Friday, June 13, 2025

Full Moon Hangover

 Woohoo!!  I usually check the weather app for temperatures, but I never think to check for wind in the summer.  We rarely ever have any.  Last night however, it was whipping around the corners of the patio and howling like a wolf.  That caused me to get up twice ... not that I was sleeping anyway ... to see what crashed.  Luckily just my soapy water bottle to kill the aphid that are attacking only SOME of my plants.  

I skip breakfast now, trying to head on down into "burning ketones" mode, whatever that is.  I've finally lost what I gained last month from all that cake!  Lunch was just another weird one.  This bread ... it is SO good.  I'm sure it's just because I've been addicted to bread all my life.  But avocado toast?  It's never been on my menu.

And it probably won't be again.  I suppose you shouldn't just slap it on there ... maybe mix in something else, but it did use up the last of the avocados that were lounging in the swimming pool in my fridge.  


First things first, check the garden.  This growing thing has caused my time schedule to change completely.  I'm out by 6:00 at the latest, trying to get everything done in cool weather.  I have watered with the epsom salts twice now, and I have to say, the tomatoes are SO much sweeter than the first ones harvested.  Maybe it's just the heat, but they are MUCH better tasting.


Every day now, Lizzie II comes out from under the rosemary to catch some rays (and maybe some ants) on the block.  


Not that I had a FREE day, I didn't, but I sat around until noon before getting my act together.  I have all those olallieberries in the fridge that need to be made into jelly.  Those of us who have done this kind of thing for years (you know who you are), have shelves full of jars.  I can't believe I had absolutely NO jars in any cupboard or in the entire garage.  That's actually a sin!!  

So off to the only store in town that had them, which was of course THE most expensive one around.  It's pretty sad that while prices are going down everywhere, it's cheaper for us to drive 30 miles north to SAFEWAY (which was always the most expensive), instead of shopping locally.  These jars were $22.00.


The other item on my list was a cheap pot roast that I could share with Mr. Cooper.  I almost had a heart attack.  $11.00 a pound ... $30.88 for this one piece of meat worth $10.00.  The shelf was full of them, mostly because who in the world can afford THIS?  I'm not broke, but I'm not paying this price for CHOICE beef.  I probably would not even pay this much for PRIME!


Oh but WAIT ... Tri-Tip was the same price, this one costing $42.00.  The two cheapest pieces of meat on a cow and they are THE most expensive.  I passed.  Mr. Cooper and I will just eat chicken!!  Here's the thing I wonder about.  NO ONE in this area is well off.  Probably half the town is on welfare, so this is not going to be a big seller.

So what do they do with all this meat when no one buys it?  Anyone know?  I mean the case was full to the brim.  I guess they expect folks to barbecue for Fathers Day, but no one here can afford to pay this price.  So what happens to all that meat one week from now???  Inquiring minds want to know.


One grocery bag ... just ONE ... came to $113.00, the most expensive of which was the jars, followed by some dog food for Cooper.  I was tempted to try it since it's cheaper than a pot roast!

Here he is this morning.  Every time I get up, he follows me.  My little watch pup lays down and keeps watch at the door of every room I enter.  


Here he is at the moment ... such a good boy.  Yes that's a saddle stacked up on the right, and a nice cardboard box for my tax papers.  The child gates?  To keep the Watch Pup off the new carpet.  You can see how well that works.


The day ended with a Trustee meeting at the Elks Lodge.  At least on this night I wasn't yelled at regarding the fact that I did the budget by myself when no one else showed up to the budget meeting.  It's a delicate balance between being as conservative as possible, in order to break even and NOT pass on needless expenses to the members, since we are here to BENEFIT the members.  I seem to be the only one who understands that concept.

And so ... it's Friday the 13th, making this full moon hangover all the worse.  This is one of those days I would rather just stay stapled to the couch.  Alas, there is a Flag Ceremony at the lodge honoring our National flag, followed by dinner that I am supposed to attend.  I would rather walk through hot coals, but duty calls.  The good part is those folks are good company!!


Thursday, June 12, 2025

I Counted Too Soon

Here we are once again in sunny California.  It's strawberry picking time, thus we look forward to this beauty ... the Strawberry Moon.  Unfortunately, the picture lies.  It's not raspberry, it's not red, nor is it even PINK.  This came from someone with photoshop.


