Happy New Year!!!!!

You have no idea how much I am looking forward to 2012!!!!  Well maybe you do!  If you've been following my blog for the past year you know I am very glad to see the back of 2011 - the last 6 hours are ticking down now!

....and what I am doing for New Year's Eve!!!!  I am going to pick up the keys to my new apartment!  Yep - we are on the move again!  Not too far from where we are but to a much smaller place and a place with NO STAIRS!  There are a number of reasons for the move but one of the most rewarding will be not having to climb stairs.  After last night I am even more grateful for this - I came home to find that the steps up to the courtyard in front of the townhouse were extremely icy but worse than that, the courtyard was like a skating rink.  I'm not sure exactly how I made it to the front door without falling but thank heavens I did......

The hard part about the move will be finding a way to fit three floors of furniture into a two bedroom apartment, ha! ha!  It appears I will be learning how to use E-Bay, Kijiji and Craig's List in the very near future!!!!  It's a good thing I have that big room at the back of the store to "dump" stuff until I either sell it, give it away or dispose of it!

I really am looking forward to a smaller space for a million reasons, one being, it is so much easier to keep clean.....even Jonathan will have a hard time living in squalor!  (I hope!)  There's a 24 hour Metro right around the corner (Jonathan could actually get a job!)!  We'll be on the ground floor, so, easy access from outside - won't need to wait for elevators!  It also gives us a nice little garden space in the summer.  At this stage in my life I also have no objection to "purging", whether it be furnishings or all the other stuff I've managed to accumulate over the years.

This move is going to force me to go through all the boxes in the basement that have yet to be unpacked since last February when we moved.  You know what that probably means!!!  If we didn't miss it - we probably didn't need it!!!!  In a way I'm looking forward to it but the new house will be in total chaos for the next few days,weeks, even months!
I'll just need to focus and get it done!  It should be interesting to see what's there....I have a vague recollection but I'm still not sure what's in all those boxes...... I may have to change the name of the store to "Second Hand Jo's"!!!!! ...and start selling "used" items!

I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  I wish you all everything you wish for yourselves and more!  A wonderful 2012!!!!  I just want an uneventful 2012 - a nice quiet year which will give me the time to "re-group" and turn my energies towards the store and my quilting!!!!

Hoping everyone has a great evening this evening and a Happy day tomorrow!

All the best,

Jo-Ann

I'm hooked!

Popeye's Chicken!  Yup - I love it!  Every once in awhile I get this craving for KFC, so last week I broke down and ordered it - it's been awhile.  It was absolutely awful and to top it off, it came from a different location because the location near us has closed. 

Last week Rich and I went to Costco and Walmart to pick up some stuff and the Walmart on St. Clair is right next to a Popeye's Chicken,  Rich raves about it and Nancy mentioned it a couple of weeks ago so I said - let's pick some up ---- oh my, how delicious!  Loved it so much that Nancy and I had it last Thursday night for dinner too!  I've had my fill for now but honestly - it really is good chicken!!!!

Back to quilting - all my leaves are done on Lithia Park - finished last night while watching a little TV - now the flowers.....

Today, being my only day off this week, I've been busy, busy, busy!  First thing was to take photos of all the stuff I'm selling that is upstairs -

The DVD/Video Player $30.00

The Wing Chair - Green Plaid $150.00

The Classic 3 Seater Sofa - $250.00

The Sleigh Bed/Matress and Box Spring + 2 Night tables $500.00

The Cottage Clock - $30.00

 The Cottage Night Light - $30.00 - the tent lights up, it's one of those cool things I couldn't pass up when I saw it!!!!

Most of it has already been posted on Kijiji but I know I'm not finished yet!  After that I folded laundry and cleaned the bathroom, took a shower and dressed! 

We're packing again, downsizing!  So I'm really trying to get everything in order so there will be very little to move.  Stuff has to go to the store (no fabric - lol!  That's all mine!!!)
and I have to repack everything I packed up last year at this time......de ja vu!!!  As much as I love the townhouse, it's just too much for me!  Too many stairs, too much house to keep clean and it's also really pricey when you consider how much time I actually spend at home......

I've been doing alot of reevaluatiing after what I've just been through and when I think about what I want going forward, because now I can look forward.....just a little space to come home to, a place where I can quilt, a cozy little spot to call my own!!!  Well - rent as my own!!!  I'm going to see a two bedroom apartment the end of the week and hopefully it will be our next home.....aside from the moving part, I'm actually looking forward to it!  This way, if Jonathan ever moves out I'll have a designated sewing room, but up until then the dining room and possibly my bedroom will have to do!!!!  

