Optimistically calling it 'Progress'

I have way too many sewing projects started.

The quilt guild that I just joined issued a New Year's challenge: to finish 5 unfinished projects by June. We were to list and describe them, formulate a plan of action, and sign a contract. I started listing projects and submitted 14, I think. After the meeting was over, I started writing more projects on the back. There are approximately 45 projects listed so far, and I'm embarrassed to admit how many I knowingly left out.

This week's meager progress:

Another scrap quilt from my 2-inch squares collection. This is the first time I used scrappy neutrals. I'm not sure if I like it, but I am certain that it's DONE!



Here's another quilt from the church quilt group. It just needed a binding. Da da dum, dum, dum, another one bites the dust. Will be delivered Monday.



At long last, I finished the very yummy wrap. I'm not sure of the fiber content (mohair/wool?), but it's absolutely delicious. I just had to wear it to church this morning. I was toasty-oasty warm. I'm wearing it now, 'cuz I can. Eventually, I'll make the dress I bought this to match. Holding your breath would be ill-advised. Oh, and the picture doesn't show how absolutely HUGE this thing is. The point in my back goes to my knees.

On a non-sewing note, I must say goodbye to a dear friend:

My Bible ended it's usefulness this morning when Genesis fell out -- Page. By. Page. I had previously taped larger sections back in the binding when they fell out, but I cannot rationalize taping 20 single pages -- especially when each time I touch it (even to tape it) the next page falls out. So, I am auditioning a different Bible. I'm very resistant to change and I'd like to learn to be more flexible. I'm not going to buy another copy of this exact Bible until March 1st. I'm going to MAKE myself try and get comfortable with another Bible. Wish me well!

For those who are paying VERY close attention, these will be the last pictures with the wrong date. I finally fixed it. Wait until next week for proof.

After posting last week about my Camp Fire days, another stupid pledge keeps running through my head:

I desire to seek the way that shall become a delight to my heart for it will bring me to the fires of human-kindness lighted by those who have gone before me on the Camp Fire trail.

MAKE IT STOP!

Random Fact

I was a Camp Fire Girl. Not just a Blue Bird in grade school, either. I went all the way through until I finished high school. I earned my WoHeLo Medallion the same time my brother-in-law earned his Eagle Scout.

One of the pledges from the Camp Fire Girls was:

To have fun
To learn to make things
To remember to finish what I begin
To keep my temper most of the time
To learn about nature and living outdoors
To have adventures with people, places, and things
To make friends

Thirty years later I still remember this, but if you ask me my cell phone number, I'm clueless.

Thirty years later, I'm finally trying to do part of this -- the finishing part, of course.

I made a sample for the local quilt shop this week, but forgot to photograph it before they hung it up. I used this pattern and fabric:



The pattern was so fun and easy, I went through my stash and made this quilt:



It will probably be a wedding gift. Great pattern -- check it out.

A few years ago I ran a quilt group at my church. I have a pile of unfinished tops that I'm slowly working my way through. This was the latest:



I just rejoined my local quilt guild. My membership lapsed due to competing times. I had a Wednesday night obligation that just ended, so I get to go back to my quilting friends. Last week at the guild meeting, we worked on English paper piecing and were each given a kit for this:



Remembering my Camp Fire credo, I finished it the next day instead of adding it to the UFO pile. (BTW, it's a pincushion).

SNOW!

We live in the woods. I mention that often. We have a sizeable front yard (about an acre). To say that we have a lot of leaves to rake is an incredible understatement. We've been in this house for about five years, and not once have we (meaning, my husband*) completely raked the front yard. I'm sure we are the subject of much neighborhood talk, being the new trashy neighbors who don't take proper care of their yard. We've concentrated on much more frivolous matters in our time here, such as plumbing, the well, missing floors and ceillings, heat issues, a roof, etc. Maybe someday we'll work on the yard, but I wouldn't hold my breath. A lot of our neighbors have their houses close to the road with manicured front yards -- we're further back and feel like God does the landscaping so why should we bother?

Anyway, we had some wonderfully warm days around Christmas (like 70 degrees!) and while I was inside coughing and sneezing and generally feeling lousy, my husband spent much of his Christmas vacation outside raking. He didn't finish the yard, but it looked much better than it ever has since we moved here. I'm so proud of him and his efforts. The unusually warm winter has given him many more opportunities to tend the yard.

