Travellers Blanket II

I made my whole fabric backing for the blanket. I did not love it! It is what I made and what I am working with - it will hopefully grown on me. For the back I used a piece of brown from my stash that was big enough. I hand colored with Sharpie fabric pens some bright colors after this picture was taken.

I made two "squares" or "journeys" today. My camera didn't pick up the colors at all (the new IPhone camera is stinky), one is bright green and the other hot pink. For whatever reason a space/star motif is what is happening. My journey isn't really going to be about life or places I have been, but fabrics from other projects. I have saved snips and snaps from other things. These random pieces are being assembled into shapes. It was nice to ponder the quilts that these little pieces have come from. I am going to machine quilt as if individual squares and then at the end go back and fill in the empty places with black thread. The quilting was fun!

Travellers Quilt

I am taking an internet class course with Dijanne Cevaal from Australia called Travellers Blankets. I have been admiring her work on a blog for years. I like the idea of sewing as a journey. Most likely I will journey part of the way and get a diversion like the parting of the Red Sea and abandon my trip. I need some motivation. I will try and post what I do.

The first part is dying the fabric and getting it ready for the trip. I am going to use bleach sprayed on with a water bottle. You lay down leaves to make a pattern. I try so hard to use only what I have on hand, but of course I have no batting. I am not going to buy dyes either. I think I want to use brights-as usual-and do nature motifs. I will have to throw in some furry creatures, because cat hair will be there anyway. I am making my quilt smaller than hers as well.

http://origidij.blogspot.com

I am afraid my quilting days are almost over. My blogging days as well, I can't make things turn out well anymore. All the brain tumors are not helping and chemo has stretched me thin (not literally though). I cannot buy anything new!! Boring, boring, boring.

I have been knitting a scarf. Ellen taught me how to cast-on again and I watched a video on the pattern. It twists so you can't see the mistakes as easily. I love the yarn. I had bought it at "Sheep and Wool" several years ago. I may finish it for this season, I have been sitting at many soccer practices.

i took a fun class with Cheryl Sleboda from Muppin.Com.  I made a Christmas tree  and star with the intent to embellish and enjoy during the holiday season. It was a fun class. I also got to hang out with Cheryl for a day. She gave a light-up kit to Ned. He was so excited, but we haven't made it yet. I got an extra in case one of the other Wild Ones wants to make something.

Pet Stories

My friend has a dog that arrived from a rescue. They gave her a name and that is all they know of her. Every now and then when they are having a conversation and say a word she goes crazy. My friends are always trying to guess her real name that way. Is your name Green Bean? Is your name Island? Is your name Curtain Rod? She will lie back down and act like nothing has happened.

Two weeks ago I adopted Rain. She originally came to the vet with the name Rice. Both names have no story I can determine. It is bothering me she has no story. I know it has a dark and scary part, I don't like dark and scary. I found another evidence of it last night. I feel sick with sadness I am part of the problem, my sister got her a new collar. Rain has started that Labrador "mad licking" thing they do. I have been trying to Nancy Drew my way through the problem. I took off the new collar and discovered a massive, disgusting sore. Two weeks of additional collar rubbing must have been hurting like hades. It is gross, it don't do gross very well. I am taking her to the vet on Monday. I hope with the pain of the sore healing she will stop licking. She is licking raw spots on her legs, it is making me feel terrible. She has seemed so much better and now I am not sure.

I think her story includes an owner which house trained her and used a leash for walks. But she doesn't beg, come in the kitchen for treats, play with toys, want to be on the furniture or couch, do stairs. I don't think she was part of a family. I have had my other pets since they were puppies or kittens. They have their distinct personalities, but also our family collective is imprinted on them. They follow the sun from room to room, know the sound of ice cream being taken from the freezer, avoid the back room with the furnace, recognize the bus by time and sound. You say "bone or ball" and Hoover brings you one. Hoover answers to "Hoo-Hoo", because it was what Ian called him as a baby. Minnow acts like a spoiled baby and rules the house. Minnow is in the middle of all the high-jinx. Juno is the "Charcoal Ninja" and lurks around.

I hope Rain had these things and she only forgot them in her "dark time". I hope we can give her all these happy memories in the time she is with us. I want to us tell the "Rain" stories - GOOD and bad. Although I will pass on the bad memory of Riley eating a Fisher Price football man and being blocked up for days.

Rain and the Grody Sore

Meaning of Life

I recently heard a professor talking on NPR about what life would mean if everything became automated. Some scientists believe that people will become their true person when all is removed from their life that can be done by robot or computer. The woman I heard was arguing that we are made up of the activities we do, choose to do and have to do. I have been pondering this quite a bit. The neighbor "boy" (who is now 21) and I were discussing this and what makes life "better". I think we are made up/defined by our activities. Here are some of my own small personal personality developments and developers.