Okay - gotta get back to work, I want to get the borders done on my Trip Back In Time and maybe even get some quilting done tonight on another project that is long overdue.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann 

I do make mistakes......

We won't go back to the beginning and comment on all of my mistakes!  We will concentrate only on the un-sewing of the past two days.....

It's actually a miracle that I only made one mistake on my "trip Back In Time " pattern since I don't have that great design wall at home that I have at the store, but in fact I did have to do some un-sewing last night.  I came home from a day at the store and then a Merchant's Association meeting and completed the quilt centre - tomorrow I'll get Nancy to help me "audition" the borders and then to the quilting.....

Notwithstanding the mess in the house and the great shot of the downstairs toilet,  Jonathan is a great quilt model!!!!

So this morning I'm showing off my Lithia Park flowers to a customer and what do I see!!!  Three of the flowers are out of order....I mean, I did them all consecutively.  My customer said, just leave them, but after all that work I just couldn't - so some more un-sewing!  Now I just have to re-sew them which I will do while watching CSI.....my TV time should always be productive!

More news, we are moving yet again!  I'm not sure exactly when but I'm going to see an apartment next week and will know more then!  As much as I do love the space, etc. of the townhouse, the stairs are not doing me any favours and the $$$$ are doing me in as well.  The townhouse does not include heat or hydro, more bills to pay......The apartment includes everything including one parking, albeit outdoor, but still - one price, everything included!  This means we have to "downsize" again!  I may have to open a second hand furniture store - maybe in the store to devoid me of all the extra stuff!!!!!  There's so much to sort through and not alot of time - not to mention I am full time in the store now so there is literally NO TIME!  I hate that word - it's a 4 letter word!!!!!

It will be another NEW beginning - hopefully better than the last one!  Last year was not one I want to repeat - EVER!!!!  On that note, I am off to watch TV a little before bed....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

As usual....

best laid plans!  Being busy in the classroom I needed to take my quilt off the design wall - so using painter's tape, I marked my rows and I am hoping, have everything in order to sew the quilt together.....

I have decided to take Sonia home tonight in order to possibly get some more done on the quilt top, otherwise it will head for the UFO pile and who knows when I'll get that pattern published properly.....ugh!

Last night I got home, turned on the hockey game, watched until Boston scored the 4th goal, then gave up and went upstairs to bed!  I now understand my mom!  She and my dad were in retail for many years and it always used to baffle me why they went to bed so early, I mean, my mom was in bed right after dinner....I always thought it was because she was a morning person!  Now I think it's because she was just plain exhausted like I was last night....

Feeling a bit tired tonight too so I'm going to finish up here and get myself home so I can hopefully get a second wind and get some piecing done!

Nite all - and have a great day!

Jo-Ann

...and what did I do with "them"????

So all those half square triangles are going to become "Trip Back In Time" - do you love it!

It's not actually done yet - it's up on the design wall in pieces!  I was hoping to get the center of the top done (sans borders) but things got a little hectic at the store with Healing Heroes and the Pot Luck (check the Cock A Doodle Blog)!

I need to take it off the design wall because my Sunday group is coming in tomorrow but I will do it in the morning....right now I just get to sit back and admire it!  I know I shouldn't be showing off "patterns" I'm actually planning on publishing but we're also planning on kitting this at the store and this is my personal blog so I feel I can trust you guys to keep this under wraps - it should be done shortly!

I am seriously trying to blog more often but it's hard getting computer time when I'm home except in the morning and as most of you know - I am not a morning person!  By the time I get home at night and I get the computer I usually just feel like collapsing into bed!  I'm "good" tired these days, and getting my energy back more and more with each day.....

My brain is working a mile a minute too and if I could sew as fast as my brain works I would have published at least 4 patterns this week alone!  Oh - how I wish!!!! 

Okay - I have to drive Barb somewhere this evening and then I'm going home to watch the Leafs (hockey)!!!  I'm not sure what my hands will be doing as I'm leaving Sonia (my Janome) at the store until tomorrow but who know, maybe I'll surprise myself and set Bernie (my Bernina - not a very creative name but it's always worked for her!) up and get some long overdue quilting done!  I'll see how I feel when I get home, Lithia Park is also screaming for some attention.......