Thursday night, something strange happened. White flakes began falling from the sky. We weren't sure exactly what it was, but it sure was pretty (and the unraked leaves were hidden from sight).

Friday morning:



Saturday morning:



Will the leaves be once again covered in white? Or will it return to leaf-raking weather? I have no idea, so stay tuned.

Please notice that the date on my camera has been changed. Unfortunately, I cannot read a calendar, so the date is one day ahead. Maybe I'll try and fix it again, or maybe I'll pop the batteries out and let the date return to 1999. We'll see.

*in case anyone had ideas that I, possibly, could help rake the yard, please think again. I am a married woman with a credit card and a cell phone: I don't plunge, shovel, rake, or change tires. I can, however, restart our furnace in less than 45 seconds (just in case I seem completely useless).

More Photos from the Pit of Despair

Let's see if Blogger lets me post some more pics here:

When I'm sick, my home remedy is to sit in front of the fire, watch CSI and sew. While sick over Christmas, I spent several days attempting to empty some of my scrap buckets, but to no avail. I finished a quilt, but the buckets are still full! Someone must be sneaking in here at night to refill my scrap buckets. Seriously.

Anyway, I made a scrap quilt to send to my son for his college friend. I was so efficient in this that I mailed the quilt without taking a picture of it. Here is a pic of a few leftover blocks to give you an idea of the quilt.

The quilt is all from my 1-1/2 inch scrap bucket (small bucket yields many quilts, grasshopper). The real quilt is a little more colorful -- I pulled out the duller blocks.


I've recently realized that I'm a huge fan of scrap quilts. It's almost like I sew and the desired product is SCRAPS rather than a quilt. Sick? Probably.


I made this quilt last year sometime as a sample for the local quilt shop and just recently brought it home. It's new home is in my living room and I adore it. I'm quite a fan of red (such a shock to those who have lived through my red quilt phases in the past, I'm sure).


The camera is now empty of quilt photos. Off to produce more scraps.

Happy quilting!

Photos from the Pit of Despair

Have you ever completely lost track of time? I have. Anything that happened between September and New Year is all one big haze.

I'm starting to pull photos off my camera from that haze.

This is one from the gift pile. I made it from my 1-1/2 inch strip bin. It's been done a long time but I gave it away last fall. A woman in my Bible study group fell down and broke both of her legs. I hope this quilt brightens up her rehabilitation.



My husband's co-workers got married in October and I gave them a cream Turning Twenty quilt. I guess I took this as a before picture. I never got around to an 'after' picture.



This next quilt was a 'why didn't I ever finish this?' project. I pieced and quilted the quilt one weekend maybe last summer, but I never bound it. Another set of my husband's co-workers got married and I quickly bound this quilt for their wedding present.



This is another one from the gift pile. I took six 1/2-yard cuts and made a quickie rail fence a year or so ago. My husband's little cousin had another baby so this went into the mail. This cousin was 8 years old when I started dating my husband, so it's just WRONG that he's now old enough to be a really wonderful man with 2 children. Wrong, I say.



My poor mother-in-love has had two hip replacements in the last few months. She is recovering well. She was in so much pain before that the surgeries were an immediate improvement. I pulled out my batik fat quarters and made her a Yellow Brick Road for her birthday. It took me a while to place the room in the photo -- it's her family room. I must have taken the photo when we were visiting for Thanksgiving.

Some trends:

Most of the quilts I make are simple (photographs do not lie).

Most of the quilts I make are given away.

Most of the quilts I make and give away are given as graduation presents.

My son is in his second year of college and has some pretty good friends there. Over Christmas he realized that these new friends are missing something that his old friends have -- quilts. So I am now in the process of making "sorry I didn't know you when you graduated from high school" quilts. Here's one that was also made from my 1-1/2 inch scrap bucket:

This last photo is an all-purple all-batik Turning Twenty made as a Christmas present for a friend. She loved it.

Blogger has decided that this is a sufficient number of photos for one post. I'll try and add more in another post at another time.

New Shoes, New Peanut Butter, and Mondays

I'm back. 100 quilts in 100 days = getting really, really sick for about 2 weeks at Christmas time. Oh, well. It was a vacation of a different sort, I guess.

