I'm In! I'm In!

I got in to the Bee Inspired virtual quilting bee! I am very stoked. Space was limited to 16 plus the 2 organizers, so 18 total. A lottery was held for the remaining spots. I got ONE!!!

Now I am thinking of what my block will be. I am leaning toward a house. Right now I am thinking Batiks and calling it Vacation Homes. I am tossing it around still. I can't wait to see what everyone else picks for their blocks!

I hope I am one of the early months. It looks like this will be starting in March. I would love to get my top done this year. But I could be as late as next February.

Other things going on. Scott got moved to his "camp" yesterday and started working. I haven't heard from him yet to see how it went. I should have an APO address for him soon.

I'm Bored!!!

This means I have shit to do AND don't want to do any of it! Yea the house should be clean, don't wanna. Dishes need unloaded, don't wanna. Invitations need finished, don't wanna. You see where this is going right?

I did take a bath and do 3 loads of laundry. But I mostly just keep checking to see is anything amazing is happening in blog land. I did find a Signature Quilt Block Swap. Now I get to make 60 Siggy Blocks! Of course mine are going to be red, black and white.

I have lost my wallet sometime after 9pm last night. I had it at my parents around 9pm, I know this because Poop was taking it apart. At noon today we were headed out and no wallet. CRAP! Keep you fingers cross that I feel like looking for it and I find it!

Anyone doing something FUN?

Things in MY World Today

It was proven to me today that it is not just Scott ALL men can be stupid. Scott's final paycheck has not arrived yet, I should have had it a week ago. Today I called the owner to check on it. Here's how the call went:

Me: "Hi Bob! This is Dianah, Scott's wife."
Bob: "Hi!?"
Me: "I was just calling to check and see if you have had a chance to mail out Scott's last paycheck yet."
Bob: "Gary is standing right here, let me check on that."

Gary is the superintendent for the company and handles payroll. In the background I hear:

Bob: "Gary do you have Scott's paycheck?"
Gary: "Yeah, I haven't seen him. I am holding it to give it to him next time I see him."

Back to me on the phone.

Bob: "Hi, I will get that mailed out today."
Me: "Thank you."

We finished the call with what Scott is up to in Iraq.

Now I am wondering if Gary is planning a trip to Iraq or what?

Right now I am needing to make and mail out invitations to Delaney's 3rd Birthday party, which I should have done last week. And I need to get quilting on my President's Challenge. Being sick last week put me behind on a lot of things.

Also Delaney now has a really bad cough. She takes after Poppa and coughs till she pukes. Guess what I woke up too?

To funny not to share

I found this on another blog and simply had to share with my readers. It is from a Baltimore newspaper and shows a picture drawn by an elementary school student and a letter/plea from her mother...

Dear Teacher,
I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.
Sincerely,
Mother

Aussie Brush Fire Quilt Project - 2nd Address Added

I have heard about the Australia Brush Fires. I have seen stuff on a few blogs. Even some of the blogs I follow are updating if they are okay. One of the bloggers, Gail Pan, had a fire come through her town. She is okay.

It is summer in Australia and Fire season. Much like what southern California experienced this past fall. We all know the devastating effects that had. So far, from what I read, the numbers are 65 lives have been lost and 100 homes completely destroyed, more are damaged.

So sitting here in my Northern California home, debating if I need to turn up the heater, I am thinking "What can I do?" I know I can't afford to send money, if you can donate to the Red Cross or if you can donate cash for the animals donate to RSPCA Victoria. I am going to put my talents to use!

Honeysuckle Cottage Quilt Shop in Australia is taking donations of 12.5" unfinished Wonky Star Quilt Blocks! They have people lined up to piece the tops, long armers to quilt and people to bind. Suppliers have donated backing, "wadding" (best I can figure is batting), and thread. All they need is us to donate a block and mail them off.

If you follow the link to the Wonky Star Quilt Block DO NOT use their measurements! That bock is for a 6" block. Your squares will need to be 4.5" otherwise follow the directions. They are really easy to make and they can be made from you scraps!

If you live close to me I will mail out my blocks on March 2nd. I would gladly include your blocks with mine. Manteca Quilters if you would like you can bring your blocks to the meeting, I will be their. If you don't live close to me and would still like to make a block or two here is the shops address.

Honeysuckle Cottage
7 Muirhead St
Bundarra NSW 2359 Australia

Another Address is

Tia Curtis
PSC 273 Box 89
APO AP 96548 USA

You will have to fill out a customs form if you send your blocks to Honeysuckle Cottage. From what I have been told DO NOT put quilt blocks on it. Make something up, washcloth. Quilt related mailings tend to disappear.

I am off to have Valentine's dinner with my Valentine! Me and Poop are headed to the Golden Arches for Nuggets.

More on CPSIA

This is a Federal Law. It is to be enforced in all 50 states. Also if you are from another country trying to sell something in the US (Etsy and E-bay) to have to comply with this law.

Another group this will hurt is Thrift Stores, Yard Sales and Other Re-Sellers. The way the law is currently written is anytime an item is sold the seller has to have the item tested.