Have a great day everyone!!!

Jo-Ann

What am I up to????

I'm creating!  I am actually designing a quilt pattern - always a treat!  I find writing patterns extremely hard because I have to write as if I've never done any quilting.....it's actually good practice because it helps me to go through all of the steps, but it's sometimes very tedious!  You want to be able to write so that someone who has never quilted before will be able to pick up the pattern and make the quilt!

Here's the stack of blocks which will become Half Square Triangles....... 

Then I cut them all up......

...and there they are.......

Now all placed in colours.......

Finally starting to lay out the quilt.....

I worked on it today at the store and let Nancy throw it up on the design wall - WOW!!!!  I'm totally impressed so I'm going to have to transport "Sonia" (my loving Janome) to the store tomorrow morning to work on the piecing because once it's laid out - that's it!!!!  I'm not moving it from the board except to sew, sew, sew!

Can't wait to see it come together in fabric!

Have a great day everyone -

Jo-Ann

I think.....

it's been quite a week!  Lots of cooking and I finally got back to doing some quilting tonight.  It's hard to keep on top of everything, the store, the house and everything else I have to do!
I'm getting used to it but it's such a change from the last few months.....

Trying to take it slow, but in all honesty I had to jump right in and start getting things done!  It's very important to get back in control of my life.....

On the plus side I'm happy to report I am thrilled with Lithia Park, I got the 4 centre blocks done tonight and I just love it!!!!  This one's going to be my quilt!

I think I'll be working on this one for the next few weeks!  I really have Nancy, Barb and Laurissa to thank for this one....I honestly believed that I would never get this done until I found those Paper Pieces!

Join me this coming weekend at the Cock A Doodle Quilt Retreat - starts Thursday and ends Sunday - you can come 1, 2, 3 or all 4 days!  The e-mail went out tonight - it's going to be a blast!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

It's been a rough ride.....

The surgery went very well and I rested!  I took 5 weeks and the great news is.........I got a clean bill of health from the oncologist last week!

I also started cleaning the house finally!!!  I know that sounds funny but for the past 10 months, since we moved into the townhouse I have been in such bad physical shape that it just didn't get done.  Jonathan did try his best to keep it somewhat clean but we all know - it's never the way you would do it yourself, especially the kitchen.  I came downstairs one day and found this!

 By the evening - with much rest in between tasks, I turned it back into this!

Still a couple of items in the sink but they went pretty quickly to their "homes"!  The dishwasher was run twice that day!

 It was well worth the effort and it's pretty much stayed this clean for the past two weeks, just have to keep it up!

Of course, that was only the beginning, the next day I tackled my little home office right off the kitchen.......started with this!  The floor had become storage for everything......

 It took a whole day also but in the end was worth it and I now am pretty much organized so I can just sit down and do what I have to do......

 .....or I can just hang out in my chair and do some hand work.....which is actually quite nice to do....

Of course, when I became ill, all decorating of the house came to an abrupt halt!  So now I hope to slowly get back to moving in.....it's been a long, rough year!  I'm truly hoping things will settle down and that I can stay here for awhile.....

As of last week I am back at the store on a regular basis!  Back to cooking up a storm and enjoying all of my customers' visits!

This morning I made my Apple Cake recipe because tonight is Sit & Sew!  I'm planning Roast Chicken (stuffed of course) with Green Beans & Mushrooms, Potatoes (still haven't made up my mind whether to do roast or mashed - maybe both LOL) and Cranberry Sauce  and home-made Dinner Rolls (gotta go make the dough now!)

I have been working hard on Lithia Park because it's so portable - I just pack it up and off I go, the store, the doctor's office - pretty much anywhere I can weild a needle.

I've set myself up in my room so I can sit and stitch while I watch TV - all my favourite hand sewing tools and I've managed to get all of the petals for the large flowers done and am working on finishing the leaves now.....

So now I have to be true to my word and start getting all those UFO's done that I told the doctor I needed to finish when I got sick!!!!  Lithia Park qualifies as a UFO because I started it almost 2 years ago!  I was using another "product" we carry in the store to do the diamonds and found it a very frustrating task.  About a month ago I ordered foundation pieces from Paper Pieces for the store and once I started using those, it was a breeze!
Nancy, Barb and Laurissa swear by them, they just love them and I have to admit I am hooked too! 