The day after Christmas I felt pretty lousy but decided to feel lousy in public instead of just feeling lousy at home. DH wanted to go shopping . I didn't have anything in mind but to my surprise I found my new best friend. I bought my trail running shoes last summer. They served me well, but it is definitely time for us to part ways. When I put these new shoes on, my feet started singing. (Really. Other shoppers stopped and listened. It was cool.) I despise shopping, really I do. The proof is that I bought THREE PAIRS (they were seriously on sale). I won't have to shop for running shoes for a year now!!!

For the last week, about 3 times a day, I mention (completely out of the blue), "I love new shoes." My family just shake their collective heads and walk away quietly now.

Do you know what else I love? New jars of peanut butter. You unscrew the lid, peel back the foil .... The aroma! The smooth texture with that little swirl in the middle! Not much in life is better.

I also love Mondays. A whole new week spread out, empty and just waiting to be filled. The possibilities are endless. Mondays are wonderful days.

I love new things.

These revelations are my way of saying "Happy New Year!" It's my favorite time of the year. Our family's biggest holiday is not Christmas or Thanksgiving ... it's New Year's Eve.

Five days into this blessed New Year, I've accomplished little of importance. I'm still recovering from being sick and taking a lot of naps. But there are 360 more days of endless possibility spread out in front of me.

1. I could start exercising again.
Actually I did on Thursday and I am SORE! Whoever said yoga was gentle should go after not exercising at all for nearly 4 months.

2. I could be really disciplined in my work and not be behind like I was for one. entire. year.
I started out this year owing people quilts, but I'm hoping for a calmer, gentler work schedule real soon.

3. I could remember that I am a child of God and live each day focused on Him and not on me.
I think God likes the New Year, too. His whole plan of salvation is about wiping the slate and starting clean. He welcomes the repentant sinner and his mercies are new every morning.

A small glimpse behind the curtain of my mind.

Happy New Year!

Another Event

It's time to plan for another event.

February's event was a large work celebration dinner thing for my husband's company. After much pain, I ended up with a nice cocktail dress, very cool shoes, an AMAZING Ralph Lauren wrap, a basic black purse, and a new hairdo. I think that was all that was involved, but it took effort and agony and lots of shopping. The event was wonderful and all my preparation was worth it.

Last week we were invited to the wedding of my husband's co-worker. We think we are going, but maybe not. Jeff may have to be out of town that week and the bride is OK with our unsure answer.

Now, I have to plan for another event. The only thing I can carry over from the last bit of torturous (sp?) shopping is the purse. I could wear the dress from the last event, but it's a black cocktail dress and the wedding is at noon. Also, I've lost 30 pounds and this thing hangs on me in obscene ways (i.e. plunging neckline). With the dress go the shoes and the wrap. The hairdo needs a serious trim.

Time for a new plan:

1. Dress: I bought some fabric from the Japanese fabric company that I work for to make a dress. It is very yummy. Photos and links will be forthcoming.

2. Wrap: I spent today at the Wool Festival with some friends. It was amazingly huge and wonderful on a perfect October day. I purchased some variegated mohair that matches the potential dress. Knitting will begin this evening.

3. Shoes: I ordered some boots online and, with what I paid for shipping, they had better arrive on Monday for size and color match. There's enough time to replace them if the color and size are wrong, but not much.

4. Hairdo: I have an appointment on Wednesday.

5. Purse: Am hoping to reuse the last basic black purse unless I get some nutty scheme that I should make something 'just perfect' for the dress.

6. Wedding gift: An all-white Turning Twenty quilt that I haven't started yet.

Did I mention that I have 13 days to accomplish all of this?

I'll keep updating, but now.... I knit.

Method to my Madness

I'm making up for the last 6 months of not sewing, I think. Actually, when I have a lot of work to do, I get a lot of sewing done. I work and I work until I cannot work anymore, then I sew something of mine to remind me that I quilt for a living because I like quilting. Paying college tuition has nothing to do with why I work (Did you hear that? I think it was sarcasm.)

Well, with Quilt Market coming up and clearing out the pre-Christmas work, I'm working a lot. Like, A LOT. So, I'm also getting my own stuff done.

Here's another one:



This was the quilt from the Quilt Basket's Strip Club in September. The wonderful teacher gave us each ten 2 1/2-inch strips and challenged us to use them. I didn't go all creative or anything -- I simply added 14 of my own strips and used the sample pattern.

