Falling!!!

Thought it would work if I "publicized" my Things To Do list on my blog and to be honest, it has partially, but I also have to take into account the kinda day it's going to be and that is truly unpredictable.

I woke up this morning in pain and the meds just refused to kick in so the energy level is not the best.  With good intentions I wandered into the kitchen and since I have a self-cleaning oven, I turned it on.  (NOT)  It's been awhile since I used a self-cleaning oven, what can I say.... About two hours after I turned it on (I had gone to lie down) I came into the kitchen and found the oven was still cold.  Okay, so maybe there's something new here - it doesn't heat up!  Well everything was set so I sat down at the computer (I can see the stove from the computer) and just kept glancing over every now and then - until I had a EUREKA MOMENT!!!!  - duh, did you set the timer dummy!!!!  Nope!  Needless to say - 4 hours later, the oven is now clean.  It dawned on me that there are buttons on the stove that I know nothing about.....

Have not gotten to that freezer yet (there's still time) and the dishes are hidden behind a wall so I'm ignoring them for now but I may get a BURST of energy later...I'm saving my real energy for tomorrow's Sit & Bitch, so there!

I can, however report, that with Jonathan hogging the TV yesterday I settled down to some serious stitching.

 There are now 10 blocks done on Row 8.

 Block #76 - Sawtooth - 22 pieces

 Block #111 - Wrench - 17 pieces

Plus I have completed 2 more blocks.  These two blocks plus Block #58 completed previously make up the balance of Row 8.  I wish I could say I will get those attached tonight but the plan is to watch Blue Bloods and head for bed.  Need to conserve my energy for tomorrow.  Tomorrow I will be doing machine piecing for a long awaited change.  Don't even have to pack because I never unpacked from my last trip to Neilson Park where Etobicoke Quilter's Guild has their weekly Sit & Sew.  I'm working on two flannel quilts - may be able to take some pictures tomorrow.  I am really looking forward to seeing the girls and getting some sewing done as well....

Thought I'd share my last "read" with you all.  This book was a surprise for me.  It's been hanging around the house for awhile and I did try to read it at one time but got bored and put it down.  I usually don't pick a book up again if I can't read it the first time but I was desperate for something so....the story line is pretty good and once you get past all the technical jargon, the writer was in the Air Force, it's a pretty good book.  It is a great read for anyone (mostly men) who are into war toys and stuff like that....in the end I enjoyed it but I don't think I will go hunting for his other books.

 Dale Brown - Plan of Attack

This is getting scary - I've managed to blog 3 days in a row!!!  Like "Dear Diary"!  I've already picked up a book off the shelf at home to read but not sure how that's going to go.  I find when I have the need to be in bed, whether for pain reasons, to rest or it's just bedtime, I like to have a book close at hand even if I just get a couple of pages read.  I tried quilting books but that would perk me right up and motivate me to the extent I would jump out of bed and check my stash for fabrics, so it has to be serious reading material.  If this one gets good - I'll share it!!!!

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

A busy, busy week!

Suddenly my dance card was full!  I recuperated from my wonderful Thursday "Shop Hop"with Linda and Gillian and it only took two days.  Then I received  a Facebook message that made my day.  Cathie and Gail wanted to come for a visit on Wednesday night.....YEAH!!!!  I was thrilled!

So - now I need to make room to sit!!!  It's really not a joke!  Unfortunately I have yet to snag a much needed storage locker so the boxes are still strewn around the living room. Making room is no easy feat!  However, with a little ingenuity and some "elbow grease" I managed to make it work.  Cathie and Gail showed up with dinner from Mr. Greek and we had a wonderful visit.  We even managed to make room for Jonathan and his friend Frasier - yes they hung out with the "old ladies" for a short time!  Luckily they got fed up pretty quick and went into his room to watch the Leafs game.  I got to show off my progress on The Farmer's Wife and we just had a great catch-up evening! Can't wait until our next Stitch'n'Bitch (I missed the last one, wasn't feeling up to it)!  They managed to top up on some thread needs while they were here too!!!  I do not exaggerate when I say I have thousands of spools of thread here!!!

I have also managed to complete 6 more blocks -

 Block # 62 - Old Windmill (32 pieces)

Block #64 - Peace & Plenty (32 pieces)

Block # 66 - Periwinkle (12 pieces)

Block # 70 - Prairie Queen (25 pieces)

Block # 71 - Puss In The Corner (13 pieces)

These five blocks represented the "order" group.  I stitch up one group of 5 blocks in "numerical order" so that I am just stitching blocks and then I start working on the "row order" so that I am able to put the rows together.  The 6th block that I completed is the start of Row 8 - another row of 13 blocks of which I already have 8 completed.  I am just finishing the stitching of Row 7 to the quilt top now. 

Block # 81 - Snowball (13 pieces)

Now I will start adding the sashings and cornerstones to this block and stitching the completed blocks to make Row 8.  This is the second row of 3 rows of 13 blocks and then, because the quilt is on point, each row after that will be smaller by two blocks.  This marks the halfway point of the quilt top....I can't believe it!!!