I use this app in order to find the moon before it rises so I know where to set up.  It's called Skyview Lite.  Click on the icon, then move your phone around and it will show you every single star in the sky, what its name is, and what astrological sign it is.  As you move around and point the phone, that's where that star or moon actually is in the sky, whether above or below the horizon line.    


On this night, the moon was way below the horizon line and not visible in the sky.  I waited until I just could not keep my eyes open.  So here it is early this morning, just about to set back below the horizon once again.  Nope ... not pink.


This is how we start every day.  Me catching up on emails and schedules while the pup snuggles.


Since I was stuck home all day waiting for the gate guy, I reminded myself to tend to the garden.  Hmmm maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all.  Gardening requires a LOT of work.


I pounded in two fence posts and set up a gate panel to hold the trellis.  It's rather old and saggy, like me.  I won't need it much longer because the plants are getting established and shouldn't need any cover from the sun.  Though you can barely see them, I put up the tomato cages also.


I'm very happy to say the gypsum is working!!  The zucchini is looking VERY good with no more blossom end rot.  I should be harvesting some soon.  I guess I'm going to become a vegetarian, because I spoke with my neighbor about leaving extras on her porch, and this is not their family favorite.  RATS!  


My bounty for the day!!  I think I'm going to starve.  That's my bell pepper on the right.  It smells HOT.  I've no idea what to do with it other than maybe add it to salsa?  But first, I'll have to buy tomatoes from the store.  Yup ... this was SUCH a good idea!


Worse yet ... it has turned me into a vegetarian!!  This was dinner.  That little yellow squash, along with three STORE BOUGHT zuccs!  


I told you I ate weird.  I tried out a new kind of low carb bread while using up the last of one sad avocado.  It wasn't big enough, so I threw on some butter for extra flavor.


Here it is ... the absolute best low card bread I've ever eaten.  It's full of yummy seeds and has zero sugar.  I found it at Safeway and THINK it cost $9.00 for the loaf.  When I looked it up online, I found it on Amazon for $34.00 ... two loaves.  YIKES!!  So much for THAT!!  I'll be savoring every single piece of the loaf I bought!


What about the gate guy?  I guess I counted my chickens too soon.  I waited all day long and he never showed up.  Nothing I hate worse than a NO-SHOW.  The worst part ... no one else around here works on these Powermaster gates.  

SO ... I placated myself with this.  No I didn't eat it, I got Meow Mix for the stray black kitty kitty who hides in my back yard.  He sneaks in every night ... sometimes around 8:00 and sometimes after midnight.  Yup I'm a softie for critters.


I'm not waiting around today ... I need some gutter repair goop, some sandpaper and a few more jelly jars.   A woman's work is never done!!




Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Full Moon Strikes Again

Good Morning California!!  Does that sound like I'm awake?  I'm not.  Just when I think Bingo can't get any worse ...... it does.

The day started off well enough ... coffee, puppy pets and meandering out to the garden to pick another dozen little tomatoes ... but I didn't get far.   

Remember I needed to answer every phone call in case the BOYSENBERRIES showed up to the party?  So the first two spoke Chinese.  I kid you not.  I hung up.  The next one was from Xfinity ... CLICK.  Next .... your car insurance has expired.  OH NO ... which one I ask.  They couldn't tell me ... CLICK.  I got bored with that game real quick.

So I called the automatic gate repair company.  I didn't get the spiel of "it will cost you $300 just for us to show up", but they did say ROCKY would call me back.  I didn't hold my breath, but four hours later, he DID.  He's coming this morning for a look see.  I told them I wanted it repaired, but I'm pretty sure he's just a salesman, so we shall see how that goes.  

Since I'm VERY short of pictures today, I'm posting the front of Patsy's card.  Anyone who knows Patsy, will know that this card came from her.  It looks like her Bunky!


And so ... fully encased in armor for the Full Moon Eve party at the Bingo Castle, I was off after a one hour phone call with a volunteer.  I love our volunteers, but I might have loved a one hour nap more.  I didn't get it.

At the lodge, I signed checks, went over bills, freaked out at the cost of the Friends Helping Friends lunch we prepared at the Fair Grounds and spent an hour trying to move costs around.  Much of the lunch leftovers, like chips and stuff, will be credited to our next event ... Father's Day.  Let me just say that Frito Lay boxes of chips are expensive.  $669 expensive!  

