A top and a circle!

I haven't done a great deal of stitching lately but I did get this top ready to be sandwiched and quilted!  I have even bought the fleece for the backing!  I count that as a win.

Since I got the top finished I made myself get out Chasing Dreams.

The large circle is now finished!  I have a start on the tiny inner circle as well.

This quilt has been a pain in the neck (fingers, brain, etc.)  I had been dreading working on it again but I told myself I had to have it sewn into a top before I could do the sea turtles.  I   REALLY,  REALLY, REALLY want to do the sea turtles!

I hope the rest of the top is easier than this first ring!

In other news--there's not any!

It's very, very hot and very, very humid so Quinn and I are staying inside.  Even then doing the least little thing is sweat producing even with air conditioning.   August is nearly over - thank goodness- and hopefully September will be cooler!

I've done quite a bit of house cleaning, it's never done is it? I determined to put things away and tend to the tidying up every day and so far I've managed to keep things pretty clean.

I'm taking my wins where I can find them.

 

More putting things together!

On Friday, I went to IKEA.  I haven't been since THE VIRUS when they had nothing on the shelves!  My Daughter had bought a new display cabinet for her Snow Baby collection there and some curtains (more on those later.) I liked it and have been looking on-line for such a cabinet for months!  Anyway, I came home with 2 new bath towels-not that I needed them but I really liked the color and the price was right-a plant spritzer- and these three very heavy boxes!

I've put together a lot of IKEA pieces in the past but this time I tried looking at the instructions before I started.  I did gather the necessary tools but I gave up looking ahead and just dug in!  The base, frame and lighting was finished on Friday then I set it up where I thought I would put it.  It's really a lot bigger than I thought which made me wonder if I could put it there or it would have to go into my bedroom.  That second option would defeat the purpose of the display cabinet which is to show off my collections.  (I think seeing all of Janice's lovelies in cabinets made me want to gather mine where I could see them.)

Today, I finished putting it together pushed it back against the wall (yes it covers up part of a window but it's okay, I never open that one and it has my collection of crystal prisms hanging in it.)

Here's how it looks at the moment:

I haven't located everything yet, some things are packed away with Christmas, one thing is packed I don't know where!

It will be a little spacious for a while but I collect things all the time.

Last weekend I was busy shortening 6 curtain panels for my Daughter. They are still torn up from the "Flood" anyway so they have done many things that where on their "Want to do list"!  It's beginning to look amazing although it's not quite finished.  That's all the sewing I've done. 

 It's been horrid hot and humid here with a weather forecast that seems to change hourly.  I mean it will rain hard, stop, blue skies appear (the radar doesn't even show rain anywhere), and two hours later it's raining hard again!  The wind has been crazy as well-I came up out of the studio one night and my backyard trees where doing a great imitation of windshield wipers! It's either been too hot or too wet to spend much time in the swing but the past two mornings have been pleasant out there.

I know that August is considered the Dog Days of Summer (something about the Dog star) but honestly I think we are there already!

 

A bbq and a reset

So, Tuesday was the Independence Day (aka the 4th of July) I was ready to scream - or shoot someone (but no gun!)- because there had been serious fireworks for 10 days!  Almost every night the bombs bursting in air continued until 11:30pm!  I decided I'd had enough so instead of committing murder I went to Scott's for the 4th!  It was nearly without fireworks there, thank goodness.  We had a nice meal from the grill with one of Ryan's friends and his mother.  Scott needed propane for his grill so we went off to the hardware store where I spied this. . . 

On Sale, no less!  I've been looking at these for quite a while but I didn't want to spend the 500-700 dollars for one.  This went in the bed of the pickup/ute for the ride home.

Since Scott and Bri had to work, Ryan had Camp and Izzy had preschool I came back on the 5th, drove the truck into the back yard and put this together.  It was hot and the instructions were really bad but it's finished!

Then the next day I reset the patio.

Tightened all the  loose screws in the table, cleaned it well, added the umbrella and the two white chairs next to it.

I used to have 6 chairs to go around the table but all the bottoms have burst!

I also moved some things around and now it looks more inviting.

The weather has cooled off a bit so sitting outside is more enjoyable and I even took a short nap on the swing!  Summer at it's best.

Tomorrow is to be another cool day and I have weeding to do and maybe mowing.

And stitching, definitely stitching.

 

If it's not one thing it's three more

I got a haircut!  Very short, very cool, very wild in the mornings!

I like it and I don't have headaches from it being tied up.

Zoe did in fact go home!  Quinn and I have been sleeping nearly the whole time since she left.  It's strange, she's a perfectly lovely well behaved dog who loves to be loved.  When you have a dog you love and it's yours then if something happens you are very sad but not guilty.  If something happens to someone else's dog you're sad and very guilty.   All the dogs I kept and Quinn are Senior citizens--poor Zoe and Quinn have arthritis and Zoe has trouble with steps because of it.  So, I guess I was sort of tired after all the dog sitting!

My clothes dryer died and I had to buy a new one.  Unfortunately, it is more cost effective to purchase another one than to have one repaired and I am not up to DIYing it.  I did hook up the new one though-which should have been simple but wasn't.  Story of my life right now.

