Sew educational

I've been at a friend's house helping her get ready for a big upcoming convention by cutting and sewing. I've never used a serger before so that was a learning experience. I learned that I don't like the cutter. It is mean and hurtful, cutting off pieces I don't want cut. My friend, who is very understanding (and VERY patient) let me turn the cutter off. I also found out that even if two legs don't match exactly when serged, they seem to match very well after they are hemmed. What's with that? Apparently it doesn't really matter since the elastic gathering will hide many a flaw anyway.
Before I left last night I think we had cut enough fabric for about 15 cloaks. I'm glad I was there since panne (pronounced pa nay) is quite slippery so four hands are better than two. My friend will be doing a lot of sewing this week. I may go back this weekend to help some more. Was going back at a different time but, after looking at my calendar, realized I couldn't.
And there's nothing like leaving parts of your sewing machine at home. I learned that I can sew without the bobbin cover. How 'bout that? I'll have it with me when I next go down.

Off to help a friend

Won't be writing for a few days. I'm off to help a friend sew. Yes, I said sew. She makes and sells clothing at various gatherings and such and a big one is coming up. Her mom is unable to help her right now because she is not well, so I am stepping in, in hopes that my simple skills are of assistance. I told my friend to give me the simple stuff to do.
Heard news that K's best friend's stepdad has cancer. This is a real bummer. He's been a tremendous help to the singing group and I hope all goes well with his treatment. Also, his wife, B, depends on him a lot as she is somewhat disabled physically. I will keep him in my thoughts and send healing wishes his way.
That's all for now, folks.
Oh, yeah.....Kyddryn...if you read this will you please put that picture on facebook for me if you haven't already done so?

Mother's Light Show

Last night after dropping my daughter off at her home, I drove through a beautiful light show put on by Mother Nature. The lightning was all around me and it was raining so hard I couldn't hear the thunder. At home there was a moment's hiatus enabling me to dash into the house. Since it was quite late I went straight to bed, to enjoy more light show and rolls of thunder that seemed endless. It didn't last long enough.
Unfortunately, something in what I ate did NOT agree with me so, at 3 a.m. I got rid of it. I think it was the ketchup (catsup) I put on the cheeseburger. I know it must have been sitting out all day. Isn't it supposed to be refrigerated after being opened? And why didn't I think of that before putting it on the cheeseburger. Oh well, it all gone now.
Off to get the back taken care of then it's sewing time as well as gathering stuff I no longer want to take to the gallery to see if anyone else wants it.

Successful delivery

Yesterday, despite the rain, I delivered the industrial machine to my friend. Actually it didn't rain until we got the thing in the house. Talk about timing! PJ's brother-in-law, M, was there to help lug it in and set it up. And it works! Talk about speed! Putting the belt back on was a puzzle to M who thought part of the housing had to be removed, etc. but after some thought I suggested we tilt the sewing machine back. Guess what....it worked! duh.
Coming home was interesting as I kept having to close windows in my truck (no AC) when I'd go through a shower or downpour. At least when I got closer to home it got cooler and I was following the rain, so I had both windows open for AC until I was about a mile from home, then I had to close them again. Nope I'm not getting the AC fixed. It would cost too much and the truck is only used around the homestead usually.
And that's all folks.

P.S.

P.S. It didn't rain yesterday so I was able to pick up the industrial machine. The sewing machine sits on the passenger seat of my truck, seat belt on, while the table is in the back covered with a huge tarp and bungied down.

I have a friend who is working in Afghanistan. I won't hear from him for a few days he tells me because things are really heating up because of elections. The base he's on is getting shelled so he is spending time in the nearest bunker. I pray he stays safe and will come back in September when he has leave. I've sent him some books and some of his favorite crackers so he can at least read and snack while in the bunker (if there is light). From what he tells me I believe he is going to look for a different job when his contract is up. I don't blame him.

It looks like rain. It can't rain....I'm supposed to pick up a monstrous sewing machine for a friend today so it....can't....rain. Industrial machines are heavy and unwieldy. I have to get it into my truck with a little help from some neighbors. I'll be taking it to PJ's on Wednesday IF I can pick it up today. If it does rain maybe it'll go away before this afternoon. I hope.

