The Attic -- By Request

I have had several people ask me how I store my fabric.

Since I just added some shelving to my attic, I decided to do a video for anyone who might care.

It is probably TOO WORDY and TOO LONG and TOO BORING,

HOWEVER,

You certainly do not have to watch the video just because it is here.  Evidently, a strange lady pops in once in a blue moon and gets upset at my videos being so wordy and silly.

This one is for the nice lady who asked me to show her my storage.  This is just SOME of my storage, but it is wonderful to have.

And I have to go.

Jerry is waiting for us to watch the end of the third season of "Booze Bloods" which is what I call the "Blue Bloods".  I never -- in my entire life -- saw a family drink like this family does.  It is shocking to watch!

Be back soon.

Hugs, Joy

Hello Late Wednesday

Good late evening!  It is after 10 PM.  Jerry has already fallen asleep, but I decided to pull the laptop up off the floor to see if I had any email -- hopefully, happy ones.

It is so strange how things happen sometimes.

Terry was here most of the afternoon today.  When she arrived, I was sitting at my computer reading my email and looking at owls.  I had just received a really sweet comment from a reader about how much she liked my videos.  I got up from my computer and commented to Terry how amazing it was that I had never gotten an ugly comment regarding my videos.

Terry made some comment that IF anyone ever did say something ugly, she would sure let them know what she thought about it.

We talked and laughed.  She put a quilt on the longarm, and I made some more owls.

Both of us keep our cell phones nearby in case our husbands need us.  Mine makes a certain sound when I get an email.  Hers makes different sounds.  Mine had made several "You've Got Mail" sounds (I LOVE that movie), so I decided to go to my desk and check them.

I was SHOCKED to have an ugly comment about one of my videos after I had JUST told Terry I never got any!  Some lady complained that I rambled on for 10 minutes about bad service at Hancock's before I showed what I had made.

What was weird was I could not REPLY to her.  Her comment had some kind of link or something.  I wanted to tell her that there was an OFF button that she was free to use any time one of my videos forced its way into her life.  She certainly doesn't have to watch them for 10 seconds, never mind 10 minutes.

I watch a TON of videos where I think the introduction is waaaaaaaaaaay too long, so I will just fast forward to the actual part I want to see which is usually a tutorial.  Other times, I love to hear the person talk, and I listen to every word.  I AM IN CONTROL, is the point.  I don't need to complain to the person who took the time and the effort to make the video which is totally free of charge!

Oh, well.  It's a small thing really.  I just thought it was kind of tacky.

Other than that, this was a perfect day.  Terry was here all afternoon.  She finished quilting two more baby quilts to give away to babies being dedicated at our church.  I didn't think to take pictures of them.  Both of them were very cute.

OH!  I have only one more owl to make.  Hopefully, I will get them all stitched tomorrow.  I'll show you when they are all done.  I quit naming them after Graham because I wanted to change their positions in the quilt, and then they were no longer in alphabetical order.  Goofy, I know!

Think I will join Jerry in Slumberland.

Hugs, Joy

Sunday VLOG Re: Stuff

I made a video for you today because I have over 3,000 followers of my Youtube Channel.  They watch my videos, but know nothing abouty my BLOG.  At least, I am assuming that since I have only 151 followers of my BLOG.

So here is the latest, up-to-the-minute newsflash of my latest adventures, which are pretty much like all my other ones, lol.

After I made the video,
I found the PERFECT person to send the new bracelet to.

I'm giving it to my newest friend, Deborah, in Ozark, MO.

She has given me two things already, and I am getting behind FAST.  I asked her if she liked this creation at all, and she said she did, so it will be on its way tomorrow.

Gotta go.

I've been working all day on one thing or another.  Just ironed my new blouse and my duck blouse.  I started to get the beads together for my new bracelet, BUT -- AS USUAL -- I need to order more beads.

I'll show you the finished blouse with the bracelet when I get the bracelet done.

Have a FANTABULOUS week my friends!

Hugs, Joy

VLOG for 9-30-15 Re: Vacation Goodies

I made a video for you this morning because I am still at the speedy internet house.

Here it is:

I figured out the cost-per-yard of the fabric I purchased at F&M.

With tax included, I paid a total of $64.41 for 14 yards (not counting the additional yardage).  That makes the fabrics I purchased only $4.60 a yard!

That is REALLY, REALLY, REALLY good for those of you who don't know the price of fabric is astronomical right now.  It can easily be from $20 to $30 a yard for nice fabric.  On sale, you do good to get it for $10 to $15.  I am very happy with my purchases.

The stores were:

Quilts & Quilts in Branson, MO and FM Stores in Springfield, MO.

Gotta go.  SOMEBODY has to unpack all the stuff we took on our vacation, and I haven't seen a single volunteer yet!

Hugs, Joy

Good Tuesday Night

We are finally back home.  We intended to be back home a whole lot sooner than 9:30 PM, but we got hung up at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield picking up the new boat.