I'm sending this quilt to a dear friend's mom who is starting cancer treatment next week.

It looks good enough to eat!

A dear friend and chocolate buddy of mine had surgery a few weeks ago. I decided that she needed a quilt. It was supposed to be a 'while you are recovering' quilt, but it's now a 'Congratulations! You've recovered!' quilt.

Here's the whole quilt:



And here's a close up of the focus fabric:



The back is a chocolate-brown flannel. I got the pattern from Thimbleberries 'Beginner's Luck' book. I quilted it in a swirl pattern with Rainbows variegated cream and tan. It picked up the gold and blended with the rest.

You know how sometimes you make a quilt and it's 'OK' and other times it all works together great? This is one of the latter that makes me hum happily. I almost hope she doesn't like it, 'cuz I wouldn't mind having this one for myself.

Yes, life IS like a box of chocolates!

TaDa! (or, Seeing Red)

I finally have some sewing pictures to share!!!

This quilt is for a baby girl. I was trying out a new thread for the local quilt shop and it worked great!!! Thanks to Bonnie for the pattern.



The next quilt is a scrap quilt made with a 3-inch tumbler template I bought at Pinwheels. It is for another baby girl.



Thanks again to Bonnie for the idea for the scrappy back.



(Aren't my husband's PJ's cute?)

I have a few more quilts that will probably be done soon (and they are not red!!!). I'm binding as fast as I can!!!

On a less-quilty but more philosophical note -- has anyone ever noticed how tough it is to achieve balance in life? When I was working hard to lose weight, that was my main focus. I didn't work as much and we won't talk about the condition of my house. Now I'm trying to maintain a weight-loss lifestyle, maintain a clean house, get caught up with my work, get caught up with my volunteer work, and do something because I want to (quilting) and not because I have to (work). I'm getting a little closer to a balanced life, but I'm sure I'll never arrive. Does anyone have this down pat? Any advice to share with the rest of us?

At Least Someone is Sewing

Since I'm not getting much sewing done, the task has fallen to the next generation:



My daughter made this pillow for her friend's birthday. Erin's hair may be messy because we tested out the pillow-fighting capabilities of this pillow. Or it may not be. I'm not saying.

Race story #2: I know my Momma loves me.

How do I know?

'Cuz she was a wonderful support as I was completely anxiety-ridden about running my 5K.

'Cuz she called to check on me and told me I did a great job.

'Cuz she printed out this picture:



AND PUT IT IN HER PHOTO ALBUM!!!

And to everyone who told me how great I look now that I've lost some weight -- YOU LIE!!! Do you think there's any ink left in Dad's printer after he printed the photo of my gi-normous butt?

The good news is that there may be another photo of me running (front view, please, Lord!). If I get a copy, the butt picture is SO GONE!!!

Race Story #1, or... Pass the Chips, please!

Most of you know that I got this idea in my head that I should run a 5K. It's not like I was a runner but stopped and am trying to get back to it -- I've never done this before. I've never even BEEN to a race before.

I found the registration form online, printed it out, and mailed it in. The form said I could pick up my race packet the day before the race at the Holiday Inn, so I did. I went there early and they gave me a goody bag with my number (32) and a T-shirt and a bunch of advertisements and stuff and said I was good to go.

The morning of the race, my daughter and I watched the kids' race (cute!). We saw the marathon people warm up. I pointed out the microchips on all their shoes and explained to her how they worked -- they clock you as you pass the starting line, the mid-point, and the finish line for an accurate time and so you cannot cheat. Once the marathon started, they called for the 5K to line up.

I left my daughter and walked to the back of the pack, knowing where I fell in the pecking order. While waiting, I noticed some of the people had microchips on their shoes. 'Cool', I thought, 'These people are hardcore.' Then I noticed that EVERYONE had microchips on their shoes. CRAP! Panic set in. I asked some nice ladies in the back of the pack with me about them. Apparently, I wasn't good to go yesterday morning. Apparently, I was supposed to check in that morning and pick up my chip so I could be timed.

'Great', I thought. 'There's no time to get a chip now. I'd miss the start of the race. I worked all summer for this race and now it isn't going to count. I won't even know how fast I ran'. I underwent a quick attitude adjustment and reminded myself that I was only running for personal satisfaction and that I wasn't really competing and decided to run anyway.

