POP POP FIZZ FIZZ

Oh what a relief it is!!!!

* Feel almost 100%!!

* Michelle's taxes are done!!

* Studio is 98% clean!!

* Caught up on all BOM's!!!

* Our taxes are done!!!

* Semi packed for upcoming retreat!!

--Now this week I have to:

--work

--finish cleaning up the house

--finish retreat packing

--get those tests done Friday morning

--travel
--meet friends for lunch

--retreat

Is it FRIDAY yet?????????

Irene

School is in session

for the 2011-2012 year. Am having trouble readjusting to going to bed at 9:30 and getting up at 4:30! Would much rather stay up late (yes, I've always been a night owl) and then sleep in. It's hard when hubby stays up until 1-2 AM then sleeps until 9-10 AM, but that's been his sleep routine for about forty years!

Kids so far are wonderful. It's not always easy adjusting to new a new bus driver, getting up earlier, and a new school routine for the NINETEEN seventh graders I have! But they/we are working it out. New kindergardeners have been dry-eyed so far-pray it stays that way!

I have been slowing setting up my studio. Not everything is moved in yet, but come on, I HAVE to be able to sew/quilt between routes or I'll totally go insane! It's far from being the way I am envisioning it, but at least I can cut and sew!! Maybe over the holiday weekend i can get some of the kids to help finish the moving? Will see........

Not what I had planned

on doing today!!

I wanted to keep working on my snowball blocks between loads of laundry, etc. But, while runnning a few errands this morning, Hubby and I decided to stop at the local produce stand. Seeing all the green beans she had, reminded me that I needed to order some to can and stock the shelves for winter......was very surprised to find out she had extra today and I came home with a bushel of green beans! Hubby helped clean and snap them or I'd still be at it! So, three families will have beans to eat this winter if nothing else!

Now, next week I can sew?????

Fun Times

with an unplanned visit from friends! Got a phone call asking if they could visit for a few days??? DUH!! My house is a mess with packing boxes/newspapers/stacked boxes/etc.....but if you can deal with it, come on!!!

Today we visited two quilt shops and a craft store--lunch on the go and then pizza/salads for dinner.

Due to Amber having a flat tire, we got to see the son, Ryan, DIL, Amber and MS. Rylee to! I think this is the first Rylee actually saw me sewing. I walked away to press my project and this is what I found when I returned: (thankfully I had turn the machine off!!)

School's Out!!!!!

And I think I am once agian "amoung the living!" Every year the last month of school seems to get busier and busier! In the mist of all this Michelle finished up her Jr. year of college and had to be moved. I sadly missed the Ohio Quilter's Retreat because of this move. Unless something drastic happens, so won't have to move now until the end of her college life and depending on the job, she will stay where she's at.

Again, I helped out at the bus garage after school ended washing buses inside getitng them ready for State Inspection. Started with a list of 8, which grew to 15 then 16! Finished that up on Thursday morning then quickly headed to visit Ann before they found more! My arms and back are still achy, but it paid good and that's fabric money!!! :)

Now I intend to enjoy my summer off--at least for awhile!

oh boy......

...I have NO idea where the last month went!!!??!!! A lot of time was spent at my parents....My Dad is home and doing really well. Still have some problems regulating his morning sugar count, but that's something we are dealing with. And, the weather played some surprises on us...rain...hail...snow.... UCK!!!!! The other afternoon it was just snowing a few flakes at 2 when I went to work by 4 I could hardly see a quarter mile ahead! Then the next day it was sunny and 50!!! Awwww the joys of living in Ohio! :) As for sewing/quilting.....will catch up on that in a few.......

Just an update:

NO sewing
NO warm weather
NO school--again

It's been a wild ride this month! Due to this crazy Ohio weather, we have missed a lot of school or had delayed starts. Thus, my schedules are all messed up!! ggggrrrrrrr Today we are having another ice storm followed with snow. Kids have to move into their new home this weekend--not going to be a fun move! (huuummmm......maybe I could stay at home and watch Ms. Rylee instead of helping move???)

Dad is still in rehab---not progressing very fast, but making some progress.so we are taking it one-day-at-a-time. He wants to go home, but........

I think a nice hot cup of tea is in order so catch up with you later!

