The Auditors Are Coming, The Auditors Are Coming

As you can tell the auditors are coming to my office on Monday. So, that means working this weekend to make sure we are prepared for their visit. Plus, I really need to clean my office. I think that my stuff is in pretty good shape, but I guess we'll find out when they get done reviewing my files. Keep your fingers crossed that I survive this thing.

On a good note, I like the new sewing machine I purchased. I'm still getting used to it, but it works very well. The one thing that I don't like is how you have to wind the bobbin. Maybe after I take the owner's classes it won't be so difficult for me. I love the integrated walking foot. It is so nice not having to take the shank off and change the whole thing. I've done a little sewing on it, but I haven't tried any embroidery yet. Need to take the classes.

I've got two horses that each have one leg swollen. I'm not sure what happened, but I've been giving them bute for a couple of days and the swelling has gone down. I'm hoping that it was just something they did while playing and its not something more serious.

That's about all the exciting news I have today.

New Sewing Machine

I took my Viking in to get repaired today because I'm having a bobbin problem that I've had in the past. Unfortunately, my husband wouldn't let me buy a new Pfaff Creative Vision. Our LQS is having a huge sale because of a special guest instructor is here for the week. That is the machine I really wanted. Well, he said that I couldn't spend the money, so I took mine in to get fixed. He had told me that I could get a machine if it was less that a certain amount, which wasn't reasonable for a new machine. I found a used machine today at the LQS that does everything that I need and more and it was within my budget!! I couldn't believe it. So, I now have a Pfaff 2140, which is an older model, but the software has been updated to the 2170. I now have to take some owner's classes, so I can learn how to do everything on my machine. I did a little sewing on it earlier tonight. It is going to take some getting used to. It is different than my Viking.

I'm still working on the Bargello quilt from the class this weekend. I was working on it when my machine broke on Sunday. I'm almost done with it, so I'm getting excited. It is looking really good. It is only a wall hanging, so it shouldn't take me much longer to get it done. I'm also still working on the double delight. I'm hoping to get that completed soon. I'm sick of looking at all the pieces on my table. I need to get it done.

I also want to get started on my western show shirt. When my machine broke I thought about starting on that. I just don't like having all these UFO's laying around. When I start a project I really want to see it through instead of putting it away for another day. I just don't like trying to start an old project after a long period of time. So, I will keep working on these two quilts and then make the shirt. However, show season is just around the corner.

Learned Something New

Tonight I successfully edited and added music to the polar plunge video clip from my Valentine's Day post. You'll have to go watch it again and see all the neat things I figured out how to do. I'm so excited about it. Now I can make lots of video clips.

I finished cutting up my fabric for the Bargello quilt class that I'm taking on Saturday. I'm hoping that my choices turn out nice. I was going to post a pic of the fabric strips, but didn't get around to taking a pic. I will post a pic when I finish it on Saturday. We are suppose to do the whole thing on Saturday. Its only a small wallhanging, but I think it will be fun.

The super cold weather is back again. The wind has been whipping today. It is a bone chilling cold. I was hoping that it was gone for the year, but no luck. Hopefully March will bring us some better weather.

Serger Class

Last night I took a serger class at the LQS. It was a 3 hour class that went really fast. I have a Huskylock 936 and had only used it once since I bought it 3 or 4 years ago. Unfortunately we didn't cover everything that I had hoped to. The instructor recommended taking a couple of other "serger retreat" classes to help learn all the different stitches the machine will do. At least I got the basics down include inside & outside corners and the rolled hem.

Yesterday two of the kids got in a fight over a beef bone. It was a pretty vicious fight and the little one got hurt. She received a bite in her throat and the bleeding didn't want to stop. I had to take her to the vet to make sure she didn't need stitches. The vet said her jugular probably got knicked and that is why the bleeding didn't want to stop. He decided that she didn't need stitches, so that was good. She got it bleeding again tonight right before I got home from work. Of course it was difficult to get the bleeding to stop again. This time I'm not taking the bandages off for 48 hours instead of 24 like the vet suggested. It kind of scary watching blood run down your kids neck.

