Scrambled

You just know that if the phone rings early in the morning that chances are pretty good you would rather not want to know why.  The call this morning only resulted in a quick adjustment of our day's schedule but it took a bit of scrambling. 
I had an appointment with a surgeon in Huntsville about my thyroid for a week this Monday.  Her office called to say she had an emergency surgery and could I switch to this morning.  Hubby and I already each had an appointment in the village but we were able to get them done in good time and scramble off down the highway.  I was finished that appointment in time for us to be able to keep our plans to meet friends for lunch.  Did a bit of shopping after that and was back home for two and ready for a cup of tea.
I got a bit more quilting done on the customer's quilt but it is really too hot to do much.  I have been getting my entries ready for our fall fair and discovered the back of one quilt had some thread snarls.  I've removed them and also have to take off the label and that one is ready.
Hubby and I are going to try and have the weekend for ourselves.  We will see how that goes. Maybe I just won't answer the phone.
Blessings,

Quilts and Mice

This is the customer quilt I am working on right now.  I flipped it around so you could see it right side up.  She has done a lovely job on the applique especially considering that the fabric is a slippery polyester.  It is going to take a bit of time doing the quilting as I only have a 9 inch harp (space between body and needle) so there is a lot of stopping and starting.  I am doing around the applique and then meandering over the while background.

I have been having trouble with my keyboard mouse sticking so, even though I was sure that wasn't the problem, I moved the computer and redid the wires so they were at the back of the stand.  The new location will ensure more are around the tower the lack of which can cause overheating.  As I suspected, the mouse still malfunctioned but I have moved the keyboard a bit to the left and it now seems to be working. 
I am not sure if the surface was causing the problem (I tried using a pad) but I don't care as long as it works.
I have just been puddling at one thing and another today.  Had a Skype conversation with my youngest sister which is always splendid.  Took Heidi for a walk through the bush and now will do a bit more quilting before it is time to get supper.
Tomorrow we are going to Huntsville to have lunch with dear friends.
Blessings,

September Sunshine

We took a quick trip to Orillia this morning to take hubbies mother back home.  She has been visiting for a few days.  We took advantage of the journey to do a little shopping and then had lunch at the park.
Couchiching Park is one of the loveliest urban parks I have seen.  It is on the shore  of Lake Couchiching (hence the name) and is renowned for its beautiful old growth maple trees and statue of Champlain which was sculpted by Fredric March.  There is a long boardwalk used by dog walkers and bicyclists.  We joined the former with Heidi and got a bit of exercise before the drive back.
Hubby has been having a lot of hip pain and long trips are a problem for him even with me driving.  He has an appointment with a specialist next week so, hopefully, he will decide on a course of action.

The brakes on our little and very old truck went on Sat.  We need to look at a replacement but it will have to wait for a little bit as we look for something both cheap and reliable.  It will be a bit of an inconvenience for such things as taking garbage to the dump and our meat birds to the butcher but we will make do.

It has warmed up at bit (well, a lot really) and the sun is shining.  It is nice to see the end of the grey weather although I did like the cooler temperatures.  We saw quite a bit of colour in the Orillia area.  Their trees seem to be changing faster than ours which is odd as we are further north.
Remember to watch out for school buses and children as the season is starting once again. Our grandchildren went back yesterday although the children in this area don't start until next Tues. after the long weekend.
Blessings,

Bacon, Bacon, Bacon.

It is to nice outside to be in today but, other than going for a walk and checking the garden, there isn't much to do.  I did take out a quilt magazine to read while I had a cup of tea and enjoyed the warmth and lack of bugs.  Other than that though, I have been indoors.   And accomplishing nothing.
I didn't sleep well last night and that, as long time readers know, means I spend the day dragging around feeling like I have a mild case of the flu. 
I intended getting a label onto my last quilt and I may still get that done.  It will be taken to the store where I sell my products.  I was going to Huntsville to buy a few groceries and other needed items but that is going to have to wait until tomorrow.
Yesterday was National Dog Day so Heidi got an extra bit of bacon.  I noticed that her nails needed a trim while we were sitting on the step this morning and told her to stay while I went in to get the clippers.  She zipped through the door and went to the furthest corner of the house.  How did she know what I was going to do?  She did still get the clipping and her bacon reward.  Our little dog LOVES bacon.  So do I but I don't get it as often as she does.
Blessings,

False Alarm

Today was my turn to volunteer at the Burk's Falls Arts and Craft Centre.  It gets pretty slow this time of year as most tourists have gone home so I was glad to have another lady to share the day.  She is a fellow quilter and, like me, belongs to the local quilt group. 
I worked on the binding for a quilt and she cut some fabric for a project she was doing so we got some thing accomplished besides just keeping our chairs warm.   A few folk came by and we made a sale which helped pass the time.  Often, people drop in just to browse through the displays and that is fine.  If they like what they see they will come back as well as letting other people know about us.  It also gives us a chance to tell them about other artisan shops in the area which they might otherwise overlook.
I had a bit of a restless night as our smoke alarm malfunctioned and started beeping just after midnight.  They all have to be replaced along with the other ones whose names I can never remember.  They can be annoying things when they react to the tiniest bit of smoke coming from a toaster but that sensitivity lets us know they will also work when there is a real emergency.
May all your alarms be false ones,
blessings,

Words

I have been discussing words with two people today in my emails.  One conversation started when a lady who is an editor on the magazine for which I write asked about a typo I had made.  This led to a discussion on how different countries spell words and, even though they speak the same language, the words can have differing meanings.
The other discussion arose from a Facebook post about libraries.  I am a lifelong proponent of libraries as is she and we exchanged thoughts about their importance and how we both enjoy reading.
I mentioned that I subscribe to a Word of the Day site.  Each day I get a new word from the Oxford Dictionary folk.  Many are obscure and unlikely to be used but others are fun.  I try to remember the ones I like best and have started writing them on my desk top Post It note along with the meaning so I can reread it throughout the day.
Another way I have improved my vocabulary is through crosswords.  Often a word will be used in a series of puzzles which lead to me remembering them.  One of the early ones I memorized as a young teen was abhor.  Not one you get to say often but a nice change from saying you hate something.
I have always been good with words.  I think being able to communicate both verbally and in writing is a great asset.  Occasionally, I will read a post on Facebook and I really have no idea what the person is saying.  Not a good situation if they are selling something.
Today's word of the day is retroject (projecting backwards).  I haven't thought of a way to use it yet but as soon as I do, it will be another fun addition to my vocabulary.
Blessings,

Fair Time Already

Rain, rain go away, little Heidi wants to play.  We have been having a grey day with intermittent cool rain-too nasty to be outside walking.  I had Heidi chase her ball indoors so she got her exercise and I will use the treadmill later on.  The moisture is good for the garden so any complaining will be muted.
After some initial problems with thread breakage, I have all but finished quilting the crib quilt that is on the frame.  I only have one more row to do and then I can add the binding.  I am planning on finishing that part while staffing the Art Centre on Thursday.
I realized with a shock the other day that I hadn't even thought about my fall fair entries so did make a list for that.  I am only making a couple of new small things as I have lots of stuff on hand which fit various categories.
The Burk's Falls village fair takes place on the Labour Day weekend so I do have just over a week to get everything together. 
Do you enter your local fair?  I think it is fun and always gratifying to see how many ribbons I get.
Blessings,