Snow-pe

This, my friends, is what I like to call a whole lot of NOPE. Or snow-pe. Whatever works best for you.

I know why it snowed. Over the weekend, the hubs declared it was probably time to put away the snow blower because, and I quote, "we're not going to get anymore snow"... and then TADA!!! Super fail.

This came after a couple days of rain, rain, rain... the hubs said the commute this morning was pretty terrible. I'm guessing all this snow landed on frozen rain and sleet. Blech. Whose idea was it to live in New England again, honey? Perth and Melbourne, no snow... just sayin' :)


And just a reminder, but today is the last day to enter the Modern Quilt Perspectives giveway!

S.S.D.D.

Same shit, different day.

It snowed all yesterday, then it rained (so that froze), and then more snow on top of that this morning. There's ice on all the windows because the wind also came to the party. Yay. The roads were horrifying -- I kept seeing news reports of bad accidents -- so I'm staying home today. No reason to go venturing out and land myself in a ditch. Not that I know where to find a ditch around here. Unfortunately, the hubs had to go into work today (he had a snow day yesterday), and gave himself lots of time to get there even though he has a very short commute. He made it one piece... phew!

On the upside (if there is one), the thermometer read 40°F / 4°C, which felt positively balmy hehe! It's melting the snow a little, and I keep hearing icicles and ice fall everywhere. Which makes me keep thinking someone's in the house, so I walk around going "I know you're there..." while hoping no one pops out of the closet. My imagination... a blessing and a curse. 

See the bins buried in the snow at the end of our driveway? The sanitation people actually picked up our rubbish and recycling in the middle of the storm! Go them! Also go the amazing road crews! I heard them going all night and this morning. I don't know how they do it, trying to figure out where to put all this damned snow on little to no sleep. Go plow trucks!

There's more white (I typed 'shite'... I stand by that too) crap coming out way tomorrow and mid-week. Blergh. I feel awful for people who lose business and wages because of the snow. Unfortunately there's nothing we can do about the weather except hope that the storms stop already. Be safe out there, people.

I'm going back to cutting fabric... because what else is there to do?

Snow, Snow, Go Away

This was what was dumped on us on Wednesday, maybe about 10-12". On top of what we got on Monday. And we're supposed to get a couple more inches today, and next week. When is winter over already?!?! I don't mind the cold, but when the roads get treacherous, I hit my limit very quickly. 

On Monday, I went to run errands, going super slowly because I'm not an idiot, and my car slid while going round a bend. I missed hitting a pole (thank goodness!!!) but I did hit the kerb and it made a very loud bang. I thought I'd done serious damage to my car, but thankfully, no. I was very grateful for the parking ban on the roads because there's usually cars parked along that stretch. Phew. 

The snow can definitely stop now... it's just being obnoxious at this point. 

Look at my poor hubs... He fell a couple of times on the ice and smacked his shin on the snow blower :( And he doesn't even complain. Best guy ever. I'm so glad he didn't have to go in to work because the roads looked horrific on the news.

By the way, it took me a while to realise that the car's on the wrong side of the road lol! I grew up driving on the left side so it didn't hit me until quite a bit later! I still walk to the wrong side of the car sometimes... I just did it again today, and my poor friend was totally confused lol!

Blizzard Of 2013

Yikes. We got quite a bit of snow, you guys. By quite a bit, I mean a maaaaassive buttload. All day Friday, we kept watching the snow fall and fall... by the time we went to bed, we had over a foot and the wind was blowing like mad. And when we woke up... everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, was covered in about 30" of snow. The wind blew a lot of the snow in our front yard sideways so it doesn't look like a lot, but the snow on the back deck came up to the top of the tables. 

We ventured out on Sunday and I have to say the guys on snow plows did a great job clearing the roads so quickly. I wouldn't be able to figure out where to put all this snow! On the highway, we got stuck behind plows putting all that snow on trucks to be taken away because they couldn't very well just tip it over and have it fall onto the highway below. It took forever (I think we were stuck behind them for well over an hour), but I'm glad they could do it. All those guys worked hour after hour, and people who complain about roads not being cleared quickly enough need to just shut it. 

The hubs snow blowing the driveway. I think he had to do it twice because there was just so bloody much of it.

Here the hubs is pulling the snow blower and running because I'm yelling at him to get off the street to avoid getting hit by the approaching snow plow. It's a good thing I'm so good at shouting :)

And the giant snow plow. Doesn't it look back to front? But hey, if it clears the roads, it can go upside down for all I care!

Anyhow, we're all okay and we didn't lose power (thank goodness!!!). The hubs watched hours of DVDs and I sewed. No complaints from either of us :) It rained today, turning the snow to concrete, and it's super foggy out there. I'm ready for winter to be over now... please?

Blogging... Is... Weird

Weird. I don't know how else to describe blogging other than it's just plain weird. We do it for so many reasons, but we do it nonetheless. Sharing our lives, our creations, things we covet etc. I've made so many amazing friends because of this blog, and I'm so grateful for my friendships that I wouldn't have otherwise. 

This past week, a friend received an email from an individual who took it upon herself to point out grammatical mistakes on her blog and how her lack of proofreading made reading her blog so difficult. It did not sit well with my friend. It did not sit well with myself or our fellow bloggers either. The fact that someone had taken the time to write such an email boggles my mind. Imagine sitting down to craft an email, berating someone you don't know with your unwarranted suggestions. It takes quite a lot of effort to be that cruel, no? Plus the idiot couldn't even write her email without grammatical errors. Good job. Bravo. Well done.

