A New Look

A little background. I am married to a woman that spent over 30 years as a Health and Safety Manager and Ergonomics Guru. On top of that she likes to move things...constantly. So whatever you do don't walk around the house in the dark. Because where it was yesterday is not necessarily where it will be today.

Now that's not saying it is a bad thing...I've adjusted and carry a flashlight when going from room to room. Arguing is just a postponement of where and what I will have to move. Many times I'm not even involved. I just walk into a room and where everything was is no longer. Like I said, I've adjusted.

So anyway Safety Mama, a character she created to do Health, Safety and Ergonomic presentations many years ago was eyeballing the longarm room the other day and noticed a flaw in my work space. Admittedly, I hadn't noticed. I have a tendency to work on the left side of the longarm table. I change bobbins on the left side of the quilt I am working on, oil the hook assembly, rethread the machine, test my tension, my air compressor I use to clean out the hook assembly is mounted on the left side of the longarm frame etc. So accordingly the cabinet that contains all of the essential items should be close to where I do the work. Little things like the bobbin winder, tools, CD player, lasers and the like.

You guessed it. All of that was on the right side of the room. So we spent sometime day before yesterday moving the enormous hutch that holds my threads and some storage items from the left to the right and the cabinet with all of the essentials to the left. Makes sense. No really it does and as soon as I get used to it I will save a tremendous amount of steps. But for now when I go to wind a bobbin, change a CD, get a marker, grab my drink from it's coaster or get my wireless headset I will continue to walk in the opposite direction. I'm sure I walked an extra mile yesterday going right instead of left to get what I needed. Okay, I'm a little slow.

So the longarm room has a new look.

The blonde cabinet under the Thread-a-lobra is now where I guess it should have been in the first place. I'm sure once I remember it's there it will all come together.

Another thing that happened along the way was the ironing table and cabinet (more storage) was also moved into the longarm room. Which I have gotten used to and no longer go into the sewing room to iron my tops and backs. That only took a couple of days.

Like I was saying I work on the left side of the table as you can see where my tools, battery operated rotary cutter and compressor are located. The blonde cabinet was where the large chocolate hutch is now standing. I keep my thread inventory and items I don't use daily in there. 

But wait...The ironing table/cabinet was moved from the sewing room. Well we all know what that means. The kitchen island on wheels that was in the back room, the one with the drop leaf, can be moved into the sewing room for a cutting table. "

We can move the sewing stations this way and I can have easier access to the sewing machine and both embroidery machines all at the same time," she says. "We just have to move the sewing desk to here and this table to there and look how much more efficient that is." 

I know the dogs think it's a good thing. Yes she has to be very careful rolling around on that chair. 

But wait!!! 

"Now that the rolling kitchen island has been moved from the Sewing Room Annex," often referred to in many homes a a bedroom. 

"If we buy a couple of shelving units, move this to there and that over here and send this to Goodwill look at all of the space we gain for quilt storage and we can actually use the day bed when someone stays over."

"Yes dear." 

So off to Lowe's I go. She was right of course. We don't have any pictures of what this room used to look like. Think of an episode of Hoarders. 

But it all came together. Then there was this old mid century bookcase in the guest bedroom. Yes we actually have a room not dedicated to sewing or quilting. Well wouldn't you know it. In just a couple of hours of rearranging the Man Cave the bookshelf fit like it was meant to be. Not before moving the desk, credenza, chair, foot stool, trash can, a printer, desktop computer and gathering another load for Goodwill. I know I'm going to miss some of the stuff she designated that I didn't need anymore in the next year or so. 

To think...it all started with,

"Let's move this cabinet over here and this one over there. Just think how much more efficient it will be."

"Yes dear."

Quilt till you wilt...we do. 

Binding Bingo and more...

Where does the time go. I'm not going to say that March went out like a lamb. As a matter of fact April is still roaring. Finally stopped raining late yesterday afternoon. Naturally it started while I was 80 miles from home on Saturday...on the motorcycle. I think I'll be able to bring my leather and boots in today from the garage...they should be dry by now.

April has been as busy as March. Elaine had the QOV Sew Day on the third Friday as usual and we did a Binding Bingo Party on the 22nd. At first we were going to make the bingo cards. Then it hit me...we have a computer and a connection to that Internet thing-a-ma-bob. Well wouldn't you know there are some folks out there that did a fantastic job of connecting bingo with quilters and just what we needed was available on line and very reasonable I might add. We purchased from buzzbuzzbingo.com the $5.95 package with everything we needed. It would have taken me at least two days to create the spreadsheet and table. Not certain I could have done as well as they did. If you want to hold a Binding Bingo or for that matter add a quilting bingo game to any of your sew days check them out. They have a huge selection of topics that have been adapted to the bingo theme. I screwed up my first order...their customer service was fantastic.

Here are a few of the pictures from that great day...

 Preparation...Setting up the family room

Welcoming gift (needle holder) and Bingo sheets

Quilts ready for binding...

Freebies of course...

Tea and Coffee...

The Family Room crew...

The Kitchen Crew...