So this evening while the girls are working away I will be English Paper Piecing my diamonds - I haven't got much left to do, the 4 small flowers for the corner blocks and about 5 or 6 leaves - then I can piece the blocks!  As usual I get so excited when a project progresses and I can't wait to get the top done!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

A favourite tool........

I've had the tool for quite awhile but only because one of the many patterns I've purchased over the years required them.  I finally got to use it for the stems and boy it really does the job......Bias Press Bars!  We may have some at the store but if not I'll certainly put them on the next order...........

How it works?  In this case I was using 3/8" so you sew your "stem" fabric at 3/8" with a 1/4" seam allowance, wrong sides together.  You then trim your seam allowance to 1/8" and cut your stems.  Maneuver your stem onto the press bar and center the seam and press - voila!

Here's one of my finished blocks.......

Only need 15 more - but I have all my stems ready to go......I'm not sure if you noticed but I'm actually using a portable ironing board and an iron I keep upstairs in my bedroom closet.  This way I can get my applique work done while I'm watching TV.....and I can rest when I need too, lol.....

Now that I found the Paper Pieces this project is really moving right along and I'm not having too much trouble with the neuropathy, it's really a breeze!  Gotta thank Nancy, Barb and Laurissa for these!!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Okay....

I really have to get my act together!  I've actually been working on something but in all honesty I am finding that sleep is what I constantly crave.

Those Paper Pieces came into the store last week and I love them - they are far easier than Quilt Patis and so I'm busy working on a project I started at least 2 years ago with the Pati's but found with the "neuropathy" (side effect of the chemo - pins and needles and numbness in the hands and feet) I found them extremely difficult to work with.  The paper is much easier!  It's called Lithia Park and was posted in McCall's Quilting in February 2009 http://www.mccallsquilting.com/content_downloads/Lithia_Park.pdf .  I fell in love with it because I had the fabrics I thought would be gorgeous in the quilt.  Judith had brought in the magazine and I pounced on it, but, as we all know - best intentions!  I did start it way back when and have sporadically worked on it over the past couple of years but now I find I've gravitated back to it.  Will try and get some pics tomorrow and post my progress.....
Been a slave of the TV and my bed but am really coming along.  I see the oncologist again on November 9th and really can't wait!  I should be given a "clean" bill of health at that time but plan on being back in the store shortly, slow but steady......

Have a great day everyone....

Jo-Ann

Check it out......

I finally blogged myself on Cock A Doodle so please check it out - I'm really not able to sit any longer in front of the comnputer......will however, update again soon!!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Up-Date on Jo-Ann

Hi All,

I thought Jo-Ann would have posted by now but I guess not because many of you have been contacting me directly for information. So I thought I'd better update you.

Jo-Ann was released from hospital last Friday. She's at home a doing well. She tells me she is uncomfortable but not in pain and feeling a little stronger each day.

She hopes to be back in the store by mid-November. I know she appreciates all your commentsso please feel free to leave one for her. One way or another, I will make sure she hears about them.

I'm sure she'll be along one day soon to post again herself.

Happy Quilting,
Barb

Today was surgery day ...

Hi All,

As many of you know, today was Jo-Ann's surgery. She had to report to the hospital at 6:00 am today and for anybody who knows her, this is an ungodly hour!

I got a voice mail message from her friend Mucie at about 3:00 pm (of course she called at the only time I was on the phone all day!) to say that Jo-Ann was out of surgery, out of recovery and safely in her room and that the doctor said that he was happy with how the surgery went! GREAT NEWS!!

Jo-Ann just called me a few moments ago. She's not in any pain, I think perhaps because the epidural has not yet worn off. Although she sounded a bit dopey (more so that usual!!), she was in good spirits.

That's all for now. I'll post again if there's anything to report. Or perhaps I'll have her dictate a post for you.

Cheers,
Barb

Lazy Days......

I've had the last two days off and I feel like I've done nothing!  Well - actually I got alot of reading done....you see, I have this "friend" who has turned me on to Steve Berry and I can't seem to put his books down.....

It is a sad state of affairs - I know there is nothing wrong with my resting but seriously I have so much to do - really, reading was not on the agenda!  Of course she's managed to give me enough reading material to last through my hospital stay for sure!

On Sunday I had just finished working 5 days in a row with 3 evenings until 10:00 thrown in and I was exhausted to say the least so in actual fact I needed two days to rest.  Tomorrow I go back until Monday and Tuesday I have surgery.

