Happy Fourth of July!

Stardust looks ready to celebrate.  I believe that was a few days ago though because the rains came down today in both New Jersey

and North Carolina.  Sigh.

Yesterday, I finished my 111 blocks!!  Woot!!  Yippee!!  Happy Dance!!  And they look ok.  I wasn't sure my contrast was good enough (it isn't), but I'm so happy to see those diagonals....they stand out in a small photo anyway.

I couldn't resist stacking them up agains the ruler.  :-)

Feeling a sense of accomplishment I thought I'd take a break from Omigosh.  I cleared off the cutting table and traced a shirt pattern I bought from a vendor (Fabrilish) at the recent symposium.  It's been so long since I've sewn a garment it took a bit to get started.  I was nervous about cutting into the expensive hand dyed rayon lawn I bought with the pattern, so I bought some cheap knit to test my skills with.

Just a gratuitous photo of dogs.  I can't remember why they were waiting for me, but obviously they were.  Everyone was a bit out of sorts this week as we tried to get back on schedule after a week of being sick, so they were a bit clingy.

Mom was having some trouble with her new Bernina so we packed it up to take in for repair.  The retirement community has carts to help the residents move belongings around.  The Viking is "helping" them push the cart to the front doors where I will be waiting with the car....if I stop taking photos on the way.  The machine was easily fixed while we waited.  Yay!

Thursday, The Viking and I were able to spend time at the lake.  The sand toys are much enjoyed.

And at lunchtime he decided the cup holder in the arm of his chair was a sandwich holder.  :-D

He is currently getting lots of enjoyment out of the bins of Duplo blocks.  This however, is what adults (me) build when they are on the phone, on hold, for way way way too long (multiple times).  Turns out to be a good way to deal with the frustration.  Heh.

So tonight we didn't try to go out to any of the holiday celebrations.  Instead we turned up the TV loud to cover up the noise of the fireworks going on all around us.  Not that the dogs actually prefer Robbie Williams or Sammy Davis Jr. to firecrackers, but I hope it made them more comfortable.

I kept busy with sewing my shirt.  Why I chose the softest stretchiest knit to practice with I have no idea.  What was I thinking??  At least it forced me to mess with my sewing machine to find out the best way to handle the fabric.  Yes that's masking tape on the front of my machine.  I had to cover up the shiny chrome because I was being blinded by the reflection from my task light.  It's not the perfect solution, but it'll do for now.

So that's all.  One more day of holiday then back to our regular schedule.  Ugh.  I really don't like that word, schedule.  Ah well.  :-)