With that accomplished, I went to the Castle Turret to meet the King.  Big mistake Nancy, BIG!!  Both of our Kings (yes, we actually have two) will be gone almost an entire month in the future AT THE SAME TIME ... and they need a VICTIM to run the show, or at least hold the mayhem to a minimum.

The full moon struck me in the back with a PITCHFORK!!  That means I have to learn to call Bingo and manage the back room, something that I have successfully stayed away from for about 14 years.  On purpose!!  

And so I was drug up on stage to learn how to control the electronic board, call bingo and verify the pull tab games.  Lucky for me this time, I got to sit and watch.  Can you just imagine ... a new caller catching the slings and arrows of 127 folks???


Add to that trying to figure out what pull tab games to play, each one having a different amount of cards that must be sold before the next box is opened ... keeping track of which games pay out how much ... and knowing when to open the NEXT box, while keeping the best sellers for LAST.  SO MUCH MORE than I EVER wanted to know!!

Silly me ... here I thought I was training a new Infernal Machine operator so I could be off on vacation.

I also learned that instead of going home at 9:30-10:00, I will have to stay and lock up!!  That's a minimum of 10:30 ... meaning I won't get home until 11:00.  I change into a pumpkin at ten, so this should be fun, yes?

Back at the infernal machine, we had THAT player who jumped into the middle of the line for a couple of dobbers.  Cutting in line is not allowed unless you have the exact change.  I asked her to go to the end of the line, but she refused.  So we ignored her.  She of course, got VERY mad.  I'm sorry, but we don't allow cutting in line.  She sort of asked two ladies back if that was okay, and they said yes ... but then she went straight to the front while we were checking out someone else.

FULL MOON MANIA instantly appeared.  She started screaming at me ... you're making me LOSE ... I won't win BINGO NOW!!  That's because you cut in line!!  We don't allow that!  She finally paid and stomped off.  Next time bring the correct cash or get in line.  That's the rules!!  Too bad we don't have the WE DON'T PLAY DURING A FULL MOON rule!!

And so for the next seven weeks, I'll be honing my bingo calling nonexistent skills.  The last thing my calling teacher said was THEY YELL AT YOU, DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY.  Okay then .......

Hopefully Rocky shows up after I've had an hour's nap, with good news that my gate controller can be repaired.  

I'll be one the couch ................. recovering.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Tuesday, June 10, 2025

WORK WORK WORK

 Little did I know, this day was going to be filled with WORK WORK WORK.  Yup it's hot, so when you call the local guy to wash the almond dirt off your solar panels, he shows up at 8:00 on the dot.  I'm always up early, but that doesn't mean my brain is engaged.


Do these look great or what?  Nice shiny black.  I should have taken a BEFORE picture.  They were really bad!!


Unfortunately for me, that allowed another problem to rear its ugly head.  As he washed the side panels off, I noticed water was coming out THROUGH the gutter.  Ugh ... another project.  The corners of three gutters have come apart and need repair immediately because it's ruining the paint on the facia.  Luckily it's not going to rain any time soon, so I have some leeway to get it fixed.  He explained what to get and how to do it.

He did a fabulous job of cleaning, as always.  As he was finishing up, I had a GREAT idea.  Maybe he could wash the top of my rig and it's three solar panels too?  Of course he said, so I pulled it out and he got right to work.  The panels have been working great, keeping the batteries topped off even while under cover, but this will help, I'm sure.


Unfortunately for me, that left big streaks of dirt down the sides of the van.  RATS!!  I didn't think about that part.  After he left, I had to give it a bath.  Talk about work!!  By then it was a lovely HOT 85 degrees and I was quite toasted.  Back under the shelter it went!


By the time I got to work on my next project, it was just too darn HOT.  I got the T-posts out, along with my T-post driver.  I've pounded many a post in my day, but I was MUCH younger then.  They are still laying right there.  Maybe this morning.


This tiny little guy entertained me as I walked back and forth.  I don't know how they can stand the heat.  Apparently he hides under the rosemary bush during the day.  I picked a few more tomatoes, eating half of them before I even got in the door to stand right in front of the fan.


That's when I got the phone call.  There's one little Hmong farmer in our area who grows boysenberries.  Every year, you have to make reservations to get some.  Unfortunately for me, Mama wasn't there, but the teenage boy was.  Too bad he didn't even know what they were.  He wrote my name and phone number down like I asked however.