In the next few days I also want to get the house cleaned up, the laundry done and everything ready for me to come home to!  Jonathan will have his hands full once I get home - once I get up those stairs to my "oasis" he will be getting alot of exercise running up and down those stairs......Supposedly I will be in the hospital for 4 days (I have a funny feeling it may be until after the long weekend - note to self, take reading material - no problem there!).  Once home, after climbing two flights of stairs, I plan on staying put for at least a week ------ my Farmer's Wife awaits, many blocks ready to be stitched and then there's always reading!  Probably alot of sleeping too!  and maybe a little blogging!  We'll see!

Hard to plan ahead - will continue to play it by ear!  If I do get any quilting done in the next few days it will be a miracle but I honestly hope that I do - it's been awhile!

Can you tell that I can't wait to get this all over with - what a year!!!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I can't believe it....

Has it really been nearly two months since I blogged!  I am soooo bad!!!!!  ....and I've been through my last two chemo treatments already!  The last one was September 7th and I have fabulous news!

When I arrived on the 7th, Jonathan in tow, the first order of business was as usual, blood tests, then off to see the doctor!  He needed to examine me to see if we were going ahead with the surgery.....excuse me!  My plan is to be in the operating room on the 4th of October and you better be there!

The exam went well and the surgery is a go!  So I asked the doctor, what about the tumors on the lungs!  He looked at me like I was crazy and said - THE CT SCAN WAS CLEAR!!!!  Larry has left the premises - can you believe it! 

Needless to say I am ecstatic and looking forward to the end of this long journey - that being surgery on October 4th!  Of course - there is the recovery period of about 6 weeks but hopefully it will go without a glitch and I will be back up and quilting my heart out before you know it.....

I will try as hard as I can to keep you all updated on my progress.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

My oh my!

...and another one for the "to be quilted" pile!  I really have to get the Bernina set up so I can get some quilts done soon!  Maybe tomorrow.....

Today was not one of my better days....I am still fighting that cold and Idon't appear to be winning unfortunately!  Hopefully this will have no effect on the chemo treatment which is scheduled for Friday.

Since I worked yesterday, I spent today resting awhile!  Didn't get much done!  Tomorrow I have a full plate to deal with and Wednesday I'll be working in the store.....definitely trying to get back in the saddle, but truly having a bit of trouble getting my foot in the stirrup!

I did source out the pattern I used for the above quilt and will definitely be ordering them for the store - She has some great little patterns!  Can't wait to try some more!  I've already got a couple at home which I may try but I think I really should get some quilting done first.....

Hope you all have a great day!

Jo-Ann

Seriously......

I am not impressed!  I think I'm coming down with a cold!  I worked Friday night and today and I have to go into the store to make lunch for tomorrow but the rest of the week is all mine to rest and fight this - whatever it is!!!!  I got a little too "Cocky" there (ha,ha being the head rooster has its benefits).

On one of my trips to the U.S. I bought a series of patterns I really liked thinking they were full size quilts - when I went to start making one it turned out they are miniatures so if you didn't read the store blog - here's the quilt I worked on while I was at the store......

I went to my Farmer's WIfe stash and my Civil War fabrics and managed to hand pick each fabric - it's really adorable.....there are only 2 or 3 repeats of fabric in the whole quilt.  Now I just have to add the borders...there's a couple of little tips on the Cock A Doodle blog if you're interested - http://www.cockadoodlequilts.blogspot.com/.

I also finally got the needle and thread out again to work on my Farmer's Wife blocks.

Block 23 - Country Farm.  I've been so busy marking and cutting that I have about 20 blocks ready to be sewn.  I figured I'd better get to it.....evening work upstairs in my room....
It'll keep me busy while I recuperate from whatever this is, not to mention the original plan was to have a bunch ready to sew up while I am recuperating from surgery, just around the corner......

Will keep you all posted on my progress, blocks and health!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

I'm back......

...with the living that is!  Takes a few days after the treatment to get back to normal but had a pretty easy time this time.  Of course, I'm pretty sure it's because after last week's great news I can easily grin and bear it!

I was at the store yesterday, worked from 2 to 8 and then we had Applique Club.  Being the summer, it was Annadele, Laurissa and I and we had a great time.  Laurissa and I were there until 11:30 because Bill, from Nerds on Site was busy fixing the store computer so we had to wait until he was done but it was great fun and I got started on a miniature I had been meaning to do - I'll post a pic later and I even have a couple of tips for this one!

