sew at sea

Sewing, Sailing, and a Visit from Big Sister

2011-12-21T09:50:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it's nearly Christmas. But since moving to Florida I've found that sunny days just melt into new sunny days and then all of a sudden...

Crap! I haven't even started Christmas shopping!

But anyway I finally finished up some baby sewing for Hans' cousin who is due to have a baby boy this January. I found some very nice hand towels at Target that I made into bibs. Have you ever caught the silky hairs at the back of an infant's neck in the string ties of a bib? It's not fun for all those involved believe me! These bibs have a simple ribbed neckline that pull on and off Baby with absolutely no trauma. I've made tons of these over the years and some women have told me they were the only ones they ended up using full time.

You can see how big one actually is here (I have my little onesie, booties, and more folded bibs lying on top of one). This covers an infant's clothing very nicely during a feeding (and the pukey follow up!) and also provides a lot of cover for a toddler in a high chair.

Complete with diaper bag.

We've managed to get out for a couple of sails since we've been here. Now that Hans is working full time that only leaves the weekends and in order to sail, it's all about weather. A few weeks ago we had a fabulous day in the gulf with our new friends Carolyn and Mark. I met Carolyn through this blog and you just have to love the internet! Just a few years ago this never would have happened.

After the holidays we hope to get out a bit more. What's the sense in having a boat if you don't use it?

Here's Carolyn trying to relax which is sometimes difficult when you have a kissing machine of a pit bull along for the ride.

Very soon after our day at sea Hans and I went to New York City for a few days. Poor Hans had to work but I managed to stomp around (more like limp around on my very hurty feet!) the city and got to visit the garment district. And if anyone happened to be watching the Today Show while I was there, yes, that was me waving at you from Rockefeller Plaza. I had a great time and the ladies of the Today show are even prettier in person, they really are!

And right after we got back, Baby Girl decided to pay us a visit. She originally wanted to surprise me but there is so much involved in getting our guest berth ready, Hans had to let the cat out of the bag. She is a college soccer coach now and was able to use her break to visit us (not that she wasn't on the phone or texting constantly about recruits, meetings etc...).

Here she is taking a snooze with her baby brother Wilbur. Poor Wilbur ended up being left behind way too many times while Baby Girl was here because unfortunately pitties aren't permitted to prance about the many places we ended up visiting.

"You always did like her best!" Wilbur pouted.

We ended up taking a trip to The Pier and Baby Girl insisted on feeding the Pelicans. For five bucks you get five fish and let me tell you those five fish created quite a scene as pelicans came out of nowhere for their free meal. That man is holding a net behind her head to ward off any more renegade pelicans because in the heat of the moment a particularly famished (greedy) pelican slammed into Baby Girl's head and nearly knocked her off her perch. It was too stinking funny and I only wish I'd gotten a picture.

Oh the life a busy young lady. While she should be taking a note from Wilbur and relaxing, she's on her phone yet once again and her I-Pad is sitting at the ready for even more work.

I feel bad because I'd promised Baby Girl that if she ever got to Florida I'd make sure to get her to Disney World so she could finally experience the Tea Cup Ride. I won't go into details but when she was a tiny little thing the Tea Cup Ride was just within her grasp and it was rudely taken away from her and she's never forgotten it. It didn't happen on this trip either but hopefully she'll give me more notice next time and as far as I'm concerned she can ride it till she pukes!!

She deserves it and I'll make sure to take along a big bib.

New York City... the story continues

2011-12-11T19:20:00.004-05:00

Warning! Way too much rambling on this post!

First of all I don't think my feet have ever hurt as much as they do right now and I have to admit that it's all my fault. I may be wearing the very same shoes I wore a couple of years ago when I accompanied Hans on a whirlwind two week trip to Europe, but I'm afraid my feet have since then grown accustomed to sandy beaches and they are having a delightful time torturing me for making them stomp about on unforgiving concrete all day long.

I hate looking like a tourist but I had to whip out my camera and take a picture of this fabulous button and needle that marks the beginning of the garment/fabric district.

I only wish I'd been bold enough to take a picture of the young lady who walked in front of me for several blocks clad only in a polka dot white fleece robe and her hair in curlers. Might I add that her robe just barely covered her bottom. I wasn't the only one who found this unusual and since I was following her I got to see the reaction on the faces of people after they passed from the opposite direction. And then we walked past a construction site. Have you ever witnessed a group of construction workers go completely silent?

I managed to find the fabric district and it was actually pretty overwhelming. After a while I finally figured out that everyones prices were pretty much the same and I didn't find what I would call any real bargains. I wasn't particularly looking for clothing fabric but I did buy two pieces of spandex fabric at Spandex House. I didn't find any (affordable) fabric for purses but I did buy a few little o-rings (for wallet wristlets) and some short zippers. There are tons of pieces of hardware available here but some were pretty pricey and without a real plan for them I didn't want to buy any (I already have a lot of stuff I've bought in the past and still haven't used).

I was thrilled to death to accompany Hans to New York on his business trip. I've never been here before and the thought of seeing NYC during the Christmas season was too good to be true. So I told Hans that for my Christmas present I wanted to go to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes. My great grandmother thought the Rockettes walked (or perhaps tapped) on water and I only wish she'd been able to attend an actual performance during her lifetime. The show was spectacular and I have no idea how the hell those girls remember all their dance steps.

Of course it rained like crazy on Rockette night and here's Hans with both of our umbrellas. We got soaked.

The sculpture behind us was created years ago for Radio City Music Hall and was then banned for being too graphic. It's now very much out in the open and don't think Hans didn't appreciate it!
I mentioned before that I have no sense of direction and was a bit fearful of maneuvering about Manhattan on my own, and I admit that I had to back track a couple (okay a hell of a lot!) of times. But in the end I found myself enjoying the Big Apple immensely.

How well I recall bursting into our hotel room late in the afternoon on our first day in New York only to find Hans had gotten there first.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded.

"I'm done for the day. Where have you been?" was Hans' reply.

"My feet were killing me and I just had to sit down so I had lunch up the street at D.J. Reynolds Pub and the owner happened to be there and he bought me a drink and I've been having a fabulous time!" I exclaimed. "I love New York! It has such a small town feeling and I told Dennis we'd be back for dinner tonight!"

"Who's Dennis? Hans asked.

"The owner."

"Why am I not surprised," Hans sighed.

He knows me all too well and could only shake his head, because, you see, I will talk to any one, any time, and at any place.

D J Reynold's Pub is a fabulous Irish Pub (and I've been to Ireland) with good food at a very affordable price (we ate there every single night!). By all means please go there if you happen to be in Manhattan. You will not be disappointed.

When we moved to Florida I had no idea I would be heading north before the Christmas holidays (I left my winter coat back home) and I was in dire need of a winter coat to take with me to New York. My new friend Carolyn stepped forward and offered me a beautiful leather coat that had belonged to her husband's mother. It fit like a glove!

Here I am right before we left to see the Rockettes.

After dinner at D.J.'s, our waitress, Siobhan followed us out into the street and after giving us a hug, she commented on my beautiful coat.

Thank you Carolyn!

We are now back home and apparently just in time.

I've been informed my youngest is due to arrive for a visit tomorrow!

Wilbur can't wait. He loves to sleep with his sister.

New York City

2011-12-05T17:32:00.004-05:00

That's where I am right now folks!
Believe it or not.
I've never been here before and I very well may never get here again so tomorrow I'm going to take a stab at hitting the fabric (or garment) district.

We flew right over the Statue of Liberty which was really pretty exciting as I try never to look out the window of a plane.

Anyway, I have absolutely no sense of direction so God only knows where I'll end up.
Wish me luck!!

Some stinking cute baby sewing.

2011-12-01T20:52:00.007-05:00

I mentioned in a previous post that Hans' cousin is going to have a baby this January, and let's face it, now that I live in Florida, I'm having a very difficult time wrapping my brain around the fact that it's already December. I truly need to get my head on straight and finish up this baby project and get some Christmas shopping done.

So check out this adorable onesie I made out of one of Hans' old dress shirts by using this tutorial.

I also made my own bias tape.

And you wouldn't believe how much bias tape you can get out of a very small amount of fabric by using this method.

Since the future daddy designs ships, I purchased some sail boat fabric for the collar, cuffs, and bias tape, which was a perfect match, and I also thought it was just too cute.

And those are adorable matching shoes on the right. They were too easy to make and don't be surprised if I find a way to enlarge the pattern and make a pair for myself!

A view of the back.

Look at that little pleat!

And again, the shoes!

I rinsed it out and hung it out to dry on my red neck clothes line (which is really Wilbur's retractable leash).

Here's a close up of the cuff I added that wasn't on the tutorial, but you can see the sleeve placket that was kept from the original shirt.

I added an extra button hole and button at the bottom of the shirt front. I then made a tab with a button hole and stitched it to the back of the onesie. This tab then attaches to that button and secures the onesie to the baby.

And once again the little shoes. This was the first pair of these I've ever made and I'm pretty sure I cut the elastic just a bit too small on the right one which is making it pucker. The next pair will surely be better.

Waste not want not.

Very coincidentally I happened to see a Sewing with Nancy episode on the very day I was making this outfit. And on that particular show they were re-purposing a man's shirt into various useful items.

The very last thing they did was to cut off the collar and make it into an adorable dog collar.

Believe me when I say I wasted no time at all hacking off the collar of Hans' shirt, and no dog could possibly look as cute in a dress shirt collar than our Wilburbutt!

I only hope Hans doesn't ask me next week why he doesn't seem to have any more good dress shirts!

Shhhhhhhh!

Some Thanksgiving sewing

2011-11-28T20:00:00.002-05:00

Now that Hans and I have been displaced we were very thankful (no pun necessarily intended) to be invited for Thanksgiving dinner at the home of a former college friend of Hans' from some 30 years back and whom he hasn't seen in, well, nearly 30 years! Thirty years!!! It would appear we're getting to be pretty darned old wouldn't it?

We were informed that we didn't need to bring anything so I decided to make a couple of holiday pot holders and take along a bottle of wine and a pumpkin pie.

I have a pot holder tutorial but I decided that it might be a bit too big so I just decreased my pattern by an inch over all. Not such a big deal but I like it a little bit better. For added protection I also added Insul-brite to the pocket side.
I chose a snowman theme as it can be used all winter long unlike Santa and Christmas trees etc..

Hmm, Wilbur knows something's up and it's most likely not good.

And he was right. He stayed home Thanksgiving Day while we were out having a high old time.

But don't worry about the little man, he had many cushions to lie his tender pitty body on while we were gone.

I also made a couple of fabric covered buttons for decoration.

At the last minute I thought maybe I should make a wine bag and dug up this wine themed fabric and ripped that zipper out of a previously made garment and reused it for this project.

Here it is all zipped up.

And now with the top turned down. I also used a slice of wine cork threaded through a key chain jump ring for a zipper pull.

Actually, it was a bit amateurish and if I sew one again it will look a lot better, but it was kind of fun to make.

I'm now trying to come up with some fun (and cheap) Christmas decorating ideas for our slip here in the marina. And I need cheap since most anything I do will probably be vandalized and tossed into the water anyway.

Some 'friendly' sewing.

2011-11-18T22:53:00.002-05:00

So today I actually loaded up my sewing machine, too many supplies, and my best company manners (or as good as my manners can be anyway) and headed off to Carolyn's house. I became acquainted with Carolyn through my blog, and shortly after Hans and I arrived here in Florida she and her husband graciously invited us to watch some boat races on the beautiful beaches of Clearwater. Ever since then we've kept in touch via email and today we were able to get together at her home for some sewing.

Carolyn had an idea for a very simple sewing project and I envisioned us sewing up a storm and churning out dozens of these little earbud cases. In fact I was positive we'd probably have to dig ourselves out from under of a mountain of these little buggers, not unlike toddlers who bury themselves in plastic ball bins at those obnoxiously noisy kiddie restaurants.

The reality?

Not so much.

I swear, you'd think neither of us had ever sewn a stitch in our lives. When I unpacked my gear I nearly didn't retrieve my seam ripper since I was smug in the fact that I was not going to need it but, I hadn't sewn more than a few stitches when out it came.

More than once, and in fact several times.

Halfway through the afternoon Carolyn triumphantly read one of the last steps out loud, "Since this piece is so small and simple you probably won't need to use pins, just place your pieces together and sew." She seemed very relieved at this news.

I grimly looked up yet once again from the crooked and frayed mess that I'd just yanked out from under my presser foot and stated, "You might want to use those pins anyway."

And that pretty much sums up our day.

So without further ado (drum roll please!!!) I present to you the results of two and a half hours of sewing!!!!!!!

Ta Da!!!!!!!!!!!!

The front.

The back.

Isn't it fabulous?

Here it is with my hot pink IPod.

Yessiree, I'm pretty sure this little baby would easily command about a $50.00 price tag for all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it.

But then again it probably wouldn't.

I don't think anyone needs to worry about me being kidnapped and sent to China to work in a sweatshop anytime soon.

BTW, Carolyn does not have a blog but she really should!

While the cat's away...

2011-11-16T13:58:00.003-05:00

... (meaning Hans) the mice (meaning me and Wilbur) will play (and end up making a huge mess).

Hans was away on business for a few days and I took full advantage by never putting my sewing stuff away. Normally I'll get as much sewing done during the day that I can and then put everything away before Hans gets home in the evening. We only have a tiny table that we have to share (imagine dinner in addition to two computers!) and then there's the ironing board, and all my supplies etc... add to that mix, a pitty whom I seem to constantly be sidestepping or trying to shove aside on the settee so that I can have my own personal tiny space, and you can see why Wilbur and I turned into absolute pigs while Hans was away.

This is actually appears to be pretty neat.

No spools of thread, scissors, snippers, bobbins, fabric scraps...

Only that pesky little pitty.

My galley area taken over by a box of notions.

I doubt if Columbus ever envisioned a future navigation station being hampered with an iron and ironing board.

Just below the ironing board is a bin full of dog food and on top of that; two baskets full of scissors, thread, and notions.

I'm finding the need to keep my brain occupied these days, so this morning I whipped up this little lunch bag.

I take Wilbur to the dog park quite frequently and I've met a ton of really nice people there. One of them is Michelle and she has the sweetest bull dog-pit bull mix (who wiggles like a worm and plays kissy face with every dog that enters the park). Michelle recently lost her office job and is making ends meet by cleaning houses.

Aha! Back when I was cleaning houses I chanced onto this Linda Spivey wash day fabric and made myself a work bag. When we moved onto the boat I brought the left over scraps and dug them out last night.

It looks like a simple bag here.

But emerging from its inside is this insert.

These black ties are for reference only. I ended up stopping at the fabric store on my way to the dog park and found a perfect creamy yellow shade of cording but forgot to take a picture of the end result.

A view from the top but imagine it without those black ties.

Oh, I forgot. The plaid material came from a fabulous woven Indian fabric I lucked onto at the Good Will a few years ago (for a couple of bucks) I still have tons of it left but I was very happy when I realized it worked so well with the wash day fabric.

This is Wilbur, after a wild day of sewing (check out the paw beneath his jowls).

His motto may be, 'Party On Dude!' but he's really just an innocent baby at heart.

I let him have his dreams.

A very fashionable diaper bag is finished.

2011-11-14T23:35:00.001-05:00

At least I hope it's fashionable but since it's been 20 plus years since I've carried one of these buggers I could be way off base.

Anyway, I posted a few days ago that Hans' cousin is expecting her first baby and I wanted to make a diaper bag for her. After spending too many hours scouring the internet in an effort to find the ultimate diaper bag to mimic, I finally settled on my own idea. I started with Nicolle Mallalieu's Beach Bag Pattern and just went from there.

This is the front of the bag in its fully expanded mode.

The flowered overlay is a roomy outside pocket.

In its expanded mode this bag is very roomy and can hold a lot of baby stuff.

This is the front of the bag with the sides cinched in. It's still pretty roomy but perhaps a bit more stylish.

The back of the cinched in bag with a secure zippered pocket.

And now the back in its fully expanded mode.

So how does one cinch in the sides of this bag?

Sorry, but this is one very crappy picture.

In short, it consists of two 3 inch tabs stitched to the inside of the side seams of the bag. Velcro is then attached to the top of one tab and the bottom of the other.

They connect midstream and pull the sides of the bag inward!

The inside of the bag.

At the top is the facing with a magnetic snap in the middle of it.

The flowered fabric is the lining.

The striped fabric is a patch pocket with a Velcro closure.

This is mirrored on the other side of the interior.

And now the outside zippered pocket. I've installed tons of these over the years but for some reason this one gave me fits.

It was the batting I used for structure on the main bag that caused an issue. It was just a bit too thick and made for sloppy corners.

If I were to do this again, I'd trim the batting away from the zipper area long before hitting it with my hissing steam iron.

The bottom is a chocolate vinyl and is what had me concerned the most, and I was prepared to forgo this step if I didn't feel it was going to work. I ended up being very happy with the results and as far as I'm concerned this bag is finished!

I sincerely hope that Susie likes it!

And on a sad note, Nicolle has made the decision to end her online store by the end of 2011. This just makes me sick as she is the absolute guru of purse patterns and if it weren't for her I would have quit making purses a long time ago. I can see that I'm going to have to treat myself to a few last minute Christmas gifts and pick up a few things that I may never be able to find again!

Quickie wallet update

2011-11-11T21:24:00.005-05:00

Here is a small update to the wallet that I posted about yesterday. You can see where paper money can be kept behind the change pocket.
Here you can see a couple of quarters sticking up out of the change pocket, and below that are two credit card slots. You can always stick an extra card or two in there if you want.

And now the outside with a proper button.

Last but not least is Wilbur.

As soon as I got up, he stole my warm spot.

Tonight we're actually supposed to experience temperatures in the upper 40's believe it or not.

Well excuse me! I thought I was living in sunny Florida! Hans has some explaining to do.

A small stab at sewing

2011-11-10T19:33:00.001-05:00

I managed (despite very limited space aboard our boat) to cut out my diaper bag. But sewing it is a whole different matter since I have to put absolutely everything away in order to do little things like cook dinner, and fishing it all out again is just not fun.

So I decided to use some left over scraps to make a small matching wallet.

Please ignore the huge button. It's a total fake and used only as a guide, and anyway I ended up buying a much more suitable one after I took these pictures. I'll update tomorrow.

The front (remember, please ignore the button).

I'm not a huge fan of Velcro, but when you're in line at the store and in a hurry, it works better than trying to line up snaps.

The top part of the wallet is where you keep your change (Velcro once again! but I promise it's secure), and that very same change pocket has space behind it to hold bills.

I guess I'll have to add a demo to tomorrows update.

The lower part is for credit cards.

I guess there'll be yet another update.

Apparently I'm not very prepared.

The unfolded outside (ignore that damn button!).

And the back.

This is really a quick little wallet that took way too long to make as I only had one small remaining scrap of fabric left over and I didn't want to make a stupid mistake and have to buy more.