The buzzer sounded, we started running, and the 3.1 miles were..... well, .... 3.1 miles long. Emphasis on the long. There may be a story in there somewhere, but that would be another post. As I rounded the corner toward the finish line, I started looking for a time clock, just to give me an idea of how long I took. My goal was to run under 46.5 minutes (that's a 15 min/mile pace). I saw my daughter as the finish line, then I saw the clock. It said 38 mins +. I mouthed to my daughter, 'I beat 40!' and broke the finish line (beating 40 minutes was my 'I can die happy' goal).

Immediately, a jerk man came up to me with a pair of pliers saying, 'I need your chip'.

My attitude un-adjusted at that point. 'I didn't get a chip,' and kept walking.

'What do you mean you didn't get a chip?' a second idiot man asked.

'It wasn't in my packet when I picked it up yesterday,' still walking.

A witch lady said, 'We didn't have them yesterday. You were supposed to pick it up this morning.'

I kept walking and a lady sweetheart asked for my chip again as I was leaving the roped-off area. I started explaining, 'I never got one. I didn't know.'

She looked horrified, like it was the saddest thing she ever heard. I felt so bad for her. I put my hand on her shoulder to comfort her and said, 'It's OK. My goal was to finish and I did.' She replied, 'Yes, you did, and you did great!'

I got out of there and found my daughter. I was bummed that I wouldn't be ranked and my time wouldn't be in the paper, but my daughter took a photo of me and the time clock. I was a few feet from the finish line and the clock said 38:50. We figured 3 seconds to get to the finish line.

Today was I reading the newspaper articles online. I wanted to see where I would be in the results if I had been timed. 351 people ran, and the time I chose put me between 336 and 337 (hey -- I wasn't last!). Then I noticed my name at 340. I have a common name, but they also listed my age and the town I live in. How did that happen?

My best guess is that the sweetheart lady took down my number and noted the time. She made sure I got a result published. How nice of her! I have some not-so-nice thoughts about some people working at the race, but my sweetheart made up for it. I wish I had an accurate time, but this will definitely do.

Now, there's this 5-mile bridge race on October 8. The paper doesn't say anything about a chip.....

An identity crisis

I often describe where I live as "in the middle of nowhere", "on a mountain in the woods", and "far away from civilization". That is all true. I've posted many pictures here and they are actual unretouched photos. What is also true is that I am 3-4 miles from 2 major highways in New York. I'm also less than 10 minutes from stores, restaurants, hotels, etc.

I like to think I have the best of both worlds -- living not too far from things but having a really pretty drive to get there. There's no noise or light pollution. It's peaceful. But also near stuff, y'know?

There is a popular farm about 2 miles from my house. A lot of New York City folk drive up during leaf-peeping season and pick pumpkins, apples, etc. They also drive about 2 miles an hour, just looking around and blocking the roads. Driving home from church on Sundays in the fall is a severe test of patience and Christian goodwill. They are in 'the country', but to us it's just home. They wear jeans and flannel shirts and hiking boots and walk on my (paved!) street like it's some huge adventure. I often joke that they take our pictures like we're Amish. It hasn't happened to me personally yet, but I'm waiting for it.

Today, I was driving home from picking up a paper (for race results -- more in another post, I promise). About 1/2 mile from my house, I passed a horse and buggy on the road. I KID YOU NOT!

Are we Amish after all?

I'm so confused.

If you've always wondered what my rear end looked like...

...then this is the post for you:



And for those who can't enlarge the photo (or are afraid to), the time clock says

38:50

There are stories to be told, but now it's naptime.

You can't make this stuff up

Yesterday, I went on a challenging hike. That was probably obvious from my previous post. What I wish I could have made up happened after the hike.

My family and I were driving to WalMart. During the car ride, I mentioned, "I'm not going to hike again until after my 5K. I don't want to fall and hurt myself so I'll be unable to run. I've trained too hard to miss the race because of injury. After all, a hike is just one long trip hazard."

As I'm just walking in the parking lot just about to step up on the curb, I twist my ankle in a pothole and do a face plant. OK, so not a face plant, but I did land oh-so-gracefully on the ground. After the first "I was just standing just a second ago" thought, I got up and dusted myself off and tried to become invisible. (Note: WalMart + 1pm + Saturday = not invisible at all!) Three or four people came to see if I was OK, and one told me to fill out an accident report (so I could sue them? That's a whole other post, I'm sure).

