Squishies For Me

I was sure I wouldn't have any quilty things to show you today, but my quilty friends have seen to it that I do!  I went to the PO to get all of my January swaps in the mail, and look what I found in my mailbox when I got home.  2 squishies for me!!

The first one was for the monthly block swap I'm in, and was sent from Wanda in TN. She sent me 2 blocks instead of just the 1 that the swap requires.  Aren't they pretty?  Sorry the color is completely off - the red in the second is the same as the red in the first one.  They look just perfect with the others I've received from this swap.

The second was from a giveaway I won over at Tonya's.  It also had extras.  The giveaway was for the apron pattern, but she sent me a yard of this beautiful green fabric as well.  That's probably going to end up in the quilt I'll be making from the no sew swap we're both in.  She's such a sweetheart, and a really generous friend.  Thank you Tonya!

This is probably my last post until after our trip.  We leave early on Thursday morning, and I'm sure I'll be pretty busy tomorrow getting everything finished up.  We'll be gone for 15 days, so don't forget to come back!

Getting Ready

Since I was so bad about posting in December, I had planned to post everyday in January until we leave on the 21st.  Well, life interfered.  My husband was sick when he came home from his trip to India, and no matter how careful I was, how much I disinfected, how I sanitized the dishes, how often I washed my hands, it finally caught me last week.  I haven't been terribly sick, but just enough that I don't have any energy, feel lousy and don't want to do anything. 
But the big thing is, I have two days to get completely ready for our trip on Thursday.  That means all the laundry done, clothes to be prepared, stuff gathered, house made ready, etc.  But feeling lousy has really put a damper on my preparations.  I've started the laundry this evening, and really hope to have most of the work done by tomorrow evening because I plan to play cards on Wednesday, and I don't want to miss it. 
So no quilty things to show you tonight, but if things go well, maybe tomorrow.

Getting Better

Thank you everyone for your get well wishes.  I got up feeling so much better this morning, and even kept my lunch date with a former coworker.  It was such fun to catch up with her.  We really enjoy a local Mexican restaurant, and we both always have the same thing.  So lunch was reallly good with really good company.  By the time I got home at about 2:00, my throat was so sore, and I was feeling really crappy again.  Of course, since it's Friday, I have to wait until Monday to see my doctor, or maybe Tuesday since Monday is a holiday.  I think I'll go to a quick care place tomorrow to see if I can get something to take care of this.  Hubby and I are leaving on an exciting trip next Thursday, and I certainly want to be well for that.
We're going to Egypt for a 15 day tour and cruise!  I'm so excited!  I can't believe that I'm going to actually get to see all those wonders that we've read about in our history and geography books.  (BTW, for those of you who, like me, were in grade school in the dark ages, did you notice with your children and grandchildren that geography is no longer taught as a separate subject??)  I've spent a lot of time on the internet reading about being a tourist in Egypt.  If any of you have been there and have any suggestions for me, let me know. 
I spent the morning getting all of my January 'stuff' ready to mail, so it will go out tomorrow.  I'm hoping to get up early and get to the PO when they open. 

Feeling Poorly

I can't believe it's Thursday already.  Where do the days go?  I've been really busy until today, and today I've been sick.  Nothing serious, just general crappiness.  I slept a lot, but I did get up to take care of the important things  - a shower, eating, and sewing. Mostly I just sat at the machine, but finally got one block put together before I needed another nap.  I didn't take a picture of the block, because it was really awful and will have to be redone. 
Tomorrow will be a better day...

GS Birthday

We thought we were finished with snow for awhile, but something's coming down out there and it isn't rain.  We went out with both sides of his family to celebrate my grandson's 11th birthday.  We went to a Japanese steak house, and I had about twice as much dinner as I needed.  It's always a good show and good food.  But oh my gosh, I couldn't believe the salt the chef poured on the food!  I have been continually thirsty since we started eating.  So anyway, back to the snow...by the time we left the restaurant, it was really coming down.  We live on top of a really steep hill, and I was worried about getting back home.  It was ok, though, the hill wasn't slick yet....but it will be.

I had planned to get to the PO first thing tomorrow and get everything mailed that needs to go.  I had 2 things left to do so that my January stuff would be done.  One was to cut my blocks for a no sew block swap.  So that's done, and this is my sample block.  I really like the way it looks, and I hope those who get one will also like it.

The other is a Dresden Plate block for the monthly swap I'm in.  It's not finished, but it's close.  Maybe by the end of this evening I can get it done.  I guess the pressure's off thoough - there's no way I'm leaving this hill in the morning!

When I had finished working on these, I wanted to do something just for me, so I made a block for my Sylvia's Bridal Quilt.  I'm really ejoying these little blocks, and I love the way they look.  After I got this one done, I realized I had a big mistake where the upper right quadrant is wonky, and believe me it really is wonky! I'll take that corner off tomorrow and see if I can straighten it out.  Hope so!  I couldn't get the camera to take a picture anywhere near the real colors, and playing around with the colors, I got it as close as I could. (But I'm glad these aren't the real life colors!)