My week did not end here!!!  I had another Facebook message that Linda was coming to visit with Bosley and Ainsley on Thursday!!!  I have not seen my "baby" Bosley since May 2011 when I did my first chemo.  Not only that, but Linda has been working in Ottawa for the past year and she was bringing me a present!!!  Egg rolls from the Golden Palace! Okay, I know, that sounds nuts - but you haven't tasted an egg roll if you haven't had one of theirs.  I salivate just thinking about these egg rolls.  A trip to Ottawa for Egg Rolls was on my bucket list!!!  The rest of their menu is also to die for but the egg rolls are by far the most outstanding item!  They sell them by the dozens - people come from all over to get them.  I remember as a kid, Saturday night was Golden Palace night and believe me the whole city was there - you always ran into someone you knew!!!

So, again I had to Bosley-fy the house - he still likes to gnaw on the odd sock!  I managed to get quite a bit of organizing done before Cathie and Gail came but I still needed to do a bit more for the Bosley visit.  I actually managed to clean off my desk (been a mess for six months) and organize the computer area.  If only I had a storage locker!!!!  One of these days!

They arrived around 2:00 P.M. and it was glorious!  There is nothing like a great big fat kiss from a chocolate Lab!!!  It'll cure everything!!!  It was great hugging Linda and Ainsley too!  I adore this dog!  I gave him up for all the right reasons and I happily gave him to a family who would love him as much as I do.  Matt, Linda, Morgan and Ainsley have given him a wonderful home and since I get visiting privileges I couldn't ask for anything more.

Jonathan and I just couldn't give him the exercise and attention that he needed.  He gets plenty now!!!  Of course I took a few pics while they were here!

 Finding his spot on the couch (his couch I might add)

 A rare face pic!  He does not pose for pictures - always on the go!

 Ainsley holding him just long enough to see that gorgeous mug!

 This is the norm - he wiggles into you on the couch so you can rub his belly....Linda is quietly raiding the thread baskets in the background.....

 Never sits still- pushing into Ainsley for a good rub.

He is just a big galoot with such a wonderful personality and just look at the love from his Mom (Linda) and sister (Ainsley) - I so miss having that around....

It was a wonderful visit, unfortunately Jonathan was working and didn't get a chance to see him but Bosley kept running back to Jonathan's bedroom to look for him and next time we'll schedule it on one of Jonathan's days off.  Of course, all good things come to an end and so the visit was over but not before I got some much needed hugs and some really great slobbery kisses.

Needless to say I had a good dose of Egg Rolls after they left and I even treated Liz to one so she can tell you how good they are!!!!  She was surprised I would share this delicacy but there isn't anyone I would rather share with!!!  She dropped by after her guild meeting with a Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Tim's and we ate our egg rolls and chatted for a bit - she's just back from Calgary visiting Brian (her son) and Sarah (his girlfriend).

Yesterday I spent the day cooking!  First there were the sweet and sour meatballs for the potluck at our guild meeting on Monday night.  Then I threw together a Shepherd's Pie and then Jonathan made steaks and baked potatoes for dinner.  

Today I am content to sit inside and watch the snow fall and worry about my son driving around out there boosting batteries.  He called a little while ago and says it's pretty bad out there, he can't do over 20 km/hr or he starts to fishtail.  So - I suggest you all get done what has to be done and get home.....

My plan is to possibly clear off that dining room table, set up my sewing machine and get some stitching done....we'll see if I can manage that....

Have a great day everyone! (I know this was a long one.....)

Jo-Ann

Finally!

The past few weeks have definitely been the worst so far.  I can safely say that I am feeling very close to "human" again.  To be brutally honest, there were many days where I felt that I couldn't take anymore.  In August I was told by one of the residents at the Odette Cancer Centre (Sunnybrook) that I was terminal.  At that point I chose to start taking pain killers, Oxicodin to be exact and so I found myself in a drugged stupor for a good portion of September.  My primary Oncologist, Dr. Osborne, then suggested that I go for radiation treatment to help the pain.  He made arrangements for me to see the head Radiologist, Dr. Ackerman.  After being examined and set up for the radiation tatoos, she told me that the cancer could very possibly be lymphoma which, not only is curable but is usually eradicated by radiation.  Virtually a new lease on life!  I immediately stopped taking the Oxicodin (I hate pills!) and soon began the radiation treatments - 10 treatments over 10 days.  When they tell you there are no side effects, remember, "they" don't get side effects, you do!  I found myself in excrutiating pain, nauseous all the time and extremely weak.  I was tired all the time and was bed-ridden for most of the last 6 weeks. In addition, I developed a bladder infection.  For the first time since I was originally diagnosed in February 2011, I felt defeated!  However, the worst appears to be over and I am beginning to feel almost normal again.  I am still having a few stomach issues but after being flat on my back for weeks, this is nothing!!!  My "get up and go" is beginning to come back and I can actually sit in front of the computer and even get some cleaning and other important things done.....Glad to be back in the fight!