I apologize for no parting pic of Wilbur (but no worries there, I have plenty to choose from and will include that tomorrow also)!

A fashionable diaper bag

2011-11-07T19:12:00.006-05:00

We recently found out that Hans' cousin is expecting her first baby in January. This is pretty exciting since Hans is the oldest first cousin, and Susie is the youngest. I told Hans I want to make something and I decided on a diaper bag. I'm going to use Nicole Mallalieu's beach bag and then build on it from there.
The tough part was picking out the fabric. I originally found some really sweet co-ordinating fabric that consisted of #1: a minty solid, #2: a chocolaty background with cute faux feather stitched hearts, and #3: a bamboo kind of striped print with mint, chocolate, and butter yellow stripes. But I didn't want to buy it on impulse and held off.
I then asked some ladies at Wilbur's dog park what they thought. One of the women is a pediatric nurse and she said that from what she's seen lately, diaper bags no longer look like the diaper bags we used to carry and are more designer like.
Crap!
I looked on line and found a ton of ready made designer diaper bags (all at the tune of around $170) and decided that I would keep the beach bag pattern but would need to come up with a new fabric combo.

Today I woke up and said to myself, 'This is it, go buy the damn fabric and be done with it', and since I try not to argue with myself too often, I did.

So this is what I came up with.
The small print at the right will make up the body of the bag.
The large flower print will be the outside pockets.
And the striped fabric will be handles and maybe a couple of inside pockets. It just depends on how far I can stretch it.

Here's another view.

Tomorrow I hope to at least start cutting it out.

Still afloat and trying to sew

2011-11-06T20:29:00.002-05:00

I must be the laziest person on the face of the earth. That's the only excuse I have for not posting in so long. Anyway, we're still living aboard our boat here in Florida and now that our air conditioner isn't battling 90 something temps I've managed to do a bit of sewing.

A long time ago I printed some nautical charts onto fabric and these prints actually made the trek from PA to FL with us. And as I've been itching to sew I didn't think I really needed to buy 'new' when I should be using up 'old'.

On the spur of the moment I grabbed my Nicole Mallalieu Belle Bag Pattern and came up with this.

It's actually pretty cute and one of the charts I used was of Tangier Island in Virginia (if you've never been there, you're missing out on a good time, but BYOB since alcohol isn't sold there).

Here's a side view. The solid fabric is a brushed denim of some sort that my mother gave me out of her ancient stash a couple of years ago.

I learned a valuable lesson though.

I purposely decided to use Velcro instead of a magnetic snap on the inner tabs that pull this purse 'inward', and that worked out fine, BUT, since I've made this bag many times before and didn't bother to re-read the directions, I totally forgot about the snap that needs to be installed in the facing.
Oops!
Too late.
So I thought, oh what the heck, just use another piece of Velcro.

Word of advice. Don't do it.

Using Velcro on the tabs appears to be okay, but unfortunately, Velcro in the facing of this bag won't hold any kind of weight. Really. I'm just thankful I wasn't making this for someone other than myself or I might not have figured this out.

What I'm saying is, don't use anything other than a magnetic snap on the facing.

Now that we no longer feel like we're living in a pressure cooker, we actually use some light blankets in the evening.

Whose legs do you suppose are peeking out from underneath this blanket?

Well, they're certainly not mine!

We're settling into a nice routine here in our marina and enjoying life on our boat. I'm now able to ride my bike one mile in order to get to the Gulf so I can then get in an hour walk along the shore. This is a hell of a lot better than fighting snow and living daily with dreary gray skies, and yesterday we finally broke free from our dock lines and went out in the bay for a sail.

And even though someone stole my newly purchased potted plants and tossed my cheerful Halloween pumpkins into the marina, I still plan on decorating our dock box for Thanksgiving.

Adjusting to a new life

2011-10-19T21:13:00.005-04:00

We've now been living here in Florida on our boat for about two months and thank God the heat seems to finally be letting up. Since I have such a hard time maneuvering throughout the day when it's so stinking hot I feel like I've turned into a lazy slug. Today I took advantage of the cooler weather and headed to the beach for a walk. It was very blustery and I was quite happy to view the crashing seas and black boiling skies from land and not from our boat. I was having a great time and then when I was about 20 minutes away from the parking lot the skies opened up and wham! rain came down sideways and hit my face with such force I had to use my flip flops as a shield in order to cover my eyes while I leaned into the wind and struggled to move forward.

Now, I've never had derma-brasion but after enduring needle like spray in my face for over 20 minutes I think I know exactly how it must feel. Imagine how youthful I would look if I walked on the beach during every storm!? Or if I waited for a hurricane, I would probably only need one walk and could then be done with it!

I found a very nice fabric store close by and bought a piece of laminated fabric so I could make a new shower bag (I forgot to take pictures so I'll update you later). As you can see, Wilbur likes to stay close by.

Wouldn't you know the year I decide to carve pumpkins again there's a pumpkin shortage so of course they're a bit pricey. Actually I got mine for $5.99 each and I didn't think that was too bad. I also lucked out and found a pink flamingo and it will now be part of all my holiday decorating. Since we never know when we might want to head out for a sail I need to keep things at a minimum on the boat and therefore our dock box will now be our designated decorating stage.

Ms. Flamingo loves her Halloween outfit and she can't wait to see what's in store for Thanksgiving.

Sewing? Honestly, I'm trying!

2011-09-21T20:00:00.006-04:00

But like I stated in my last post, it's just not that easy in his heat. I'm hoping by next month that things will cool down and I'll be able to drag my sewing supplies up from our guest berth to the salon area without having to wring the sweat out of my clothes.

It would be nice if I could just leave this stuff out all the time but this is where we eat and also (after the table is stowed away) where we sleep.

Of course I wouldn't be able to sew at all without my little helper.

Actually I'm just waiting for him to have one of his crazy dreams and knock that support right out from under my table.

I'm hoping tomorrow is a bit cooler and hope to actually have something to show for my efforts.

Before and After

2011-09-18T18:30:00.001-04:00

After ten days of motoring through the Okeechobee and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Hans and I finally arrived at our new home.

We are now an official live-aboard couple and our home is on a boat in a marina.

Due to family problems this has been the worst and most bizarre year of my life and I'm glad to finally get settled somewhere where I can try to get back to normal.

We no sooner got ourselves settled than we both had to leave for two weeks. Hans to France on business, and me back home. When we finally got back together I decided that something needed to be done to make our boat a bit more like home. When you're constantly on the move (sailing or motoring) a lot of aesthetics get left at the curb, otherwise you'd have a huge mess on your hands at the end of each day.

I attacked the galley first.

This is an overall before picture.

Cookbooks stacked on top of the pantry, and a plastic bin (hiding behind my bourbon) full of stained tea towels and a bottle of Crisco Oil.

After.

Cookbooks and pot holders (huge ones I made last year) are now stacked behind the bourbon, stained tea towels are under the sink where they belong, and my nice new tea towels (a wonderful present from a former employer) are above the pantry where the cook books used to reside.
The Crisco is in a cupboard.

Before.

A close up.

BTW, this is where we used to have a microwave but we got rid of it. You can only have so much junk on a boat!

After.

Sitting front and center is a cute little crab dip dish (a gift to Hans and me from my kids years ago), and a lighthouse/sailboat salt and pepper set from my mother. You can't leave this stuff out when you're on the move.

Before.

Those cookbooks.

After.

Tea towels and a Pyrex measuring cup.

I keep this list tablet at the helm station and I've used it several times since we've arrived. It was a gift from Cyndi (at Blue Bird's Wing).

You may recall that I was fortunate enough to hook up with Cyndi this summer and I consider myself very lucky to have met such a fun and wonderful lady!

I would also love to start sewing again but Florida's summer temperatures make it very difficult and I can't imagine trying to use a steam iron in a sauna. Our air conditioner is wonderful but it barely keeps up during the heat of the day.

However I do have a small project in the works so I'll keep you posted.

The move is on. So what could go wrong?

2011-08-07T21:30:00.001-04:00

As I mentioned earlier, Hans got a job offer in Florida and we've been trying very hard to settle our affairs here up north before we jump into our two vehicles and head south in order to move our boat from the east coast of Florida to the west. God, it sounds so simple.

Hans has done a very good job of tying up the loose ends of our lives here, ie; the landlord, utilities, and making reservations for us at pet friendly hotels along the way, while I've been weeding through too much junk (who really uses the lotions pilfered from hotel rooms and why do we really need eleven chapstiks?), wearing a rut in the road to the Good Will, becoming great friends with a very sweet liquor store employee (who calls out, "Hey girl, how ya doing?" every time I slink in and ask for more boxes and only occasionally some alcohol), puzzling over why Hans still has a pair of black jeans with a waist band measurement he hasn't seen since the last century, and all the while sweating like a whore in church.

Damn, this has been a hot summer.

Things were moving along quite swimmingly until Hans came home Thursday morning after his very last hockey game here in our Big City, sporting a knee cap twice its normal size thanks to a run in with the boards. Keep in mind that Hans has a huge tolerance for pain and never complains. But when I asked if he needed an ibuprofen and he agreed that it wouldn't be a bad idea, my heart sunk as I knew I was now the only soldier remaining on the field.

He spent the day on the futon with an ice pack on his knee and a warm pitty at his side.

Sally Stitch didn't make the cut and was delivered to the Good Will. She had many chances to redeem herself but never quite followed through.

Now someone else will have to put up with her antics.

I'll miss her.

Here's Hans lying on the futon with his knee injury and a smile on his face.

BTW, that futon bought the farm last weekend during Baby Brother's stay and refuses to sit upright. It will now find itself on the street with our garbage next Tuesday morning.

One less thing to store.

Just a small amount of junk that's going into storage.

The ironing board also ended up at the Good Will. I'm not storing a ten dollar item.

The day after Hans injured his knee, I spent the day sorting, sweating, and packing. Then Wilbur woke me up at one AM with the pukes. He made it as far as the kitchen before he lost it but hey... it's only linoleum. When he woke me up at three AM with more puking I got him as far as the deck. After that he expressed an interest in some alone time and slept on the futon. However the next morning I found he'd had a serious tummy issue and tried to hide it in the corner of the living room (on the landlord's off white berber carpeting no less). It was diarrhea, and bloody diarrhea at that.

That's when my world stopped.

So in addition to my very expensive 'cut and color' at the salon, Wilbur got rushed to the vet clinic. Normally he loves the attention he gets at the vet's but he really wasn't prepared for things getting stuck up his butt, deep into his ears, and sharp sticks being poked into his flesh. After his second injection, indignation practically dripped off of him and with wild eyes, he forlornly oowoooed and ooowoooed his way around the examination room. When we left, with four prescriptions, he told his former favorite people that he just might not come back.

He then slept the whole way home and hasn't pooped since.

This was two days ago and while I normally like the aroma of chicken and rice, I don't care for it in the recycled form of dog farts.

A very sick pitty and I pray he poops before the day is out!

Today is Sunday, we finish packing on Monday, the movers show up on Tuesday, and we're on our way Wednesday.

I only hope Wilbur doesn't have an oops moment at any of the hotels we have reserved!

I'm serious!.

Another blogger meeting = a bright spot for me!

2011-07-27T22:30:00.007-04:00

I've been blogging for a few years now but it wasn't until last November (2010) that I met a fellow blogger. Actually we didn't really meet, we passed each other, in North Carolina in the Intracoastal Waterway, on our boats like ships in the night. You can read about that encounter here.

Then in February when we finally reached Florida, Mary (from Mary Sews) and her husband came onto our boat for a visit. We had a nice time and they even offered to run us around if there was anything we needed. At that time we were pretty well provisioned and didn't need anything but we appreciated the offer.

Fast forward to this week. Cyndi from Bluebird's Wing realized that during my travels (I was helping Baby Girl move), I'd be staying within an hour or so of her home and she offered to come on over and meet me. As a huge fan of her blog for a long time (Cyndi is one of those people you wish lived next door to you), I was thrilled and of course I agreed! Cyndi is an animal lover (like me), she loves to make purses (like me), she has an adorable dog (like me), and she also thinks that my Wilbur is a cutie (like me)!!

We ended up having lunch at the Olde Richmond Inn. I believe we were there for over two hours and I only hope Cyndi enjoyed herself half as much as I did.

I also realize I may have suffered from diarrhea of the mouth (non stop talking). But that's what happens when one doesn't get out very much!

So in addition to lunch, Cyndi presented me with a wonderful and very useful bag she whipped up the night before on her new 'old' machine.

Since Hans and I are going to be living at a marina we'll be taking advantage of the shower facilities and this little bag will very nicely hold my toiletries.

Cyndi also made up a gift bag for Baby Girl (now an assistant coach at a private college) and I have to admit that I immediately took advantage of Cyndi's gift since Baby Girl seemed to be lacking in any and all soapy products and it didn't occur to her stupid mother (me!) to provide such stuff

I've always wanted to make one of these and never have.

It's just perfect.

And here it is, with all the wonderful products Cyndi gave me in its outside pockets. This is truly going to come in handy for me when I head to the shower building at the marina.

I'm not going to know a soul when we move south next month but Cyndi's thoughtfulness will most assuredly make me feel much less homesick than necessary.

As for Wilbur? I only hope once we move, we can find a fenced in park for him to play. He's going to dearly miss his friends here in the Big City.

Wilbur after a day at the park.

Every mother's dream!

NOTE: Cyndi from Blue Bird's Wing had a request from 'Caroline' about the pattern for the bag she made me. However, Caroline didn't include her email address!!! Caroline, if you read this please get back in touch with Cyndi, she'd be glad to pass that info along to you!!

A bright spot in my otherwise crappy summer!

2011-07-21T21:47:00.001-04:00

Cyndi over at Blue Bird's Wing recently had a give-a-way on her blog and I was one of the very lucky winners! If you click on her link and then click on my blog name, you'll get a much better picture of what I won.

This picture I took is awful, but the fabric is beautiful. Tons of fat quarters plus one full 1/2 yard.

My biggest fear is that I'll do something stupid and ruin all of it!

Also included in a very cheerful bag (and certainly not part of the giveaway) were: a diary, note cards w/envelopes, notepad, pencil case, and passport holder. All coordinating and all very cute! Honestly, I don't think I've had this kind of combo since I was a kid and it just made me feel good. Not to mention that they will all be put to good use.

I love to read Blue Bird's Wing and it's one of my all time favorite blogs. Cyndi has a way of making everyone feel like she's their friend, I just wish she were my neighbor!!

Do check out her blog because in addition to being nice, she makes beautiful purses, she has a great wallet tutorial, and she likes my Wilbur!!!

Anyway, Hans and I are moving to Florida next month, and if you want to know how I feel about Florida in August, read this post. Apparently Hans is an even better salesman than I've given him credit for.

We will be living on our boat in a marina and I'll post the particulars of that type of lifestyle on a future blog. Don't worry, my sewing machine and a good bit of my fabric stash will be going with me.

I found this nifty little sewing board at the Good Will for $3.00. It'll make the trip to the boat with us and you can't beat that kind of deal with a stick!

Cyndi also sent along two very tasty rawhide chews for Wilbur. I ended up spending most of my day running around with my daughter and couldn't get Wilbur to the doggy park but since it was so stinking hot I was thrilled to give Wilbur one of those treats instead.

Wilbur was happy too!

My quilt is done...

2011-07-07T18:46:00.001-04:00

... and now I really appreciate this type of art.

All my life I've loved quilts.

Some of my friends have quilts that have been handed down to them through the generations (for some reason in my family of sewists this hasn't happened), some can be picked up for a song at garage sales (this has never happened to me either!), and some people just make their own.

My old home town hosts the largest agricultural fair in the state and you wouldn't believe the huge amount of quilts that are submitted for judging. They are breath taking and truly works of art. And each year after our fair was over and I was done drooling over all the entries, I would vow to make one of my own.

But I never did.

Until now.

My quilt is of the very simple patchwork style. The 2.5 inch squares that are sewn atop the 5.5 inch squares don't even have finished edges. They are supposed to fray during laundering thus giving the quilt a scrappy look. I have a feeling 'scrappy' would already be a pretty good description of my creation.

I finally cut out my binding which consisted of 1 & 5/8 inch strips, pieced them together, and attached it.

A close up.

But, most important of all I wondered, would it pass the Wilbur test????

You tell me!

I tossed it on our bed just to get a good look at it and what happened?

This!

Peek-a-boo!

Normally Wilbur spends his evening plastered next to me on the futon but for some reason he snuck into our bedroom last night and hours later he was still there.

I guess everyone needs some alone time now and then.

Hans is really too sweet and after admiring my quilt he asked me if I planned on entering it at the fair. Don't worry, I know a five year old could do a better job and I told him so.

All I care is that it's functional and Wilbur likes it.

Period!

No, my quilt will never be entered in a contest. But maybe the day will come when someone picks it up for next to nothing at a garage sale and ends up using it for a picnic blanket, or a dog bed (and wonders who the little five year old was that made it!).

I just hope they get as much enjoyment out of it as we're going to.

A finished Market Bag and the Picnic that never happened.

2011-07-03T21:25:00.006-04:00

Anyone who reads this blog has to know that I'm cheap.

So you can imagine how thrilled I am to find free patterns on the internet. Freebies for Crafters is an amazing place to go and I go there often. You should too!

That's where I found a down-loadable pattern for this Market Bag. It's very simple but please DO follow the instructions. I got a bit carried away with my own ideas and nearly ruined mine. I'm used to leaving an opening in the bottom of the lining for the whole turning the bag right side out and PRESTO! you're done!

Things don't work that way with this bag because of the way the bag handles are cut onto the bag. Just believe me on this.

Here it is all flopped over.

The striped fabric is from a batch of fabric my mother gave me last year. The bottom is cut out from left over blue jeans.

I laid the pattern over the side seam of the jeans (that were ripped apart at the inseam) with the side seam of the jeans a few inches up from the bag bottom.

A better view of the bottom.

I thought I had enough left over cotton for the lining but I was way off, and I ended up piecing the entire thing.

And when I decided to add pockets I had a brainstorm. Well, not exactly a brainstorm...

For the pockets I used the hunk of fabric that's left over from between the handles.

Can you see what I mean here? I did line my pockets and added a strip of Velcro to each for security (keys, phone, etc...).

And when all was said and done, I kind of liked the lining side better than the jean/striped side.

I've been using this bag when I take Wilbur to the dog park. This pocket is roomy enough to hold Wilbur's big water bottle.

I can see myself making this bag again and I'd love to be able to use it in order to come up with a better shower bag for dragging all my stuff to a marina's bathroom facilities.

So anyway, I ran Wilbur to the park today so that this afternoon when we went to an annual 4th of July picnic that we've attended for quite a few years now, he'd be worn out while we left him by his lonesome in the apartment.

Except there was no picnic.