1. Learning to ride my bike down hill very fast led to a crazy crash into the neighbors fence. I have never been interested in speed since.

2. Standing in front of a case of 31 flavors of ice cream has led to a life conviction that almost all will turn out to be good.

3. I sorted Walla Walla sweet onions for a summer job in high school, this really made me want to go to college. Realizing the greatest job in the plant was to be the person closing the 10lb bags made me want it more. That and making 3.35$ an hour.

4. Vacuuming is a stress release for me. I don't really do heavy cleaning, but miles of vacuuming has worked off a lot of anger.

5. Making beds, boring meals, scooping cat litter, folding clothes, sitting on freezing sidelines, matching socks, etc. is a labor of LOVE and means more than hearing words. The labor of love is love.

6. Sorting mail, balancing checkbooks, emptying the dishwasher, raking and sweeping etc.help with my patience - something I am short of.

I think doing the things you don't really want to do, helps define the things you really want to do. I also like to think that all these interactions is what helps maintain society. If every person only had to do what they wanted to do it would really be a selfish world. It would be as if living with a 3 year old forever.

Tiny Terror

I am not sure what has happened to my "kitten", in her head she has become a fierce jungle cat.  Her prey is ALWAYS Hoover, the 85 lb wonder wienie.  He now lives in Ian's room.  Ian moved to the top bunk, so Hoover could have the bottom one. Minnow lurks around the house waiting for Hoover to amble on by and then she whacks him repeatedly in the face.  She got him going up the stairs, three times before he got to the top.  He stood their like a dummy while she right-hooked him again.  Hoover was shaking so hard his teeth were chattering.  You can't yell, because he thinks you are yelling at him.  I am not reaching in to grab a crazy cat.  My solution may be to buy a holster and carry a spray bottle around.  I could spray her every time she goes psycho.  It might make me feel better. It is a good thing she is so cute.  For months I blamed her more sinister-looking brother for causing all the mayhem, but then I caught her red-pawed. The situation is sad, because unless I sit in Ian's room I don't get to hang out with the dog.

Nothing

When people ask me "what are you up to" or "what's going on in your life" I always reply "nothing" or "I can't think of anything exciting."  Well, I decided to make the change and recognize I do have interesting tidbits to share.

Sunday I went to a talk given by Jay McCarroll.  He was the winner of season 1 "Project Runway".  He was funny, quirky, incredibly honest and therefore somewhat self-destructive.  I have been pondering the oddness of the crowd.  He had groupies.  People were sycophantically laughing at everything he said.  I was laughing also, but not with the same manic fervor.  One woman asked him if he had a retirement fund and health insurance.  Another annoying woman asked to take pictures of all his stuff to put on Instagram.

My weird claim to fame is now I have met two "Project Runway" winners.  I met Christian Ciriano at a breast cancer function.  He was a teeny, tiny turd of a human being.

Thing 2 is covered with little round bruises.  Turns out he and his friend were shooting each other with the air-soft rifles.  I am going to add this was not done on my watch. 

Thing 3 regaled me with his latest song entitled "The Golden Sausage."  It was not racy, but I can't get an image of Freddie Mercury out of my head. 

My 50 state book challenge is complete, except for half of New Mexico.  I read fiction, non-fiction, short stories, poems, classics and trash.  I had more good reads than bad reads, Missouri stands out as particularly lame.  The hardest state to find a book about was South Dakota.  I really tried to have no re-reads, but had three.  Alaska and Alabama were on purpose and Montana was accidental.  Next year will be challenge free.

Juno and Minnow have brought me a present every day this week.  Minnow was responsible for mouse parts all over the back patio I am pretty sure.  Juno doesn't seem to be into dismemberment.  I appreciate the decreased rodent population and their love, but gross!









 

Big

I haven't posted big in awhile.

Enormous acorns plinking off my car and being thrown by the boys.

A disgusting slug out the backdoor.  Neither cat would go near it.  I imagine they taste as bad as they look.

A big day building Legos at the National Building Museum.

Behind Me

South Dakota is behind me.  I read "Twisted Tree" by Kent Meyers.  SD has been the toughest state so far to find a read.  I found a number of fiction books, but not current enough to be in the library.  I am into Arkansas with "Calicoe Joe" by John Grisham.  I have fifteen states left and around eighteen more weeks to accomplish this goal.  It will be close.  I have enjoyed reading a book from every state. 

