On the home front: Thirty birthday cards arrived this week. THANK YOU!
The dishwasher repairman came late Monday. He pried off the lower panel, plugged a gizmo into a gauge or something, and got a readout that said the dishwasher had run 1,586 cycles since installation. That was interesting. He then replaced a water intake valve. Here's the important part. He said he guessed that I used the economy cycle (51 min.). He was right. It turns out that's wrong and I should use the normal cycle. That pushes more water through the valve and keeps it running. So, if you're being economical and using the light cycle perhaps you should not. (He said he runs his dishwasher on the extra-heavy cycle.)
I finished the annual report of the Zion Woman's Club activity for GFWC-Illinois. I spent more time worrying about it than it took to actually compile the statistics, fill out the form, and write the narrative. (It's due on February 1, The state board says its goal is to get reports from 75% of the clubs in Illinois so apparently not every club does it. But we do!)
A couple of months ago the church women had a speaker who specializes in senior care and placement. I called her for advice. She came yesterday. Stevens was cordial to her though characteristically when he decided he was tired of conversing he told her, "Good-bye!" (He does the same when Curt, the parish visitor, comes to visit.) Debra will provide recommendations but right now she advises using V (our housekeeper who can do day care) more frequently, since V is willing and able and Stevens knows and likes her. I will!
SAHRR round one. The instructions were to use a block with your initial. Nine patch was an obvious choice for N. I have a box of 3.5" mixed-batik 9ps on hand. At first the green batik seemed too blotchy but now I like it.
I hope the subsequent rounds will allow me to use what I have in the parts department.
I did not have to piece the backing because it was a full 45" wide. Remember when that was the standard width?
Seven placemats are ready to layer and quilt.
Linking up at Finished or Not Friday Scrap Happy Saturday
I'm enjoying seeing what you come up with the parts department. In my sewing room I call it the component box.
ReplyDeleteNo dishwasher here unless it's our own two hands (well, four). We had one in our previous home but I have to say I really don't miss it here. Now, a garage for the car, we DO miss!
I love the blocks you're doing for your guild BOM - the black just sets them off.
Your SAHRR round is just perfect for the center I think...lovely work...great to have had the 9-patches in your parts dept. ;))
ReplyDeleteYou have great projects on the go;))) hugs, Julierose
What a great prompt for your SAHRR. Nine patch is a solid choice. I like that you set them on point for more interest.
ReplyDeleteI love your husband's conversation ending strategy - a bit more to the point than "I know you are busy and don't want to keep you" and other circumlocutions. And I hope that the strategy for getting you a bit more respite works out, Somewhere I read that an amaryllis needs 2 leaves to support a future flower stalk - in that case yours should be in good shape next year!
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The parts department is so helpful. I'm glad I have boxes of blocks already made for future use. I like your green setting triangles for the 9 patches, a little blendy but not so much to lose the design.
ReplyDeleteYour work is amazing! I love those placemats, I hope to get better with my sewing this year and make some for myself. I've been practicing a lot lately, but still can't seem to get my seams to line up no matter how much I pin. Your dishwasher story really caught my attention. My husband and I bought our home in 2019 and the first thing we replaced was our dishwasher. We had lived in military housing for over a decade and always had the oldest, barely working dishwashers. We splurged on a lovely Kitchenaid. Just last year, we had to have a lot of work done on it, and when you said you used the economy setting, I was thinking, "oh no, I bet he told her just to use the normal cycle!" We always use a super heavy duty, power wash, bottle spray, sani-rinse, power dry cycle, (that's a mouthful!) and I wondered if that's why our dishwasher broke. It's only two of us in the house, I wondered why we used the heavier cycle, but I guess that's good? We also replaced our hot water heater around the time we got the dishwasher, and the guy raised the temp of the hot water on it, to what he said was the commercial dishwashing temperature. Thanks for posting your beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteYour SAHRR is looking adorable, Nann!! Love the Nine-patches!!!
ReplyDelete"I did not have to piece the backing because it was a full 45" wide. Remember when that was the standard width?"
ReplyDeleteAh, hell Nann--I remember when the standard was 36"!!
I send hugs, spiritual support, and all kinds of gentle and uplifting thoughts your way as you navigate this new territory with Stevens. It's scary because it's new, but you yourself are strong.
If I could figure out something to replace the physical reality of our dishwasher, I would. I wash our dishes by hand, yet the machine itself seems to accumulate all kinds of nasty stuff in its state of disuse. Ugh!!
Bird 'Pie
You had a really productive week! Your SAHRR is looking good, that green does work really well. Your pink Ohio Stars are fun too. Happy stitching this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHooray for getting outside advice - support is SO important. As to the dishwasher, I mentioned your story to DH and he agreed (which is why we run a short cycle but then a long one at least every other day).
ReplyDeleteSo, if I understand this, the dishwasher has an option that you should not use because it damages the machine? Who is stupid enough to install it on the machine if it doesn't work properly? My Gosh! And you probably paid more for the machine because it has this option. I prefer to wash the dishes by hand but with 4 men in the house, I do appreciate it ... whenever someone else loads it up. Sigh! I love your SAHRR project. The green border is perfect with the green leaves. I also love that 6th block from the guild BOM. I might steal that idea, hehe. Love the Ohio Star blocks, of course. Enjoy! ;^)
ReplyDeleteWow! You have lots going on. I love what yyou did with the SAHRR. Keep with it! Yes, I remember 44-45 inch fabric and clothing patterns that had instructions for that width PLUS before that I remember 36 inch width fabric.
ReplyDeleteI like all the greens in your SAHRR! Very clever to use pink as your background in the Ohio Stars.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing Cat's Cradle! It's beautiful! The 9-patches fit perfectly for your SAHRR. Pretty blocks and placemats to be.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many wonderful projects in the works. The nine-patch blocks on point make a great border for your SAHRR. Your guild BOM blocks are gorgeous, and I love the Ohio Star blocks with pink backgrounds. Can't wait to see all your placemats!
ReplyDeleteWe tend to use a shorter cycle on our dishwasher too. Guess I should run the full cycle occasionally. Thanks for sharing that info.
I love the sahrr. Can't wait to see it done.
ReplyDeleteWhat a productive week. . .especially getting that report completed! Your SAHRR is amazing!--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteSo much going on in your household. Keep yourself strong and do things for yourself. Please bring in the help you can when you can. I've wondered what was going on with Stevens. Whatever the "label" is it is a trying time for the caregiver. Your work on the quilting front is amazing. Please tell me you did a lot of top finishing this week. Or are you not sleeping at all? I continue to think of you as the energizer bunny who just keeps quilting and getting things done. Hugs to all of you.
ReplyDeleteI love your wonky nine patch blocks and that center is lovely. I am new here and finding a lot of inspiration
ReplyDeleteI like your choice for your initial! I am sorry to hear about Steve, but do use the help you can...it takes a lot to become your husband's caretaker.
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