We still have no idea what happened and have yet to get a call from anyone explaining the situation.

I'm just hoping that a mass email didn't go out telling everyone to please meet a day ahead of time and for God's sake, don't tell Hans and Laura!!!!!!

This is what Wilbur looks like when he's totally exhausted from many zoomy sessions yet hears the gate door creak as yet one more doggy enters the park.

A bit like the Loch Ness Monster.

Don't worry, Wilbur has gotten even with us for leaving him alone this afternoon during our Picnic that didn't happen.

The air is blue, I need a gas mask, and Wilbur has a big pitty smile on his big pitty face!!!!

The big stinker!

Sewing, Baking, and Hans is in Biiiiiig Twubble!

2011-07-02T22:35:00.004-04:00

I finally sandwiched some batting between my quilt top and its backing. Here it is minus the binding that I need to complete it.

I found a piece of fabric in my stash that's destined to be cut into binding strips. Maybe tomorrow.

First, I put the quilt top on top of some batting, hand basted it together (with very long stitches), and trimmed the batting so it's even with the quilt top.

I then layered this combo on top of the quilt backing (a huge piece of fabric purchased at The Good Will for five bucks) and again hand basted it.
Here are the basting stitches up close.

I fully expect to finish my masterpiece by Monday!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!

As for baking? Well, let's just say we are madly in love with strawberry rhubarb pie.

Unfortunately my very last Pyrex pie plate bit the dust a couple of years ago. But I didn't discover this until after I had all the ingredients mixed up.

Enter the loaf pan as seen here atop of the vintage table cloth I inherited from my grandmother.

And even though I did indeed cut up the strawberries and rhubarb all by my lonesome, I'm certainly no Betty Crocker. This is because I just love the ready to roll out pie crusts sold in the refrigerator section at the grocery store.

A few minutes of preparation, an hour in the oven, and it's ready!!

The crust has two big hearts (me and Hans) and a little tiny upside down heart (Wilbur) cut into it for ventilation.

So why is Hans in biiig twubble?

Because we're currently watching Fatal Attraction and like Hans says, "Every man in the world is in trouble as soon as this movie starts!"

And he's right!

Wilbur is very upset because Michael Douglas insisted on dragging the family dog along on one of his adulterous trysts!

He's so traumatized he can't even watch! Here is Wilbur hiding his head behind a pillow!

He's so very sensitive.

Another purse and someone needs to stop me now!!!

2011-06-30T23:00:00.003-04:00

So here's my latest. It's the Phoebe Bag (a free download) from Artsy Crafty Babe. I made it from the Amy Butler remnants of a bag I made for one of my daughters. I'd originally picked this pattern out for her and I was a bit disappointed when she vetoed it. However, after I finished the Phoebe I can honestly say it was a good decision on her part.

First of all, let me say, The Phoebe is a really nice pattern, and I love it!

For me.

However, it's not nearly as roomy as the Ava Rose that I ended up making for her.

And that's a good thing to know.

I guess it must be that whole 'make-the-most-of-what-you have-I-lived-through-the-depression' attitude that my mother passed down to me that made me make this bag reversible.

I do this to a lot of the purses I make.

Note to self: apply some Scotch-Guard to the button I covered in light covered fabric. I can see the possibility of it becoming grimy very quickly.

And the flip side.

I added a double pocket just below the button.

I actually think I may like this side better than the other.

But honestly!! I really don't need any more purses but I just can't stop!! And today I found a free market bag download and before I knew it I was off and running (more on that to follow).

Check out the tired pitty. Today was a particularly wild day at the off leash dog park where Wilbur reigns supreme.

He is such a special pooch and I get a huge kick out of watching him have major zoomies as he alternately chases all kinds of dogs and then lets them chase him. It also thrills me to watch people go out of their way to pet him.

He's truly a Good Will Ambassador for Pit Bulls.

Needless to say I was very thankful tonight that Wilbur was so stinking worn out, and I was finally able to spread my very first quilt top out on the dining room floor and baste some quilt batting to it without him doing his cat impersonation!

He snored through the whole procedure.

This crazy thing called life!

2011-06-26T20:25:00.002-04:00

But first a bit about sewing.

I loved the Amy Butler fabric I used for my daughter's Ava Rose bag so much, I was thrilled to have enough left over to cut out a Phoebe for myself.

The main body will once again be the brick color.
The lining will be the yellow/green with a pocket.

The handle will be brick on one side and yellow/green on the other, and since it will also be reversible, each has a matching tab closure with a contrasting button.

I only bought two acrylic buttons for my daughter's bag but luckily I had some big button thingies that you cover with your own fabric and I think they look just fine.

Still not sewn and lying on my ironing board .

I want this purse to have some body to it so I will be adding fusible fleece to the main piece and interfacing to the lining.

I would have finished this today except Hans and I went for our first bike ride of the year. Yes, June is almost over and we had yet to go for a ride. I'm glad to report that this year our Big City completed its bike trail into our neighborhood but I fear Hans misses the good old days of fence jumping.

The temperature was perfect and after I took Wilbur to the dog park in an attempt to wear him out so we could leave him at home and not feel guilty, we were gone for over three hours. It was a great ride but soon after we got home I realized I had a huge rip in the seat of my capris! Like seam to seam! Thank God I was wearing panties but Hans swears that they must have torn after we got home as he didn't notice it during our ride.

So on to the crazy stuff.

It would appear that we are going to move to Florida sometime in August to live on our boat.

Florida in August!!

On a boat that has no air conditioning!

Hans received a job offer down there and at this stage of the game we really need to take advantage of it. Our recent foray into the let's try to live on the boat ended up eating deeply into our savings, and just try to find affordable health care at our age (it doesn't exist)! So we're going to give up our apartment, move the boat to a marina (it's currently on the hard) and live on it there.

After all, we bought the boat with the intention of someday living on it and now we will. We'll just be in a marina and I'm okay with that.
Luckily the marina we're looking at is very affordable, has Wi-Fi (free!), showers, laundry, a swimming pool, parking next to the slip, shopping, restaurants, and theaters within walking distance, and free ice and water.
And (drum roll here) the most important thing, they allow dogs!!!!!!

I'm hoping if I tell my family that they now have a free place to vacation during the winter, they'll be okay with it too.

Somehow I doubt it.

Poor Wilbur. "We're moving where? Are you guys nuts??!!"

Sonofagun!! Another purse sewn, and I like it!

2011-06-23T22:00:00.012-04:00

I mentioned in my previous post that I wanted to make a purse for my daughter. She told me that it had to be roomy and slouchy (what she meant was unstructured and floppy), but after going through the gazillion purse patterns that I already own, I couldn't find a one of them that might work. Then I remembered that Rebeka Lambert from Artsy Crafty Babe makes cute bags and sells her patterns on Etsy. I was sure that the Phoebe Bag (a free download) would be exactly what my daughter wanted but luckily I asked her first because she said, "No."

Damn.

But she did like the Ava Rose.

Good.

I was thrilled when shortly after buying the downloadable version from Etsy, my printer was happily spitting out the pattern. Why was I so happy? Because Rebeka lets you know she will send the pattern to you within 48 hours of purchase, and I had it within about one!!!!

So here it is, and I decided to make it reversible. This is the side I think will get used the most.

Here is the inside. There's a line of stitching down the center of that pocket so now there are two pockets instead of one. They are also held closed with Velcro for extra security.

That big button is there for a reason...

And, aha, here it is...

It's now on the outside, as are the pockets.

In order to make the bag 'reversible' I ended up leaving an opening at the top of the bag for 'turning' and then just folded the seam allowances in and sewed it shut during the top stitching.

But anyway, I was concerned when I found that the directions specifically mentioned that this is supposed to be a structured bag and that is not what my daughter wanted!

Damn.

So I omitted all interfacing's (even in the straps) and just sandwiched a layer of stash fabric in the bag body for a bit of stability. I basted it to the lining (the yellowish green fabric) and treated it as one. And for the most part it turned out just fine!

Good.

My only issue with this bag is the not so great job I did with the bottom. It's a gusset style construction and the yellow side's bottom is pretty wonky (possibly due to working with two layers of fabric). I may send an email to Beki and ask her if she has any hints.

I'm actually very happy with this bag and I really hope my daughter likes it too. I wouldn't mind making another one and use some contrasting fabric for the bottom and sides. This pattern really lends itself to that idea.

And I'm happy to add that I downloaded the free Phoebee bag and I have just enough fabric left over to make one for myself.

And yes, it will be reversible too!!

It appears to be a given that I can't sign off without a picture of Wilbur the Wonderdog.

Here he is in the back seat of my vehicle today after a visit to the off leash doggy park where he's the reigning king.

No one had better ever dare try to usurp this guy!

It just isn't going to happen!

Sew, what's up now?

2011-06-21T20:56:00.012-04:00

It's been a long time since I've taken on more than one sewing (crafting) project at a time but for some reason I've bitten off a bit more than I normally do.

For starters, I finally bought (at 40% off) some batting for my quilt top and as soon as I have some 'Wilbur free' time, I'll get it put together. Unfortunately for me, as soon as I lay anything on the floor, Wilbur (our vicious pit bull) gives me his best cat impersonation, and lies all over it!

I opened up the package of batting and it's so stinking soft I almost hate to hide it between the quilt and its backing.

Almost.

And what's this? OMG, it's yarn! My middle daughter is having a very difficult time with depression and anxiety, and she thought that maybe if she took up a hobby like crocheting it might help to calm her nerves. Yesterday she brought her supplies to my apartment and made a small stab at it.

After she left I did a bit of googling and found some fabulous sites and YouTube videos that show people crocheting the most unbelievable things; rugs made out of thrifted sheets, sandals and dog leashes from recycled plastic bags... and in my attempt to understand and help, I ended up getting myself worked into a lather and bought a skein of yarn (I already own a crochet hook). However, most of my enthusiasm went by the wayside when I actually attempted to 'crochet'. Way back in the day I crocheted an afghan so I know I can do it, it'll just take a bit of time.

I'm just not so sure this is going to be a calming activity.

Today I took her to the market district which just happens to have an incredible fabric store. I mean a store with 'real' silk, designer quilt fabrics, and notions to die for!

I asked her if she'd like me to make her a bag and when she replied in the affirmative I expansively told her to pick anything she wanted. We ended up with these two (very expensive although she didn't have a clue) Amy Butler prints and matching acrylic buttons. The fabric colors are brick and gold but to me they are brick and green (my dad is completely color blind and my sister and I are color shy! Not a good thing when it comes to picking out fabrics!).

Anyway, she likes slouchy bags and I think I have a good idea of what I want to do and I also plan on making it reversible. And I think I'll have enough fabric for a matching wallet and maybe even a small purse for me!

Wish me luck!

Here's Wilbur, the vicious pit bull, I mentioned earlier.

He's my boyfriend!

My first quilt...

2011-06-19T22:09:00.010-04:00

... almost. It's just not quite done yet. Here it is at 4 strips wide.

Anyway, I mentioned on my last post that I'm trying to use up leftover scraps of fabric in an effort to avoid spending money.

Those odd paper squares you see here are just post-it notes that let me know where the heck I am in this whole quilting block process!

I cut out one hundred and forty six (146) 5 1/2 inch squares of fabric, which I then stitched one hundred and forty six (146) 2 1/2 inch squares atop of. Does that make sense?

What I'm trying to say is that I sewed one 2 1/2 inch square on top of one 5 1/2 inch square. Very tedious yet a sixth grader could do it.

Like this.

The 2 1/2 inch square is sewn (with 1/4 inch seam allowances) onto the 5 1/2 inch square with the raw edges of the smaller square completely exposed. This means that when the finished quilt is laundered, the raw edges of the smaller square will ravel, thus giving it a scruffy, or 'scrappy' look.

Aha! A pirate! How appropriate.

A wash tub from my house cleaning days!

And of course, Wilbur. How can I possibly make anything without his approval?

And here it is, a finished quilt top.

All twelve rows.

Do all my squares meet up perfectly?

No.

Do I really care?

No.

Do I now appreciate all the work that people put into real quilts?

I most certainly do!

At the Salvation Army the other day I lucked onto a 4 yard piece of fabric for five bucks, and it will become the backing for this quilt, so all I need to buy is the batting.

Hopefully my next post will be that of my very first (and possibly last) finished quilt!

From sewing at sea to sewing on land

2011-06-16T18:55:00.016-04:00

Wilbur still can't believe he actually sailed all the way to the Bahamas and back.

Actually, I can't believe we did either!

Anyway, I have to admit I didn't fully appreciate how laid back life was in the Bahamas until we got back to the good old USA. Back to rude custom's officials, tons of mail, a stolen credit card, no pets allowed signs, family dramas, health issues, car problems, trying to return a camera that quit working right out of the box (I finally received it back and hopefully repaired, yesterday!), and no money.

Yes, our boat is indeed 'the other woman', and an expensive one at that. But if we hadn't given in to her selfish wishes, and didn't treat her to all kinds of treatments before we crossed to the Bahamas, she threatened to sink us like a stone.

So we caved.

The boat is now on the hard in Florida, Hans is back to selling things and is out pounding the pavement day after day, and I'm staying home and trying not to spend money. And except for having to buy (with a coupon) a new self-healing cutting mat and a big plastic ruler (I left mine on the boat, unfortunately!), I haven't spent a dime on anything sewing related since we've been back (over a month).

In addition to taking care of family issues, and trying to wear Wilbur out at the off leash dog park on a daily basis, I've also been working my way through the fabric that I already have on hand.

I have some hex frames I've been wanting to use up so I went back to Lisa Lam's post from long ago and made a couple of purses.

I initially used up some Steeler's fabric for my first try as the dimensions of my hex frame were different from Lisa's.

For the most part it worked out well except for being about an inch too narrow as you can see from how the hex frame shows in this picture.

Kinda like panty lines. Ugly!

So I fidgeted with the pattern a bit, dug out my 'good' (expensive) quilting cotton, went as far as to use it as my lining also, and completely screwed up everything!

Did you really expect anything different from me?

It's presentable but don't look to closely at it.

It wasn't until I was finished that I realized that the inside pocket got all caught up in the 'frame' stitching. And why on earth was it 'flopping' so badly.

Duh!!!!!! I forgot to insert boning into the side seams! Damn!

I cursed and ripped and did my best, but in the end it's still not quite right (and the pocket ended up getting caught again, just not quite as bad as the first time), but since there's no way in hell I'll rip it out again, it'll do just fine for me.

On to the mini duffel bag kit that's been hanging around for about four or more years. This simple kit came with a piece of pre-quilted fabric and a piece of contrasting quilting cotton along with some very hazy instructions. Or should I say the worst instructions I've ever been forced to read.

Excuse all my crappy pictures, I was in a hurry.

'Place wrong sides together, stitch and turn right sides out'.

Yes, you read that right, and it was just one of the most unbelievably stupid directions I was forced to read.

'Turn under the edges of the four pocket pieces, press, turn again, and stitch' (there are six pocket pieces and HEY! how about giving us some seam allowances, 1/2 " or 1/4 "!!!

In the end I just winged it and since it was a duffel bag it wasn't really that difficult. Except for those stupid directions! And I never did figure out how the ends of the zipper (covered with fabric tabs) were supposed to be on the outside of the bag and mine ended up inside.

The inner pocket which looks bad but really works pretty well (especially after I added a velcro closure).

The directions for the pocket said, Fold inside pocket piece in half, top stitch and apply to bag where indicated. Where??!! There are no pictures!! Crazy stuff let me tell you.

I had some leftover fabric so I made a matching credit card/change purse. At least I don't need directions for this.

I also decided to make a quilt with all my leftover scraps of cotton. Nothing fancy at all but I'll save that for my next post.

It does feel good to be sewing again but I'd still rather be on the boat.

So would Wilbur.

Heading home

2011-05-05T10:26:00.005-04:00

Poor internet service combined with my computer's 1 hour battery life when we're anchor and without power makes blogging very difficult.
I did use my sewing machine to fix Hans' swim trunks that we discovered had been ripped from top to bottom in the back thus providing a very interesting show at one of the marina swimming pools.

No children were present and therefor no one will need therapy!

This was taken at Grabber's Bar in Guana Cay. I'm carrying a purse I made and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the pattern. It does work very well for traveling though since it has two zippered pockets. I had to fly home for a week and it held my passport very securely in the flap pocket and as I had a total of 6 flights I was constantly whipping it out.

We traveled the Abacos and went as far as Hopetown which is beautiful, quaint, and very historical.

However, Baby Girl graduates from college this month and we need to get home.

Finally in the Bahamas

2011-03-13T12:48:00.004-04:00

We finally got here and of course managed to get caught in the middle of a huge storm with winds gusting over 50 knots!

Hans is in full foul weather gear, life jacket, and safety harness. It was too nasty to even attempt entering the Bimini harbor so we ended up anchoring in Nixon's Harbour in South Bimini.

The next day we had to ride 6 foot waves into the harbor but we got here and cleared customs.

Our first sunset.

Wilbur playing on the beach. The water is sky blue and when it crashes on the beach it's crystal clear.

Yes, that's my sewing machine in the cockpit. I made a rather ugly but possibly usable wind scoop for our berth hatch.

We are heading out today and hopefully sailing down to Cat Cay. We bought some Conch from a man who rowed over to our boat last night and I hope to grill it tonight.

Wilbur is sad

2011-02-08T11:10:00.013-05:00

This is what a sad little pit bull looks like.
Why is Wilbur so sad?
He feels bad because not all pitties are loved as much as he is.
Far too many of them are being thrown away like garbage and usually after being starved, beaten, and sometimes even shot.

I read a lot of blogs written by owners of rescued pit bulls and their stories are unbelievable. The amazing thing is though, that these dogs who were treated so cruelly by so called human beings are still full of love and affection. One dog in particular that I read about was found in a dumpster. She was grossly underweight and had open sores all over her but when a policeman opened up the lid and discovered her, she wagged her tail. She's now in foster care and well on her way to getting a forever home with loving owners.

Another pit bull was tossed into a mall parking lot in Texas during last summers heat. She had almost no hair due to mange and was lying there on the scorching pavement in 110 degree temperatures until someone found her and took her to the vet. She was also starving and suffered from heart worms, mange, a destroyed eye, and then they discovered she was pregnant. She has had a long and painful recovery but she gave birth to a litter of beautiful pups who've all been placed in homes. Recently during her heart worm treatment the vets discovered she'd been shot in her rear end. Through all of this she has remained very sweet and loving and we all hope the rest of her time on this earth will be fear and pain free.

Anyway the cost for the treatment for these dogs can be very high as we all know. Some vets are kind enough to offer a discount which helps but it's still expensive.

The latest pit bull who needs help is named Shy. You can read about her here and here.

Shy has been living at a vet clinic for quite some time and they think she may even have a future home but she still needs cataract surgery as she's going blind.