I finished my tumbling blocks quilt, but haven't taken a picture.  I plan on sending it off for quilting.  I am trying to slog through things I haven't finished.  I sewed on two bindings so they are ready to be tacked down during cool evenings in the fall.  I am still only using fabrics that I have on hand to make anything new.  My postage stamp quilt has 64 finished blocks, I have no real plans for this yet.  I am using strips to make a shawl.  I like it, but Ellen said it looks like something I made.  I am not sure what that means.  I promise to post some pictures!

Words and Weirds

Ian has a friend over and they decided to play Scrabble.  This alone is amazing.  They are in the middle of the big game and the "under-the-bed cat" strolls in and lies down in the middle of the game.  He wreaked a little havoc and then sauntered back off to look for dust bunnies.

We ate dinner with the neighbors the other day.  One of them said a word that I had never heard, some type of Native American word.  I asked her how you spelled it.  Her husband laughed at me and said, "you really like words, don't you."  I really, really, really like words.  I forget how weird and nerdy it is.  I feel that math nerds are taken more seriously than word nerds.

I got over my library book scoobiness for the most part and have checked out tons of books.  I have forgotten to write them down.  Now, I can tell you the plot, but not the author and title.  I didn't write down Idaho and now can't remember it - very frustrating.  I just finished "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathatn Safran Foer.  It took me longer to read than usual and I put it down a couple of times to rest from the story, but it was extremely and incredibly beautiful.  The book held many love stories.

I have been making steady progress on a tumbling blocks quilt.  It is going together amazingly well.  I have trouble with precision, but this quilt is really working.  The quilt is challenge for me, because the pattern looks different from every angle.  I will post a picture soon. 

Ambidextrous

If Ned was doing this I would think he was messing with me.  Since it is Ian, I think he is generally confunded.

Ian - Mom is that girl on the tv who lost a lot of weight ambidextrous?
Me - She is anorexic, I doubt she is eating with both hands.  Someone give that girl a sandwich.
Ian - Mom when you move around to get exercise is that ambidextrous?
Me - Aerobic exercise and you can use both hands. Go play outside!
Ian - Mom that stuff you use to wash the floors that smells bad is that ambidexterous?
Me - Ammonia and I can mop with both hands.  Thanks for asking to do the mopping.
 Ian - Mom is that old lady ambidextrous?
Me - I don't know, but she has arthritis. Shh, she can hear you.
Ian - Mom when I keep my room really clean is that ambidextrous?
Me - Immaculate, for the seven millionth time ambidextrous means using both hands.  In baseball being able to bat both directions.  Please go clean your room.
Ian -  Oh yeah.


2 days later
Ian - Mom when I really don't want to do something is that ambidextrous?
Me - Apathetic!

Since I am telling Ian stories, here is another one.  He is for the most part even-tempered, but every now and then has a grumpfest.  I always tell him, "the real Ian has been abducted by Aliens and replaced by a grumpkin."  One day last week he told that he doesn't like that and to never say it again.  No problem on my part.  This week he has been totally out-of-sorts.  He told me, "Mom, I think I have been abducted by Aliens and replaced with a grumpkin."  He is trying to make me a crazy mom.

Mug Rugs

Up until recently I have enjoyed reading other quilting blogs, but lately it has been dull.  I haven't been happy with all the blogs having similar quilts.  I know it is like fashion and certain colors are in, but it all is blurring together. I feel that many quilters are buying the fabric lines and not putting together their own mix of fabrics.  The lines are beautiful, but a bit sterile. Truly, what has put me over the edge with quilt sites is mug rugs.  Quilting fights an uphill battle to get respect with "real artists" and the general population.  People always perceive quilting to be crafty and grandmotherly.  These people making mug rugs contribute to the impression.  A mug rug is a fiddly, useless, dorky and somewhat humiliating use of scraps.  Go ahead people and make small quilts, place mats, trading cards or just pass on/throw away the scraps, but don't make mug rugs. 

I do have a small wonder why I don't feel this same aversion for coasters?

I have not quilted in a month.  I have been too busy with kid stuff and reading, but the real reason is a dog barf.  Hoover threw up in my sewing room.  It was huge and disgusting in that little room.  I have cleaned it up, but my room has felt contaminated. I will have to quilt myself a HAZMAT suit. I haven't recovered from his four room episode.  Thankfully Hoover has recovered.

Something Like This

Maddy showed me this hysterical video of why things never really get done entirely, my version goes something like this............