To bring everyone up to date - before I fell prey to the side effects of this illness, I had one of the best and truly productive days at Studio C with all the wonderful ladies from the Etobicoke Quilters Guild at the Neilson Park Creative Centre.  I managed to get quite a bit done on one of my flannel projects with the help of Sylvia who was kind enough to be my "pressing princess" as well as helping me do a fair bit of "unstitching".  Thank you ladies for a lovely day.  I hope to take advantage of Studio C in the near future, now that I am feeling quite a bit better.

Since the last time I blogged (September 23rd) I have managed to complete, although I'm not sure how, 10 of my Farmer's Wife Blocks.  Most were done before I fell ill and then in the last few days I have finally gotten back to them.  I have 76 of 111 blocks done which is more than two-thirds of the blocks.  Only 35 blocks to go!  Here are the blocks I've completed......

 Block #103 - Whirlwind - 21 pieces

Block #90 - Single Wedding Ring - 29 pieces 

Block #91 - Strawberry Basket - 28 pieces 

 Block #87 - Star Gardener - 57 pieces

After these 4 blocks were completed I began working on Row #7 which consists of 13 blocks.  I have been working on these blocks with an alternating method.  I choose them in groups of 5.  I choose my fabrics for the 5 blocks and them mark and cut and stitch. One group is chosen in order as they appear in the rows that I am working on and then the next group is chosen in numerical order and stored in my Farmer's Wife binder.  I'm finding this method is really working for me.  I also have been marking and cutting sashing strips in between each set of 5 blocks and have now completed the 252 sashing strips required for the Queen Size quilt.

 Block #61 - Northern Light - 12 pieces

 Block #60 - Noon & Light - 28 pieces

 Block #59 - Night & Day - 24 pieces

 Block #58 - Mother's Dream - 17 pieces

There are only 4 blocks in the above group and there is a perfectly good explanation for that.  I made a mistake!  I actually needed one of the 5 blocks to complete Row 6 and I didn't want to wait until I got to this group to complete the row.  They are now stored in my binder.

 Block #65 - Peaceful Hours - 37 pieces

Block #20 - Storm Signal - 20 pieces

The last two blocks will go to completing Row #7 and once I complete the 5 blocks in this group, Row #7 will be completed along with some of the stored blocks in my binder. Once I complete Row #7 I will have 8 more rows to complete, 2 more rows of 13 blocks, 1 of 11 blocks, 1 of 9 blocks, 1 of 7 blocks, 1 of 5 blocks, 1 of 3 blocks and the last row of 1 block.

I'm glad I chose to begin assembling the quilt as I was stitching the blocks, this seems to be going faster.  It is encouraging to see the quilt top coming together and since I am stitching the whole quilt top by hand it is nice to work on different parts of the project as I go.

Hopefully I will also get back to doing some machine work as well.  I really do miss that but unfortunately I have not really been able to get back to it since my wonderful day at Studio C.  As a matter of fact, I haven't even unpacked my machine since that day.

The house is a complete disaster!  Although Jonathan tries (not extremely hard), he does work very hard and very long hours.  Now that I'm feeling better, I am slowly tackling one room at a time.  So far - the bathroom is done!!!!  I have started on the kitchen but it's no where near done....slow and steady wins the race!  Off to get stuff done......

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann

Feeling the love.....

I don't know what to say!  I attended the Etobicoke Quilters' Guild meeting on Monday night as a new member.  The warm welcome I received, the hugs and good wishes were just overwhelming.  I have to say that I truly feel the "love"!!!!  I am really looking forward to being a part of this wonderful group of quilters.  I also hope to be able to take advantage of Studio C on upcoming Mondays and Wednesdays and also participating in Workshops and Retreats.  

The most wonderful thing I took away from the meeting was the motivation!  Although my health issues are taking their toll on what I can physically accomplish, I still want to get back to the place where I can begin to complete the numerous projects I have waiting in the wings.  Some of them have been put aside because they truly had no destination.  However, Comfort Quilts seem like a great destination, so I am about to go through all of those UFO's and see what can be completed and donated.  It's wonderful to know that our work is needed in the community and I can't wait to get them completed.

I am finally somewhat back on track with my Farmers' Wife project and have completed another block.

 Block # 52 - Hovering Hawks - 24 pieces

This block was needed to complete the next row which I have been working on.  You can see it, it's the 6th block from the top.  I need 3 more blocks to complete this row, one of which I still have to piece.  Then I can attach it to my growing quilt top.....

I am still enjoying the relaxation of the hand piecing as well as the prep work required to do each of the blocks.

Jonathan's friend Theo came by on Saturday night and made us another gourmet meal.  He had been over a couple of weeks ago and I forgot to take a picture of that amazing meal but this time I stopped to take a photo before I dug in......

A perfectly cooked burger with all the accompaniments.  I could only manage to eat 1/2 the burger but it was absolutely outstanding.....he's quite talented.

I certainly haven't been doing much cooking these days.  First because I find it hard to even decide what I want to eat and then it becomes too much trouble.  I haven't been very excited about food lately.  I think it's a side effect of all the drugs, etc. and there's the energy that it takes to actually do anything.  I'd rather save it for other stuff that I enjoy.....

Time for me to get back to my quilting so....

Have a great day everyone!

Jo-Ann