Quilting news and other stuff

I haven't really posted anything since my brother died, so I guess I'm getting back to normal. 
So, this is my new baby. I actually purchased her last year, but have had trouble making time to use her. She is a PFAFF Quilt Expression 4.2. Recently, I was asked by my quilt teacher/friend of many years why in the world would I pick a PFAFF when I could own a BERNINA? My answer was simple: I love it! Bernina is a great machine, no doubt. But I learned to sew on a HOBBY 1132, so I'm a little sentimental about PFAFF. Also, there is the affordability factor. I mean, for 5 grand, I could make a partial down-payment on a car, or a house.

I love the ease of use as well. Even for a novice like myself, I find that I don't have to work real hard at figuring out what to do to get the effect I want. 192 stitches! It's simply amazing! 

I'm working on a baby quilt that was entirely applique. Let me say it bluntly: not a good plan for me. Not only was I out of my league, I was using a new machine that I didn't fully understand how to use. Here's where I am with it:  

You'll notice that big, bunch of bananas. I'm ripping that out. I tried to make it look like a real bunch of bananas, but found it only confused people. In case you wondered, it's not my design. I bought it off of someone's Etsy shop. Her monkeys were alot bigger, even though I followed the pattern exactly. Won't be doing this again. 

I keep playing with the courthouse steps idea. I did one block that you see below. It was foundation pieced, which was very, very acurate. You'll have to forgive the material I used. I was trying to use scraps up.  This is what I hope to be making it look like without the blue center:

I got this badly taken picture from a television show from the 90's and thought how great would that look in my living room!  Anyway, that's about all I am doing sewing-wise. 

I started working out with a trainer recently. He's a very nice young man who is down to earth. I only started because I was tired of being sick and tired. My body strength was nil and my legs hurt constantly. Not a good thing for a nurse who is up on her feet for 12 hours at a time. He is putting me through my paces. And, of course, I'm hoping to lose weight, so I'm conferring with him on diet issues. 
Work is very busy, which is highly unusual this time of year. Our census is never maxed out in June, but it is this year for some reason. 27 patients is a lot of patients to keep content.

The Legal Adult moved out after having been with us for some time. He broke his leg last year, and now has a new apartment....again. I haven't written very much about him, but he has effectly made an old woman out of me this year by turning 31. 

Hollywood turns 21 in a week or so. He has an apartment across town, but has never invited me over except to pick him up to go somewhere. Hmmmmm......

The Dyl Pickle is 12 now and is sporting purple hair! Yeash......
But he is so very tall now, and he has grown men feet-size 12! Turns 13 and starts 8th grade in the fall. 

Hunnybunny is working for new company as the mid west sales rep. He just got back from Canada. Always happy to get back to southern cooking. We just celebrated number 14 Anniversary by heading to Hilton Head. It was very, very nice!

As for me, two more semesters of school and then I can sit for the NCLEX-RN. I am nearly as old as the teacher, but I like it. What I don't enjoy is going to school 4 days a week and then working every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Speaking of Sunday, better get a shower so I can head to church. Later, y'all.......

Where I've been is probably not as important as where I am going....

Well, hello friends, neighbors, and some family that lurks occasionally. You're thinking, "Where 'ya been, Beth?" And it's true, I've not posted a blooming thing since the 5Th of October. So in keeping with my personality trait of making excuses, allow me to run down the list of what I've been up to:

1. I went to Chattanooga last weekend. Left on Friday night after the last child went home and came back Sunday afternoon. One of my oldest (literally!) friends is dying in the hospital and I went to see him, perhaps for the last time. He didn't know me, so I told him I was an old girlfriend...which was mostly true. His wife passed some years ago, and I've always doted on him. I think it's okay because he's 95. Pray for "Papa" as he is in a lot of pain.

2. Managed successfully to get sick.....AGAIN! Maybe I just never got completely well.

3. Helped the Legal Adult get situated. He got a new job and needed help with the details, like finding the place, etc. He's been coming by alot more lately, hunger will do that to you. Even force you to spend time with family. I think he's going to be okay if I can just let go.






4. Finished the Quilt of Valor quilt top, (and actually put it in the mail) but you already knew that.











5. Got to see two of my best friends on the planet last week in between visits to the hospital to see "Papa". Martha, who got me started quilting was having a major cleaning spree and look what I got!


Is it Christmas for quilters, or what??? And yes, I've not put them down. Nancy Crow's "Gradations" was really cool








6. I made a mole for Mole Day. If you have a high schooler in chemistry, you will want to read this. But if not, just know I made a stuffed rodent for a young man's science project.




7. And you'll never believe it....I joined a gym! As cheap as I am, I still don't believe it. But after weighing the pros and cons, I decided that I would less likely miss time at the gym because I paid for it. This one is really nice, too. I've been walking on the treadmill, biking, and they have swimming lanes, so that's been really cool. Part of my problem lately is not making time for myself. I babysit approximately 12 hours a day, (all staggered times, mind you) my own son included. It tends to be a little nerve-racking. But I find a walk or swim is just the ticket. Besides, as goal oriented as I am, it's cool to watch the numbers and try to improve them. And don't take this the wrong way, but it's not a meatmarket the way it was back in the late 80's when I went. Plenty of fat people, just like me, so I'm not singled out. I really like that I can be "anonymous".

Editor's Note: Of course, exactly how anonymous can you be as a fat person?

Why Animals Eat Their Young

Dateline: Friday night.

With Hunnybunny attending a going away party, the boys and I headed out for dinner. After sticker-shock from Ryan's, we settled on the cheap for Cici's Pizza. As usual, the Legal Adult was checking out the ladies, especially a girl sitting just in front of him with her date.

" There's only two reasons why that hot lookin' chick is with THAT guy!" He surmised.

I, of course, am always intrigued with his logic. "I'll bite...why?"

"She's either on a blind date or was hurt by a really hot guy so she's settling for second best."

Exhibit B (A.K.A. The Rock Star) pipes up,

"Oh, you mean like Dad did?"

Swish......

Dateline: Saturday Evening. Hunnybunny grills out steak for supper. The Legal Adult is in attendance with his ten loads of laundry that he's doing. We are about to say the blessing when the Rock Star makes his random comment:

"So, Mom, have you called Jenny yet?"
The actual funny part? I took his family to task when they were telling him he had gained weight....and I've had a weight problem most of my adult life. But I guess now he's getting embarrassed by it. It hurt, but did inspire me to continue losing.

Following the Yellow Brick Road

Well, it ain't Emerald City around here, but I'm starting to wear a path around my subdivision. So, in essence, I'm walking the yellow brick road. Yeah, well, it's Friday, so try and come up with blog fodder this late in the day....

Top Ten Reasons Why I Am Walking Daily:

10. They say it's good for you, and you know that we all have to do what they say.

9. Having to run to keep up with a 3 year old is wearing me out.

8. It's the only exercise I'm coordinated enough to do.

7. I get to jam out to the mp3 for at least 30 solid minutes.

6. I am on a walking team for the WOMAN's Challenge. We're virtually going across the country.

5. I'd actually like to get up to running in the future, but as they say, you gotta walk before you run.

4. It gets me out of kitchen duty....well, at least the stacking and clearing of the table.

3. I'm terrified to try on a swimsuit this season.

2. I started Weight Watchers, and they encourage it, which helps allot with number 3.

and the number one reason I'm walking around my neighborhood........

I need to lose the equivalent of a fourth grader.