Keeping Busy

Loading my quilt frame is not an easy task and putting two different quilts on at the same time was a challenge.  I think it will work out well and in the long run save me some time and effort.  Once the quilts were ready to go I then wound 27 bobbins (that was the number I had with no thread on them).  It takes around 15 bobbins for each quilt - give or take.  I like to get bobbins wound before I start quilting so I don't have to do it in the middle of quilting.  Changing bobbins is a pain and at least I have them ready.  One would think someone would come up with a large capacity bobbin for quilting machines!

Later . . .

Embroidery

So this is what had me distracted. I wanted to see what the flowers would look like and the Lady is a new design I got. It was in black and I decided to see what it would look like in red. I actually think it would look good in any solid color. I had a chambray shirt laying around and thus the distraction. I ramble about from craft to craft. I suppose that is the curse of having so many crafts and projects to choose from and work on. Added to the distraction I started reading a Dean Koontz book; which I just finished. I love to read, but when I am reading the book seems to just call to me. I try to get my reading done before I fall asleep, but sometimes I just have to read during the day.

Ahhhhhh well such is my life.

Oh BTW we have borrowed Debby's dog Chloe to see how she and Darci will interact while Debby is in Iraq. They seem to be getting along pretty well - Chloe is adjusting to the new environment and we are hoping that Debby will just let us keep her; considering Debby will be leaving the end of August anyway. Last night they did the bed switch - so I think they are getting comfortable with each other. Max gave them both a bath (shower) today and they are shiny, sweet smelling girls.

Later . . .

Catching up . . .

I finally finished the borders for the dog quilts. I have the batting and backing cut out and ready to load everything on my quilt frame, but I somehow keep getting side tracked. I guess it will get done when it gets done.

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Birthday presents for Max

Max made out her wish list for her birthday and I went ahead and ordered the stuff from B&H. She got that mondo macro lens and we were looking at Paul's eyelashes through it - what a trip. OMG it gets close up. Then she also got the extender for her other lens and we were reading the print on a piece of paper attached to one of the trellises in the backyard. She also got a set of glass lens filters. Needless to say she was and is a happy camper. I am also taking her to Reno for her birthday. We are running up there for a couple of days before we get the grandkids for a week.

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Making Progress

I finished the other dog quilt top and have the borders and binding cut out and ready to sew together. I am hoping to get both the quilts on my frame next week. It has been so darn hot around here working in the garage during the day is not an option. Early morning hours is not so bad, but a couple of days it did not even cool down at night. I am getting out of bed a bit earlier these days so I think it will be workable. I did not take any pictures, but will post when the borders are on and perhaps when I get them both on the frame (I am hoping that is a doable thing).

We are off to Max's mom's today to do some chores (fixing and painting her bathroom) and will be back Saturday afternoon/evening. Darci has been having a bit of a bad week (missing her brother I am guessing) and I hate to leave her home alone, but she needs to get used to it. I had to do a bunch of running around the other day and I think that is what kicked off her loneliness. Kathy and Debby will probably visit, but essentially we will only be gone overnight (which we have done many times in the past, but she always had Kodi for company).

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Finished Bags

Joy is a much faster sewer than I am (that would be because she has made MANY of the bags that she was teaching me how to make) so she finished both bags when she got home and emailed me the following pictures. She wanted to have the bags done to take to her sewing group on Thursday. I knew the they would both turn out great and they certainly did.I have not done any more sewing on the dog quilts, but I did try to make the labels and ended up with a design that just did not work. I hate that when it happens, but I usually do not want to do an entire design just to check to see if it will work. If I was putting something on an expensive article of clothing or something like that I would do a test, but when I am working on material I don't see the point. So I guess I did a test design that sucked and I am back to the drawing board. I have all the squares sewn together in rows and just need to attach them. I hope to get the borders and binding cut out tomorrow and hopefully by next week I can have them on the quilting frame.

It is HOT HOT HOT here and is going to be hotter tomorrow. Good day to stay in the house in my sewing room and work on quilts or embroidery.

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Catching up . . .

First piece of good news - Darci did not dig in the yard while she was left home alone. I think maybe she has grown up and does not have all that excess energy that she used to have. She has taken to going around the house and sleeping in the spot that Kodi used to sleep in all the time. I guess she is trying to take over for him - she is still a bit on the skiddish side, but is improving.

