Monday, July 30, 2012

a Friday favorite on a Monday

I've been a tad lax on my Friday Favorites, but consider this little hose caddy high on the list.  I've heard about these little wonders that use the power of the water to rewind the hose, but didn't seriously look at them till this year.  Previously my hose might lay stretched out across the yard for several days because either it was too hot or I was too lazy to put it up.  I'll let you choose which excuse you prefer.  

Mine doesn't look exactly like this one, but very similar.  At this point I intended to insert a little video, but I'm having problems wrapping my brain around it.  Maybe later, sigh.  But how nice it is to just sit on the little ledge, flip the handle, and it starts winding itself up.  Who knew, right?

I find myself lacking a bit in the motivation department this summer.  This is the time of the year to be working on my Scraps to Treasure challenge quilt, and I'm having a time making any progress.  We've all exchanged our fabrics, and I've had mine a few months now.  Ah, we'll see. 

I have read a few books though.  I'd listened to Lee Childs, among other authors, when I was still working.  I've gone back and read a couple of his first books with the Reacher character, and really enjoyed having something that is hard to put down.  I'm on the library's waiting list for the next in line.  In the meantime, I've heard about Robyn Carr, and have just checked out the first 4 books (all in one book) for one of her series.  Think I just figured out what I'll be doing this afternoon.   ;)

That's it for now.  Take it easy, all.

Friday, July 20, 2012

they'll get you in


Nolene and I just returned from a little road trip to see our sister in Arkansas.  Always a nice little drive, and I enjoy the miles of trees on either side of the road.  As can be expected on a trip like this, I had to make some stops for gas along the way.

When we went into a town, a little off the highway, getting gas was no problem. Slip the card into the slot, and pay at the pump.  Then of course we might wander in and pick up a soda or snack.  However, coming home we stopped at one of the stations on the freeway.  I slipped my card into the little slot, and lo and behold, I got a message to see the cashier.  I was not given the option of a debit purchase, just credit.  I go in and she's only able to take my card for a set amount.  "I want to fill up."  I would have to prepay, and if I overpaid, she would refund.   I declined and left.

I headed down to another station, this time a truck stop.  Lo and behold, similar situation.  I slipped my card into the slot, and without even being given an option of credit or debit, got a message to go inside.  Same scenario.  This time, with a huff, I did tell her a dollar amount (which was paid by debit, not credit), filled up, and went back inside to get my change...which was just credited back to my account.

Did I make any inside purchases in either of these facilities?  You can bet your bottom dollar I did not.  I don't like being manipulated, and I feel like this was blatant manipulation.  Sadly, yes, some of these stores have probably seen fewer sales on their high profit items inside the store since pay-at-the-pump is now the norm.  However, with these actions, they won't be seeing repeat fuel service from me.  I'll make sure I stop in populated areas.

I understand there is a legitimate theft deterrent here.  A few months ago at a local station it would not process a credit payment at the pump, and I had to go inside and pay by debit.  I called my bank when I got back home, and yes, its not unusual to decline the credit transactions because of the possibility of someone using your card without your permission.  However, debit transactions would not be a problem because a password has to be entered.

So be aware.  If you're on the highway, and not even offered the debit transaction at the pump, they could just be wanting you to come in the door and spend additional dollars on inside sales.

Friday, July 13, 2012

its been a birthday week

Lily turned 10 this week, and Ashlynn is now 6!  Time is just rolling  by so fast, isn't it? 



Sunday, July 1, 2012

it's summer, what can I say?

I've been pretty lax about posting lately.  However, it is summer, and I've got a case of those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer"...without the crazy part.

Things have been moving along.  I painted the hallway last week with paint leftover from painting my bedroom.  Still need to do the baseboards and trim, but progress comes one step at a time.  And I made some curtains for Elise and Lily's playhouse (no pictures).

And I've been working on some signature blocks for a swap on the HGTV message board.  The signups for this swap were about a year ago, and I thought, why not?  I'd have plenty of time.  Right.  We have to have 62 blocks turned in by the end of August, and I've finished sewing 25 of them.  And I still have to sign them.  Sigh.  But I'll get there.  At least they don't all have to be alike.  Here's a sampling of what I have so far.


Then the other day I was out with one of my quilting buddies, Linda, and we visited a couple of our LQSs in the area.  (That's local quilt shops for those of you not in the know.)  We each got a book called Kaleidoscope Symphony  by Marilyn Foreman.  As I was looking at it, I knew the concept was similar to a project I started from the HGTV message board several years ago, but alas had not finished.  Now with the book, I'm enthused to do something with the blocks I've already made. Basically you take a fabric that has about a 12" repeat, stack four of the repeats on top of each other, and cut out a square through all thicknesses.  You then have 4 identical squares that you turn and stitch together to form the kaleidoscope effect.

Here's the book:
Here's a picture of what I have on hand as a UFO.  At the bottom of the pic is the original fabric that these squares were cut from.  Oh, and you'll also notice my foot in in the picture so you know I'm really the one taking the picture.  The squares are sitting on some coordinating fabric that will be worked into the finished piece.

Now to make the day complete, I must say Happy Anniversary to my sister Karen and her husband Troy.  53 years today!  Woo hoo!


Have a good week.  : )