Ayn's Multiple World

Ann's PodBean Test

This is a test to see if the audio is going to be posted

posted by Ann Marie @ 6/19/2010 02:29:00 AM Comments: 1

June 9 through June 13 - Linda and CS

Ann Ludford Garvey June 9 at 4:40am
I'm sorry, but we had written this on Monday, but then had forgotten to post. You already know the result of the day was that we used our vacation day to make Vickie's quilt. I guess we had a lot of psychological strife. Tuesday wasn't such a good day because we had trouble focusing on work. We seem to be up and down there. Maybe we can pull our minds into something more productive. About a half hour ago ... we made sure everything in the place was picked up including the dishwasher and our sewing room. You know the feeling that after a project things have to be cleaned up ... yesterday coming into the messier state was too much and we just crashed - in a overly tired way. Ok, now its today?

Wow! Everyone had a great weekend and we all made it back safe and sound. Linda … we had some rain, but just short outbursts. I posted some pictures of the big clouds. Ok, maybe we shouldn't be taking pictures while driving, BUT it just seemed so darn cool. I enjoyed taking pictures of the weekend and I'm going to treasure the ones of all us together around the table. That's the kind of thing that you can just long to get back to. I'm thinking too Linda if you can take on some more work - that maybe you can help with some of the smaller squares. I had started with it, but it was too much on the difficult side. CS then took over the project, but then she also has all the petals. I wish I could feel more confident in doing what should have been my share, but I don't think I'm good enough to do things the right way. It's too much pressure.

I'm not so sure that I'd like the thought of giving up my studio for someone to be staying, but I have to appreciate that you are willing to do the best for the family Linda. CS is pretty understanding as to putting up with us … we were all good Saturday, but Sunday had a bit of a meltdown because someone didn't want to go home. It was a mixed up time for us because I think we were caught between not being able to finish all the work we'd wanted to do. I don't think we attack anyone … just feel too young and cranky so CS had a hard time talking to me without hearing from a grouch.

We're like aware we're running rough … and the best thing is for us to work calmly and quietly through it. Just start and stops on the work load are tough on the system. We need to switch gears within, but to be having specific things to do we are feeling self-control with. We really do get into being productive and it helps us a lot emotionally. We were probably tired too and had a hard time staying up while driving. Very releaved to get home safely. It was a wonderful weekend we just want to ride the clock. I think Linda you know what were saying in that it's always nice to work quietly before bedtime. It seems to be settling. Not so sure of working for a couple hours after midnight CS … that? Maybe not so calming!

I'm not sure as well of the problem we're having going down in the basement to do work. It seems to be building as a pattern. I think we're having a hard time with all the stimulus down there. We're having confusions between the present and the past and our younger parts especially are having a rough time with basement work. We haven't done much in basements since being a kid … and that's where we used to be sent as a punishment. We had a very unfinished basement as a kid and we were sent down a lot like a bad animal. I can remember hiding in dark corners like in bags of old clothes under the stairs. CS might not remember this, but I don't think she was ever really sent down on her own or for many long periods of time as we were. Eventually we made the best of it in that there was a piano down there and we taught ourselves some basics there was also somewhat of an upgrade to the basement - not all the rooms, but some. I think the piano was good for us, because emotionally we could work out some of the anger and depression through the moodiness of the music. This is the sort of thing we usually talk to our doctor about and may have something to do with our crankiness on Sunday. I also remember our childhood home and times of trying to clean up the messes down there … it was a pretty terrible place to be remember laying at times too on the stairs looking out the crack in the door … Ok, us … time to let that go … pswhoo. Is Dr. M. coming back THIS week? We've been without sessions over the last two weeks. Think it's time to visit him. :(

On cheerier sides we're back into our regular environment and have the day off. It's about 9:30 am now. We had started writing earlier after waking up at 4 am. But, we fell asleep on the bed waiting for Rich to get out of the shower, and then fell asleep on the couch after he got his coffee. I think we're up, but we had been pretty tired and sugared out. *sigh* We're not very good at setting limits. I think Rich must provide some sense of safety for younger parts, I know that we didn't give him any trouble when he said we should go to bed with him at 9:30 am. He's got this method of getting us to sleep. He says remember you just have to massage us and that will calm you enough to sleep. Funny thing is … he's usually right! Sneaky devil!

Yeeks my boss' secretary just called while I was at home and I had to step into work world for a moment. I think our heart beat elevated, but it's now over. Lordy I hate working with people from the State. There's always 20 things you don't know to the 20 things you do now. UGH! Ok, calm down calm down … Missy's trying to now tell me if I massage her I will calm down and relax. Damn this household is out to get me! SOOO, I thought more practically, order your prescriptions. Good good … that's done :) CS … my strap did break all the way on the backpack. We'll try to get it in later today. BUT other than this … think we've got to do something fun and not practical. We made ourselves a pot of coffee and am starting to think the age old question … write or sew?

Ann Ludford Garvey June 9 at 10:22am
Good morning … today is Wednesday and it's a brand new day. The dishwasher is swishing away happily ever after and Anderson Cooper is about finished for the night. I think the 3-5 am time slot is his show from 9 - 11 pm. I know just like the night nurses being off duty that in 9 minutes Anderson will be off and the morning staff will be ready to start up with fresh new takes on the news. He was doing interviews with 5 of the victims from the oil rig. Couple of the guys were crying after just a few words. They are going through Post traumatic stress disorder. I sure hope they are going to get those guys emotional help. They are still living in the nightmare.

Ahh Karen Chetry and John Roberts …

Better move off the news too. Not as interested in political outcomes of the night … well except the one … the lady who started and ran e-Bay won her race in California. It's just the primaries, but still it will be an interesting change going from Arnold Schwarteneiger to a business mongol. People seem to be looking for a change there. They are like billons in debt. Ok, shhh shhh. I think we're going to turn off the volume for a bit…

Hmm, went to do the shower and wake up Rich then there was a lot of falling asleeps and getting up and falling asleep. We're up now … I think.

Ok, back again … It's about 10 to 9 am. We didn't make it out for the day … Rich is not too happy, but we called in sick. For some reason we've been having these pretty big ups and downs and it seems like we keep losing moments or more of consciousness … I think of it like falling asleep, but when you are at work or driving it feels like falling down a deep hole and then startling to awareness. Still thinking this has something to do on an emotional level with not seeing Dr. Marvin for a bit. We also don't know if we shouldn't see Dr. Albright the medical doctor. We haven't seen her for a while and are afraid that she's going to say we have sleep apnea again, diabetes AND tendonitis golfer's elbow opposed to tennis elbow because it's on the inside - to think more arthritis ... be too much. This is our :( frowny face as to all that. I don't like feeling complainy.

CS I don't know what to say about your upcoming surgery. I don't know if it is a good idea to be at Joe's wedding just a few days after. We'll have to talk about that. Anything causing a distraction isn't going to be good either for you, me or Joe and Cari. It's got to be about them. I don't know how involved I will feel … I was hoping to feel less stress than more. Isn't there someway you could put it off a week? I've had to cancel weekends after your pump was just changed because you were as you stated are out of it when it happens. I just can't imagine all that AND having removed and replaced the pump entirely through surgery and then traveling and going through a wedding.

I don't know … we should talk.

Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 11:18am
Good morning. This is me. We’re still not up to the speed of work yet, but at least will have a Dr. meeting today. It’s a standing appointment at 4:30 pm. We’ll get a chance to talk about things that need talking about. I apologize for the complications in our thoughts, but it is part of me being an us and other. CS – we’ll continue if you will to talk about the surgery situation and what it represents, but we are going to need figuring it out whether you talk or not. Linda … I know that we are talking about family issues in general and out loud, and I hope you are ok with this. It seems you represent a bit of normalcy in both CS and our life. It seems safer having you here and maintaining a strong quilting presence … though maybe that’s something we’ll have to deal with in another way – depending on your comfort ability. I’m thinking both CS and us have taken you in as a real sister and being part then of our family. Let us know whether or not a boundary should be put up.

In general, we have troubles with the medical platform of CS as much as the psychological platforms we share. We are on two different pages here between CS and us. She seems to rely more on medical support and we seem to have centered more on psychological support. I’m worried about myself going back into medical because we’re not taking good enough time with our weight and all that follows in that condition. CS used to do more with psychological support, but now she doesn’t. I’m hoping that both of us relating to each other do more good than harm.

Both situations have demanded the attention of caregivers – primarily doctors. CS has been most likely over 3-4 dozen hospitalizations for surgery or other so having another one just puts weigh on the general load. We’re probably not too far behind her. I think the first doctor problems we heard CS go back to early Jr. High with Wandasee maybe sooner or missing out months of school at a time. I think CS was having problems sooner … and we always mark the time of being in some kind of special program at her 5th grade for dieting. Standing on this platform, it’s always been a complication between us. More lately in our day to day life … we’ve striven to focus our relationship on the quilting more than being too sickly to do anything, but bed rest. But, CS then when you should take it easier due to recovery you over-extend yourself and we end up worried over the other side of an extreme.

When adding your situation to ours meaning the complications of our own medical/psychological model there is a lot out there to figure out. We have parts in particular that have a harder time day to day than normal. Dr. Woolcott used to say that we can go so far and then there’s a relapse or are doing fine and then give up the ship. Now the relapses are missing a day or two from work, where it used to mean going back to the hospital because we’ve been overwhelmed in stress or other. You know that the past we both share has lead to complications in our lives … I deal with it through a long-standing relationship with Dr. Marvin … you get other attention with this I think from being cared for medically through doctors and nursing staff … that meaning the nice nurses.

As stated before we could argue out this point. It affects us when you are being more a disabled patient, but then here we are on our second day off because we’re not doing well. The quilting is a good means for both of us to step away from being a patient or in any form ill to be taking care of having a life other than a patient model. If I were to stand on a platform of my disabilities I would lose all confidence in that which I can do over that which I have problems with. Other things that are good for us is to be doing some kind of work – which means me going to work or you helping Mark. Housework, diet, and exercise should also be part of our healthier conversations – as WELL as being organized and setting goals. This part includes you too Linda ;)

To do that I realize I have weekly assistance through Dr. Marvin. It’s much harder for me without an appointment for 3 weeks. Without his assistance I get tangled up in sorting out reactions and thoughts that happen at the different levels of our parts. You know that family including you has always been a big influence on my mental state. Things like your medical are a complication to our minds and personalities. I couldn’t tell you why, but to get out our frustration with you not being available because of sickliness it will take most of our time this afternoon along with figuring out now why the basement at your place was so difficult.

This simple talk with him is much better than all the years separated from you because just saying your name or another family members name was so complicated, weighted down in our minds, or might produce so much depression or other forms of incomprehension. I’m not saying these are faults of yours, but in our own way of handling life as we know it including being the older sister feeling some responsibility for not only me (us), but as well you. Your having sat out so much of life feels to us as though we weren’t able to take care of you as we theoretically set ourselves to. It goes back way further than the anger and guilt of Kathy Head telling us that we had to take care of you because we were the stronger one. That thought had inflamed us because we were having so much difficulty surviving the family situation ourselves.

It somehow affects the thought of being at Joe’s wedding. You haven’t seen Joe for about 2 dozen years. I spent most my life “protecting” kids from the family problems. And, I spent a great part of my adult life 26 years out of my oldest sons 30 years in treatment because of the severity of our family structure on me. I really pushed Joe to include you at the wedding because he is wary of my involvement with family … he knows how hard I’m working to build a relationship to you, but that in the past usually being in touch with family meant another hospitalization. We’ve talked about this between in the recent past. Now a meeting has been arranged and it’s also being arranged for you to have a surgery 4 days before the wedding. I can’t say how much you are putting into that because I hear your complications scheduling with your surgeon – it’s a breakdown point of trust. I’m trying not to think its emergency surgery, because it’s being put off about a month and a half, though every surgery is important. I think it’s more the medical platform I know you hold. I’ve worked hard between the two of us trying to stay on the healthier platform … I can’t help but to thing this is a regression. Though in a business model, we’d have to say we could turn any internal “threat” into an relationship opportunity.

I am having complications at the wedding upholding my own wellness particularly with ex and his family, I know you are going to need attention because you are pushing yourself to having surgery, taking a 2-3 hour trip, going through an outside wedding and then traveling back home in the same day. To say any differently would be a problem, it poses a further relationship problem because the boys only knew through all those silent years because of your medical and emotional neediness and now when I’ve thought to have brought them through it in more acceptance of you we’re reintroducing you and we find again you’re in this state that has distressed them in the past. It’s just a hard thing. This sort of still tends to overwhelm me. I like to have more control over the negatives. Again … we have our own issues to go through and we’ll go through this one too, it’s just an extra complication.

Please forgive us our wordiness in trying out loud to understand and further advance this discussion. Linda this is more fun than housekeeping right? Stick with us ;)

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 11:19am
As to other things … and we’re guessing here we’re into our second message because the first will have been so long … we are doing our own in and out things with air conditioning. Today seems ok to be doing without it, but we’d have it on in a flash if it were to get uncomfortable. We haven’t been able to get any sewing done, but we’re thinking that after lunch we’ll give it another try. I might work on some of the things that CS sent our way at last time met. I think there’s something easy to do with strips of fabric, something for an old neighbor friend CS wants to treat and something of 4 block of the month packages, although I’m not sure of that … CS did you take on another major project without finishing one of the others? YEEKS!

I think you are both being up pretty late. Were checking times and its been reading after 11 pm to 12 am. Hmm? I think the nice part about lists is that you can take them in and out as needed. I figure that on our list is getting back to work. To do that I’ve spent a couple days at home and will drive that situation to being able to leave home, which means I might as well put on the list picking up the house and taking care of my mental state. These seem to be distractions to me going back to work. Fortunately Sr.’s put up with our situation for about a decade and handles the situation. Both here and at work, if I can get out the smaller “bugaboos” then I’m much more able to get to the other stuff. Part of this is keeping up with healthy sleep patterns. I’ve needed quite a bit of sleep in the last few days even when I’ve gone to bed and gotten up at good times. It’s like the extra sleep is calming, but I can’t do it on a regular basis. However, we were finding working, coming home and eating and then napping for like an hour would get us back up and doing more like the quilting or meeting Rich before we were back in bed at 10 pm.

Linda I think if you wanted to put up a list or 20 on Facebook – we’d all love to help in the small ways we could. CS is going to volunteer more than she SHOULD be doing, but I can appreciate her heart is in the right place. My suggestion is that we can open another Note “Organizing and Scheduling” and then make the comments as necessary to support one another. Maybe there’d be bigger more general lists for like for Linda getting metal shelves, picking up the basement, dusting whichever room, cleaning closets, or washing blankets – oh that’s right its summer we can let that go! And, then we can take any one of those and break it down into objectives met. That means we’d start a note saying “getting metal shelves” then we would break it down to evaluating space, taking measurements, adjust to needs, figure out budget, look for computer or store deals, compare products, compare other competitive financial goals, if possible purchase, in the meantime sort and order what goes where, finally place items in shelves, plan to then sweep/vacuum cleaner floor, and maybe then redecorate or rearrange space.

Then we’d have a list for all the other goals as well. And THEN we’d put them in order and priority. By now Linda is thinking Oh Lord … this is going to reasonably take me past Christmas, what can I do to lighten the load. Hey I have a husband! Is this then where we come up with our “Honey-do” lists? Hehehe maybe we can or cannot orchestrate for two. Pretty sure that you’d have to have your hubby on board – there should also be an allowance or budget of time to be doing things to relax, like movies, books and quilting. We don’t want to think impressing relatives is more important than taking care of self. 30 – 9, In my way of counting … you’ve only got just over 3 weeks so that make how many available weekends? This is where you gotta assign times for each project. As to the above

Evaluate space – 45 min
Taking measurements – 1 hour (20 minutes for finding measuring tape)
Adjust to (worry over) needs – 2 hours
Figure out budget – 30 min
Looking for right deal/compare products – 3 hours
Compare other financial goals – 40 min
Purchase (at a store) – 2 hours
Purchase all the things extra while at the hardware store to throw off budget – 1 ½ hours
Sort and order – ¾ of a LONG Saturday
Place items on shelves – after dinner and late going to bed – 1.5
Redecorate – 2 hours of a Sunday morning - 2.0
PLUS – 3 hours to relax and quiet the mind – 3.0

So … lets add it up (I can hardly wait to see the changes in duties and time YOU put into this ;).