The very nice young man in the Service Department spent three hours going over every single detail of the engine and the boat and the compartments and the shifter thing and the live wells and the storage compartments and the fuses and on and on and on.

I kept telling him we had owned many boats.  He said he had to tell us all that stuff anyway.

We weren't able to get the cats or the dogs because we got home so late, and I really miss them.  My daughter and son-in-law are so good with Jackie and Josie.  Len had set up a huge pen for them to be in when in the large back yard.  It was only for when they had to be separated from all the other dogs in the Kennel.  Our dogs' daddy lives there, and Josie's mom lives there.  I think they sold Jackie's mom.  They have 10 new puppies that were born a few days ago.  LOTS of dogs there.  Jackie and Josie will probably GROWL at us and hope we leave them there!

The cats are being boarded.  They probably think we are NEVER coming to get them.  We will go in the morning.

Tomorrow is Jerry's birthday.  He will be 69 years young!

Time for bed.  Be back soon to show you what I bought on our vacation.

Hugs, Joy

Vacation Greetings from Branson

WOW!

Already Monday.  We go home tomorrow.  The weather has been wonderful.  The shopping has been wonderful.  Being with friends has been wonderful.

BUT,
for Jerry,
the birthday boy,
the MOST wonderfulest thing of all is his birthday present.

Jerry has been wanting one of these for years.  Due to the fact that exactly what he wanted did not exist and him never having any time to go look for it, it seemed he would never get it.  Since we were on vacation, he finally had some time, and due to a miracle, I'm sure, the exact thing he wanted just happened to be in Springfield, MO.

Actually, we went into Bass Pro so I could buy some fishing line to make jewelry with.  Jerry was like a kid in a candy store looking for some special lures he wanted.

BUT, THEN,
he saw this boat.  The VERY ONE he has been wanting all these years.

If you are thinking, "I bet Joy MADE him pose for those pictures!"  You are RIGHT! (-:

Here I am trying to figure out what this long pole on the front of the trailer was for.  It has steps that allow you to get in and out of the trailer from the front.  WAY COOL!

Seats everywhere.

There are FOUR MORE seats than the ones you see here.

 Here's Jerry checking out the pole in the front.

We will pick the boat up on our way back home tomorrow.  We will leave Branson and go to Springfield where the boat is.  It is being prepped today with all the gadgets Jerry bought for it.

I spent our first day here running around with Debbie to quilt and fabric stores.  Jim took Jerry on some "guy" adventures.

There is a store called F&M in Springfield that was WONDERFULLY WONDERFUL!  The owners work in it, and they are very helpful and friendly.  They cut my yardage quite a bit OVER what I asked for.  I bought some gorgeous soft lace, and I swear the guy gave me a whole yard extra.  I'll measure it when I get back to my sewing room.  Prices are WAY LESS than other fabric stores.  I don't know how or why, but they are.  I bought a lot of fabric there.  I'll show it to you, of course, when I get back home.

Here are Jim and Debbie.  They have a white Schnauzer named "Booker", but I didn't get his pic.  I walked into their home and IMMEDIATELY felt at home.  Debbie is VERY organized and neat.  No clutter ANYWHERE!  Not even in her sewing room.

It was so funny.  Jerry kept saying to Jim, "She is JUST LIKE JOY!"  I hope Debbie wasn't insulted.

Debbie makes most of Jim's shirts because he likes shirts with cars on them.

Jim is not shy!  He even got up on the stage at the show we went to see and had to put on a Village People hat and do a dance.

And remember me telling you that Terry was getting a new motorcycle for the Branson trip, AND she was going to give me a ride on it?

Well, here it is:

Pretty NICE ride, huh?

We are meeting Terry and Doug and their friends Chris and Roberta (black cycle next to Terry's) for dinner at 6 tonight, and then we are going to see the Illusionist.

That will end our Branson stay.

I probably weigh 5 pounds MORE than when I left home because Debbie MADE us go to this place called Andy's Custard the first night we were here.   "Custard" sounded gross to me, so I never would have gone there on my own.

You can't hurt people's feelings though (although my x-friend says I don't care anything about people's feelings), so Jerry and I bought a little one-dip custard cone to TRY.

Good heavens, it was SO GOOD!  Creamy and vanilla-y and delightful!

I have been back every day since!  I am holding Debbie totally responsible for every ounce I gain!

OH!  I almost forgot to show you this.

Debbie started a chapter of the ASG in the neighborhood where she lives, and they are going to do a project led by two women.  Debbie told me if I wanted to do it with them that she would Skype me all the steps.  You have to have a sweatshirt and some Batik fabric, so I purchased both.  Here is what we are making:

The PRINT is the Batik (or cotton).  The dark stripes are the sweatshirt showing through.  Terry wants to do it too.  It will be an enjoyable break from turtles and owls.  Mine will be blue and white.  As in most things "fabric", it is much prettier in real life.  Terry saw it this morning when we girls went to the quilt shop where it is hanging.  The guys went to drive race cars somewhere.  Yuk!