We have more snow headed our way. It is suppose to start with rain and change to snow over night. I have heard a couple of different amounts from 1" up to 3". It could be an interesting ride to work in the morning. Well, it's Michigan and that is what our weather is all about. 60 degrees one day and snow the next. I'm ready for summer to be here.

Valentine's Day

For some fun this morning the DH participated in the law enforcement Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. 76 people decided to be crazy and jump into a freezing lake. They raised over $15,000 for the Special Olympics. I think that it is a great cause and it was wonderful that all these law enforcement people came together for such a cause. The costumes were great. DH wore his class A military uniform. One of his co-workers work camo and another was suppose to jump in his ACU's, but due to bad weather he slide into a ditch and didn't make the jump. It was fun to see everyone. As you can see by the picture that people wore all kinds of costumes. You can watch the DH jump in below.

The snow has come back to visit us. Unfortunately the weather has gotten alittle colder and the snow piled up over night. At least during the day it is above freezing.

I'm still working on the double delight mystery quilt. I haven't given up, but it is slow going. Hopefully I will get some done tomorrow and Monday. I've got Monday off because it is a holiday. I also am taking a serger class Monday night. I've owned by serger for years now and really don't know how to use it. I threaded and used it once (not successfully), so now its time to start using it.

Record Warmth

Today we beat the standing record for the warmest day since 1820 or something like that. We got to 60 degrees today. It was very nice, but very muddy. The drive going back to the barn is horrible. DH spread stones, but it didn't seem to help much. Sometimes its nice when the ground is frozen.

The farrier came today, which was great because of it being so warm. Out of four horses two have issues. My gelding cut his coronet band (right above the hoof) while playing this afternoon. He had lots of blood on his hoof, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him. I put some cream on it to try and keep an infection away. My little mare had an abscess in one of her feet. It blew out through the bottom of her hoof. So, once we got her trimmed we cleaned up the hole and put a home remedy on it and wrapped it in vet wrap and duct tape. I'm praying that she doesn't get an infection from it. She doesn't seem to be feeling real well right now, but the farrier thinks its just "spring fever" which they basically get a minor cold.

I'm still working on my double delight quilt. I haven't made alot of progress, but I am working on getting the SNS blocks put together into the larger blocks. I am using my walking foot on my machine because I'm having problems with sewing over some of the seams. I'm also going to start working on a western show shirt for showing horses. I bought a pattern this winter and got the fabric, so now I'm going to try and make it. I haven't sewn clothes since high school, so it might be interesting. I'm hoping that it goes well and if it does then I may get into making them to sell on e-bay and such.

Today I got some training approved for the month of March. I found training available in the city next to where my sister just moved to. I'm super excited to get to go see her and her new house and kids (dogs). She is super excited too. Now, I keeping my fingers crossed that the class is a go. Sometimes if they don't have enough people register for a class they won't hold it. Let's all hope that they do hold it, so I can see my sis.

Heat Wave

Yesterday the temps got into the low 50's. It was so nice even though there was a breeze blowing. This morning it was above freezing when I got up. Kind of sad when you get excited about something so simple. Most of the snow is now gone, but there is alittle bit left and some ice from all melting. Today its only suppose to get to 40, but hey its better than the bitter cold temps we had for most of January. Its going to be above freezing all week and they think we may hit 60 on Tuesday. Woohoo!!

Yesterday I went to a tack sale sponsored by the MI Quarter Horse Assoc. It was held at the MSU Pavillion in conjunction with a horse show. The place was packed with people. They had a lot of vendors as well. Most were just people selling sme of their old stuff or they make show clothes to sell. I found a few things I liked, but couldn't spend the money since I'm not sure if I'm going to show this year or not. My goal is to show, but I'm not sure if I will get there.

I also went to Everlasting Stitches in Holt to look for fabric for a Bargello class I'm taking in a few weeks. They had an unexpected bus load of ladies stop, so they were packed when I got there. Pam has some very nice fabrics right now. I had a great time just looking around and finding all kinds of fabric that I would love to have. Pam helped me picked out the fabrics for my Bargello. She then gave me 15% off of my total. I thought that was great. She is working on putting a bus trip to Chicago together for the International Quilt Show in April.