.75 + 1.0 + 2.0 + .50 + 3.0+. .67 + 2.0 + 1.5 + 9.0 + 1.5 + 2.0 + 3.0 = Hmm, almost 27 hours of work … 12 hours work in a HARD day off … means this project alone could take easily just over 2 days. BUT, you only have the 12th and 13th, 19th and 20th, 26th and 27th … so then think are we going to prioritize this project for an entire weekend?

Ok, we’re getting a drift here … so ladies are we going to go for it? Should we set up an organization set of notes. Oh man you know I’M going to GO for IT! I’ll think of that next – go ahead and jump in if you want ;) Hmm, forgot what it takes to bus stuff over to Goodwill. Ok, now Linda are you ready for some REAL list making I’m pretty sure I’m going to head for my iPod to electronically organize first. Love doing order … not so much … the work.

Our best,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 11:43am
I thought you'd both enjoy this. I turned on my iPod and was reminded I have an application for "excuses."

1. I won't be in today because my boyfirend cam home last night with head lice.
2. My car ran out of gas on the way to work
3. Someone dumped a truck-load of sand in front of my driveway and I won't be in today.
4. I was actually out in the parking lot the last two hours. A rabid dog wouldn't let me get out of my car.
5. Can't make it in. I have a chance of filling in for someone on jury duty.
6. I will be late as there is a man laying in front of my door and I'm not sure if he is dead or not, so I'm waiting for the police to come.
7. I sprained my writs cooking dinner in the microwave last night.
8. I can't come to work today, my chain came off my bike.
9. Constipation has made me a walking time bomb.
& 10. I was late for work because the train had a flat. :)

11. One more Linda ... just for you ....

I dreamed that I was fired, so I didn't bother to get out of bed. :) :) :)

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 4:17pm
Thank you for your thoughtful and responsive efforts. There's is too much other thought to go into things now. I'm parked waiting for the drive to the ramp. In general I don't think there's much that couldn't be improved with conversation. Usually when we find someone in our system is upset it is that parts responsibility to communicate and the rest job to be fair and not judgemental. We thank you for your patience with this.

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 12:38pm
Good morning or more aptly good afternoon. We've been negligent in getting out a morning message earlier. We were working on the organization part. I'm really happy that the system can be used on computer and iPod. It helps with flexibility. I look forward to your input on this "new system" You gotta know we love systems! We heard from CS last night ... as to organization it sounded something like this ...
ssssssssscccccccccrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeachhhhhhhhh!!

We'll have to get CS on board before she derails! I think she's a BIT resistant to putting this kind of order in her existence. Hehehe we'll have to check that out! Ok, CS ... just open the program :)

I hear you CS as to asking gentle questions about what am I going to wear to Joe's wedding. You can imagine because I am me - that its really low on my priority list - though is starting to cause some consternation. Ugh. I believe I won't be doing anything with it until Maybe about two weeks prior. I don't know about going in to a specialty wedding store. It seems a bit fancy for me. I'm not sure if they could help with something that last moment, but that gives me a month to work on the diet. I didn't even before now realistically think I was going to need doing something of weight IN connection with wedding and pictures and all. I think in general the wedding is still in dissociation stage.

Maury called a bit ago … he hasn't been in touch for a month - when he came to pick up furniture. He was out of state for about 10 days. He had something to tell me, but also was throwing out something on me maybe coming to see the new place when the girls weren't there. I think that means he wants a little more adult time. When the girls are around they get most of my attention. He also said something though secondarily about meeting his girlfriend Nicki, but he added he wasn't sure of how I'd react to her - I think he's protecting her from me. Blah!

I said I don't know much about her. She's your girlfriend, you spend a lot of time with her and her girls, she's critical of you on FB, and she's part of why I'm not getting to see my Grandchildren. He asked why I said and he wanted to deny it, but I recalled for him a previous conversation right before the move where he said I wasn't a priority in relating because he wanted to focus more of his time on getting Nicki and the four children between them accustomed to each other. So he's been doing that. I truly don't understand why I should be soooo difficult to fit in, but he's not helping the relationship between me and his new girl by putting this much distance between everyone. BLAH! We're angrily counting … She's been around since February and I haven't seen my grandchildren since December. Ok, no small problem here! It's JUNE! HMPF!

Ok, that's all I want to say on that hot button issue. He couldn't yet even now schedule in a time, but we said that we are available and call when he has some time. So enough … of that! Mom's we can get SOOOO honery!

Joe and their brother Thom aren't much higher on the list. I raised the kids so they could get along without me. And, now for that independence we are living the repercussion. When big things come or go calls are made and visits happen, but the old fashioned idea of going out at least once a month for dinner or having them here or us there … that's like just not happening. Thom's got the … but, Mom I'm in Japan excuse, but believe me … we've heard they got phones, email and everything. Grrr…

Soooo on the back to Ann INDEPENDENT from kids, we're actually doing ok. Not great, but we scheduled out the rest of the work week and am focusing again on the order and organization. We also made a regular dr. appointment for Tuesday at 11:30 am. I would have made it Monday, but I think Rich wants me to sit with his Mom while he goes out to fish with Bud. I also hear his brother is trying to get together for the 3rd or 4th of July. I'm not a big fan of do-it-yourself fireworks, but will follow the crowd.

Linda if I had to spend as much time with family as you are going to be doing - something in the range of 32 entire days alll about at once I'd have to be locked up! I'd like to hear the plan of how to do the quilting when someone's staying in the room. AND, we were curious how old is your 2nd SIL's child? That is a very telling forecast ;)

Rich will be going to Canada the last week of June and getting back July 3rd. That's pretty much of the summer plan. Rich wants to take his Mom and Bud on a long weekend to WI and stay at a cottage and do summer/fall things. We'll see how that happens. I know Rich's Mom is old enough that whatever can be done should be done. She used to take the kids all over the states when she was young and single. Gotta respect that. Rich wants to take me out fishing more often and we should go because it makes him happy and us as well after we get out there, but change is always tough - especially when wanting to be in someone's room! I mean studio!

I'm afraid of that baggage stuff … we're pretty much thinking we have a whole cargo bay full. I'm appreciative Linda that you are so understanding about talking freely between us. We never questioned you sense of keeping things private. I don't mind things being talked about between the four of us, but I hope that people come to trust me enough to talk to me about some of the things that CS might not know so much of … like the multiplicity. We're like one of those people that think ask, ask! We never really get to talk about it to regular people and it be nice we could be on a level that it's said and realized it's not a real big deal … Just some things are obviously very different for us.

But, the general principles are the same … though sometimes elevated. Like when you think of communication between you and your lover and family members as important … it's the same in a multiple system/family. What's right for one of us has to work for the others when living together or we'd be at odds with ourselves.

We found out what happens when we took our Casies (Casey and KC) fudgicles off the diet list … because then Casey acted out in other ways like not wanting to go to bed and using all the Dr. Marvin time complaining about us and our goofy rules. That probably seems like an odd statement, but it's pretty much how it goes. Our fudgicles now though are fat free and only right before bedtime … that's just one instance of communication.

In general though we love communication and have parts that specialize in it. Most often with the exception of dramatic changes in attitude or age level … we're pretty seamless so you won't notice a whole lot until you knew us. No one calls us by all the names we fall under, but sometimes in explaining ourselves we'll call parts by their name just to explain differences of thought. We all answer to Ann - and are now working on Ann Marie. There are 20 parts in all. I had to laugh CS when you made the statement - 2 days without … is so unlike you. We think yeah maybe unlike a major shareholder, but certainly not out of the realm of our spread. Still there's rules and standards and ideals we're trying to work through collectively as one.

Ok, so enough for the moment. We do love questions. But, in general I want to be thought of as just a normal moose. Maybe I'm like a moose with frills ;)

Oh one more thing ... I did finally get to sewing last night and plan to again in a few moments. We've needed a quiet morning without TV, Rhapsody, iPod or other. We're going to try allowing sound back into the system and we're going to go back to some sewing. Last night we finished cutting out the flannel strips for CS project. We sewed two together, but then it was too late. We did have a talk with CS and there will be that much more on accomplishing tasks and goals - SOOOO that quilts get finished without starting so many. Hmm?

Our best,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 3:18pm
Oh my I come over here and we here you spreading more confusion. You used to be able to do the trees in English, so you have all the concept you need to be a pro. Last night was like ... NO I'M NOT GOING TO LOOK! I think you needed your full mind about you. But, alas I see the trouble ... probably because your a "singleton" hehehe that's an insider multiple joke :) You are organized as we all are to just a degree. If you were ALL over organized your studio would look a little different. Part of the organizing is what the Flylady calls the 27-fling boogy. You are supposed to put on some real bouncy music - happy stuff, take a plastic bag and walk around your house upstairs/down until you can throw away 27 items. Woosh real fast. She doesn't want you to overthink. And after you put something in the garbage your NOT supposed to take it back out! Flylady doesn't believe in garage sales because she wants you to detach from your stuff more cleanly. There's the stuff for the garbage, the stuff for good will, and stuff that has to be returned somewhere. She calls putting things out for free "blessing your neighbors." BUT don't get rid of quilting fabric or quilts! Well Flyday doesn't really say that, but your sister does! Flylady says you are never late - just jump in where you are. The first time you come up with a morning, afternoon, and evening routine, it takes a bit, but she gives you suggestions some of what we've used, other than that you're just trying to build good habits. Flylady wants the bed made as your leaving it, the kitchen sink cleaned daily, to be showered, dressed and clothed including shoes first thing ... and you swoosh your toilet clean while waiting for the shower to warm up ;) Oh man we got lots to learn! She guarantees though that after you get going, you take the panic out of people stopping over and worrying whether your place is clean enough. Hmm, do any of us do that?

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 3:43pm
We took it one step further and challenge you for $15 + shipping to do the same ... :) We ordered from her site a declutter kit. I want to back up what we say ... I think decluttering closets is my BIGGEST problem. But, I'd be willing to say ... your's might be the sewing studio you say you love? Hmm, or a closet, cabinet or basement (with hubby) Uh-huh uh-huh... I'm throwing down obviously the gauntlet!


Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 4:17pm
Hmm, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck ... You gotta play by flyladies rules and not get into "perfectionistic" thinking ... that's like one of her real bad things like stinknthinkn. She doesn't like it when you overwhelm cleaning ... it's to be done daily and orderly ... and for the big stuff like zones you can only work 15 minutes at a time. She's got tons of info in her left column you can find everything from her home page or there. Give it a time slot when you have room to play

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 4:21pm
Her control journal she talks about is going over to my outliner ... I've got to study up on it a bit more. I know she likes to fill it up with stuff like numbers and useful info. I'm going over there to refresh myself. Whoops shouldn't spend money on flylady while Rich is looking at the online bank paying bills. I know they are my bills, and my money paying them, but he's like do it my way or the highway ... Yeeks!

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 8:30pm
Just catching you here Linda ... because we're going to do a walk with Rich now that it's getting darker. This is like a big new deal for us .. I hope it takes. I did want to comment quickly on the challenge. The picture above showes three containers that are part of the flyLady's system. She wants her people to do regular 27 fling boogies. Basically, you move quickly through your house or room or drawer or whatever and you pick-up 27 things for the containers. You either have to throw it, move it, or give it away. I've been thinking of the two of you ... My studio is too new to be messed up yet, but between those rooms and the basements you both have (I don't) there's most likely a lot to be boogying away. I thought the containers were affordable totalling $14-15 if you were game, but I think there is $7-8 shipping (no tax). Any bag would really do though. The flylady has periods during the year she will have people weigh all the clutter they are getting rid of and they shoot for hundreds of thousands of pounds decluttered. I think the one image I have of her in this regard was a letter she once wrote. If you and your hubby were to die tomorrow ... thank God you won't, but basically if you did what would your inlaws be looking at in cleaning out your house? Makes it a lot eaiser to get rid of stuff ;)

Well mostly those are the rules ... I guess I came up with my own version of the 27 fling boogie, but here is where you can find the pros!

http://flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Decluttertips.asp

Sure make it easier to clean ;)



FlyLady.net: Declutter 15 Minutes per Day
flylady.net
Declutter your home using FlyLady's 15 minute tools including the popular 27-fling boogie, and the hot spot fire drill!

Ann Ludford Garvey June 12 at 9:12am
Good morning Part 1 … here we are and it’s still morning – WooHOO!! WOW! You ladies are amazing me! I can’t believe how much everyone has written. I know it takes a while, but it’s so nice and cleansing to the soul. It’s one of my favorite things now to rush to the FB messages area to see if anyone has added anything - Just so impressionable. I also appreciate your patience with the outliner. Both of you might want to try some, but obviously not as much as me. I’ve still got problems with obsessiveness.

Sometimes some of our parts overwhelm other parts too. Please don’t feel intimidated with the project … Just start with the more simple ways you’ve got to be making your own lists. My outlines will give you ideas, but we don’t need to compete. It’s just the way our goofy minds work. It’s part of our multiplicity … we’ve learned over the years in part because our official problem of moderate disability in being able to recall from memory, that we write almost everything out. That way too the other parts can reread and we obtain somewhat the same path. It’s more a quirk.

I’m so happy that the both of you have already been introduced to the FlyLady. It sounds that both have picked up a few favorites as to her words of wisdom. That’s pretty cool … I think she says it takes 21 days to create a habit. So you are well on your way. I realize too that time factors – and even getting computer time plays a factor. We seem to have though focused on both your ideas on economizing your spaces … we’re just getting to the part Linda that Rich is the one bringing dishes to the kitchen counter and then leaving them there for me to put in dishwasher. Hmm.

Not so sure about that. I totally understand the problem of getting the dishes to the dishwasher finally, but then not emptying it so other dishes pile up. We’re really working hard to make the better patterns of emptying as soon as the dishes have cooled from drying … it seems to work so far, but we’re far from 21 days. Maybe we should count the days for our new habits and then have a 21 day birthday party! I know … obsessive.

I’ve got mixed feelings about your people Linda continuing to switch days around for stopping. They certainly have you all on a roller coaster. It seems money over time to be the contentious part. I’d like to add sanity, but then maybe that’s how your balancing having family over at least during any one given day you have a bevy of options to worry about ;) I also empathize with support from your loved one. I was wondering about that because he seems to spend so much time on the computer. I had many, many years of not leaving the computer because it seemed so safe. But, it feels so much more human in getting into the living space for some part of the time. It’s like taking ownership in it. I can’t complain about Rich not doing his share, because he’s over and beyond, with the exception of doing maintenance tasks with tools. We’re working on it – and working on us being more capable. I think the worst part is having fear of putting holes in drywall. Lordy … CS do you remember the incident of us angrily putting a croquet mallet through the wall – I think I was aiming for our brother’s head because of all his bad teasing. Maybe that’s when the drywall fears started. You all were so excited to tell our parents that not even the tooth paste we propped in the hole seemed to help *sigh* Thinking too that of the situation you explained with the black belt. Maybe we can consider this as like memory balloons and each one we recall, we can float it past us and then pop them sending them on to oblivion. There is some validation in that you remember things that I recalled too, but then hearing it from your perspective seems to help put things in balance. I think that’s a key today is balance.

As to relatives … it seems then that we all have our troubles. My current one’s you heard of yesterday in not getting enough face time in with the boys and their families. I think you both have MIL problems that are pretty scary. I’d have a terrible time working in the basement because my MIL was in MY room. I guess we’re just possessive. CS MIL going through the jewelry seems pretty damning too. I guess you all have to keep working on communication. Hehe the boys and us communicate really well when together … just don’t have much opportunity. I think as systems go we’re overwhelming them too like we do most people we meet. It’s hard to deal with other persons quirks though.

We’re much to intent on having control over ourselves – then too you have to focus on not controlling the other, but when their affect hounds your peace of mind … then that’s overstepping boundaries. I can see it too CS with Mark and Nathan. You have in mind a nice ordered basement and between the two of them and Dani … they’ve encroached on your space. Rich had an idea for that. He said he was going to get when living at his old house a couple of pallets … one for each kid. Then he would stack on each their stuff and then stretch wrap it. It seemed a fair option rather than having them take over completely.