My truck had to have a new battery, cause it wouldn't start!  Since I bought the existing one int 2015 in Hamilton Montana I was sort of expecting it.

The truck also needs new shoes and a checkup at the repair shop!

Lastly, I lost a tooth.   My teeth are horrible.  I have a phobia where Dentists are concerned due to many hours of sitting in a dental chair as a child and teen.  Plus, I don't think the parents passed along good genetic material there.  At any rate, I have an appointment with a dentist next week to check out the mouth and decide what to do.

It will take more courage for me to step through the door to the dentist than the entire trip to Australia did!

Last some current Hosta pictures-Lin asked for them.

That's my hand on one of the biggest leaves.

The bed on the east.  You can see the white pot upside down and various other things which are to discourage the dogs from getting under the BIG hostas.  I wouldn't mind if they didn't do two things-Dig to make a comfy spot thus disturbing the roots, and  put their big feet anywhere they please. 

Quinn is careful about where she puts her feet but she's an agile Sheltie.  Lola and Zoe just walk wherever they want!  See the evidence above. The one below is even worse but they will both survive.

Just a pretty ones that escaped being trod upon.

This is the new Hosta garden.  Two plants where divided and moved and I bought some for the front.  Most likely I will have to enlarge this bed in a couple of years, but for now I don't have to weed as much!

       

Last hosta photo is of one of the new ones called Wiggles and Squiggles.  Who could pass up that?

Some lilies to finish off the garden photos. These are Stella d'Orr lilies, who apparently like the sunny end of the Hosta garden!

I've been slowly (and I do mean slowly) replacing shelf paper in the Kitchen cabinets and re-doing the studio (For the umpteenth time.) at least this time I didn't move any furniture!

I think I might get to sew this weekend.

It's cooler down there and the outside temp is to hit the low 90s(F)/32-34C.  Tomorrow is my town's Freedom Fest-which includes a HUGE fireworks display in the park near me.  It draws large crowds and chokes the streets around the park to the extent that a fire truck could not respond to a fire.  I've never been but maybe I'll walk down there tomorrow, probably not.  It also marks the beginning of legal personal fireworks which ends on the 4th of July.  The weekends are insane here.

 

What have I been up to?

Not much really.  

I fought Jet Lag for what seemed like forever-just when I thought it was gone I had a fun day out at Scott's in Columbia, Mo  and the next day I slept almost all day!  I have been sleeping a LOT! 

I have been dog sitting a LOT!  Two weeks after I got home Lola (Nashville Husky Shepard mix) came to stay while they were in Bali  (my family gets around.) Then Scott called and asked if I could watch Coco (the tiny but fierce terrier mix) and Mac (the miniature poodle who has ATTITUDE) for a week while they went to San Diego for beach and visits with Steven.  I said Yes.  So for one week I had FOUR dogs in the house and I literally got NOTHING done except dog stuff!  Mac and Coco went home and right before Lola was to go home there was a FLOOD at my daughters house (more in a minute) and they needed Zoe (the Golden Retriever)  to get away from the noise and upset.  So Zoe came and is still here!  They actually had scheduled a trip to Colorado and she was coming here then so her stay was extended.  On June 3 while Beth, Lucas and Kolby where in St Louis at a soccer tourney, Brayden woke up with two inches of water in the basement and on the first floor!.  Some fitting under the sink had come undone sometime and had been pouring water all over.  Lucas drove home and got the Recovery people in working at getting things dry then drove back.  They've had all kinds of related stuff going on-all the flooring on that level has to be replaced as well as all the kitchen cabinets.  A fellow soccer Dad is a contractor so repairs have begun.  I was over earlier today to feed the cats and water the plants and the lower cabinets were out and the hardwood floors in the kitchen are mostly ripped up.  Everything was a HUGE mess.  It's just as well that they are out of town as the house isn't habitable at the moment!  They will be home on the 20th and if everything goes well Zoe will get to go home too.  Quinn may go into shock at having the house (and me) to herself!

I've done some housework-okay a little.

I dug and transplanted some hostas out of here.  This was taken just after I got home they are much larger now!  Two plants were being chocked out, the two largest plants in the back are 5-6 feet across and have platter sized leaves!  Some of the others have dish sized leaves.

I'm not putting in a Vegetable garden this year.  Last year (and the one before that) were total duds and we have a lovely farmers market in Lee's Summit, I shall eat local!

I have worked a bit in the studio but have not stitched a thing.  It will take a few more hours to make it so I can sew. 

I went to the Orthopedic doctor today and no surgery in my immediate future.  First Physical therapy and mild anti-inflammatories, then a shot of cortisone.  There is good news in that there is nothing requiring surgery in my left knee, everything is as it should be regarding the joint. Guess I can think about Montana and Shipsewanna.

