Simple to Thread.

Just follow the colors throughout the threading process. Oh, the things you will be able to create with an overlock. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. If you have a spool of thread on the purple stand just guide it through the purple tension adjuster and thread it through all the channels which are marked with a purple dot. Accordingly, do the same with the other 4 thread spools and colors. So simple. Even a gecko can do it.

Spazzy Serger Chronicles

  This is the first installment of the blog where I will chronicle my thoughts, efforts, attempts and follies while learning how to use my new Pffaf 4.0 Coverlock/Serger.  No, it is not a sewing machine, but an additional accessory to my sewing room corner of my bedroom.

Day 1.
   Open box.  Check to for all parts and pieces listed on the list of contents.   Check.  It's all there.   Take out destruction instruction manual.  Read it.  Read it again.  Stare at box.

Day 2.
   Find the dvd which is supposed to contain "complete step-by-step threading guide".   Figure out how to turn on television and our dvd/vcr player without the help of my kids.   After a while of pushing all input buttons on both remotes, shut power down to all components.  Wait for kids to arrive home from school.  Stare at box while waiting.

Everyone needs to grow something.  I have not blogged in a while, because I was growing.  I had to overcome the loss of a friend.  Actually, I did not overcome it, but took baby steps (I have even had to start over a few times) in learning how to miss her and not feel sadness--I plan to have to start over again probably after I write this.  Losing a lifelong friend has forced me to grow up faster than I knew I was capable of or ever even have to.  I've had to keep my 'game face' on for my kids when I did not think I was able to, and quietly sift through memories both good and bad of her time on earth with me.  

Now for the 'meat and potatoes' of today's blog.  My kids LOVE science experiments (in fact the little one just showed me one she has been working on today).  Today's science feature is: How long does it take for 7 ice cubes to melt in a plastic container sitting on the kitchen counter--so far, they are half of the volume they were at about an hour ago.  We keep our house cold.

Weeks back--let's say.....ooh, hmmmm, late June--we were given a gift from a dear neighbor of a little starter cell of basil.  I nursed it for about 2 weeks while it clung on for its life on the edge of my sink right next to the softsoap bottle.  Finally, the kids brought it to my attention that it was about to die and needed some emergency care.  We hopped in the car and picked up some new pots, soil, another basil plant and a young rosemary plant.  The kids planted them all on their own and have taken good care of them.  Except for when we left for vacation for 10 days.  I completely spaced on arranging for someone check on the plants while we were gone.  The 6 hour ride home from said vacation I prayed they did not dry up while we were gone.  They were a little dry--to say the least.   My older daughter gave them some 'Plant CPR', which consisted of rehydrating them and singing to them.  The next morning, they were perfect.   Had we been gone another night, there would have been no saving them. 

So, it was at that moment that I realized that lives can be saved, but only when we can visually see that they are need of help.  It's not science so much as it is common sense.

Older daughter, just came up to me and said that "each square of a quilt is like a different part of your life, and you sew them together and it never ends".   Which ties in my fly by thoughts that quilts hold memories for future generations, and memories should never end, but be passed on to others.

Good Morning, Gnome?

The start of my day today:  Phone rings, rings, rings.  Husband passes it to me.  It's a friend of mine--who needs to talk.  It's Sunday, it's early, it's just plain wrong, but I take the call anyway. Shut bedroom doors in order to let the kids sleep, and stumble upon youngest quietly playing Mystery Date--by herself in the playroom.  Okay, so far, it's a somewhat ordinary weekend morning, but for the fact that I found a Gnome on the sill outside of our living room window.  I pulled the string to raise the blinds like I do most mornings--if husband has not already done it--and was quite shocked to see the little guy sleeping on the windowsill.  I'm still on the phone, and try to explain to friend on other end, my situation at hand, but her tale is so much more important than this gnome thing, and I don't have a clue how to convince anyone of anything until I've had copious amounts of coffee in my system.  I've heard of Gnome mischief, but disregarded it as I believed it to be myth.  Still on phone.  Drink coffee.  Compose myself to approach the window again.  Obviously, this is not myth.  I was afraid to open the front door all day.   All day, in fear he may try to enter our home and mess the place up (even more).  Who is he?  How did he get here?  When will he leave?  What is the purpose of the visit to our home?How can he sleep so soundly?  Should we seek a new home?  

The Place That I Go

I have two really great friends.  They are always by my side.  They constantly tell me how great I am, and never notice if I'm showered--or even dressed for that matter. And they must think I'm a terrific cook because they really love whatever I am eating.  I know this because they nudge my arm to knock it off of my fork.  Over the past few months, they have taught me that I have to play often--at the park.  They are park addicts I tell you.  We have to spell the words "d-o-g  p-a-r-k" in the house, because the second they hear those two words together, they are at the door waiting to jump in the car. I took some shots today while there--to show you what it's all about. 

Post Valentine's Day Blues--I think

The kids gave my husband and I some adorable cards for Valentine's Day.  They take it so seriously that I have to pinch myself to remind me how lucky I am. The hubster came home--late--for a change, and pulled our cards out of a white drugstore bag and handed out them out.  The youngest's had a picture of a ferret on the front--which is great cause she wants a pet rat in the worst way and we will not back down on our standards to get her one, and the oldest has a puppy on hers, which is great, cause it was just a little over a year ago, that she looked at her father and I with teeny tiny Ginger in her hands and said, "please, daddy" (note that Ginger is now 80 pounds).  She is our dog lover! My card is beautiful, it is embroidered with the word 'love' across it.  Which is sweet, cause I love anything that is sewn, and the sentiment was beautiful--he even added his own words to personalize the message.  But something was missing.  When I was a kid, Valentine's Day was something almost like Easter.  I would wake up, and find surprises at the end of my bed or on the floor in my room, etc.   I do the same for my kids.  When they sat at the table for homework yesterday, I had on the table a four-pack of Stewart's root beer (their favorite which I hardly every buy cause it is soda and they seem to think they have to guzzle every bottle within an hour), and a box of Little Debbie's (again, which I hardly ever buy cause they seem think they have to eat all 12 in one sitting).  They were thrilled!!  It was so wonderful to see their faces and to watch them drink the whole 4 pack in 15 minutes.  The empty bottles are still in my sink waiting to be brought out the recycling bin.  At this point in my life, I send surprises to my parents for the big holiday.  I sent them a box of chocolate covered strawberries.  How wonderful that I can do that for them.  I love being able to return at least a portion of the surprises they gave me when I was a kid.  Of course I'll never measure up, but I'm passing the love on to my kids.  So, at this age, I realize that in fact, nothing was missing.  I am able to give the girls the same Eastery feeling that my parents gave me as a kid.  I'll never forget the Valentine's morning that I woke up and there was a cute little pink flamingo hanging from the pull string on the ceiling fan in my bedroom.  I was 16.  I remember it like it was yesterday and will always hold it dearly.