If anyone would like to make a donation I tried to add a chip in button to this post (If I failed, you can find it at Two Pitties blog). Any amount will be very much appreciated and if you have paypal it's a breeze. Just a couple of bucks is all it takes.

Let's put a smile like this back on Wilbur's face!!!

Sewing Bloggers Meet

2011-02-07T20:55:00.008-05:00

Mary, from MarySews, was kind enough to let me know that if we were able to finally motor into the Daytona, FL area we should let her know so we could meet.

Well after a very eventful trip through the Intracoastal I honestly started to think we'd never arrive, and then TAAADAAA! There we were!

Mary and her husband Paul came by last night and we hope they had a nice visit. Wilbur insisted on being the Welcome Wagon and he barged into our photo op!

We had a wonderful visit, and Mary and Paul were so nice and offered their services should we need them.

The last blogger I met was Marji from Fiber Arts Afloat and I get such a kick out of what a small world it is after all!

More motoring than sewing or sailing.

2011-02-05T14:42:00.006-05:00

One of the problems with the Intracoastal is that even though you may have a sail boat you are going to motor almost the whole way. But anyway at least we're finally in Florida and closer to sailing than we have been in weeks.

We arrived in St. Augustine, FL on Monday and ended up staying until today. Hans had replaced a pulley on our raw water intake and we ended up with problems. Seeing smoke pour out of the exhaust instead of fresh water is never a good thing. We hope it's finally fixed but at least this extra time allowed us to meet some fellow cruisers and we all ended up going out to a Martini Bar last night. We had a great time visiting and sharing both good stories and bad. It's always nice to hear that you're not the only people who seem to get into fixes with your boat. I was thankful that I actually had one pair of jeans that don't have huge holes in the knees. Believe it or not I've mended both a pair of jeans and a pair of capris but they continue to rip anyway! Boats are hard on everything.

Earlier in the day when we were walking around St. Augustine I happened upon a quilt store and went in to buy some thread and as I was paying for it I apologized for our appearance. I promised them we weren't derelicts even though we certainly looked like it. They were probably afraid we'd come in to rob them.

Here is our boat as seen from the bridge.
This beautiful building is now Flagler College. It was originally built as a hotel and by today's standards would cost about a thousand dollars a day to stay there! Hans said he felt like he was in Spain as the Spanish influence is still really strong here.

Even though it was cool, we were able to keep the cockpit door open until bedtime. As I sat in the salon and read for a while I could see the foggy lights of the bridge in the distance.

We finally set out again today and will have to anchor tonight. One of our fellow boaters arrived at an anchorage awhile ago and called us to let us know that his anchor held nicely and that there is room for us.

Tomorrow we hope to arrive in the Daytona Area (Port Orange) in the afternoon and Hans is itching to watch the Super Bowl.

Some more boat sewing and Wilbur jumps ship!

2011-02-01T11:47:00.008-05:00

I made some pot holders a while back and decided I may as well use them on the boat. You can see that I have them stacked upright in my pantry area, and in my spice bin.

I put them beside a can of Pringles (the super stack sized) and you can see how big they are. Actually, they make great trivets.

I pleated and re-sewed another part of what was originally a purse storage bag and hung it in the guest head.

Yesterday we ended up staying an extra day at our marina because Hans had to replace some plumbing. When our boat was winterized someone at the boat yard didn't drain all the water out properly and a brass pipe burst. This extra time allowed me to mount my new storage bins.

They're in our guest berth but I stuck our bottles of sunscreen in one, clothes pins in another, and some clothing in the last one. I have enough of this stuff remaining to make another set.

It's all about storage on a boat!

Last but not least, Wilbur snuck off the boat this morning as we were getting ready to cast off. Hans and I were both in the cockpit trying to remove our grill and I was positive I'd heard Wilbur's tags jingle. We had the engines running and and Hans was going to get our dock lines ready to release. That's when I wondered why Wilbur wasn't in the cockpit with us as he's always getting in the way. After checking the salon area and then our berth and not finding a dog, I started becoming alarmed. Hans insisted he'd just seen him in our berth so I went below again and pounded the covers in order to make sure he wasn't hiding.

He wasn't.

That's when I lost it. Hans turned off the engines and I jumped onto the dock and started screaming Wilbur's name. I was trying to peer under the boat when someone way up the dock yelled out to me. "Up here" he shouted, and I saw about three people looking out into the parking lot. I started running as fast as I could and as I approached the end of the dock, I saw Wilbur coming back toward the men who'd been calling for him. I was shaking so bad and breathing so hard I'm surprised I was able to remain standing.

I have no idea what possessed him to jump over (it was a big drop too!) and it must have been a pretty fast maneuver on his part since Hans and I were right there! Yesterday when I took him for a walk he was fascinated with an area right behind a white car. He pulled me over to it several times and nearly inhaled the pavement he sniffed so hard. That's pretty much where he was when we found him and it must have been preying on his mind all night long to get back to that spot.

This is what a baaaaad pitty looks like after getting caught. Once we hauled him back on the boat he hightailed it to our bunk.

He's always on a tether when he's in the cockpit but from now on when we're ready to cast off I'm going to close him in our berth.

Sewing at Sea Once Again.

2011-01-30T16:03:00.005-05:00

We got back on the boat a very eventful 2 weeks ago. We sailed out of frigid Charleston, SC and finally (FINALLY!) arrived in Florida yesterday. And I have to tell you, anchoring in sub freezing weather isn't fun. But on the other hand it was better than some of the crazy things we've endured on this trip.

The worst thing that's happened so far is when Hans fell into the water at 4 AM while trying to retie our dock lines. The water was 46 degrees and we're very lucky that he only ended up needing seven stitches in his hand.

So here's my sewing machine in the salon area of the boat. I was fortunate enough to have a few free hours while on shore power one day and was able to get some mending done.

My sewing supplies are in a plastic caddy that I found on sale at Michael's. It's nice and flat and I'm able to store it upright in one of our lockers.

And since space is such an issue on boats I took a stab at coming up with a solution of my own.

This odd looking thing is a 'purse holder'. I found it at Target and thought maybe I could use it to store towels etc... but there is just no where on the boat where I can hang it.

So I tore the big stinker apart and restitched it.

I ripped the holders off of one side, left the others in place, and then pleated and stitched the length of one long edge.

I realize my information is sketchy so maybe this picture will help a little.

I now have pleated pouches that can hopefully be velcroed to a wall of our guest berth. They can hold socks, undies, swimsuits... which is kind of necessary since all the storage space normally used for clothing has been taken over with all our food provisions.

And I can use the remaining pouches (removed from the opposite side) to make another one.

Wilbur grew bored with my sewing and took a nap.

I've been waiting for some normal weather before I try to stick the velcro to the wall. When I do, I'll take a picture.

I have to say that I'm very happy I brought my sewing machine with me.

I only wish I actually had time to sew.

'Tis the Season

2010-12-21T19:26:00.005-05:00

We're still tying up loose ends of things that need to be taken care of before getting back on the boat (and we're really hoping that Hans' new Canadian passport gets here on time!), and believe it or not I've been doing a little bit of sewing. But instead of boring you with those details I'll post about the holiday season instead.

Christmas has come to mean many things to me over the years.

When I was in the first grade it was the sheer excitement of making paper chains for our Christmas tree out of green and red construction paper, watching The Grinch and Rudolph on TV, fighting with my sister over who got to hang what on the tree, Santa Claus, and of course all those wonderful presents.

When I had kids of my own, it was all about waiting until they were asleep (which seemed to take forever) so I could try to quietly sneak all their presents under the tree, and I can still remember how thrilled they were when I (with a lot of drama) complained that Rudolph and his cronies had left chomped up bits of carrots all over our deck, and did anyone happen to see Santa's sleigh tracks (made at around 3 AM with a broom handle) on the deck?

Then I was suddenly single with two jobs, and three kids who didn't care if I put up a tree or not as long as they got presents. Honestly, I tried to keep the Christmas spirit alive, but it's tough when December was the month the township snowplow knocked over my mail box and when I called my dad for help, I had to first get past my mother (who doesn't have a job but wants to tell me about what a bad day she's had and how my father is driving her crazy). It's the December where it snowed every single day and I found myself shoveling the driveway (in between my two jobs) at both 7 AM and midnight thus leaving me feeling like a wrung out dishrag, or the infamous December when the muffler fell off my car and the starter on my daughter's car died, and the only time I had left to shop for presents was Christmas Eve.

And finally, December is the month of the company Christmas party. The entire month.

Oh sure, Christmas parties are just peachy keen and tons of fun when you're an attendee of one or perhaps two, but just try being a waitress for an entire month times ten years of them and then see how you feel.

Putting up with beer deaf drunks, bossy wives who envision themselves as Mistress of the Manor, discovering the freezer is broke when it comes time to serve 48 scoops of liquid ice cream, struggling with fifty pound trays of dirty dishes on your shoulder all night long because for some reason everyone wants to congregate in the only narrow doorway to the room...

I did this for over ten years and I'll never forget the weekend I clocked in over 32 hours (in addition to my full time job) from Friday night to Sunday evening at a beautiful private club. I still remember how tired I was on Friday night (and was already wondering how the hell I would make it through Sunday) after the first party ended at around 2 AM and we still had to tear down the banquet tables and put up round ones for Saturday's brunch.

After Saturday's brunch we tore down those tables, completely rearranged the dining room, ordered pizza, and folded about a thousand napkins in preparation for The Big Party. The Big Party was thrown by a wealthy local contractor who employed a lot of townspeople, and we were to be on our best behavior.

I knew it would be an interesting night when I saw men arriving in everything from filthy jeans and flannel shirts to leisure suits and cowboy boots, to women in ball gowns and homemade tattoos to flannel shirts and cowboy boots.

At these parties the waitstaff is usually given three to four tables of eight to ten people each. The menu is set; meaning everyone gets the same soup and salad, and a choice of three entrees (beef, fish, chicken, and the occasional vegetarian dish). This allows everything to run smoothly (for the most part) and hopefully a good time is had by all.

I immediately knew I was in trouble when I discovered that one of the men I had to wait on had such tremendous BO that it made my eyes smart and I felt like I had my nose jammed deep in his armpits all night long. He exacerbated the problem by dousing himself with an entire bottle of Aqua Velva and I then spent the rest of the night taking a deep breath before launching myself at his table, expelling it after I left, and ended up feeling like a Japanese pearl diver for the remainder of the evening.

I felt very bad for the man at my next table who had a terrible speech impediment and I acted like I didn't notice it at all and was very patient even though we were expected to get our orders to the kitchen 'yesterday'!

No one understood that their Prime Rib would be 'medium' (and no I can not turn medium into rare!) and all the men ordered an end piece. Just how many end pieces do you think a prime rib has I wanted to ask.

As I was madly clearing soup cups, dropping off salads, refilling water goblets, and serving drinks, a man from a neighboring table (not mine) flagged me down, and since I had to be polite and couldn't say "Sorry you're not my station," I was forced to acknowledge him.
He was of the 'filthy jeans' club and he and his cronies were having quite the wild time. He was laughing so hard he could barely speak but unfortunately he did. "I want you (by now he was doubled over with laughter), I want you (snicker, snicker) to take this ( he held up his cup of untouched french onion soup) to that table ( he pointed to a table clear across the room) and tell them (snicker, snicker, and by now his friends were guffawing with laughter too) that it's from me." I was stunned, decided to take my chances (after all it was my word against his), said, "No," and walked away.

In the middle of trying to serve the main entree one of my customers stopped me and instructed me to watch him. He then went through a very dramatic demonstration wherein he performed a magic trick and bent a spoon. By now I was numb with disbelief as I'd realized earlier in the evening that this particular group of construction workers were the very ones responsible for building the elementary school that all of my children had attended. I still thank God that I never possessed that nugget of information when my kids were younger or I probably would have ended up with ulcers because I surely would not have been able to afford send them to private school.

Anyway, the magician waited with bated breath for my praise."Wow!" I exclaimed, and he glowed with pride. "Honest to God!" and here I placed my hand over my heart and he sat up even straighter. "I haven't seen that trick since the sixth grade, and I wasn't impressed with it then either!" As I walked away his friends howled with laughter and punched him in the arm.

I did feel horrible though when the man with the speech impediment gave me hell on one of my trips to his table. He had been shut off at the bar for being drunk, was very upset, and implied that I was the one responsible. I'd only served him one beer and having no idea what he was talking about I assured him I'd done no such thing, but he never did believe or forgive me.

After dinner, along with clearing tables, we were required to continue running drinks for everyone. I was standing at the bar waiting to place an order when the bartender, without missing a beat, and while shaking a whiskey sour said to me, "Laura, would you please go into the kitchen and see if you can find the remainder of this gentleman's tie? He seems to have misplaced it." It took me a moment but I looked at the man next to me and nearly died when I saw that his necktie did indeed stop short about three quarters of the way up his shirt front. I felt my face burn and I waited in horror for the 'gentleman' in question to raise hell about being insulted. Instead, he gave me a big smile and after he left I realized he was same man who'd been ordering CC & gingerale from me all night long (and lucky for me I hadn't noticed the tie issue since he'd been sitting down) but was really getting 'well' whiskey and 7UP because the bartender said he'd never notice.

An executive and his wife got into huge fight and she retaliated by flinging herself all over the dance floor in a very low cut gown with one of the construction workers, who having no idea he was being used, turned beet red with the unexpected pleasure of being chosen, and the exertion of trying to keep up with her.

The last of the guests left at around 2 AM and once again we had to rearrange the whole dining room for Sunday's brunch. Only then were we finally able to sink our exhausted bodies into the comfortable sofas of the darkened bar and enjoy the moon sitting low over the frozen lake. With beers in hand we gossiped about the single 'sequined evening gown' who seemed to spend quite a bit of time with the married 'Fu Manchu mustache', found out some of the guests had taken bets on which would happen first; the executives wife's dress would 'fail' or her dance partner would drop dead, and we all tried to figure out a remedy for getting the smell of sour sweat out of my nostrils.

We got through Sunday's brunch, and re-set for a late afternoon company party which I'm sorry to say was very staid and therefor very boring (ie: no sequins, magic tricks, cowboy boots, or dirty dancing), and finally after cleaning up the dining room from that party I went home.

I'm still not overly fond of Christmas, mostly because I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of futility I endured for so many years, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise to hear that I still don't put up a tree or decorate (but I'm not a complete Scrooge and have stored all my treasured ornaments in a box in my sister's basement).

But Hans is a whole different story. You can see Hans has put up not just one, but three trees!! I just shook my head and said, "Fine, but you're the one who gets to take them down after Christmas!"

So on that cheerful note, I would like to wish you one and all a Happy Holiday Season!

Still sewing but no longer at sea.

2010-12-04T20:15:00.002-05:00

Not that we were really at sea per se but anyway we're back on land for now.

Our girl sprung a rather scary leak in South Carolina which resulted in her being hauled out of the water for some extensive (funny how that rhymes with expensive) repairs.

When people ask us where she is, we reply (with a wink) that she's currently at a spa (code speak for drying out!), and will be back in the water after the holidays. Until then we are now back in the Big City.

All I know is, I was very anxious to pick up my Wilbur from Day Care where he'd been held captive for three weeks. He looked very fit and a bit slimmer (no doubt the result of running around like a maniac with all his friends for five hours a day), and upon arriving home, and except for eating and going potty, slept for three days straight.

Here he is with his hedgehog, the only stuffy he hasn't destroyed. He often falls asleep with Hedgy in his mouth.

I love nautical charts and find them to be strangely fascinating.

I copied some of my favorite places that we visited this summer, Solomons Island, Tangier Island etc... onto fabric.

Here is a wristlet I made out of one of the panels.

The back.

I wish the colors were more intense and wonder if I should try a store like Kinkos instead of my own printer.

A close up of one the the Cays (pronounced Keys) in the Bahamas.

We are desparately hoping our girl quits giving us problems and allows us to get over there in January.

Some panels that will hopefully be made into purses of some kind.

A couple of years ago when we were in Ireland I bought some heavily embroidered fabric.

I finally decided that it'd been sitting around long enough and made a version of Nicole Mallalieu's Beach Bag. The embroidery print is huge and therefor really needed to be displayed on something big.

This is the back.

And the front.

I kept things pretty simple and only added one slip pocket on the inside.

Although I did add a zippered gusset closure.

Not difficult but a bit time consuming.

Since the bag was so simple, and I had some brown webbing, I dressed up the handles a bit.

The webbing is on the underside of the handles and with the addition of D-Rings they actually took longer to make than the entire bag did!

I still have no idea where I misplaced one of the fitted queen sized sheets that we need for our boat's guest berth, so I'm going to have to buy one and add elastic to its corners (so it doesn't 'pull out').

And when we move onto the boat after Christmas, along with tons of provisions, my sewing machine will be coming with me!! Yaaaay! I would love to think that I can continue to make some fun (and most likely small) purses but I've also heard about these nasty mosquito-like pests called no-see-ums, and I plan on sewing some hatch covers out of no-see-um netting.

It might not be couture sewing but if we can sleep without being bitten alive...it'll be well worth it!

What are the chances?

2010-11-07T10:36:00.005-05:00

Yesterday we motored past the Figure Eight Bridge in North Carolina (and we were lucky enough to arrive about 3 minutes before its opening). Only one other boat came through with us and like we always do, we looked it over. We like to see what kind of boat it is, what kind of rigging or equipment they have, where its from, and what its name is.

Hans was pretty sure it was an Island Packet (we have an Island Packet Cat) and then he remarked, "It's from Michigan." I looked up at that time and saw its name was Far Niente.

Now wait a minute, I thought. How many Island Packets from Michigan are going to have that name.

I'm pretty sure Hans thought I was crazy when I told him I thought I might know who they were.

I got on the radio, requested they go to channel 68 and asked if Marji was on board.

When I heard a woman start laughing, I knew I had it right!

Yes folks, Marji from Fiber Arts Afloat (and SV Far Niente) passed us in the Intracoastal Waterway!! I had checked her sailing blog earlier but she hadn't posted on it recently so I had no idea she was anywhere near us.

And even so, what are the chances that we'd actually pass like ships in the night?

I'm sorry, I just had to write that!

I've been a very bad blogger, but I sort of have an excuse!

2010-11-05T21:48:00.009-04:00

While this may seem like an idyllic picture of our boat, don't let it fool you!

We are now into day ten of our trip from Kent Narrows, Maryland to Jacksonville, Florida via the Intracoastal.

So far we've experienced three feet of water in a locker, an overnight sail that involved 30+ knot winds with 3-5 feet of swelling waves (at 3 AM one of them playfully washed over the stern, Hans head, and then crashed around the cockpit), a puking crew (that would be me!), and freighters that seemed to appear out of nowhere.

Our GPS, also known as 'Fritz', decided to take advantage of our agony and took his union break. Fritz now does as he pleases and just dares us to turn him into the 'Big Boss'.

Big Boss or not, Fritz will be replaced when we reach Charleston, SC.