I was the cook and Bingo Caller for the day...

Binding, Bingo, Food, Chocolate and 

Prizes of course...

It was a long day...you can tell because Lilee is really pooped out. 

And in between all the fun I even got some quilts longarmed. Here's a few...

Well, that's it for now. We hope you are having as much fun as we are. May your days be filled with sunshine, your hearts with love and your bobbins full. 

Quilt till you wilt...we do. 

In Like a Lion...

And if it goes according to the old saying, Spring might actually get here. But March roared in.

In more ways than one. After finishing February with the most snow we’ve had for quite some time, setting new record low temperatures and braving the elements for the Mid Atlantic Quilt Fest let’s just say Not Forgotten QOV roared into March as well. 

With the combined February Events, Birds of a Feather where we started February

                           

                                                                         Elaine and I at Birds of a Feather

and finished it off with the Mid Atlantic Quilt Fest we exceeded our expectations and goals that will provide us with a strong financial account with QOVF that will give us the base we need to support the needs of the many volunteers that make up Not Forgotten QOV and share in our quest as we contribute to the QOVF Mission.

We need to acknowledge David and Pete Mancuso along with Scott Houston from Mancuso Show Management for their hospitality and generous contributions for allowing us to participate in their event. Equally we want to send out a big thanks to Valerie Schlake and the Virginia Longarm Network for providing us the opportunity to promote the Quilts of Valor Foundation at their annual longarmers event, Birds of a Feather. Everyone welcomed us with open arms and kindness. Seems to be a trend when you’re hanging out with folks associated with quilting. It just never seems to stop.

But along with all this joy comes some sadness, even though it was replaced quickly with joy because “Sugar Ray” (57 Singer Featherweight) found a new home there was a void…

"Sugar Ray" on display at Mid Atlantic

briefly in our home. Elaine wasted no time in filling it. We passed Sugar on to Kathy W. the winner of the Featherweight Raffle. And as Sugar left a new Brother VE 2200 DreamMaker took his place. I guess Elaine just couldn’t live with only 21 machines.

                                                            The new DreamMaker

The Raffle in itself was eventful. We needed someone to draw the winning ticket. As luck would have it a gentleman came by the booth, he was admiring Sugar Ray and we started up a conversation. He explained he worked for Singer for more than a decade in the 60’ and 70’s and sold way too many to count Featherweights. Mike C. drew the winning ticket

                       Mike drawing the winning ticket

and Kathy W. couldn’t be happier. 

                Kathy W and Mike with Sugar Ray

Mike also pulled the Raffle Quilt Winner, Mary S. from North Western Virginia. She was contacted by phone and you could feel her excitement over the phone. We will be shipping out her new quilt as soon as possible.

Both events will always be great memories. Memories that will include the friendships of Marianne Elliott who came down from Maryland to help us with the Mid Atlantic. Be assured no small feat when you consider her schedule and work load as the Managing Editor for the QOVF Newsletter, Threads and a tireless Executive Staff Volunteer. 

                                  Marianne at Mid Atlantic...Her first Quilt Show by the way

To Nancy Z. the crafter whose endless support to Not Forgotten QOV included making the Raffle Quilt and Susan G. who always finds time in her schedule to spend a day with us at the booth. She just lights up the booth with her personality and the sincere joyous attitude and dedication to the Quilts of Valor. Not Forgotten QOV’s success is bolstered by their participation.

Okay so you didn’t ask…But just in case someone does ask. Why do you QOV? Well let me tell you. Because we will Never Forget. On Friday evening after our day at the Mid Atlantic we made a little stop on the way home. One of the QOV volunteers we shared a day with last November in Corning New York at the Southern Tier Quilts of Valor (STQOV) Marathon, Sandy V,  ask if we could award a quilt she had made for her Navy career daughter when she was home here in Virginia Beach whenever that might be. Well it all came together this week end. In the process of her career, which included Desert Storm, her daughter, Tammy K. raised three daughters as a single parent. Sandy was able to get everyone together and we met up for the award. Tammy never saw it coming. Yes it was a tissue event.

                                          Sandy (Mom) and Elaine open Tammy's QOV

                                                    

 Mom and daughter         

  

Sandy, Tammy and her three daughters, Paige, Hali and Sky

Then on Sunday we had a visit at the booth from Mr. and Mrs V. Well as it often is the case they had never heard of Quilts of Valor and as it turns out Vincent V. was retired Navy with 20+ years of service like Tammy. Mrs. V was very moved by what we did and asked.

“Just how do you make the awards?” 

Well I took that as my cue. 

“Mrs. V let me show you.” 

Of course we had QOV’s standing by. 

Vincent had never received a QOV. Well we took care of that as well. And yes it too required some tissue. Not for me you understand. I have a Marine Corps image to uphold. I use my sleeve.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Elaine administering the "quilty hug."

Vincent...thank you for your service and sacrifices. 

                                                         and that's how we do it Mrs. V. 

