Still keeping busy...

I'm still keeping busy these days but not accomplishing very much.  Why, you ask?  Well, my DH and I just celebrated our 50th anniversary.  We planned a day with family and fiends and had a wonderful time.  We had a picture show done that followed us from babies to our older age (yes, not too old yet - was a child bride, ha ha).  It included our families and, of course, a lot of the fun and silly times we've had.  Everyone enjoyed it and had lots of laughs.  We then renewed our vows but were only fortunate enough to have one bridesmaid and our flower girl there.  It was great to see so many of the people I grew up with and I was pleased they could make it.  All in all it was a wonderful day.

Before that we went to the beautiful Quilt Show - Quilting Around Chatauqua.  What a wonderful show and the weather couldn't have been nicer.  Lot of laughs, and of course, a few goodies from the vendors.  

Thinking that Christmas would come up very fast, I have gotten a few things made ahead of time.  How do you like this cute little Advent Calendar?  I embellished it with a few snow flake buttons to give it some extra pizzaz.  

Will show you more next week.  To my Canadian friends, have a great Thanksgiving week-end.  I know I have a lot to be thankful for and I hope you do too.

Until then, may your bobbins always be full.

That's Not The End of The Story....

No, the story goes on.  After we started for home, our computer would not work.  We couldn't figure out what the problem was but, we were very wary since having all these strange e-mails.  Well, when it went completely black and we couldn't use it at all, found out it was truly dead and could not be revived.  Really, it's only a few years old - don't they last longer than that?  Guess not.  We'd better get a new one and this time I wanted one that was the fastest and had the newest hard drive, etc., etc.  Well, that didn't last long either.  Back to the store for a new one.  This one didn't last long before it was giving trouble too - send it to the manufacturer and get it fixed.  Seems I had a software problem.  All this time, my DH moved over to let me do the things I absolutely had to do on his computer.  It was not easy some days but we came through.  Now to get used to 8.1 - I'm still working on that.  Sometimes it's just easier to move to the old computer - it may be slow but it's easier to use.  

After getting the computer fiasco fixed up, I had the opportunity to go to the Vermont Quilt Festival.  Four of us girls went and we had a blast.  Quilts were great but the vendors and shops were even greater - at least that's what my wallet said!  

It wasn't long before someone was using my credit card again.  I hate it when people charge trips to my card and don't invite me!  Here we go again, calling and having the card cancelled and having to wait for the new one.  Glad they don't take too long to arrive.  I don't know how this is happening but twice in 4 months is just about enough.  

Things seem to have calmed down now and I'm certainly glad of that.

I didn't get much sewing done over the summer.  I started on a few Christmas ideas and have to show you the quilt I put together on a retreat in the Spring.  It has been really popular and I hope you like it.

It's a wonderful, cozy flannel and kits for this quilt will be available very shortly.  I've run out of one of the fabrics and am waiting for it to arrive.  Shouldn't be long now.

I've gotten a few more things made for Christmas and will post them next week.  

Until then, may your bobbins always be full.

What Next???

This is getting tiring!  Just a few days before leaving for our vacation, our credit card company cancelled my husbands' card - they think it had been compromised.  Send a new card fast!!!  And, so they did.  Away we go.

We check our e-mails regularly while away to keep in contact with friends and family. 
Well, here's an e-mail from our Bank????  They've never e-mailed us before.  Actually, I don't think they ever e-mail their customers.  NO, we won't just "click here" to confirm anything.  We made a call to them and they agreed - don't click!

A couple of days later, an e-mail from another Bank - we don't even have an account with them.  NO, we won't just "click here".  To the Trash you go!

The next was an e-mail from Itunes.  Please confirm the order.  What order? The order for a couple of hundred dollars.  Noting it was being billed to our e-mail address, decided NO - we won't "click here".  Trash again!

Today, my DH decided to check our credit card account to ensure everything was okay.  What?  Not again?  Here was a charge for over $1600.00 - not our purchase!  This time it was my card.

There are lessons here:  don't just "click here" when asked to.  The e-mails from the Banks really looked good, even including their insignias, but after thinking about it, realized they don't even have our e-mail address.  The e-mail from Itunes wanted us to click if it was not our order.  That sounds really good, doesn't it.  Don't be too swift with clicking.  If you didn't order it, why would they have our address to ask for confirmation?

Keep your eyes on your credit card account.  Don't just pay that balance.  Keep all receipts and match them to your statement.  A lot of times, anyone using your number will make small purchases to start with to see if they get through - don't let anything but your own purchases get through.

Wouldn't you agree, if these people who are always scamming would use their talents in a positive manner, what a world it could be!  They could be doing something really good.

I hope by telling this story, I am able to stop someone from making the mistake of  giving out information they shouldn't.  This has all happened in a space of about five weeks which makes us very wary now.  Be vigilant and make sure who you're corresponding with.

Good night for now, and may your bobbins always be full!


  

I know, it's been a long time...

I didn't realize just how long it's been since I've posted.  A lot has happened since my last post. 

 The first thing was a trip to Cuba.  What a nice vacation.  We had a great hotel and the people were lovely.  They couldn't do enough for us.  We did a tour of Havana in a 1956 Chev Bel Air.  With the driver and tour guide, I couldn't figure out how the four of us would also fit in the vehicle.  Well, silly me, I forgot how big these old vehicles were.  We were quite comfortable.  The architecture there is awesome and so much restoration is going on, which is wonderful.  Warm weather,  good friends, and drinking Banana Mamas on the beach - how good is that???

Christmas came fast after our vacation.  Our DD and DGD came for a four day visit in mid December so we had our Christmas a little early.  Of course, when it came time for them to go home, the weather didn't co-operate.  They ended up staying two more days before they could get out.  We celebrated again on Christmas day, this time with in-laws and our new little niece who is as cute as a button.   We normally spend Christmas Eve with friends but, I'm afraid, sickness took over and we had to wait until January.  Our friends were sick, then my DH and I got it too.  Sickness has been the order of the day twice since 2014 began.  At times, Rudoph didn't hold a candle to me!

January is that time of year when we resolve to get ourselves organized.  Well, I'm no different, except, that I didn't accomplish a whole lot.  Just sorted scraps.  Instead of having a laundry hamper full, I've sorted them into colours and put them into separate drawers.  Much easier to get at when doing a scrap quilt.

I haven't even done any sewing, although I did cut out a tumbler quilt.  I've always wanted one so thought I'd get one ready to sew while on vacation.  Yes, I set my sewing machine up with the ironing surface beside and sew a seam or two whenever the urge hits.  I've gotten a lot done with little effort in years gone by.  I also thought it might be a good idea to take a UFO so have 42 Angela's Arrowhead blocks to put together.  They're only a year old (relatively new to the UFO pile). 

We are currently hunkered down in a hotel - stuck in the Atlanta snowstorm.  Wonder what they'd do if I took my sewing machine to the breakfast room, put a couple of tables together, and proceeded to sew my tumbler quilt together?  I'm sure there would be heads shaking at that.  I'm finding it quite boring just watching TV, although I am enjoying the Olympics - Go Canada Go!

 Well, I'll sign off for now.  Will try to post some pictures soon.

Keep quilting, and, may your bobbins always be full!