Yesterday my left ankle, right knee, left hip and back were sore. It's 18 hours later and whatever damage I did during the fall should be apparent by now. This morning, just my bruised knee and the soreness that comes from running (5K in 45 minutes flat today!).

I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow, but maybe I'll go hiking instead. It's probably safer.

A Personal Letter (it's ok, you can read it anyway)

Dear P.F.,

About that hike you have planned for later on this month: I checked out the trail this morning. Since I'm writing this, you'll know I didn't die a horrible death.

First off, the parking situation is interesting. The dirt road is marked "Private" and there's absolutely no room to park on it. You'll have to park on the paved road. Caution: it's narrow and some of the residents have 'no parking' signs. I'd suggest carpooling.



The hike goes down the private dirt road to a locked gate.



The yellow trail marker is on the gate, so I went around it anyway.

Continue on the dirt road for 50 feet or so. The trail begins on the left.



My oh-so-excellent photography skills didn't capture the yellow trail markers, but the trail begins to the right of the crooked tree.

In case you miss it, there's this incredibly obvious trail sign.



Actual size: 2x5 inches. And it's faded, too.

Following the trail for a bit, you'll come to this gorgeous mucky pond/lake/water thingie.



Right after the pond, I found this really cool mushroom.



It was about 6 inches tall and translucent. How cool!

Can you see the trail?



That's because the trail is obliterated by a mess of fallen trees. I was able to climb over/under as necessary and the trail clears out again after about 20 feet of serious brush.

I saw other things that I wasn't able to capture with my camera: some deer, a gazillion frogs (toads?), a woodpecker, my life flashing before my eyes (there was this tree root I tripped over at the edge of a really steep hill....).

I only had 2 hours available this morning. After the first hour, I wasn't quite at the top but had to turn around due to time constraints.

I hope some of this information is helpful to you and those who join you on your hike. I, however, will not be one of them. This hike was insane impossible invigorating and I'll probably take a 'kinder, gentler' hike instead.

Best of luck,

Debby

File this under 'easily amused'

So, tonight I'm driving home and I see something on the road in front of my mailbox. As I get closer it spreads it's huge wings and flies into a tree. Hawk? Turkey vulture? But it's nighttime. Bat? No, definitely a bird.

I pulled the car around so the headlights hit the tree. I looked up and saw this:



This is not a picture of the actual owl. It is, however, a picture of a different Barred Owl. Goofy looking thing, huh? The field guide said it was 19-21 inches long, and I definitely agree. It was HUGE!

I sat and stared at it for a while. I giggled because it was just so darn cool to actually see an owl in my yard! They may be there all the time, but to actually get to sit and watch it? Wow! The owl stared back, occasionally trying to unscrew it's head. I felt through my purse for my camera. No luck. As if my wonderful camera and excellent photography skills would have produced a photo of anything other than a dark blob in the dark night. I gently drove under Woodsy Owl (anyone remember him? -- Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute!) and parked at the top of my driveway. My son and I went out to see if the owl was still there. Being that I live in the dark woods and didn't bring a flashlight with me, he probably was but we couldn't see him with only the neighbor's reverse lights from across the street.

Who is it that I'm becoming, anyway? I used to be all, "I don't do outside." I was almost OK when I was just running and hiking. But birdwatching? What's next -- gardening? Heaven forbid! When I say, "Look at this beautiful tomato I just picked from my garden," schedule an intervention. When I actually eat the tomato, dial 911.

Laboring on Labor Day

Last night we returned from my husband's family reunion in Pennsylvania. There are no pictures ... I'm saving them to extort money from the people involved. Trust me when I say that a fun time was had by many. It was great introducing our kids to the family. The kids are 15 and 19 so saying it's been a while since we've seen these people is quite the understatement.

I did my long run this morning. 4.2 miles. I didn't time it, but it felt good. Only 13 days until my 5K. I haven't posted that I'm running for a cause. My childhood friend, Bethann, became suddenly ill in March. I'm copying text from the sponsorship package:

On March 9, 2006, Bethann was tragically stricken with Transverse Myletis, a neurologic syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. Transverse Myletis is uncommon but not rare. Her symptoms developed rapidly over several hours, leaving her paralyzed from her neck down. After several weeks in ICU, she slowly regained her ability to breathe on her own. To continue her recovery, she was moved to Healthsouth in Harmarville [PA]. Through time, dedicated therapists, sheer will and God's grace, she has also regained some feeling in her arms as well as limited mobility. "Crash" is able to operate a motorized wheelchair through the use of a specialized joystick. In August, Bethann finally returned home where she continues her recovery. Though progress is slow, her doctors remain hopeful.

