Friday Mish-mash& Dust

Yesterday I worked a little one these. Whatever these are. I haven't been able to decide what I'm doing. There are moments, like now, when I wish I were an organized and focused person. At this age, it's unlikely to change so here is my current UFO. When our company is gone I will play around with them and see what pops into the picture.

Today I'm spending time with my least favorite thing in the house. The Super Sucker. I have back problems so a morning spent with this is followed by a little lay-down and a bunch of Extra Strength Tylenol. I really had no choice though since the dust bunnies were asking for lunch. Our friends are coming tomorrow for a couple of days and since I really like them, the bunnies had to go. They both work jobs outside the home and they're 2 of the easiest folks to have visit that you can imagine. Very down to earth and not at all concerned with things being just so. I love them. It was pretty funky around here though so now, at least when they pull out a chair, they won't get a pile of fluff and thread.

We are currently planning our vacation which is usually to Bar Harbor Maine. This year, wonder of wonders, our son James has a couple of weeks off right then and has decided that it is fun to be with Mom & Dad again. They do grow up eventually don't they? His girlfriend Dani will be in College so we didn't think he would want to go. He really hasn't had a vacation in several years due to working and school so I'm not that surprised that a week away with anyone is appealing. Our summer vacation used to be in Lake George or Vermont while he was still in grade school. We vacationed with friends who have a s couple of sons and it was a big troop movement back then. We may split this one up and go back to Lake George for a couple of days-who knows. We're kinda seat-of-the-pants travelers. There are a million places to stay in Lake George and after the season there is no problem with a room for a couple of nights mid-week. Bar Harbor sends us a reminder that it's almost time for our yearly visit and so that's not a problem either. In Lake George we can rent a boat and, of course, James wants to visit the arcades. I can do that for a time or 2. There is always the "Minihaha" paddle wheeler for a days outing and miniature golf galore. I'm looking forward to this. It should be fun. All of this is at the end of September so I have time to get my stuff together. It will make September, and Dee, a very busy girl.

My husband has a bunch of unused vacation days coming to him at work and is taking next week off so I'm not sure what we are doing. I may get time to blog and maybe not. In the mean time. I hope you have a safe, healthy, and fun Labor Day weekend.

Jelly Rolls & Stuff

Sorry I've been away for so long. I can't believe that it's been more than a week since I wrote anything. Where does the time disappear to? Down the rabbit hole...

I have gotten a lot of things done. Some work on things I have to finish for various gifts and such. I had placed an order with Hancock's of Paducah and they seem to be sending me the items one at a time...day by day. I've still got a couple of items coming and they will be here soon. Why do they send out catalogs and not have enough stock on hand? The same thing happens with clothing catalogs. I get them one day-call the next and they tell you they're out of stock. One day later. Better than that is when you get a notice a week later in the mail that your item will be shipped next month. AGH!

Anyway, have I mentioned how very much I love the jelly rolls? They are so pretty and you can do a bunch of things with them and then a bunch of things with the scraps from them. Observe...scrap happiness. I made these little wall hangings by sewing strip leftovers together and some leftover lattice in between. Cute, No?? What I really like is that you get to use up every little bit instead of making yet another little baggie of leftover bits. In the Closet of Shame, I am the Queen of Leftover Bit Bags. I went through some of them recently and wondered just why I thought it was a good idea to even save some of the tiny bits. Happy to say, I closed my eyes took a deep breath and tossed a couple of bags of bits. Unless I manage to pull off a miracle, I will never get as many years to make quilts as was in that big bin of baggies.

Last week was my friend Pam's birthday. We celebrated at her house since she is still recovering from knee surgery. It was a very nice little gathering.

Labor Day weekend will be a busy one. Our friends from PA are coming Saturday and leaving Monday morning. They are very active people-always running here and there to see what's new and different since the last time they came. He is one of Roger's friends from grade school and so they like to go and see what's up around here to remind them why they don't live in NY. They have a very large and lovely home in the northwestern PA mountains with a huge piece of property. Only a few homes up there with them and it's really beautiful. Except when the weather sets in for winter. The ride into town is all downhill and twisty and curvy. On a good night in summer it's a challenge. Very dark and sharp turns. Rich drives at top speed like he's racing at Le Mans and it's a real experience to ride along with him. That'll get your heart pumping! Anyway, as you might imagine, the cost of living there and the cost here are great topics of conversation. I love them dearly and can't wait to see them even though Rich is a little like the Tasmanian Devil. It really makes Roger happy as well since most of the people who he was friends with have moved so far away. Blast from the past.

I am gathering some fabric that I know I will never use for quilts and was looking for a good home for it. The I ran across this blog. Sonnja makes little stuffed bears for children in Africa. It's a lovely thing to do and she is always happy to get some fabric to make the bears. For some reason I can't seem to make the link work so scroll down my links on the right and you will see Sonnja's name. I will send off a box of fabric to her this week. Every little kindness helps.

Well, I hear a knock on the door and it is probably the telephone repairman. Our phone has been filled with so much static for a couple of weeks that you can't hear a thing anyone says. Not a good thing for someone who blew out her ear drums with too much loud rock&roll.

Talk to you later.