Here’s a close-up of some of the fabrics. Do you see how I have that light pink in so many fabrics to accentuate/pull out the pink in the border? Would you say it worked?
Thanks to feedback from Sally and Agent K, I picked up that quilt again. Here it is before the quilting, but pretty much the way it will look. No, I still don’t like it, but what kind of mother is going to say “Um, no, I hate it. Take it back.” Granted, I tried to give her a ceramic Christmas tree that I had painted blue, and she said, “Oh, you should keep that for yourself after all your hard work,” which was an absolute euphemism for “blue is not a Christmas color; this doesn’t fit with the red and green.” I prefer blue and silver to red and green so it fits in my house just fine. Anyway, I will give it to her and if I get it back then I’ll contact sew mama sew and ask to be added to the list of giveaway bloggers next spring.
Still like it?
Well, this is what’s going on with Mom’s quilt. I like it but I don’t. I like the colors, they’re just right I think. But I really like quilts that are more structured. For example, I think sashing would be perfect so that I can see each square’s construction and color layout. In fact, as I put it together, I was making sure that the colors worked together. Urgh! Why did I do that? I’m supposed to be focusing on breaking the rules, not making new ones. Santa’s naughty list it is. . .again.
Yesterday after work I had a flat tire. It was 23 below zero with the wind chill! The wait for a tow truck was over 2 hours due to the onslaught of accidents that snowy weather brings. Yes, I was wondering if karma was involved--all my talk about good fortune, was this a feng shui dragon biting my butt? Well, the college police were kind enough to change my tire and get me on my way within 1/2 hour. How awesome is that?! I’m going to write a letter to the campus police to let them know how wonderful they are and how grateful I am that they were willing to offer assistance on such a horrendous day!
So I bought 4 new tires today to the tune of $466.50. I had a fine time waiting for them to be put on because I read a bunch of magazines. You see, I didn’t have a pile of laundry staring at me (usually it doesn’t stare, it threatens mutiny) or dishes to wash. All I could do was read some garbage about the latest styles I will never wear and learn 50 ways to perform strange, intimate man-pleasing things. Hmm, it’s like porn in written form. Available at your local newsstand. Or ask your 16-year-old daughter who has a subscription. Why don’t men’s magazines boast “50 ways to make her sing like a jailbird while imprisoned in your bedroom”? Anyway, I got a real education and new tires. What a great day!
Oh, and here's the best part: When I got home there was an email waiting for me-I won a dyed tree from Heidi at Craft-nosis.
Sweetness! I still got it, baby! These trees are adorable and come in tons of colors. That totally made my day!
I’ve been trying to explain to Agent J that life is better (and better) when you concentrate on the good stuff. This is no easy feat because you have to keep your thoughts positive. For example, if work is getting you down because you’re forced to work with people who are gossip hounds, keep repeating something to the (positive) effect of “I work in a comfortable, supportive environment.” I know, it’s easier to think “Make these backstabbing knobs take a hike” but that’s not a positive take on the situation. Yes, WAY easier said than done, especially when the knobs are talking about your hair, butt size, or planning to get you fired.
Okay, so I’ve been doing this for about the last 2 months. In addition, to be fair, my work environment is fabulous so no complaints there. But I have been trying to improve my general outlook and I have some health concerns that are in need of reversals. So, I wake up every morning and DECIDE that I am going to have a healthy, fulfilling day. Lo and behold, I have. I am thankful for all the good stuff that is happening to me, and it just keeps piling up.
Here’s what happened this week:
1. I won 2 bag patterns from Meg. Thanks, Meg! Visit her blog at http://fashionedbymeg.
2. I won a custom-made fabric basket from Corky. Thanks, Corky! Visit her blog at piecefuldays.squarespace.com
3. I won a purse-size first aid kit after participating in the local Community College Fitness Walk.
4. I just bought myself a new computer (received yesterday) and when I went online today, Hewlett Packard sent me an email about their “big sale” which included my new computer! So I called to see if I could get a price adjustment and found out that the one from the email has more working memory(extra 2GB) and hard drive memory(extra 140GB) for only $50 more. I decided to “exchange” the computer I just received and fork out the extra $50. But wait, I’m a teacher—any teacher discounts? Oh yes, to the tune of $66. So, the computer I will be receiving has more memory and cost me almost $20 less than the first one. Thanks, HP!
How awesome is that???
Gotta go……buy a lottery ticket!
And then there's Agent J, on a "good" hair day. Agent J's likes are platform stilettos, various flavored martinis, miniature designer dogs, shopping at Archie McPhee, and men under the age of 30. And holy smoke does she gets 'em!! This is one cougar on the prowl! MMeeooooow! 
Today a funny thing happened. I was about 99% sure I saw a kid swipe a copy card out of a copier at work. I asked in the office next to mine, “Does someone have a copy card in the copier?” “Yes” came the reply from a woman wearing a black turtleneck sweater. I said, “That kid in the red just took it out of the machine” as I pointed at a student who was about 100 yards from us. The woman in black sighed “oh.” A long, saddened, oh. I was completely baffled by her reaction. I opened my mouth wide and in my best diaphragm teacher voice yelled “HEY!” Everyone looked at me except the kid. “HEY! IN THE RED!” Again, no response. He was just about at the end of the 200-yard hallway so I took off running. He made a left and disappeared. I knew he was headed toward the side door so I moved a little faster. When I got to the end of the hallway, a man said “he went out the door and to the right.” I ran outside and there he was, not too far ahead of me. I said “Hey! You in the red! Give me that copy card! Nooowww!” as if I were scolding a child. My voice was firm and loud. Pretty scary, actually. He said he didn’t have it but saw one by the door we had both just come through. I said, “Oh yeah? Show me” and followed him indoors. Sure enough, it was on a janitorial cart by the door. I gave him a “you don’t fool me” look just as the woman in black showed up to retrieve her card. The kid walked back out the side door and the woman in black said to me, “Thank you. I can’t believe you ran after him. I think you got your workout for the week.” Yes, I was panting. I said with a smile, “Sure. Tell me there’s actually some money on that card.” And there was, about 600 copies worth. After the incident, I thought I should have said something to that kid like “next time we’ll press charges.” See? I didn’t follow through. The woman was happy to have her card back so the scene just dissolved.
The point of the story? I’m a hero? No. I need to work on my cardio? Yes, but no, not the point. The point is I took action. Why was that woman so shocked? Why did she sigh? That kid stole something of hers and she was instantly resigned to letting it go without a fight. When did we become so complacent to have our things stolen from us? Do we even notice anymore? We need to be aware and fight for what’s right. To fight for our rights. Upset the downward momentum.