Joy did come back with me and she was teaching me how to make tote bags. When we were at the sewing machine shop we saw embroidery on pet mesh and decided we needed to give that a try. We started one at her house and brought it with us, but she did not cut enough material so she had to take it back with her to finish. It was on the black pet mesh and the embroidery was white dragon flies - it was really pretty, but I forgot to take a picture of it. I made the above bag (with her direction) and it turned out really pretty. I wrote down the instructions as I went and then made another bag "all by myself". The below bag is made with material instead of the pet mesh. I like the pet mesh, but I am not sure I want to buy the mesh - it only comes it rolls and I don't know that I would use it all - unless I try to sell some, but there is a lot of time that goes into doing the embroidery and sewing the bag. I really love the one below (pretty girlie bag).

Then we were cruising through some of my designs and she found a design that she wanted on a bag for herself. We prepared the material and I did the embroidery, but there was just not enough time to complete the bag. She had to take it home and will finish it there. Both the above bags have the same design on both sides, but the one I did for Joy (below) will only be on one side cause I just did not have the time to get it on both sides before she had to leave. She went home on Amtrak Friday morning.

We had a good time sewing, but the trip to her house was short and her stay here was kind of short.

Max and I went to Debby's for an early afternoon 4th celebration , but were home early and just hung out around the house. I managed to get some little chores accomplished and we "heard" the fireworks, but we did not see anything.

We are off to Stockton to a birthday party for Jesse's son this afternoon and hopefully we will spend a relaxed quiet day around the house tomorrow. Seems like we have been really busy and pressed for time the last couple of weeks.

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Quick Trip

I am running down to Ventura today with the hopes of bringing my sister back with me.  I need to take my sewing machine in for service and the dealer is in Palmdale (about an hour drive from Joy's).  My expensive embroidery machine is having some problems and needs to be serviced and have some adjustments along with the bobbin winder is broken.  I also want to get my Grand Quilter serviced.  I know that I am going to have to start taking my machines to San Jose because making the trip to Palmdale is just not realistic.  It is a good reason to visit Joy, but not so workable when we visit Duane and family cause we usually are there on the weekends.  Anyway - there will be no posts for a few days (I am coming back on Saturday).

This will be Darci's first time being left alone without her brother.  It will be interesting to see if there will be any excavation happening in the bad yard (she used to dig when she was bored).

Later . . .

One top down and three to go . . .

I had a good day sewing today and put together one quilt top. I am making dog quilts for Wanda's dogs and then I am also going to make a couple extra and see if I might be able to sell them. I purchased enough material to do four - so I am on my way. I want to get Wanda's finished first, but they go together pretty easily (they are not that big). The borders are easy, but the actual quilting and then binding it is the real time consuming part. But I am having fun and that is THE name of the game! I think I am going to try to put two quilts on my frame and see if I can quilt two at the same time. They are small enough that it should work and if that is the case it would be much easier for me.

We are having a lazy weekend staying inside with the air conditioner. We did venture out for hair cuts this afternoon. I am very happy with mine and Max is not so happy with hers (I personally think hers looks really cute). For the first time she thinks her hair is too short in the back. It is shorter than before, but I think it looks nice. Now if I could get her to let me take a picture I could post it - but I don't think that is going to happen. Tomorrow with be another lazy day of movie watching, video gaming and relaxing. God I love the weekends!

Later . . .

Getting Back to Normal

I have started sewing and quilting again. Since Kodi's departure it has been kind of weird around the house. Unfortunately, Darci is really having a difficult time without her brother. He has basically been with her all her life and he was not only her companion, but he was her back up. She is a little on the skiddish side right now. She still barks and such, but she will not go to the door without someone going with her - she just looks at you to be her back up. It is sad and at the same time a little amusing. The sad part is when she eats - she just looks at where Kodi's bowl used to be. I am sure she will come around (without the kitten Max thinks will cheer her up). It has turned really hot around here and I am ready to finish the binding on my "Wild Woman" quilt, but I really do not want to do it while it is so hot. Any quilting on my frame will have to be done EARLY in the morning cause the garage just gets too hot. The weather is suppose to cool down this coming week so perhaps it will not be so hot in the garage.