It seems a fair thing as to cleaning with Mark giving you permission to hoist. It seems about right that he would have psychological trauma involved in going through all that. It would be obviously more Gestalt for him to rid himself of the past, but the trade-off is in time – he doesn’t have it and you want the job done sooner.

Maybe a compromise could be made where you agree to fill bags, and then he has to tie the bag and take it outside. Get him involved where it’s not so traumatic – seeing all the names on those papers. I’d think too that maybe what would help with those science books is to make a wall of inexpensive shelving for the textbooks. But, that is just me. I’m still terrified of throwing away books. They were a serious investment to my history. It’s different having a learned background versus saving “people’s things” in the paperwork. You’ll have to tell me next your thoughts on that though. Maybe books versus papers would be transitional.

If you were to get rid of the books maybe you can find like a missionary place that sends text books to Africa or something like that. Stranger things have happened. FlyLady prefers gifting to selling … it’s like ok, let’s not nickel and dime this … you got your value on them now bless someone in need.

Ann Ludford Garvey June 12 at 9:13am
Good morning part 2 - I’m really excited about the part of you all working on the sewing studio or studio closets. Other than decluttering it seems like the action of the day is to get better storage through shelving or some other organized medium. Of course that all balances with time and money something we are all a bit short of. CS I was soooo happy to hear your progress since last talking … I know that when you set your mind to something you don’t give up. Getting rid of those empty shoe boxes seems to be a good idea. We want to remind you to pick up some printing color cartridges too. Then you won’t feel bad about putting the kits up high in numbered brick format. I was thinking between our two spaces … I’ve got room for about 40 more kits … seriously … but I think there is value in you keeping what you paid for and once loved too. I’m thinking that we could make better use of the space under the bed if we got those quilt kits up on the closet shelf. There will be room with using my place as an overrun. I like your thoughts on shelving and extra sweater deal – that seems to make use of all square inches in an ordered way. Maybe it would help the sewing studio by getting the card scrapbooking all organized in the bed drawers. You could really set up something you liked by clearing up space on the shelves in that room. I appreciate your thoughts on having things out. I like that too, but even when I look at the pictures we took … there’s so much that your eyes get tired and overwhelmed. Look forward to your next thoughts on this.

Thinking you are like me CS in that our loves both work at night which is nice in that it gives us time to be independent, but on the other hand there is a loss of companionship. Have we mentioned balance? I was really disappointed with aspects of our walk last night with Rich. He was a knight in shining armor, but we only did about 11 minutes before we were ready to collapse in back pain … we’re going to need working on that. Rich is very patient and will help though. He’s gone from 295 to 260 so he’s really appreciating from the inside out what we’re going through in starting a healthy balance to food, exercise … and even with the order. He had suggested us doing the cleaning. I think we wrote this already, but I’m about the point psychologically to take it on. It’s still nice that he takes an armload of garbage down every time he leaves with a free hand, and when I get overwhelmed he can back me up – takes away some of my panic feelings in coping. I’m thinking about
when we did carpet shampooing before the furniture came in.

Linda you are going to feel like dancing!

That about leaves us with some last minute task thoughts - Wow!

Do you all realize how much thinking has gone on between the three of us? It's very productive! It’s just SOOO cool. CS I know we don’t have the space AND have been ordering things in the house for a bit so not up to the problem levels of you and Linda with the bigger spaces, but we’ve still got almost every closet and storage space in the house to go through. Also we have drawers. They seem to be a mess like Linda explains her closets with things ready to pop out. The project of working progressing the long arm give me a sense of hope … like maybe we CAN finish our projects.

I don’t think I can imagine Curly running, but we’ll take your word for it. I’m so proud of you missing a nap to get things done. I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be is that you work during the morning afternoon, and then rest to do sewing, reading, or luxury showers. I think in the back of all our minds we would all like to get to these goals. I really like when the day whistles – the losing a sense of plans is why we make outlines that can be adapted …

You probably didn’t know the FlyLady would become such a big part of your afternoon. But, it does get included with order so that the means of you putting things in order weren’t as planned, but complimentary. I’m not so sure I like the idea of cookie storage problems. We’re thinking this wouldn’t be something Rich would approve of. He’s sort of like our barometer. He’s being so good as to dieting and exercising. Today he’s going to do 4 – 1 ¼ hour girls’ softball games. Man-o-man do I give that guy credit - Rich says that standing gives him practice for all the standing he does while fishing – almost non-stop. Yeeks! I think it’s good to wear out those dogs too … obviously if they are barking all day they have too much energy. Maybe they need more walking to normalize themselves with their environment?

Ok, just one more thing … It seems Linda that maybe with your niece coming that could be a relaxing thought to encourage your housecleaning progress. Kids at that age are just so cool. It sounds like you are active in general – including all these weddings and graduation parties you and Tony going to. It’s really quite impressive thinking of people that can get out in the environment.

We’ll have to work our way up to that. First setting a goal to walking 30 minutes again – it will come … today 294.2 there is one more topic we saved for last and that was the thought of your mother’s boyfriend. Have you met him before? Is he of the same age and nature as your mom? And, can we ask what happened to your father? I don’t know how long since you last saw your Mom and how traumatic it might be having her bring this person. I know Jillian surprised her family with bringing in another “friend” just after leaving the last long standing one. Sort of like my sons jumping into relationships with others after their break-ups. This sort of thing has tendencies of shaking up the family. Jillian’s favorite aunt won’t let her bring to a party her new girlfriend, because the aunt is such good friends with the old girlfriend. Wow! That’s a lot of control … Hehehe should we be talking about control issues pretty soon? It’s hard letting go of the past for what’s new, but oh Lord how exciting! Maybe you’ll find something you can all enjoy together. For me and my step-father, I learned to accept him more through playing cards. Eh, you never know.

Ok, wrote a book, look forward to hearing from all you again. Good luck on the projects and parties of the day! We’ll be around … we’ll do some of our morning tasks and THEN FINALLY get some sewing time! Reward! REWARD!!

Our love Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 12 at 10:20am
Oh my gosh ... just so gol darn proud of your ambition. Flylady says too that if your doing good during the week cleaning you get more time for weekends doing other things. Shopping seems to be something you are looking forward to. I think the step stool is a good idea. I really didn't know how to get the fabric bricks to the top shelve - just knew they belonged there off the floor. I can work on fixing more kits when I get there as one of the top priorities. Don't let Nathan steal the house!

Ann Ludford Garvey June 12 at 10:23am
My guess on this one ... although it's a very good idea ... is to let some of that go - the paper. Mark really needs a breath of clean fresh air there. You are right about going through grief and it being good that he is letting you help. No need to justify the need to clean ... most likely even Mark knows that, but just plain and simple needs your help. Like a lot of things in the both of your life - you all seem to work like a team. Nice! Ok ... going to leave a status update (which summarizes my time ... and then on to some morning routines then sewing ;)

Ann Ludford Garvey June 13 at 12:19pm
Good morning - or, more apt to be early afternoon. We have almost all the things done from the morning list including showered and dressed with shoes. We had a nice date night last night with Rich … we watched a movie together and whatever, but basically, someone got a really nice massage. When I asked him what he would like to do special with the night … it was the first thing on his list ;) He’s such a good guy and easy to please ... he says he has extra ... emotions ... because we're doing such a good job of taking care of the place and him! Sweet!

Yesterday was pretty ordered … we got everything done. Our zone cleaning for the day in the kitchen was to clean the fridge/freezer. I was amazed how easy it really was and it was kind of interesting to really focus on what was there and what wasn’t … CS … we have a LOT more empty space in our fridge than you. AND, that’s with a case of water filling half the bottom shelve. I’m not sure if this is good or bad.

I only got a couple more rows done of the flannel quilt. It’s coming together nicely, but it seems with all the arranging for cleaning, organizing and spending time with Rich – PLUS writing – Hehehe that I’ve limited myself to the sewing projects. There are some feelings of productivity because so much else is getting done, but then there’s that wishing to get back to the feeling of sewing. It seems like a longing. I liked that I used times like when Rich was in the kitchen cooking dinner to be doing some sewing. It made me feel good and in the meantime I could hear and watch in the background his being productive.

I really did volunteer to cook a meal for us. Something happens once or twice a year, but he said after I didn’t know which package looked like the steak that he appreciated it, but he would do the cooking. He’s much more a meat guy where I would prefer lighter meat and more veggies. I think that worries him. He was really not interested in my cold tuna salad … :( Hmm, maybe I could make some and then use it for a side dish to his dinner. That would be a good idea. Rich and us also spent some time with laundry yesterday … I think there were about four loads, because we’d been putting off the basket with extra towels and sheets.

*sigh* Gotta keep moving forward. That’s about it of the day. Oh one more thing … today is the last day in the kitchen zone, so we asked Rich what he’d like to see improved most for our 15 minute zone cleaning. He picked ordering the drawer and cabinet for pot holders, wash clothes, hand towels, and place mats. Ok, we can do that! Linda … Rich liked your new knitted pad under the Margarita pitcher so it didn’t sweat on the table. Nice!

You all sounded pretty productive too – shampooing, shopping, party-going, dishes out of the sink and IN the dishwasher, and decluttering - not to mention constructive go-forward ideas! I can appreciate CS your distaste for the look of the basement. This is where that 27 fling boogie would come in handy. You could consider each handful of paper thrown an item.

The thing is not to overwhelm. I thought it over yesterday Linda … and I was thinking that in a rough spot, I could consider 27 pieces of scrap transformed to quilting squares and rectangles part of my decluttering when not knowing what else to do. I don’t think when you are first starting … FlyLady expect anyone to do everything all at once.

But , when the time comes … I imagine that we could all look in a closet, email box, or shelf and/or drawer and find things to fling. I didn’t count the items, but I filled two plastic grocery bags with items not loved from the fridge. I counted that yesterday as my fling :) … The day or two before it was unloved socks. I think the deal is to focus on one unorganized spot or another – and not take out any more than can be fixed in 15 minutes. I do look forward to getting the containers for the boogie. I’ll use them whatever zone I’m in, but mostly thinking definitely of the bedroom closet! I figure if it’s a pain to dust around … then it’s up for consideration in tossing, giving away, or putting somewhere else. We’ll all work on this one … maybe come up with ideas between us. Maybe this is a good place to start …

http://flylady.com/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp

FlyLady has thought of everything … here she talks about decluttering ;)



FlyLady.net: How to Declutter
flylady.com
FlyLady shares her tips for decluttering the home.

Ann Ludford Garvey June 13 at 12:19pm
Looks like we’re back to the visitor’s part … I’m afraid you told us this was a MIL Linda and not a mother, but I continue to get confused. I’m sorry this is my problem in recall … enough times corrected though and we’re sure to get it right. I think sometimes with visitors coming it’s not the visitors as much as fearing with our perfectionistic habits that we are going to be “judged” good enough. I know it’s the same for me even when Rich’s best friend Bob stops over. I feel like I am looking at things through his eyes and usually we designate some negative thoughts such as … he’s going to notice the house (cat) smells, he will think something too disorganized, will think we’re over-burdened with stuff, he’s going to notice the dust etc. It’s not Bob it’s just he comes over more than any other. It’s the same every time we have people over.

FlyLady calls it chaos … it means “Can’t have anyone over syndrome,” but in reality it’s just so gosh darn limiting. Maybe after we all get more order … it will be easier? I don’t know we’ll have to keep working on it ;)

I will look forward over time Linda to see some of you underpinnings too. It doesn’t surprise that you might have had problems in the past, because we figure there just must be some similarities in that we all find ourselves all so alike each other in habits and hobbies. We’ve all come along different paths, but we’ve found ourselves at the same rock. Like to think that’s a sturdy marker of us as sisters :) It sounds like all of us then have had eating problems. I’m really impressed with the 60 pounds.

Because I’ve gained so much weight back it’s more than I’ve lost since the surgery. I figured out yesterday when I can walk 30 minutes outside, I’ll go back to the gym. I want to know I won’t pass out in less time than it takes to get there … and it’s only 5 miles away. I really like the idea of Jazzercise DVDs … the individuals we work with do those and other DVDS at least 15 minutes a day. They love ‘em. CS had started on the Wii I believe thinking about the same thing.

I’ll look forward to hearing of how the visit went Linda. Do you all like to talk when she's here, or is the time preoccupied with grandchildren? I had to laugh … when my older granddaughter has come over to eat … she always wants – per father’s suggestion to have the same thing – chicken tenders and French fries. Maybe it’s a cultural thing? I wasn’t aware that you were a smoker. Maybe I’d heard it at one point, but not remembered? You don’t smell like smoke nor do you get up and down frequently to do it. So I’m figuring you must be a light smoker? I think we’re coming up to the 4th year with not smoking. We used a hypnotist that might have been cheating, but since it seemed to work … It was a very worthy $90 investment.

Good Ann! Weights a hard thing, but I’m glad we’re back to it. It’s kind of funny, because just making the choice seems to have made it much easier. So maybe it was like most things … just a matter of making a commitment. I don’t remember now what CS said or maybe it was just thinking it’s a cop-out to talk about goal making without looking seriously of one of my own faults – in over-eating.

Only so many times you can say … I’ll do it soon. I like your idea Linda of setting positive outcomes. I did spend time this morning with another iPod application, but there is an online version too. It's called Calorie Count. There's clutter on the site, but I like when things integrate the computer, the iPod and Facebook. Works for me. It will help with my calorie counting and watch over exercise calories.

In the meantime … CS is there chugging away. I was happy to see the post that stated you’d gotten the stuff on your list. Step stool was a wise decision … hoping that it’s a safe and sturdy one. I can’t believe how difficult it is for me to get up on a chair to do something. We’re getting better though at moving the high chair to get to high things rather than avoid the subject.

I’ll have to get busy on organizing the second and third set of pictures to be printed off. Please make sure you don’t do pictures of the items not bundled. I’m talking of needing everything in collage form of number, identification labels and fabric swatches. I don’t want you to need printing 3-4 things more than you need. I really like the idea of seeing the whole individual collection in its different viewpoints. I think we’re going to need having talks though again on marshmallows, Milky Way’s and ice cream. I’m sure we could give visiting your place some allowances, but it probably isn’t a good diet to have so many sweets as staple. Hmm?

That’s pretty much it for this time around. As always enjoy what’s happening. I think we’re going to get past that kitchen cabinet that needs updating before we do too much else. I’m a little disappointed about the blogging. I’ve been so busy that doing it is like time taken away from other things, but I’ve known from the past when I can do it … I can log so much more in. I’m thinking now that for my personal blog, I’m going to use “my” notes as blog entries. There’s so much I write about that has to do with everything. It also means if I’m not writing on the sewing blog, I’m either being neglectful of writing or of working on quilting projects. Hmm, better give that some time to think through today too. Other than that … let’s see … check the outliner … looks like about it. I spent my hotspot time in putting away some dirty clothes and walking through the room to make sure all was in order. I just love it when everything has a place to go. Ok, it says … just lunch and those dishcloths :) See you all soon!

Ann Marie

posted by Ann Marie @ 6/13/2010 12:58:00 PM Comments: 0

June 10 through June 12 - Supplementary CS and Linda

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 9:37pm
This is the ads I found on our first page ... ok, CS I understand obsessive ... going to do a few minutes of quilting ;)



Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 9:31pm
This is what list making and talking to your sister gets you ...



Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 7:48pm
Oh yeah if you wanted to look at it ... then just go to carbonfin.com and sign-in under Aynetal3. Then use the password ... quiltedmoose ... and your all in! Feel free to look around and also at anything I might have put in there, k? CALL!

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 7:47pm
Linda and CS ... call me if you are interested (708)255-5044. This outline above was made through a program on my iPod. They have a site also then for iPod users to sync data with an online computer. The companies name is carbonfin.com and the program is called Outliner. We would have to share the same Outline page, but we can each set-up our own or group outlines on separate lines - believe it's unlimited. Just problem is that you will both have to sign on under my iPod account which means that between us and Emily if she would like ... the information will be shared. No doubt anyone and everyone could make their own list using pad of paper or computer, but this would be FUN and keep us all FOCUSED!