Jerry and I are in our hotel room.  Jerry is napping.  Think I'll join him for a few winks since we'll be out late tonight.

Hugs, Joy

Friends, Past and Present

Good Wednesday evening!

It appears that we truly are going to take a little vacation.  Jerry is excited.  Looks like we will have four days in a row when Jerry doesn't have to do anything but relax.  Hard to believe that in just two days we will meet our new friends, Jim and Deb, face to face!  That is so special to me because it is confirmation that God really does love me.  When I lose a friend -- which I have several times -- it makes me think I am a horrible person, and there must be something really wrong with me that I just can't see.

I lost one "forever friend" because she got mad at me for wanting to always eat lunch when noon rolled around.  We were taking Bernina classes together in Plano, TX which was about 2 hours from where we lived.  Her class went longer than mine did, and it was after 1:00.  Her class finished, and I started helping her pack up her machine.  Mine was already in its case.

I said something like, "Where do you want to eat?  I'm starving!"

She looked up at me and very nastily yelled, "You ALWAYS have to eat!!!"  She wasn't kidding or being funny.  It really shocked me.  She had driven, so we had to take our machines out to her car to load them in her trunk  It was ALL I could do to put my machine in her trunk and get into her car with her.  I really should NOT have, but I didn't want to have to make Jerry come get me.

We drove in TOTAL silence to McKinney, TX where we usually stopped at an Arby's for lunch.  She pulled off and went to that Arby's.  I told her I wasn't hungry.  She nastily said, "YOU ARE GOING TO EAT!!!"  I was terrified of her new "monster" personality.  I ordered a sandwich and we sat down at a table.  She ordered NOTHING.  I could not eat.  I kept apologizing to her for wanting to eat lunch every day.  I wrapped the sandwich back up and told her I would eat it later.  We left.  Two hours to drive back home, and we never spoke a word.  I NEVER saw her again, and she was my next door neighbor at the time (across from where Terry lives now).

I must point out that she was on her TENTH husband at the time, and a few months later, they were divorced.  She was known for her tantrums.  Still, it was horrible for me.  She was a quilter.  She taught me to paper-piece. I taught her how to sew a dress.  She had red hair.  (I love redheads.)  She had Berninas.  It all seemed so perfect.  AND, she went to our church!  I really loved her.

I made a new "best friend" after her, but I lost her too.  It had to do with what she allowed 11-year old girls to watch on TV when I was at her house for dinner one night.  Since my granddaughter had spent a lot of time at her house, I was outspoken about it.  That was the end of that relationship.  If she had been at MY house, I would have simply changed the channel or turned the TV off until she left.  However, you aren't likely to ever come to my house and find a TV on.  I seldom watch it.  If it was on, it would be a cooking show or a music channel.

Let me just say this about the programming the girls were watching.  I counted the "F" word 21 times in about 10 minutes as I was sitting with the two girls watching the TV.   During that time some man dressed as an angel flew down from the ceiling (held by wires) and into the audience.  He landed his crotch right onto another man's face.  It was really disgusting!

At that point, I got up.  I said I was not going to watch it or listen to it, and I left.

The Bible says that if something you are doing offends someone, then don't do it in their presence.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I now have another new friend named Deborah.  She said I can call her "Deb" because Terry's friend who is coming to sew at my house is "Debbie".  Terry, Debbie and I are having a 3-day sew-in in October.

Deb and her husband Jim live between Springfield, MO and Branson, so they are right on our way to Branson.  We will meet them at their house Friday evening.  Then we will go to some restaurant where they THROW rolls at you.  Deb is SO NICE.  She actually told us we could bring our dogs to her house.

WOW!  That is very generous.

We won't, of course.  They would both be abandoned on the highway before we ever made it!  Josie thinks she should help Jerry drive.  Since she can't do that, she thinks she should eat the seat belts instead!

Terry is getting her "Trike" today, I think.  Let me see if I can find one on the web, and I'll show you what it is.



That is NOT the one she is getting.  Hers has much fancier seats on it.  She is going to give me a ride when we are in Branson.  The back seat is nicer than the front seat, so that should be fun.  She said she will take an extra helmet.  Her hubby has two bikes already, but he is getting her this one to see if it is more comfortable for her to ride alone instead of behind him.  I don't get it myself, but "to each his own".  Give me windows and air conditioning and no wind and a CD player and NO HELMET!

I made a "Peggy" skirt today.  I may try it on for you tomorrow.  I emailed her this morning with a question about proportions, and she emailed me back right away.  She is so nice!   I'm too tired to change clothes at the moment.  Just had my supper shake, and I'm sitting in my blue recliner sipping hot tea.  Jackie and Josie are PRETENDING to be asleep in front of me on the carpet because they think they might get some more prime rib.  I gave them some of my leftovers at noon today from last night's dinner out with Margaret.

I better get up and do something.  Fold some clothes maybe?  Listen to my new audio book by Joel Osteen?  Try to crochet something?

How about ALL of the above!

Hugs, Joy