Lot of good that did.  The phone call was to say my friend had picked up THEIR supply, and did not see my name on the list.  No surprise, so I immediately drove to the farm.  Sure enough, she had none and my name was nowhere to be seen.  She wrote it down once again.  Hopefully someone else will NOT answer their phone.  Note to self ... answer every single phone call, even if you KNOW it's spam.  

They grow lots of stuff there, so I picked up more zucchini and two big red onions.  She also had olallieberries ... unfortunately frozen ... but they will make my next project ... JELLY!!  It's not cheap these veggies, but they're fresh!!  After all, we have to pay for Mama's new car!!


Back home I got a message from Patsy.  Did you get your mail recently?  Ummmm yes, but I knew there was a reason she asked.  I hit the mailbox about every other day.  Sure enough, look what I found.  A gorgeous HAND MADE birthday card.  How sweet was that!!  It took awhile to get here ... their post office guys are on strike and ours rarely show up for work!!  I love it!!!


My laundry list is getting long, but you know what today is ... it's Tuesday ... Magic Castle time.  And just because life likes to throw me hard balls ..... it's a FULL MOON.  Oh yeah ... this is going to be FUN!!!


Monday, June 9, 2025

Stuck On The Couch

 It's another cool breezy morning, which I can't find fault with, even one tiny bit.  Apparently I do need to adjust my AC a little since it ran most of the night.  If only it was whisper quiet!!

Here's an update on the eagle babies ... now teenagers ready to fly the coup.  Not great pictures, since the camera lens gets pretty dirty.  That's the beak on the far left.  She's been flapping her wings most of the time, moving from one edge to the other.  As you can see, the male (or at least I think it's the male) has flown away.


He comes back most every night they say, but takes off early in the morning for Mom's fishing lessons.  On THIS morning, both were back in the nest just chilling as the sun came up.


First things first ... Cooper and I went for a little walk.  And little it was.  For whatever reason, he smelled the grass and said NOPE ... not going out today.  I thought maybe he wasn't feeling good, and maybe that was the case.  We admired my white Lily of the Nile flowers, which are blooming like CRAZY!  


Thirty seconds later, we were back on the couch.  He must have had a bad night.  So here I am, glued to the couch because if I move even the slightest, he will wake up.


I mean what can you do?  I watched him sleep and took pictures.  Anyone who has a critter can relate.


I watched Mr. Roomba try to eat the fish ... not once, but twice.  Surprisingly, he just rolled right over it before trying to lodge himself under the chair once again.  Sorry kid ... I can't get up.  You're doomed!!!


I thought about where I could go all morning long.  Does anyone else do that?  I could go one night without Mr. Jonathan, but truly, there's not much around here within a few hours drive.  Yosemite would be nice, but you can't get in any more without a reservation.  Even if you are only going for an hour, you MUST have a reservation.  They've ruined it for everyone.  

The coast?  Same ... reservations required.  If it was just me, it would be much easier, but I can't go anywhere without the kid.  SO ... how about just hit up a nice restaurant?  Shop for things I don't need?  I got as far as the door before saying "this is ridiculous.  I don't need anything, so why spend the money?"

After two hours, I gave up on that thought.  Instead, I found a recipe for chicken that included soy sauce, brown sugar, honey and sesame oil.  At the end, I threw in a bag-o-frozen-broccoli that I cooked WAY too long in the microwave.  It was edible I guess ........


Back on the couch with the kid ... I watched a few videos before finding this.  Now THIS is a tattoo I could get in to.  You know how it is, you never have a tape measure around when you need one.  Jim ... this is right up your alley, though you would have to extend it a bit.  I mean you could always point to the BIG ONE you caught before Barb.  "It was up to my KNEE"!!


Next I read up on the weed killer I used.  I'm happy to say it's working and SUPPOSEDLY, there's no problem with pets as long as it's DRY.  No worries there, Mr. Cooper won't be going anywhere NEAR where I sprayed.  

And then of course came the riots in Los Angeles.  Thankfully, I live far far away from the MOSTLY PEACEFUL rioting going on.  It's interesting to note they seem to be PAID rioters, many coming with duplicate backpacks loaded with bricks and a hammer to break them up for throwing purposes.  Apparently at the end of yesterday, they were shooting off commercial grade fireworks into the line of police.  