I set up an outline for both of you separately, but you can edit the title ... Just let's always start the Outline title with our name like, "Ann's list," or "Connie Sue's Goals." Whatever. You can start as many lists as you can think of! Check out the top link that says features. I found the pictures on the right when clicked particularly helpful (about mid-level to the right) there is a "next" button to show you the next screen and the next. It's a VERY simple program. Basically you "add" a line, and then you decide whether the next line goes down one like from 1. to 2. to 3. or if you angle it to the right which will put in 1.1, and from that 1.1.1 etc. It's really fun because you can edit at any time ... And then of course all the more important - you can check items off on your list!

I can run anyone through it that wants to look at it pretty quick- Linda especially for you ... there is a print function on the left panel when you are working on one of your outlines. That will allow you to print it so your not using all your hubbies computer time ... he'll like that part! Just give me a call if you want to figure it out anytime between now and 11 pm. That's about the time Rich is coming home. We had dinner after Dr. Marvin's, and then Rich had an 8 o'clock out of town game. CALL!!! In the meantime I'm heading toward the study ... WooHOO!!!


Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 3:24pm
AHA! Didn't bet you didn't see that one coming! It's taken me about 3 hours and 20 minutes to figure all that out. Mark off water by 3:20, left for Dr.s office in 3 minutes AND got the post posted but not til after 3 pm. Ok, ok ... calm down girl ... we're getting excited.

Ann Ludford Garvey June 10 at 3:21pm
Ok, I think this one is going to go through. I'm working on new organizing skills ... so now we all have quilting and we have organizing ... let the fun begin!


Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 3:20pm
No nobody enjoys Rich when he's paying the bills - warning, warning Will Robinson! Oh ... all the negative against order stuff like somebody MAY be doin doin? Flylady calls that Stinknthinkn. If we got you really on the bandwagon - you'd be receiving daily emails from her :)

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 3:24pm
This is from the Flylady (she is a fly fisherwoman)

Are YOU living in CHAOS?
(Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome)

Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn?
Hopeless and you don't know where to start?
Don't worry friend, we've been there, too. Read on...

How to Get Started

Don't be overwhelmed by all the material on this site - take it a little piece at a time - BabySteps. To get started, check out the Getting Started section - it will tell you how to begin. You can have this peace, too, and it won't cost you a dime! We want you to just jump in where you are!

"I married the flylady to the outliner it's a good match!" I've been trying to match her for five years and I surprise myself with how well the basics have stuck everytime we come back to it's time to get organized. The intervals get closer and closer.

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 4:12pm
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_declutter.asp -

this is the place to get info on the decluttering kit (3 bags)

this is the place

http://flylady.net/pages/Contact.asp#Membership

to get info on joining ... you do it through joining yahoo's big tent. There's an option that says sign-in or sign-in through Facebook ... the second is the easiest, but you'll have to give it some time. There are options within Bigtent to organize email - go through settings, and then email options, and then news. You get a chance to do it daily or every entry ... It's fun for a while to go every entry, but wow ... can she cram a mailbox. Averages 7 a day plus!

I've never had someone to do it with me. It be a big perk to being in the quilting group.



FlyLady's De-Clutter Kit!!
flylady.net
content

Ann Ludford Garvey June 11 at 1:21pm
Sounds good. Everything then sounds like your on top of it now. Keep thinking it's gotta be a good feeling. I know the feeling ... normally it's Rich's job to do the floors, but I found that our old dirt devil still works - though only on the linoleum. I took it out for a good romp getting kitchen, hall and bathroom. It be now something REALLY good if I got the vacuuming done too, but we'd done a bunch of other stuff this morning so thinking we're obsessing a bit. We're going to work on the Flylady's zones. You'd figure it out if you went to flylady.net or flylady.com

This week the zone was the kitchen and dining room - you can see more info too on the organizing thing. Basically, with zone cleaning, you are only working on parts of your house and then the whole thing gets done really well once a month. I think my zones are closets, living room, bathroom/litter area, kitchen and dining room, and bedroom/sewing studio - though not in that order. You'd have to adopt to your own space if interested. New dusters work good! I knew though that after dusting floorboards ... I was REALLY going to need sweeping/dirt deviling. I think the general rule on doing zones is that you can only do 15 minutes at a time. She encourages use of the timer. Might take several months to get to everything, but look how spectacular that is in relationship to what most people get cleaned in their house. It sure does save immensely when having relatives over :)

Ok, next? Well, maybe the carpets before we get too settled ;) AND THEN sewing free of conscious!

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 12 at 10:12am
Ahh some progress being made over here! But, we’re thinking just a little differently in the zone cleaning. Some of what you mention is more like a morning, afternoon, or evening routine. Zone cleaning is HEAVY duty cleaning in the zone areas and lasts only ONCE a month, but 6 days during the month.

This is a morning routine … more toward the stuff it takes you 10 minutes for ... but zone is different you don't have days to do your bedroom, the sewing studio living room basement, closets, laundry room or garage - OR heaven forbid Mark's spaces ... My morning isn't the same as you, but has in these tasks because they are quick and efficient and necessary for good feelings

Feed cats
Start coffee
Be diet wary
Make bed
5 minute hotspot (just look around for any ordered problems like glasses or magazines not tucked away
Empty dishwasher
Empty cat litter
Wipe kitchen surfaces
Tie-up garbage – Rich takes down EVERY day
Swishing the toilet
Clean both sinks
Take shower
Take medicine and vitamins
Make lunch
Steam clothes for day
Get dressed including shoes
Wake up Rich
15 minutes of ZONE cleaning - sometime during the day

We do laundry once a week usually on a weekend with Rich, but if I had a laundry in the house it would be a daily thing too at least 3-4 times a week. Maybe this is something I would work up to is doing just one load a day in that it be good exercise going up and down the stairs those 3 times for just the one load. That really take some pressure off of Rich. It would have to be a part of my evening routine when there was more time. I’m not sure when the other people in the building do their laundry though.

Grocery list is ongoing … we have a long pad of skinny paper on the fridge and when we – Rich or us run out of something we put it on the list and then the next time Rich goes out it gets picked up. No stress or strain.

This would then be more an example of zone cleaning and why you don’t do it every day. Obviously if floors get terrible in a week that would have to be placed on a list for once a week or a task that occurs on a Tuesday, Wednesday or such. Flylady also has a Friday night date night. Maybe you and Mark can come up with just the right one – Maybe a once a week out lunch/dinner/breakfast? Just trying to get you in the groove. In zone cleaning - this week is kitchen/dining room – Flylady has everyone working in similar zones to give moral support and stability to each. Zone cleaning generally works for 5-6 days, BUT only once a month. Pick-ups are daily, but heavy duty cleaning doesn’t have to be done every week, because that would be overwhelming and time constricting so you couldn’t get to everything each month. Even with the zone cleaning … if you don’t get everything done … those things not getting done get saved until that zone comes up again the following month. It’s ok, really ok.

Clean corner cobwebs
Clean windows, sills, an shades
Dust baseboards and light fixtures (plants)
Dust furniture
Pick up objects on floor, then sweep, dust or vacuum
Mop floor (could be done on a daily morning afternoon, evening routine because of dogs. But shouldn’t take any more than 2-5 minutes max! Could be used as one of your hot spots
Clean cabinet doors
Straighten inside of cabinets or drawers
Maintain clean clutter-free surfaces
Clean or dust knick-knacks
Clean out and through fridge/freezer
Clean small appliances
Disinfect garbage

Do you see what I mean about stuff on daily or weekly routines in comparison to the work that gets done in REAL zone cleaning? Zone’s are like cleaning or straightening every item in the room(s) entirely. But, by doing zones – you get through the entire house each month which means it’s never really dirty. Thing too though which is key … is getting rid of the clutter that makes cleaning or organizing a breeze. I’m not saying I’ve been able to do this - though somethings like Linda and you I do do, but I love the idea and every time I get ordered I find myself back here wanting more.

I would like to think that if there was support in that you and Linda were doing it too that it be much more fun. I think I also might look on-line to find others doing the work – OR just in spending more time at site. Obviously this can’t be done every day but, even at that … if I visiting FlyLady’s site once or twice a month? Just think of what we’d pick up in clues that weren’t taught to us as kids. Give us something good to talk about in balancing our sewing and other conversations, because it be so productive - feel good

Remember Saturday cleaning … It consumed a whole day, made me terribly grouchy … I hated standing around waiting for someone else to finish like vacuuming before we ALL moved to a different room. Too much togetherness - There was a lot of downtime and too much time – spending whole days cleaning …

Life just doesn’t need to be like that. I remember mom too. She’d like sit in the kitchen waiting until the end of the day because she was reading – like when you and I were cleaning toilets, and then she’d do her little thing in the kitchen. It was terrible I learned to resent cleaning … but it doesn’t have to be done that way. This can be comprehensive and fun … and lead all of us not to panic when guests are coming ;) It will take time though to build some good habits.

posted by Ann Marie @ 6/13/2010 12:57:00 PM Comments: 0

May 9 through June 4 with CS and Linda

Ann Ludford Garvey May 9 at 7:13am
Good morning Ladies! Happy Mother’s Day to all! This be the day, right? This is the day we appreciate when our kids remember us! Like the sounds of that!

It’s nice to have you home again Linda – we look forward to your posts and I’m super impressed that CS is right on the mark as to responding back to and writing posts this week. Nice job CS! It’s about 7 am at the time we’re writing this. I think we’re going to wake up Rich so he has enough time to wake-up … we’re going to breakfast with Joe and Cari. We saw them yesterday when they and Maury stopped by to get his stuff from the house. It sure was nice to reclaim my space back both with this studio and the kitchen. There are plenty of pictures posted so you can get the idea of what’s been happening. I’ve just got about 6 more packages to bundle in brick form and I’ll be done with what CS has sent me. I’ve left plenty of notes as to taking on some more kits. I’d like to think that eventually I could go through the kits and cut them up proper.

There’s other projects too of course. Rich has been seeing me organize so much he’s wondering if we’re ever going to just turn on the sewing machine. I think we’re almost there.

Ahh just snuggled up the man of the house … he’s almost to the point of waking up, but not quite. I’m pretty excited that today is only Sunday and we’ve got Monday off. So happy, so happy – oh yeah CARF is DONE … Can I say this enough? I’m a little on the excited point of starting things off fresh. I’m going to incorporate the time line with the Outlook program on the netbook. We’ll probably ask sister to pay for the Mobile Me program so I can access the calendars and to-do lists on all my devises – that would include the computers at work, my stand-up here at home and the netbook – oh and the iPod. Maybe this doesn’t make a lot of sense at this point, but believe me it’s pretty cool – just a $100 for the year to connect everything.

Think we’re going for it.

Ok, that’s about enough work for the day. The rest of the day – we’re just playing along!

Remember how special you are on this day and all the rest!

Love you guys,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 12 at 9:03am
Good morning. Nice to be reading from both of you as I signed on. I set Rhapsody to be playing easy listening so they included the present "uska Dara" from Eydie gorme. Not sure I signed up for THAT much easy listening. Linda Q is the shortest title for my position. More fully it's now been changed to QSP meaning "Qualified Support Professional" It's a cross between psychologist and social worker. Both the other Q and I both hold a caseload of about 24 people, but from there on our positions change. She does something with a program called Home Base - which means she does Q work for a different funding source - only 6 clients though. We both do groups, but they are different in make-up. She helps to open doors during lunch and after the secretary leaves. We do the 3 year CARF accreditation, program development and staff training.

That's pretty much it in a nut shell. Sister is VERY unhappy with her work. She talked to me about it yesterday, but has settled down since she'd talked to Rich. There's supposed to be a meeting today at 1 pm to clear that all up again. I told Sr. she had to reprimand her in private and then make Rich trace her work to make sure its getting done. She has to be accountable for SOME-thing! That's the part of work ... there is always something on, you'd rather not be a part of. I'm doing good enough too so that it's making the other look bad, like I do all the above and have my monthly client progress notes up to date. Holly the other Q only managed to have 3 of her clients up to date. It's pretty bad.

We're into a new track in our job since we don't need another "test" for 3 years - Pshwoo! Immense pressure off. I've enjoyed coming to work the last couple days and getting more into work as to setting up new systems. June through November is my busy season in that I have annual meetings for all my clients pretty much once a week. It means extra paperwork. Yesterday I schedule 4 appointments and stiffened my back. It's NOTHING like CARF pressure. But, I'm like you Linda in that I like lists of things and to be able to check things off - I'm redoing my Microsoft Outlook files to get a better grasp on scheduling work. I do the type of thing that has deadlines, but Sr. pretty much leaves everything else up to me ... just gotta get stuff done on time.

I talked to CS last night ... I am planning to come up there over the next 3 day weekend - I got all Mondays and a few Tuesdays off from now til end of June. BUT, I'm not sure if we should follow through because I've had a sore throat and cough since Friday. I'd like to think it's more over than not, but might depend on what kind of risk CS wants to take with me. I could go either way. CS where do you stand?

I'm pretty impressed with the two of you for having plans that are altruistic in the making of pillowcases. Anything sewing would make the day especially productive. I'd like to be on the eating end of that spaghetti dinner. It sounds fun too having a group of old friends to be meeting. Hehe you sure do get around Linda! I'm not sure if you are going to have time to go back to work!

I was pretty knocked out last night. I came home, ate, sat down on the couch in the studio and promptly fell asleep. Rich came home at some time - he said his game was canceled due to rain, so that he was going to get some groceries and start the laundry ... we fell back to sleep again and I guess when we woke it was about 10 and he said we needed to take our medicine and go back to bed which we did. We woke up about 4-4:30 am as normal, fed the cats, made the coffee, and THEN fell back to bed for another 1 1/2 hours. YEEKS! Pretty zonked!

CS I still haven't gotten the applique backing and the calculator. I thought you mentioned that it had shipped. Did it have an arrival date? Maybe it will be there tonight when we get home. We'll have to start thinking about what's happening this weekend if I come up. There's your studio arranging - do you want me to bring anything back to your place? Thinking fabric bricks - or should I keep them here? Do you want me to take more home? Should I bring some cellophane your direction? I'm thinking that if you were to start selling them we could get some mailing envelopes or boxes and then send them from work ... not sure do you just call fed ex or the mail guys and have them pick up or do you deliver them to them somewhere? I wouldn't mind taking some picture inventories up there AND, maybe we could work on getting the pictures taken from our place into a couple of albums. It would require that we'd be printing out a lot of colored pictures. I only have black and white printing at my house. Too we could be gathering them in some format that we could put stuff on the web page - if that is your choice.

Hopefully, by then we can work on the petals - but that shouldn't take too much time. I have Joe's quilt I would like to continue working on. If I got it that far - I would love to quilt it on your sewing machine if you could afford the time to let me use it. I'm thinking in all honesty the project could be finished by the time I return on Monday. I've got 3 of the 8 rows done and it didn't take a VERY long time to do it. It's kind of fun. Maybe I'll have some more done too by Friday morning when I would be packing up. I'm thinking I'm going to need bringing my sewing machine this time. If you would like I could also focus on sewing Sr.'s Quilt on your machine if that would be your preference. Again ... you just gotta show me how.

There's always your retreat quilt too ... not sure where that is at, but I'm thinking we both have enough work to do over the few days I'm there. What do you think? Are you going to be up to things? I'd like to finish some projects :)

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 13 at 9:13am
Wow!!! That's really good news Linda ... so then today be the day. Let us know how it turns out. It doesn't look like there is too much time for the sewing today ... the time in on those meatballs is darn right encompassing! CS sent a not yesterday or the day before about instructions for sorting out some of the group work. It was like ok Connie Sue ... did you REALLY take it out of the bag yet? It just has to be looked at with a serious eye! Think all the worker bees are getting pretty busy working to do paying work, but then nothing is needed immediately - just looking for step forwards.

I did get the sticky paper yesterday in the mail after work. I started cutting out petals. I think I figured somewhere else there's about 840 petals to cut out. I've got the colored fabric all ready and have the system down. I brought it out in the living room yesterday so I could work and talk with Rich at the same time. This is when it's still nice to have the drafting table. Just a whole lot of repetition. Kind of nice to settle down one's thoughts at the end of the day.

