This is why ...... 

........ I enjoy making quilts for people I love.

sew dorky

One of my goals for Thanksgiving break was to get a little sewing done for Christmas. So when I sat down to make a ______ for _______ (Ssshhhh! It's a secret!), I was more than a little disappointed to find out my machine wasn't operating properly. At all.

I had just replaced the needle, made sure it was threaded properly (four times), etc. I couldn't find anything wrong with it. It just wouldn't sew right. So I took it in to the place I bought it. It's under warranty, and I figured I might as well. So I made the trek into town yesterday.

They were closed (grr!).

I went again this morning, walked in, and let Mr. Ed (the repair guy) know what was going on. He took the sewing machine and said, "Alrighty then. Let's take a look at what might be going on."

Mr. Ed's the nicest guy ever. He's old enough to be retired, I'm sure. But he's the repair man for his wife's sewing business. I think that's the cutest thing ever. :)

Anyway - he looked at it for what may have been an entire fraction of a second, and said, "Well ... looks like your needle is in backwards."

I ran away, as far as I could, as fast as I could. Right out the front door.

Just kidding. But I wanted to!!

"I see you've got a Singer needle in there," he continued.

"Is that bad?" I asked.

"Well, typically, you can use Singer in a Viking machine. But they don't really make Singer needles like they used to."

"Ah. Good to know."

He quickly replaced the needle with a good one (and facing the right way!), tested it on some fabric, and viola! It's fixed.

Honestly, I was relieved. I thought something horrible was wrong, because of the way it was performing. But I was a tad embarrassed too. He didn't seem to mind. In fact, he thought it was quite humorous.

I told him thank you, and that I wanted to look around a little bit, and asked him to show me where the needles were for Viking machines. He graciously and kindly helped me. Not only did he show me where they were, but I got a quick lesson on which needles were good for what.

I chose a few packs, browsed through their fabric, checked out their scissors, and got in the check-out line. I was hoping I would get Mrs. Ed, because I wasn't sure how much more teasing my bruised ego could take, but no ... I got Mr. Ed.

"You ready to check out?"

"I am," I said, as I placed the needles on the counter.

He quickly scanned the items. "That comes to $11.10"

I handed him a twenty dollar bill, and said, "I think I might have the ten cents."

"Oh! I love it when that happens!"

We both laughed.

I said, "Yeah. It's the little things ......"

Long pause ....

"Like knowing which way a needle should face."

He laughed. Hard.

I laughed. A little.

I'm sew dorky.

cheese, quilts, and reading

As you read in my last post, I wasn't feeling very well in the first part of the week. The second part of the week, my cold got better, but then I ate some cheese, and I've been feeling very sluggish because of it. This is what happens when I crave something that is "legal" on my diet, but still doesn't sit well with me. I take a few bites anyway - and then suffer.

For three days.

The question is: Will I ever learn?

The answer is: Probably not! :))

But in other (good!) news ... Next week is Thanksgiving, and not long after that, it'll be time to start getting things ready for Christmas! Ashlee and Daniel are coming and will be here three or four days. I'm so excited I might just wet my pants stay away from forbidden food that makes me feel awful.

We plan to go see the new Narnia movie, Voyage of the Dawn Treader while they're here. Can you believe I've never read the Narnia series?

Biggest crime for a reader, I know. However - in celebration of the new movie coming out, I'm going to read as much of the series as possible. 

How 'bout you? Are you doing anything special to celebrate the Holiday Season? Leave a comment and tell us about it! Or - tell me what you're reading and whether you would recommend it. I'm always on the lookout for great books!

One more bit of good news before I go. I finally finished Jessie's Coca-Cola quilt!! This is the good part about being down with an illness. You tend to get a lot of hand sewing done. :)

I could have wrapped it up and given it to her for Christmas, but since it's been hanging on the stairwell for three years (cough, cough!), I didn't figure it would be much of a surprise.

Next post, I'll show you her reaction to (finally) getting the quilt.

 

P.S. I chose Coca-Cola because 1.) She likes Coke! And 2.) Her bedroom is decorated in Coca-Cola garb. Her bed cover is red, and her sheets are black. Her curtains are also black, so it goes well with what she's put together. Not sure how we coordinated so well ... I guess we're just awesome like that. 

*rolls eyes

oh my stars!

I can't talk very well today, cuz by dose is plugged up and I'b dot feelid very well. So here are sobe pictures to keep you occupied til I returd.

I fidally fidished by start quilt. I watted to take the pics outside, cuz the colors of the quilt are so earthy. Sorry for the look od by face. It was sdowing. 

Aaaaaaachoooooo!!!!!

Oh, excuse be.

I'll be ok ... really. Just a lil' sdiffle. 

simple woman's daybook

I'm celebrating simplicity with many other ladies today. Go to the Simple Woman's Daybook to see other posts and link up with us!

Here goes:

Outside my window... Smoke, from a nearby forest fire. I don't know whether the details I've heard are accurate or not. But if they are, nine firefighter's have lost their homes (but continue to fight the fire around the clock), and four people are missing. It rained a bit today, but I'm praying for more.

I am thinking... I better go to bed soon, so I have energy to do my mommy thing. :)

I am thankful for... So many things! I'm seriously considering a Polyanna post later on entitled "The Glad Game."

From the learning rooms... The American's Creed, Phil. 2:4-11, and the names of all the oceans and seas, to name a few.

From the kitchen... There's one more piece of apple pie. Any volunteers?

I am wearing... Blue knickers with a blue and white hooded sweatshirt. It's Autumn!!

I am creating... A table runner. Hopefully pics will be up soon! I just need to finish a bit of quilting and sew the binding on.

I am going... Somewhere special for my anniversary. But it's a secret for now. Tell ya' later ... with pictures, of course.

I am reading... Be Still My Soul, by Elisabeth Elliot. Also Sinners In The Hands Of A Good God by David Clotfelter (I won't actually start reading this until tomorrow).

I am hoping... My back feels better tomorrow. I feel like someone beat me with a baseball bat. Ouchie.

I am hearing... Nothing but Andrew watching a survival show, but I'm doing my best to tune it out since they're eating dead rabbits.

Around the house... The dishwasher is fixed, thanks to a husband who is an awesome fixer upper dude!

One of my favorite things... Talking to you. Even better when you talk to me. ;)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Grocery shopping. Love to grocery shop.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing... This is a picture of a little girl at the swimming pool (obviously). I don't know her. I was just stalking her while Andrew and his cousins swam. Do me a favor (insert picture of me on my knees begging here) and let me know which coloring you like best? 1, 2, or 3?

1. 

2.

3.