There is three feet of water in that locker.

We finally figured out that while our girl was on the hard this summer, the drain from a locker at the bow of our boat was leaking. For two months rain water accumulated here and it was stinky and gross!

We ended up replacing the hoses ourselves and lost a full day of sail.

Hans McGyver rigged up a syphon to the bilge, therefore we didn't need to buy a pump!

Along with the portable ice maker that we bought, good old Evan Williams tried to make me forget my troubles.

This is our salon area. This summer Wilbur wreaked havoc on the cushions so I decided to made some covers.

I used some old king size sheets and while they worked, I'll use better fabric if I ever do this again.

The cushions vary in size so I used a Sharpie and wrote the designation for each piece on its elastic.

Hopefully they'll improve the life of my cushions for awhile.

We are currently in North Carolina and expect to be in the Cape Fear River tomorrow.

I have to say this has certainly been a very interesting trip and I don't expect that it will change.

Hurry Up and Wait

2010-11-05T15:42:00.001-04:00

We left Swansboro this morning and even though it's a beautiful sunny day, we're not going to get very far. That's because we're back to dealing with bridges and a lack of anywhere to anchor or dock once nightfall approaches. We'd love to get into Wrightsville Beach today and maybe we would have if we'd have gotten out of our slip before 7 AM. But it was dark and it's too easy to keep on sleeping...

By the way, if you ever want to be thoroughly entertained; find your nearest drawbridge, make some popcorn, pull up a chair, and be prepared to enjoy yourself.

Why the big rush to get to a drawbridge that you know won't open for another 15 minutes to half hour, or even an hour (we once missed an hourly bridge by 5 minutes)? Is it a need to be the first in line? Is there a prize waiting for the 'winner'? All I know is that after being passed by lots of boats (the Knotty Cat likes to take her time or maybe all those cases of beer she's hauling really do weigh her down) we all eventually end up in one big snarled mess in front of a bridge. Today was a classic. Two small sailboats who were obviously traveling together and refused to be separated were sucked right up to a swing bridge. Some bigger motor boats also crowded in and even though we hung back the next thing we knew, the bigger boats were revving up in reverse and the little sail boats were bobbing around like ninnies and one nearly ran into the bridge support. The bridge operator kept trying to hail the out of control sailboat and tell it to please start through as soon as the bridge swung open (in the opposite direction thank God) but they never answered. Then the chatter started, "Doesn't he have a radio?", "I know he has a radio." "Why is he sitting there? Does he want us to go first?"

I got out my trusty binoculars and saw that the captain and his 'woman' were standing in the cockpit and apparently weren't taking calls. Just when it seemed like the big boats were going to charge through, the two little sailboats got into the act and like two little old jaywalking women, crippled their way through the opening.

Hans calls this Dancing with the Stars.

As of 3:00 we are now waiting at another bridge that opens on the hour and the sad thing is, we could have been here at 2:00. But clear back at Swansboro we had 2-3 knot winds working against us and were only doing 4 knots while motoring at 6. When we realized we wouldn't make the bridge we dropped to one engine and slowed down. Of course the current changed completely and started pushing us like crazy and when we were two miles away from it, the bridge opened. We ended up waiting 45 minutes.

In the end it doesn't really matter because were going to dock at Harbor Village Marina as there are no more docks until Wrightsville, and I don't see any good anchorage areas. Wrightsville is over 20 miles away with yet one more hourly bridge (they all stop opening at 7 PM) and with the current acting like a woman who can't make up her mind I don't want to get stuck in the middle.

In addition to all that, our GPS is still giving us fits and takes a nap (we call it a union break) every day. Fritz (as we've named him) usually wakes up just as we're anchoring or docking and acts like nothing is wrong what so ever.

Won't Fritz be surprised to find that his replacement is awaiting us in Charleston, SC?

No one sleeps on watch!

Pillow sewing and Pit Bull Awareness

2010-10-25T09:01:00.007-04:00

October 23rd was Pit Bull Awareness Day so we celebrated by going to the Dog Park. Wilbur is now a fixture there and everyone is always happy to see him. I like this park because several of the dogs that go there have bully blood in them (our shelters here are over run with them right now) and almost all are rescues. They are so social and will play for hours, and I have yet to witness any aggressive behaviour on the part of these dogs. Actually a Golden Retriever spent the day last week terrorizing everyone, and when it went after Wilbur, he hid under a picnic table.

Here is Wilbur and Toby. Toby spent the first 5 months of his life chained in a basement. He was rescued when his owner was arrested for gassing dogs in his garage! Nice guy, huh?
Toby loves to play and his sister Gracie (a brindle pitty who was rescued from a kill shelter in Ohio the day she was to be put down) is unbelievably sweet and spends her day fending off suitors (if you know what I mean).

I find it amazing that dogs who have gone through so much can be so loving.

Check out Toby being very patient with Hurley, the tea cup Chihuahua (all 4 pounds of it!). Wilbur, Toby, and Gracie were fascinated yet never even tried to wrestle with him. They all touched noses and were very careful around him.
Wilbur has a strong prey drive and this dog is the size of a large rat so I was very nervous. The owners later remarked that the only dogs who were nice to Hurley, were the pit bulls.

I only wish I'd had my camera ready when Wilbur let Hurley chase him all the way across the park. That would have made a great YouTube video!

I'm leaving today to join Hans in Annapolis so we can get a move on and sail our boat to Florida.
Poor Hans spent the weekend on it with no electricity (so no heat, not hot water etc...). And this is after we spent a ton of money having the electrical system upgraded! The electrician is coming back today to look things over and I hope for his sake the problem is resolved before I get there!

My baby will be boarded while we're gone and I wanted him to have soft pillows and a blanket for his bed. I used a very soft plush fabric and covered two pillows and zig zagged the edges of the left over piece for a blanket.

Apparently I need to be supervised when I sew.

Enjoying the end results.

And no pampered pitty should be without a fur stole.

I found this gorgeous fur at the Salvation Army for $20.00. Some poor old woman must have died and her family cleaned out her closets!

Hans nearly choked when I told him how much I paid for it. Years ago, his father bought a very similar one for his mother and spent well over a thousand dollars for it (and then he had to buy another one for Hans' grandmother because she was jealous!).

A finished Amy Butler Bag and a new sewing machine

2010-10-22T23:00:00.002-04:00

Long time no blog, but things have been heating up here a bit. Hans left this morning for Annapolis where our Knotty Cat has been anxiously awaiting our return in order to sail her to Florida. I was supposed to go with him but Baby Girl neglected to inform me that her college soccer team is celebrating Senior Day tomorrow, and since she's a senior....

Anyway, I'll fly down on Monday and at that point Hans and I will sail south. But this is a delivery trip only. We'll return home so we can be here for the holidays and then in early January the Knotty Cat is going to sail us to the Bahamas.

At least that's the plan.

I downloaded Amy Butler's Blossom Bag from Freebies for Crafters. Here's my bag made from Sunbrella fabric. Am I happy with it?

It's okay.

I looked everywhere to see if I was supposed to add seam allowances to the pattern. It didn't appear that I was supposed to so I didn't. However, her finished dimensions say that the purse is supposed to be 16" wide. I don't know how that's possible since the pattern is only 14" wide. Not a big deal but I have to wonder where I (or they) went wrong.

I know everyone loves Amy Butler but when it comes to purse drafting I still feel that Nicole Mallalieu is#1!!

Here are the inside pouches. I'm trying to get rid of some of my stash and this fabric appeared to be a close enough match.

I found the instructions for the pouches to be a bit convoluted and not to be mean, but I know that Nicole has directions for some of her coin purses that I could have used. I just realized it a bit too late.

I tried to match the flap print as closely as I could to the main bag.

The magnetic snaps.

And you can see the Bahamas over there on the far right side.

My twenty year old Janome New Home (one of the first embroidery machines made and very expensive) died on me all of a sudden, and all the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put her back together again.

I still remember buying her just in time to make all my kids' Halloween costumes. That year they were Power Rangers and while Butterick has the best costume patterns, each one had like a thousand pieces!

So I now have a Janome Magnolia. Fewer bells and whistles but I don't need all that anymore!

Our poor Wilbur had a rough time last night. But I guess I did too since at some very odd hours I had to clean up some pretty smelly messes!

I am now forever swearing off cheap doggy biscuits!

Anyway, this is what a pitty with a tummy ache looks like.

Wilbur will be boarded during our two week sail and it just kills me! But if he sailed down with us, he'd have to fly back on an airplane and I won't do that. However, he will be in Doggy Day Care during the day and I'm hoping he's worn out enough at night to not wonder where his mommy is!

I found some nice fluffy fabric to make a couple of pillow covers and a blanket for his doggy bed while we're away.
You can see he felt the need to supervise.

Enjoying his new pillows and blanket.

I just love this dog to pieces!

Some Sewing in my Future!

2010-10-04T23:09:00.001-04:00

After leaving Wilbur at Doggy Day Care the other day I went shopping and ended up with two pieces of fabric (a big no no since I'm supposed to be thinning out what I already have!). But I couldn't resist a one yard piece of Sunbrella that was on clearance for $5.00!! It's normally $30.00 a yard. I had yet one more big bag kind of thing in my head but then I stumbled across this at Freebies for Crafters. It's an Amy Butler bag and even though I'm not a huge fan of some of her purse patterns (I realize everyone goes GaGa over her so you can just shoot me now!), for some reason I like the look of this one. I can also see a couple of potential problems with it ie, a flap that could be too stiff, and matching up the print where the flap meets the front, but I think I can work around my concerns.

The colors look pretty accurate in this picture. It's a kind of yellowish gold with orange accents.

A close up.

A silk charmeuse print, and I do love brown and gold. I want to make a nice dress that can go to the Bahamas with us. January through March is supposed to be nice and not nearly as hot as this summer was!

I interrupt this post for a special report!! A rampaging pit bull has taken over an apartment in the Big City....

After fooling a local couple into believing he was a sweetheart, Wilbur the Wonderdog, a vicious pit bull, has finally shown his true colors!

"I would never dream of killing a stuffy," Wilbur was often heard to say. "Stuffies are our friends."

"Just you wait! That dog will turn on you." Several friends of the couple had warned.

But they refused to listen and now it's too late.

The first victim of the vicious lying pit bull was a small defenseless peep.

After a frantic search by the concerned couple, it was found deep under their king size bed where the pit bull had built its lair.

Here, the peep describes to his cronies his escape from the jaws of death. "His mouth was thiiiiiiis wide!" He demonstrated.

The next victim was Crabby Cake. Crabby Cake had been a favorite of Wilbur's (or so everyone thought) ever since the couple took him to visit Tangier Island where Crab is King!

Here is Crabby Cake in happier times, yet we have to wonder--did he have a premonition?

And then Crabby Cake lost an appendage. It was quickly sutured back into place but that didn't make a bit of difference to the marauding pit bull. He simply ripped out the rest of the stuffing and Crabby Cake now swims with the fishies.

Lamby-kin was one of the first stuffies Wilbur ever had. He loved his Lamby-kin. And then that love turned deadly.

After surgery, everyone hoped Lamby-kin would survive.

However, it just wasn't to be.

Wilbur claims the sutures must have been of the disolving kind, but witnesses swear they saw him nip at them with his tiny yet deadly front teeth.

"I was only loving my Lamby-kin!" Wilbur cried. "Our love will never die!"

It will now be up to a jury to decide.

But how could anyone miss the menace in Wilbur's crazed filled eyes?

As everyone knows, Wilbur has received a full scholarship to Harvard and apparently he decided to get a head start in 'frog disecting'.

That little guy in front (who was holding a water safety seminar that day) is now missing his eyes, and our censors won't allow an 'after' picture.

A pin cushion is also missing so maybe Wilbur decided to make amends and put those eyes back by himself.

Somehow we doubt it!

A sewing project for a boat... finally finished!

2010-09-27T10:27:00.000-04:00

A while back I posted about a crib I was making for a couple who live on a boat. Unfortunately everything got put on hold while I waited for an online company to deliver the grommets that had been ordered.

They finally arrived and it took an entire day to install them!

Here is the side with the mesh screen. It has a roll up flap that's held in place with 5 straps that button at the top.

This is where a long edge meets the foot of the crib.

The two long edges will each have parachute line running through the length of them at the top (they have 1" casings) and then be secured to the wall of the bunk at each end.

The foot of the crib has grommets in the top that will also be secured to the boat (there is a overhang that comes down and allows this to be done). The boat itself will serve as a headboard so I didn't have to make one.

The bottom edges have grommets all the way around and they will be secured to the bunk with the mattress placed on top.

I hope this makes sense.

The grommets on the bottom edges.

This is the result of a day at Doggy Day Care! Not only is he like this in the evening, it carries through to the next day.

And that allowed me to spend the whole day cutting holes and pounding grommets without any pitty help!

While I wait... I sew.

2010-09-17T22:00:00.003-04:00

I posted a while back that I was sewing a crib for a boat. Unfortunately I encountered a huge snag when the brass grommets that had been ordered to finish the job didn't quite arrive.

What did arrive was a total of 6 grommets, when what I needed was 6 packages of 12!

And that just won't work.

Anyway, the company has been very nice and finally realized that a new employee made a bit of a mistake and the remaining grommets are now on their way.

But in the mean time I feel bad about the wait (even though it's not my fault) and thought maybe I'd send a little condolence gift along with the crib (that is if it ever gets finished!!).

When I saw this 'pirate' fabric I just couldn't resist. I can't think of a more appropriate print for a little one living aboard a boat.

And since her parents' sailed around the world without a bit of experience and succeeded? Why not!

The pattern is McCall's 5416.

Very simple and I made a size 1.

I used heart shaped buttons at the shoulders and red ric rac along the bottom.

The back view.

A close up of the fabric.

I'm a sucker for ric rac!

I also finally bought a 24" X 24" pillow form and covered it with some Steeler fleece for our Wilbur.

He loves it!!!

Look at that face!!! Is it any wonder he found a girlfriend during his first day at Doggy Day Care?

My Sewing Machine is on Strike!

2010-09-14T19:55:00.002-04:00

I have a strong feeling there's an electronic conspiracy afoot in my life because yesterday a bunch of lights on the dashboard of our SUV decided to light up like a Christmas tree, my sewing machine quit working--just like that--, and Hans (who left for Lisbon on Sunday) spent a good deal of time emailing me to please call our cell phone provider and politely ask them to activate his international account.

Wouldn't you know it would be the day I just didn't bother to get on line until afternoon and upon reading his desperate pleas for help, tried to solve his issue as quickly as possible.

Please deliver me from voice menus!

Usually if you hang on long enough you'll get the option to talk to a real live person. Well, not with our company. Oh no! First you have to punch in your passcode (followed by the pound key).

Well I don't know our passcode and I'd like to know how the hell many people do! After hanging up and redialing way too many times I jumped online to see if I could get more information.

'Don't remember your passcode?' their site asked.

No! I don't! And I nearly wept with joy because I actually thought they were going to help me.

Then simply enter your email address along with your SUPER SECRET PASSCODE and then we'll send you your regular passcode.

Since I have a very short fuse when it comes to things like this, I swore. A lot. I realize this is my blog but I just won't repeat what I said. I'll let you fill in the blanks.

I got back on my phone once again and managed to get to a point where the computer couldn't (or wouldn't) recognize my nasty comments. "I'm sorry," said the sappy upbeat electronic voice, "I don't understand what you said."

Like I was really surprised! I doubt they are programmed to understand 'Sonofab****en A**holes, or else we'd all get through in a heart beat.

But somehow I did get a live body on the line and finally had Hans set up for international calls.

So tonight when Hans called me via skype I wasn't really surprised to find that it's not working very well and at one point his voice was completely scrambled and came across the ocean like an insane pinball game.

Apparently these electronic thingies belong to a very strong union but I swear as God is my witness, I'll break it (and never go hungry again! Sorry but Gone With the Wind just came on and I got carried away)!

I'm ever so thankful that the ladies I work for have a sewing machine and they let me borrow it.

It's a Brother and I spent a bit of time going over it and making some practice stitches and for a beginner's machine it's pretty nice!

Actually, the directions are quite detailed, right down to how to use a twin needle etc...

But I'm really thrilled that it has a buttonhole stitch and foot!!

This is Wilbur tonight after surviving his first full day at Doggy Day Care.

It looks like his back nails have been clipped but they are just worn down from running all day.

When I went to pick him up, the owner said he'd made a friend and thought I like to meet her. Out bounced another red pitty the same color (except for a white star on her forehead) and she and Wilbur both gyrated around like crazy until I paid the bill and left.

He's been out like a light ever since!

Doggy Day Care and a Sewing Project on Hold.

2010-09-12T21:31:00.005-04:00

When we deliver our boat to Florida next month we plan on leaving Wilbur behind.

For anyone who reads this blog and knows how much we love our dog, I'm sure this is a bit of a shock. However, we're going to fly right back home and I refuse to stick my baby into the belly of a plane. Hans thinks I'm nuts and stated that Wilbur would be just fine, and then actually dared to roll his eyes when I said Wilbur was far too sensitive to survive such a trip.

However he changed his mind when I told him that the crate we'd need to buy, along with the cost of Wilbur's flight, would be right around the same amount as boarding him at Doggy Day Care.

So off we went to Doggy Day Care to see if our boy 'plays well with others', and would therefore be accepted as a boarder.

Wilbur passed, and believe me that experience will have its own post.

As for my stalled project.

The crib I was sewing for The Bumfuzzles has hit the skids. In the middle of the sewing of this crib I called our local West Marine to ask them if they had six packages of 12 sets of brass grommets I would need to complete this job.

They didn't.

And they said it might take them as long as two weeks to get them. So the Bumfuzzles found a site that said not only did they have them, they'd send them to me right away.
The package arrived on Friday and contained a grand total of six grommets!!! Not six packages of twelve, but six grommets!!!

I kid you not.

So until the grommets arrive there's not much I can do but I feel so bad because I know the Bumfuzzles would have liked to have their crib 'yesterday'!! Not next week.

Look at this face! Of course he plays well with others!

Sewing a Crib. For a Boat?

2010-09-03T20:14:00.000-04:00

I spend a lot of time these days cruising (such an apt expression!) live aboard boat blogs.

During the short two months Hans and I lived on our boat this summer, I found that we were very inadequately prepared for such a life. Luckily we have a bit more time and a lot more experience under our belts before we head out again this January for the Bahamas.

I found the Bumfuzzles on Cheryl's blog. Cheryl and her husband have been working like mad on their 1987 Catalina 30 in hopes of someday moving aboard. I'm impressed and amazed at the amount of work they've done on their own, especially during this summer's heat (they live in Louisiana!).

Anyway, they mentioned the Bumfuzzles on their blog and Shazzam!!!! before you know it, I'm sewing a crib for a Bumfuzzle Baby!

