WWQP Bulletin Board Chat

AAARGH!!!

I made the trip to Asheville based on the co-owner's assurance last week on phone that the machine was ready to go. Her husband, the other owner who is the fixer was out at the time. Well, you guessed it. Got there and neither of the responsible parties was in and an employee and I sifted through the junk and machines in the little work shop room and mine hadn't been touched. The lady who helped me was mortified when she learned how far I had come. Unfortunately that shop is the nearest dealer but next time I'll just ship it. I should have done that anyway as the Juki people say that if there isn't a dealer within 50 miles they pay the shipping charges. Now I wish I'd just brought it back with me. You are all familiar with the old saying, "old too soon, smart to late".

This is not a quilt shop but has a collection of veddy expensive silks, wools and some cottons for $18/yd up to $30/yd. There are at least three seamstresses there who make custom clothing some of which I've seen and is great. You guessed it, even as I have been looking around in mid priced department stores lately for something tailored in linen or cotton to wear for DD's rehearsal dinner which will be held out of doors at 5:30 in southern CA in which would require natural fibers with no poly because of the heat, I got to looking around and ended up spending more money I can ill afford by buying a linen/rayon blend for pants and a cotton tweedy looking stuff for a jacket and being measured by the seamstress who'd been helping me. The linen blend was less than $9/yd but the cotton is $18. Both fabrics are 52" wide. At least it's not silk for $28! She says the labor will be in range of $140. At least I know it will fit. (It had better or she'll not get her $140!) She will also send me home with the pattern. I can make an outfit but can't make it fit since my old age heft has outgrown my size 8 skeleton. I'm not having it lined as I don't want to sweat through the proceedings. I'm wearing a previously worn silk outfit for the wedding which will be out of doors at the same hour.

DORIS, your Cavalier is adorable. I guess that's the only spaniel which isn't a hunter but a wonderful family dog which prefers the human lap to any other environment. If you look at portraits of English royalty from early 18th C. and perhaps earlier, there is frequently a Cavalier in the area, particularly when children are portrayed.

DOGS: DD asked me the other day if I want another dog. She is half serious. Her fiance has one that she described as ancient, very sweet but needs a home as her cat, whom she says doesn't like anybody, and the dog can't coexist even if there were more space. My initial response was horror at the idea that the two step daughters shouldn't losing a dog they've had most of their lives in favor of a cat that doesn't like anybody. She agrees that it's very strange but they don't seem to be too attached. I also said I was not prepared to pay to ship the poor old girl but I'm already looking forward to meeting her along with the rest of his clan. I think any kid who has lived with a sweet, gentle dog as described must be missing a piece and I wonder if DD isn't just trying to justify her cat to the detriment of the dog. Quien sabe? A blended family does create its problems and I'm glad I don't have to solve them.

Time for the gym and spray the weeds in my shrubbery beds and the lawn that is spreading into the gravel driveway.

Jane in NC

posted by Jane in NC @ 8:37 AM