I Can't Catch Up!!!

I got home Sunday night after the show closed down and collapsed into a heap. I was so tired I couldn't think. All I knew was that I couldn't let go of my quilt show mindset, I still had several days of follow-up tasks to complete. Today I've got about 75% of those tasks completed, so I'm beginning to relax a bit and do something other than focus intently on show details.

It came, it went, it was EXCELLENT. Sure, there are things we can improve on, but what we accomplished this year was phenomenal. We transitioned from dependence to independence. We moved venues, not across town, but across the county. We changed leadership. For a year of tremendous changes, both behind the scenes and in the public eye, we had an amazingly successful show.

For those of you who were too toasty, I apologize. I had my friends pray for a rain-free week. I think they prayed for LOTS of sunshine. We had a record-breaking heatwave. The past couple of days have been 97 and 98. I am SO glad the show was not on THOSE days, upper 80's was warm enough!

When I got up on Monday morning, I made the rounds, visiting with the kitties. I was stunned to find Charlie lying on his bed, minimally responsive. I didn't know what was wrong with him, and took him to the vet immediately. Quilt show wrap-up? That could wait. I needed to take care of Charlie.

Upon examination, Dr. Lori thought that he'd contracted some sort of infection from a tomcat bite. He doesn't have a palpable abscess, and he has no tenderness. But he had a fever of 105.4, and normal for a cat is 100.2. Poor Charlie!! They gave him fluids, a couple of shots, and a bottle of antibiotics to administer at home.

For the past few days he's been going back and forth between feeling okay and feeling terribly puny. The heat isn't helping, and I think he's been getting dehydrated. Last night Pete gave him more subcutaneous fluids, and Charlie didn't even squirm too much. He was feeling that poorly. This morning he felt well enough to go outside for a while, but he's now back inside. He's been an inside cat since Monday.

Yesterday Pete called from work, to ask about Charlie. Here's a picture I took last night, as he was asking Charlie how he was feeling. Any question as to whose cat this is? ;)

In contrast, Edgar is his usual self. I took this picture this morning, as he was trying to reach a fairly large bird. It was high in the branches, watching Edgar with its head cocked. I couldn't get them both in the picture, but rest assured, the bird was safe. Edgar finally jumped down and came in for a nap.

I did some shopping at the quilt show, and I've wanted to show you my purchases. I can't find one of them. I bought two bags of purple wool. They are throw kits, but I'm hoping to combine them to make a poncho. (Do they still call them ponchos?) I have a Liz Claiborne poncho that I absolutely adore, and I thought it would be fun to have one in a color other than black. Obviously I won't be knitting this summer, but it's ready for me when I'm ready for it, if I can find it. I bought the yarn from Carole Dulitz, she's located in Springville,CA. When I find my bags, I'll snap a picture for you.

The first thing that I "needed" was this little fish pin. I absolutely LOVE it. I like the lines and the inset and the fact that it is sterling. I had them hold it for me until Sunday, when I had time to actually examine their booth. I also needed the little birdie. He cracks me up. He's also sterling. The vendor was Phil and Rosemary Churnside. Unfortunately they don't have a website.

The book vendor, Sew Many Quilt Books, was right by the front entrance. I spent a lot of time cruising the hall, but I always ended up at the front. I really did NOT have any time to shop, but a new book by Earlene Fowler caught my eye. So did a couple of books that were recently reviewed by Quilter's Newsletter. I came home with these. I laughed as I bought them. I don't think the vendor realized I was even looking at her wares, but I shop from her at every show I go to. She's always got a tremendous selection of books that I love. And I do love to read.

Finally, the Valley Oak Quilt Guild had a "Big/Little Quilt Sale." They rented a booth and sold their wares. I came home with this quilt. I think I know who made it, but there is no label on it. Ladies, ladies, I DO want you to claim your work. I'm going to be pestering you for a label, so you may as well just give up and make one for me now. I'm more than happy to sew it on, but I need to know who all worked on MY quilt. :)


And that's about it for now. My garage and my "sewing room" are complete and utter disasters. Once I get the van unloaded (I'm still driving around a couple dozen boxes of drape) I'll take pictures. You think you've got a mess on your hands? Honey, it's nothing compared to what I've done to this place. Pete is happy to have me home - he likes having the laundry fairy in residence and he likes not having to think about feeding himself - but the novelty will soon wear off and the mess is going to get to him. I need to get to work ASAP, because heaven knows this place needs it!!

Oh, and my carpenter called yesterday. "Are you still interested in cabinetry for your sewing room?" Oh, you betcha, by golly, wow! I'm interested! "I'm sorry I haven't called you, you probably thought I forgot." No I didn't. "Don't you remember? I told you I couldn't even THINK about it until after April 20, and at this point, you couldn't get into that room without a bulldozer. Take your time!"

He's putting together the drawing and bid this week. I'm so excited!