I am discombobulated!

I am discombobulated! I love that word. If you remember the Tammy movies, then you remember her using it. I thought it was a made-up word until I looked it up in the dictionary.
Anyways, my world has been knocked off its axis. First, my sewing machine is torn up! I know it is the bobbin case but I need a new case so the machine is going to have to go into the shop. I want to sew!!!!! It's like when the electricity is off - you can think of a thousand things you could do if only the electricity was on and you feel restless.
Secondly, my sister Lily went to her 50th class reunion this weekend. No, it doesn't upset me that she's that old. Don't know about her. But, the "out of the normal" is she had a pedicure and had her nails painted orange and black with WHS and 58 painted on the big toes. (Sorry the picture isn't so plain) My uneasiness comes from the fact that she may be entering her second childhood! And I didn't particularly enjoy her first one!! She could out tease, out talk, out tickle, out torment me and I'm too old to go through that again. If she comes after me with a beach shoe, I'll know dementia has set in!!
But she did enjoy seeing all her "olde" friends!!!

Labor Day Weekend

Thirty years ago I did this Four Seasons set as a cross stitch pattern. But, after many years, the eyes don't focus as well as they once did.
So I took the same concept, looked at the Bartlett Pear trees this spring and designed this Four Seasons wall hanging. It's on the wall and I'm pleased with the results. Bartlett Pear trees really show the four seasons in Kentucky. When you see rows of these white blooms in the spring, it is refreshing. And to watch them change from dark green to bright red in the fall, makes you appreciate how nature works. But oh, the snow makes me dread what is coming now that it is Labor Day weekend. I love the Lowe's commercial where the guy is looking at the jobs he planned so energetically in the spring to do this summer. That's me - where has the summer gone?

I was flipping channels the other day and saw a familiar face on C-Span. I knew his name was Bill Bishop and he was discussing his new book. And then it dawned on me - I knew him when! When he was a reporter for the Mountain Eagle and then the Lexington Herald. And now he is an author worthy of being on C Span.
Did you watch Obama's speech last night? This time I am truly an undecided voter. I have fears and concerns, not for me but for my sons and grandchilren. What kind of world will it be if we continue to try to convince the rest of the world they need to try democracy when their culture cannot conceive of such a form of government? What kind of world will it be if we continue to ignore our infrastructure and basic needs? What kind of world will it be if they can't decide which doctor is best to have an appointment with or the doctor won't take them because they can't afford the insurance premiums? What kind of world will it be if my grandchildren can't get a quality education without paying for private education? What kind of world will it be if people continue to have more benefits without working than they would if they got a job with their poor work skills? What kind of world will it be if they have no clean, green spaces to take their children to? What kind of world will it be if.................? Yes, Peggy, I am pondering a great deal between now and November 4!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend and ponder your own concerns!!!!!!!

They are growing!

Thought you needed an update on those unique grandbabies of mine.

Jake thinks he is a big boy by taking risk. Emerson is being feminine with the flower behind the ear. They are a delight!!

Contacted the local quilt guild - Licking Valley - and I think I will attend their next meeting. I have never belonged to a guild but since none of my sisters will join me in my love of quilting it would be good to share with others.

Say a prayer for Aunt Mabel's grandson - Michael. He is being operated on today in Gainesville, FL for what could be a brain aneursym(?). I'll let you know how the surgery goes.

We are finally getting rain here. And only Lily and I would be foolish enough to walk our dogs in the rain. But Lucilu enjoyed it. We definitely need the rain although I am sure we won't get the 10+ inches Ray got in Jacksonville. But Fay is helping us out right now.

So much fabric, so little money

Do you see a theme here? Usually I head for the red fabric but this time, I was drawn to purple. Somebody will get a good looking quilt eventually! We went to Traverse City and I looked at two shops - Material Girl and Quilting Bee. I was looking for a ruler with scallops and waves on the sides! I found it at Quilting Bee. One of the husbands told his wife who was looking at the same ruler - "I don't know why you want that ruler; you cut wavy now with the rotary cutter and ruler you use."