So a little background on these Bumfuzzle people. In their late 20's, Pat and Ali made a decision to forsake moving to and living out their lives in suburbia. Instead, they sold everything they owned, bought a sailboat (with absolutely no boating experience of any kind), proceeded to sail around the world, and managed to become the absolute bane of even the most hard core sailors.

Why?

Because they dared to dream, acted upon that dream, and seven years later are still living the dream. You really should check out their blog.

When I grow up, I hope to be just like the Bumfuzzles!

In addition to adding baby Quest to their family in January, they purchased a monohull sail boat; their previous boat having been a catamaran (and I can just hear the cruising forums rubbing their hands in glee over this).

But with this new home, the Bumbuzzles needed a secure place for their daughter Quest to reside. So they turned to their friends on the Internet and sent a shout out for help. The 'canvas' guy they hired neglected to inform the Bumfuzzles that he was more interested in retiring than sewing, and left them high and dry.

Enter me, Laura, the Somewhat Sewist.

I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, I'll never discover the cure for cancer, and I'll never write a Pulitzer Prize Winning Novel, but I'd like to think I can do a bit of good for someone who needs it!

So I volunteered.

I only hope to be able to hold up my end of the bargain!!!!

This is a rough 'frame' of one of the long sections of the crib lying on our carpet.

Remember; a crib has two long sides and two shorter ends.

This long section will have a mesh insert and a roll up/down panel for warmth (and/or privacy).

Here it is with the mesh insert.

I have it hanging off my ironing board (so please forgive that odd X formation in the background).

I'll post more pictures of it when I'm done.

Wilbur has been fascinated with this whole process.

Here he is when I told him it was for a baby.

"I thought I was the baby!!!!!" was his reaction.

The Grand Finale with Some Sewing Yet to Come!

2010-08-29T21:04:00.006-04:00

Our sailing trip this summer started with problems, ended with problems, and for some reason, beautiful, peaceful, and lovely St. Michael's, Maryland played a starring role each time. Come to think of it, two years ago St. Michael's was the scene of a very nasty confrontation between our sturdy Knotty Cat and a slutty french catamaran who dared to anchor within smacking distance of us, and even though our girl was victorious, I don't want to think about that right now.

On our last day, after anchoring, we took Wilbur ashore and had a wonderful (since Wilbur was permitted on the restaurant's outside dock)(yet horribly expensive) dinner at The Crab Claw.

Hans is happy to have survived two months on a boat with me.

I'm happy that we finally found a restaurant that allowed dogs (even if it was outside).

I'm wearing my silk Burda dress yet once again (I make very few of my clothes but when I do, I wear the hell out of them!). I'm just thankful that the record setting heat broke long enough to allow me to wear it. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I didn't even wear my watch this summer. It was just too hot!

When we left the next morning we saw tons of these boats. They were preparing for a race and even though there was virtually no wind they were still moving along as they are so light and have tons of exposed sail.

I'd just put down my binoculars when Hans informed me that one of them had dumped! I would have liked to see it (just because) but I felt very sorry for the crew because even though it wasn't a dangerous situation, there were tons of jelly fish in the water, and there's no way a lot of stinging wasn't going on.

As I mentioned previously, there was very little wind that day so Hans thought our final sail should involve the gennaker.
Being the lazy soul that I am; I didn't. And maybe the day will come when Hans listens to me.

In the end, getting the gennaker up turned into a bigger job than it should have, and when Captain Hans yelled back to me where I stood at the helm, to rev up the engines, I did.
Maybe one (or both) of us should have given some thought to the fact that our Knotty Cat had been at a virtual standstill for quite some time and our dinghy might want to cozy up to us (thus allowing its painter to slide under our boat).

By the time we limped into Kent Narrows on one engine Hans had been in the jelly fish infested water twice. The first time was to free our dinghy's painter from The Knotty Cat's rudder (oops!), and very soon after that to rescue our dinghy when we realized the painter had been cut by the starboard propeller. From the sound of the awful thumping noises issuing from said propeller, a huge chunk of painter was obviously hanging on, and we made the rest of the trip with only our port engine.

Luckily for Hans, I believe the jelly fish were so astonished at seeing him jump into the water two times that they were too stunned to sting!

We just had to shake our heads and laugh that last day on board when we realized we'd pretty much gone full circle. Our water pump was giving us problems yet once again and believe me when I say that little stinker will be ripped out and replaced before we set foot aboard the Knotty Cat again.

For now our girl is on the hard and anxiously awaiting the installation of solar panels, and rumor has it her stuffing boxes will be - well - they'll be restuffed (she leaks on her port side and it makes her blush so please keep this just between us!).

Some time at the end of October we're going to sail her to Florida where she'll bask in the sun until we get back there in January in order to take her to the Bahamas.

But in the meantime I've taken on an interesting task. I'm going to attempt to sew a crib that will fit into the bunk/berth of a monohull sail boat. A young cruising couple (they've already sailed around the world) had a baby earlier this year and want to head out to sea again. They need to make sure their little one will be secure in her bed, and I've gotta say, I'm thrilled to death to be a part of this whole alternative lifestyle of living aboard a boat.

It sure beats suburbia!

Time to sew

2010-08-22T20:48:00.004-04:00

Even though our boat was around 13 years old when we bought her, the salon seats were in excellent condition (and believe it or not the stove had never been used!) but this summer after just a couple of days on board with a dog, I knew we were in trouble.

Don't let the innocent face fool you! When this guy gets a case of the zoomies, he uses the settee as a combination catapult and padded cell.

He leaps to the floor, then springs back up on the settee, back to the floor... This means he uses his nails to gain traction, and combined with the slightly open weave in the fabric cushions, I knew it wouldn't be long before they would be in shreds.

The only solution at the time was to cover the cushions with whatever I had on hand which at that time was this yellow blanket.

After just one day of Wilbur zoomies, the entire salon area was covered in yellow fuzzies.

The yellow blanket wasn't big enough so I had to cover the remaining area with a red fleece throw. It too ended up covered in yellow fuzzies.

By the end of the trip I was sick to death of this awful combination and vowed I'd take care of it before we set sail again this fall. It wasn't until the day we were leaving the boat that I realized I had no tape measure and ended up using a dollar bill for all my measurements (that's 6 inches in case you're wondering).

So with these totally (I'm sure!) accurate numbers I finally got down to work today and started ripping the heck out of a couple of old king size sheets. I think what I found to be so satisfying was the fact that all I had to do was make a snip at the edge of the sheet and then rrrrriiippp!! Those sheets must have been well made and perfectly on grain because they tore into wonderfully straight pieces.

Of course the cushions couldn't be just simple rectangles and I won't go into their whole dynamic except to say that they are of the tongue and groove school of design. Meaning the back cushions have an extension that goes down behind the bottom seat cushions in order to create a secure hold.

See I went and got into too many details anyway!

Believe me, these are not fitted covers. They are gathered with elastic on the back and I only hope they will stretch fully across the front and not need to be constantly tweaked and adjusted!

I did get them sewn and even added corner 'tucks' for hopefully, a better fit.

Don't worry, if they aren't right you'll all be the first to know, and you won't even have to read about it here as I believe my screams of anguish will probably be heard around the world.

But just in case you think I had a totally successful day of sewing let me put your mind at ease. I also sewed elastic onto all four corners of two fitted sheets (that came with the boat) in order to keep them from constantly pulling out during the night. It wasn't until I'd sewn the last corner on the last sheet that I realized using clear elastic for this project was a complete failure.

The elastic ripped at the slightest pressure and now I'll have to replace all of it with the sturdy white stuff that I don't have enough of (and yes I often end sentences with prepositions!).

So in the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "I'll think about it tommorow!"

A pretty smart pitty!

2010-08-20T13:02:00.004-04:00

When we decided to move onto our boat, a dog was the last thing we thought would accompany us.

I'm sure Wilbur didn't anticipate moving onto a boat either, and so became yet one more poor, exploited pit bull. At least that's what he told anyone who took the time to listen to him.

"Oh what the heck!" we said, "All you need to train a dog to go potty on a boat is a piece of AstroTurf." So off to Petco I went where I bought a very expensive item called The Potty Patch. PETS LOVE IT!! screamed the print across the front and their proof; plastered on the front of the box, a huge picture of a smug looking little ankle biter going tinkle all over their bright green product.

God, were we naive.

In the stern and right beside the captains seat, our boat afforded the perfect location for The Potty Patch, since if Wilbur ever deigned to use it, his waste could be very easily disposed of by sliding The Patch overboard for a good rinsing. But even though I saturated The Potty Patch with some sort of chemical that was supposed to make dogs want to go potty on it, Wilbur completely ignored The Patch , and we were forced to take him to shore where sometimes he pooped, and sometimes he didn't.

Our first week on the boat was trying, to say the least. In addition to nasty weather, dead batteries, and a faulty water pump, Wilbur, instead of pooping on shore, had an attack of explosive diarrhea in his crate.

Note: I was very disappointed to find that dragging dirty laundry behind a boat does not get it clean as promised in the many sailing articles I'd read!

Finally, well aware that I was suffering from a horrendous case of PMS and hoping to avoid what was sure to be a nasty mutiny, Hans asked if perhaps he should pee on The Potty Patch in hope that Wilbur would catch on. Believe me, he didn't need to ask me twice.

Wilbur was riveted with interest as he watched Hans and to our absolute shock proceeded to immediately go piddle on The Potty Patch.

I kid you not!

And winning an Academy Award can't even begin to compare with the elation we felt the day Wilbur finally pooped on his Potty Patch, an act that took a while longer for him to accomplish since for some reason Hans drew the line at demonstrating that particular bodily function.

Tons of cheers and biscuits ensued and then there was no stopping him; Wilbur became a peeing and pooping machine. There were times Wilbur would run to the back of the boat, we'd yank out The Potty Patch, and after barely squeezing out a couple of drops of pee, he'd be in the companionway begging for his biscuit.

Not a stupid dog.

But the icing on the cake (so to speak) was the day Hans and I 'missed the boat' (pun intended) and Wilbur ended up taking matters into his own paws.

I was in the galley whipping up another gourmet delight (hoping the eggs hadn't gone bad and wondering where the hell I'd put the powdered milk) and Hans was busy at the helm studying the chart plotter when I looked up and saw a very poopy Potty Patch lying in a rumpled mess beside the captains seat.

That's when we realized that Wilbur, tired of waiting for us, had gone back to the stern and with his teeth, pulled The Potty Patch from where it was hanging, tossed it onto the stern, and used it.

It reminded me of a story I once heard about a toddler who would hand its mother a clean diaper in order to get changed!

When later on he performed this feat a second time we knew we weren't nuts and that it wasn't just a dream.

In the end it only took Wilbur a week to catch on and after talking to other sailors we now realize how lucky we are. One man told us they had to take their dog ashore every morning and night for ten years! Another said his dog will pee on board but not poop, and we became the envy of the salty dog community!

Now that we're back on land we're trying to keep up The Potty Patch practice for our next trip and have installed it on our deck where Wilbur has faithfully kept up with the program.
But here's the kicker!

The other night I looked outside to see Wilbur having a massive struggle with The Patch. Using his paws and nose, he was pushing and shoving it toward the edge of the deck where half of it was already over the side. I ran out to stop him and Oh my God, he'd gone poop on The Patch and tired of waiting for me to clean it up, he was trying to dispose of it by tossing it over the side just like he'd watched us do it on the boat!

Next week he's taking his PSAT's and we're hoping for a full scholarship to Harvard.

Yes, we took a picture!
Like I've said before, with no TV, and limited internet access you'd be amazed at what you'll do for entertainment.

Cobb Island

2010-08-13T21:20:00.010-04:00

Because of its location in the Potomac, and the fact that it had a very nice market within dinghy and walking distance, Cobb Island, Maryland became a bit of a home away from home for us this summer, and we ended up anchoring there on three separate occasions.

The first time we showed up and anchored, I felt a bit like the main attraction at a freak show. For such a small town there was a surprising amount of traffic in the channel, and each and every boat slowed down to a crawl while the occupants stared at us with open mouths. After I checked to make sure I was adequately clothed (it was so hot, there were days when we wore next to nothing), we just didn't get it. The staring continued during our next two visits but by then we were used to it.

We finally decided it was because we were the only sailboat that ever anchored there. Everyone else had stink pots (very loud motor boats), tattoos, and cigarettes hanging out of the sides of their mouths (even in their cockpits where the smell of gasoline hung very heavy in the air), and if they didn't have slips, they tied up long enough to enjoy a visit at the Drift Away Bar and Grill (we ate lunch there one day and they have really great food) before motoring on.

During our second and third anchorages, a trawler (its name won't be disclosed here!) anchored beside us and even though to my absolute horror the captain and his mate spent quite a bit of their time sitting around 'in the buff' (I know this for a fact because I have binoculars you know!) they still didn't get the attention Hans and I did.
And believe me it wasn't a pretty sight!

So imagine how the stares increased when we finally broke out the red neck awning (purchased at WalMart a couple of years ago)! What took us so long to use it is beyond me but for the rest of the trip that awning was strung up on a regular basis and literally saved us from being fried like eggs on a sidewalk.

Life on Cobb Island is slow and we spent our days reading, drinking beer, staring at people staring at us, and watching Billie Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchie Bridge.

"That's not the Tallahatchie Bridge." Hans informed me (in his sensible voice) after I excitedly informed him of what I'd witnessed.

I told him to look for himself just as a couple of additional bodies hurtled over the railing and into the water.

Apparently during sizzling hot summers, a favorite past time for Cobb Island youths is to jump off the bridge. If I weren't such a coward at heart and not afraid of heights, jelly fish, or water of unknown depths, I would have gladly joined them if it meant keeping cool.

(This is a crappy picture but it's the bridge and those little dots in the water towards the bottom, are the kids)

It was during our third anchorage at Cobb Island that the Knotty Cat decided to test our sanity. Hans thought something didn't seem to be quite right after dropping the anchor because we weren't swinging properly into the wind, but after putting her in reverse a couple of times she held fast. The next day we thought our bearings were a bit off, but what the hell did we know anyway?

That's when I realized we were a lot closer to the 'no wake zone buoy' than we should be.

"We're a lot closer to the no wake zone buoy than we should be." I announced.

"No we're not."

"Yes we are."

"No we're not."

"Then why is the no wake zone buoy about to be rammed up our boat's ass?" I asked as our stern plowed into it.

"Oh shit! We're dragging!" Hans had to admit.

We fired up the engines and re-anchored thus giving the locals something more to stare at, but at least we held firm this time.

And finally, Cobb Island is where I witnessed the infamous cormorant fight. Hans had gone ashore and Wilbur and I were left to fend for ourselves. I was watching the morbid battle with my binoculars when I realized a passing motor boat consisting of an entire family of Dad, Mom, and kids was staring at me. Embarrassed at being caught with my binoculars I tried explaining myself by frantically pointing toward the gruesome fight. Dad laughed and shouted to me, "They're fornicatin'!" and I shouted back, "No they're not! They're fighting over a snake!" Only then did the bored family come to life and they all leaned over the side in excitement in order to see the battle, leading me to believe that fornicating is a pretty dull routine on Cobb Island.

I gotta tell you, this trip was way better than reality TV.

The Wild Life

2010-08-12T11:15:00.010-04:00

While things may have been wild on the boat, I'm talking about the wild life we met while sailing this summer.

Ospreys in the Chesapeake are a given and while I'm not bored with them, I'm used to them. It had been years since I'd seen pelicans and I was thrilled to finally spot some when we got a bit south into the Patuxant and Potomac Rivers. We didn't see a lot of them but just enough to make me happy.

It was in Oxford that I watched an adult swan beat the snot out of a baby swan. Having read The Ugly Duckling as a child I was appalled, and felt quite cheated.

I thought herons were rare but I saw so many of them during our trip that after awhile I quit grabbing the binoculars every time I heard one of their signature screams. And anyway, they sound just like Wilbur.

A couple of pods of dolphins zipped past us but never close enough to photograph, and seagulls were a dime a dozen.

Ducks are always fun and while one group loved the left over flour tortillas I tossed to them another group completely turned their bills up at them. I found it a bit odd though that there are a lot of female duck gangs out there. There always seems to be a female duck ring leader and I got the impression that there was a Mr. Duck out there who'd 'done her wrong' and she and her posse were out on a mission to find him and give him what for!

Possibly the most disturbing animal activity I witnessed during our trip was when two cormorants had a huge fight over a snake. Honest to God, it was beyond disgusting and I actually jumped up and down in the cockpit and screamed. I heard a commotion and grabbed my trusty binoculars just in time to see a cormorant trying to suck down a snake like a strand of spaghetti. Another cormorant tried in vain to steal it and a little game of 'keep away' took place. Cormorant # 1 kept trying to suck down the snake. Cormorant # 2 tried to steal it and #1 would jerk away all the while tossing its head around while attempting to disentangle the snake from its bill. Just when it seemed like the snake was a goner, it would erupt from #1's gullet and writhe crazily about. Finally to the snake's and #2's dismay, the snake finally disappeared from sight and I had to have a beer.

Jelly fish were a huge problem and they ran absolutely amok this summer. If it weren't for them Wilbur would have been able to swim a lot more and we all would have therefore benefited from the exercise. At each anchorage I would peer, ever hopefully into the water, and damn! all of a sudden there they'd be; tons of amoeba like creatures, undulating as they passed under our boat with the tide.

But my favorite creature by far was the blue crab. I had no idea how friendly they were! I know they scuttle sideways when running along the beach but I'd never seen one swim.
We had just docked at Tangier Island when I saw something in the water slide on past the boat. What on earth? Then another one. It was a crab, and it was swimming upright all the while happily waving its claws at us at it whizzed on by.

I've never felt so welcome!

Wilbur loves blue crabs too and here he is with his Crabby Cake.

I now have to wonder what kind of creatures we'll encounter this winter when we sail on down to Florida. I believe I've heard about these things called alligators.

We're home!

2010-08-11T15:51:00.006-04:00

Due to an increase in work load for Hans we had to cut our sailing trip short by one month.

Actually it wasn't that big of a deal as we feel we saw pretty much everything that needed to be seen in the Chesapeake and Potomac.

Originally we were going to head to Boston but when we ran into so many issues our first week out, we decided to play it safe and stay closer to home.

I guess it was for the better anyway since we had to come home sooner than expected.

This is the Capital Yacht Club in DC. For a $15.00 docking fee you get full use of their very nice club.

Wilbur gained fifteen pounds during our two months out.

Our Chlorox kitty did not survive the trip. We have no idea why, but she jumped ship one night while we were at a dock.

It turns out she was clinging to the swim ladder of another boat and was only found after she started screaming. Unfortunately she waited far too long to reveal herself. We know she didn't fall off our boat because her head was completely dry and we think she fell in the water when she tried to climb onto the other boat.

She actually seemed to be doing pretty well and was very relieved to see us. She immediately fell asleep in our bunk (after screaming at Wilbur) but then woke up in distress during the night. I was holding her when she died a couple of hours later and I feel like a murderess!

