It Was Thirty Years Ago Today

Yeah yeah I know the correct Sgt. Pepper's lyrics are Twenty years ago today, but the title fit. You can thank me for the earworm in comments, if you so desire.

March 18, 1978 my life was changed forever. I was at a bar, Harlow's in Burbank, IL. I was at that bar often, but what made the night different, was that was one of the few times I was not the driver. Knowing I had a designated driver, and being the day after St. Pat's (always a three day celebration in the Chicago area) I decided I would get wasted, get loaded, become shitfaced,drink-myself-silly ummm....imbibe, yeah that's the word!

Three quarters of the way through the evening, my tolerance point had been reached, I could no longer dance, hell I couldn't even stand, so I decided I'd sit at the bar, something I never did. Harlow's was a hard partying spot and to sit at the bar, meant you wouldn't get asked to dance.

As I sat down, I smelled the unmistakable aroma of COFFEE. I love coffee! I couldn't imagine who would have the nerve to drink coffee at this bar that had a 4 AM license. I turned to my left and there he was. I asked him how he got the coffee and he told me he was a friend of the bartender. I figured it might be a good idea if I had a cup (youknow - the wide awake drunk theory) and asked him to please ask for a coffee for me.

Turns out Mark was a musician who just happened to have the evening off - very rare for a Saturday, much less St. Pat's weekend. AND, he didn't drink! What kind of man was this? We chatted for a long while and my driver decided it was time to leave. Mark asked if I would trust him enough to take me home when Harlow's closed and instinct told me to say "yes".

We went out for breakfast, he gave me his number (I never gave mine out, it was just easier that way) and he dropped me off at my house.

Two weeks later, he proposed. I asked if our marriage would be in the Catholic Church, would we have kids?He answered yes and yes We married in May 1979 and it's been butterflies and meadows ever since. (well not totally, but you know what I mean!)

March?

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate Columbus, Ohio? Monday last it was 70 out. Today....

well just look!

And it's STILL coming down. have I seen a plow yet? Surely you jest!? Now mind you, I'm a Chicago girl, born and bred. At least in Chicago they know how to deal with this shit stuff .

Here's a pic of how far the neurotic dog made it out of the garage.

What happened?

seems all my sidebar stuff has disappeared. Will have to work on this later today. I just didn't want all of you to think I didn't love you anymore

Edited to add - all better now! - I think LOL

Building A Log Cabin

I'm making a log cabin. I quilted one other log cabin. Now I remember why it took 3 years to make another They are boring, tedious and messy. But.... they look so good when they're done!
This one will have stars appliqued in the center of every four joined blocks. I'm halfway done building the cabin blocks and need to take a break, but I'm afraid if I start something else I'll break my New Years Resolution of finishing what I start. I know some qulters can work on 3-4 projects at a time. I've done that over the years and always feel scattered. And.. I have the propensity to leave things unfinished. So my resolution was to start new quilts, but I have to bring them all the way through the bordering process before I can start something else. Hmm, maybe working on a UFO will allow me a break from the cabins, yet not make me feel like I'm abandonning this one. For now, though, I'm just gonna stop all sewing for the day and see how I feel in the morning.

I'm a diabetic, and I've been really bad about eating sugar the past month or so. This morning I tested (not that I don't test 4 times a day anyway)and I was 230.. way too high. Time to get back on the stick!

SuperBowl Bargello Top finished

Finally finished the top for my Super Bowl Bargello. The pattern is from Bonnie Hunt and is available on her site. The idea was to piece this baby during all the SuperBowl 'stuff'. I started pulling fabric Friday before the big game. The strange part is I didn't even go downstairs to my stash. I had happened to have all but 2 of these fabrics sitting upstairs waiting to be brought down. I had hosted BINGO for an online group and these were FQ's that had been sent as hostess gifts from various players. I had a bit of trouble laying them out, but Mark, my dear dear husband, has a good eye for patterns and helped me. The original pattern had single rows of all colors (since it was meant to be a very scrappy quilt) but it pleased my eye more to make a few of them doubles. I cut for 8 panels wide, but somehow miscalculated and it would have been too short. I used most of the leftovers for the Braided Border, pattern for which is also on Bonnie Hunt's site. The few strips that were extra are going into a Log Cabin Star - waste not, want not.

This was my first Bargello and they really are interesting to put together. You join the strips first, then make tubes and 'un-sew' the tubes in varying orders. I have a kit for a Heart Bargello which I am now not afraid to cut into, since I understand the theory behind it.

Another UFO Bites the Dust

This quilt was a JoAnn's Block of The Month. As usual, I didn't buy it until the year was over and got the blocks half price. For some reason It didn't draw me all year, but as soon as it went halfsies, it spoke to me. It was my first attempt at machine applique on a medallion. I think it came out pretty good, though there are a few things I'll do differently next time. Ann Fry machine quilted this item for me

Valentine's Day for the Weird

OK... so call me weird.. I, of course love my husband and daughter.. but few things in life bring me the joy that my pets do! They don't care if I want to stay in fagged out sweats and a stained shirt all day.They never answer back, they don't do shit just to piss me off, they love me for who I am, as long as I feed and water them. Small price for so much love. And don't tell me you don't pay for love - we all do, just very few of us admit or recognize it! SO here they are, the sun spots of my day!

TeeJay Dakhatt

TJ found us at restaurant in IL. He refused to leave Robin's side. Fate dictated that I had a box in the car that day, just perfect to scoop up a little kitty who weighed 4 pounds and had no idea of where he lived. He's Mark's cat, there's no disputing that.

Edith Ann Diogi

Edie, the most neurotic dog that God ever put on earth. But I forgive her her neurosis, she had a rough start. First "mom" dies suddenly of treatment for a very aggressive breast cancer when Edie was 4. Her second "mom" already had many dogs and earmarked Edie for me. I couldn't get her right away because Mark had blown the mitral valve in his heart and was in serious condition for a long time. As soon as he recovered enough for me to leave him home alone, I traveled to WI and got Edie. Oddly enough, Mom #2 passed away two months after me picking up Edie. She is devoted to me, I do not leave her sight. Best dog I've ever had - bar none

Melanzanna DeChitti

In Italian, melanzanna means eggplant. Mooli is as dark as an eggplant and has as few variations in color as one. She's quirky. We adopted her so that TJ would have company. She wants noone to touch her or even look at her. The only time she comes around is for food or water. But she won't place her face in the bowl, she must pick up the food or water and scoop it to her mouth. Oh.. and she gives me a 'backrub'. She will get on my back if I'm laying down and knead her way up and down my back. This can go on for a half hour - as long as I don't talk to her or touch her. Told you she was quirky

After looking at these, I realize I need a new camera - and a whole LOT of camera skills. Sorry for the blurry photos.