darkness ...

  I make no excuses and I complain regularly faithfully (loudly) that I hate the darkness of winter.  It's 7:37 am and its still freaking dark -- I hate it -- this weekend is the daylight savings switcheroo ... I don't like that either --

  The only solution is to move closer to the equator -- that not be in my realm of reality -- but dang it's dark ......

  Part of it is the work schedule -- I go to work in the dark, I come home in the dark (weekends too) -- it's always dark -- the windows are covered in plastic and we become hermits ---

  The coolness of October hasn't helped -- I wore a winter coat while mowing the lawn  Tuesday afternoon -- Saturday is yard work at home -- most of the leaves have fallen ... #1 mentioned he'd have the lawn vac system ready for me -- he'll still be farming ...

  His favorite daily quip -- "I burned thru 243 gallons of diesel today" -- one must love a tractor that spews out such details regularly -- it gives him all kinds of useful data -- "slippage" ... spinning tires .... who knew ...

  Yesterday morning my cell phone rang at 6:45 ---
some dude says "Is this Mankato Implement? I need ....kdjfad a kdf...." ..
my reply -- "no -- we aren't green -- we're red" ...

total silence -- and then "huh --"
sorry dude you have the wrong number -- but good luck .... :)

all in a day of my crazy life ...

this week in projects !

Office List:

1.  get the electrician back (emailed him)

2.  call the locksmith  (don't ask)

         new keys and locks on third street ..
         I lost my freaking keys .... I am an idiot.

3.  computer dude

4.  clean basement (always on this list)

5.  finish closet project

6.  clean up yard/garage
       
        office lawn mowed for the LAST time in 2019




Home List:

1.  get that damn piano out of the basement

2.  get office set up in piano space :)

3.  finish the log cabin blocks

4.  clean garage

5.



the list is doable -- I'd better hop to it -- it's Tuesday

hello, Saturday ...

notice anything under the maple tree?

and now we are next to my apple tree ..

so amid the chaos of the week -- I've managed to sew every night except Friday (where I crochet instead) .. I started these little jewels on Wednesday and they are fun to piece ... once I get in a rhythm ... 1 1/2 strips ...

I had these fat quarters in the stash -- not sure why -- they really aren't my color preferences ... I had purchased piecing papers from the fat quarter shop .. so it is 

fold, trim,  flip, sew, fold, flip, trim & sew

I'm already low on lights -- will raid the stash for some complimentary 

prints -- or light solids .. I have 42 foundations but the fabric will be done by then ...

happy weekend

yikes ..

so, I'm falling apart.  primary doctor sent me to the chiropractor for my foot issue -- not sure why the chiropractor first -- but, well, that was yesterday -- achilles tendon issue ... 

I was forewarned that this morning would be ugly -- wasn't too bad for the first 2 hours -- but in the last 1/2 hour I could chop off the foot and feel better -- I also have new boots on -- which might be exacerbating (don't ya love that word) the problem -- mind you -- flat heeled boots .. 

hanging out with the mucky mucks from the State of Minnesota at lunch today --- 

black dress - black leggings - black boots - denim jacket 

I'll spend the next week doing the exercises from the chiropractor -- not walking a whole lot ... icing and elevating ... he didn't see the humor when I told him it was the foot that controlled the gas pedal on my sewing machine and my automobiles ... :)   

rainy Monday

it's cold and it's wet

I'm crabby 

I should be more productive than I am

rain, rain go away 

ditto the expected 45 mph wind gusts .

wth.

project #4 and adventures

saturday's adventure was a trip to the bison drive ... we actually went thru twice -- toured the campgrounds and went backing  -- hoping the buggers were moving towards the road -- alas, they had plopped down and were napping in the sun ...

sights and views from my ATV cruise of the 'hood

I live in a pretty 'hood.

and so long -- project #4 was to finish cleaning at the cabin -- the fridge is now scrubbed, the floors vac'd .. the mouse poop cleaned up and more mouse poison is laid out ... 

I miss the place 

it was gorgeous out there this morning 

April 16, 2020 can't come fast enough ...

see ya later -- alligator ...

project #3 ... i'm getting stuff done

the electrician came on Wednesday -- new lights above the worktable ... which I moved from the other side of the room .. it was still a work in progress here 

I moved the copier and it works -- it's a fax/copier combo and I'm never sure what works and when .. way too much technology in it (oversold me)

the lovely new fixtures -- need to swap out two of the light bulbs yet ... a little dimmer is okay ...

home depot delivers ... 

and the fireplace side of the room --- which has really changed since I took this picture 

on to project #4 today ... garage cleaning *2

Project # 2 ... is done

evidently the neighbors woods are haunted ...

this is still hanging from a tree 

the trail camera sees all 

I'm sure Lee loves seeing me in his camera !!!

Project #2 this week

organize my fabric stash store

it is a brave (or crazy ) quilter

that admits she has too much

and after -- I actually added more after the picture was snapped

somewhat color coded

top shelves are bolts -- because every nut job buys by the bolt

and 108' wides for backing

middle shelf is solids .. and ya a heap of Kona Snow

never have enough "snow" on hand

and then the other's

the tubs and bins are the jelly rolls, honey buns, charm packs and fat quarter bundles --

I have the sickness (can't spell disease)

the cure is to sew it all up 

could take years

mind you all -- I only bought 5 yards of black/white stripe for all of my maker fair sewing ... 

argh ... sign me up for treatment

you must understand -- there is more .. in tubs and bins in the OTHER cabinet.