We also got the new Quilting calculator from CS in the mail. We sat down and read/computed everything from the start of the instruction book to the end. Everything makes sense. There is a cheat sheet or two in case I need to refer back, but the idea now is using it productively. It does a whole lot of calculating and is very intuitive. They were giving us word problems which gave a really good idea about the kind of things it could be used for. Sweet!

Back at work now. Sister was pretty easy on Holly the other Q. But, it was a hard session to sit through. We've got one more inspection - this one on Holly's back. It is the first of the kind and Holly just sat there sputtering ... well, this is new I didn't know we had to do that before! HMM? Like you didn't know you'd need a copy of rights and the annual report with the case file? It went a lot like that and was disgusting. Holly's favorite thing is to say ... I was just going to do that. Blah Humbug!

I think we're leaving poor CS in the dust. You don't know why you have to be organized? Shoot, shoot ... I give you a priority and you just forget? That's a bit scary. I think I'm going to scan purple, blue and red diagrams through email. I was saying something like its been 6 weeks in making Emily's label. You got to set yourself a deadline for like Friday or so ... and just do the best you can WITHIN the time line. Hmm? And, the division of the group project? Don't want to come down on you, but its been almost 2 weeks on that project. Let's not think of this as pressure, but more like a gentle guideline. We do this because we love you and want you to find pride in getting things accomplished. I know that you are sick a lot, but there has to be a bigger purpose whether it's sewing or something else - or your likely to just be "surviving" illness. Sewing was something we could do together, remember? Not looking for total organization, just a good step forward Something has to progress even if its a new thought as to what impedes the more obvious progress - Maybe we're going to need logging things that get in the way of our crafting. Then we can work on budgeting time for it. Remember ... at least an hour a day. Even with the pain you should squeek out that much, hmm? :)

Love you guys!
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 14 at 9:00am
Linda … so happy to see that the job interview went well. I’m looking at my clock and am thinking … WOW … she’s already at work! I hope the first day went well and you packed a good lunch. BTW – How did the girl’s night turn out? Was there any extra meatballs? Leftovers? We’re going to have to put you in the Emily column with 40+ hours. Yeeks! I used to work long hours and take stuff home, but at some point in time that just gets old! I know what you mean about the relaxing part with sewing at the end of the night. It seems to put things in perspective. Last night I came home and took a cat nap, and then I got up and went to work on the petals -makes me feel a lot better like coming home from work was worthwhile.

We have policies about letting old employees come back to “Help out.” Usually things change pretty fast for the new company and the old employee so that it’s not the best match-up. Sometimes too old employees can pass on their disgruntled viewpoints, or ask to be caught up on the office politics causing an avenue of gossip.

We had one employee try continue to contact one of the clients … Boy … the client’s mother sure wasn’t for that idea! I’m betting the current team is going to pull through for you – but if we’re voting … I’d let the old employee go until she’s back on the books! Ok, that was unasked for, but feel like we’re being cautious for you.

It’s just nice that you are back to work. Waiting to hear you’ve made the job YOURS!

Maybe I’ll have to make a design board and attach goals and then you can pick and choose with CS … me too. I guess I am kinda goal orientated. It comes from doing goals with clients and me – to get me off the couch. I remember coming home 10 years ago from work and reaching for the couch and I didn’t want to be budged from there all night. Just that when I had to get up there was a lot of resistance, and I felt that my life was a bit empty. Just a lot happier when I can make myself do the quilting. There’s a sense of peace at the end of the day like I really did something good for me.

CS – I’m not up to writing code for the military – although we did send Thom to Japan to crack Intelligence code of the enemy.

Maybe something is in our blood. We can work on dividing the projects when I get up tomorrow. Each of the squares – small and large are in their own bag and I believe I left one of my directions there, but I will bring another copy and look to see if I brought any other paper work home – as to putting the blocks together. I try to keep that together, but we’ll have to see which home. It gets a little more confusing when discussing putting together parts from the Dancers Quilt parts 1-3 and putting together the group quilt parts 1-3. Maybe this is what is confusing you. We really do have multiple projects, but then that would be in our nature.

As to housekeeping … I think that cleaning a kitchen floor more than twice a month ambitious and generally go longer than that.

Rich does spot clean it and that helps. Sometimes he just brings a wet paper towel around the floor molding to catch kitty fur that’s gathering up a council against it. I think you are trying to make your place look like it doesn’t have dogs. Rich and I have our tasks and the harder ones are on him. Mine is to do kitty litter, dishes, pack up the garbages going out, folding and assisting Rich hang clothes, dusting (yikes), and general pick-up. He does the shopping and cooking, takes the garbage down and does the floors – oh and brings the laundry up and down from first to third floors.

If there is an error in the system it’s usually us. Some of the tasks are done daily like dishes and garbage and littler – usually that happens first thing while making coffee before Rich gets up … after that

– It’s OVER for the day! Clothes assistance is once a week usually toward the weekend or there about if we’re going to be out. Two people = one Rich load, one Ann load, one white load, and one dark load – maybe. Towels and linen are put in other loads to fill them up. General pick-up happens as we go. Not too much gets messed up … generally where we each sit in the living room – Rich likes to spread out bills YEEKS! I try to clean up the sewing stations as I finish projects for the night or before going to work.

Usually after I finish something – AND before work, I like to take pictures so I can connect home with work after getting to work.

Besides bringing things out to the kitchen – we eat in the living room a lot – Things pretty much are just for fun when we get home.

If Rich makes me work after a hard day at work, we get CRANKY!

Same goes for the weekend. Rich and us will talk about the weekend usually by Thursday and we’ll each have our separate stuff to do. If and when Rich wants to do laundry – he SCHEDULES a time we can work together on it. If he doesn’t plan ahead … we get CRANKY! Rich does a lot of late night ball games so a good portion of his work happens in and out of the day. He’s in half retirement. It’s the advantage of doing your own business. I just sigh of relief when he says stuff at St. Rose like – I’m leaving at 1:30 pm – I’m going to stop of at the grocery store … we’re going to have ham next. I’m like OK! It feels easy that way … I usually NEVER request dinners – just eat what’s there and we have a list on the fridge of anything we might need to have him pick up … It’s like a system we’ve worked out. You don’t ignore as much as plan and schedule so that domesticity doesn’t interfere with the “living part.”

Now that I’m older I sometimes fall asleep an hour after dinner so that I can meet Rich when he gets home and not be over-tired. I find to that if I get a cat nap … I’m not dragging myself to the sewing projects I come at them refreshed! Another point especially when Rich is away is to mute the TV. I still like looking at Anderson Cooper, but I don’t mind LISTENING to Sarah Brightman or some other Rhapsody playlist. Feels then like a PARTY!!! It helps that I can look forward to home time!
CS … no spaghetti – anything else. Rich leaves stuff for me so that I do get a lot of left overs, especially when he’s gone … he cooks EVERYthing before leaving and if he’s short he leaves take-out money for sandwiches or Chinese. BUT, we’re going to be coming off Spaghetti for 3 days now … that’s enough thanks. I do like the idea of doing one meal at the Texas place. BUT, if we schedule for 5 or 6 pm or whatever … and you all are still sleeping – then all bets are off. I need a schedule so I can plan my playload. One thing of being a multiple is keeping things as regular as we can.

Rich used to nag when he felt it was time to go and we settled things by saying … Just tell me when you want me at the door and I’ll be there. I can schedule myself like that. If he wants to leave 10 minutes early or 10 minutes late … forget it CRANKY! My minutes are too important to have me sitting 10 minutes watching someone looking for something or tying his shoes. YEEKS! No SURPRISES! I don’t work on … we’ll go when Mark gets up.

That’s just cruel and unusual punishment … if he can’t wake up on time … he can paddle his own boat! Yeeks … too much energy … better get back to work.

I do have the DVDs and know where they are at. I’ll bring them with me. As to Don … I think he just likes talking to you. Hmm?

I’m more about doers than talkers. I’ve been hearing the same thing about – GETTING to some project for about a year now. Just let me know when something happens. *sigh* Are we CRANKY???! Sorry! It's all about communication for multiples.

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 16 at 9:33am
Good morning!!! We’re up and at’m. We've been up since about 5 am. It’s about 9 am now as we start to write. We’re just taking a petal break. I’ll make sure in a few moments that some of the updated pictures make FB. Linda this is a reminder … finishing a pillow case is a good time to take some pictures. I’m so happy the first day of work went well and it seems you’ve already started “handling” the new situation. Just think you worked, did two loads of laundry AND had a nice little party at your place, plus made a pillow case. Talk about multi-tasking!

We’re not getting much rest around here because we’re too busy sewing. Well, maybe CS is sewing and we’re like tracing, cutting and ironing. I’m having the best time! Lot of good catching up yesterday with CS as we were both working through our various projects. We both worked to split up the group project, and then she went out on errands and I finished up. Then I went over to work on the petal project and she went to ordering the 3rd of the three dancer’s project. She started doing a little sewing on that.

I had started the tracing at home about 40% and now we’re done with the tracing cutting part. I started to iron down the petals on the light background and now CS has switched over to the petal project by starting to sew down the petals and stems. That’s CS part of the project … she has to sew down ALL the petals – I’m not sure if Dee is going to help with that, we’ll have to see.

The biggest cool thing of the day was that as we started the work yesterday, I had said something off the cuff to CS that the next thing we were going to get was a light bright. I told her that I thought it would work well for tracing. She looked at me and then stated matter of fact-like, "I have a light box." What, what?? You gotta be kidding you do??!! Oh man that's so cool. Well that just made my day ... It works really well for tracing and we had a LOT of tracing - 840 petals and 60 stems. I was just so happy! And, the other nice thing is that it sits at a bit of an angle so it's easier to manage the project ... AND, it's got a nifty ledge for my marker. Well, needless to say ... happy as a clam!

We discovered a few things yesterday one was that I was talking to CS about the fabric I’d ordered through Jinny Beyer for the sewing studio curtains. CS picked it up A LOT fast than I had … I had said there was 4 panels each 4 foot long and so I’d ordered 18 feet. CS was like umm feet or yards?

Oh-oh … well long story short … we’ve got coming in 18 YARDS of curtain fabric. It was too late to call it off but we’re going to make the best of it. I’m going to make a table curtain around the sewing tables held on by Velcro and we’re going to use the fabric – it matches my living room curtains – to sew long corners on my couches. If they aren’t covered with something the kitties scratch the couch. We’ve been using mismatched sheets, but we can do better

If there’s more after that – We’ll turn it into a coordinating quilt to match the room. Eh … glad I really liked the fabric!
My goal of the day is to get all the petals ironed down so CS has PLENTY to do. I’ve got to cut a few more pieces for the group distribution. I had miscounted something. Eh just one project at a time. Linda there’s still time after your napping if you want to join us for dinner. You were right we’re going to Texas Roadhouse. Sometime later … we’re both too busy now. It sure is nice to work with company!

Well spose I should get back to it. I want to check my picture updates and then we’re back to piecing and ironing. Hope you are all having the best of a nice Sunday off!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 18 at 5:59am
Sweet! I always enjoy getting back to the computer to find there has been conversation happening that I get to catch up on. Poor CS … I’d try to disagree, but I’m familiar with “that look” I give her. *sigh* I know she will probably have to catch up on some lost sleep, but I’m hoping that some of being more productive wears off. She’s really got a LOT to be working on. The sewing around all the petals is going to take her quite a bit of time. I don’t think also that Mark wants to see her do a quilt a week, I think he just finds comfort when he finds CS working rather than staying bed rest. But, I will give you a day of peace for such good work over the weekend ;)

Linda I’m living through every word of your posts. I don’t think anyone with their right mind can remember the first couple weeks of work after they are a couple years in to their job. The only thing I remember is that Sr. told me soon on that she didn’t like my attitude … before I learned just to say … yes ma’am I’ll do that right away … I guess I’d given her a little more argumentativeness. Pswhoo. Glad we got that straightened out … no one wants an angry nun on their back!

I feel empathy with you for trying to figure out the boss and reaching that status of equal appreciation. I’m so proud of you for doing what you are doing. The nature of work is that it IS WORK!

Hehe I think that’s the same thoughts I had of CS this weekend. After a good amount of time I was more willing to say … if you need a break, but she kept at the work. I can appreciate that one wants to enjoy the act of doing whether it’s just hard or work work, but I think sometimes … You just have to bite the bullet and say that … I’m going to feel a whole lot better for getting through this. I always thought the hard part wasn’t in doing the ACTUAL work – it was balancing oneself with all the work personalities of people around you. Pswhoo. That’s an art form! The part of being interrupted while your trying to accomplish tasks – Yeeks that’s all part of the difficult people transactions.

I think we were more apt to talk on Saturday when there was more to be catching up on. But, I have to admit that sometimes I need some peacefulness to my mind when things become more the challenge to just working through some of the monotony. It seemed to really help when we figured out to put some music on. Maybe that was part of the difference on Saturday we didn’t have the TV on, but on Sunday it was on non-stop so it was a little harder to concentrate on … the combination of TV and talking was a little harder when I was less fresh. At home, I seem to do more turning TV on, but muting and then putting music on it helps me flow better without demanding. I had to remind myself when CS took one nap was that the singing I was doing was OUT LOUD!

Yeeks!

There was another nice part of the weekend though in that as I’d written the blog we’d thought to take care of something that’s been on our mind for a while. I think we wrote a little of it there, but we got CS a new program to her that copies things off the computer screen so you can manipulate the images or pictures. After we got things up and running I asked CS to come over for a lesson. She might have been tired, but she’s usually pretty cool about learning new stuff. I think it feeds her creativity. We went through the paces and I was very happy that she seemed to be catching on and figuring that she could use the program for many things. I always have it up on the start-up menu to give it easier access. I’m really not kidding when I say I use the Snag-it program for snagging pictures every day … Linda when your ready for it we can send the disk home with you for your husband to load or just have you download and we'll send over the code … I’d be more than happy to give you a few lessons. I think Tony would like it too if he does anything at all with pictures. It’s really easy and can do so much! I forgot to ask too … do you use a computer for your new job?

Well should probably get going … I just took my shower and other various things. I got about ½ hour to be in the sewing room and a ½ hour with Rich before we go. Yup, yup … he had surely missed us a bunch! He left on Thursday morning and we got back last night. He made it pretty clear he could have used a back rub Sunday night, but he’s learning girls just have to play too!

Take care of the day!

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 18 at 6:05am
WooHOO!!! Mystery solved! Thanks CS!!! This is handy info!

------Original Message------
From: Karie Hougard
To: Connie Sue Tscharner
ReplyTo: Karie Hougard
Subject: RE: Drop
Sent: May 17, 2010 5:16 PM

Hi, Connie --

"Drop" probably refers to the amount of a quilt that hangs over the edge of the bed on each side. A typical drop used to be 12 inches, but with the newer, extra thick/plush mattresses, a larger drop is usually preferred.

Remember, too, that there is usually a drop on only three sides (not on the top of the quilt where the pillows would be).

Hope this helps!

Karie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 20 at 8:31am
AHA! Responsibility! Way to go Linda! You must be on the right track because they are trustin you with the golden goose! Hehe … I got plenty of drinks anytime you wanna stop by. We’re up to askin Rich for cheese, salami and nuts. He started to give me one of those looks, but we said, but we’ve got an empty fridge shelf! I told him I’d stop eating the peanut butter on tortillas with cinnamon sugar. I might make some ground there. Like the idea of having protein.

I love the pictures of the flowers! You are doing soooo good! I’m impressed with not only making the flowers, but taking pictures of them! We’ll have you up to speed in no time flat! Sounds like both you and CS are doing some nice hand sewing. I’m not to that point yet because it seems I’m never sitting still long enough and I’m getting so much enjoyment out of planning and sewing with the machine. I think it must take a special bit of patience to hand sew. I keep thinking that if I started it would be at the level of Laura Ingalls Wilder when she was 7.

CS … seems like the doctor impresses some more self care. It must be now then toppling in on your head so much you’ll be needing showers 3 times a day! I think the problem comes in – like with most of us where you do what you WANT instead of doing what you SHOULD! I’m pretty sure my diet and exercise fall in that category. BUT, we’re real happy you’ve had a good week with the sewing instead of the extra bed rest. I know it’s harder and sometimes hurts, but if you can do it in moderation you will really be ahead of the game. CHEERS to YOU!