Wanna an icicle?

Lots of them on my bus even after sitting in the sun all day yesterday! Felt good getting out and about this morning even if it was to go to work!

Another day off work....

...due to the ice storm that came through overnight and they are calling for more ice and snow plus it's windy and cold!! Not very thrilled about it! Staying home and inside as long as the power doesn't go off.

I did get Michelle's taxes filed and ours started.....will finish later as the numbers were getting blurry! Needed a break so headed to the sewing studio..

Have 30 9-patch blocks made. Need to finish pressing them. Think tonight I'll sit and do some hand-work while watching TV......

Sure hope we can go to school tomorrow--I need people!!

Thanks for a great Sunday!

Hubby has been gone for nine days now......I've tried to keep busy and the kids have been a great help! After the fun Saturday Stacy and I had, I was sure Sunday would be a loooong day for me? NOT!

Amber (DIL) and Rylee (GD) came and got me and off we went! Headed to Canton. Met up with Michelle and Coty for lunch at . All the soup/salad/bread sticks you can eat just can't be beat, especially since it was still chilly outside!

After lunch we all headed over to Sam's Club---stocked up on some essentials then we were off for some dessert! Yummy ice cream at (Michelle works here).

All to soon it was time to head south again towards home :( but wait, the day isn't over yet! Stopped in at Amber's grandmother's--Ryan met us there--more relatives were gathered around so we started playing games...sure made time go fast! Had fun and a lot of laughs especially when Ryan decided we needed to play CandyLand!

THANKS to my awesome kids for keeping me company, especially when the days seem so long!

Gma has been "ucky!"

As Ms. Rylee says: "Gma has ucky!" The yearly fall allergies have hit me! Been dragging around with the "gunkies" now for two weeks! Hopefully on the mend if only the nasty "Yoder" after-illness-cough would go away! My Dad's family almost all have a cough for a week after being sick, and yep, I follow the trend! Have coughed so much my ribs hurt! Each day seems to be better so hopefully by the time the Swiss Festival rolls around this weekend I'll be able to join some of the festivities! So have been going to work then back on the recliner for downtime....time to kick this and get back on track!

Here's hoping you all are healthy and enjoying the early fall weather!

Back in the "swing" of things

I think! Nothing has been normal for a few weeks so we shall see! Had a fairly rough start to the new school year but hopefully we are all back in the groove by now! I actually got three new students added to my bus list yesterday, so maybe I can finalize my paperwork and turn it in???

• roster #1--done
• am & pm directions #1--done
• seating chart #1--done
• roster #2--done
• am & pm directions #2--done
• seating chart #2--done
• milage & time chart--done

Wahoo, they are all printed so will be turned in this afternoon! This is a huge weight off my shoulders!

Quilting wise--anything accomplished?????

1. Puzzle Play--working on the borders (my project I have been taking to Ann's)
2. Medallion--working on the 36 three inch blocks for the next border
3. Celtic--still hand stitching the bias strips

I also need to sort through the batting closet and see what I have in there! I would like to get a top into the hand-quilting frame and also need to send a few out to be quilted and maybe machine quilt a few of the smaller ones myself............Yep, I have enough to keep me busy, but.....

It's Growing--the Medallion Quilt that is.......

It's too HOT outside to do anything (and the school bus is REALLY HOT in the afternoons) so I have been inside as much as possible!

I finally caved and cut the pieces for the next border of the Medallion Quilt. I actually had to force myself to start sewing again! Being in this slump just isn't going to accomplish anything! It has pretty much taken me all week but the next border is attached!

Long weekend coming up and not sure what I'm going to do. Shellz has to work so won't be coming home. Hubby on a two week run that MIGHT bring him home on Monday....Maybe I'll go play in a Rook tournament one day? or just hide out at home alone? or..............

Stuck!

Yep, I'm stuck! No desire to sew/quilt,nor do I want to do any housework, laundry, etc.! HELP!!!! I'm pretty sure this all came about with the starting of school and returning to work, but come on, I can usually at least sew! But this past week--nada,nothing! Well, I did hem a pair of work pants for Shellz, but that really doesn't count! Took all of maybe 2 minutes!