There's a fundraising walk in Pittsburgh on September 23 to help purchase a van equipped with a wheelchair lift. I am unable to travel to Pittsburgh that day, but I will run on September 17 to help raise funds for Bethann.

This is my first 5K and I run very slowly. I hope to finish between 40 and 60 minutes, but I won't really know what to expect until I actually run the race. I'm asking that those interested sponsor me for every minute I finish under an hour. Straight donations are also appreciated. If you know me and know how to get in touch with me, I will have the sponsorship sheet with me at all times between now and September 17.

Buckle up, we're changing subjects quickly here.

This afternoon I hiked the Appalachian Trail. No, not the whole thing. I entered near my house and hiked to this view:



Then I continued hiking down to Canopus Lake:



Then I hiked back home.

Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Temperature today: high of 73, but it is a very cool day

Number of (idiots) people seen swimming in Canopus Lake: 5, but they were all kids.
Their parents were wearing sweats and sitting close together for warmth.

Number of deer seen from the Appalachian Trail: 0

Number of deer seen standing next to my car when I got back to the road: 3

Number of bars on my cell phone at my house: 1

Number of bars on my cell phone on the AT: 5 (what's with that?)
I had to call hubby and let him know that all was well but that I was running late

Number of minutes it took me to cook dinner when I returned: 0
dh had dinner ready when I got home!

Well, that was my labor on Labor Day. I hope everyone had a wonderful day as well.

Today's Ten Things

1. The weight loss: 27 pounds. Yep, I'm liking that.

2. The funny comments:

"Debby, I was just telling so-and-so over there that you look great." (thanks) "Have you lost weight?" (yes, 25 pounds, thanks. pause to sip my water) "Is it the water? Is that how you lost all that weight?" (yes, the water is magic, I got it from Jack when he ran out of magic beans).

and:

"Debby, you are so lucky that the weight is coming off so easily. I keep trying and trying and the weight won't come off. Oh, look! Cookies!" (I miss cookies.)

and my favorite:

"Wow, it's great that you've lost all that weight. Aren't you glad you aren't hungry anymore?" (I wish!)

3. The running: 3.2 miles in 50 minutes this morning. Yes, I know most people walk can walk faster than that.

4. The race: four weeks from today and in no danger of winning that thing.

5. The trip: Last week some friends and I went to New York City and saw The Drowsy Chaperone. We always go to the high school musicals and comment, "Wow, that was really professional." No, it wasn't. Really. Even the ones my kids were in. This is Broadway and it is smart and funny and perfect sound and perfect lighting and perfect everything. Truly.

6. The New York flavor: When we were in New York City, we walked within inches of the Naked Cowboy. You've seen him on tv -- I've seen in up close and personal .... from behind!

7. The question: Does anyone know what this is?



We think vegetable (as opposed to animal or mineral). A nut of some kind? I've seen several on the ground. If it's a pod waiting to hatch an evil gremlin, just don't tell me, ok? It's inside my house right now.

8. The new hobby: hiking. There are some marked trails near my house and we've been exploring. I'm going to call the New York State Department of Parks and Recreation for official trail maps tomorrow. It's amazing how many frogs (toads?) we've seen on the trails. I think my family hates hiking, but they probably figured that it was easier to come with me and keep me safe than have to look for me when I got lost.

9. The quilting: no comment.

10. The clothes: I've already mentioned that I have no clothes. This is still true. It is also true that air-conditioned buildings can be too cool and that there are cool evenings and sometimes you just need a jacket (even in summer). I don't have one. I don't want to buy one that won't fit anymore by autumn. So my new clothing obsession is pashminas. I have a Ralph Lauren satin & velvet wrap from the Event (see February 6, 2006 post) and a wool black and gray wrap, but I bought a few pashminas from a street vendor near MOMA when I was in the city. I am in LOVE. I was especially in love when the air-conditioning in the church this morning was set to arctic.

That's today's ten things. Have a wonderful day!