SUNDAY, May 18th, 2025

[purrfect-lady]

Good morning,

45 years ago our Mt. St. Helens blew her top. I remember it so well. We were in church at the time. Scientists had been watching it for weeks, warnings had been issued. And still 57 people died in the explosion and it's aftermath. What is seldom mentioned is that a week later she blew again when we were camping with our 3 little kids, ages 8,5, and 3, at the time. Rangers woke us up and said to hurry and get out of the campground. It took us 15 min to pack up everything and pile into our little Corolla station wagon, only to be directed to picnic shelters. The roads were too dangerous by then. We spent the morning playing cards and watching the ash fall around us, much like a heavy snowfall. Finally, we were allowed out on the roads and drove slowly home, stopping 3 times to clean our air filter. What an experience! Two years later, the downed trees were harvested and hauled out to mills. Two of my brothers, Albert and Jim, were log truck drivers in that crew.

CHRISS - so what did you end up doing yesterday? And you were correct - I did get out my new cross-stitch project. This is going to be another of those 3 year epic projects.

LYN - happy that you found a great reason to party with the family! We saw that big new Bucee's last Nov when we were in Loveland for the Christmas Tree adventure.

LORI - Bill always calls squirrels tree rats, too. He is not a fan, How was your class?

JANA - with all the chores done, did you get to go play in the Cave?

LOIS - chocolate cookies are my favorite - just in case you need to know. How goes the sunflowers?

JUDI - Are clearing space for your new machine?? I can't wait for you to get it!

Yesterday was a lay around kind of day. I finished one book and started another. I cleaned my sewing room and Bill loaded Llamas onto the LA. Then Amara called us! Fun to have a short visit. I think today will be another quiet day. I'll probably do a little cross-stitching, some reading, some napping. And Bill and I are working together on another scrapbook of photos for Amara - of our time with her last winter. We use Shutterfly.

I think roast chicken, baked potatoes, and broccoli will be on our supper menu.

Happy Sunday!
mary z
>^+^<

[auntjana]

Good morning!

Maryz - yes that was some experience with Mt St Helen's. I can comprehend because just a few short weeks later, I flew over that site as we traveled from SF to Seattle. It was a unbelievable picture from above, let alone being on ground zero! The trees being laid down just like matchsticks.

It's raining today. No concrete work. Daniel did get on section of the permanent rail fabricated. Today for church we're singing some easy hymns, but I still practice them.

The big news, at least for me, is I have a new med that works! I awhile back wanted to try Voltaren for my bad hip. As per the usual routine, Mr G read, like he always does, the enclosed drug pamphlet. Specifically said not to use on hips. So we returned the package to Costco and gave up. So when I saw our Dr the other day, he asked what I take med wise, told him, Advil, Tylenol and Aspercreme for that hip. He then said, why not Voltaren? I told him why, and he said, ignore that and use it on my hip. I finally tried it last night and for the first time in too many years to count, my hip doesn't hurt! Still doesn't this morning either! We'll see how church goes today. Dr said hip is fine to use on, just not my spine, which doesn't hurt any way.

Dinner is with the family at Matt's house. May get to sew a bit after church. Not very productive lately.

Hugs,
Jana

[grammiequilts]

Good Morning Another meal out, I had a gift card from the breakfast place we always go to that expired today,,,we could still use it today so Ken decided a free meal was a free meal...I had genuine Irish oatmeal for btreakfast today, they make it with fresh fruit and toasted pecans,,,yummy stuff. Home now and I did sort out he old amchine feet and parts that are usable. My sister will take all the feet to try on her machine,,,She may never use any of them ( She doesnt do any fancy sewing ) but she wants them. I kept the ones that fit my baby lock and I will take the 30+ years of full bobbins ( 20-30) to the guild meeting to see if anyone can use them. I could keep them for the thread colors but why? I have tons of thread and if I need a color I dont have I can buzz over to Sophia who has the rest of my thread,,I gave her, Then on tusday is new machine day, The owner if the LQS may have the name of the lady that will take my old machine for parts...since you cannot get parts for this model any longer...
Just when you think It is safe and all is well Ken just informed me there is a plumbing leak in the basement and we need to go to home depot so he can fix it,,,He mopped up the floor and he thought it was the washer but it isnt, a pipe has sprung a tiny leak. so along with picking up my groceries we will stop at home depot,,,always busy when you own a hundred year old house....
I did find a baggie of quilt blocks I needed for a friendship quilt at our guild.. I thought they were lost but St Anthony to the rescue. After the run I will try to do more borders on my quilt...we shall see...XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[WeSignificant]