Later . . .

FAREWELL BIG GUY . . .

It was with the deepest sadness that on June 13th we had to let Kodi go.  He was getting progressively worse and after extensive testing the option that remained was that he had a brain tumor.  Max, Darci and I gave Kodi a farewell pizza and ice cream party; which he enjoyed with great pleasure and enthusiasm.  I made the decision on the 10th and had some great time with him before he left.  I cried my heart out most of the week (and am still having a difficult time) but I knew it was the right thing to do - he was miserable and in pain.  His ashes will be spread in the hills of Napa Valley, which is the resting place for many other canine pals. He was the greatest dog and will be missed terribly by everyone who knew and loved him.

Later . . .

Weekend

We had a great time at the Summer Special Olympics watching Micahel play Volleyball. His team won a set and lost a set on Saturday, but ended up with a Silver Medal on Sunday! After his games we (Kathy, Paul, Carl, Nancy [Paul's parents], Max and I) roamed Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley checking out the vendors and having lunch. It was a really nice day as I had not been over there in years. We grabbed a SUPER chocolate/banana/strawberry/whip cream crepe on the way back to the car and finished our Berkeley experience. Later in the afternoon Max staked the tomato plants in the back yard and I washed our cars. I had MANY dead bugs on the grill and Max's car was just plain dirty. Max also fixed the hose as it had sprung many leaks, but there was plenty to cut off the leaking part and still have a good long hose.

BTW - my thumb is recovering pretty well. It still has some pain right in the joint, but I am getting much more pain free movement out of it. I have not played any video games or guitar hero - I am sticking to the mouse on my Mac for any game playing. I have also started using Alleve and it seems to do a bit better job than Advil or Tylenol.

Today has been a typical Sunday of relaxation - if you can call listening to your dog pant and cry and drool rivers around the house relaxing. I am afraid to report that Kodi is not getting any better. The vet called yesterday to say his urine test came back fine - so there is no indication that he has Cushings. Unfortunately, there is SOMETHING wrong with him and we don't know what that something is. I was hoping the pain medication would give him some relief, but it does not seem to be doing anything. His feet are clearing up with the medication and antibiotics, but he is still experiencing a lot of discomfort and he is still ravenously hungry. Needless to say, he is breaking my heart with every pant and whine.

Later . . .

Update

Took Kodi's urine sample in to the vet this AM, but have not gotten any results on the testing. I stopped by the pet store and bought a sweet little toy for the cat Kodi traumatized and took it as a peace offering. They were very appreciative and thought it was a really sweet thing for "Kodi" to do. I also requested some pain mediation for Kodi to relieve some of his suffering - his feet just look painful! He was so out of it on the pain medication that he did not even care when the camera came out. The credit card was hit for $350 today because that included the cost for the x-rays and such from yesterday that I did not pay at the time. Kodi has cost us over $500 this week and he still is having problems and we don't have the answer. He is still one HUNGRY dog.

I finished the quilting on my "Wild Woman" quilt and I must say I am pleased with the outcome. I was a bit concerned when Max and Joy convinced me to use black thread on the front and red on the back, but it looks really nice. Max was VERY impressed and was surprised at how well it turned out - considering it was VERY loud to start with she did not see how it could possibly look good. Kathy had pretty much the same reaction - and I knew it was going to be awesome from the gate!

Later . . .

More Kodi Information

Had to take Kodi in to the vet this morning for x-rays. He got stellar treatment because everyone there loves him - nail trim and teeth cleaned with no charge just because he was there. After all he weighs over 100 pounds and they prefer to just leave him on the table between x-rays and someone has to stay with him anyway. The vet got to take a look at his feet and put him on antibiotics AGAIN. All was well until it was time to leave and pay the bill; which, at that time, Kodi decided to have a Kodi snack and MUNCHED the vet's cat! OMG what a scene that was! The cat hissed at him and the fight was on. Kodi ended up with the cat's head in his mouth and REFUSED to let it go. Thank God it looked worse than it was. They had to pry Kodi's mouth open with a broom handle and whisked the cat away. I left to let them tend to the cat and they called me later to let me know there was no serious injury. No puncture wounds, no internal injuries, no broken bones/neck or back. All in all the vet said the cat was really bruised and sore but doing okay (kind of suffering from whip lash). She was actually amazed that Kodi did not do more damage, but he has never hurt a cat before and he just went into paralyze mode when people started screaming and pulling at him. I am very glad the cat is okay and I wonder if they will all continue to love him like before. I know one thing for sure - he will not have any give on his leash from now on. I just did not see the cat around the corner from where I was standing to pay my bill.