I did have a highlight this past week! My friend,Pat, and her sister-in-law were passing through the area so they stayed with me one night. (happy to have the rooms now to host overnight guests! Altho, I miss my kids!) Park Street pizza was requested for dinner Tuesday evening--so yummy! Wednesday we did some "cheese" shopping followed by lunch at Mrs.Yoder's where Ann joined us. All to soon it was time for them to continue on to PA. :(

So, here's to hoping I can get back into the 4:30am wake up call, work 6-9 and 2:30-5 routine real quickly! If not, it's gonna be a loooooong winter!

Visitor

This morning we had a visitor on our back deck. Very friendly and wants to be in the house with us. Don't know where he came from, but he's beautiful and friendly. Only problem is, his long hair is causing the girls' allergies to flair up. So, do I keep him in or make him stay outside? Also, so far my other kitty hasn't accepted him........

Coasters--

are on the agenda for a few days! I would like to have ten sets (4 per set) made by the first of October. Have most of them cut, just need to buckle down and get them finished.

New Sewing Studio!!

So I got motivated and have moved my sewing studio into what was the family room! I still need to move one cupboard and some shelves, but need help to accomplish that. Am hoping when Shell comes home this weekend she will help me! I really can't wait to get to sewing again! I think I'm really going to like it much better in this room! Come join me, there's room now!

{room shot}

{cutting table}

{design wall and pressing area}

{sewing table}

I am still working on my idea for the "old" studio! Those pix will come when I'm done in there...

Before the move-

So I was getting to the place where it seemed like I just didn't care about the house anymore. I let "things" lay where they landed and/or others put it.....ACK! Had to get out of that mode pretty quick like 'cause it was driving me crazy, but I just couldn't clean it up! I'm not sure who/what kicked my butt, but I tackled the "job" and won!

These are the before pictures: (hanging my head in shame!)

family room:

Sewing studio:

Fabric is

moved!!!! I am pretty slow at this whole moving thing! I am taking the time to go through my bins, books, supplies, etc. I am making a list of supplies I need to replenish (cutter blades, pins, needles, etc.) Also basic whites/creams/etc. fabrics that I like to keep on hand at all times. Am finding "stuff" I had forgotten about and some I wish I could forget about! All the crap that was on the floor is gone and I can actually walk into the storage room and to my fabric without falling and breaking a leg! There are a few more items that will go into the cupboard, but I am still sorting.

I've moved pretty much all I can for now...I need some help moving the rest. (pictures later) Shellz will be home Friday and has offered to help some. Hope we get done on Friday, altho I don't know since we also will have Ms. Rylee all day, because I am itchin' to sew!

Irene

Digging in totes and corners...

...was on the agenda today. I've had a headache all day and just didn't feel up to sewing. but, if you know me, I can't just sit still either! I have been thinking about moving my studio to another room in the house. We have 1700 square feet in this house, and I'm alone most of the time, so why do I have to be in the back room???? Hubby finally agreeded today so I am sorting, etc. I want to clean up the small room adjoining the new studio room and use it for fabric storage etc. I also know most of the cleaning, sorting, and moving will have to be done by ME!!! Oh well, it will keep me busy!

While sorting and digging today, I found 7 tops that have backing with them that are ready to be quilted and I found 3 tops that need backing then they will be ready. (I keep wishing for a mid/long arm but....) I even found a top I thought was lost! Also found my quilt I had started hand quilting and had to take it off the frame a year ago....think maybe I'll set up one of my frames and work on this again. An hour a day is about all I can hand quilt, but slow and steady will get it done???

I have been trying to use up a lot of my "stash' too. Kris and Jan were here the beginning of the week and shared some of thier magazines with Ann and me. More ideas are now rolling around in my head. With the magazines Ann and I were already looking at, I have chosen another 3-4 patterns I want to make. I pulled fabrics for them and actually emptied my Civil War bin (except for the shirtings)! Pieces that didn't "fit" into the pattern went to Ann for her quilt and/or Dear Jane. So happy to have an empty bin!!! I will have to buy a few FQ's and then I will have 4 more kits ready to go. :) I so want to start them but MUST finish those I have started first!!!!!! Now, if only some of the other bins were empty!!!

Shopping list: 20 plus yards of batting
fabric for 3 backings
thread