Senator Jim DeMint from South Carolina is one of the Senator's working to get this law changed. He is a supporter of the small businesses. He realizes that if this law stays as written it will have a huge negative effect on the US economy. Many small business will close down and many people who shop at Thrift Stores will be left with minimal places to shop.

Never mind what this will do to the landfills in the US. Pretty much anything for kids under 12 will be thrown away. You can hand you stuff down to a friend but you will not be allowed to donated it (Goodwill) or have a yard sale or E-bay it.

One of the things WE can do is call our Senators. The main line for Congress is 202-224-3121, ask the operator to speak with one of the Senators from your state. The Stay of Testing is for only 1 year the problem has not gone away but been delayed. Let your Senator know that you want them to co-sponsor the DeMint Bill. Tom Jones is working on this for DeMint's Office, have your Senator's office contact him. Also let the person on the phone know that you would like a written response as to whether the Senator will co-sponsor the issue. You can call back and speak to your states other Senator too.

CPSIA Law

The CPSIA law was supposed to go into effect on February 10, 2009. The law was written that ANY item made to be used by children under 12 had to go through strict government testing. The price for testing started at $4000 per item, shirt, quilt, toy, ect. You then had to label the items with a batch number, item number, and testing number before you could sell your item. If you did not comply you could be charged with a felony, face jail time and have a fine starting at $10,000. This law hits everyone from large manufactures, Mattle is a supporter, to crafters and artisans, ME!

Now because of Scott leaving and me getting sick I have not been able to stay up to date on all the changes in this law the last 2 weeks. By the way Scott is in Baghdad. He will have to go through some more processing stuff next week, then he will be working. There are 115 days until he gets leave.

Back to CPSIA. On January 30, 2009 a Stay of Testing was issued for certain products.

"......stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission."

The Stay of Testing will last until February 10, 2010.

I realize some of you are thinking this doesn't have to do with me, BUT it does. For those of you who like to purchase one of a kind baby gifts or outfits for grandchildren, NO MORE! Quilters all of the wonderful quilts we make and donate to the Children's Hospital, NO MORE! How about the 2000 Christmas Stocking that Manteca Quilt Guild made and donated to kids in San Joaquin County, NO MORE! With the law untested items CAN NOT be donated to charities either.

Update On Us

Scott left Houston yesterday. He flew to London with only a 3 hour lay over. Then he was off to Dubai. From what I can put together he should be in Dubai now. He does have a 4am meeting on Thursday in Dubai, which with the time change would be 5pm Wednesday. I have not heard from him since Tuesday midday. And I most likely wont hear from him until next week. He was hoping to be in Iraq Friday or Saturday.

As for me I have been hit with the flu again. I have been out of commission since Monday and I am hoping to go back to work tomorrow.

Delaney has been enjoying a few days with Gram and Poppa.

Tired

Okay EVERYONE keeps asking "how are you doing?"
I reply "Okay"
Most say "No really HOW are you doing?"
I say "I am really doing okay."

We have made it through 5 days of Scott being gone. We are really doing okay. Delaney wants daddy to come home now. Other than that we are good.

We talk to Scott everyday. Last night was the first night we didn't use Webcam. I told Delaney "we will talk to daddy on the computer tonight." She said "Again." I e-mailed Scott to call us.

The hardest part is having to get up EARLIER to get Poop out to Linda's and me to work. I have it down that I can get up at 4:30am and make it to work on time IF I have my stuff laid out for work and Poop's bag is packed for Linda's. If those aren't done I have to get up around 4am. So I am feeling tired but otherwise okay. Tomorrow is my first day off since Scott left, that will help too.

We Are Doing Okay

Many of you are wondering how we are doing. WE are okay. Just trying to adjust to a new lifestlye.

Scott made it safely to Houston last nigh about 7:30pm local time. He had to check in at the Hilton, get his hotel assignment, bus schedule and orientation schedule. By the time he made it to his room it was about 9:30pm local time. We spoke briefly and he went to find dinner. He did call me in more detail after that. I have also spoke with him today and things are going well. He has a good shot at being on the 10 day plan.

My parents drove us all up to the airport to drop off Scott. Then the 4 of us headed to Ikea to pick up a few things. My parents had never been! Delaney came home to take her nap and I started cleaning. Between the garage and laundry her nap was over. Today was back to work, 4am is VERY early.

We were able to talk with Scott on the webcam tonight. Delaney is ready for daddy to come home and for her to go to his hotel. All in all things are going well for being only day 2.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Okay really the best part of Monday Night Football is Hank Jr singing the song. How can you go wrong with Hank Jr?

I will admit I know today is Super Bowl Sunday and the Steelers are playing. Beyond that I have no clue. Don't know where the game is this year or who the other team is. Oh I also know the Steelers have to wear white uniforms, that just doesn't seem right.

I also know that we wont be seeing a PETA ad, it is to risque for the American public. If we lived in Canada or Europe it would be no problem. Go to You Tube if you want to see it. BUT the highlight of the game will be my cousin Steve's Audi commercial. This is a big deal. Only so many commercials get played during Super Bowl. Steve has been able to make a few of them. Last year he also did the Audi commercial, it played in the first 5 minutes of the game.

Someone please tell me who wins and how halftime is.