Friday, June 21, 2019

There was no sewing done yesterday at the session; Gail purchased nine totes of fabric from someone who was clearing out his wife’s stash. She had planned to have it all put away before we arrived but she was only into her second tote so there was no room for machines. We spent the afternoon going through the fabrics and, as we looked at them, Gail managed to do a bit of sorting. I don’t envy her that job, although I am a little envious of her purchases.

Last night was the Guild’s wind-up pot luck. Deloise’s Watermelon Salad was well received and I only had a small bowl left at the end of the night. Our Secret Pals were revealed; there were two people I thought might be my pal and I was right about one of them. As it turned out I was sitting at the table with both of the possibilities.

I had to stop at the Hall this morning so I combined that stop with a few errands. First the Hall, then the bank, then Staples and then Walmart. I had a few photos that I needed to print before sending Caye’s package off to her.

There were a few problems with the photo machine I was working on but the clerk was very helpful and they all turned out well. Then I was off to the newspaper office to pick up tickets and money for the show at the Hall this weekend.

While I was driving to the newspaper my phone started to ring; I’m still not entirely sure about this cell phone but it has been handy a few times and I’m learning to carry it with me. I didn’t answer it (of course) but it rang again. When I got to the parking lot at the newspaper it said there was an urgent voice mail.

Try as I might I had no idea how to retrieve a voice mail and I was worried that something had gone wrong at the Hall (today was the wedding). I finished up as quickly as I could at the newspaper office and headed home.

My call was from Pat saying that I had left my envelope from Stapes at the photo counter in Walmart. So back I went to retrieve my printing. I’m thinking me and Walmart just aren’t a good match – even if the last few times the issue has been totally mine.

I cleared off one surface in the sewing room this morning; I have some major rearranging in mind but one thing always leads to another. I’m hoping by the time I get the furniture moved around everything will be tidy (dream on!).

I think there is enough time left this afternoon to tackle my cutting table. Everything that needs a home always ends up there and, with my new configuration, I hope to put an end to that.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

I planned to get a lot done today and, looking back, I guess I accomplished quite a bit. I finished five loads of laundry and hung most of it on the line. I sorted out the recycling and Pat took it to the two different depots.

I cleared off a section of my cutting table so I could finish a small gift and wrap up a package for the mail. Of course the other three gifts that need to be finished are still sitting on the table.

I cleared out a bag from the bee yesterday so that I could fill it with the tools and project I need for tomorrow’s sewing bee. In order to get the project together I had to unpack a bag from my trip. Although the backing fabric I purchased is in the correct bin the rest of the stuff from the bag hasn’t been put away yet.

I went to the Hall to open it for a rehearsal for the wedding on Friday. Everyone arrived on time, it was a quick run-through and I was on the road again within an hour. First stop was the post office. Can you believe it cost me over $20 to mail a package worth about $6 to Fort Smith?

I had another issue with Walmart and photos – this time it was entirely my fault though. I found some missing photos of a cousins get-together that I wanted to add into Caye’s package. I loaded them on my USB drive and was half-way into the store before realizing that I should have stopped at the bank for some cash. Oh well, I can use my debit or credit card. I was about three-quarters of the way into the store before realizing that I hadn’t included any photos from our get-together this year. No wonder my time gets away from me.

I think I’m done working for the day. I’ll go back to my hand stitching tonight.

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

It feels like I’m back in the swing of things since my vacation. I’m not caught up yet, but I’m back to my regular comings and goings. I spent all day yesterday at my computer; I got through my e-mail messages; I shortened my Reminder list from 30+ to a more manageable 19; I did a bit of Cranberry Hall work and I got most of the way through Pat’s GST accounting.

I was awake at 4:15 this morning and finally got out of bed at 5:15 to get an early start on the day. I finished up the Cranberry Hall work (although with a meeting next week I have some prep to do for that) and I sent Pat’s accounting off to the accountant.

Today was a bee day and it was good to catch up on the news from everyone. I missed the Guild’s AGM so I was able to congratulate the new President and Treasurer today. I’m hoping it is a trend that will continue – I finished up all the projects I took with me to work on. Well finish isn’t exactly true but I finished what I planned to do.

There were the usual errands to run after the bee. A stop at the Hall to check the mail and then a deposit to make at the bank. From there I went to Walmart to pick up some ribbon I need for a project and to the grocery store for items I need for the Watermelon Salad I’m taking to the Guild Pot Luck on Thursday.

Our fabric store is definitely closing and Deb has a big sale on so I stopped in this afternoon. I didn’t have any upcoming projects that I was desperate to find fabric for but I stocked up on threads at 30% off. I may go through some of my patterns again before she closes the door but I’m more in the mood to finish things than I am to start them.

I have a table runner and a small quilt to hand stitch the binding on tonight; I’ll be able to use a new sharp needle from one of the packages I bought today.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

It’s good to be home, even if it is only for a few hours. I had a lovely time with everyone and after every trip I wish I lived closer to my family. Time away from home gave me a better perspective on the things I like doing (i.e., the things I missed while I was away) and the things I don’t like as much (i.e., the things I didn’t miss for a minute while I was away).

And speaking of perspective I have a new plan for the workshop at the studio. I’m going to pack up Ruby (my quilting machine), my sewing table, my folding tables and a few quilting projects that are already sandwiched and I’m going to see how the workshop serves as a sewing space. If it works, I’ll move my cross stitching back home; I need something to fill my days and evenings in Powell River.

The yard and pots definitely missed me; my geraniums and petunias withstood the neglect better than the snap dragons and marigolds. The very first blossoms are out on the daisies but I’ve missed the best days for the peonies. Everything got a good water tonight and I’ll go over it all one more time tomorrow morning before we leave for Texada.

Thank you to everyone for the visits and activities. Seeing Madison receive her diploma was definitely the highlight! She is a beautiful young woman.