No word from this direction on reward systems. I’m too fully immersed. I’m absolutely sure Rich isn’t going for the Milky Way for the new fridge.

I’m glad I had the extra old desk chair that I hadn’t thrown away yet. It was headed in that direction, but then got hung-up in the haul. It wasn’t a great chair, but it’s full, comfortable, and cat approved. It had long since lost its arms by the way all chairs eventually lose them and fingers. *Sigh* It’s sad. BUT, now the chair feels good about standing its ground and is now a very useful contributor in the sewing room!

You’ll see through the pictures on FB and the blog entry for the day basically, on what we’re doing with the day. I’m going to encourage both to remember that the blog is there and waiting for sewing news. Linda – really good place to post your new picture! AHEM … CS pictures? Maybe new rules of taking at least 2 pictures a day! I’m really in favor of you getting a computer for yourself Linda. It’s so much a part of being caught up with this decade and century for that matter.

Sometimes Rich and I have to share a computer or two, but it’s always inconvenient. He’s got a pull-out lap-top stand in the living room where he checks his computer and I’ve got the stand-up on the desk in the living room, and then we have the small one for the sewing room and extra for work – for my outlook and taking notes at meetings. Then we have this stand-up on the computer desk at work. Sometimes it’s a bit of effort keeping everything working and up to date, but it all seems VERY necessary. You’d find yourself doing a lot on the computer AND it gives you and Tony that much more to talk about! You’d be sharing the same interests!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 22 at 9:28am
4 BLOCKS OF MY PETALS DESTROYED??!!!!!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 22 at 3:07pm
Whimpering ...

I am thinking it's the glue on the petals they are attracted to. It's the only thing in the element of all that's changed. The package doesn't list ingredients as it ISN'T supposed to be eaten, but it does say that Steam-A-Seam 2 poses no chronic or adverse effects when used as intended and conforms to LHAMA Regulations ASTM D4236-94. Testing is in accordance with guidelines specified by the Consumer Products Safety Commission in 16 CFR 1500.135.

HMPF!

Not in the mood for talking yet. :*(

I did finish the top part of the quilt ... mostly - see pictures. I couldn't get right the inner corners of the thinnest border. Size wize the 45 degree angle seemed to work - my first, but after 3 times of trying to shore up the corner ... I figured I'd save it for CS. Maybe we can set some time to be sandwiching it when I get there next. I feel pretty accomplished but have that nagging affect I'm not getting it. I can't make it lay flat without puckering :*(

I'll try to respond to some of the other notes later. I'm on a roll and want to get the sewing room curtains and 3/4's of the table skirt done. I will save the ruffling for when I'm up north. Otherwise South Spruce is good ... On a 3 day weekend, but Rich is going to make me stop to go visiting tomorrow *more whimpering*

Ann Ludford Garvey May 23 at 9:18am
So … finally have a few moments. I was going back to sew, but thought guiltily that I hadn’t really been very observant of where the two of you are. Somehow in my mind we’ve left things hanging. I think I’m coming out of petal shock … made me pretty cranky though. Can’t have dogs eating projects off the table! Maybe though we personalized too much the petal project – all 840 pieces of them – you can tell Macy to straighten up or else. I’m still thinking though it’s the glue she’s interested in on the sticky paper. It was a new brand and the trouble has started since bringing it to your house. I do too good a job cleaning my hands over a dozen times throughout the day to think its food residue. I'm pretty obsessive with that sort of thing. I’m not so likely to lean on the thought they were being helpful! Hmpf!

I hope everyone is having a quiet weekend – though maybe Emily is having a rumbling weekend! And at least for you CS the sanding should have stopped - either that or bring your sleeping bag with you to church when you go in to clean. CS … Mark having the camera – one or two days for PART of those days is no excuse not to be putting up some pictures. If all else fails you can use your phone camera. You all aren’t giving me much to confirm my imagination. However, I do appreciate Linda you put in an excellent effort toward photog this week. I think thought that office of yours needs a couple friendly quilts! I hope you have a chance to make it yours. AFTER the first couple weeks stress is over of course! I have faith in your computer skills, because you are an excellent learner!

So how was the wedding Linda? Did it rain? Did you avoid getting sick? Seemed a lot of fun for the wedding to be dressing down or maybe laterally, however you want to look at it. See now that would have made a nice picture … You and Tony with the top down! Also did you get a chance to sew the pillow case yesterday? It thrills me to hear someone else too using the words, “I cut out two last night!” It makes me feel jittery inside to know that the three of us – AND Emily are working on sewing and that we sometimes think positive thoughts to one another in the process. CS I’m sure that Emily will be ok with the square in time … It’s a lot to take in, but you did really nice work with it. You showed a lot of care.

CS we’re closer than ever to hanging the blanket with the house in it on the big kitchen wall. It took a lot of “negotiating” to get Rich’s help. After he starts he’s pretty steadfast, but likes to stand a position and then say, get me this, get me that. So I feel like a squirrel scurrying about. We got in something called magnificent quilt hangers or something close to that from the quilt show. It was a lot more expense then the materials would seem to suggest worth. We still have to get a flat metal piece to hold the blanket. I pinned it on top and bottom because it was so long, but I believe from side to side the quilt is 95” and we had like 104” of wall to work with. WooHOO! We actually got the magnets holding on the wall just need another devise AND maybe a couple of drywall nails if the sticky stuff doesn't hold.

Rich said I could run a tab … I mean list of stuff needed at the hardware store. So far we got drywall screws for the design boards, metal rod, light bulb for over kitchen sink, and one more thing … I forgot … it LOOKS LIKE!!!!! Rich seems to have taken the list with him!!! He’s got a game that should start about 9:30 am and he’ll be back after that. We’re getting MUCH closer … I’ve got a little wall hanging momentum and a bit of a commitment! Been since when January? I’ve been using the quilt since it got cold out, but the weather is warming up and this will give it something to do over the summer ;)

I don’t have too much to say about the cleaning, except it’s something that gets done periodically. It seems we’re most apt to do it when Rich is still sleeping. So far the recent trend is good.

There was a bad part though. Rich had talked MAYBE about getting a stacking washer and dryer with the St. Rose bonus money. He’d wanted to go half way, but I found that he could do it on his money - they were selling for about $1000, but within a day or two Rich lost his bonus to his general slush fund. That was really disappointing ... at least we got a nice sewing room plus accessories like steamer and glasses out of ours. I can’t tell you how exciting getting a washer and dryer would have been for us.

I guess it’s still on the list, but we’ll try not to lose sleep over it. As a substitute I asked, “Can we at least get a Swiffer Duster?” It’s too early to tell but we’re going to be positive!

Is everyone up and at’m!??

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 23 at 2:33pm
Left you all a message on the blog ... left a note at the bottom the blog has a follower who's NOT me!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 25 at 6:28am
Good morning. Linda … I don’t know what to say. I read your last post right before going to bed and then again about an hour ago as I was trying to wake up. I can’t imagine the feelings you must be going through … I didn’t know how to respond because I’m feeling hurt for you. I’m so sorry that things have worked out as they have with your position. I’d like to think that things work out as they may so that in the end everything is how it should be. It’s just that you’d put so much emotional energy into getting the job and doing it right. I’m so sorry for this last turn of events. Please keep up your optimism that things work out as they will for some universal ulterior reason. Keep posting … it’s a good thing to think it through out loud. We believe in you!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 25 at 10:48am
Good morning. It seems like everyone is already up and accounted for. CS sounds like you have some adjustments to make with using your body more. I know this is hard because I’m going through it too. I get temperamental just thinking of the 2 block walk to the Dr.’s office each week. You’ve of course got medical problems ALONG with the weight to be working with. It seems that has stabilized now a bit.

As much as you most likely don’t like the vacuuming it might be just right assistance rather than working out at the gym which costs instead of pays. I know your response already … you are going to reaffirm your medical problems, but the weight is a consideration as to that as well. Now I’m gonna duck! Be of good cheer … Rich and us both have arthritis too so we know that round as you.

I’ve gained back a lot of weight as you can most likely see. I’m afraid of the gym because of low ability now to be standing or walking. It’s going to take some courage and determination. At least we’re presenting to Dr. Marvin now that CARF is over that we SHOULD be STARTING to think about it. We’re not allowing Rich to argue with us about it, but on the positive side, he’s lost between 30-35 pounds himself and is looking real good and getting better! That’s very encouraging. He’s officiating almost every day.

Linda I wanted to add that other than the times we come up for the first Saturday of the month, we are also trying to get up when Rich goes fishing which he does each month – though on varied weekends. I should probably get his schedule. It be cool to see you up there. CS and us push each other to get a grip on our sewing tasks. We seem to do a series of checks and balances to make sure life is going further ahead – and it works both ways. It looks like I have a staff meeting at 10 am the weekend of the 5th and the Thinking group at 1, but then I get off at 2 and don’t have to be back on work til Tuesday the 8th. We’ll see which direction everything goes closer to that time. Chances are though I’ll try to leave here that Friday, so I’m ready to be with the group Saturday morning :)

This next time I’m going to want to get ruffles in the table skirts – I finished all the preliminary work on them last night. I’m also going to want to sandwich and possibly quilt Joe and Cari’s quilt also on CS machine if we can manage the time. Lastly, we’re going to want to take a look at those small stars for the group quilt. I was going to try and figure that out last night, but I don’t get how to sew the two small triangles onto the larger one. The edges don’t match up to the same size … so I’m thinking there might be an overlap, but I tried and then took it apart 3 times … fraid to try anymore because I’ll unravel the fabric. CS had volunteered to do mine in exchange for help with the petals. I don’t know maybe I’ll just wait for the weekend up there and hope she can straighten me out. I don’t want to be a slacker.

Without the curtains, skirt, group project and wedding gift to work on … I’m thinking maybe I should really pull together the fish project this next bit of time and see what we can do about finishing it. I’ve got the fabric scattered a bit, so I’m going to need some backbone! I don’t remember even what we were doing with it … just that we needed to finish 4 colors. I think I got a bit confused in them needing to be trimmed and not knowing consistently how they were all going to match up - might take some GOOD amount of patience to get that house of cards in order.

I hope the day goes well for you at work. I’m thinking that you are just going to be in the middle of the emotional turmoil the company is going through these next few days. People will want to talk about what’s going on and making plans for the future and complaining about how bad things are. Have you already canceled unemployment, or will you be able to start fresh with that, or are you still in the same situation where it was ready to expire?

This just seems so unfair. They must have been banking on something to pull them through it, but that didn’t work out. It didn’t sound like your trainer knew about it because she wouldn’t have given you such good instruction on how to do the job. I’m thinking something caught the company by surprise and it was probably already standing on shaky legs. How many people are going to lose their job? Will the company compensate them in any manner? I know they were giving Rich some compensation – maybe for vacation days not taken – for about 6 months after he lost his main job with JVS last year. It wasn’t top of the line money, but it was pretty major.

He had just settled his divorce alimony payments, and then he lost his job when they closed down the three workshops he managed. I think with the ex’ benefits like him paying at minimum 50% alimony, insurance, appliances, lawn care, etc … she’s making more than him by far … Just like with your situation … nothing seems fair. We’re going to be living in an apartment for a very long time … BUT, at least now we have our new room and the situation seems fairly stable. I like that part of you … you are steady and almost always looking at the brighter more upbeat side!

Some of these more positive thoughts have to become like Mantra’s or positive affirmations. BUT, if you want to throw rocks off a railroad trellis at passing logs or something, I’m in it with you! Just let me know and I’ll start stone collecting!

This week is that goofy week where we’re off Monday and Friday and on Wednesday and Thursday we’ve got out of town meetings … blah! It means driving a bit before and after and smiling at strangers. It also means we’re going to need getting ready for two IN-House meetings we’ll have next week for a couple of clients by today. I had 22 clients, sister gave me another last month, there’s a new one I’m getting then next week, and she just gave me the paperwork this morning for the 25th client. It means I’ve got more than the other Q and that at this rate I’m going to hit the maximum of 30? I don’t know … never had over 24, but this last one coming in has special problems – liver replacement, 85 pounds and unstable on his feet.

We’ll see, we’ll see I guess his body is letting ammonia into his bloodstream. I’m hoping he’s not on dialysis. . It was enough that Sister didn’t want Holly doing it although she was cautious of asking me to take on more.

In this economy the best hedge is to make yourselves as valuable as you can. Linda I sure do feel your pain! Unfortunately, part of that response is … at least it’s not me, but that seems pretty darn selfish.

Just nothing is for sure and we’re looking to get bumped too soon because state is not wanting to fund Developmental disabilities. They consider it “frivolous spending.” YEEKS! Carrying on my person my personal resume! State is backed up about 5 months without paying agencies for work already completed with clients. Just gotta wait it out… Luckily Sr. has always been frugal. She saved for rainy days.

Our best,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 26 at 12:48pm
Hi guys. Just reading over a few things, but CS I'm going to want to read in full soon everything that you wrote about in the blog. Just on first pass through, I have to say that I'm very proud of you for taking a bit of time and really writing out as you had. It gave a story that was interesting for me an probably others to hear about. It was like … ok here I am pluncked down in life and we're sitting here at this garbage vessel … and this is my life - welcome to it! Hehehe … I think that almost everything we do is a series of stories. I used to be preoccupied with having a story of my life, but I learned through Dr. Woollcott that all life historyies are like myths. I figured ok, if that were the case I would do the best I could at remembering, but the filling in of details would be mainly my treat to self. It's like saying I am important enough to listen to even as I evolve. I think it goes to anyone who takes the time to sit down with there thoughts.

It seems there's been added in some union talk as to whether your company stays open or closes. Wow … I've seen it in the movies, but have not experienced. This one is going to be a nail-biter, but speaking as one who went many years without a hair color I recommend that as a treat to yourself whichever direction the rest of your world twirls. I just got my first hair coloring a couple of months ago for a big seasonal party for Rich's fishing buddies. It was a hard thing, but it's been nice. I realize some of the gray is appearing again, we'll have to see how that goes. Nothing really ever gets purchased the first two weeks of the month and we're used up of the second two *sigh*

I'm almost done with lunch now. It's nice the guy gave us 1 hour and 15 minutes. You better believe I was happy with that. I brought in my computer and my mi-fi card so that I could have Internet. I think I was the first one and this guy had had a lot of people through training, but the first one that brought their 500 page book as it was ON-LINE. It was just ridiculous to print it all out. If I need it again … I'll just look on-line where its as close as any one of my computers. Sweet. He complimented me on it as soon as he figured out what I was doing, and then he came back two more times to say something about it. I'm about to the place that too much attention is a little unnerving. But, it's pretty cool anyway. This is a refresher course so it is what it may be, but in general I just like taking notes. I have tendencies to talk as people talk … that just be the way this buggie wobbles!

Hope the days been good to the both of you!

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 28 at 8:13am
Wednesday Lunch - while at meeting

Hi guys. Just reading over a few things, but CS I'm going to want to read in full soon everything that you wrote about in the blog. Just on first pass through, I have to say that I'm very proud of you for taking a bit of time and really writing out as you had. It gave a story that was interesting for me an probably others to hear about. It was like … ok here I am pluncked down in life and we're sitting here at this garbage vessel … and this is my life - welcome to it! Hehehe … I think that almost everything we do is a series of stories. I used to be preoccupied with having a story of my life, but I learned through Dr. Woollcott that all life historyies are like myths. I figured ok, if that were the case I would do the best I could at remembering, but the filling in of details would be mainly my treat to self. It's like saying I am important enough to listen to even as I evolve. I think it goes to anyone who takes the time to sit down with there thoughts.

It seems there's been added in some union talk as to whether your company stays open or closes. Wow … I've seen it in the movies, but have not experienced. This one is going to be a nail-biter, but speaking as one who went many years without a hair color I recommend that as a treat to yourself whichever direction the rest of your world twirls. I just got my first hair coloring a couple of months ago for a big seasonal party for Rich's fishing buddies. It was a hard thing, but it's been nice. I realize some of the gray is appearing again, we'll have to see how that goes. Nothing really ever gets purchased the first two weeks of the month and we're used up of the second two *sigh*

I'm almost done with lunch now. It's nice the guy gave us 1 hour and 15 minutes. You better believe I was happy with that. I brought in my computer and my mi-fi card so that I could have Internet. I think I was the first one and this guy had had a lot of people through training, but the first one that brought their 500 page book as it was ON-LINE. It was just ridiculous to print it all out. If I need it again … I'll just look on-line where its as close as any one of my computers. Sweet. He complimented me on it as soon as he figured out what I was doing, and then he came back two more times to say something about it. I'm about to the place that too much attention is a little unnerving. But, it's pretty cool anyway. This is a refresher course so it is what it may be, but in general I just like taking notes. I have tendencies to talk as people talk … that just be the way this buggie wobbles!