So as the snow melts, the temperatures rise, although only slightly, we take the roar of March as a gift and hope the lamb shows itself as we head into Spring. We are grateful for the success of both events, grateful for the Mother’s vision of Catherine Roberts and the work, unselfish dedication and commitment of the Quilts of Valor volunteers from coast to coast and country to country that keep this organization on course and on mission. 

For there is no truer statement than…

”We couldn’t do it without you.” 

Rest assured, each and every volunteer…that too is something we will Never Forget.

Quilt till you wilt…we do.

Proud Parents...

There are a lot of things in life that give us pause. Did I do this right? Could I have handled this better? Was there a better way? Was this the right thing to do? What could I have done differently? Will this turn out to be a huge undertaking? Should this have been planned differently? This really applies when you venture into the world of parenting. The answer really is simple to all of those questions, "Yes." Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual. So as time goes on you have wonder. Oh there are plenty of books available, and you will get advice from just about everyone that you meet. Advice from family, friends and relatives about feeding, bathing, comforting, correcting, changing, one blanket of two, to spank or not to spank, and an ungodly amount of opinions as to whether you are protecting or over protecting, too demanding or not demanding enough, to strict or not strict enough, it's a long list. Fortunately you get some answers along the way. The little rug rats start school, develop personality, figure things out for themselves, graduate this and that, play a sport, read a book, have an opinion, (usually one that differs from yours) making the right choice, give you a hug or the big one, say "I love you." You're mush in their hands.

The next thing you know they are adults, have their own families, make all of their own decisions, go their own ways and assume the responsibility of becoming a parent. They provide you with an empty nest and then fill it with grandchildren. You're mush in their hands as well. While all of this is going on...so is life. Theirs and yours. On occasion those paths cross. For us they crossed again last week on February 12, 2015. Our son retired from a career in the United States Marine Corps. His Discharge will read Honorable. Doesn't seem like much, most that serve this great nation do so honorably. But it is huge. Because what really changed was the answer to all of those questions. The answer is "No."

On this day, at this moment in time, as he stood there receiving the accolades from his unit, his Commander, his peers and friends the answer is a resounding "No." As his service was being reviewed and praised, as he stood before his family, friends and fellow Marines the answer changed. Of course being a man and recalling putting together cribs, toys, bikes and an never ending list of lessons about this and that it was confirmed. I didn't need no stinking instructions. Oh I may have had to redo a thing or two along the way but the wheels stayed on.

Oh okay, maybe his Mom had a little something to do with that. You know all that mushy stuff. Tenderness, caring, sympathy, empathy, understanding, unselfishness, being thoughtful, considerate, respectful, polite, unbiased and tolerant he might have gotten from her. Big deal.

There is a saying that has been credited to President Reagan..."Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." True of course. But beyond that a parent wonders if they have made a difference. On this day we were again assured we had and we will cherish that for eternity. Not only did he stand tall but so did his family. His wife, Elizabeth, his daughter Selena and his son Zane were all recognized for their service as well. As they should be for we witnessed their service to this nation was as committed as our son's. Although they didn't stand in harm's way while he was in Iraq they stood on the cliff of anticipation until they were able to wrap their arms around his warmth when he returned. Unlike him, trained, tested, trained some more and ready to bear arms they didn't get any training and filling the void left when a service member is deployed doesn't come with a manual either. Liz kept it all together and on course. Kept the family strong and like the Marines mentioned by President Reagan, made a difference.

So on February 12, 2015 his active service to this great nation that started on February 19, 1991 came to an end. Through the shock of his announcing his enlistment, to duty that took him from one coast to the other, to foreign soil, numerous moves and duty stations we have followed his career with admiration, solace, parental anticipation and just a touch of pride.

We are, have been and will continue to live in tough times. Times that will always need defending. He carried on a tradition started by his Grandfather's, continued by his Father, cousins, Uncles and peers. Peers that echoed throughout the ceremony of his retirement. "He will be missed." "It was our honor to serve with your son." "Erik was great to work for." "SSgt Page was a good supervisor he always treated us with sincere respect and consideration." "We could always count on your son."

To say we are proud parents is the tip of the iceberg. As he stood before his Commanding Officer, his supervisors, his peers and his fellow Marines, with a touch of fear, anticipation of his future, and a drastic change in his life and that of his family rest assured we stood the tallest. For on this day it came to full fruition. It doesn't have to come with a manual, you make mistakes, learn from them, pass them on, remember each lesson learned, maneuver the obstacles, slow down when you have to and stay the course. Don't give up, keep moving forward and give it all you've got. In the end, with a lot of hard work, admission of wrongs and acceptance of rights you earn the title of parent. Like anything else in life you will reap the rewards. On this day our reward was celebrated. We did good.

I've been asked what is the hardest thing you've ever done? There are two answers. Do everything you possibly can to make a marriage successful and raise a child. Both take 100%, all of the time. Elaine and I are still working on the successful marriage part, even after 47+ years. As we sat and watched our son finish one chapter and move into another it seemed like the raising a child wasn't that hard at all. I mean really, look what we had to work with. Not everyone is this lucky.

There was no tissue...I used my sleeve.