Showing posts with label Sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sewing. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Late Evening News, Sunny then Dull Day, Sewing up a Storm


The Ridge
On Monday, Aug. 26th I was up ahead of the alarm and made sure Bill was up (as per his instruction last night) before I headed into Durham. Last night, just before bedtime, I had a text from our buddy, Pat, that Aunt Mary had succumbed to her summer-long illness. Sad but at the same time, a blessing for her. Rest in peace, dear Mary, I enjoyed getting to know you over the past 3 years.

A pretty nice day with contrails across the sky
It was 6:30 by the time I arrived at the laundromat. Doors were locked so I was on my own for a good 45 minutes before a customer came in. I do believe ‘some’ people are actually reading the signs – well the recycle bin signs anyways. I didn’t have much sorting at all this morning so that made me happy.  When Doreen came in, we chit chatted about Jamie, whom I came to learn she babysit when he was a young’un. I’d seen her before when I was doing my own laundry but never been formally introduced so we took care of that formality.

The Marigolds down by Bill's Hangar are thriving
Doreen does the laundry for the Homestead Golf Resort in the area. She has lots of bedding etc. so needed a few big washers and she also needed change. The change machine light was blinking indicating that it was ‘out’ so I opened up a couple of washers to get her enough to get started at least. Then I texted Jamie so he knew he needed to drop by.

The cattle across the road look like they want to chat
When I left there, I drove straight home and made my tea. Then I hopped in the shower before we went into Hanover. We got fuel for Ptooties in Durham and then stopped around to see Rob and Pat. A personal visit is our preference over a condolence card. We think they were grateful to see us and we sat briefly and let them talk about Aunt Mary’s last few days. It will be a tough week for them.

In Hanover, I had a parcel to pick up at Walmart, a few minor groceries and Bill wanted something at Home Hardware so we didn’t stay long. Once in Hanover, it didn’t take long to do our shopping so we didn’t dilly dally getting what we needed. We were home by 11. We each made a coffee and Bill sat back and rested while I started today’s post and finished my drink. Then it was time to get to work!

It went easier than I'd expected
We’d had a snack bar on the way back home so weren’t too hungry but we did have some lunch to tie us over until supper. We settled for rye toast and choke cherry jelly. YUM!!! Then I got my sewing machine out of the hall closet. Today was the day we’d planned to sew the wing covers for Bill’s monster plane. The idea is great and as long as my machine needle will go through 3 thicknesses of the quilts we bought; it should work great.

Bill was holding the mass of blanket while I stitched
We worked together, me sewing, Bill folding and helping to hold the edges together for me, and we had success! We now had a 3-fold wing pocket, 91” long and 32” deep and both wings fit in it perfectly. We did a ‘fitting’ and with Bill at one end and me at the other, we measured how it would hang in his cargo trailer.

My little sewer
Along the 91" length, we needed 4 handles that joined
front to back
With 4 hooks on the wall at appropriate lengths, we now needed 4 handles strong enough to hold the weight during transport. Because of the 3 layers and 3 edges closed, I could only stitch a handle on the open end by machine. Bill and/or I will have to stitch the remaining 3 handles by hand. Reaching inside from one end to the other will not be easy. Bill was up for the challenge. This will all make much more sense when I can show you the finished product.

Bill mounted the 4 double hooks to hang the wings on
It was 3:30 when the first part was finished and I assumed we were done for the day. I put my machine away and when Bill sat in his chair to start sewing, I took a walk down the lane to check the mailbox. I’m not sure if the mail lady stopped. This afternoon, UPS delivered my Avon. Just a small order for us and something for Pat. I need to keep my account active so every 3 campaigns I place a small order while I’m home and then I do the same thing during the winter but delivery goes to Donna’s.

And before he went to bed at 12:30 am, all 4 were in place
The rest of the afternoon was spent together, Bill sewing and I sat encouragingly nearby and watched tv beside him. I’d finished The Quickie by J.P. yesterday and wasn’t ready to start a new one yet. At 6 he was barbecuing burgers on the Weber while I prepped the condiments. Just loaded burgers tonight with ice cream for dessert. I had some homemade applesauce with mine and it was delicious.

One of the selfies I'd warned you about
An old movie came on that we haven’t seen for many years so we watched Private Benjamin together. This was a great day tinged with the loss of a friend. She is in heaven now and at peace.