If I'd had any idea that she could be so bold I would have tried to make it more difficult for her to go above board during the night. But she loved nosing around and was very sure footed when she did venture out. One puff of wind or any slight rocking and she would hustle down below in an instant, and she never came out when we were underway.

She was such a sweet kitty and we miss her.

Our plans at this time are to head back out in November and get the boat to Florida. Back here for the holidays and then to the Bahamas in January.

Subject to change I'm sure!

2010-07-19T14:34:00.005-04:00

We managed to get to Washington DC just in time for a huge lightning storm that ripped through the channel where we were anchored (while Wilbur was crated on board with hatches wide open and we were on shore!), and then left in time to miss the earthquake.

The heat is still oppressive and I really feel at times like I might start having anxiety attacks if it doesn't let up. It's that bad.

We had guests over the weekend which included Hans' hockey buddy who brought along his son and his son's friend. I hope they had fun and can forget the excess and crazy attention that Wilbur heaped on them. I have got to get that dog to obedience school as soon as we get back to the Big City this fall.

Of course the water pump decided to throw it's belt the night before our guests were to arrive. Hans had to remove it from the engine/sauna room and bring it above for a look see. For some reason part of the cog that rotates with the belt had worked its way out of alignment. He loosened the set screw, pushed it back into place, put everything back together, and mounted it back into the engine/sauna room.

It didn't work!

Luckily for the water pump (who had no idea that a hammer wielded by a very hot, very big man was going to be the next 'fix') Hans figured out that all he had to do was flip the membrane (still sweaty work) and then whooooooopie! Not only does the water pump now work, it no longer leaks!!

Tomorrow we're heading back to Solomons Island where Wilbur will have a follow up visit to the vet for his yeast infection and our Snotty Cat is due for a very expensive oil change.

Temperatures are going to be in the upper 90's.

I can barely wait!!!

A view of DC from the Washington Channel.

Here I am at the Washington Monument. The Reflecting Pool (remember seeing it in the protest scene from Forest Gump?) is way behind me. This is one of my Simplicity sundresses and I was still boiling hot!

Don't push it!

2010-07-10T13:00:00.000-04:00

I've never been the brightest bulb in the box but I did discover two very important things a while ago. These things being, I now understand why boats are referred to as 'She, and that I have a big mouth.

My fiance Hans has been sailing all his life and knows all about boats. Unfortunately for him he hooked up with a complete novice and that would be me. After selling his last boat (a forty-two foot Passport) back in 2005 and swearing he would never buy another one, a couple of years ago we went and bought a Bob Johnson thirty-five foot Catamaran.

Along with two other friends we spent a full week sailing her from Boston down to Maryland and our little cat performed admirably. For a spell we had her sailing along at 9 knots and with sails aloft she absolutely purred as the crew shouted with delight. Hans was also able to sail her pretty close into the wind and we praised our girl non stop. You see, the research we'd done on this boat told us that we'd be lucky to do seven knots and that sailing close to the wind just wasn't going to happen.

We had a lot of rainy weather and one memorable night had us forty miles out at sea with 30 knot winds and 5 foot seas. I'm sure for a hardened sailor this would be nothing, but for someone who gets car sick five minutes into a trip it's a big deal and I was one with my bucket all night long! A couple of our stormy anchorages made for little sleep as we listened to the wind howl like the devil all night long but our anchor held firmly each time. We were all relieved when only one day over our estimated arrival time we sailed into our harbor and set foot on land. Hans felt that we'd really put this boat through the paces and he was very happy with her performance.

So let's fast forward to much nicer weather and a pleasant little sail. This time it was only me and Hans and we decided to spend a long weekend aboard our girl. After a typical day of admiring all the new baby ospreys who eagerly poke their beaks over their nests as you sail by, avoiding crab lines and fast boats, we arrived at St. Michaels. We enjoyed clear skies and hot temperatures, shopped in quaint little stores, and cooked steaks on our grill.

Now here's where it gets interesting. We had spent two nights at anchor and were preparing for a third when I noticed another boat coming in. I couldn't help but notice her as she sashayed in saying "Ooh la la, look at me! I am a beautiful French Catamaran and you will make room for me!" And that's when I opened my big mouth. I pointed her out to Hans all the while gushing over her beauty. Hans too admired her size, pretty round curves and youth, and I believe that's when our sturdy American girl began plotting her revenge. As I mentioned earlier, we've suffered through some very dicey conditions and our anchor has held firmly so why would we worry now.

It was three AM when I heard a voice quietly calling out to us from somewhere outside. Hans was up like a shot and I heard the voice tell him that we were drifting. Drifting! Hans moved the boat, re-anchored, and puzzled over how our anchor could have let loose. Then he told me it was the owner of French Catamaran who'd called out to us. When morning rolled around and we were a little more clear headed I expressed my concerns to Hans. We had to have hit that other boat because how would they have known we were drifting? Well, that's exactly what happened. The owner (who was the nicest man in the world) motored over in his dinghy and told us how he had been awakened by a big thump and came up top to find that our cat had used her swim ladder brackets to smack their little French girl right across the nose, leaving two holes right above her water line! He fended her off and as she smugly drifted away that's when he called out to us.

We've been careful ever since then to praise our cat and exclaim over her beauty every time we set foot on board. But after this very expensive trip (where as soon as one thing is fixed two other things break) we got out the big guns and made our threat. High maintenence is one thing (as long as you get something in return) but we've had it with this whole 'everything is about me and now I want botox plus a facelift' attitude and we can file for divorce from you anytime we want. It's called being put up for sale Miss Snotty Cat, and just see if your next owner gives you the spa treatments you've received from us!

Still sailing (or at least trying)

2010-06-29T11:49:00.007-04:00

Believe it or not we've actually done a bit of sailing.

We've been to Oxford, Cambridge, and Herrington Harbor South (a very upscale marina and I could park the boat and live there forever!).

We've just left Solomons Islands after anchoring there for nearly a week. It's a nice place to visit (if you don't mind having to find a vet, and getting a visit from the police), and there are many stores, marina, shops, etc...

Yes folks our Wilbur the Wonder Pooch got sick and I'm very thankful that he didn't have mange (which is what one his horrible 'let's scrape Wilbur's lesions with a scalpel so we can see what he has tests' was leaning towards)!

He has a yeast infection and when Hans said he thought only women could get them I reminded him about the pink polka dot sissy vest he bought for Wilbur. The god in charge of yeast must have mistaken Wilbur for a female.

So far all is well and he is due for a $34.00/bottle shampoo on the deck this afternoon.

Our police visit took place after Hans went out in the dinghy to retrieve our grill cover that got blown off during a particularly nasty thunderstorm. A landowner thought Hans was dumping garbage when he saw him emptying the cover of a ton of water. We explained ourselves and were exonerated!

Through it all though is the unbelievable heat. Sweat just runs freely all day long and I've found that Wilbur loves to eat ice.

Cold compresses on a very itchy dog. This was the day before we got him to the vet.

Chlorox spread out in our cabin. She sleeps all day and prowls all night long.

Wilbur's itchies!!! This was after his visit to the vet and a bath on board the boat.

He has four different medications right now and loves getting them because I stick them in peanut butter!

Fun at sea (??)

2010-06-18T18:54:00.005-04:00

We finally got ourselves squared away, the radio (brand new) had blown a fuse but our electrician fixed it when he came back to see why the hell our port bilge pump power was on the fritz!

But in the meantime you may wonder what one does for entertainment while living aboard a boat.

I proudly admit to being a member of the TV Generation. I grew up with Leave it to Beaver, The Brady Bunch (I identified with Jan), my all time favorite The Andy Griffith Show, and later on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Carol Burnett, and of course Saturday Night Live.

For a fat teenager with thick glasses, frizzy hair, and acne, TV can be a great companion when all your friends have dates for the weekend.

Before we moved on board the first thing I did each morning, even though Hans thinks it's total fluff, was turn on The Today Show (I love Meredith Viera). "You call that news?" he would call out from the safety (especially if I hadn't had my coffee yet) of the kitchen.

We do have a TV on board but since but since it's an energy sucker and we're watching our batteries like maniacs, it rarely gets turned on. We have the paperbacks that we bought for fifty cents each at a library sale, board games, and now my favorite; binoculars.

I bought Has a set of Steiner's a couple of years ago never knowing they could be so entertaining. We've watched hawks sitting proudly atop masts as they stake out their next prey, gazed in awe at the ungainly yet graceful flight of herons, and peeked into Osprey nests hoping to catch sight of new babies. One day I watched a sailor march his dog to the bow of his boat where the pooch promptly did its business. I thought Hans should dinghy on over and ask how the hell he managed to train his dog so well but for some reason, Hans refused!

Then during our 'stranded at anchor' weekend I noticed a fellow boater was spending a lot of time rowing to and from his boat via his dinghy. Each time he left he had a full pouch at his feet and I was fascinated.

Me (feeling all Grace Kellyish in my own version of Rear Window): That guy's been going back and forth from his boat to land all day long. What's up with that?

Hans looking up from the Nigel Calder book that he should have read before this voyage: Huh?

I repeat my question.

Hans: He's probably getting supplies.

Me still peering through the binoculars: I think he murdered someone and he's getting rid of the body parts.

Hans gazing into space with that 'I have an idea look': I wonder if we could use the dinghy to tow the boat to that dock.

The next morning I caught Hans with the binoculars.

Hans: Take a look.

I almost choke. The man with the body parts bag has just brought a woman on board his boat and he's hauling up his anchor.

I spend the rest of the day preparing my speech for the local news stations (maybe I'll even get on The Today Show and meet Meredith) detailing my suspicions about the man who becomes known as the Back Creek Killer after he's discovered disposing of yet another body. I also hope we get to shore so I can wash my hair first.

Imagine my disappointment when I wake up the next morning to see the killer's boat reanchored and his date very much alive and sporting a perky little straw hat.

Hans: See? I told you he wasn't a killer.

Me, with the binoculars trained on another boat: Did you notice that monohull over there? I'm positive there's someone on board because I've seen lights down below every evening, but no one ever comes above! I wonder what's going on?

This morning I couldn't find the binoculars, and my Rear Window DVD is missing.

Wilbur says, "Gives me those binzocularsies!! I see a pretty furry friend over there on that floaty thing!!"

When dog poop makes you happy you know your life sucks!

2010-06-13T16:34:00.007-04:00

Today Wilbur did a big number two on his potty patch!!He's been a very good boy about peeing on it but still needed to be taken ashore for the important stuff. Believe me this is an event worth celebrating, and I did a little happy dance!

This might not seem like a big deal to you but considering the fact that since Friday (it's now Sunday) we've been stranded at anchor and haven't been able to start our engines (which provide us with power for little things like running our fans, water, and lights etc...!), this is pretty good news.

It makes up for the fact that my hair hasn't been washed for four days and if I'd been meant to be a pioneer woman I would have been born two hundred years ago!!!

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!

What's happened so far?

Our sun pad (huge and expensive) abandoned ship in the middle of our very rough passage across the bay last week. We watched in horror as it was lifted by 40 knot gusts and gracefully sailed over the rail!

The water pump broke.

The water pump was temporarily fixed but someone had to stand at the switch in order to turn it on and off during showers.

Our engines wouldn't start because the batteries were over taxed. This happened while we were at anchor at the start of the weekend and that meant the end of showers, lights, fans etc...

We finally resorted to being towed to the marina where our repairs were to take place and I don't think I've ever been so thankful to get hooked up to shore power in my life. I used their facilities and took one very long shower!

Our electrician spent the entire day on the boat yesterday and replaced our spreader lights, took all 3 batteries out and rewired them correctly, fixed the radar, picked me up from the grocery store that I'd walked to so I could load up on water and club soda, and then he was gone!

We finally sat back opened a can of beer and said "Thank God now we can relax, let's turn on our new radio!"

Complete silence. It doesn't work!

I would post pictures but I'm currently using my computer battery and one hour of free Annapolis internet (and anyway, I look like hell!)

We're on our way

2010-06-10T17:30:00.001-04:00

First of all, I had to mess around with my comments setting. I've been getting a lot of spam, so for now I won't post comments until I've been able to view them first. I think it's a pain in the butt and I'm not sure if anonymous readers can leave a comment or not.

I'll see how it goes.

It's been a hellish week. Getting ready to leave took a lot more time than we had anticipated.

Here's Hans in front of our boat before she was put into the water.

A cat (in the box) and a dog waiting to get on board.

This is what the cockpit looked like after around 10 trips from the car to the boat with our supplies.

And this was before going to the grocery store, liquor store, and West Marine. I believe we made about three trips to each within 24 hours.

Hans reading the directions to the dinghy and motor.

AFTER WE PUT THEM TOGETHER!!!!!

BTW, the motor is an 8 HP 4 stroke, and is way too big.

Wilbur's crate is in the guest cabin on top of the bunk.

That's the only place it will fit and we'd like him to get used to in there because he has to go somewhere safe when we leave the boat.

This is only one of Chlorox's hiding places. It's behind our pillows at the foot of our bunk.

At one point I was positive she'd escaped and gone overboard but after about an hour I found her in the bottom of a locker!!

Captain Wilbur.

Hans is responsible for the vest.

Treading Water

2010-06-02T21:00:00.005-04:00

Hans and I have been on pins and needles just waiting for word that our boat is ready to go. And when we got the phone call that said, "C'mon down!!" we were like Yeeeee Haaaww!!! and ran around like chickens with our heads cut off (including Wilbur who loves an excuse to turn inside out) trying to get everything together.

And then I got a bug up my butt and suggested we go to an outside (read doggy friendly) eatery for a celebratory farewell lunch.

Hans and Wilbur enjoying a laugh.

The waiter even brought out a water bowl (although I came prepared.)

But we received another call this afternoon, and it said, "Oops, false alarm!" And we weren't so happy.

So, what's holding things up?

A simple little $3 part! That's what!

In order for our propellers to survive salt water, they need these adorable little donut shaped things called zincs! Zincs are sacrificial and they give up their life by attracting the corrosive salt water to them, therefor saving the steel props.

Isn't that heroic?

Anyway our boat has been on the hard for months now and this should have been taken care of a long time ago. But now it appears that our props are different, they are special, and while in some cases that might be an attractive trait, we're not finding it especially endearing at this time.
There was talk of having them overnighted (if they can even find them!) and guess who will be footing the cost of that? Certainly not the boat yard!
So after this initial false labor we're a little less inclined to get worked up when the next "C'mon down" phone call arrives!

So for your sewing enjoyment here is the apron I made to take along with us.
It was one of those 'cut out the panel', one size fits all, kits.

See what it says?

Those people at the marina better just keep this in mind!!

A Dress, A Bag, and a Trip

2010-06-01T21:15:00.003-04:00

On Friday I found a cut out and ready to sew dress amongst my disaster of a sewing area.

On Saturday I managed to get it put together, and on Sunday I wore it.

Excuse the blurry picture (I'm also trying to hang onto Wilbur's leash) as it's the only one I have at this time, and since this was a picnic I didn't wear my cork sandals.

Next time.

I added an exposed zipper to the front which I thought was kind of cute.

I also made a cork zipper pull out of a sliced cork and a key chain thingy.

I'm still having issues with the back. It just seems to balloon out but at this point I don't care.

It's comfortable.

Then I decided I'd better get to work on the one yard piece of Sunbrella fabric that I bought on sale for $15.00 a yard (normally $30.00).

I used Nicole's Beach Bag pattern. I've used it in the past here , here, and here.

This time however, I chose to make it unstructured. The Sunbrella fabric felt similar to canvas so I didn't interface it at all. I used duck cloth (from my stash) for the lining so once again, no interfacing.

One magnetic snap is used for the closure.

This is the back view.

I used big grommets in the bag and home dec braid for the handles.

I knotted them on the inside because I thought the knots would look too busy on the outside.

And the only reason I used red was because JoAnn's was out of blue.

The inside pockets are lined with rip-stop nylon from my stash ($1/yd from WalMart).

I wanted this bag to be light weight and breathable for our summer sailing trip.

A matching zippered wallet.

Can you see the slider I added to the cord? I cut out the Ralph Lauren label from the selvage and used it. I doubt if it will fool anyone but I like it.

And the back of the little wallet.

And folks!!! This is it!!

Tomorrow we will spend the day packing.

Thursday morning, bright and early, we will load our vehicle to the gills with a dog, a drugged cat, and tons of supplies.

Friday we should be setting sail for the summer.

And I hope it's not an omen that I'm possibly experiencing the worst PMS episode on record!

I should be sewing!

2010-05-26T23:15:00.001-04:00

After a full day of travel we finally arrived home late Monday evening. Once we were on the bus for the hour ride home from the airport (oh how I love the smell of Diesel Fuel when I've been up for almost 24 hours!) I phoned Vet Tech Girl with our ETA so that we could collect Wilbur.

It was like I was suddenly sucked into a time warp.

You see, years ago when my kids were little, and I was able to escape work, kids, husband, cleaning, laundry, etc... for even a couple of hours, I was always punished with 'bad reports'. So much so that it severely discouraged any kind of desire to do anything without a kid or a husband strapped to my side.

My stomach sank lower than I thought it could (even with Diesel fumes) as Vet Tech Girl unleashed a litany of complaints about Wilbur and as far as she was concerned we couldn't take him off her hands fast enough.

He pooped every two hours.

He pooped on the floor.

He pooped in Duncan's crate.

He pooped everywhere but where he was supposed to.

Duncan got so sick of his poopy crate that he finally growled at Wilbur.

I spent the remainder of the bus ride in agony.

When we finally got to the apartment I looked up and saw this scene peeking from Vet Tech Girl's apartment.

Duncan on the far left.

Miley the dachshund (Duncan's girlfriend) in the middle.

And my darling Wilbur is on the right.

Vet Tech Girl hurled our baby at us and with luggage thumping around our ankles (and landing on my feet way too many times) we all surged into the apartment as one. After giving Wilbur a thousand hugs while he gyrated his way around the apartment, we unpacked, and I started in on our mountain of laundry.

Finally, I poured a stiff drink and headed for a hot bath.

This was before I discovered that it was obvious Wilbur had received at least one bath in our tub. I was almost in tears by this time but I cleaned the damn thing, and then had a good long soak.

Yesterday involved a trip to the vet with both Wilbur and Chlorox.

But not Hans.

He was busy with 'work' and that better not have been internet poker I saw on his computer when I left the apartment with an excited pit bull on one side and box full of screaming cat on the other!

Wilbur got 'tummy medicine', flea, tick, and heart worm preventer, micro chipped, his last vaccine, pro-biotics (because of his raw diet), and tons of attention.

Chlorox got Kitty Cat Prozac for our 5 hour trip to the boat, her vaccination which is good for three years (and I hope I get my money's worth as she's 14!!), and a lot of attention.

I got the bill.