I walk into the kitchen to check my Scrabble games on FB.  I stop to pick up the kid's shoes.  I take Ned's to his room and start to make his bed.  I find one sock and so turn to look for the other one.  In the bottom drawer he hasn't closed is the missing pair of scissors.  I walk down to the kitchen to put them away.  I see a dog barf on the floor and set the scissors on the entry table.  I go into the laundry room to get the carpet cleaner.  I forgot I hadn't switched the laundry from the washer to the dryer.  I take the dryer clothes to the back room and start to fold them.  I hear my cell phone ring, but don't know where it is.  On the way through the dining room I see a Lego creation and decide to put it away in Ian's room.  On the way up there I see the dog barf, so set the Lego on the couch.  I go into the kitchen to get paper towels.  I forgot to do the dishes.  I am putting them in the dishwasher, when the phone rings.  It is the school I forgot to do a dismissal email.  I sit on the couch to do it and realize all the pillows and cushions need to be fluffed to maybe remove the little boy feet smell.  I get one fluffed and the cat jumps up to be pet.  I then have to pet Hoover, because you can't forget his insistent nose all wet in your elbow.  I walk into the bathroom to wash my hands and see one pair of underwear and a blue crayon on the floor.  I head to the back room to put the crayon away, but see the dog water bowl is empty.  I set the crayon and underwear on the table.  This goes on all day.  I pick the kids up at the bus and they ask what I did all day? Why didn't I make cookies?   It is now time for bedtime and half a bed has been made, 1/3 the laundry folded, 1/2 the dishes washed, no dog barf actually cleaned up, a blue crayon and pair of underwear on the table, scissors missing, no dismissal done.  Big sigh!!

Fourth-of-all

4. The pool is open and almost not green.
3. My friend, Amanda, and I picked strawberries yesterday.  It gives me a greater appreciation for migrate workers.  My legs and ankles are sore from bending over or squatting.  I couldn't figure out which was easier.  The strawberries are delicious and worth the effort.
2. I had a nice dinner with friends last night.  It was great to catch up. 
1. The Peeps diorama is ready to be handed in.  Ian worked meticulously and steadily on it and now we have to get it to school unscathed.  I keep having to yell at the kids to not eat "just one" Peep.  Ian needs to have two Mexican wrestlers and spectators.  The most irritating part of this project is Ian will turn it in tomorrow and carry it back home on Friday. 

Ned is to credited with saying fourth-of-all!

Lots of this.........












means not much of this.

Looking For Alaska in Alabama

I read Looking for Alaska as my Alabama read, but realized I have already read an Alabama book.  Who would have thunk I would have two Alabama books.  I went into this book thinking it would be a comedy of teen angst, it has the angst but not the comedy. I admit to it having humor though! This was a weighty book on many issues, no sugarcoating or romancing the lives of teenagers.  The book was witty and well-written and I could see the irreverence appealing to teenagers.  I have been repulsed for days thinking about drinking vodka and milk.  I liked reading about the kids, but was also impressed by the adults in the book.  So many shows on tv today make the grown-ups out to be bumbling idiots.  This book leads you that way, but moves through the book giving them strength and layers. 

My next book is "Blindness" by Jose Saramago. 

Double Bubble

We have had a long week of various events - good and bad.  Why do breakages, leaks, doctor visits, games and evening events all have to happen at the same time.  The older I get the more I believe in personal life entropy.  Ian loves this word, because we don't have to use the word chaos anymore.  Today is quite relaxing! 

Thursday night about 9:30 Ian and I were lying on my bed reading.  We hear gunfire, I am assuming gunfire, really close.  It stops and about 3 minutes later starts up again.  Ian and I are freaked out, a bit on edge.  We are waiting for the next round and deciding what we should do.  Ellen is in her room and SHRIEKS, "Mom, oh my god!"  I am reaching for the phone to call 911.  Ian and I are picturing a masked man with a semi-automatic in the front yard.  Before I can answer she yells, "Mom............did you know Hillary Duff is expecting a baby."  That girl and her life in a bubble makes me crazy, because I did know Hillary Duff was pregnant.  I also know she had the baby about three months ago.

Mr. Fox Times Three

The first Mr. Fox is Ned's acting debut was quite cute.  He was Farmer Boggess in the 2nd grade production of "The Fabulous Mr. Fox."  We had to have an unexpected intermission, because the other farmer fell off the stage.  He bravely returned and the show went on. 

The second Mr. Fox is this horrible fox that terrorizes my property, MY property.  He has a route that involves my yard.  He drinks out of the pool and poops on the deck.  Two nights ago he was making that scary fox noise under my window and digging a hole.  I turned the light on and he just stared at me saying "nanny nanny."  In the fall he chased my kitten up a tree and wouldn't back off, even when I stomped at him.  He is belligerent  and aggressive and I wish he would find a different territory.

