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The first two blocks of the Anita Goodesign Townhouse Quilt. As the quilt builds, there will be blocks of color and lots of buildings. I wish I had purchased some black prewound bobbins for this project, but I didn't. I am kind of spoiled. I can wind bobbins.
Here we are, on Halloween. In a couple of hours, the rain is supposed to start, heading to a 90% chance of rain by Trick or Treat time. And yet, there is something in me that wants to get one more bag of candy, because maybe this will be the year that lots of kids come. Actually, I will probably do that, even though I might have twelve kids on a good night.
It is dark in the mornings now. Next week, will it be darker still? I have trouble with the concept of fall back and what that means. Seven this week will look like six next week, so I guess it will be lighter. I think.
And next week, the midterm elections. I'm dreading the ugliness to come.
It was a cold and drizzly evening for the first playoff game. The guys showed up with their hats. And they won, so they will play again next week.
I missed the game because of a previously scheduled church dinner. I had hoped that the game would be earlier, but it was not to be.
No one but the hosts knew who would be coming - different families were told to go to different houses. A neat idea.
Here's hoping that the weather will be prettier next Saturday.
This week I embroidered numbers on hats for Aaron's football team. Their playoffs are today and last night my daughter and the team mom delivered a bag with a hat, wolf cookie, and candy to each player's doorstep.
The hats were easy enough. Use a font in the embroidery machine. Hoop the stabilizer, spray on some basting spray, position the hat, embroider. I used black thread in the bobbin so the numbers would look good even if there was a tension mishap.
I enjoy that kind of project, knowing that the guys would be happy to find a surprise on the day of a big game in the life of a ten-year-old. Or eleven-year-old.
Other projects for the week: running a seam in the top of curtains so there would be a header above the rod pocket. I put a piece of blue masking tape on my machine and used that as a seam guide.
And, fixing a blouse so that the back would be even with the front, not longer.
And, making a pair of sweat pants two inches shorter.
Working Monday and Tuesday at a big sewing event and seeing so many of my friends.
That's been my week.
Did anyone else used to get felt and sequin kits and make stockings and other Christmas things?
It had been ages since I'd done that, but I was digging in my post-Christmas sale purchases for my neighbor, who is on her fourth stocking of the past few weeks. She made her first two then was having trouble finding kits in the stores. She finally called the Bucilla company to ask for a catalog and was told that there had been a fire at their facility and they were behind this year.
She took two of my kits and I am happy that my stash is now lighter. What was I thinking? But her enthusiasm was contageous and I started one of my own. Definitely not my usual thing but I'm finding enjoyment in doing just a bit each day and watching it all add up.
There used to be calendars too, remember that? For several years I'd make one for my grandmother every year. She was definitely into simple living, not many sparkles for her, but she did seem to enjoy those calendars.
Football afternoon. Windy. Team gathering after the game. Note the little oak leaf in front of the track. The sky.
Every time I watch Aaron play, I think of my dad and how much he would have enjoyed watching Aaron play.
My dad used to go to local high school and college games in the years after my mom died. He didn't know any of the players, probably, but he loved the game. He often spoke of his own high school football days.
And yes, he would have enjoyed watching Nora play during her one season two years ago. He adored his granddaughters and would have adored both his great grand kids.
I was on my way to Nora's second softball game of the day when I got the news that it was cancelled. That left a three-hour gap between her game and Aaron's football game.
So, my daughter and I went to Fifty West for a flight of beer and some nice carb appetizers. Day drinking is so rare for me, and this was so enjoyable. Of course I did get a headache sitting in the hot sun later, but it was so worth it.
It was a nice kid weekend. Last night I got to see Nora's eighth grade band play with the high school band at a football game. It was a hot night, and there was lightning, so there were recurring delays, but the band had already performed. And today, Aaron's football game with him playing a different defensive position.
Then there was a trip to Joann with a $20 gift card. I spent $19.95.
The opposite kind of bowl from the one we looked at the other day. Lives on the same kitchen window sill. Made in China, and there are probably 500,000 in this world just like it. I think I bought it on sale at Kroger.
Holds two wing nuts from who-know-what and two beads from who-knows where. And, usually, the little bar of soap with the bird. The soap is made of lovely natural ingredients.
Even though it's so different from the Mark Nofziger bowl, I enjoy it too. Except for those beads, their time is over. And those wing nuts can live somewhere else. I think I'll start a little bag of mysterious things.
Tiny Mark Nafziger bowl, about 3" in diameter. Purchased at a Mennonite Arts Weekend. With a lonely Lego. Because some day someone might say, "There is a green piece missing."
It lives on my kitchen window sill and I am happy whenever I see it.
Waiting for the FC Cincinnati soccer game to start. The stands were pretty full by the time the game started.
I took my grandgirl and her friend so they could get credit for their Spanish class. I was a bit nervous about finding parking and getting to our seats on the big campus, but it was easy. (They play at University of Cincinnati this year.) Although none of us knew the finer points about the game, we all had a good time. We especially enjoyed the student section below the scoreboard.
The thing is, I don't do enough of this kind of thing, going out in the evening for something different or fun. Or going out in the evening much at all. And that kind of being will make me old quickly. Something to work on.
I was reading this weekend about an exercise where women were asked what they would do in the evening if men had a 9:00 curfew. The most common answer by far was taking a walk, just that simple thing. Men apparently were surprised at the results of the exercise, they don't give a thought to going out in the evening for a walk if they want to. No concerns about safety for them or even realization that there would be concerns for women. So interesting.
