Happy New Year!

Ahhh....one last day of holidays to relax before heading back to work tomorrow.

I took some time this morning to get the bindings of these two quilts - - both of them are Bonnie Hunter designs -- stitched to the front.  I believe I'll spend the rest of the day with my feet up hand sewing the bindings to the back.

Jamestown Landing and Celtic Solstice

This week has been particularly busy, as we traveled to Newfoundland to ring in the New Year and celebrate the wedding of our oldest son.  Sailor Boy lives in Halifax, but his new wife was born and raised on The Rock. 

Itty Bitty and Sailor Boy

The wedding was held indoors, of course, but a lot of the photos were taken outside, with the added bonus of "natural confetti" falling from the sky.

This was our first visit to Newfoundland. We met some of the warmest, kindest people while we were there - - although we could have used an interpreter to understand that Newfie accent!

If I work fast....this could be a July finish!

I spent last evening making a mile of binding for my Sailor Boy's quilt, and the morning sewing it to the front.  If I work really fast hand stitching the binding down to the back, I could count this as a finish for this month.

Remember what it looks like?

I'm on holidays this week.  No big plans - we're having a 'staycation' in order to accommodate some appointments, chores and to-do's.  I would like to play with some ideas for small projects that I've 'pinned' on Pinterest though!  

Girl's Joy

We spent most of the day in Brantford yesterday, visiting with Itty Bitty.  He took me to all the thrift stores there.  I didn't find anything too exciting, BUT I did pick up two pillow forms for $1.99 each.  I need them for two cushions that are on my UFO list, and had looked at them when I was at Michaels last week - - they were nearly $20 each!  Holy moly!  Even with a coupon, that's still a heck of a price. So here's a tip - if you need pillow forms, check thrift stores first.

So, I didn't get to this week's Grandmother's Choice BOW: Girl's Joy until this morning. I wish I had used a higher contrast between the medium black and light-medium red, but I'm pretty pleased with this finish.

I'm working on the Black & White quilt as well, and decided that this will be a gift to Sailor Boy, as we welcome a new member to our family circle.  Hmmm...I'll have to think of a pseudonym for her.  Well, she's relocating from Newfoundland to join Sailor Boy in Halifax in April.  We haven't met her yet, unless you count Skype, so hopefully we will be able to travel out to the Maritimes this summer once they get settled a bit.  I'm almost done piecing the block units for the three borders I have planned.  I think the young couple will enjoy the monkeys, tattoo flash, hearts and music fabrics.  

Has it really been four months????

Let's see.....what's changed in four months.....

GOT MY DEGREE ON TUESDAY!!!!  Yes, convocation was held this past week.  I have to be honest...it was sort of a let down.  I really expected to 'feel something' but no...it was really more like going to the doctor's office:  Sitting foreeeeeeeeeeeeever....then someone calls your name, and you're in and out before you know what happened. I feel sort of foolish spending too much money on a new dress and shoes (which gave me a blister!).  No one got to see it.

I'm actively looking for paid employment -- my strategy is to seek out "the hidden job market" by becoming the Queen of Networking!  I've been to so many meetings, seminars, conferences, committees, you name it.  I have a collection of business cards that rivals my scraps.  I had to buy a CrackBerry to keep up with my email.

I have some very exciting work projects underway -- all unpaid of course, but tremendously challenging, and great padding for my portfolio.  I feel like I'm just weeks away from a good position.  The pieces are all moving in the right direction.  Prayers and positive thoughts please!


ITTY BITTY - has accepted an offer of admission to his 1st choice university, AND gotten a $1500 scholarship. It's only slightly more than an hour away, so he's still close.  He only has two more days of high school, then exams, and hopefully he'll find some summer work to prepare for his first year.  Prom was two weeks ago, and then music awards banquet.  Next Wednesday is Commencement.  Busy, busy, busy!

Oh, and two weeks ago -- he cut off his hair!  I mean CUT! RIGHT DOWN TO THE WOOD!  I'm still having traumatic flashbacks from the harrowing experience.  It had been four years since the last hair cut, and was so thick! and curly! and lovely! half way down his back! When the hair piled up on the floor of the barbershop, it looked like a small dog was napping under the chair. (pardon me while I weep!)  Now he looks so much more like his brother.  And speaking of his brother...

SAILOR BOY - Itty Bitty and I flew out to Halifax for a 4-day weekend over Easter to visit Sailor Boy.  The weather was lovely, and Halifax is gorgeous.  We had a tour of his ship, and did lots of site seeing and shopping.  It was our first time flying, and we did marvelous.  He'll be home for a summer holiday in about a month.  We are beginning to hear from him more regularly -- he must be growing up!

HUBBY - has been working straight nights for the last few months.  It's not easy -- he's probably the worst day-time sleeper EVER - and if he doesn't soon get into some sort of a routine, I'm despairing of him surviving this in any long term sense. 

GIBBY - this cat is going to be the death of me.  He loves to be outside, which means he is always lurking near a doorway, waiting for it to crack open the merest fraction of an inch so he can make his escape.  I try to let him out on his leash whenever I'm home, but that doesn't satisfy him.  Today I videotaped him trying to eat a bumblebee - it was hysterical.


That's pretty much the news.  I hope to be able to settle down a bit before too much longer.  I certainly don't get to quilt anymore, but maybe later this summer I can begin to fit a few minutes in from time to time.

I've been reading a lot though. We seemed to wait so long for some true, honest-to-goodness spring weather this year, and now that it's here - I'm outside anytime from the crack of dawn to sundown.  I love my front porch, and my backyard deck so much.  (sigh) So, I always have a book ready to keep me company.

Right now I'm reading "Casting Off" by Libby Purves. It's a good story so far, but I'm skipping some pages that drone on and on about the weather, sailing -- stuff I don't know anything about and can't relate to!

Friday night I stayed up until the very wee hours of the night reading "After Rain" by Donna Milner.  It's Canadian fiction -- oh how I loathe Canadian fiction!  But this was certainly an exception to my rule.  I had to get to the end to find out what happened between Boyer and Natalie, and if Nettie and Rain were.....noooooooooo.... impossible!  I liked this story a lot.

Recently I read "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.  WOW!  I loved this book!  I gobbled it up in a couple of sessions, and immediately went out and rented the movie starring Julia Roberts.  THAT, my friends, was a waste of two hours of my life I'll never get back.  Yes, it was lovely to look at -- but it was a mistake to ever think that the depth of emotion and spirituality that the book holds between its covers could ever be captured on the screen.  Skip the movie.  Read the book.


Right now, I'm surrounded by three blood-thirsty squirrels, inching towards me on the back deck.  They are all wondering:  uh...Where the hell is the peanut butter!?!?!?!

It's Reading Week

Where has the time gone?  Seems like just yesterday I was entering my first university class (Psych 100)...and now, I find myself one presentation and two essays away from my BSW degree!  I can't believe it.  In six weeks...it will all be a memory.

Sooooo...being this close to graduation means I'm also looking for a JOB!  They would be happy to keep me at the law clinic, and in fact have ponied up to send me off to a grant-writing workshop in order to secure funding for a full-time social work position.  However, I'm being realistic -- funding applications are a huge project, and being brand new at it, I'm not holding out a lot of hope that I'll have immediate success -- and starting to put out my C.V. 

Anybody got a job for me???

Oh, and I also intend to register for another class or two next year at UWO.  The plan is just to stay connected to the university community, take advantage of the opportunities to see guest lecturers, be involved in social action events, be able to access the university libraries, etc....but I'm telling everybody that I'm working on a 2nd undergrad degree.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Speaking of university, Itty Bitty got his first offer of admission -- to University of Windsor.  This is not his first choice, but a decent fall back position to say the least.  We're very proud!  (still have fingers and toes crossed for Laurier or my alma mater)

Sailor Boy has been out on his first 'cruise' -- 3 years in the navy...never been on the ocean!  He spent the first three days violently sea sick, then gave in and got an injection of Gravol, and quickly gained his sea legs.  He has vowed to never try to "tough it out" again. 

Miss me???

It's been a crazy month!  Where to begin?

Let's see....

1) University - - I have one more major paper to write, and this semester will be over in less than two weeks.  I can't believe how much LESS stressful fourth year is compared to this time LAST year!  I think I'm doing well - I had to give two seminars this week (ACK!) - - talk about anxiety!!! 

2) Practicum - - I love, love, love the work I'm doing at the law clinic.  I'm starting to handle a couple of cases on my own - cases that really aren't "law" cases, and would generally not be handled by our clinic, but because I'm focusing on "social work" - I am enjoying learning, and trying out things, testing my skills, and having some successes.  It's such a neat experience when my day is going along, and all of a sudden, I realize "Hey! All that boring dry theory we learned IS relevant!" 

3) Sailor Boy - I watched a TV show on the Equator Channel tonight called "Warships" that featured the ship that he's posted to -- it was really interesting to see the inside of the ship, and the living quarters, etc.  I called him tonight to let him know I saw this program, and he told me that he has some leave at Christmas time, so he's probably going to be able to come home for a bit.  I'll know more next week I guess.

4) Itty Bitty -- needs to pull up his socks in ENGLISH!  I'm getting very worried that he's not going to have the grades to get into university if he doesn't take some emergency action.  The semester is almost over for him as well, and it's not good.  I have a sneaking suspicion he's going to be doing English AGAIN next semester, since this is a mandatory course.  I'm also worried that I'm going to have to lay down the law and cut out some of his extra-curricular stuff.  I'm dreading that - - I hoped once Football Season was over, he'd turn it around....but...  (ugh, being a mom sucks sometimes!)

We have recently been on a tour of the his first choice university - - Hubby and I really liked it as well, and it's not too far away - - an hour an a half maybe.

5) Hubby -- what can I say about Hubby?  Not much really - - but no news is good news, right?

6) Quilting - what's that?!?!  I haven't sewn in at least two months.  I haven't been doing much of anything except school - long days at the law clinic, staying late for board meetings, etc., working on assignments.  I have gotten slightly addicted to Soduko puzzles recently though - weird, eh?

Itty Bitty Says It's Time to Update My Blog...

...what can I say?  It's been busy around here.

I made this bag tonight.  I need to stitch the top edge down, and maybe add some buttons to it, but it was fast and fun.  I used charm squares from the last package I received from Benartex -- the collection is  Wordplay by Michele D'Amore.

The pattern I based it on is called Scrappy Sack from http://www.thisandthatpatterns.com/ .  I left off the zipper and the applique, but since it only takes 21 charm squares, I can see making this one again.  It's only 8" x 12" -- good size for a lunch bag, or a bag to hold your take along hand sewing projects.

Sailor Boy arrived home on Sunday evening.  After I write my final exams (one on Monday, the second on Tuesday afternoon) our plan is to drive him back out to Halifax.  We'll just sort of take our time, and take in some sights.  I'm looking forward to getting away.

I saw something REALLY neat recently - - you use pieces of a 3/4" metal measuring tape in the folded edge of the top of a bag and this will snap the bag open and closed.  Oh, I know I'm not explaining it right - - but it's on my list to give this a try, and see how it works out!

Ah...and the Summer of Nancy continues!

It's been a wonderful summer so far -- since I declared Summer on April 29th.  And lots of good stuff still to come.

We celebrated Canada Day at my nephew's place with a potluck barbeque and one of the funniest, most fabulous fireworks show I've seen in years.  Wish I could expand on that, but I don't want to incriminate anyone!  (Advice to my nephew: next year, wear short pants so you can run faster!)

The Weather Man is calling for a week full of HOT and SUNNY weather.  Yes, people - I can even control the weather conditions in the Summer of Nancy!  Woo Hoo!!!

And in one week from now, I'll be recovering from the big Elton John concert at Copps Colliseum.  I can't wait!  My ticket was a special treat from Hubby, and I'm going with two girlfriends.

Sailor Boy is coming home for a visit at the end of the month.  I'm already making a list of little jobs I want him to help me with while he's here.  Wouldn't want him to get lazy on vacation!  On the subject of jobs around the house, our brother-in-law is here at this very minute - - I think my The 2010 Bathroom Demo/Reno from Hell will be FINISHED today!!!  EEEEEK!!!!!!!  That means I can get started on my NEXT home reno project: The Bedroom!  I think I've chosen a paint colour for the walls. 

Afraid there's been not much in the way of sewing or quilting.  I've been so busy - though I'm not sure with what!  I still haven't picked up "Lucy", even though she's been repaired and ready to go for about two weeks.  Oh well, I'll pick her up tomorrow, for sure.

What happened to my summery weather?

It was even too cold to go yard sale-ing!  Hubby turned the heat back on!  I can't believe I was baking in the sunshine last Friday, and now, wearing socks and slippers.

So, we've spent most of the day at home,  I finished piecing the blocks for the extra row on Courthouse Stars, and I've sewn a couple of rows together.  I've also prepped the applique pieces for my 4th Baltimore Folk Fusion block.

Sailor Boy called tonight.  That's two weekends in a row he's called home ~ I am stunned!  We called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day.

No pics today!  How boring!

First of all...

I'm loving this spring-like weather!  We had windows open this afternoon, and Gibson LOVED it.  He enjoys sitting on the window sill in our bedroom watching the cars go by.

THE GOOD NEWS IS!!!  The snow had melted sufficiently in the back yard to allow my applique foot that I lost just after Christmas time to make a reappearance!!  Yeah!

Itty Bitty has taken over Sailor Boy's bedroom.  He's spent the better part of the evening moving furniture, and sorting through ...well, I'd call it CRAP, but I guess it's important treasures.  Sorta like my applique foot.

Four more weeks of school.  And a ton of work to finish between now and them.  I believe I'll be camping in the Cardinal Cardinal Library until Easter. 

What happens after that?  I think I'm taking a Spring Intercession half-course, going to a conference or two, and hoping to find work as a Research Assistant for the summer.  But not until AFTER I get home from Halifax!

...got Nova Scotia on my mind

Sailor Boy flies back to Halifax tomorrow after two weeks compassionate leave. (sigh)

We've been talking about going out to the Maritimes for a few months.  I ordered some tourism literature from the Province back in the fall, and now I'm anxious to get going on the trip!

One of the things on my "100 Things to Do Before I Die" list is to drive the Confederation Bridge from New Brunswick to PEI. It's eight miles long, and seems so exciting to me!  I wonder what I'll see from there! I turned into a L.M.Montgomery fan last summer (thanks to Wendy!) so I will probably just have to do the Anne of Green Gables thing.

My plan is to then ferry from PEI to Pictou (look out Denise!) and then to Halifax.  I haven't got dates yet - - I'm still considering summer school. But it will be as soon as I can swing it!  End of April?  First of May? I'm so excited!

....well, you're probably wondering where I've been

I was looking forward to a really slack week.  It's "Reading Week" at university (doesn't that sound more academic than "Spring Break"?).  On Valentine's Day, we had planned to celebrate "Family Day" (Feb 15th to any non-Canucks) and kick off my break by visiting the Kitchener Museum to see Our Body: The Universe Within.  About 20 minutes before we were heading out the door, the phone rang.

This was a call I had been expecting for at least five years.  But nonetheless, it was a horrible shock.  My ex-husband had died in the night, the father of my sons, after a very long illness due to complications from diabetes. It seems he had developed a kidney infection, and become septic.  He needed to be in the hospital, but refused to go back in the hospital, having only three months earlier gotten out.  He'd been in the hospital before that for nearly five years.

Sailor Boy had JUST been posted to Halifax only eight days earlier, leaving 16 year old Itty Bitty to plan his father's funeral arrangements.  Sailor Boy flew home Tuesday morning, and the funeral was today. 

No worries - - we're all managing quite well.  I'm so proud of the boys.  During the visitation yesterday, I tried to be in the wings (I mean, we've been divorced quite a long time...not exactly appropriate for me to be playing the grieving widow!) but still close enough to be supportive for the boys, and be able to speak to people that were from my side of the family, and people we knew mutually.  I must have been glowing with pride though - - so grown up, so handsome, so polite.

Their dad would have been sooooooooooooo proud.  Rest in peace, old friend.

Just waiting for the stupid library to open....

...so I thought I'd check in.

Lectures are done for the semester. And I have all of my essays written with the exception of one. I'm pretty sure I can whip it together in about five or six hours - - if I could just get into that library!!!

SAILOR BOY is home!!! He arrived yesterday morning. I can't say I've seen much of him - - since I was still buried under a pile of paper writing, writing, writing.

But one thing I did notice - - Gibby Kitty never came to visit me ONCE last night. He had a NEW person to irritate with middle of the night demands for attention.

I will have to go to school again tomorrow to hand in my final papers, but after that??? I'M RETIRED!!! I am spending every possible second doing whatever I darn well please for the next three weeks!

Okay...so maybe I'm not. I am (supposed to be) starting a practicum placement at a very big high school in January. I'm really excited about it - - it's a fantastic opportunity!!! I asked my (potential) supervisor if there was anything I should brush up on before I start, and she suggested I get a good grounding in adolescent anxiety, depression, and self-harm/cutting. And if I have some time, I might want to get a deeper understanding of issues of poverty, addiction, GLBT, and mental illness.

Did you notice the 'tentativeness' of my last paragraph? That's because it's not etched in stone yet - and I don't want to jinx it! As challenging as it appears - - I can't wait!

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!

I woke up this morning with a spring in my step. I've been in a great mood all day!

Gibby kitty woke me up this morning in his customary way -- running and jumping on the bed like the house is on fire, standing on my shoulder and meowing a loud, repetitive, and cheerful good morning. This is the first time he's done this since his visit with the vet - - I think he's finally forgiven me.

I put Sailor Boy on the Greyhound back to his base yesterday afternoon. He's a sick and pathetic looking thing - - I didn't envy him the four hour bus ride. I advised him to get to sick parade this morning, and let me know what the doc said. Looks like flu to me. He spent the greater part of his leave home, in bed in his pjs. Haven't heard from him yet (of course!).

Though school hasn't started yet, football practice has. Itty Bitty will have several months of VERY long days ahead of him -- football season is BRUTAL! It seems to me that the coach is pretty demanding - hours of practice EVERY day. ugh...I hate that. But I love that Itty Bitty is so committed and disciplined, in EVERYTHING!

I quilted the mini Broken Dishes quilt and started sewing down the binding this afternoon. I'm pretty happy with the way it came out, and hope to post a photo finish tomorrow.

poor ole Gibson....good ole Sailor Boy

Gibson went to the vet's today to get a little "snip-snip". The office has called to let me know he's doing fine, and recovered from the anaesthetic well.

Sailor Boy is currently on a Greyhound bus on his way home for four or five days. I'm picking him up in London tonight.

With the cat gone until Thursday, I SHOULD be getting some cutting and sewing done. It might go faster without "help".

Two more days of School!

Yep - - just two more. Then I'm home for three weeks.

I heard from Sailor Boy today. I can finally relax, after a month of intense anxiety. He is going to be posted fairly close to HOME! Thank goodness! I feel like I can finally take a deep breath for the first time since Canada Day.

I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to be doing for those three weeks. I have good intentions of getting ahead on reading for the first semester, but I have a feeling I'm going to be hiding in my basement sewing, or sitting on my deck reading novels. Tonight at the dinner table, Hubby and Itty Bitty were listing all their favourite "Mom-cooked" meals (you know, the kind that takes lots of prep work, take time to cook, or are generally really a P.I.T.A. to make), dropping large hints that these things should figure large on the menu in the coming weeks.

I have nearly all of my Shirt Stripes Boxes done now. I was squaring up the blocks last night at quilty friend Gail's last night. (Thanks for the great photo of my boobs, Gail!)

Sailor Boy called tonight

He arrived safe and sound. His flights were good. He's got a room to himself, and he sounds good. My wee laddie tends towards "the silent type".

We interupt this blog entry for a cute kitty photo. Don't you just love his little pink toesies?

Day One of Speech 2001 was....okay. That's all I've got to say about it for the time being.

Thrift Report: July 3rd

I meant to post this last night, but it was such a busy day - - and then I went to "Quilting Night in Canada" for the evening. When I got home, my deck was full of very large boys, well into a "Farewell" party for Sailor Boy, being very silly indeed.

Anyway - I hit a few thrifts while Sailor Boy was involved in "clearing out" at the Area Support Unit, and picked up some marvelous finds: three quilting books!

I have got a yard sale report too - but that will wait for a few hours while I get a little work done around here, so I can take some photos to show you the goodies I brought home today.

Anchors Aweigh, Sailor Boy!

Sailor Boy is leaving us on Saturday - he flies out early in the morning. (Geeezzz, that drive to the airport is gonna cut into my yard sale-ing!!!) He's on a course until Thanksgiving weekend, and then? Who knows.

I've been catching up on Claudia's Bedazzled Mystery whenever I've had a few spare minutes, and hope to share a photo of the finished top soon.

I'm going to be sewing tomorrow night with quilty friends Gail and Jacqui, and maybe others will be joining us. I can't wait!