Something really weird happened the other day.
We went to work and everything was normal. When we got home this is what we saw on The Bad Room Mate.
Ziggy was acting completely "normal" - not afraid, not sick or tired or anything - just his usual mental self.
He has a giant bald spot right in between his shoulder blades! The skin wasn't irritated - no scratch marks, no swelling or infection. Just bald skin. There was some fur in the middle of the hallway and a bit more on the bed.
What the HELL?!
We have only one theory - he got scared and he ran underneath something (the bed? the bathroom cabinet?) and caught his back on the way. I know - it's not the greatest explanation but it's all we've got.
I think the reality is something much more mental. Like he was sitting on a table - too close to the edge - cleaning his bum and he lost his balance and fell of - catching himself on something on the way down. Much more his style.
So I've had some secret projects going on.
My bestie R. was pregnant with her first and I had, had, HAD to send her a big care package when I found out. You know my track record - I order the fabric, make the top and maybe three months later I'll tackle the rest.
Not this time. This time I pumped this thing out less than a month after I got the fabric.
Unfortunately.....much swearing ensued as the top was coming together. I
wanted to add larger squares to my usual small 5" squares. No big deal
right?
Um,yes. Big deal.
As you know, I'm no pro-quilter, I'm a self taught sewer. Those amazing people who sew intricate patterns of fabrics together to make pieces of ART: my heroes.
I just don't GET how you deal with the corners where the small pieces and big pieces come together. I ended up literally shoving the fabric through my machine in these spots. Plus, you can't simply chain stitch the top so it took way longer.
My buddy D. made a really nice baby blanket and I stole her idea. All you do is buy one metre of a nice quilting cotton fabric and sew some soft "minky" fabric on the back and topstitch.
Done and done.
Her baby girl was born on Tuesday so I'm looking forward to photos of her on the blankets.
(Hint! Hint!)
I threw in a little toque as well. I think R. likes everything, she threatened it was all so nice that she was anxious about using any of it. I told her I'd drop kick her if I find out that's the case.
It's the most wonderful time of the yeaeeaaar....ahem.
Here are links to previous years - remember the kid we saw the first year?? Bah, we were such virgins.
2010 was completely out of control - never again. Only about 3 books that year were worth it. Almost all the rest have been donated back to the book sale.
2011 - much more civilized, almost too nonchalant?!
2012 was great, I've read everything I bought that year except Blindness. I'm scared but will tackle it one day - I think I'll make Brad read it first.
This year I think we've picked up our rhythm.
We arrived half an hour before the doors opened, the line up was around the block and even further (as usual) but we were inside within half an hour. The first table - three books almost immediately. I was a little frightened at what lay ahead...
I had a list and decided to be much more picky. Example: I will not buy a book I've never heard of that looks good. I will not buy a book someone else recommends (it happens all the time! I still have one on my shelf from 2010) and I will not buy a book I really like but have already read. (Which I have done the last four years.)
Eleven books and they are ALL serious scores. Notice a lot of recent best sellers. One Giller Prize winner - two particular books that are on my Good Reads list, one recommended by Chistielli and the best of all.........
I was searching through the boxes and had my paper list in my hand. A lady next to me read it over my shoulder and kindly said "You'll NEVER find Laurie R. King at the book sale." We laughed about it and I said I knew it but I look every year just the same.
About twenty minutes later.....
I found it.
It was like an optical illusion. I saw the book, did a double-take and grabbed it so fast I almost threw my wrist out of joint.
Fist pumping ensued.