This doesn't appear to me to be peaceful protests.  It's an outright riot .. buildings broken into, owners tased and robbed.  It's a sanctuary city ... they protect their criminals.  I'm glad I don't live there.  


At long last, while Mr. Cooper was snoozing on the couch, I slipped out the door and headed to Tractor Supply once again.  I forgot the tomato cages last time.  I was a little surprised when I parked, that the truck next to me had his engine running.  

I went inside with my cages, only to find a line clear to the back of the store.  They do have TWO registers, but apparently NOT two cashiers.  I was in line for 30 minutes when I thought ... maybe I don't need these after all!!  The dog behind me kept me interested however, as he barked at absolutely everyone who went by.  

Back outside with my $30 worth of cages, the truck was STILL there with his engine STILL running.  That guy must have lots of money for fuel.  

With nothing in the fridge for dinner, I stopped at TOGO'S to see what they had.  I've never stopped here, but hey ... let's be adventurous!  After all, this is small town back country and nothing else is going on.  I tried their Bacon Chicken Ranch wrap.  

This was YUMMY, even if I never did see or taste any bacon.  I saw him put it in the microwave to heat up, but I don't think it made it to the sandwich.  I'll have the second half for breakfast!!


That was it ... an absolutely boring day of puppy watching and hand sewing on the couch.  One quilt down, one half done and one to go.  In the meantime, I actually did come up with an idea to shade the REAL tomatoes from the sun.  I'll see if it's going to work ... but first ... my solar guy is coming to clean the panels, now that most of the plowing and planting has been completed in the neighboring areas.

Should you want to check out the eagles, look up Big Bear Bald Eagle Nest Live Cam.  It's very cool ... until it becomes like watching paint dry while they perch on the edge of the nest looking out over their territory.  What gorgeous creatures!!




Sunday, June 8, 2025

Oh Those Crunches!!!

At 4:30 in the morning, I opened the door and turned on the house fan.  It's heating up once again.  At least that helps to hold my A.C. at bay for most of the day.  Here we are oblivious to what's coming at the end of the day.

As hot as it has been, it's also been windy.  Not the nice cool breeze on your face, but hot, like opening my convection oven door.  That made it rather difficult to spray the weeds.  Obviously, they like the heat as much as my tomatoes do.  This is around the back corner of the house, and I forget to check it.  I'm using a new kind of spray, so we shall see if it really works.  

Measuring that with a measuring spoon is not in my repertoire.  Just WHERE do you wash the spoon that it doesn't kill everything close by?  What was that other recipe again?  Salt, water, vinegar ... anyone know?


I was sneezing the entire time.  I'm guessing it's because of THIS.  I used to think it was beautiful, but the more I sneeze, the more I wonder if that was a good life choice.


After the problems with the last two quilts, I wasn't looking forward to doing this one with the name on it.  I finally decided if I screwed it up, the recipient wouldn't mind since I knew them pretty well.  Worst case, I'll cut off the top and bottom and have it embroidered again.


Disaster struck within the first 10 inches.  NOOOOOO .... that noise that sounds like a rock has fallen into the machine.  Crunch Crunch!!  Either I didn't hold my mouth right, or I didn't pray enough.  I calmly took out the bobbin thread, took the case apart and put it back together.  I thought I found the problem until I went to replace it and a big chunk of thread and lint fell out.  From where, I've no idea.

I put it back together, took out about two inches of stitching and began again.  IT WORKED!!  You've never seen anyone so happy .... BUT WAIT.  We haven't quilted over that heavily embroidered name yet.  I held my breath!!!  It wasn't smooth as glass, or soft as butter, but it quilted right on through it.  What a relief!!!


Though I literally held my breath through the rest of the six rows, it worked just fine, though I had to reset the entire program once again.  WHEW!!!  I can't tell you how happy I was to have this one completed.  Mostly because I have four more just like it ... when the embroidery is completed that is.  


I celebrated with a COLD ONE.  No, not a beer ... but an icy cold PEPSI.  Lunch was one of my weird things.  Use up those eggs and tomatoes.  By the way, my eggs were purchased 4/11, and I have one dozen left.  Do you think they are still good?  I really don't know how long eggs last.


Mr. Cooper and I lounged around for awhile, but he was panting a bit, like it was too hot.  Okay little guy ... time for a haircut.  This is of course his least favorite thing to do in the world.  It's okay little buddy .... I won't cut off anything important.


