dogs
Rosey P. - I absolutely adore the photos!!! The expression on Hope's face, in the photo on the left, is priceless. She looks like she is saying, "Ma! Get this kid away from me!"
;-D
I see (at weather.com) your high is going to be 91F tomorrow. Yikes! It was 95 or 96 here today, but at least the humidity was under 40% so it is somewhat (ha!) tolerable. Without air-conditioning, 90F and humid is awful. I am ever so grateful for electricity and A/C. We're supposed to get a break in our weather by next week, with some highs of only (ha!) 88F.
We are being told that for middle Tennessee, this has been the hottest June on record, so far. How nice. (not!)
Sophie and I get out and walk verrry early in the morning, like 6:30 a.m., before the temps hit 80F. Neither of us cares to suffer heat exhaustion.
AnnieBelle & Hope
Puppy Anniebelle is growing up into a gangly, happy teenager. She is close to 5 mos. of age. No relation in lineage to Hope, she adores her older 'sister' and brings much joy into our home. The dog gates are courtesy of DH, one on each entrance to the kitchen and they are lifesavers. Annie has a predilection for the legs on my island (at the right edge of photo) and for my ancient rocking chair despite a toybox full of stuffies and two teething bones.
Very, very hot and humid today. This morning began at 4:30 a.m. with a huge electrical storm that literally lifted me off the bed, the cracks of thunder were that loud. Then, out came the teensy, weensy black flies that feed off the backs of everyone's necks, faces, arms or in our hair so that we carry them inside with us buzzing around our heads. Almost makes me wish for winter.....nah, don't say that...
Rosey
front loader washing machine
A few years ago I bought the newer front loader machine and have been very happy with it. At that time it was rated very high by Consumer Reports mag. It is a Kenmore, made by Whirlpool. A year after that bought the Whirlpool Cabrio dryer. Once in a great while the front loader doesn't "spin" out all the water in the towels, but only about every 4 mo. or so. I just re-set the "final spin" cycle again and it spins it all out. I figured it was a hic-up.
As for sheets, I have a king size bed and wash those sheets once a week. Never had a problem with them not cleaning well, or not spinning.
As for a quilt--are you talking a big one, king size, queen, etc. Maybe it gets unbalanced and needs to be re-balanced. On mine, I just open the drawer that you put the detergent in, which stops the machine, open the door, and fluff a bit. If it just doesn't spin out all the water at the end, fluff, then set on "final spin" again. It should work.
The sales lady at Sears said I shouldn't need any of the hi-eff. detergent, just use less of my regular one. Have to use the perfume and dye free for DH's skin allergies.
I also have gone back to washing on "warm" instead of cold for towels and sheets. The cold is supposed to be a savings of $ and better for the earth, but things seem to smell fresher with the warm water. Also use a fabric softener sheet in the dryer, which doesn't seem to affect the skin problems.
More info than anyone would ever want to know about my life I'm sure!
Really wish all those flood waters in the middle of the country would send water our way. Dry,dry, dry. No, the humidity doesn't make up for it. Just makes you sweat more. There is smoke and haze around from the fires that are smoldering south of us. Thankfully the A/C keeps me cool and calm during the day.
Love the pictures of the flowers everywhere. Keep it up.
Sara in Fla.
From Jean in Mill Bay (BB doesn't seem to want her to post)
Here are three that I took a few days ago, intending to put them on the BB in answer to Rosey's request. The views are from three sides of my house. I should take some flower pictures, too -- and it is a shame I can't bottle the scent from the lilacs and arbutus trees. The whole yard smells intoxicating! I think this is the most beautiful time of year here, with everything blooming and just bursting with life. Of course I have just come in from about three hours in the yard and should be spending that much time every day to keep on top of things!
After a record setting cold wet nasty Spring we have suddenly been vaulted into summer weather. I am not complaining, but it is a shock to the plants. Maybe now things will start to catch up...
Jean
central vac
Is what we call the built-in vacuums, where you plug the hose into an outlet in each room. I've never had one, but it would be nice, except the hose has to be really long and I would probably trip over that, too. At least we don't have to try to sweep carpeting with a broom! My allergies would go bonkers.
Bee, is your washer the same exact model, number and all? I wonder if it is one of the newer "high efficiency" models. I didn't think you have top-loading washers in NZ. I thought that was an American thing. Is your washer under warranty? Perhpas the repair man should be called? Lifting a soaking wet quilt out of a bathtub can damage your back and the quilt (pulled seams). Ack. Any washing machine purchased these days needs an extended service contract bought with it. Seriously. They don't make 'em like they used to.
While we're on the subject of tangled sheets
I am looking at five beds of sheets to wash after guests leave this morning. If I didn't go to Curves, I don't know that I'd have the muscle-power to haul them out of the washing machine. And on the same subject of frustration with machinery where function doesn't follow form, try vacuum cleaners. For those lucky enough to have the kind of in-house plug-ins...brainfart, can't think of the name of them...try hauling around a vacuum cleaner that gets tangled up in your feet, around chairs, couches and bangs into the paint on floor trim. I equate these things with whoever invented pantyhose.
Rosey
Hm, also love the photos.
I chicken out with washing 2 sheets at the same time. I wash one and other bits and the next time I wash , late in the week I wash the other one . I must admit my sheets are coloured so I don't have to keep them with whites. I also find if the machine isn't full all sorts of things happen. While we are on the subject of washing machines, my newish one is the same make, size, motor capacity as my last one and I can't wash my quilts in it. I used to fill the machine and wash by hand, drain by hand and then rinse also by hand and only turn it on to give a little spin much better than dragging the quilt outside and handwringing it. For some reason the machine won't even turn over and I am back to washing in the bath. All this annoys me heaps as I purchased my machine because it was the same make etc. Any ideas ???? Hugs Bee in a wet and wild NZ.