On the last Thursday, we went to Williamsburg so Lily and Sara could go to Turtle Creek Casino and I could go to Renee's House of Quilting. While they were winning money, I was spending money! I don't know who had the best time! I got most of my material there, some books and a ruler with a handle to hold the material down while cutting. A good workman must have the proper tools.

Did you notice the skein of variagated silk ribbon? I don't know why I bought it other than I thought it was beautiful. I think I will use my water soluable stabilizer to make some scarves out of it. I got it at The Knit Shop in Glen Arbor, MI.

Sister # 5 has two beautiful cats. Guess who I thought of when I bought the cat material.

The books on rectangles and the circle pattern gave me lots of good ideas. So many dreams, so little talent and time!

I fixed my hair today to go to lunch at the Cincinnati Art Museum with Ric and Sam. I could tell the biggest difference in the texture. The water up there is so soft, it makes your hair and skin feel totally different. I like the way it made my skin feel; not so with the feel of the hair. Oh, well, life is trade-offs.

Speaking of trade-offs, are you watching the conventions? You wonder if they still have smoke-filled rooms or do they make deals with text messaging now? Technology has changed the entire world!!

While we were at the museum, they have new notecards with Cincinnati landmarks watercolors done by David and Barbara Day. They were so pretty; I wanted to buy the one of the Music Hall for Anita because she had many good memories of her and Aunt Lit there. Then it dawned on me that Anita was enjoying all the good music and ballet she wanted now if heaven is what you enjoy!

Taste Buds Flourish

Despite having stomach virus for a week of our three weeks in Michigan, we still managed to have some good food. Lily's favorite restaurant in the area is the Glenwood so we managed to make it there twice - once for Lobster and almond crusted shrimp and then for Teriyaka Filet. Both meals were delicious - when I ordered pecan pie with chocolate mousse I knew I better forget counting carbs for awhile. My taste buds reveled in the flavors.

The last week I joined the lunch bunch at Chimney Corners. The lunch bunch is a group who go to lunch at different restaurants every Wednesday and then go to St. Phillips to have Bible Study. Lily has been going with them for several years - this was my first lunch with them. But I couldn't pass up an opportunity to eat lunch on the patio overlooking Crystal Lake and enjoying the company of Sara, Judy, Mary and Blanche. They are such a warm, funny group of women who can beat me at dominoes but I figure with age comes experience!!

Our other great meals included a trip to Leland for smelt in Old Fish Town. I don't like smelt - to me they are fried sardines but they did have good fish fries and Lily enjoyed the smelt. We went to Traverse City to Trevino's for tapas which was another great feast for the taste buds. So many choices, so little room in the stomach. But we managed to eat brie, bruchetti, scallops, shrimp, baked goat cheese, baked meatballs and so many other things I can't remember. A great lunch! Didn't see Lee Trevino though - I wanted to know if he still wore a bandaid on his forearm?! Did you know Michigan has more golf courses than Florida? Or that Kentucky has more shoreline than any other state on the continent? Aren't I a fount of useless information?
Tomorrow I promise to show you all my finds at the quilt shops!

Luuuuuuuuuuuci, I'm HOME!

I'm back from Michigan!

Two of the three weeks were fantastic. But it is always good to sleep in one's own bed, drink tap water that taste good, take a hot shower as long as one wants to and be in control of the television remote.

I went tubing down the Platte River. Luci and I went swimming in the Platte Lake - I think she is a better swimmer than I am. But she didn't smell so good afterwards. And she didn't like rolling in sand as much as she likes the grass at Pendery Park.

The second week Lily and I both came down with a severe stomach virus. Prissy and Lucilu sympathized by keeping Lily company on the couch. We were too sick to go to church on Sunday. But by Wednesday, we were back to normal - but I still don't want to face a chef salad.

I played dominoes twice - Mexican train is a game I really love. There are no trivia questions or cards being played to remember.

We ate some delicious meals and I visited some super quilt shops. But more about those tomorrow. Right now I need to start on the huge mound of damp laundry I brought back so I'll post more pictures tomorrow.