Unemployment

I am officially unemployed now. Laid off due to lack of work. I'm coming to grips with not working. (Not working is really a misnomer. Just not getting paid to work.) I've only been unemployed once since graduating so many years ago and that was my choice. It lasted a whole month. This I had no control over. I admit I was in shock. I even experienced a bit of depression. But as the Friend of the Cat pointed out this is probably God closing one door and opening another. So I'm going to take advantage of not being employed.

I made a list. I should know better. I just can't help myself. My darling husband has a garden. He had picked some dewberries. I've already made one cobbler from his first picking. He brought some more in today because I didn't have anything to do. He's lucky I like dewberry cobbler. I took it out of the oven just before getting a call from my Dad. That's were the rest of the day was spent. Again because I had nothing else to do Dad thought now would be a good time to do some spring cleaning at his house. I would like to do that at mine, but there is always tomorrow. Maybe. I finally finish with Dad and get home. Half of the cobbler is gone. Now this wasn't a small cobbler. I used my largest baking dish and half of it's gone. Hubby was the only one home and he ate half. I think he must have had it for lunch.

It's been an unusual year for us. First our grand-daughter being killed by the reckless driver. That's still not settled. Though they did give the reckless driver a $62.00 ticket. My Dad being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Dad had been having some problems for over a year before being diagnosed. Dad doesn't handle illness very well. He's always been a healthy individual. Very stressful. Dad's heart also decided to go on the blink this year. We spent eight days in the cardiac unit with blood clots in both lungs and legs. Dad wanting me to call the law because they were holding him prisoner. Did I mention he has Lewy Body Dementia in addition to everything else. The bad economy and now being laid off. Looking back over this paragraph I can see what door is being opened for me. It's really not a bad door. I will now have the opportunity of spending time with Dad while he still has his mind. That is, if he'll let me. He fired me about a month ago. We'll see.

I wonder if I should even look at my list for tomorrow. Probably not.

Sit N Sew/Surprise Retirement Party

We had a fabulous sit n sew last night. The surprise party was another thing entirely. The guest of honor had to be called to join us so it wasn't much of a surprise. Now Terry never misses a meeting. I believe she has missed two sit n sews since we started meeting. One because of surgery and the other was just last month. She and I were both sick and decided not to spread our germs around because of this swine flu scare. So, of course, we try and plan a surprise retirement party she doesn't show up. Cath had made this wonderful pound cake with strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Mom had sewn her a cute little bag and the rest of us had filled it with fat quarters. We were ready and waiting. The Friend of the Cat finally reached her by cell phone and suggested she stop by. That really gave it away. Oh well. Our guest of honor finally shows up and we finally get to dig into the pound cake. Anyway. We all had a good time. So all's well that ends well. I just won't plan anymore surprises. At least, not until the next one.

The "A" Word

I know I'm not the only person that considers applique a bad word. I have avoided it like the plague. But not anymore. I took a class Saturday, and even though it was a very beginner class, I feel I can tackle about anything now. Nellie, our instructor, was extremely patient. I had warned her we were all beginners when it came to applique. Nellie found out fast that I was not exaggerating.

I never knew thread could be so thin or that they that they came in different weights. I've always just picked it by the color I needed. I thought a needle was a needle. I now know what a straw needle is and why you need to use it as opposed to the needle I do my quilting or hemming with. I do need a magnifying glass to see how to thread this needle even with a needle threader. Very, very tiny eye. Very thin and bendable needle. I had a bunch of the tiny applique pins that I've used in various craft projects. They were perfect for the tiny pieces we were working with. I would never have thought to use them in applique, even though they said applique pins on the box. They were craft pins to me.

What a difference the right tools make. I took notes. Lots of notes. I was very pleased with my practice pieces and have even started one of my Dear Jane blocks. It is a very simple block, but I had avoided it because of the "A" word. I'm going back next Saturday for more wonderful instructions in needle turn applique. I can hardly wait. Sunbonnet Sue look out.

Thank you Nellie for such a great class. I thoroughly enjoyed the class and I learned so much.

Thanks

To all my quilting friends. Thank you. You have truly kept me going since the death of our grand-daughter, Richey, on July 22nd. I haven't been able to bring myself to post anything because it all seems so frivolous. Death of someone so young (Richey was only 23.) has a way of making you stop and really think about everything. So again I say a big THANK YOU for all the prayers, visits, cards, flowers, food, thoughts, and just everything. Just for being there for us.

Now I owe a couple of apologies.

First Kim taught a fantastic class on her Kitchen Sink about a month ago and I was to post some pictures. I'm sorry Kim. Those will be forth coming soon.

Second Rosemary took some great photos at the last sit n sew and sent them to me because I had forgotten my camera. So sorry Rosemary. Hopefully those and the ones from tonight's sit n sew will be on the blog this weekend.

Now tonight is our monthly sit n sew. Really looking forward to seeing you all there. Saturday I'm taking another of Kim's classes. Christmas Ribbons. I can hardly wait. I know it will be another great class. I think I will bring my pineapple cheese bake to the class. So see you all tonight.

Oh Where! Oh Where has Deb gone?

Have you seen the lady with the camera, you know the one that catches you with your eyes closed or your mouth full of food. She is missing in action. If located please let her know she is missed.

"A Friend of THE CAT"

The Day after the day after, Other words Monday!

Have you ever taken a class and thought this lady really knows her stuff AND she brings carrot cake. That was Saturdays class, 11 people showed up to take this class and Kim did a wonderful job. She never got upset, not even flustered. She walked around the room and talked with everyone and she showed some really good hints and suggestions. THANKS KIM FOR A GREAT CLASS, NOW....WHEN IS THE CHRISTMAS RIBBON CLASS?
I did not take pictures but......Deb did...come on Deb, lets see what you got!!!!
Stay tune this quilt will be finished in 2009 well............o.k. here is the challenge. Anyone who took that class and finished with a top first can buy me dinner! LOL
Keep the needle threaded and the stitched coming.
Ren

Going to A Quilting Class

This Saturday is the Kitchen Sink class taught by Kim Bracket at the Quilting Station. I have been looking forward to this day since I signed up. It is not that I could not follow the directions in the book (the instructions are great in the book) but it is the fellowship, time away from the stress in life, having someone who has done the pattern before giving the hints and suggestions, spending time with friends and meeting new quilters and of course the food. Come back here in a few days and I will tell you all about the class and what fun we had. If you get a chance to take a class and especially with dear friends, I would suggest you do. It is like a mini vacation. Hope your stitches are straight and your heart full of love today.
Ren