Groovy Quilt Along - much text, few pics

I read quilting blogs way too much - and way more than I actually quilt. To get myself in gear, I've joined the Totally Groovy Quilt Along at pileofabric.com. Can I get my supplies on time through the mail from Canada? Can I get anything done with a 1-year-old running around? Can I piece curves on the first try? Stay tuned - possibly for a long long time since I'm not too good at keeping up with the blog these days. :)

 

While I wait for those festivities to commence, I've been working on a Denyse Schmidt quilt from her first book, Quilts. Got it and her newer book from the library. Pictures later if I'm feeling feisty.

I've been forming a close relationship with the public library lately. I was lent a few Lisa See books and they were good reads so now I'm into Shanghai Girls. I think I'll have to move on after this since I've already read Snowflower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and Dreams of Joy.  Also read Room based on Scott's mom's recommendation, and it was pretty good. I love free stuff. I read about 1 page per month in Nelson Mandela's autobiography on the side :D

We don't go to the movies anymore, but we rent on occasion from Video Difference (STAFF IS AMAZING and makes good recommendations EVERY TIME!!!). Too bad they don't have a Dartmouth location. Netflix - you are dead to me! I don't love every movie they recommend, but they definitely can latch on to what I'm saying I like in my own special vague way - "dark documentary" or "something like Cohen brothers drama." So the last movie we saw was Marwencol. Definitely not up everyone's alley, but certainly interesting.

Finally, for those interested in home reno. (that's you Kimbo Bimbo)... sorry I don't have any good pics, but here's some of what Scott and our parents have checked off the list so far (I'm pretty much not helpful in any way at this stuff):

*install new downspouts and drainage pipes *repair garden hose tap *install deadbolt on back door *remove squirrel nest from back deck roof *replace light fixtures in kitchen and master bedroom *massive weed removal and cutting down of trees and dead limbs on all sides of the house *repair shed doors, replace hinges, and repaint shed trim *pull out, clean, and properly install dishwasher *lift oven to fit properly in cabinet cutout *re-caulk around bathtub *remove massive dog hairball from forced hot air fan.

Our street is on a steep hill.

Each of these things sounds small, but anyone who owns a home knows that any little project you take on always turns out to be more annoying than you think it will be. Ongoing headaches include the weeds, the squirrel nest in the roof, the green mildew that builds up everywhere, the ceiling fan light of doom, a severe lack of furniture, and the dog hair that seems to keep oozing out of every nook and cranny in this place. Worst of all is the leaky wet basement. That's #1 on our list now. Stinky demo and bugs, ew! I still really like this place. Ahhhh.... so nice to have a home with space. ahhhh....

Watching Olympics. Gotta go...