Hope the days been good to the both of you!

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 28 at 8:14am
Thursday Lunch day 2 …

we're pretty much running through this group. The teacher or trainer is pretty good … his material isn't hard, but he's covering it efficiently and he's got the whole group entertained by his fun loving and knowledgable personality. He'd done good. He's one of those people like the CARF surveyor that it's always hard to say good bye to, but he's stated to the group that this is just the beginning of his relationship to us.

It was kinda funny but during the group this morning, he directed himself to one of the women across from me. There's only 11 in the room and the woman had been going on about several things making herselves indispensible to her agency and being called at night and such. She's pretty much a control freak. Gary took a look at her and said I'm very worried about you and then he froze that space and the woman knew what he was going to say though she really didn't know how to handle it. She said you mean your worrying that I'm going to burn-out. And Gary said yeah. There was a real warm conversation and he'd talked about what he said to his wife basically in that she needed to slow down. He didn't go into a lot of detail, but you could pretty much read the woman's situation like an open book.

Then later about a half hour into the next part of the training, he looked at me and then he said … now Ann here … I talked to my wife about you too. Holy corimbo! His wife is the assistant director of DD for the state. She's pretty high up on the wow factor. He described his thoughts and feelings about being blown away with us on two accouns. The first was because of how much we are taking on at our work and how nice our place sounded. He said something like we had gone throuh it pretty simply yesterday, but we were taking on a whole lot. We interrupted him and said,

You know it's not like Cassie though … we go home at 4-5 pm and we pick up our quiting which we love to do. When we got home from work, we didn't do work, we did relaxation, because if there wasn't separation, you could not appreciate either work or home properly.

Then he went into talking about our electronics and again how he'd talked to his wife. He prefaced by saying I know I'm a geek, but and then he spread his hands over our spread. Then he went one at a time over all our gizmos like he had to study each one. We had the netbook, the headphones, the iPod, the phone, and the Mi-fi. We didn't have our camera out, but that was the next thing. If I get a chance I would like to take a group photo or if the others are uncomfortable maybe a photo of at least him.

Hmm, that reminds me sister wanted me to write up something about the center for the newspaper. They want to do a little success story about St. Rose Center. Maybe I can put something together with bullets so that the writer coming over tomorrow will be able to pull something he can write for himself. I'll have to think of it tonight or maybe better yet first thing in the morning. Then we can email it to sister before she forgets we haven't turned
something in. It was something off the cuff for her.

Hmm, just about forgot to talk to Dr. Marvin. We should have had an appointment today, but it will be inerrupted with me being here. And, then next week I believe he will be gone. Hopefully he will be able to write me back an email and we can work out an alternative date.

Any other business? I feel a little confused too in that I think Rich wants to do something with me tomorrow because we are having a day off. I don't think I showed enough excitement about fishing … we'll have to think of this some more. I know that we felt too busy to do much quilting over the next couple of days.

We did do some quilting yesterday in that we finished the second day of sorting through all the fabric and work we'd done and had left to do with the fishes. We progressed it so much - Rich wasn't home until 8:30 pm, that we actually did some sewing. WooHOO. Linda wrote that she'd done some work with her group squares, and she showed a picture of them. They looked so good and she didn't seem to have any trouble putting them together. This was good, because there wasn't any directions. WooHOO!!! Someone will have to teach me. Maybe it would help to build up some of my confidence. I don't want to put more on CS. We'll have to see how it works out in that balance.

Hmm, we forgot we were saying something about the group meeting here. I think we left off with taking a picture or two. Just I won't have a place to put it other than where I know it will go on our blog. We'll have to work that through … If I just took one of him I could say naturally, you might guess with all this computer I am going to blog about this experience, right? I think he'll give me a break! He's pretty cool.

After he had put so much attention on us for being techno savvy, then later we gave it back to him. We told him that we had been talking to OUR boyfriend and we told him how impressionable the trainer was in using his Internet… We said you just think of something and then you whip it out. Wow! That was cool.

Ann Ludford Garvey May 28 at 8:14am
Thursday Lunch - part 2 of 2

There were a couple other funny things happened too … well more because in general there are three of us women having a great time with him and the others … maybel less the three guys are really having a good time. But on one occasion we corrected him in that he was saying the food pyramid had changed and now they had some bars or something. And, we said, no there were like 11 different versions but that the main one revolved around a 3-d pyramid with stairs.

He wasn't sure of that, so then he went back to teaching and then we went to the Internet since our computer was still up and we went to mypyramid.gov which is the federal site for the food pyramid through the department of aggreculture. Hehehe wow … won that because an inch down from their heading was the food pyramyd we described with the steps. He studied that for a moment because we turned around our computer for him. And, then he went back to the group and gave a little lecture on correcting himself. He also wrote down the website. I know he will check into it … he's that kind of a thorough mind.

Another thing that happened was that he had gone to DSMIV-tr last night to settle the question as to Autism being either on the first or second axis. I had thought it was on the first axis because of them putting it under a clinical diagnosis. But, I backed up because he was pretty sure that it was axis two on developmental disabillities, but turns out it was under two but had been switched over in the newer version to axis 1 … so that was like wooHOO … another point.

Then there was one more small one where we caught him today … by now I have sort of a reputation, but not so uptight my points aren't for anything more than just fun. He had just figured out that one of his epileptic clients had probably had a seizure do to the flickering of an old reel movie he had been showing some people. Then later he said, "I caused this." We just stopped him mid-speech and said you mean, "The machine caused it." He argued his own demons for a second … He felt responsible, and we could see he might, but there was a more fluttering … basically we said something to the affect of having control over somethings and not others. We told him he was taking a lot of responsibility on. We didn't have to say much because he was figuring out his situation.

I don't mean to be "smart," but it really is fun having smart people around you and in general the class is pretty smart. I am enjoying the people. I remember seeing the African once before, but hes' much more on top his game, and then there is Leonard who is quieter today, but had a lot of important things to be saying yesterday. The other guy was the white guy who is older and didn't like games. You can read his discomfort. He's a little more active today after being "undressed" yesterday, but he and his partner the lady that's too invested spend a lot of time out in the hall. He should put his phone on hold for the meeting, but he keeps getting up to answer it.

Yesterday we made the point of saying that our DSPs were trained to handle anything and they had the back-up of the administrator if we were in if things concerned the clients. We also explained looking for symptoms from our clients, but then calling them for their families to call a doctor if there were problems. Most of the group have CILA's which is in-house housing for people with DD. Our group live primarily at home with their parents. We're just Day Training.

So that's pretty much of the training. We had a pretty good night with Rich when he finally came home. He had to call the game because of light, but he'd gotten stung by a hit. He came in the door saying I need an ice pack and a Margarita. We were like … Ok, we could do that! We fixed our baby up in a flash. We got a chance to talk. His daughter and son were both having problems in that Chris was back into the hospital with seizure problems, but this time most likely due to the medicine his throat was swelling up and he was having troubles breathing.

Then his daughter called, because she'd gotten further pushed out from living with her girlfriend. They've been an item for like 8-10 years. Jillian is coming home after she finishes school tomorrow - she's a gym teacher and will be home for the month, and then she has to go somewhere like a month and then her apartment will be ready. She's going to be staying in New Mexico where her work is. Rich almost jumped on a plane today, but Jillian called back and decided she could handle it. Rich and our idea was that she should take all her stuff out this weekend before driving up and that Rich could fly to her and drive back with her. She thought she'd take care of some of it and drive back next Tuesday and then finish when she returned. I told Rich she was having trouble separating and cutting off that part that's getting over. I know though there's a transition period so she has to make the calls. Just worry over her. She's going to be more worried of her past life at home knowing she has to go back into it. It would have nice for her to have a clean break.

Ok, that's enough of Ann's soap opera. It's about time to transition back to the room, we'll want to get our stuff plugged in and use the washroom. I think we can do that in 13 minutes and be ready to start on time … This is kinda fun taking a break. I'd like to know Gary for a long time in coming.

Ann Ludford Garvey May 28 at 11:11am
Good morning/almost afternoon. Well Linda are you feeling almost more like we’re catching up. Sorry to leave you hanging. We had written both of the last two days, but our world was a bit out of order so we weren’t processing it to the FB as we usually might.

Sorry! You weren’t alone! We kept up with our reading during breaks while we were out. Both days we got 2 – 20 minutes breaks and than an 1 ¼ hour for lunch. Now I can imagine why things really don’t get done with the state. Man – they got wild hours! That’s like 75% work and 25% play … and the work just isn’t that hard.

This morning between leaving notes here and now we went over our notes. You know we like to type them during meetings. It becomes like minutes. So we went over them made some corrections – mostly typos which we don’t stop to correct when taking notes. There were 28 pages single spaced of all the stuff that happened over 2 days. Pswhoo. Lucky I have very strong fingers, they didn’t yesterday, nor today feel tired in the least.

BUT, MAN-O-MAN would we grumble if something happened to our fingers!

Last night we got home about 5 pm and Rich was home. He’d made a small turkey dinner. This is how God must have meant guys to be! Through dinner and after we talked and then he got massaged as we were watching “The Mentalist” because he knew it was one of the shows we tolerate. I knew how that was going … he said I thought you’d like to watch the Mentalist … and I sized him up and said … AND get a massage. I’m not sure if he really blushes anymore, but pretty much we got his number!

Afterward when he went to bed about 10 pm, we stayed up another hour and did some sewing and ironing of patches. We left pictures to show you our progress. It was a nice calming night, but we fell asleep on the couch again - Just so tickled to be me. Rich and us talked again this morning and we agreed on our schedule for the weekend. He’s going fishing MAYBE this afternoon with Bob – we sorta begged off because we want to do some sewing. Then maybe the guys will pick up chicken dinner and we’ll eat over at Bob’s tonight.

Rich has a couple games tomorrow morning, but then later in the day we’re going to go to Navy Pier and watch an IMAX movie – Shrek Returns or something. He says we’ll watch Grand Torino here at home later tonight. After dinner we’ll go out to a shrimp place or something … I like a good meal out on the dock, but usually just get a drink and an appetizer. Then we’re going to watch fireworks. If he’s feeling really frivolous which for a Bohemian doesn’t happen often … we might get him back on the Ferris wheel!

Tomorrow we’ll go to his Mom’s in the morning and Rich will take Bud fishing while I hang with his Mom, and then we’ll do a dinner after the guys have been out 4 hours. I told Rich we’d commit to making potato salad. WOOHHOO! His mom will be so happy. It’s the only thing she holds wrong with me … SHE’S a cook and doesn’t like that I’m not cooking for her Ricky. Awe … BUT Rich cooks for me and I CAN appreciate the talent she passed down!
I’ll be edgy from being out so long, so I’m sending Rich back out to fish with Bob for the day. I could have gone with him, but was like hmm, too long away from computer and quilting. I’m such a dud But then that night he said he’d make some ribs and corn and maybe leftover potato salad. I’ve still got two bottles of wine, so we might open one. With my on-line shopping I got some bottle corks, because neither of us can finish a bottle in one sitting. I do appreciate how the two of you don’t drink … sorry if I’m being offensive.

Tuesday back to work, Wednesday client AND administration meeting, Thursday staff training, and Friday 2nd client meeting and then the Thinking group. YEEKS I’ll be all meeting’d out before I can get back to WI. Rich is going to be gone fishing that weekend, so I’m thinking of trying to get up to your place CS on Friday … Just have to pack before work. Payday is this weekend so it shouldn’t interfere with a run to the bank.

As to sewing … I’d really like to progress the fish. I’m starting to put together a drawer of stuff going to CS’s. I don’t want to forget, but it seems there is a lot on the table. Oh that’s something. I forgot Rich is going to try with new screws to do the quilt and design boards again to walls. That will be a big excitement WITH washing clothes WooHOO!! <<-- easily pleased.

I will look forward to the both of your updates. I’m pretty sure you’ll be writing satisfied enough with my recent contributions.

Heaven forbid the day I run out of things to talk about!

Later!
Ann

Oh the picture is Gary the presenter over last two days meetings. Doesn't he look patient!


Ann Ludford Garvey May 28 at 8:44pm
Hey Linda! I just saw you in my email box … seems the note didn't get overly cold. I'm empathizing with you on your trip. I was the fuddlety one though this time, Rich wanted to do more, but I got scared seeing my whole sewing weekend fading away. This night we got in a bit of a little scuttle. Day after day he kept putting of the few things I needed him to do - mostly revolving tools like drills and saws. Really out of my league. So finally today he committed and then spent 2-3 hours out doing errands … and he came home with like 6 drywall screws and the job required 8 and I was like ridiculous … you mean you couldn't have gone out for a full DOZEN!?? I was pretty insensed. I wanted the design boards up - been over a half year, I wanted the quilt up, and I wanted the 3 boards cut to fit my shelves above the little fridge. Man … we were both fuming because he though he'd given up half his life to do as much as he did. Like Right.


So we both went to our opposite ends … I went in the kitchen and left a note. I REFUSE to leave the house until these three tasks are done. It hadn't helped because after 8-10 years of not cooking I decided to make a potato salad and dessert for his Mom's I NEVER cook! So he said write down what you need, and then when I gave him the list he started complaining how much things would cost. Wow! Too much! But, then he came and told me my dinner was ready, so we had a break. But, then he was short because I interrupted Rockford Files YEEKS! So back to our corners.

Wow … low blow … he made popcorn. I'm going to have to go make up … See you soon :) :) :) :) I'll let you know how it turns out!

Ann Ludford Garvey May 29 at 5:32am
Morning all! Looks like there's been some definite activity here! Linda were sending some extra happiness vibes too you! Our situation turned out pretty good, but we haven't corrected the main problems. You had said yours was communication … I think ours is like fighting some invisible ghosts. Rich does a lot around here, but as to basic handyman things around the house … it's as if his ex-were standing in the bathroom throwing "well ya know." He's got goblins about this sorta stuff. How many years did I hear him talking about cleaning out his garage or basement before. Yikes! That kinda stuff is still happening.

I've talked to his Mom before … she said that Rich never did that kind of stuff and that her and Mark, Rich's youngest brother were the ones to do the house handyman stuff. She redid their basement … stud making and all! She also said Rich had hit her with a hammer to the head … It was accidental, but thinking all that has to do with his ghosts.

It seemed a little touchy, but didn't take too long after the popcorn that he was on the couch again with me and that afterward we went to bed in peace. Three of the four projects had gotten done. He still has to get through the part of getting the boards done. Now the feelings are more worried for him. This seems like something that's is more toward Dr. Marvin's territory. Then you add the progress of the sewing stuff from my end and it's like yeeks electrical fire! So in this respect I'm not doing such a hot job of helping him - too emotionally entwined in whatever makes me excited about getting this kind of thing done. *sigh*

In the meantime, or at least somewhere in-between, we made the family recipe for Blueberry Delight. So I wonder whatever happened to my graham cracker chopper upper thing? I'm pleased to report there's not much wrong you can do with that recipe! Mmm! Maybe we do it next weekend? Not sure that be like lightening happening twice in the same week to the same spot … ok, let's edge away from that cliff slowly!

Hmm, thinking maybe I better get back to those fish squares and triangles. I got the 4th to the last fish done yesterday and started work on the third to last. I'm up to the part of ironing my first sewing set. It's a lifestyle right? You know last night I remember being in the groove and thinking what about this is giving us this much satisfaction. I think there is one side story there in that I really like the TV view off to the side … CNN likes to print out the headline so with a quick glance I can catch up and in the meantime … sure have been enjoying Sarah Brightman in my ears.

