I cannot resist stopping at yard sales! I tell myself that I don't need another thing but I stop anyway! I try to justify the buys, by saying that I dont drink, smoke or go to movies.....It's my only vice-LOL Then I go look in my storage buildings-- So I hoard!!!!! Is that so bad???? Grin I love the things you bought!

Well, they're not heavy duty umbrellas...which in the case of the way in which I use them, is an advantage anyway. Harbor Freight has them on sale for this price quite often through this time of year. Stop by a HF and get on their mailing list then you'll know when they have them on sale. I bought maybe 20-30 of them and though the ones I have left are now pretty ratty looking, they still have their uses...lol..

Thanks Teresa. I've doing Sail Away, and I added the island, boat, and sun last night. I ended up hand embroidering the rays, since I didn't like the way it came out by machine. I removed the tear away stabilizer, but ripped out a few of the wave stitches while doing it! I found a border fabric and possibly binding (or will do pillow case method). It's looking good. Thanks for teaching! --Amy

Our storms usually go to the south or north of us and we only get the edge. Sometimes I'm glad of that as we are in a good lightning area, always getting a few very close ones. Actually had one hit the back pergola (steel frame but luckily not attached to the house) nearly 2 years ago during that week of really hot weather and bad storms that hit Brissy. Gave us all a fright, all 4 kids slept on mattresses on lounge room floor the rest of the night while I had to sit up with them :( Had a few mls last night though not sure how much as someone bumped the raingauge and it was leaning over. Only 2mls in gauge but my guess is twice that. Had rumbles of thunder and small storms go past to the south all afternoon until about 8.15 when there was half hour of light rain. Better than nothing - trying to be optimistic here :) Hoping for lots more rain (without too much lightning) for everyone, at least those that need it.