I've lost my mind.

happy hump day ...

this is Ruby -- it's been 10 days since she left the garage -- I think she missed me -- tomorrow she gets a full fluff and buff ... winter is approaching and she needs to sparkle before she goes under wraps .. 

  Yesterday was the Commissioners annual road tour -- I wasn't feeling very peachy so I opted to stay home -- bouncing in the Vet's Van while queasy would not be good -- I worked instead.   And the plumber arrived so our furnaces are ready for winter ...

I made yet another list of BIG projects for this week ...  I'm BIG on LISTS 

1.  Move front room furniture

2.  Clean office basement

3.  Sweep garages

4. Tidy fabric stash (and purge)

5. Swap out hot clothes for cold clothes (purge) 

  Since I seem to wear the same clothes daily -- one would assume I have a limited selection in my wardrobe -- alas my friends I am a closet clothes hoarder.  Two large tubs of summer shorts, t-shirts and dresses have been stashed.  3 garbage bags of treats are ready for the thrift store -- 

  My September challenge to self was "no new clothes" .. I did well -- kinda slid in October but the 50% off at Lands End was tough to pass up -- and after swapping out the hot/cold clothes ... the new mock necks will be needed :) ditto the sweatshirts .. the big purchase was a pair of Merrill hiking boots ... winter traction ... 

 The October/November challenge is variety in the wardrobe.  Black fleece pants and sweatshirts will not be the norm.  Hence the dress, boots and denim jacket today ...

 Tonight is the fabric stash and sewing room  ....    

reminders .

I saw this picture on Wastebook this afternoon -- from the National Weather Service of Bismark ND -- October 10, 2019

I don't think I could have handled this on October 10th -- 

this was November 13, 2010 

when we were blessed to store (and operate) the Traverse Township Plow Truck ... which wasn't ready for this blast either

Mother Nature is a bit jostled 

Maker Fair 2019

our booth was at the end of the aisle 

so we had 3 sides of display space -- it was good

jean is very good at retail displays .. 

we tried not to over think it 

and changed our minds when we arrived at 7:00 am

it was a good day .

i sold a lot 

i still have leftovers to donate to a couple of places

my pillowcases are going to the nursing home

everyone needs a pretty pillowcase :)

they are changing the format for next years Maker Fair

we might not fit their criteria 

time will tell

although we might take time off ...

thanks to all who came, shopped and wished us well

we are blessed with good friends and understanding family :)

ready or not

maker fair here we come -- ready or no ...

I have 3 tubs of stuff to sell in my truck
2 tubs of battery operated candles, bags, tissue paper, and stuff, just stuff.

I have one quilt at the bernina -- ready to finish the binding
and 2 table runners that need to be bound

and oh  ... Mother Nature is kind of evil lately -- really evil ..
40', wind and rain .. oh poooooo


work tomorrow
then rough set up

early saturday - finish set up
and then sell this stuff

take down
clean sewing room
really clean sewing room

later alligator

the grill goes nicely with the furniture

fridge is defrosting ... 

sunset was gorgeous

Mom and I went out to the happy place and packed out the rest of the stuff that needed to come home (or home to Jean/Lee's) ... wiped down the patio furniture and stored it in the bedrooms -- unplugged the fridge -- put out the mouse treats ... unplugged the electrical stuff ... rolled the grill into the living room (on some cardboard :) ) 

all that stuff -- it was a fast 60 minutes of lugging stuff and stashing stuff 

I already miss the place

so, I'm going out on Sunday -- 40' and snow be damned -- I'm sitting on the deck and enjoying the view -- I need to recharge the batteries -- they are fading fast 

4 vials of blood at the doctor yesterday .. no to the flu shot and shingles shot .. next up is the bone cruncher for my foot -- and the boob press

all in a days work eh ...

holy cats it is Monday

unfortunately -- my sewing room does not have this issue -- it should -- well, maybe it should.  Maker Fair 2019 is 5 days 120 hours away -- I didn't sew / create / whip up as many items as I did in previous years -- I took a rough inventory last night 

50 potholders

30 pillow cases

4 crib quilts

7 quilted throws (from layer cakes & jelly rolls)

12 - 15 table runners

3 - 4 table toppers ...mini charm packs with borders

25 mug rugs

5 drawstring bags

xmas tree ornaments -- 10ish

I have two throws, a table runner and a topper left to bind.  If I manage to find 5 / 6 hours this week I have a bunch of draw string bags cut out and interfaced -- just need to be sewed together ... I don't think there is going to be extra time ...

Monday -- doctor appointment -- client gigs

Tuesday - board meeting

Wednesday - watershed, client meetings - R9 meeting and it's
MY BIRTHDAY !!!!!

Thursday - is actually open at this point

Friday - set up 

in between I have 15 tax returns to finish by next Monday, 9 payrolls :), a bunch of financial statements, one payroll tax deposit :), and hopefully ...

the lawn will get mowed

the cabin get closed up ... clean up patio furniture, store it, vac .. move out the rest of the perishables .. maybe wash the windows (highly doubtful) -- the boys brought the wave runner in on Thursday -- bet that was a nippy ride across the lake to the landing 

it's gonna be busy eh!   

a classic !

my mom with brown hair !!! and no glasses !!!

the late 70's ????

I think we (Jean and I) were still in school when Pat & Pam got married ... 

cuteness overload !!

Dad and his combine co-driver Harrison .. one is 83 and on is 3 ... 

both appeared to be having a good time

must have been the zebra cakes in the lunch box

Harrison even got in a nap or two ..