I have to get another urine sample first thing in the morning for Kodi because the x-rays did not show anything. It is pretty confusing to not know what the heck is going on with him and this hunger issue. I am used to the feet problems, but this whole business is difficult. He is also having some urinating accidents in the house which has never happened before.

The saga continues and I will keep posting what I find out.

Later . . .

Kodi Update

The vet finally called yesterday afternoon and all Kodi's lab tests DO NOT point to Cushings! He has something going on with his urine and she wants to do an x-ray of his stomach to check for "bladder stones". His blood work indicated that his thyroid level is low and we will have to adjust that medication. She thinks "perhaps" if he has bladder stones that might cause the excess drinking and urinating, but it does not explain his hunger. I did shave his feet and he had a lot more sores than could be seen through all that hair. I think his crying might have been more connected to the pain in his feet and "maybe" he just happened to be laying in front of his food dish. I think that is really stretching it, because last night he was rummaging in the trash which is something he has NEVER done! I had just opened a package of pill pockets and thrown the package in the trash because I put the pill pockets in a plastic container. Maybe Kodi is like me and eats for comfort????????? When I don't feel good I usually want something to eat! I have to call and make an appointment for the x-ray and perhaps start him on some antibiotics to help clear up his feet (which I will continue to shave so we can at least see what the hell is going on).

Other than that - I am still quilting and staying away from video games. My thumb is less painful than it was before, but it still pains me in different positions and pinching stuff is not working so well for me. Now I am turning to my Mac for some game playing - I seem to be the time wasting queen right now - motivation is not oozing out of me at the moment. I need to make a "to do" list because that usually will get me moving in the right direction.

Later . . .

Kodi

Well I took Kodi to the vet this AM and we are awaiting the results of $200 worth of blood and urine work. It appears that he might have Cushings Disease The vet said she might have the results this evening, but we have not received a phone call. He fits the symptoms pretty well and this could also be contributing to his feet problems and infections. Poor guy - I certainly hope we can pin down what is going on with him. It certainly has come on suddenly if this is the problem, but his behavior is like nothing I have ever seen before. Kodi is such a mild mannered, kind and gentle guy and he has turned into this food crazed FEED ME monster. He steals Darci's food and wants to be fed all day. Poor baby lays in front of his food dish and cries. It is really just too hard not to give him some food when he is crying and he has gained like 7 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I also am going to just have to bite the bullet and go ahead and shave all the hair from his massive manly feet. I keep the hair on the bottom and between the pads shaved, but I just need to have better access for applying his medication.

I will post when I hear from the vet - there are more tests that will need to be run if he has the indications in this work that it is Cushings.

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My Bad!

Whew - where does the time go? I cannot believe it has been weeks since I have posted. Things have happened and I guess I just have not taken the time to sit down at the computer and share.

I did finish my quilt from my quilt class. I am very pleased and happy with it. I am working on the other one, but I am also quilting my large "wild woman" quilt. Unfortunately, I can see the need to do some time management and scheduling if I am ever going to get some of the projects I want to do completed. It certainly is a good thing that I am retired - I just don't know what I do to waste so much time.

Max's mom and dad came down for Memorial weekend and we did a photo shoot and did some crafts. Debby and friend came over for dinner and we all played a little guitar hero. Unfortunately, my guitar hero days are done for a while. I went to the doctor regarding my thumb and his serious recommendation was to have surgery. I decided to have another cortisone shot and see if that could give me some relief for a while. It seems to be working, but I am not going to do any video games of any kind that might aggravate it. I am actually saddened by that because I was really having some fun with guitar hero and was progressing nicely at the medium level. I went bad and picked up 5's on all the easy ones (with the exception of Raining Blood which is just a stupid HARD song). I suppose down the road I may be able to play again with LIMITATIONS; which seems to be hard for me to do - moderation is not one of my strong suits.