And a hearty loaded burger fit the bill
Good night!
Until my next library visit!
Thank you for your visit today. Your comments are always appreciated.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Strange Weather for Another Day, Shopping, Sewing, Suite Cleaning, TV Install

When I woke up it was around 7:15 and I was pleased to see my guys beside me. Well, a way over there in our king bed. Clemson was snuggled close to Daddy in under the covers yet it was a warm morning. I grabbed the camera early to get the sun peeking up over the horizon because I knew it wasn’t supposed to last.
It started out like a promising day
The forecast was mostly rain although now it I saying ‘few clouds’. They need to look outside, it is gray with lots of fast moving clouds treating us to brief (10 seconds) interludes of blue sky in their travels from west to east. We got our morning stuff out of the way and I decided today was the day to hem up Mom’s pants. Tomorrow will be laundry day and I’ll take them over to her while I’m in town.
While getting fuel, these guys were parked beside us
The old van remodel was very sharp and loaded for camping
Plate says Vanarchy
VANARCHY: van-ar-chy, noun;...a van of disorder due to absence or non-recognition of authority 
So, it is now almost noon and Bill is in Hanover to pick up some things for a project in the cargo trailer and our basement. I dusted the Suite and put a few things away. Less to do on Sunday morning. I still can’t get outside; the rain isn’t steady but it is enough to keep me indoors. It is a drizzle right now.
Sorry for the blur, it was a fast snapshot
I got my sewing machine out and hemmed Mom’s pants. It is never perfect but if anyone wants to judge, they can tear it out and do it themselves. I would’ve been more concerned doing it for Mom if she was in a different state of mind. She was an excellent seamstress, knitter, crocheter etc. Now, she won’t care if they aren’t perfect.
Clemson got to go for the ride in his seatbelt
Once I finished that, I put it away (my machine is one thing that will NOT come out of the Suite, I use it too often) and fried up my brunch of egg and zucchini again. It tastes so good and is good for me. I keep forgetting to boil up the water/sugar mixture for the hummers and both feeders have been empty for a while. Today I did it and put it in the fridge to cool.
The bracket is installed on the back of the tv

And the small plate is attached to the bracket
  
Measuring where the plate needs to be mounted
 Before Bill got home, I had swept the hall, the stairs, the kitchen and even brushed the living and dining room carpets. We agreed that it was a great day for a snooze so after I finished a few chapters in the new book I’m reading, I joined my guys up in the bedroom for a power nap. Thirty minutes is usually enough for me and today was no different. 
At one point the blue sky gave us hope but the gray clouds were moving so quickly, it was soon gone
When we got up Bill went outside and started to get things going on the installation of our television down in the ‘basement’ area.

Bill finishes attaching the plate
We’ve talked about how nice it would be to have one there when Bill is barbecuing. It will be mounted on the top of the storage area on a bracket. Strapped in place while in motion but able to swing down on an arm for viewing. In between rain showers he mounted the bracket on the back of the tv. We needed to go into Durham to get a different size screw at Home Hardware, hamburg buns and diesel for Black Beauty.

Have I mentioned how much I like this view?
Bill called his Dad once we got back home and it was nice to hear both him and Marilynne sound so good. He missed seeing them yesterday when he stopped in on his way home. Not worrying about the weather tonight, I have burgers out for supper and I prepare the last two cobs of corn. They don’t take long to bbq so we should only need 20 minutes tops of dry sky.

Last screw

While supper was grilling, Bill continued working on the tv install. At one critical point, he asked me to use the drill to put the first two screws in. This was the easy part, as holding the tv in place wasn’t going to be easy for me. Before the food was ready he finished the main part and folded the television into place. Tomorrow he can complete the whole process, hookup, strapping etc.

And it folds up and out of sight
Supper was delicious. I wasn’t going to have a bun but at the last minute decided I would after all. With bacon, cheese, mayo, lettuce, pickle, onion and mustard it was the bomb!! Isn’t that a definitive of great? The corn was done perfectly too and filled us up.

The sky has changed from gray to gloomy and foggy out there to the northwest. It is a good night to stay inside. Dishes are done and we’ll have to see what we can find to watch or I’ll get into my book. I’m reading James Patterson’s Cross now. It’ll be a quick read, already I’m having a hard time putting it down.

Bill is also into a good James Patterson story
Clemson is waiting for me to sit with him
I hope you have had drier weather than we have but mostly I hope it has been a great day for you. 
through the rain drops on this picture, you can see the foggy evening we have
Thank you for reading today. Please comment if you wish!