Tuesday's Truth

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Mmmm, Mail

I admit it... I am a mail junkie.  I love getting mail. Not bills or junk, real mail (and magazines of course!). But in this day and age, seems we have to create a bit of our own mail-excitement. So I did. In less than three days I had in my mailox a package of the most wonderful Simon+Kabuki fabrics that I ordered from fabricworm.com.

Aren't they yummy! 'Cuz the only thing better than mail is fabric mail. I can't wait to make a quilt with them.

Its been a busy week of 12-15 hour days at work, but I still managed to fit in dinner with an old pal. Months ago I brought him a few staves from a barrel that I took apart with the intent of finding someone to router holes for votive holders to turn the staves into candle holders. Well, he finally finished one for me and its exactly what I imagined.

Really cool, huh. Not sure if I want to leave them natural or stain them darker. Now if I can just get him to do 6-10 more, I'll have Christmas covered!

Tuesday's Truth

Sometimes its a good idea to pack your running shoes, even if you're in a dress. Especially when you're in a dress.

Never know what you'll find

Everyone has a dirty little secret, and I guess its time for mine to be revealed.

I have been known to dumpster dive. 

Actually, its more like curb shopping. My headboard and footboard that look like they are from Pottery Barn are actually from the end of some neighbor's driveway, cleaned up and painted black. Even the night stands are from garage sales, redone.

Usually I reserve such scavanging for the weekends, on my own. But this time even a date couldn't stop me. Because there it was, the perfect dresser. I actually contemplated driving by and coming back alone later, but I couldn't help myself. Its perfect. Exactly what I was looking for; its got curves and grace and charm, and only needs a drawer fixed, some new knobs, and a coat of paint.

Thank goodness my date was understanding and willing to help put it in the back of the Prius, because I probably would have torn up my arms, back, and bumper wrestling it in and out of the car. I can't wait to get it cleaned up and sanded down, not sure what color I'll paint it. Gotta find 10 vintage glass knobs... salvage company here I come! Best part is that it was free! And to think I almost bought a dresser at IKEA this summer. Now to find the time to work on it....

Tuesday's Truth

Enjoy the little things in life. One day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Nothing like 12 hour work days!

So today was the real begin for me. A full work day followed by swim practice. 12 hours. And I loved ever minute of it. There's something about being that busy that feels good.... although I'm not sure if its feeling good while I'm doing it or when I finally get home. Either way, good for me. Something about staying busy and being needed for one thing or another. But I'm still retiring in 13 years. Because I can. Wow does that feel good. Have to say its kinda funny how my collegues are running to me to help them out now that they have decided I'm their department chair (I'm still in denial). I really don't know that I'm any more qualified to answer their questions and solve world hunger any more than they are, but it does feel good that they think I can (answer their questions that is, not solve world hunger, although I have a few ideas....). I guess sometimes we just need to feel like we have a leader (as unqualified as I have worked to make sure I am).
So for those of you who know how sadistic I am, no puking the first day of practice, but lots of cramps and one charlie horse. I went easy on them today, they won't be so lucky tomorrow.

Ahhh... a little less pressure now.

Finally, I have finished the Rip Rip Challenge that the St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild presented us with a few months ago. I had no idea what to do with this interesting mish mash of fabrics that I ended up with.

So I let the fabrics think about it for a while. A long while. Like until two weeks before the finished product was due (which is today). Finally I had a pep talk with them and came up with a design. Then I changed it. Six times, including twice while I had it on the big machine to quilt it. But all in all I'm pleased with the results.



Pomegranate Tree

This is what I like about taking pictures of quilts, you can rarely see the mess ups, especially if you have to stand back to get it all in the picture.

Quilting has inspired me to maybe get back to some serious baking. Think I need to dust off the "Bread Bakers Apprentice" and find a really good bread formula to bake tomorrow.... maybe a nice classic french bread, or maybe marble rye (do I have any rye flour???), cheesy bread, Oooooh Ciabatta!



Tuesday' Truth

Let everything think of you instead of you thinking of everything.

Work work Work!

After a long and eventful summer (if you've been following, you know!) it's back to work for me. I'm at the end of my 5th day back, doing in services, department chair stuff (even though I keep saying I'm not the dept chair), and meetings galore. Today was by far the longest at 13 hours, but when there is so much to be done before the kids hit the doors, you just do it. One more long day of meetings and prep work (please please please let my new curriculum show up first thing tomorrow!!!), then I'm forcing myself to stay home on Wednesday to get my Challenge quilt quilted. I am not going into work Wednesday, I am not going into work Wednesday, I am not going into work Wednesday (its a noncontractual day, so I'm not playing hookey)! this challenge has really been a challenge for me, I've changed it a few (meaning at least a dozen) times before I cut into any of the fabrics. So here's a sneak peak... 

Thats pommegranite pink with navy/white polka dots.



Isn't it awesome that you can't tell what it's going to be?!

Well, time to put this teacher away for the night. I'll leave you with this to wonder about... do teachers really live in their closets?

Tuesday's Truth

Whistle while you work.