Today I am home, cleaning and cooking!  I hate that it takes me forever when it used to be a quick job but I certainly am taking pride in every little accomplishment.  I need to prepare lunch for Monday which serves 2 purposes!  I will be making one of my favorite recipes and that way I can add it to the Cock A Doodle recipe book that I am compiling!  Kind of like killing two birds with one stone - I hate that saying LOL

I find I have to take a break between each chore so it becomes extremely tedious!  Tomorrow I will be at the store from 11 to 5 and I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm certainly finding more and more energy these days.  Where there's a will there's a way!

I also managed to get a Farmer's Wife block done the other day and started another so I'm actually getting quite a bit done these days......I credit this to knowing that I AM going to beat this thing - right into the ground!!!!!

Have a great day everyone - will try to keep up with all my trials and tribulations, not to mention my creations!

Jo-Ann

4 down - 2 to go!

Barb was the designated "friend" for Chemo today and it worked out pretty good.  She had an 11:00 A.M. appointment at Sunnybrook with her doctor and I had to be there bright and early at 8:30 A.M.. 

It was a good day and Barb managed to snap a couple of photos - I wanted you all to see I'm using the quilt!!!!  Because I have what we can now call "Chemo Brain", it took me 4 treatments to figure out that I can actually take my Farmer's Wife with me and work on it - the way I have the binder set up I just have to take out a page per block - DUH!  So here I am.....working away.....

Barb liked this pic better because I'm actually smiling with the double chin!!!!

I told Jonathan that I had become my grandmother.  Every summer she would come to spend a few months with us and as she became older she would fly as "handicapped" so they would drive her on and off the plane with a wheelchair.  We would wait at Arrivals for her to come in and there she would be with one shopping bag on the right and one on the left and one hanging off the back - her purse nestled in her lap.

When I left the house today I swear I looked just like her with the three shopping bags.  One had my purse, the camera and the quilt in it.  Another had a quilt I'm binding, a new project with half square triangles I needed to mark, a number of pages from my Farmer's Wife binder for hand piecing and my book.  Last but not at all least was bag number 3 with my thermos of coffee, my blueberry yogurt with extra blueberries and a banana for breakfast, and some tuna sandwiches for lunch with some cookies for snack..... I think I have this down pat now!  I really don't enjoy the food at the hospital so I've started bringing my own.  Since I'm there from 8:30 A.M. to almost 4:00 P.M. and since I always get a bed - I decided to just check myself into the "hotel chemo"!

I would imagine you won't be hearing much from me for the next few days - it's when the side effects are the worst, so......

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jo-Ann

Best Day EVER!!!!!!!

At 9:07 A.M. I was awoken by a loud knock on the door, luckily Jonathan was already up and he answered immediately to find Bosley "Bear",  Mama Linda and Sister Ainsley on the other side of that door!!!!  When I called the "Boo Bear" from upstairs he came bounding up to say Hello and pretty much made my day.....

Here he is having his big stretch........

 Hamming it up for Jonathan and the camera.......

 Giving the camera lens a big lick.......

 Looking at Jonathan but listening to me......

 Making a big decision.....you can almost see the wheels turning......

Giving me some loving.......

 ...and a little more, but wants to see the camera.......

 Getting a great ear rub.......

 Maybe a little bored with this pose.......

 But still listening........

It was fabulous and Linda was able to hang out for about 2 hours so we had a really great visit.....I needed that!

But that wasn't all that made my day THE BEST EVER!!!!!  This afternoon I went to see the doctor!  I did finally have my CT Scan, yesterday at 5:00 P.M., so today after my blood work was done Jonathan and I waited to see the doctor.  We were called almost right away but found ourselves waiting in the room for a really long time.  Usually I have to go through the motions with the med student first but today was different.  When the door opened, it was Dr. Osborne himself, along with Ellie his nurse and both of them were smiling from ear to ear.  Ellie had walked over to the Radiology Department to get the radiologist to read my CT Scan, that's what took so long.  Dr. Osborne sat down to tell me that Larry and Terry are vacating the premises!!!!!  My CT Scan showed substantial improvement.....so, we are going to do 3 more Chemo treatments as discussed and then the hysterectomy!!!!  WOOHOO!!!!