Thinking back on Australia

I woke this morning thinking about my trip to Australia.  I've been home a month now, the jet lag has finally said goodbye and my body clock seems to have reset to Central Daylight Savings Time at long last.  (No more staying awake until 4am just because my brain still thinks its in Australia!)  All the flights, (16 in all), all the waiting in airports snd struggling with luggage, the train rides (8 of those), Boats (3),  and driving on the left (not to mention Tasmania's terrible roads!) where worth every minute! So many things I will always remember.

The incredible beauty and vastness of Australia, everywhere I went was gorgeous. 

The incredible kindness and generosity of the people, from Concierges that pointed me to the best harbor cruise and taught me how to use the train app, to Uber drivers who were mostly talkative and always friendly, and the guy at Apple Adelaide who charged up my phone. Most especially all the ladies at Scrub Stitching who welcomed the United Nations with friendship and gifts, To Leah and Ann for showing up and taking me around!  To Janice and Mick for lunch and so much more(but not Covid which I never got), to Jo and Tony, to Sylvia and Archie and most importantly to Donna and Brian (aka Chookyblue and Mr Chooky) for opening their home and feeding me while answering a million questions and letting me stitch in the Chookshed.  I will never forget! (I currently have tears in my eyes.)

Meeting Sylvia on the train! And Chooky at the Station!

Sea Turtles, Kangaroos hopping in front of Chooky's car, Galahs, Cocatoos, seals, pelicans. Feeding Emus and KI kangaroos.

Beaches, Coastlines of cliffs, COLD ocean water, steaming tropical weather in Cairns, Amazing night skies complete with satellites and shooting stars.

Wonderful conversations with total strangers from all over the world.

All in all is was fabulous! 

I learned a lot both about myself and about traveling.  I'm old but I can still travel even on extended trips internationally.  So many of my friends would never travel like that and they are missing SO much!  Many people have said how brave I was-I don't feel especially brave! Australia is not Africa or Antartica-I didn't climb K2, bungee jump or parachute.  I just got on the first plane (that only took 10 minutes of outrageous courage and a paid for plane ticket!) From there it was relatively easy.  My daughter says we are supposed to do the things that scare us the most!

It pays to be flexible with plans.  Things I'd thought I'd do didn't always work out but something else always presented itself.  That said if I had dwelt on disappointment maybe I wouldn't have done absolutely everything on my list!  

Book a hotel near the airport (with a restaurant ) for the first couple of nights as you don't have two brain cells to rub together after that flight!  

Always stay in a brand name hotel (If possible) because I suck at picking hotels.                   Get a sim card for the country you're in and skip the international phone plan.                      Pack lighter.

Take more pictures and don't get behind on the BLOG!

So the suitcases are stored away for now and normal (boring) life has taken over. 

Next year Scandinavia!

Day 45 Flying Home

I never sleep well the night before I fly so I was up at 3am, fully packed and downstairs 30 minutes early for my shuttle reservation.  There was room on the earlier one so I arrived at the airport before 4:30am for a 7am flight to Sidney.  Checked in, sent two bags for loading and took my roll-a-board and backpack through security.  I was traveling Qantas Business class for the first time and there was a lounge set up with food, coffee, and comfortable seats to wait for time to load.  NICE!  

Once in Sydney we were herded onto a bus to take us from the domestic terminal to the international terminal.  Had to clear security again, this time I set off the metal detector.  Security in Australia's airports is never the same!  If they have the X-ray  detector I don't set them off but the older models I always set off.  I've learned to just tell them I'll set them off so they can call a female to wand me! This time I'm flying economy in a jumbo jet-even though I did try to upgrade.  The jet had been late arriving in Sydney and had to be cleaned before we could load, so we were an hour and a half late taking off.  I have to say the bad knees and my walking stick payed off this day-I was pulled out of line to board early several times.  Boarding this one was a lot of instruction, get out your passport, put your passport away, get out your boarding pass, etc.  I managed to somehow be on the wrong floor and had to go down steps-the stewardess did take the suitcase for me.  Lovely helpful folks.  Anyway, 16 1/2 hours later I arrived at LAX.  Had to pick up my luggage, clear customs (what an ordeal-NOT.  Took less than 5 minutes and that includes waiting in a very short line.)   I always book my flights with ample time in between so I wasn't affected by the late arrival but many people missed their flights.  I did have to walk the length of LAX with all three pieces of luggage to arrive at United for my flight home.  Thank goodness for those luggage carts!  I had to clear security again - that makes THREE times.  Check in,  and send off the two bags.  Found some coffee, food and the gate and then waited.  They asked for people to check in carry-ons and I had no problem letting them take the roll-a-board.  I was then down to the backpack!  

First of two flights to Kansas City landed in Denver.  I'm in Business class again-I may never fly any other way- but we had a horrible passenger on the way.  Made us all miserable and super happy to land at DIA.   More waiting.  Finally, took off for the last time.  A totally lovely flight even though I was totally exhausted.  Collected luggage, called for an Uber to take me to the hotel where I am staying.  It was midnight- no way I'm asking anyone to drive an hour each way at that time! 

Totally exhausted after about 24 hours in the air and maybe 20 hours waiting in airports etc. and I can't sleep.  Ah well, tomorrow will be in my own bed at my own house.  I am more than ready.