The third Mr. Fox was the fox who had this territory before this evil critter.  He was no bother.  We would see him mornings and evenings, but he didn't come in the backyard.  He got hit by a car right by the house.  I was sad to see him gone.

I have a dog, a useless labrador.  I think it is no coincidence that Hoover is yellow, the big chicken-liver.  Riley walked the perimeter of his yard and marked it every morning.  No animals came in our yard while he was alive.  Hoover just doop-de-doops out in the yard.  He didn't even bark at the fox, when I came down he was sleeping on his bed.  The cats were freaked, but Hoov was lounging.  Hoover is such a Ferdinand.  It is nice to have a lover and not a fighter when you are feeling sad and lonely, but I do wish he would give a little growl at that fox.

Bookss, Books and More Books

I have been in a rough spell this week.  I have spiraled down-hill to an old lady.  I don't really want to find a tumor, but I would like some kind of answer.  I haven't been able to do much of anything.  It has been bothering me that I don't have a book.  I seriously have read every book in my house, not even having an option was bothering me.  I had gone to the bookstore twice last week, but just couldn't pick out a title.   Yesterday, very cautiously, Ian and I went back to B&N.  I bought eight books, this is wild and crazy!  Luckfully for me, my friend Amanda popped over last night with a pile of books to borrow.  I stacked all the books next my bed and it made me so happy.  I need that pile of books on my bedside table.  I am having trouble reading quite truthfully, so this will keep me for awhile.  I will be adding the states of Pennsylvania, Vermont and Illinois when I get going. 

Last night, Neddy had me read one of our favorite books, Cockatoos by Roald Dahhl.  He told me I "read it the best", he knows how to butter me up.

Taylor and Kate

For two weeks only,  I want to be Taylor Swift.  I want to be twenty-ish, annoyingly beautiful and have the "perfect" life.   I would stand on stage and make the nauseous "who me" expression, because I can do it every time winsomely.  I want to try on everything in her closet and pirouette around the house having every piece of clothing fit and drape perfectly.   In fact I would go into every store and try on expensive clothes and cowboy boots.  I want to comb my beautiful, long, blond hair and have everything I do to it look fabulouso.  Really truly what I want to do is play the guitar and sing.  I want to look cool and sit around soulfully strumming.  All the notes, chords, whatever would not sound anything like my singing.  I would know what I was doing and could play country, blues, rock'n'roll and I would belt it out with full amp.  I would call cool people to play/sing with me,  I am Taylor Swift so I assume they will do it.

After my two weeks is over I want to be Kate Middleton.  I would like to be her for the similar shallow clothes, hair experience.  I would love to be her for all the culture she can take advantage of unlimited.  Think of the history, galleries, jewels, museums, private homes, plays and museums she has access to with no crowds or personal inconvenience.  It would be nice to have servants and personal, understated luxury - assumed luxury.  I could order up a prepared meal anytime of the day.  Jeeves, bring me a chocolate chip cookie. Oh, to have high tea served everyday.  Jeeves, this is Kate, get me tickets to the Taylor Swift concert.  I like to think her life will go easier than Diane's.

On Tuesday, I am going to a book group that is discussing Elizabeth, the First by Sally Bedell Smith.  The author will be at the book group.  I haven't read it, but will enjoy the presentation.

Farts

This post is for my kids.  I am always telling them to talk about something else, but it never works.  I am trying to decide if I should take Hoover to the emergency room for the terrible gas that he has.  Maybe I should take myself to the emergency room for the terrible gas he has.  It is truly noxious.  He is so happily snoring away or I would kick him out of my room.   I switched him to organic food to help with this enormous problem, but I think it made things worse.  I might have to see what cheapo grocery store kibble does, at least I wouldn't be spending as much for this air pollution.

Cats don't really fart much.  Sometimes if you accidentally squeeze them they may do a little poot, but they are much more dignified than dogs.  It could be they have better waste processing systems.  Whatever the reason, it is definitely a plus for felines over canines.

In kindergarten all the kids brought in a favorite book.  Ned took in "The Gas We Pass".  I am always THAT mom.

Yesterday at lunch the person next to me did a big fart and just acted like he didn't.  Ew, it does ruin lunch a little bit.  When Teri and I were at a fancy restaurant in AZ a women farted long and loudly in the restaurant.  Not once as whoops, but twice as a who the hell cares.  Well I care, because I got the giggles. I just couldn't stop laughing.

The kids have been watching some Youtube videos where guys pretend to fart on people in Walmart.  It is so incredibly rude and also hysterical.  It is a good laugh until they almost get beat up by guy totally offended by someone farting on his wife.

I fart in your general direction.