79 to 47 in 24

No, this isn't a new song title by the band Chicago. (GOODNESS, you remember those songs?? I LOVE Chicago!!! 25 or 6 to 4 is the song; debuted in 1970--a bit before my time being born in 1975, but they were still big in the 80's. LOVED those 80's hairbands!!! Guns-n-Roses...Brett Michael...Def Leapard...)

But no....
79 degrees (F) yesterday morning at 4:46 AM
47 degrees (F) this morning at 5:15 AM

SOOOooooo thankful that muggy, HOT, HUMID weather broke yesterday. I can handle THIS weather...throw some thin knit "comfy" pants on and I'm all good. But when it's 90 and HUMID with a heat index over 100.....UGH! There is only SO MUCH that you can legally "take off" in order to cool down. :0)
Windows are still open despite being 47 degrees; this house needs the airing out.

NOTHING on my schedule today that requires me to head away from the house (yet). After my morning coffee and blog reading, I will finish up Hostess with Heart's binding and label. After Cassie's game last night, I watched a movie with the family and never headed back downstairs. Watching the movie with the family actually looked more like: All were awake at the start - Dad fell asleep after 10 minutes (I don't blame him! Working in this weather would knock me out too!); Candace followed in about 5 minutes; we paused the movie after another 20 minutes to take Cassie to a friend's house for a sleepover; and then Caitlyn and I finished the movie, ending at 10:00 pm.

I was in email conversation with Jody last night. We are trying to work out a time for me to deliver the quilt this afternoon so she can check it off her list. I can only imagine what the Mother of the Bride's Friday looks like. Yikes! I didn't want to add to the chaotic Friday schedule, so.....

Okay....off to catch up on some blogs. Not a lot was posted between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM, though. I need to find more Aussie and Europe bloggers ;D

Sleeping with windows open...

4:46 AM
Morning world!

Did you know..at the first shard of light, birds like to sing?

Coffee's brewing and my mind is already in full speed thinking about how to piece the backing of Hostess with Heart. I purchased the backing in two 2.5 yard pieces (different fabrics). The quilt top will roughly be 64"x84" (I haven't measured yet, just going with what the final project should be via the pattern's suggestion).

Originally, was going to use one whole piece (by length) down the center and split the other piece in half (lengthwise) to be attached to each side.
Here's my dilemma.......
I want to load this quilt lengthwise onto the frame. I COULD "do the math" to make sure those strips get as centered as possible.

OR

I could cut both fabrics into 10.5" squares for a checkerboard backing

OR

I could cut both fabrics into 20.5" squares for a larger checkerboard backing.....Ooooo....that may be the ticket! 20, 40, 60, 80. Drat......64" and 84" don't work out too nicely with that idea.....well.....suppose I could add some smaller (6") border strips to all sides ????

Guess I'll have to play with the fabrics in my hand a bit later.

Last night, I did end up lacing up my running shoes and my walk turned into an almost-2-mile jog. So MUGGY out even with the sun down. Today , things should hopefully cool off in the humidity department.

Early morning rising..

Morning everyone!
I absolutely COULD NOT sleep anymore---4:48 and the bell tolled for me.
So, showered, laundered two loads, muffins in the oven, and taking a few moments to update my blog..
I don't know how much I'll get in before the rest of the house wakes up....25 more minutes...we'll see how fast my fingers can type :0)

To start, the weekend was beautiful for my Dad's retirement party! And viola.....

Stars-n-Stripes revealed!
Here's the simple poem I put together for the reveal....





On the wall or on your lap
The choice is up to you
Let this be just a simple token
For all the things you do

Cut up from some old PJ’s
Piecing this took a while
But this snuggly quilt goes to show you
Old things can still have style

You’ve put in your time, retirement is here
Your work is finally complete,
Kick back, relax and snuggle up,
Enjoy and fall fast asleep.

I also feel I needed to share this gift!!! They are "Redneck Chimes." The gentelman on the right is my Uncle, who also retired---it was a Duo-Retirement Party :0) So, after a lot of fun and sun, we headed back home late Saturday night.

Sunday was another absolutely BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!! I had intentions of being inside, quilting all day. Hmpf! By 9:00, I was the first out the door! After a run to the gas station, and $75 less in the wallet, I was off-n-mowing for the first time this year! Yeah, the grass was long, but we actually don't mind. It's easier to rake up and pile up as inexpensive "horse food." They LOVE freshly mowed grass!
We were rolling right along, so I made a super quick "picnic lunch" of Peanut-butter sandwiches and Cheese Puffs. And, of course, when there's a little bit of wind, there's bound to be some accidents. Directly when I snapped this picture, Caitlyn (back left) spilled her lemonade. Oh, the DRAMA :0) But the rest of the lunch went off without a hitch.
The rest of day consisted of more raking, picking up the yard, and cleaning Mom's car!!! I did a "super cleaning job" on the inside, while Paul and the girls washed the outside. WOW! It's amazing what driving in a clean car can do for you! I felt so GOOD driving to school yesterday morning!

And, yeah...speaking of school! FOUR MORE DAYS! Wooo-hooooo. Today will be so fun! It's the Junior High "Skate City" reward day. The four main teachers (myself, English, Science, and Social Studies) get to be chaperones, and it'll be a blast!
Then, Finals in all my classes tomorrow, and a "wrap-up" movie on Thursday and Friday. The end is near!!!!


Happy Day everyone!