My books wrote me?

I got a good chuckle over this email today.  I ordered a couple of books....early Mother's Day to me from Better World Books.  And this is to notify me they were shipped.

(Your book(s) asked to write you a personal note - it seemed unusual, but who are we to say no?)

Holy canasta! It's me... it's me! I can't believe it is actually me! You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed! How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world!

I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen) and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our shelf at 2am?

I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels). Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended up in a Better World Books book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious book shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollars are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana.

  I have no affiliation with Better World Books, but I really enjoyed their humor.

Twice a year, this happens

A conversation occurs that follows these lines......

He says....We have to go to bed early tomorrow night.

She says....Oh?

He says......Time changes.  Be sure to change the clock in your sewing room.

She says......So, if I want to get up at my usual time of 7 am, what time will it really be?

He says.....8 am.

Light bulb goes off in her head.

She says.....So, I can set the clocks back tomorrow afternoon by an hour, and you can set them ahead an hour before you go to bed.  Then I can get up at 7 am.  Right?

He says---with a pained look on his face......NOoooooooooooo!  I am not having this conversation.

If you agree, set your clocks back!   

I will be stitching, no matter what time it is   :)

Strings and things

     First, a little story on me......  I have been sitting here trying to get the photos off my camera for a while.  The computer just was not recognizing the camera again.  It goes through this fit every so often, and we have found a shut down and restart of the computer usually makes things right.  Except today, I was on my third shut down when the master of it all, Sir Old Man, walked in.  When I complained and explained the problem, he calmly said, "Well, you are not connected on this end to the computer."   Duh, egg on my face, once again.   Now, I wonder just who pulled that end out of the USB on me?   ;o)   Another good laugh on me!
     I have been sorting  scraps and strings into color families.   I need to really use them.  I hate cutting more / new fabric when I have a huge basket, make that baskets and bins, full of strips and strings.  Since  nothing else seems to work to keep them from multiplying, I am trying a string quilt project.    I have yards and yards of  fabric---gifted to me---that has dark stains on the edges.  It is just perfect for the string foundation squares.  I could use paper, but hate the time and mess of removing it, and secondly, too often the stitches pull out on the ends.   Just my preference for fabric as a stabilizer.
    And I need a plan to go by.  I settled on 8 inch squares with a diagonal black/dark strip separating the colors on each half of the square.  The dilemma is how to keep track of what color should go where.   I used EQ7  for a layout on paper and my crayons----yes, I do have crayons, too---to color in my layout.  Once I have a block/color combination done, I will check it off my "map".   (I don't know how the layout photo will print or save.  So if you try, let me know if you need a better one.  I can create a PDF and email on request.)

   I did 2 squares with dark blues first....you can see I checked  off the blue/yellow and blue/green squares as done.   Another hint:  Label the foundation squares a few at a time.    I used a pencil to write  the color family for the strings on the foundation squares.  One corner says dark blue and the opposite diagonal corner says red for my next block.  With the way my brain has been lately, I need the extra help.
   Got my night time stitching  plan,  got my foundation squares, got my strips and strings, got my machine set up.....now for a cup of coffee and a movie.
Happy stitching.  

Laughter is medicine

  Need a big belly laugh?  My uncle sent me this video of an all time favorite---Carol Burnett.  Just her expressions are priceless, and her antics are so funny.  Enjoy, if you dare.

  It is day 54 for me.  Status is the same....in holding pattern.  But a good laugh improves my outlook.