I'm actually looking forward to Friday and my 4th Chemo Treatment!!!!  There will only be 2 more to go - but the most fantastic thing is - it's working!!!!  It's all about ATTITUDE!!!!
Okay, maybe not all but it sure helps and I have no intention of letting this get me!!!  

Hoping everyone is having this great a day!!!!!

Jo-Ann

Wow! I'm still going.....

Who'da thunk it!  I really wasn't sure if I could do it, it's been 2 months since I worked a weekend in the store, but, with the help of my friends, Annadele, Andy, Barb and Liz it's been a pretty good two days and I'll be there again tomorrow!

Thought I would share my Alaskan Wildflowers with you.  Last Thursday I dropped into the store and hung it on the design wall so I could check out my border choices.....

 Choices, choices, choices!  I finally decided to take off the yellow floral border and just go with the green and the "field of flowers" and voila!!!!!

 I managed to finish up the borders this afternoon!  Nancy challenged me with the green fabric - it's one of those fabrics that shade from light to dark - well, I took her up on the challenge and I think it looks pretty awesome.....now I just have to quilt it!!!!  On the pile it goes.......

I'm pretty happy about the way it turned out and I'm gonna leave it up on the design wall for a few days.  I'm pretty sure I mentioned the book it came from earlier in the blog....

Okay, off to write the Cock A Doodle Blog - check it out!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Always the way.....

I'm a little disappointed, Bosley and his "mama" had to cancel this morning - car trouble, but hopefully I'll still get to see him one day next week.  In the meantime I made it to the store on time for 2:00 P.M. to relieve Kathy, and with the help of my friends I made it until 8:00 P.M..

Annadele came by just after 2:00 P.M., then Joan showed up to keep us company .  The next one to arrive was Liz and last but not at all least was Barb.  Everyone wanted to make sure that I'd get through my "shift" okay!  I did and admittedly I'm tired but I even managed to get a little bit of a binding done and one side of a border on the Alaskan Wildflower Quilt I've been working on.....yeah me!

Tomorrow is Healing Heroes so we'll all be working in the classroom, having a great time.....come and join us for tea or a coffee!  I might even throw some baking in the oven if I have the energy!  I'll be there from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. so if you have a minute, drop by for a bit!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Not sure....

....how this is going to work for me but I will be working tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday at the store.  It's pretty much my first time back since I started the "treatments" so hopefully all will go well.  I'm quite determined so I plan for it to go well!!!!

The girls have been fabulous, taking over the store for me and just doing absolutely everything.  They need some time off (for good behaviour)!  For me it's been great not having to worry about the store but on the other hand there are alot of things that only I can do....like ordering and stuff.....

Hopefully I'll get to see some of you this weekend!  I'll be the one in the red chair snoring - ha, ha!  Wake me if you see me!  Only kidding, hopefully I'll be wide awake!

On another note I have a very important visitor coming to see me in the morning!  Bosley "Bear" is bringing his mommy Linda to visit.  I can't wait so I have to go and make sure there are no socks on the floor.....

A quick clean-up is in order but I'm really excited to see him....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Stubborn.......

....that would be me!  As I mentioned yesterday, Barb and I had picked the perfect fabric for the sashings on my quilt but we both realized that there really wasn't enough so I showed you a second fabric I was going to introduce to alternate with and voila I would have my sashings.....

This morning I got creative (stubborn more like).  I was determined to get my sashings out of that fabric I didn't have enough of.  I measured and found that I had a piece that was 14-3/4" x 42".  If I had cut it the normal way I could have gotten 7 strips of 1-1/2" which would have given me 21 pieces 1-1/2" x 12-1/2" - I needed 31.  Soooooo.....I cut one strip of 1-1/2" which gave me 3 pieces and left me with a long piece of fabric 13-1/4" x 42.  If you divide 42 by 1-1/2" you get 28.....so that's what I did! 

 This is what I had left over - luckily there were no mis-cuts!!!!

 I stopped to make a fabulous dinner of left over corn, rice and veggies and fresh salmon....

I even had a fabulous dessert of Blueberry Crumble and ice cream......

 ....and then I finished the centre of my quilt!  I love it and I'm so glad I waited until this morning when I could mentally work out the strategy to get what I wanted.  Two more borders and I'm Done but I also have to fix the mistake - can you see it?????  It's good that I took the photo because it jumpted right out at me once I saw the photo......

I'm a little tired now so I think I'll wait until tomorrow morning to fix it but let me know if you've found it.....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann