The Compromise

I am in the throes of menopause.   Rick is in the throes of...hmmm?  Not sure what to call it.   All I know is that I am constantly burning up and Rick is constantly shivering!  So temperature control in our house is a constant battle.  I'm always turning the thermostat down, and Rick is always turning it back up.  I think the dog gets dizzy watching us go back and forth.

Well yesterday I think we found our solution!  We bought an electric fireplace!   Isn't it pretty?

It is a corner fireplace.  So it is situated  directly across from Rick's recliner.  He can hunker down in his chair wrapped in a quilt with the heat blowing directly on him while he watches TV and/or naps in comfort.  If he gets cold, all he has to do is use the remote control and turn the temperature up!  He can also set the timer and adjust the flame.  It really is a new toy for him to play with!

 I, on the other hand, can turn the thermostat down a few degrees.  I can go upstairs, turn my fan on high and Facebook, tweet, blog, sew, quilt, scrapbook, read and/or game and be completely comfortable!  How awesome is that!   I no longer will I be forced the bowels of the basement anymore because the third floor is a towering inferno!

Of course, it's only been day 1 of the new fireplace.  So the verdict isn't in yet if this is going to work.  What I do know is that I was able to sew for 3 hours today and not a single drop of sweat going down my back! Nor did I have to open my window and let winter's breath in.  I'm a happy girl!  

I do know that I look forward to the day when I can crawl up on the couch and huddle under several quilts and be toasty warm again.  It would be nice to be able to look into the fireplace and see a friend and not the flames of hell!  Now if only we can figure out how to keep snow year round for Sophie who is happiest laying in the snow on a cold winter's day.

Make Every Day Count.....
Denise

Ole, Ole!

Well, the suitcase is unpacked and the sewing room is back in order.  The laundry is piled high and the house is a mess.  The fridge is bare and the bills need paid.  But I don't care.  It can all wait until tomorrow.  What can't wait is snuggle time with Sophie and reflection of the weekend.  You see, I just got home from a 3 day quilting retreat with 79 of my closest guild friends!

I know, yawn, right?  How much fun can a bunch of old ladies have on a quilting weekend? Well, let me tell you, we know how to rock a retreat!  This year's theme...yes, we have themes...was South of the Border.  Well, actually that's not the name, but I forget the exact title.  Get you the point though it was a Mexican theme.  We had sombreros, margaritas, maracas, massages, and more!  Hence the picture: Meet Senor(a?) Edmunds! Isn't she a beaut?!?!?!  That's my own 'stache!  I have to shave it every night before bed!

Ole', Ole'!  Hot, Hot, Hot!

I don't want to bore you into a siesta with all of the details, but will outline the high points of the trip.  First and foremost, I am from Coshocton County. So going on this trip every year is like going home!  I usually spend more time with family and friends than I do actually quilting/sewing.  This year was no exception.

Highlight #1:   Saturday I spent the morning and afternoon with my beautiful 10 year old niece, Zayvia.  She is a budding crafter!  She got her first sewing machine for Christmas.  After her basketball game in the morning, we headed to the hotel to see what all of the women were making.  Zay was like a deer in the head lights!  The women were so nice to her.   They talked about sewing and gave her fabric!  The girl left with more fabric than I did.  Then we were off to lunch at the Yucatan...yes, a Mexican restaurant!  After lunch I took Zay to her first quilt store.  She was so excited.  Once again, the deer in the head light look!  While there, we learned to finger knit scarves!  By the time we left...2 hours later...she had 4 scarves made and 8 skeins of yarn!  Yep, a girl after my own heart!

Zayvia and Aunt Denise

Highlight #2:  I had the best roommate ever!  Rosie let me sleep with the air conditioner on even though it was 13 degrees outside.  The wind was howling and rattling the windows, but I had the thermostat set at 63 degrees.  It was the first 2 nights  of sleep in a LONG time that I didn't wake with hot flashes and night sweats!!!!  Since there is no school tomorrow, I was tempted to stay another night!

The Busy Bees splinter group!

Highlight #3:  Laughing until I snorted!  These girls are hysterical.  In honor of our theme, the hotel bar had $3 margarita specials!  Some of these women are a hoot when they've had a few libations!  You never know what they might do next!  I so wish I could get the video to upload right now!! But I can't!  So you will just have to look at the photo graph and imagine these lovely ladies singing Ole, Ole....They are the best!


