Windy Spring

I enjoyed seeing the website that shows how to make stepping stones. Let me know if you make them. I am taking a class in a couple of weeks that will teach me how to make the concrete troughs that are so expensive to buy. I think they are called Hypertufa containers. Between the two of us we are set for garden hardscaping!

I really enjoyed my rug making class and I cannot wait to show you how. It is a lot of fun and is easy to do and nice to work on in front of the TV. You wind up with a very durable, washable rug that would be expensive to buy and you can totally coordinate the colors to match the room in which you use it. Of course smaller sizes make table runners, chair mats, place mats, hot pads, etc.

I have errands to run this morning and I want to shampoo the carpet and wax the floors this afternoon. The problem is that I want to play and do none of those things. We have had very nice warm weather, but very windy too. I need to dash and get going on the day. Hugs to you both,

Waiting..waiting...waiting

Boy just seems like Spring is taking forever to get here. It's such a doldrums time and I'm feeling very sluglike. That certainly means no real news.

I'm thinking about making some stepping stones this weekend. I have a spare sack of concrete (don't ask why!) and was reading some articles on it. The landscaping at About.com has neat articles on lots of things and they did one recently on Stepping Stones which looks like fun. I'm trying to think of various things to use as molds. I'm sure I could just buy all kinds of stepping stones cheap at Home Depot but it'd be nice to have a little bit of an outside project. I certainly need to start doing the winter bed cleanup so cross your fingers it's nice enough to do that this weekend.

Thanks for the bread pudding recipe!! I loved how you sent it scanned in on colorful paper. I have some spare cinnamon bread I'm going to use to make some.

The Die is Cast

Well the taxes got picked up, so we will see. As the saying goes, "What is--IS" I am off for a day of quilting. It has turned cooler again, but compared to you guys we cannot complain. You are really getting blasted.

At least we have stayed above freezing, so the daffodils, camelias, oxalis and cushionflowers are still gaily blooming. I should be getting some of the plants that I ordered next month. I am anxious to see what comes.

I need to get going and hop into the shower. Talk to you soon.

Boo on the Tax Man

Here's hoping your tax guy can make it all okay for you. There's just nothing good about taxes. Kevin and I will owe the IRS about $2500 ourselves this year. Nothing we can't handle out of savings but it's really tough when you would sure rather use that money for new carpet or landscaping and you realize how much you've already given them throughout the year. Not much the old little guy can do though.

I made the shepherd's pie recipe you sent me. It was good so thanks for sharing it. The bread pudding recipe didn't come through for some reason. It came in the email as a .sig file and nothing I could do would get it to open in a program. If you think about it, send it again maybe?

Sounds like you're very very busy this week. I hope you're having fun! I look forward to hearing all about it. This weekend is supposed to be pretty nice and I can't wait to get outside. I won't be able to do much but clean out winter foliage but it'll still be good to get out with Fayegirl and see the sunshine.

Monday mush

I can't believe I checked the mail box three times before it dawned on me that today is President's day and of course the mail service is observing it as a holiday.

I offically have daffodils blooming. Yea! The roses are leafing out like crazy and I so need to prune them, but this is a bad week busy wise to do it. Hopefully I can sneak in some time.

I cleaned and did laundry today until I am bleary eyed, but still did not get to the baths. They will have to wait until in the morning. I am going with the quilt gang to Lewisville from 2 till ??? as the NM gal is in town and we are all gathering for show and tell, visit and dinner. Kitty is driving us all, bless her heart. She has the only decent pair of eyes in the group of Garland gals.
This week my 3rd Wednesday group and fourth Friday group falls the same week and so I am on the go playing this week.

The tax guy is swinging by to pick up the tax information this Thursday and I do not think it is looking good for me. I will be thrilled with a break even situation. I just do not have enough deductions since everything is paid for and I do not buy big ticket items.

I got a Sephora catalog and also need to order some more make up especially the final dusting powder. That seemed to go the quickest and I also want to order more foundation and concealer. Can't afford to run out of this "goodie".

I really hope I can keep next week clear for some serious yard work. The front around the oak is definitely demanding attention as it is almost bare of grass. I need to price stones to see if maybe a slightly raised bed with some perrenials and grasses won't improve the looks.