This last weekend we had Max's family over for dinner and enjoyed a relaxing weekend. Next weekend is Summer Special Olympics in Berkeley and Michael will be playing volleyball. We will be going and it will give Max a chance to try out her new super duper sports lens!

Kodi is sick again and has a vet appointment tomorrow AM. Not sure what is going on with him. He is hungry ALL the time and that is not typical Kodi behavior. He is again having some feet problems and that may be causing him some pain. I try to the best of my ability to stay on top of the feet stuff, but this last bit of hot weather may have flared up some spots. He is becoming an old man and he worries me. I just hate having him be in pain and feeling so miserable. Perhaps he needs his thyroid meds adjusted. I think I will have them do a complete blood work while they are at it. He is crying a lot of the time and that is really hard to handle.

That could be all the news from around here, but I loose track of time so quickly it is hard to say.

Later . . .

Final Class

My final class went well and I learned some good information regarding how to attach the binding and also an easier way to put my quilt label on the back.  I did not get the binding completed, but when I do I will post a picture of the completed project.  I have already started on the other quilt that I was making and had to put aside due to time constraints.  I am looking forward to seeing how I do without any hands on help when I get confused.  If the weather cools off I am ready to start some quilting on my machine in the garage - several for Joy and several for me.

Max and a buddy are going to go shoot at sunset and I will probably tag along.  She wants to do some studio practice with me this afternoon before she does the thing for her friend next weekend.  Other than that we don't really have much planned for the weekend except trying to stay cool and keep Kodi that way.

She has me convinced she needs that Canon 70-200mm 2.8 IS L USM - I mean after all Canon has a $125 rebate going right now and how could we possibly pass that up!

Later . . .

Ready for final class

I managed to get everything done for my class tonight. The actual quilting went well, except for a bit of unevenness on the bottom of the quilt. I had a really hard time getting my binding to come out straight until I walked away from the machine yesterday and came back today. I just could not seem to sew a straight diagonal line from corner to corner; however today it seems to work out just fine. I made the label for my quilt - so I am hoping I may be able to finish it tonight in class. If I don't get it finished tonight, it will not take much to sew the binding on.
I made myself a pin cushion out of a really pretty cup and saucer that I found at the thrift store along with a cup I found for my teacher. I like have a handle to move my pin cushion around and I think they are cute.

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Cathing up . . .

I cannot believe it has been this long since I have updated my blog. We have been back from vacation for weeks! We did have a really relaxing and nice time (and that is what we were looking for). The internet connection dropped out and it was really hard to connect - so I just let it go. We did not take many pictures, but did have a nice visit with Joy and Jim and also Don.

We came home on Thursday in time for me to finish my quilt top. The left side of the picture is actually the top of the quilt (I could not get the entire quilt if I shot it upright). Then the class last week was canceled - so this coming Thursday is my last class. I have my quilt loaded on my frame to do the quilting and then we will apply the binding in class (I have to cut and sew that before the class). I also need to make a label for the quilt before the class. I have enjoyed the class and might consider taking another one. It has turned HOT around here and I am going to have to get up early to work on my quilt as the garage gets way to HOT in the afternoon.

Wanda came for a visit and I really enjoyed that. It gave us a chance to catch up on "stuff" and just hang out and visit. We did a lot of nothing - I got her addicted to a couple of video games that I had on my computer, but I could not get her interested in Guitar Hero. I did manage to get her to play a couple of PS2 games (she needs to know how it works cause they bought one for their grandkids). We went out for Sushi and Indian food and that was yummy.

Things are about the same around here. Max still has a job and will probably have one until December, but the morale at work SUCKS. Everyone is unhappy and waiting to find out who is staying and who is going - really a depressing place to be right now. It is hard not knowing if there will be a job or not and trying to decide if she should throw her 7 years away and start over or stay and wait and see. My vote is for the stay and wait and see, but there are some jobs she might apply for and then if she gets a job offer - make the decision at that time.

When we were in Santa Barbara Max was able to pick up a bunch of photography stuff she wanted and today she got her Multi-dome Soft Box (which came with some free online lighting lessons). She really has everything she needs now for a complete studio. She is going to take some studio shots of a co-workers daughter next weekend.

Later . . .