Robb, how delightful to read your journal; glad you and LF didn't have to miss going to the swimming pool. Glad your Mom was able to help you out. The "Casper Slide" video was fun; I'm so "out of it", I'd not heard it, before. I couldn't sit still while listening, but I was hoping maybe it was an actual video of LF and the folks who joined him. And why did you only watch, young lady? You should have been doing the "Casper Slide", too! LOL

I was still in Ireland without my machine or any hand work but I did find the largest quilt shop in Ireland!!! It was so great to take a little getaway for myself and just meander among the fabrics. The owner, Maeve was just divine and we chatted away for a few hours as I floated around the shop. Most of the fabric was American so much of it I have or had seen already. What was fabulous was finding a few older American fabrics that are sold out everywhere on the internet but I was able to find among the hidden treasures of her shelves!!! I did pay dearly since the dollar isn't so great and they are imported fabrics over there. Some of them were $18-19 a yard!!! It was worth it for the unobtainable ones!!! I did find some domestic fabric in pink and purples (purples are my favs) that was very loud on the bolt but looked pretty in the pinwheel quilt she had hanging up so I took home a kit!! After 2 cups of tea, and wonderful conversation I left with my treasures, along with a great little reusable tote with her logo and shop info on it. I only wish I would have taken my camera with me. I will take pics of my goodies when I get home from work today, I was too exhausted last night after unpacking and starting laundry!!

"Dancing with the vacuum" - I love that! Do ya think that will make it easier to drag it out?? Calliope, hey, they paint quilt blocks on barns, why not chicken coops, too? I've been working on that UFO I dragged out of the closet, long abandoned and completely forgotten. I've finished zig-zagging the elements that were already on it, now I've got to come up with some flowers, fruits and birds to put on it. At least I have inside hobbies to work on during this tropical depression lurking out in the gulf, I offered to teach hubby to sew, he declined. He's out on the front porch staring at the grass that is already out of control and will be up to his eyeballs before it dries out enough for him to mow. He might have to get the bush-hog out when it finally stops raining around here. Our seasonal pond is filling up fast, and the dog delights in galloping through it over and over, yesterday I guess her collar got so wet it stretched and she lost it, tag and all. We'll probably find it after we buy her another one. We tried to get her to tell us where she lost it, she won't.

If I can get the vacuuming done this morning, I hope to quilt a sandwiched top later today. I finished one yesterday, so there are no more in the UFO pile. I have plans for the next three quilts I want to do. I want to make the big bed quilts for two GGDs. One is 4, the other is 4 months. Is this forward planning or not? I have most of the fabric but am looking for a small floral. Our LQS doesn't go in that direction, lots of batiks, so I may have to take a trip out of town for that. The third quilt is for GS6 and his university apt. I do have all of that fabric and the pattern is Labyrinth by Debbie Mady. Have read the instructions several times just to get them clear in my head before I take rotary cutter in hand. That one I can start next week. Wish me luck! Theresa