Is it Friday yet?

Monday's probably a bit too early to ask that, huh?

I'm so glad you mentioned the makeup. I was thinking this weekend that I was getting to the point of ordering a bit more and wondered if you still liked it. I've had a few compliments myself on my skin since I started wearing it which is nice. Your secret that it's just makeup is safe with me!

Kevin took me to a Brazilian restaurant Saturday night. It was pretty good. I'm not sure I'd make it a regular visit but it was neat to do something different. Kevin really liked it -- the name of the restaurant in English meant "House of Meat" and that may explain why though.

I repotted the little evergreen you sent us yesterday. Outside of that and a bit of laundry, it was pretty much a lazy day. Watched more Landscape Design and shoveled the driveway of the snow we got. Life on the edge!

Sunday Sayings

I keep forgetting to tell you how much I appreciate you getting me hooked on Bare Minerals. I have had three people tell me what beautiful skin that I have since I have started using it. SHHHH don't tell them that it is make up, not my skin.....I don't!

We got a wonderful rain yesterday...nearly two inches and no storms or flooding. Just a nice slow soaking rain. The plants look so happy. The temperatures stayed in the 40's or above so the garden looks pretty lush right now. I have a camelia just bursting with fat red buds and the warm weather this next week should see them fully open. All the daffodils will join suit as they are just about to open. I have a busy quilt week with mini-group meetings, but sure would like to purchase some shrubs and get them into the ground here and there sometime next week.

This time of year you know how you have a mile long list of want-to-do's in the garden and I still have quite a few need-to-dos in the house. Now where is that bottle of vitamins?????

Hope you have a great week.

Cables and catalogs

Thanks I ordered the one from Amazon as the end looks like it will fit what I have. I went to Dell as suggested by Bernina on the tech support and the cable was $50 which seems pretty steep. I do not know what the difference in cables are to justify a $30 difference in price. That paragraph in Bernina tech about once you have the cable contacting (in my case) Dell to walk you through the installation procedure has me baffled. I would think that you would just plug it in, but I guess not. All that talk about Com1, 2, 3, 4 ports makes me wonder. Guess I will cross that bridge when I get the cable in hand and put it all together.

I got my new Oakes Daylilies and Perrenials catalog today and plan to spend some time tonight browsing through. We had another textbook gorgeous day today. I should have been outdoors, but only went out long enough to enjoy a cup of coffee in the sunshine. Since bad weather is forecast for the weekend, I may regret spending my time indoors today.

I have played the CD twice and I do like it a lot. I have heard a couple of those songs on the radio, but did not know the artist. Thanks to you now I do. Thank you so much for the sweet valentine gift. It is just perfect. I also thank you for your time and patiences in helping me sort through this Bernina quagmire.

The downlow on Cables

You're looking for a USB to serial cable. If you tell any sales rep at an electronics store that, they can help you out.

Here's a few links for you:

Fry's
Amazon.com (Eligible for free super saver shipping!)

If you go to the amazon link and click the picture, it will give you a larger picture. You can look at the serial end (that's the end with the metal prongs) and that should look like it matches the cable you have now that goes to your sewing machine. So you'll wind up a cable chain like:

Sewing machine<---currentcable you own---><---new cable--->Laptop USB

Bernina Banter

I have the Sewing Machine Model "Artista 180" . I have the following software for my computer:

Customizer/Designer version 2.0 (needs dongle to use which I do not have)

Customized Pattern Selecter (CPS) which will not work correctly for some reason this would allow me to change out alphabets and embroidery designs that are built into the machine itself

Artlink Version 5 (this is the new one that does work and allows me to resize patterns--that is it will work when I get a cable to connect the machine and laptop

I also have about a dozen cards that contain embroidery selections that I plug directly into the machine and then choose a design to emboider. These work plus I have one blank card that I could write a design to and then plug it into my machine.

I printed out the page and I hate to admit it but I do not know much more than I did before, so please do connect me with the Amazon USB to Serial Adaptor that I need and I will buy it today.

Hump Day

Got the recipes, thank you!! I think I'm going to do the Shepherd's Pie tonight for dinner. I'm running out of inspired dinner ideas so it's a timely addition.