Oh, CS I thought you might enjoy this … I finally sent a note to Becky. It's been about 7 years. It was a very brief note asking specifically that she send the recorders home and the cards from Sandy's funeral, but in the meantime she sent a just as short note back. Linda she used to be my best friend in high school, but made me angry 7 years ago. Anyway … turned out she had a child 5 years ago, so she's a 50
year old mother of a 5 year old. Her husband left her she said 1 1/2 years ago. I have to figure out how to respond now, but thought you might appreciate that news. See when you think you've got it bad … you can think of old people like us raising kids, yeeks!

Our love,

Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 31 at 7:55am
Good morning,

It's just me. How are you doing this morning CS? And, Linda sooo happy to hear you were getting out. I hope you got a chance to do a little browsing of those quilt shops … that part sounds fun. I should have gone out with Rich on Friday, but I had thought … Saturday would be enough.

I'm glad we got it in, because after being at his Mom's house with him Saturday afternoon, Rich got on a plane about 7 pm last night for New Mexico. It turned out that his daughter needed some help with the drive back here to Chicago. I was glad he could go. It's a lot less worrisome knowing they are driving back together. She had to drive, because she had things she was moving out of her old house and she has two kitties. Hehehe it should be an interesting trip back! She'll stay here for a month, so people here are pretty happy about that.

Christina is pregnant?!! Wow And Celine Dion is pregnant with twins! Christina is my favorite business reporter on CNN. Those CNN people first it Cambell Brown, and then Ericka Hill Anderson Coopers partner and now Christina Romer. Wow maybe they are giving bonuses!

Ok, ok … this wasn't where we meant to go … maybe a bit of a distraction … on the CNN News circuit … after Anderson Cooper gets over at 11 (his second hour is pretty much a repeat of his first hour at 9 pm), then it's all repeat until 5 am in the morning. So this last 45 minutes we've been listening to NEW NEWS! It's a little more captivating. Hehe just thinking of it being the same feeling with being in a hospital and nurse care. Sometimes you just couldn't wait for the next shift. The bone-hours were the worst because there were only a couple nurses and they expected you to stay in bed AND be sleeping!

Ok, we don't necessarily want to go there either. SOOO Good Memorial Day to all. Linda are you home yet? CS? If you want to call me when your up maybe we can chat a bit today … It's been a while now and I'm sure we got things to go over toward the weekend.

Hmm, we've been over at FB for a bit now … we had some catching up to do as to what was happening to our links and to things connected with being Memorial Day. It's really on our mind. I suppose though that I should be moving along … just that especially being over at the site for fallen soldiers - It's a lot to comprehend how many lives have been affected and how hard the sacrifices. Thinking of you CS and figuring today you've got the flag out. I wish I had one now to hang as well. I hadn't really thought of it before, but maybe we should think of it. I'm not sure … we'll have to figure that out.

Hmm, ok we're good here. We just did a bout of housekeeping things. We had started the dishwasher and now we've emptied it, done the litter box and garbage. I think we're pretty much good to go. I had forgotten before too to be starting the coffee so now that's done as well. I feel pretty much good for the day as to how all that goes. Good Ann!

Not sure if we have too much else to be saying. I'm looking around as to the projects next in the studio and bar. Ok, well, we'll probably drop the bar line, but for now … even though we're on water and Mountain Dew this morning … well, couldn't then we consider it a breakfast bar? Hehehe. Still missing the salami and cheese though. Ok, though we're progressing.

AHA! There was Rich … It's 7:30 am our time and 6:30 am his time and he's been up for a couple hours. I guess his daughter is supposed to meet him in a half hour. He's such a cool guy - AND, good father! I knew that for sure last night when Jillian called and made sure he had enough gas money, because she didn't have any. Yeeks! I wonder what she's planning to do for the month up here without money or job? Yeah, ok, we know what's going to happen there! Hehehe … he's a good father :)

Hmm, we're not getting far … and what were we going to do sewing related? We should get credit for being at least in the studio. I think the projects that are on the hot list … are to continue work with the fishes, and then there is the bags Rich finally brought up for me from CS' place last time. I sort of feel drawn to that project in that it's something I could feasibly get done today since there won't be any interruptions. It's still before 8 am and we don't expect Rich until very early hours tomorrow morning, unless we can convince him to stay over on his way home … He doesn't want to spend the money, but safety first. Ok, any other projects?

Hmm, we have to get some more supports under some of the boards up already. On the one side I'd have to move a couple dozen bags and the other side the board is empty, but both boards are up at the top and difficult to reach. Sigh. Ok, one thing at a time. I was real happy about the ease of the cloth edges going up on the shelves. It's a nice color and looks a bit like marble. I cut 3/4" strips and it worked really well putting glue on a piece of tin foil and using CS sponge brush. Just gotta get those ruffles done on the skirt? CS have you figured out the spacing yet? I want to take the current length down by a 1/3.

Oh, I know too … I wanted to update the design boards. Maybe though concentrate on CS extra bags to go up on that top shelf storage. I think we're good … we've got a couple rolls of cellophane - well mostly. Rich didn'te NECESSARILY say we couldn't use his roll ;)..


So how are the two of you doing? What's happening at your homesteads today?

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey May 31 at 1:05pm
Well hello? Anyone out there? It's now the afternoon. We got done with the last project with the four bags of kits that needed to be catalogued and wrapped. Feeling pretty good about it. I've got 15 minutes more of rest and then we're going back to fishes.

We've been listening to Harry Chapin all morning. I've got about 186 tracks or 14 hours of music before hearing the same song a second time. Might have to cancel work tomorrow! Wow if I didn't think Rich was coming home, I'd even might try. Hehehe. He's a stickler about that kind of thing. I should go to work so that I can keep having Monday's off … today was a freebie.

I've seen a couple picture responses to know CS has been about, but sometimes she comments or make comments on pictures that make me think she's not on today's page. *sigh* A sister will just try and try to keep her up…

Oh you were listening? I see, I see … so you want to go down to Navy Pier? I have nothing new to comment on because I don't think Linda is back and CS you haven't said anything. What are you up to? Working on the sewing room? Maybe doing one of the quilt projects? Cleaning house, pre-resting before helping Mark? I'm going to need some kind of report. I've about run out of alternatives. I know you're around … I call these times … avoid Ann Marie time. OHHHH, I know what your doing … rainy weather … are you reading again?

Oh yeah you know I'm workin! Your not just sluffin are you?

It's kinda cool now though … I'm not sure of up north, but down here it's been raining for quite a bit. President Obama is in the Chicago area and had to put off his Memorial Day Speech because his people were being drizzled on. It just goes to making the studio bar warmer and more cozy especially with the "hard-working Ann Lights being a beacon of good spirits."

Part of the coolness is that I really like my room's atmosphere. It is still new enough to seem neat and orderly, has room to grow, and just teases of projects to come.

Oh cool they are doing an oil solution show and tell. The guy put oil in a aquarium, and then threw in some dirt like stuff and then he put his hands in and scooped it all up. That was after he dipped a feather duster in … No sound, so I don't know what was up about that. But, he gets to be on National TV playing in water. That seems good to me. I like follow that track.

Maybe I should lay on the couch for a bit and dream some more. I fell asleep last night right after Rich left at 5:30 pm. Got up to use the washroom, but pretty much slept through the night. I was yawning and his Mom's I could and probably will go back to fishes, just want to lay there steady to see if I'm inspired Hehehe. Have to think after taking fishes off the wall and design board, it's going to look a bit barren. Hmm…

Mi

Sew ... what are all the other studios doing today?

Ann Ludford Garvey May 31 at 2:54pm
AHA! Linda's back! WooHOO!! Hehehe you got in visits to both kids?!! That's one heck of a weekend. We had rain down here too ... it seems to have let up so we can imagine you are getting your bbq. We're biting on the taking it easy part. We laid down for 30-45 minutes. We had been making observations of the room --- you know what next, and then our eyes drfted off. Not before having some ideas though ... the main one was what to do with the fish spaces. We figured now we were going to have to SERIOUSLY do the months of the year ... We're good for November.


Ann Ludford Garvey June 1 at 10:24am
We're up and at'm this morning. We left a long entry in the blog before work so won't go into much here. Just wanted to say we were here. Linda I'd say check on CS for something to eat, but rumor is she's eating McDonald's out of trash bins. I tell her she could do better, but it's of no use. She's determined to send Mark in there up to his chin for her. *sigh*

Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 2 at 9:37am
It’s encouraging that you continue to do the hand-sewing and squares Linda. And, CS … wows 50%. That means since I’ve been up you have progressed 25% because you had 25% done before I left. I’d like to think you are saving your energy for when we’re up because you KNOW you are going to be put to the wheel. I’m looking forward to Saturday though I haven’t started the squares. I was thinking CS at first because she’s the one to teach me stuff, but Linda looks like you are the pro on squares. I loved your pictures!

It sounds like everyone is busy … like to have some track of Emily. Maybe we’ll get some evil relative stories - nah not Emily’s type of communication, but she’s probably a bit relatived-out by now. Linda I don’t feel like I’d want to be you as to waiting on job news. I’m not very good with patient stuff, especially with so much in the balance. I’m being encouraged with CS patience and her new work load. I’m proud of you for trying to help Mark although I know it’s very hard and you’ve got to account for physical set-backs. I’m trying not to push on sewing noticing you need recovery time.

I wouldn’t have a problem looking at the Excel program a bit, but I’m not as good at it as Word or OneNote. I can get around and do basic calculations and graphs, plus the stuff to make it look a little nicer. I would love to try Magic Cookie bars – Yes! As to the lunch – I can cover it for my one weekend treat out as long as we’re doing something reasonable on cost like last time. It can be my trade-off for not baking, pop shopping or cleaning house for guests. :) I really liked the sandwiches and thought they were a nice break from Subway. Maybe we can save Texas for when we can get Mark to dinner CS. I get ancy when everyone is together for sewing … I want to be in the middle of the activity! AND, I would love to have a dish cloth – just wouldn’t want to get it dirty. I have to admit I’ve been using your hot pad Linda for my cold drinks so they don’t sweat on the table. Whatever sewing thoughts on hand piecing has settled back to just enjoying the fruit of YOUR labor hehehe. It makes me flash a feeling of you when I pick-up or put the glassware down. I’m content!

As to scheduling I see it sort of like this CS …

We’ll get there about 5-6 pm on Friday night … Maybe pick up Arby’s or something if you haven’t made anything, then try to wipe my sorry self off the couch by 7:30-8:00 and maybe take a trip downstairs to look at sandwiching Sister’s quilt. Then, maybe sometime next between Friday night and Saturday morning, you can help get out those rough corners with Joe’s quilt. Maybe then Saturday night or Sunday morning, I can put Joe’s through the sandwiching too because I’ll know how. I would like to be taught as soon as one of them get done how to quilt on your machine so when you take naps I can work on it. I’m thinking of doing that Friday night after you go to bed or Sunday.

Linda can teach me the squares on Saturday morning and I’ll work on squares while everyone’s there – for encouragement! I’m going to need a little more training time CS – maybe after people leave – to be doing the ruffles. That way I can work on that project before you get up on Sunday morning? Besides these projects that will be mostly training for me or working on while you’re sleeping – mostly I’ll just be working on the squares and trimming the petals for you. Most of your free time should be on petals and talking for fun.

So, summary?

Friday

7:30-8:00 pm Sandwich the big St. Rose quilt
9:00 pm or so you can train me how to quilt with your machine
After You can go to bed or help in next 24 hours to fix corners of Joe’s quilt – dumb corners!
After CS in bed Ann Marie to work on quilting of St. Rose Quilt

Saturday

First thing AM til Cs get back from class Ann Marie to continue working on St. Rose Quilt
When Linda gets there Ann Marie learns to do little squares
Girls all sew probably a lot of work going to happen from different parts of sewing group quilt?

Lunch
Dinner

After dinner Sandwich Joe’s quilt
After that Learn how to ruffle table skirts
After that CS to bed and Ann Marie to work on one of three projects – most likely work on ruffling

Sunday

AM Finish ruffling or continue work on Sister’s Quilt while CS is sleeping
CS gets up Ann Marie to work on Group squares, CS to continue either Sr.’s quilt or petals
When CS naps Ann Marie to continue Sr.’s quilt or start on Joe’s

Lunch

Work to 4 pm Dream of finishing Sister’s quilt … will there be hand sewing on this (if so CS WORK! ;)
Extra My time when we’re both up will be group squares and trimming your petals

So that’s about it as to the basics. I didn’t get done any sewing last night because Rich was home and needed babying time. It turned out for our “date” he just wanted me to watch him sleep. Sheesh! Tough date! I tried to be patient. But, I ended up sleeping in the sewing room to get some time in there afterward. I’m being terrible.

Well not so terrible I can’t watch sweetie looking like an angel hehehe!

Should be preparing for the meeting next – we moved Administration meeting up to 10 am and then we’ll do the First annual meeting of the year at 1 pm. Maybe in-between time we can sneak in CARF time.

Sure would love that … Oh and I have to check out the State’s portal to make sure we get staff registered on the health care registry. Man is that project draggin! Better get to it then … See you all soon.

Our love,
Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 2 at 2:58pm
I was planning on leaving by 4 pm on Sunday ... should I leave earlier?

Ann Ludford Garvey June 2 at 10:41pm
I agree on doing just a little bit ... I figure that I have to make at least a little progress in touching the projects. We did a little with the fishes and will try just a little more before going to bed. Tonight is Rich's night (once a month) to play poker with the guys. THAT MEANS ... Ann gets to stay up late without being scolded :)

Go girls!

Ann Ludford Garvey June 4 at 7:08am
Good morning. This is me. We just have 15 minutes before we leave for work. We're pretty much good to go … just have to close up the computer. Think we're then good to go. I'm glad there is some more time on your job Linda. We're thinking that the longer it goes on the more serious is the negotiations. A couple more weeks gives people time to calm down. Maybe, I don't know how the company is going to go if they cut down their customers … it might show them a lack of confidence in the company IF things work out and it stays open.

It also didn't fail my attention that there's some really good food conversation going on here between both you and CS. I'm pretty sure my job then is going to be "chief eater!" Can't go wrong there! So looking forward to the weekend, and then I'll get back here on Sunday - Rich will come home, and then we have Monday off to recooperate in the studio. Happy, happy.

Nothing much going on here that you don't already know about. I have to admit a couple days of not sewing. Larry King first had Bill Gates two nights ago, and then had President Obama last night. Both times I laid down on the couch to watch, and then both days fell asleep. Hopefully, I'll see both over the weekend up north. You just know they are going to re-run them.

AHA! I know what I forgot … MONEY!! Hold on. Good good - got it!

Well, suppose I should get going … will be happy to have both meetings over … and you just gotta know we're looking forward to seein you all!!! Linda I'm usually up by 5 or 6 am … c'mon over anytime! I promise even to be showered by 8:30 :) Beside that pj's rule the morning! See you soon.

Ann Marie

Ann Ludford Garvey June 4 at 12:16pm
Afternoon! We're about there. I did some Qnotes, the first meeting and lunch. Well a few more things and we met with Sr. Theresa. She's worrying that the guy we'd gotten as a psychologist backed out. I had run him off a ton of training material, but the guy was a no-show yesterday. Maybe he was supposed to come after next week, because there is only 6 more days left. I know that because the Mom at my meeting this morning was a crossing guard. Nope, usually don't keep up with that sort of stuff. I'm hoping there wasn't anything else I have to do besides the notes and the last meeting now.

Hmm, notes say follow-up on UIC for Lilyana … nope they're supposed to call me, get computer code - yep, can't call Stephen's mom to set appointment … she's in after 2 pm, already looked at outcomes for Blowitz grant, won't have time to do CARF Strategic planning, but have that with me just in case, 6 page annual report? YEEKS not on a Friday! Newspaper article yup yup and took care of psychologist orientation, AND half way through Qnotes. Good-good … nothing pressing I'm almost out this door! Hmm, Robyn's having a late lunch today. Wonder what's up with that? Feel responsible for her when she doesn't come back after lunch every other Friday.

Best be the one setting the good example. Let's finish the Qnotes! About now I'm thinking of sailing down the road with the sunroof open and Leo teaching me the electronic ropes. I'll call when I get close to see what CS you want to do for dinner. Good good...

See you soon and we'll drive nice and easy ;)

Ann Marie

posted by Ann Marie @ 6/13/2010 12:55:00 PM Comments: 0