Day 140

     Yep, only 140 days until I am retired.  Well, at least until the last day of school.  Technically and officially I won't be retired until July 1, but my last day is May 21.  After a bit over a year in banking and 9 years in hospitality and one year as a Kelly Temp and 25 years teaching, I'm hanging it up and will be joining my husband, who has been retired for nine years, in sitting back and putting the feet up.  So let the countdown begin.
     In the meantime, I can't believe that it has been over two years since my last post.  I keep thinking of this blog but never quite get to the point of posting anything.  Call it a resolution or just trying to calm down a bit and get some thoughts out, but I'm hoping to post something each day until the number 1 that is positive, interesting, amazing or a simple observation.
     So, off we go.

Two Fair Ribbons!

I won TWO ribbons!

We decided that today was the day to go to the fair. Wanted to make a day of it rather than just an evening. Well, the usual 35 minute drive was 1 hour and 45 minutes due to traffic from home to the fair parking. I was willing to walk around on our way to the Quilt Exhibit but Bert headed right over there.

Well, barely in the door and there hanging up on the wall, not folded over amongst other quilts like in the past, was my quilt. With TWO ribbons! I received a Blue ribbon for my Class, Applique Hand, and I received a Purple Rosette Ribbon for Best of Division which is the best of all eight classes in that division. I was blown away. I was just standing there taking it all in when this lady that I didn't even know, out of the blue asked if I quilted. All I could do was point at my quilt.

I know that I'm pretty emotional some times, but I had tears running down my cheeks. Such recognition is quite a bit overwhelming. After a pretty rough first full week at school, this was a pretty good pick-me-up.

Off to the Fair, the Quilter and Flowers

     Well, it's been ages since I've posted anything here.  So busy with work and then work after school was out and then I took on more work, and when I had some down time I really didn't want to spend it on the computer.  Combine that with a record-setting winter for snow, nearly twice the usual amount, followed by a record cool July, 53 degree average, when there was sun, we were outside enjoying what little sun there has been.
     So here is a preview of what has been happening.  The first photo is of the Baltimore Quilt that I have been working on for about two years.  I began it in earnest two summers ago when I began summer travels.  I finished most of the blocks over the following winter but did not put the top together until that fall.  This last winter I finally layered and quilted it and have been doing the finishing touches these last two weeks.  This Friday is the gathering day for the Alaska State Fair and this will be the first quilt I've entered in about three years.  I'm really please with it, but my downfall to a ribbon will probably be the backside.  I had a terrible time keeping the thing taut and free of wrinkles.  The front is stellar, the back less so.  We shall see what the judges think.  The individual block shows the tiny stippling that I did in each block. I was also a bit untraditional in my choice of fabrics, using several bali prints, and I used ultra-suede for the berries.  My own touch I guess.
     The third picture is the quilt that I help Mom finish for my youngest sister when I visited this summer.  Apparently some of the fabric was purchased late last summer and the rest was scraps from Mom's very large stash.  The top had been begun, but things weren't turning out right and my non-quilting sister was having trouble figuring our what was wrong, partly due to the directions.  The center strip on both the six and nine-patch blocks was cut too wide.  Another seam down both sides and a cut along both ends and all was fixed.  I was the cutter, presser, direction reader, and organizer and Mom sat and sewed.  I've left the picture sideways as that will be how the quilt will be on their bed.  Wider rather than longer since they have a sleigh-bed.
     The last is one of my Mom's hydrangea bushes.  She has three and this is the most spectacular.  It is on the north side of the house and I guess that being out of the brutal sun of this summer and the sprinkler system has been good for it.  Several neighbors walking by have stopped and commented and many pictures have been taken.
     So, I've been working on a red-sticks quilt as that can be sewed at any time without any pattern, and I have a large, 18 inch by 24 inch applique flower basket bouquet that I started on my summer travels.  I actually had all the pieces cut out over 17 years ago, but had been avoiding making the bias strips and weaving the basket.  Well, I got that done and the sewing has begun.  Something to do in the evening.
     But, school starts this Friday and with new books, new software, new principal, and other new duties that I have crazily signed up for, I'm afraid not much sewing will be accomplished.
     Oh well. 

Happy Valentines Day

     Been too busy with life to really do much sewing.  I've continued to machine quilt my Baltimore Album quilt.  I've got seven of nine blocks done so I am almost there.  Stitch in the ditch around each block and part of the border and then do some sort of pattern in the outside border and I will almost be done. 

     Not really quilting, but I decided on Sunday, not that I procrastinate any, that I needed to make my Valentines Day cards this year.  So, I quick embroidered two items, one for my guy, Bert, and one for the young man we've taken under our wing.  Put them together after school today and brought them home to surprise my two bestest guys.
     Not the best picture but you get the idea.  Of course I wrote sweet nothings on the inside!

Therapy

This is my type of therapy.  Well, at least the preferred type versus the other types that we partake of now and then.  Considering the last couple of weeks, let alone the last couple of months, this has transported me away from life for a few hours to enjoy the creative process.  One square down, nine to go, and then the borders.

Pink Day

     Today was a day full of many emotions.  Sadness at loss which I'll skip talking about today, stress from over 100 Seniors waiting until the last day to turn in their pictures for the Yearbook and parents turning in Tributes for their children, and finally the excitment of Pink Day at Palmer High.

     Of course October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Last week several students wore pink for friends and family on their own.  This week there was more of a push for staff and students to wear pink, especially today.  Between 2nd and 3rd period an all-call went out for everyone wearing pink to gather in the upper commons for a picture so that I could take one for Yearbook and the slideshow on the schools home page.  I was worried that I was too excited about today and hoping that so many would show up that I would be disappointed by a low turnout.  Well, from nearly 900 people in the building this was the turnout for the picture.  I'm happy, especially with all the guys that participated as well.  I too wore pink, but I'm not in the picture.  I was taking it!

Sunday Drive

     Sunshine has been a rare commodity lately and since it was very bright today and the fall colors are in full swing, we decided to take a drive.  Yes, the last two weeks in September are fall way up here.  We enjoy it for about two weeks if we are lucky, then a strong wind seems to arrive and before you know it the trees are bare and we are simply waiting for the snow to arrive. 
     The nice thing about Alaska is that there are many glaciers that you can easily see from the road if not walk right up to.  Many are around the urban areas as well so an afternoon drive can quickly take you to the wilds with beautiful scenery and if you're lucky, much wildlife.      

     Off we went north of Palmer, through Sutton and Chickaloon, to around the Matanuska Glacier area. We drove about 160 miles today.  The sun lasted until the last few miles home when it rained a bit, and we pulled off at many scenic pullouts to take pictures and just enjoy the sights and the drive.  This picture is just before the Long Rifle Lodge where we had lunch, and where there is also a spot to park if you want to walk out to and on the glacier.  We didn't do that although Bert has in the past.  This glacier has a great deal of silt on it and it is very messy and dirty to walk around an on.