I've been exploring the Bernina stuff and have gotten drawn in. Firstly because I want to understand how all this stuff connects and secondly because, frankly, they've annoyed me a bit. A few things I've found:

Here's a document talking about the type of cable you need. You can print it out and take it with you. Walmart, Fry's, Best Buy...anyone will carry this.

Bernina's If you don't have a serial port
My Artista Technical Information

What Bernina Software do you currently own? Version and name?

One more day

After sleeping on it, I decided that surely I can figure out this machine/computer set up. I do not want what time you have here always taken up by computer problems. That is your job and you should not have to do it in your off time. I therefore plan to go to the Bernina store sometime this week and see just what it is that I need to get going and then use my noodle as to whether or not I can get it elsewhere or must get it from them. I hope that this relieves your mind about pressure to get me "set up". After all lots of folks use this stuff and do not have computer whizes for children and S-I-L. That way if and when it works out for you to visit we can do more fun things.

I sent the recipes to your email address.

Same Day

I do not know what day or time you were referencing about the flannel throws. You are always very good to let me know when you receive something. I always tell the post office when they ask if I want delivery confirmation that I already have it as a result of your thoughtfulness.

I am so sorry to hear that you had a cold bug. Those are miserable and it has been going around here too. I am happy to say that I have escaped so far and hope that it continues that way. I hope you are feeling good now and that Kevin manages to avoid it.

I finally found a user name for Dave's World that it liked and that I can remember. Yea for that. I worked outside until twoish today and am feeling pretty sore as I worked hard. I got a lot of things accomplished though, so it feels good mentally. We are being told that we have an excellent chance for some heavy rain tonight and tomorrow. I hope they are correct, as we need some.

One day later

A cold had me pretty under the weather last week. Saturday was the first day I felt at all like myself. Fortunately looks like its gone on its merry germ way though poor Kev is acting like perhaps he's catching it. I spent more than a few hours laying on the couch with my new flannel binkie and it was sure nice to have!

I saw you commented about letting you know if I got the flannel blanket and I could have sworn I did do a blog post commenting on that and a few other comments about various goings on. I wonder if I did something silly like saving it rather than publishing it. I'm not sure how I'd tell.

I finally found a copy of Microsoft Digital Image Suite Version 10 and I put it in the mail to you today. I'm not sure if that's what you were looking for but it looks like it does a lot of nice things with graphics and images. Only downside is I couldn't find copies of any manuals for it though the online help seems pretty robust. When you install it, it will come up and tell you it's going to install IE6 and various other things. Don't let that throw you...I put it on my system and it didn't bother my IE7 or anything else.

I didn't see Paul James. I don't have him on my Tivo for some odd reason and need to add it. I did see the latest Landscaping one. The one with the window and the new deck / patio. Is that the window one you were telling me about? I don't ever seem to have neat things like that just "hanging out in my basement". I need to find some good places to scavenge such things. There are some architectural scavenge places around town but I haven't been to one. I don't seem to know anyone all that interested in such things including my husband. I guess I should just go on my own and to heck with everyone else!

5 Days Later

We have had two back-to-back glorious days with one more forcast for tomorrow. My plans tomorrow are to spend the entire day outside working in the yard. I need to grocery shop in the worst way and pick up the car liscense renewal, but think I will save that for Tuesday when rain is in the forecast.

I have been stitching away and am enjoying indulging myself and have lowered my standards for housekeeping another notch to be able to do it. There are so many things that I want to do, that I almost do not know where to start. If I can get the cutting table cleared off long enough I have several quilts that need to be sandwiched for quilting.

I still have not started the painting of the last two bedrooms and the hall. In fact I have not gotten past the "picked out the color" stage. That is niggling on my mind, so it is going to have to be soon. I must replace all the outdoor screens and clean all the outside windows or I am going to go nuts. I do not think that I can tolerate the dirty windows one more year. I will take my tax information over to the guy that does them next week and I guess some of this will depend on whether or not I have to pay Uncle Sam additional monies. I sure do hope not!!

I hope you will both have a good week and good weather for "yarding". Did you see the Paul James show that talked about persimmon trees? I have one and they have spectacular fall color. You might consider finding room for one in your yard.

Really Nice

Boy did I have fun chatting with you. We have not done that in awhile and it was almost as nice as having you here sharing a cup of tea. Thanks for the lovely gift of the call and the time.