Saturday
Tangled sheets . . . ugh. My 17 y/o Whirlpool toploader that I retired in April was The Absolute Worst for tangling & twisting sheets, and pants(!) as well. It was absolutely maddening. My front-loader isn't so bad, usually no tangles at all but the queen-size sheets can sometimes be problematic. I think it's more the size of the sheet that causes trouble, than anything else, but I really don't know.
Kathi in Idaho - what beautiful photos! Going from a cool weather Spring to mid-eighties is thermal shock. That's what happened to us down here, too.
It is spring in Idaho!
Tangled sheets
Rosey - I curse my front loader every time I wrestle with the tangled sheets! Towels are even worse, as for some reason the machine thinks it knows better than I do how to balance a load. If I'm trying to wash a load with only three or four towels, it works and works to (un)balance the load and then gives up and leaves everything wetter than it should be. I've had the repairman out twice and all he says is that I have to put more in the washer than those few towels. Quite frankly, I wish I'd bought a top loader.
Weather here is turning out lovely today. We've had an unusually cool, wet spring, but it's all of a sudden supposed to get into the mid-80s here today and tomorrow. The rhododendrons are blooming. I'll try to post a picture later. The cottonwoods are sending out masses of that fluffy white stuff. Some mornings it looks like snow. The lawn will need to be mowed again this morning, just to see if I can sweep up some of it.
DH is still incapacitated after shoulder surgery, so the yard work has fallen to me this year. I did, however, finally convince him that it's possible to unload/load the dishwasher with only one hand. Yeah!
Kathi
A rainy Sat. day
Laura, what lovely colour with the 'ray' is it? And I cannot imagine the destruction of the tornadoes going through Alabama and your state. Thank you for posting reality and sharing it with us. I tend to live in my own tiny capsule of the world, I think, like most of us do. It helps to have this brought into my world.
Sara, it must feel tinder-dry down there in Florida without rain, does it? Or does the humidity help take the edge of the fire-dryness?
Sandi, I can relate to enjoying the ATV. My late husband had one of the first ATV's and brought it to my parents cottage. He never felt fear (I seem to have been born with an inner radar for it) and the terrain he took us over, I'd never have experienced this on my own. We took the machine into the water with it as well. which was exciting. One consolation I had however, in my usual fearful state was that a neighbouring chap went with my husband and said he'd never go with him again, he was that frightened by the land formations my husband drove over, huge rock formations, woods, etc. But perhaps for you, it's all part of your day. It looks like fun. I'd enjoy it on less challenging landscape than my first experience. And I LOVE your boots. I've just had to ditch my LandsEnd boots for cracking and leaking...how's that for rubber.
Doris, I love your sense of humour. Small entertainments can be found in researching laundry detergents. You've made my day. I'll know who to consult if I ever get a front loader. Meanwhile, I curse the tangled sheets everytime I have to haul them out of my top loader.
It is raining here in Southern Ontario at the moment and the promise of a dreary weather day lies ahead. I'm inbetween quilts at the moment, my insecurities are making themselves felt. I don't like not having a quilt to create.
Rosey
checking in
It has been hot here! What's worse is that I've been playing golf in it. Ack.
Sandi - I love your plaid "Wellies". Those are cute!
Rosey P - clicking that little 'link' at the top right of our Chat Board's home page is the only way I know tosign in.
I am making progress on the Ruby Slippers quilt blocks. I got all 288 HSTs pieced and am now adding a square patch to them. It's slow going, but it keeps me off the streets (but not off the golf course)...
When I was researching front-loader washers, I ran across a laundry forum. Yes, those people talk laundry & washers like we talk quilts & sewing machines! Unbelievable, but there you have it. I have learned a lot about different detergents and ingredients, and am engaged in ... experimental behavior ... with detergents. My whites have never been whiter! LOL And apparently Sears and Costco detergents are held in good esteem. I picked up some Sears brand last week and like it so far. I am so easily entertained ..... ;o)
I forgot...
The Pork part of the Pork and ride is a pig roast. MMMM meat should always be cooked over a flame! teehee
what's up with the signing in?
Sometimes I can just sign right in, other times I get transfered to the Google page.
My GF is ok, they didn't have to evacuate after all.
As a matter of fact, by the time she was supposed to go the roads were blocked with police, fire trucks, there were helicopters overhead, news crews, etc.
The woods area has been contained, but the elem. school in the area has been closed for 2 days due to all the smoke presenting a health hazzard.
There have been several fires caused by lightning over the past week.
We desperately need rain, it is supposed to be 95-97 for the next week. No rain in sight.
DH has gone off to our condo in Daytona for 1 night, to check on everything. I'm just quilting to my little heart's content. Will get my nails done at 5PM. and eat salads tonight.
Working on the fusible applique little space people. lots of fun.
Sara in Fla.
I had to buy these boots. They match my ATV and well, it's going to be muddy on the trails this weekend. I can hardly wait! My DH and I go to an annual event, it's called the Pork and Ride and there will probably be about 300 machines there. Lots of fun and camaraderie.
I might get some hand sewing in or just maybe do some cutting of a couple of quilts.
I need to pack my gear. Have a great weekend everyone!
Pictures
Oh, love the pics. I just got a call from a GF that I was supposed to meet at 7PM, she is having to evacuate due to the brush fires close to her area. I've been complaining about the smoke for 2 days, it bothers my eyes. Never thought about being close to anyone's home. She lives close to the interstate in the county south of me.
I'm getting DH to sit down tonight and get the pic of our new waterfall posted here! Yes, I am.
Sara in Fla.