Highlight #4:  Helping the Coshocton community.  Of course we boosted the economy with many trips to Wal-Mart, local restaurants, Roscoe shops and Mercantile on Main...the greatest quilt shop ever!  But  our group always supports the local food pantry.  Each year we are asked to bring $10 worth of food for the pantry.  In exchange you get your name put into a drawing for a wonderful prize.  There were approximately 17 boxes of food.  This year's group took it a step further.  In addition to the raffle, they staged a "drug bust" and jailed a couple of quilters.  They had to raise bail to get out.  Due to the generosity of the quilters and guests, we raised another $160 for Pastor Mark and his food pantry!  As the originator of the food pantry collection, I'm so excited to see the tradition continue and flourish!

Highlight #5:  Denise at Mercantile on Main is awesome.  She is always willing to share her love of crafting with anyone who asks.  She came to the retreat and gave a workshop on using jelly roll packets.  For you crafting impaired, those are 2 1/2 inch strips that we use to make luscious quilts!  Then on Saturday she did an impromptu class on finger knitting for 5 young girls.  Denise had a shop full of crazy, money spending quilters and she still had time to spread her crafting wealth!  And all of this with a broken wrist!  We won't go into HOW she broke it, but let's just say it's a good laugh!

Highlight #6: Spending time with my friends!  I look forward to this weekend every year.  It's a time to just unwind and not thinking about the world around me.  I spend quality time with friends and family who for whatever reason love me too!  Mucho Gracias to the retreat committee for a wonderful time!  You're awesome!

Make every day count...
Denise

What I'm Thinking Now

Last night I went to Friday Night Free For All, aka FFA.  It's a gathering of women with a common interest...... quilting.  We meet the first and third Friday of each month.  We get together to sew, eat, and talk.  But the group is more than a good time.  It also is a support group.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone on a Friday night looking for an outlet to lay my burdens on.  They are always a great sounding  board and help me figure out life's dilemmas.

Of course last night was no exception. I found myself in need of  good company and good sound advice.  My fellow FFA members were there for me as well as each other.  We had a good old cackling hen party.  We laid all of our burdens on the table and worked through each problem.  We gave each other good advice, unsolicited observations, and common conclusions.  I love a group of girls who will tell you like it is!  Some times it's easy to hear and some times it's not.  Either way, we know that all of it comes from the heart.

One of the observations  we made had to do with social media.  It is amazing to us how people use Facebook, Twitter and blogging as a way to air grievances, disappointments, and general discord.  They will say whatever they are feeling or thinking and to hell with you if you don't like it. From there we talked about what we feel is appropriate and what is not.  I made the comment that there so many things I find funny that others post and I would love to share.  However, I stop myself.  I have a sarcastic sense of humor which many find offensive, and the last thing I would want to do is offend someone who doesn't know me well.  Let's face it, there are some things that can only or should only be said in the company of your dearest friends and family.  Things that should never be made public to the world wide web.

As teacher, I try to filter myself.  I must admit that I fail sometimes.  I hope I filter more than I don't!  My husband gets upset with me at times because he says I'm an adult and I can say and feel what I want.  He is right up to a point.  But as a public servant, I am forced to be politically correct.  Whether I like it or not, I have to lead by example.  I just can't go around spouting off everything that is running around in my head.  Trust me,  as much as I would like to, I don't.

Barb, a retired English teacher, and I dissected this very thought.  We are both Facebookers and bloggers.  We agree that we both have so many ideas, thoughts, pet peeves, concerns and other ramblings running around in our heads.  We are often tempted to blog about it.  But we both agree that we would never blog something that would intentionally hurt someone's feelings.  I can't pour out my thoughts or complaints that may not be appropriate.  In fact I have 24 hour rule.  I don't post anything until I've thought about it for at least 24 hours.  What you feel in the moment usually isn't what you feel after some considerable thought.

So here's the point I'm trying to make.  I want all of my readers to know that I am sorry if I have ever hurt your feelings with one of my posts.  It is never my intention to hurt you personally.  I know that I may offend with my inappropriate topics on occasion.  But I hope everything is seen with humor and laughter, and never from mean spiritness!

Make Every Day Count....
Denise