Blogging Milestone

Today I'm writing my 100th post.  It's hard for me to believe that I've had something to write about 100 times.  Well, I guess that's open for discussion - I'm not much of a writer, and whether I have anything to say is questionable.  But I have been enjoying this addition to my life and retirement.  A year ago at this time, I never would have dreamed of actually posting my own blog.  I really didn't know what they were!   Anyway, to celebrate, I'm preparing a giveaway for my followers.  More about that the next time because I'm certainly not prepared right now.  Just in case you didn't know, I'm not only disorganized, but a terrible procrastinator as well.  I keep thinking about what I'll give away, but I sure haven't gathered it yet.  Can I blame that on the weather?

So, would you believe, my first finish of 2010?  I'm signed up for OPAM, and hopefully that little nudge to complete a project each month will keep me working toward that goal.  This is the completed mini for the Fall Themed Mini Quilt swap.  Can't wait to get it mailed and really say good bye to fall.

Another January finish for me is the blocks for Aunt Pitty Pat's Christmas block swap.  I really love how they turned out.  They'll go in the mail this week, as will the mini quilt, and monthly block swap.

I've worked really hard this weekend trying to get everything finished and ready to mail.  (It wouldn't have taken so long if I could just make things without making so many mistakes!)  Just 2 more to go.  My husband and I are leaving for a trip on the 21st, so all the January obligations have to be out of here this week.  I want to allow enough time that I will know whether they've arrived at their destination or not before we leave town.

Weather Moving In

The snow has been falling all afternoon, and even as it got dark, it was still coming down.  I'm glad that my travelling children have been back to their homes for a few days, and that DS1 is recovering well from his surgery yesterday, and is even planning to go back to work tomorrow - to work at his desk.  He's been up and out today, because he gets stiff and sore if he sits too long.

I'm making a very large pot of soup for dinner tonight, and as far as it will go tomorrow.  When the weather's bad, I always feel more secure when I have plenty of food on hand. Wonder why?

I've really been busy with sewing today, cutting and sewing my blocks for Aunt Pitty Pat's Holiday swap.  Less than two week till we leave on our trip, and everything must be in the mail well before that.  I realized today that I hadn't mailed my December block for my monthly block swap.  I feel so bad about that. I've had it made since before Christmas, so there's no excuse.  Mea culpa.  I really must apologize and get it out asap.  Anyway, no pictures for today since all I finished was the cutting, and sewing components together.  Hopefully they'll all be done tomorrow and I can show them to you.

No Cards Wednesday

Today I spent most of the day at the hospital with DS1 who had to have some minor surgery.  When I know I have a bit of waiting ahead, I go prepared.  I took a good novel, a book of sudoku puzzles and even some DJ blocks to hand piece.  So I read awhile, did a couple of puzzles and then got set to sew.  I only forgot one little thing - the needle.  I know I'm good, but I just haven't figured out how to sew without one!
Seriously, though, DS1's surgery went smoothly and he came home with me for a few hours this afternoon, and even though I would feel better if he had stayed the night, I took him home this evening where I know he'll feel more comfortable.
Back to the sewing room tomorrow.

Welcome Home

My husband finally made it home today.  He was scheduled to depart from New Delhi Saturday morning, our time.  However, they had a heavy fog which grounded all flights, and they were delayed at least 10 hours.  Of course, this meant that they missed their connecting flight to DC.  They were flying KLM and so had an overnight stay in Amsterdam.  From what he said, though, the security check wasn't as bad as might be expected.  The delay then dominoed to his flight home, and United made him pay $150 to change the flight!  But he's home, with a cold, and bone weary.  Today is his birthday, and he was able to stay awake just long enough for us all to go out to dinner to celebrate.  All he really wanted, though, was to climb in bed and close his eyes.  Happy birthday, honey!

Back to the Sewing Room

Today the sewing room was really calling - from early morning.  So as soon as breakfast was done I was off to sew.  There are several things I have to finish this month, and everything must be completed by the 20th, since my husband and I are leaving on the 21st for our winter vacation to the sun.  I finished making the quilt top for the Fall Mini swap and already have the batting and backing.  I should have just continued working on it so that I'd have one of my January projects complete, but of course I didn't.  This is where it is right now, but since it's a mini, it won't take a lot to finish it.

As of yesterday I was so close to having 100 blocks completed for the Dear Jane, that I just had to keep working on it.  I did 2 blocks yesterday and 2 more today, so I officially have 100 of those little blocks complete.  Here are the latest.

When those get to be too much for me to work on, I switch to the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks.  They're a little larger than the DJ blocks which makes them a little easier to work with.  I'm making this totally from my stash except for the background fabric.  I had some, but not enough for a quilt.  I bought another fabric and I'm using them both.  I like having the variety in the blocks.  So far, this quilt is just what I work on when I don't want to do any of my other projects.  I'm sure, however, that as I get more done it's going to become more important and pressing to be done. 

I'm getting very close to my 100th post, so I'm working on getting a giveaway ready.  I'll tell you more about it later.  So until tomorrow, thanks for stopping by.