This evening involved my getting a free hair cut (a gift certificate from a cleaning customer) at a local 'chic' boutique, and talk about feeling like Ellie Mae Clampett! My outfit complete with matching purse was entirely too 'matchy matchy' and I really need to get out more! Although at my age I refuse to get a tattoo!

And tomorrow I have an optometrist appointment as I ran out of contacts last week!

I took this picture of Wilbur tonight.

I think he's growing!!!

This is exactly what I'm looking at, on my right, as I type this.

He has no shame!

I guess if I want to get any sewing done I'll have to make an appointment with my sewing machine!

Home Again Home Again Jiggety Jig...

2010-05-24T14:22:00.013-04:00

...Home Again Home Again I Feel Like a Pig!!

We're currently in Toronto awaiting our flight home so I'm taking advantage of FREE WI FI to write this post. I'm also drinking my bourbon with a THOUSAND ICE CUBES and loving every second of it.

Anyway I could post tons of pictures of the Changing of the Guard, The Thames, Buckingham Palace (but not The Queen! That bitch new we were coming and left the country! I kid you not!), and on and on. But if you want to see those things I'm sure the internet has much better photos than I'll ever be able to take.

So I'll bore you with these.

Hans the Orator at the Speakers' Corner in Hyde Park.

The only audience besides me was a homeless/drunk man and I don't think either of us fully appreciated Hans' latest diatribe about our current state of affairs.

Greenwich Mean Time.

Hans actually had me going for a minute when he told me the line was six inches 'off'!

I hate it when he does that to me!

The weather this weekend was stupendous!!! Completely cloudless sunny skies!

In London!!!!!!

No kidding.

While Hans went to check on where our 'ghost tour' was to take place, I finally broke down and stuck one foot in the fountain in Trafalgar Square. Then next day I wore a bandage across my instep where the flipflop was just digging in!

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without a trip to Harrod's.
I saw thin cotton shirts for 250 pounds! And I'm sure they were cheap. I laughed at one ugly dress that I wouldn't pay ten bucks for at K-Mart and it was around 300 pounds!!

There was one clothing area that was 'appointment only' and I saw a very bored man sitting there waiting for his high maintenance wife/mistress.

We ended up with a piece of carrot cake and a brownie, and ate half of it during our walk through Hyde Park.

After walking for hours we stumbled upon the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

There's almost no signage and we were there forever before we figure it out!

If you really check this picture you can see that those bumps the kids are playing on are cement. Honestly! Cement with rushing water! I thought it looked horribly dangerous!

But once again I took advantage. This was day two of a lot of walking and my feet were killing me.

Hans joined in too.

Here's a pretty dog I saw in Hyde Park. When I asked the owner if it was a Pit Bull she said no.

She then said it was a Bull Mastiff and while the dog was friendly, the owner was not!

I'm still a little vague on the legality of some dog breeds in the UK and maybe she didn't want to be questioned!

Another dog near our hotel. I'm pretty sure it was a bully breed too.

I didn't ask!

Just up the block from our hotel was a very nice pub. We ate there at least three times.

This was Sunday (our last day) and we were so tired we never even bothered going back into London.

This is the burger that Hans had at the pub.

Double meat burger with cheese, sausage, and two eggs!!!! Along with chips!

This is why we really need to get home!! I never cook like this at the apartment.

Breakfast yesterday morning in our room.

The last of the Harrod's cakes, and coffee.

I see the Jack Daniels bottle made it into the picture but I saved it for later.

I finally got a picture of me in my Burda dress. It really did turn out nice and I hope I get to wear it again soon before I outgrow it!!

Communicating whilst one is away

2010-05-23T08:21:00.010-04:00

How on earth did people travel abroad before the advent of cell phones or laptops.

Honest to God, we've been emailed, texted, and called ever since we left home, and only a few were actually necessary or relevant. I myself warned my kids that they were only allowed to call (or text) us in the event of an emergency. Emails were ok but they also had to understand I might not get them for a day or so.

This is what's gone on so far this trip.

An email from Vet Tech Girl (who's caring for Wilbur): Wilbur threw up. He's probably excited about playing with Duncan. I'll clean it up.

An email from Baby Girl: Evi is very sick and at the hospital. So far the bill is $400.00. (Note: Baby Girl spells her cat's name Evi after Evgeny Malkin, a hockey player. I call the cat Evvy or Evelyn just to piss Baby Girl off). Hans wants to know what the hell kind of services cost $400.00. I tell him not to ask.

I zip off a quick email to Vet Tech Girl: Hans was talking to Nasty Neighbor the morning we were leaving and he warned us that he has poison all over his property because of raccoons. He also said he had to have his dog put to sleep because too many people in the neighborhood have gotten dogs (you know he meant us!) and his dog couldn't handle the stress!

Vet Tech Girl emails back that Wilbur is fine, Neighbor is an asshole, and she's sure that her roommate's dog Molly (who is a spoiled ankle biting screamer) is the one that upset poor Butterscotch the now dead dog! Also Duncan and Miley (Duncan's squeeze, a pretty little daschund) love Wilbur's big beef bone. They've left bone chips all over the place. She will clean it up.

I email Vet Tech Girl and warn her that Wilbur is only allowed to chew the beef bone on his pad.

Vet Tech Girl replies: He keeps it on the pad but Duncan and Miley don't. I'll clean up it up.

Baby Girl emails that her old boyfriend/stalker is going to put new brakes, rotors, wiper blades, and a headlight on our car in order to help it pass inspection, and am I willing to pay for it.

My answer: Only if he knows what he's doing and why on earth are you talking to him???

Last Friday Hans received two texts at the same time. One said, "We're at Evi's" and the next one said, "Evi died this morning."
Now here is a bit of a coincidence. You see, Hans' Aunt Eva goes by a nickname pronounced as Ayfee but is spelled Evi. Baby Girl's cat's name is spelled Evi so poor Hans almost had to sit down when Baby Girl deemed the death of Evi the Cat as Text worthy as opposed to Email worthy and sent her message at the same time Hans' Baby Brother sent his text as he wanted us to know he'd arrived at Aunt Evi's house.

I'm the only one who found this to be morbidly funny.

I did get a follow up email that an autopsy on Evi the Cat is being performed. I told Hans not to worry when he asked if autopsies are free.

A recent email from Vet Tech Girl went like this: What the hell have you been feeding Wilbur? He has the shits! I told you only 10% of his diet should be liver and you've got it at about 50%!!! I'll clean up the mess. BTW his beef bone is really starting to stink!! Signed, your loving daughter.

From me to Vet Tech Girl: Dear rotten ungrateful daughter, Wilbur never had the shits until you started watching him! Put the bone outside.

From Vet Tech Girl: Oops I have no idea how Wilbur got a hold of one of your sandals but I don't think anyone will notice the heel. I threw it in your bedroom. Sorry.

Me to Vet Tech Girl: I woke up this morning here in Germany and could have sworn Chlorox was walking on me (sometimes I get these premonitions). Would you please make sure she's still alive.

Vet Tech Girl to me: She's been screaming her head off, she's fine.

Vet Tech Girl again: Wilbur is a naughty boy. He thinks he's allowed to see what's on the counters. BTW, I've been diagnosed as bipolar and listed you as my emergency contact.

Me to Vet Tech Girl: When the hell did Wilbur get tall enough to counter surf?

Hans was concerned about the bipolar business. What did they call it before they had a name for it, he wanted to know. They called it being a bitch, was my reply and I'll deal with that nonsense when I get home.

I have to say though that this email is my favorite. It had no text, just this picture. That's Duncan, Wilbur, and the little lady on the bottom is Duncan's woman Miley. I only wish she hadn't used her flash as they all look possessed!

Years ago my best friend went on vacation to Aruba with her boyfriend. She told her kids that under no circumstances were they to call her. Even if they broke a leg, "It would be set before I could even get home anyway, SO DON'T YOU DARE CALL!"

I remember being very shocked and thought she was being callous but I have to say after this trip I'm in total agreement with her!!!

A quick update on our Germany/London trip. And my dress

2010-05-19T07:28:00.010-04:00

It's been a very busy and hectic week and hasn't been made any easier with the constant fear of whether the volcanic cloud will decide to wreak her power over us.

We were lucky to be able to fly into Heathrow from Hamburg, Germany yesterday as the airports had been shut down the day before! It was a bit unsettling to see a normally busy place so very quiet.

Anyway we are currently in Leeds (Hans has business here) and will leave for London (by train) tomorrow so we can be totally irritating tourists for three days!

Once again I didn't account for the cooler weather that happens over here and I didn't pack enough warm clothes. Saturday's wedding started with a boat ride to the church and I had nothing dressy to put over my 'afternoon' dress. Luckily when we went to pick up Hans' tux we stumbled upon a used clothing store and just as I was ready to give up I found something that would work. Unfortunately it cost 50 euro!! Ouch. I don't even want to see my credit card bill.

It's a shame you can't see the dress (I didn't make it but I did get it on sale and it was a lot cheaper than the 'used' jacket).

My used jacket! Thank God we found it because it really was a chilly and windy day.

The red carpet treatment at the reception that evening.

This is the dress I made.

Hans in his tux. The store in Hamburg only had one shirt in his size.

Believe it or not we found out we have to do this whole thing all over again in August when the sister of the bride gets married!

I can't tell you how frustrating the internet is over here!! We chose not to pay for it at the airports or hotels and thought we could just use the wireless at Hans' aunt's house.

Sounds so easy doesn't it?

It turned into a huge ordeal (and is actually kinda funny now that it's over).

But just envision everyone shouting over each other in German and English as we tried to figure out the wireless code (the number Hans' aunt gave us was really her email password even though she swore over and over that it was the wireless code!). Hans then completely screwed up their computer, his computer, and he would have screwed up mine except I jerked it out of his clutches and bared my teeth at him.

All of this took place in the basement because the wireless will not reach upstairs. The server was on top of the water heater and I could hear Hans muffled roar through the door, "Who the hell thought it was a good idea to install it in here?"

In the middle of all this Hans' aunt and uncle decided to hook up their video recorder to the TV and watch the weekend's festivities. So from the upstairs family room they kept shouting questions (in German) downstairs to Hans (who couldn't hear them and I couldn't translate) because they had no idea how to get the disk out of the camera let alone how to connect the myriad of color coded cords to the TV.

I didn't help matters at all when I remarked way too many times, "How many times have I told you not to touch other peoples computers! And couldn't you have screwed everything up after we checked our emails?"

Poor Hans, if he had any hair to rip out I'm sure he would have!

Hours later Hans' younger cousin showed up and within seconds had the codes all sorted out and all computers up and running!

The video camera situation has yet to be resolved.

With great relief I was able to retrieve my email messages (and those alone are worth their own post) and then I found this on Pitter Patter.

Our silly Wilbur.

Toilet, Potty, Loo, WC, Powder Room...

2010-05-18T18:12:00.002-04:00

...or whatever you want to call it, I have but one requirement; and that would be a lock on the door. Actually I would also like to know how to flush the damn thing so I guess I have two requirements.

Normally one associates trips to Europe with visions of sashaying ever so fashionably down tree lined streets, sipping coffee at intimate little sidewalk cafes, shopping in trendy little boutiques...but for me, traveling in Europe is mostly about trying to spot the infamous skirt adorned stick figure sign that tells me I've found the ladies room! Some toilets require payment and heaven help you if you don't have the proper coins, and when you finally get inside there's the challenge of trying to figure out how to flush the stupid thing. There are buttons, levers, funny looking panels that require you to push them in and hold them, some even have a small panel within a big panel, the small being for number one and the larger for number two (more water flow for number two!!!), and even some old fashioned chains suspended from the ceiling. One time in Paris we had a toilet that refilled so slowly I finally got fed up, yanked the lid off the tank and spent the weekend filling it with tap water via our coffee carafe.

I was introduced to proper American guest within the European home potty etiquette, five years ago when we were in Switzerland for Hans' 50th birthday. There was a little powder room located in a short hallway off the kitchen and after using it, I would leave the door ajar. I had no idea I'd committed a huge gaffe in judgment until one of the cousins very pointedly asked me in front of everyone why I left the door open and didn't close it.

I simply explained that an ajar door signified that the potty was available.

I was told that an open potty door was disgusting and that if one wanted to use it all one had to do was knock on the door. Simple as that!

I was mortified and felt like poor American trash but from thereon in I never left the door open. That of course didn't stop people from barging in on me all weekend long, and since there was no lock on the door I'd find myself precariously sitting and leaning forward with my arms stuck way out in order to keep the damn door from flying open every time someone hurled themselves against it!
What happened to knocking? I wanted to scream, but didn't.

So five years later we are in Europe again, this time attending the wedding of the century. We are staying with Hans' aunt and uncle, and the little bathroom right outside our bedroom has no lock.

Needless to say I wasn't at all surprised when the door flew open yesterday morning as I was doing my hair. While completely naked.

It was Hans' aunt and she thought I was in the bedroom. I screamed, she screamed, and the door closed very quickly. I didn't have long to worry though as to what she saw because a second later her quavering voice in her pretty German accent called from the other side of the door, "Laura?"

"Yes?" From me.

"You look beautiful?"

OMG!!

Later on that afternoon we at her dining room table having coffee and cake (I've gained about a trillion pounds on this visit) when Hans' uncle (who doesn't speak English) asked how old Hans is (54). Then he nodded at me and said, "You?"
I said, "Fifty," which he understood, and then he made a shocked face and Hans' aunt told me he was very surprised as he thought I was younger.

I should have told him if he didn't believe me he should come by the bathroom later on and check for himself!

Internet access has been its usual pain in the ass this week and posting is extremely difficult! But I may actually have some time and access tomorrow.

The Castaway

2010-05-11T23:45:00.002-04:00

My head is pounding! I crammed a weeks worth of living into two days, and we have to be up at 5:30 AM tomorrow in order to get to the airport.
And while it's my own fault I still want sympathy!

Today I lined and hemmed my silk dress. And no one, NO ONE!!! will ever be permitted to see the interior. It's that bad!

The sleeves on my little black jacket needed to be hemmed but they were already short, so I added a black bias tape edge to them and it actually made them look kind of smart. Let's hope people will see the smartness of the sleeve edges and not notice the hideous job I did in easing the sleeves into place. I'm still not entirely sure, but I may have put them in backwards!

I made Wilbur a batch of food but I ran short and hope desperately that Vet Tech Girl will carry on in our absence.

I checked out 6 books at the library but only have room for 4 in my luggage.

I made a quick (and expensive) trip to Petco and when what you need is in a locked display case, look out!!! it's not gonna be cheap!

Then onto the shoe store. When I finished my silk dress I threw on my favorite patent leather sandals and the damn back strap on one of them wouldn't stay up!! Thank God I found a cute pair of black satin heels on the clearance rack! I get the clearance rack while Wilbur gets the locked vault stuff!!! It would appear that he is the high maintenance member of this family.

Then came time to pack and I didn't get started till after dinner. Passports, electrical plug adaptors, cords for all of our electronic devices, does my new flat iron work in Europe? Are we checking baggage or not? What the hell is the weather going to be like over there? OMG, I only have one set of contact lenses left and I just ran out of saline solution! I forgot to renew my vehicle registration, it's due at the end of the month, and I had to jump online and renew it!! Baby Girl is using my car and now we need to get it inspected ad nauseum, and she's in the middle of finals!!
In the middle of all this Hans told me he needed my phone to update it for use in Europe. I didn't snarl. I didn't!!!!!!!!!

While I was running back and forth in my attempt to pack, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw this:

Wilbur had jumped into my suitcase.

He dug around and made a nice little nest.

If I thought for one second I could get away with it...

A finished evening gown!!!!!!!

2010-05-10T23:30:00.002-04:00

Today was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and blue, the air cool, the sun warm.

At least that's what I've been told.

Unfortunately I never set foot outside the apartment (except for Wilbur's early morning pee) until this evening when I finally unchained myself from the sewing machine.

This is because I'm the queen of procrastinators and even though I hate being that way, I think I'm going to have to resign myself to it.

Hemming this bias cut dress was very time consuming. I hand basted around the entire bottom edge (to hold it in place) and then pressed it.

I measured an inch up on the turned under hem, and added another row of basting. This was on the turned under part only! Not on the actual dress.

The second line of basting was added so the hem could be eased before hemming.

After easing the hem I applied some iron on hem tape at the very edge of the turned up hem. My mother wasn't sure if she approved of 'iron on' hem tape but I assured her it would be on the hem allowance only!

I then sewed the hem in place by hand.

You can see the border print showing in the bottom corner here. Since this dress was cut on the bias, one lower corner ended up with this darker print.

That's why I added the border print to the opposite side of the dress on the bodice in the photo above this one.

I have no idea if this makes sense but I like the asymmetrical look to it.

When I finished hemming the dress, I dug out a jacket pattern (I can't remember which one it is and I'm too tired right now to look) and made this.

Just in case it's chilly next weekend I'll at least have my arms covered.

We leave for Europe Wednesday morning.

I still have to pack.

I don't even know if I have shoes for some of my outfits!

Vet Tech Girl is going to watch Wilbur for us and I have to grind up a two week batch of chicken meat, bones, livers, and egg shells.

I just realized I have nothing to read on this trip so I have to hit the library.

My silk cocktail dress is missing a lining and needs to be hemmed.

I have no one to blame but myself!

All evening long we've noticed that something smells funky!

Hans thought it was Wilbur's bedding, but I just washed it, so I think the stink is Wilbur.

He smells like an anchovy!

I kid you not! What's that all about?

Smelly or not, at least he looks debonair.

It's official, I'm a ROAR Squad member!

2010-05-09T22:30:00.002-04:00

Normally I'm not a 'joiner' (although there was that time down in Mt. Airy, North Carolina when I was at Mayberry Days and became part of a fan club. Baby Girl got confused and told her teachers that I joined a cult! I kid you not!), but I so wanted to jump on the ROAR Squad band wagon, and I did!

Shauna over at Fido and Wino has taken on a huge task.

She's the creator of the Roar Squad, and her dream is to put puppy mills out of business and make adopting pets from shelters a cool thing to do!!!

If you want to feel all kinds of warm fuzzies, you really should go check her out. And if you know anyone who's looking for a pet of any kind, send them to her blog so they can see for themselves how adopting a 'cast away' could possibly be one of the most rewarding decisions they ever make!

And even if you aren't in the market for a pet, you should read her blog anyway as she's very witty and fun.

We went to my mom's today for Mother's Day and gave her the (used to be full) hanging flower basket that Wilbur the Future Florist ever so kindly pruned. We had a very nice afternoon and even managed to stay for dinner.

Now here's something I never expected to see. Chlorox and Wilbur, not only in the same room together, but on the futon together!! It's kind of like seeing the lion lie down with the lamb.

Or even more unlikely, how about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (or Mr. Imadinnerjacket, to us) and Isaac Mizrahi sitting down to discuss fashion together!

Now wouldn't that be something!!!!!!!