I'm going to help a friend cut fabric so she can make some money to hopefully help pay her mortgage so she can stay in her house.

I was supposed to help a friend today but it's been postponed 'til tomorrow 'cause she has to take her mom to the doctor. I hope mom is okay. These ladies have been friends for a long time and I hate to see either of them down. Unfortunately, also, unless help comes along, they may lose the house they have lived in for quite a number of years. They had to refinance and got suckered in to paying 12% interest which is killing them. That mortgage payment is equal to mine and I have 25 acres along with the house to their possible 1 1/2 - 2 acres. And my house is smaller! If only I had extra bucks......

Awoke to the gentle sound of rain on the roof. It was so soothing I didn't want to get up so I lay there a while, letting myself wake slowly. I have goals for today so finally got myself out of bed to start the day. I can still hear the rain and hope it goes on all day....that soft soaking rain that we need so badly.

Nope, not today.

A friend sent me an email telling me about how Mars is going to be the closest it's ever been to earth August 27th. One won't need a powerful telescope to see it as it will be about the size of a full moon. Don't remember the time but as soon as it gets dark I'm going outside to check it out if the night sky is clear. I've forwarded the email to people with children/grandchildren in hopes that they will share with them this phenomenon. And hope they'll pass it on to others who have children/grandchildren.

No comment.

I truly don't know why I keep this up. Since its inception only my daughter has read it. It does, however, let me vent or put down thoughts. I read other posts and find my writing sadly lacking in just about everything. In other words, I don't wax poetical, etc. Just mundane, that's me. And today's mundania has to do with the power company coming out to let me know how badly my house leaks air. I understand that I need a new, upgraded AC unit. The only reason I'm doing this is because the company does it for free and I don't have to spring for the AC unit all at once, but it's added to my power bill a little at a time every month which I can handle. I think I may get in touch with the power company that serves my daughter's house to see if they do the same thing. If so, perhaps we can get her power bill down some. Of course, it would help if her paying roommate wouldn't leave his TV on all day and night as well as his light and computer. He pays her just about enough to cover the power bill. In some ways I wish he would find another place to live so she could use the room for something else, but then again he does pay some rent (not enough to my mind, but he is unemployed at the moment). And he is another presence in the house who can, in an emergency, watch the evil genius for a short time.
Hope to see you today, daughter mine, and we can discuss the power thing. I know you have that class tonight and I'll be thinking about you.....

My daughter is soooo clever. Check out her blog Shade and Sweetwater if you don't believe me. She's the one who told me how to retrieve pictures on my phone and was able to download a ring tone for me. It's all too much for me. I'm proud of her.....(now if she'd only get published....)

All the lovely, poetic posts I read make me feel like such a mundane hack. Words do not come easily to me. Perhaps my sentiments are shown in some of the jewelry I have made and hope to make in the future. But first there is a quilt that must be finished this month (my deadline) before I can go explore all the possibilities open in the metal I have have coming. I look forward to re-arranging my work spaces in the basement. Out with all the stuff I haven't touched in over a year! I have a wonderful work bench that will be perfect for pounding and shaping metal. My brain is full of ideas that want out. Alas, they will have to wait until I get the quilt done. That being said I guess I should get started on that project, eh?

Went shopping today with daughter. Not the usual mother/daughter shopping for clothes, shoes, etc. Nope, we shopped for art supplies and equipment (mostly equipment for me). And boy did we buy supplies! Throw in a great lunch at Red Lobster (snow crab legs, yum) and you have a perfect day. And now for a glass of wine.....

It's raining....a perfect day to go play at the gallery, thereby avoiding that which must be done at home...like laundry. Played yesterday also to make up for the day in the week that I missed and am playing again today because I will be late this week. The power company is finally coming to do that home check thing that lets you know just how much your house leaks air. They're going to fall down laughing at my log house 'cause it leaks air like a sieve. The upside is that they will tell me what I need to do to up the efficiency of my AC unit....which means replacing it.....and the upside to that is that the payments for said replacement are spaced out on my power bill and I get to choose the contractor for the installation of said new and better unit. I just happen to have a neighbor who is one of their contractors and is a very conscientious HVAC installer. Soooo....even if he is not the lowest bid I'm choosing him (I know where he lives, heh, heh). Perhaps if it is not raining tomorrow I can play outside.