Not the best job in the world, but he doesn't care. He's a cool cat now and can't see himself in the mirror anyway, so he doesn't know it's kind of raggedy.  Poor baby's eyesight is failing him, though he seems to be able to find the ball every time.


And so ended a stressful day, with a big sigh of relief.  Luckily even I could not find the spot in the quilt where I stopped and restarted.  The recipient is going to love it.  Now for MORE hand sewing.  




Saturday, June 7, 2025

WHAT IS THAT??

 You are probably going to be hearing this a lot ... it's another gorgeous day in sunny California.  Once awake after a nice cup of Joe on the patio, I headed out with Mr. Cooper to check the garden.  It's a good thing I don't have to rely on it for food, because I would starve to death.

Look here ... I have two little yellow squash that are still alive.  I would look up recipes for yellow squash, but I don't want to jinx it like I did the zucchini.  Out of seven of those babies, I only have one left.  The Doctor is IN, so maybe I can save it with some TLC.  I'm not holding my breath.


THIS however ... the REAL  Early Girl tomato ... actually has a whole soon-to-be BIG tomato on it.  And many more flowers.  I have two of these plants, so I might get enough for at least two BLT sandwiches.  I'm not counting my chickens, just in case.


And then .... THEN .... I spotted this.  WHAT IS THAT?  The little sign thingy said BELL PEPPERS.  This doesn't look like any bell pepper I've ever had before.  This one is about 3 inches long and appeared out of nowhere.  Any guesses?  


Then I look over at the OTHER bell pepper plant to find the same thing.  What am I going to do with these?  If they are hot, I'm having none of it.  I'm am not a fan of hot peppers.  They do seem happy though since there are four more flowers on each plant.


Oh well ... I'll stew about that later.  It was time to head on off to the bank.  I was NOT looking forward to this, considering all the trouble they have caused me over the last three months.  Their customer service on a scale of 1-10 is negative 359.  

I had all the papers as I walked into the bank, to find the "Service Person" leaning on a counter with half her body, talking to a man.  I waited, but she didn't even look my way.  I went on down to the waiting area and told myself to BE NICE.

Fifteen minutes later, past my appointed time, she sauntered down my direction.  I stood up just before she passed me by.  I have an appointment at 11:30?  "What for?"  Signature changes.  "You have to have everyone here".  No, because I have all the paperwork.  She looked at the paperwork, then walked away.  No kidding .... I was close to screaming.  
But I waited ... another ten minutes ... when a nice lady came up and asked if she could help.  Yes please ... and I explained the problem.  "Oh I can help you with that".  It took five minutes for her to look up the account and tell me everything was in order, that the papers would be sent to their main office and the signatures changed in two weeks.  

I ran out of there like I was on fire.  Finally ... FINALLY .... I was done with Bank of America and the RV group.  It was a little sad however, because back in the day, that group had the best people in it EVER.  We had so much fun riding steam trains, but now, getting folks to volunteer for anything is like pulling hens teeth. I guess all good things must come to an end.  Most all of the original group have retired from RV life.  Things change ... we get older.

And so I headed back home, still wondering what surgery might be required to make my Victory Garden healthy.  The couch was calling my name, but I tried to ignore it.  I am behind in quilting, so decided I had plenty of time to get one more done.  Though I'm a little leery due to some problems here and there, it started off fine.


And then it went all to ....... well, you know.  After two rows, it lost its mind.  I reset everything and started again.  That's when I heard the horrible crunching noises.  Oh let me tell you ... there's nothing worse when it comes to a longarm.  I turned everything off, let it catch its breath and reprogrammed it again.

It stitched fine until it didn't.  Good grief ... I turned it off once again.  I had to take out about a hundred stitches before starting back up.  It went great until the end of that row whereupon my border stitching went ZIP and came apart.  BIG SIGH.  I had to loosen the entire thing, try to turn up the edge, and hand sew that border piece back on.  Yup ... reset the entire thing once again!  At long last, it was done, even if it did require another border stitch and a sewing machine fix where the pattern didn't quite match up.


In the end, I don't think anyone will be able to see it, but now I'm REALLY scared to start another one!!

That was it ... I stopped everything for the day.  No use pushing my luck any further.  Here's the good news ... I don't have to do ANYTHING or go ANYWHERE today if I don't want to.  

So let's see ... where can I go today!!!