilt. The last time I went to the show it was so much fun. Everyone is so talented and friendly." That also was not unusual, but then he continued: "I think I will go tomorrow. Everyone is so much nicer then those at the "Harley Davidson Rally".

I have never been to a Harley Rally, but I know many who have attended them. Everyone seemed to come back and indicate they enjoyed the get together. I am glad to know at least in this man's eyes that quilters are nice, have talent and he enjoys our art. The third man came back to the table and they left, so I didn't have the oportunity to talk with the man, but I am happy to share what he had to say.

I have attended many of the AQS shows, but had to stop due to allergies to the building. I can't wait to hear reports from everyone about the new improvements at the Cherry Convention Center and the Executive Inn. Maybe I will be able to attend in the future if it is as nice as the news media said it is now.

More later,
Peggy