Last night I got some more trimming and sewing done on my Double Delight. I only have 7 more blocks of step 5 to sew together. Of course I have to go back and finish step 4 before I can start putting them together. I'm getting more excited about finishing it now. I'm hoping to get some more done today. Of course I'm neglecting all my household chores, but I just don't care. I want to get this quilt done because I want to see the final outcome.

Back to Work

I went back to work today. Of course I was bombarded the minute I got there. Its amazing that so many people need assistance from me. I wish someone would get the idea that there needs to be more than one of me. Everyone sees it except for the guy who has to approve hiring someone. I've been by myself for a year now. Anyway, back to today, the morning was a bit rough. I guess when you have a concussion you shouldn't be spending alot of time on the computer. I had a horrible headache by lunch and thought I was going to get sick. I ended up going out to get some fresh air and eating my bland lunch and I felt a ton better.

Tonight I cooked dinner for my mom and her husband. It was nice to spend some time with them. I don't see them often even though we only live 5 miles apart. I also got some more 9 patches trimmed and a couple more blocks sewn together. I feel like I'm making some progress. I only have about 40 more 9 patches to trim. I still have to sew most of the blocks together, but that goes much faster than the trimming part. DH has military duty this weekend, so maybe I can get some more done. I really want to get it finished and get back to the project I was working on before this mystery.

Day Off

I ended up taking the day off because of the concussion. I still have a headache, but its getting better. I spent some time with my mom today. It was nice to see her and have her with me when I'm not feeling well. I did a little sewing, but not much because I'm trying to keep the headache at bay. I got two more of the 9 patch big blocks done. I'm still working on the double delight, slowly but surely.

One of my friends just got back from a military school in California. She was gone for the month of January. She had a good time, but a reality check when she got home. It was warm where she was, so this weather is hard for her to adjust to. She said that she can't get warm at all. I'm really not feeling sorry for her.

Concussion

It seems that my bad luck is continuing. Yesterday one of my horses was sniffing the back of my head while I was climbing through the fence. I stood up and we smacked into each other pretty hard. I didn't think anything of it, but I had a headache. I woke up this morning with the headache and decided to go to the doctor. She thinks that I may have a concussion and if the symptoms get worse I have to go to the emergency room to get a CAT scan. Its amazing to me that such a simple thing can cause so much damage. So, today I am to lay around and not doing anything stressful for my body or brain. I guess I can get caught up on the soaps today. She said that I can do some sewing if it doesn't bother me or make my headache worse.

I stopped at a local shop that carries fabric. I ended up buying a bunch of fat quarters. Not sure what I need them for, but I liked the colors and designs. Hopefully I will find something to use them in. Right now, they are just an additional to the stash.

Super Bowl Sunday

Today is the first of February. We are hoping that the weather will start to warm up now. Today it has made it to the upper thirty's, maybe even 40. This weather has been very hard and has gotten me a little depressed. It has been soooo cold and ugly. Today is beautiful. The sun has been shining and the animals seem to be enjoying it.

My DH & I celebrated our 6th anniversary in January. For our anniversary my DH told me that I could get a new kitty or a fish tank. I decided to go with the fish tank. I don't feel that a cat gets a fair deal living here. The dogs are alright with cats, but can cause some havoc. I just didn't feel that a cat would get the attention it deserves. So, the DH bought me a 120 gallon tank. I have started getting some fish. We are using it as a cichlid tank, so the larger of our babies have moved in there along with some new fish. We changed our 37 gallon tank to piranhas. The babies moved to the 10 gallon tank. We santized that tank and the two fish that lived got salt baths. They are both doing fine and the babies like their new home. I also put two apple snails in there. They are interesting to watch.

I have finally gotten the nine patches done for the Double Delight quilt from Bonnie Hunter. I didn't think I would ever get done. I didn't have enough strips set out, so I had to get some of the extras I had made. Now, I've just got to get them trimmed up. I did start sewing some of the blocks together. I'm excited to finally get to the steps of making the larger blocks. I can't wait to get them done, so I can put them together and get the top done. I'm already planning on going to a LQS to get some fabric for the borders. I don't have anymore of the cheddar, so I've got to replaced it with something.