I have taken one design class and I honestly did not learn as much as I had hoped as it was too general in scope. That might not be true of them all and I do not think one class allows me to be a good judge of their worth.

The Arboretum offers some wonderful classes and I would love it if you were here to take some with me. There are a ton that I would like to take this spring, but will have to pick and choose as they run about $20-35 a class. You really get your money's worth, but it adds up quickly when there are 15 to 20 classes that you want to take.

I met some delightful quilters yesterday that are in the Monday group and they made me feel so welcome. I sat next to a lady that asked me if I was a widow (probably from lack of ring) and I said yes that my husband had passed away in May of 2005 and come to find out her husband died the same month and year of cancer too. Small world.

I have been really enjoying my sewing room this week and my neglected house and garden show it. Oh well it is not like I have a lot of company to complain and Molly does not seem to mind. What a joy she has been to me and I am constantly reminded of how much I did not want her to begin with. The Lord has a way of blessing His children even when they are to dumb to appreciate it. Thank goodness for that.

We got a heavy rain around five this morning and everything is so clean and I can see the plants doing a happy dance. It is balmy outside. We were supposed to have had a cold front move into the area that sparked the rain, but if this is cold, I will take it for several months!!

Let me know when you get the flannel and if you think it is all right. If you are unhappy with the colors, do not be shy to let me know and I will do another one in different colors.

Spring Tease!

I've decided that the universe is a cruel mistress. It's absolutely glorious today--sunny and 70 degrees. And tonight by the time I get out of work, we have a chance of freezing rain. That's simply unfair!

Kevin will be thrilled about his lap blanket. He already thinks you're pretty cool and to have you make him something will thrill him beyond words. Since I'm not inclined to share mine, it'll be handy too!

I've really enjoyed the treadmill and it's nice to have a video iPod since I can watch things while I walk. I just snagged the pilot show for The Ritches. I think you'd said you'd been watching that but I hadn't ever seen it. It's really good! I'm looking forward to watching some more episodes but I'm disciplining myself to only watch them while I'm on the treadmill. I am looking forward to being able to take Faye outside for walks though. It sure does her more good as well. She's getting kinda feisty having been restricted in a house a lot this last month.

No real news outside of that. Working today and thinking about how I want to address some back yard landscaping. I think I've finally gotten my hands around some of the things I want to do but I need to draw it out and see it on paper. I want to see if I can find a garden design class. Have you ever taken one of those? If so, do you recommend them as worthwhile?

Cell phones & such

Your new cell phone sounds snazzy and I look forward to getting the new number. I have my cell on AT&T. Remember last year you helped me acquire a new phone with Cingular at no charge, but it came with a 2year contract obligation. Cingular was subsequently bought out by AT &T. Only the computers and home phone are with Verizon.

I was out with friends all day. It was fun, but also a bit tiring. It was a absolutely gorgeous day-warm and no wind, and I would have loved to be outdoors working all day. I am helping out in the fifth grade class in Sunday school tomorrow. I hope I do okay. I feel like I have forgotten all my teaching skills. Maybe it will be like riding a bicycle.

I hope to get Kevin's flannel quilt mailed the early part of this coming week. I am thrilled that he wants one, as I feel there is very little that I can do to show him how much I care about him.
I have been invited to a new quilt group on Monday for a sit and sew. I think that I will visit them, not that I plan on giving up my "home" group.

A friend brought me a bag of her homegrown kumquats. I must acquire a kumquat tree as I have become addicted to those yummy sweet/tart bite sized morsels.

I am so proud of you for continuing your exercise. Molly and I walk every day that the weather is half-way decent, but need to step up my exercise program to a higher level.

I need to get my tax information organized. I think everything is in, but need to get it in order before I know for sure. I sure hope that I do not have to pay, and in fact a refund would be really lovely. I do not have many deductions any more.

TGIF!

It's Friday! /dances

Hey do you use Verizon for your cell phone service as well? I think I'm going to change cell phones and was curious as to what you had. Did you get your stuff returned to Amazon and the set you needed ordered?

Typed many minutes later---I did get a new cell phone ordered so new number incoming. I bought a Chocolate phone in the black cherry color. Fancy huh?