Good morning ladies, missed yesterday. Up early to be in Napa by 9. I went to the meeting with the quilting ladies for my friends church. Not sure what to say about it. I was the baby, everyone else in their 70's and 80's. They work more with squares, strips and rectangles, no triangles. But no sewing at the meeting. The meeting is just a social time. They will decide in August or September what quilt they will make for the tea in March. I am not sure how I feel about it but will go to at least one more meeting before making a decision. We then headed over to Petaluma for lunch and the LQS there. Picked up some more 1800's and pattern by Bunny Hill Designs named Blueberries and Cream. It is a simple pattern. I will add a second border to make it a bit bigger. Bought the backgrounds and a few more blues but I have lots of blues at home. We ran into a huge car show there. I did not realize that American Graffiti was filmed in Petaluma. So I guess once a year they have this car show. There were cars for miles. We did not see them all, there so many.

Speaking of Mt St. Helens my DH uncle was in charge of the cleanup stuff from that event.

Chriss did you get to town? I do not see the churchs' here having rummage sales.

Lyn sorry that Maddox is acting out a bit. Wonder if there is something in particular that is bothering him.

Maryz I have never heard of Grace Errea but looked her up. Sounds like you will learn some wonderful things. Hoping that leg its acting up soon. Updates still not done. I have looked a few things up, I am going to try a smaller flashdrive but not today. Allergies are a mess after being out in the wind yesterday so staying indoors.

Jana always nice when things are unchanged and stable.

Judi we have no chocolate cookies here, can I come and get some? Happy new machine!

Lois hope we get to see that sunflower quilt soon.

I have my Kira quilt on the design wall and will hope to get it together today. Tomorrow I can do the borders. The backing fabric should be here tomorrow.

For now, off to shower and do a few chores. Have a great day everyone.

[WeeOne]

Good Sunday morning everyone.

MaryZ, Thanks for sharing your memories,
You had a real adventure. We visited Washington state a year or so after. By then there were gift shops open selling stuff made with ash. I have a small blue vase which, as I look around, I think I packed and it's in Texas to be put on display in my sewing Cabin. I hope you get answers and relief from your pain.

Dinner with Kaylyn and family was nice, at Red Robin. Layne, DGS, who didn't graduate had a busy day at a new job, was tired and not very talkative. I hope he will come up to see us on a day off while we're here. And no, I didn't give him a kick in the butt, only a hug, I think he's gotten taller and it would have been an acrobatic move.

Valerie, There's only a little bit known about Maddox biological parents and it's not good. Who knows what took place when he was in the womb. I'm encouraging Amanda to get him tested for heavy metals and a genetic test.

Amanda and Maddox head home today. I hate to see them go, but to be honest I'm tired and ready for a day or two of quiet before coming week's appts.

Dinner will be leftovers from meals in the last couple days.

[zfatcat]

Maryz, I remember when Mt. St. Helens erupted. My aunt Ruth and family lives in Spokane.
Crazy to be out camping when it happened. I bet that was scary for you as parents. Your dinner sounds good. My mom used to make roast a whole chicken for dinner and it was delicious. I haven't done that in a long time.

Jana, glad the Voltaren works for you. The doctor prescribed that for my dad's him last year. It did really help him. He had a really bad hip joint that should have been replaces years ago.

Judi, glad you got to use the gift card. I found a couple restaurant ones up at dad's that had expired many years ago. One of the things I really like about the Bernina 570EQ is the size of the bobbin. It's great for when I'm quilting a top.

Valerie, I was the one who mentioned Grace Errea. I took her class yesterday. She had some good tips. I took a class from her 10 years ago too. It was about color value and it helped a lot. Sounds like you had a good day yesterday.

Chriss, did you get over to you parents house yesterday? And did you find anything you couldn't live without at the rummage sale?

Lyn, sounds like you had a nice time with the family. My brother and I were adopted. My brother was bi-polar and when he started exhibiting systems as a young child, my parents tried to get more information to no avail. I think it's easier now to get health information. Hope he's just having a bad few days. It happens.

It was good to go to the class yesterday. Sitting around the house was just making me sad. Grace Errea has a very unique way of creating a fusible substance for fabric using liquid thread. I guess there is a Youtube of her showing what she does. I will definitely use this process again. I watched the movie "The Brutalist" last night. It was a really long movie, but good. Today I'll go up the street and go though some more stuff. I haven't seen the Orange tabby again. Sure hope she okay. She was very sweet. Don't know what's for dinner just yet, Mary's roast chicken sounds yummy.

Have a lovely day.

[Marilynsgrammy]

Good morning. This is it, the last coolish day before we see those temps climb.

The sheets are in the washer and will soon be taking advantage of the sunshine when I hang them on the line to dry. Yesterday was spent piddling around here not doing a lot of any one thing but doing a little of a few different things. I talked myself out of going to the quilt show and any yard sales so am money ahead.

Maryz, One day Amara is going to go over those scrap books and photo books and remember fondly the love from her grandparents. I think it's wonderful that you put those memories in books for her to keep forever.

Jana, I love Volatren and it smells good. Glad it's working for you.

Judi, you keep going out for meals and you might forget how to cook. Idon't do fancy sewing either but have all the fancy feet that came with my machine. They are in a baggie and will likely stay there until the end of time.

Valerie, those old cars are really something to look at. Soon the American Graffiti cars will be in Modesto. I've never been, it just seems like it would be so crowded.

Lyn, wouldn't want you to throw your hip out of joint kicking Layne in the butt, I would have also given him a hug. My thoughts go out to Amanda, it's not easy adopting and raising a kid. But she is doing it and one day, even though there are tough times now I hope she and Maddox have the same great bond that Marilyn and I have. It just takes a lot of love and understanding. She seems to have both.

Lori, I never saw the parents or went to sales yesterday. Dad is fixing the water cooler in his garage and that made it a "don't bug dad, he's working" day. Maybe the orange cat found a home? I looked at and like the Grace Errera quilts. Kind of like collage quilting? Happy cleaning out at dad's. I'm wondering, when you found the note in your mom's pocket that said to send it to someone when she passed, did you find that person and get them the stuff?

Ihave no clue what is for dinner tonight. I do know I don't have any salad stuff so need to get some shopping done. Guess I will go get dressed, have some breakfast and figure it all out. You have a groovy day.
Chriss

[gershwin64]

Hi everyone!!
Gosh, I'm one tired puppy......more likely senior dog giving a 2 year old baths is for younger and in better knee, back and foot shape than me
See I'm so tired I hit submit
Holly brought supper for me to make. I made stew meat, mashed potatoes, French fries, baked potatoes and green beans...... Mathew and Elijah only eat french fries, Easton and Preston eat baked potatoes and Holly, Frankie and me wanted mashed with gravy. I need to clean my kitchen but wanted to stop in and say hi. I've been trying to stay caught up on reading but it's a few minutes here, there and everywhere. Elijah now loves his Auntie Holly, he hardly would have anything to do with her, I'm guessing because he doesn't see her often. He told her he loves her yesterday.
Lyn, Preston had a meltdown yesterday, he was overly tired and didn't eat enough.....him and Easton both get that way when they get too tired or too hungry.
Judi, congrats on the new machine!!
Someone asked about the hole in the backyard, it's filled in and leveled and grass seed planted, I'm hoping by next weekend we'll be able to see the grass growing
Maryz, I sure hope your pain in your leg and your sciatica don't last anywhere near as long as mine! Volterin works pretty good on mine for awhile but I have to rotate between it and 2 others I use..... they seem to get less helpful the longer I use them but when I rotate every few weeks then they work better.
Jana, I've used Volterin for at least 10 years off and on , it's great!
Chriss, our temperatures are still going up and down, it's kinda strange.
Lori, I hope the yellow kitty is ok.
Easton got a new kitty yesterday, her name is Cali. I'll have Holly send me a pic of her to show you all, she's so sweet. She was a bottle fed baby at the rescue. She's 5 months old.
Well my kitchen isn't cleaning itself so I better get it done.
I hope you all are doing good.
Prayers for all in need
Tina