I would NEVER flat out correct someone. That was David Foster Wallace's lot in life... to be the annoying Grammar Police. Besides, he's forgiven because he was a beautiful writer. And always grammatically correct, mind you. I'm sure my own writing is riddled with mistakes.

Sometimes I get comments that I should have more quilting content. That I should have this or do that or blah blah blah. I also get emails asking me to give full instructions on how I did this or that. If I have the information readily available, I'm happy to pass along the information. But let me tell you about my creative process. I rarely write anything down. When I make a quilt, I scribble the math on pieces of paper, and when the quilt is done, the paper either gets lost in the mountain of mess in my studio, or it goes in the bin. It's pretty stupid, but that's how I work. A lot of times the emails are just demands. I appreciate that you like my work, but it's unfair to ask me write you a full pattern for nothing. It makes me feel like a massive bitch when I have to tell someone I don't know where the information is, but it's always the truth. 

I started this blog with no idea what it could bring or become. I was in a new land, no friends, nothing to do... I'm a writer, so the blog seemed like the obvious choice. It has gone from things I like, to knitting (for about half a minute), to quilting, and now there's bits of photography. There's no telling what my ADD-riddled brain will like next. This has never been just a quilting blog. This is an Audrie blog. It's my words, from my head and heart. I don't write for anyone but me, and you'll just have to be okay with that :)

We write our blogs for the love of it, not for monetary gain (well, mostly) and definitely not to please anyone. At least I hope not. I love my readers. I appreciate every single one of them. They've been good to me, and it still boggles my mind that people read what I write (I know I say this a lot, but it's true). So for someone to seek one of us out like that is just so unnecessary. If you don't like it, click on the little 'x' in the corner. I promise no one will lose sleep over it. A friend got told that she should write her FREE tutorials a bit better. How about 'thank you' instead? 

People hide behind the veil of the Internet and say things they would never say to that someone's face. Always ask yourself before you hit send... Would I say this to their face? Would I want someone to say this to me? And always remember what your momma taught you... if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. 

Bottom line: We love and appreciate our readers. We love that you learn things from us, that you like what we do. But we are just people. People with jobs, families, lives, chores. We are not a faceless corporation that is here to serve. 

I don't normally write posts like that but I hate seeing my friends get crapped on for no reason at all. I will step off my soapbox now. 

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I've been sick with a very shitty cold, thanks to a Target employee who coughed on me on Christmas Eve Eve. Idiot. So I missed Christmas (I slept from Christmas Eve till Boxing Day aka the day after Christmas) because of it. I'm told it snowed on Christmas. I wouldn't know BECAUSE I WAS SLEEPING. Do over!!! 

I got better on Wednesday but by Friday, I was sick as a dog again. I'm starting to feel lots better but my throat is still a bit sore and my voice can only be described as... transgender male. (No offence to transgender males.) And because sharing is caring, the hubs is sick too. He wants to smother me for my generosity. I don't blame him, to be honest. 

Anyway, while we've been sick, it's stormed twice. The last one was last night, and they said we'd get three to six inches of snow. 

Three to six inches my ass.

This is the back door. Can't quite get it open because of all the bloody snow!

But it does look pretty, doesn't it? Until we have to drive in it, that is. They showed live shots of the highway and it looked like icy, frozen hell. It's frickin' freezing today and I really hope the roads aren't too slippery because we need to run errands and get food!

The poor hubs went outside to snow blow and he looked so miserable and cold when he came back inside. Poor fellow :(

Brrrr!

Getting Out Of A Funk

Sooooo I've been missing for a little bit, haven't I? Well. I've been in a huge funk. My dad being sick already made me retreat into my head quite a lot, and then I got this terrible infection on my eyelids that just sent my mood hitting rock bottom. Part of it was that I looked completely insane, but mostly it was that the doctors had absolutely no clue what it was or how to treat it. I know it's so trivial, being upset about my eyes when my dad's going through something far more serious, but I've been so depressed about it. And almost nothing makes me depressed!

Just before Thanksgiving it started to get pretty itchy and there were small red splotches on my eyelids. Went to see the doc last week Monday and he figured it was fungal and had me use this shampoo that was supposed to nix it. Nope, kind of burned my skin and made everything really angry and sore. Went back to the doc and he had me make an appointment with an opthamologist. Finally saw him this week and I'm thankful that it's actually gotten better. It wasn't fungal after all (thank goodness because that made me want to peel my eyelids right off)... it's dermatitis and there's no telling what caused it. Yay. More things to panic about in my daily life. 

BUT, I'm happy that I can go outside again... I've been cooped up in the house for an eternity. And if I had to leave, I wore my sunnies everywhere. Total rockstar... bumping into things. I still can't wear make-up but that doesn't bother me at all. Just happy that my eyes no longer scare children and small animals. 

Anyhow, while I've been a recluse, I picked an old hobby back up. It's probably not here to stay, but I forgot how lovely it was to sit and knit. I dug around my stash and found a few skeins of yarn to make the hubs a scarf with. The brown reminds me of gingerbread, no? I knit the scarf lengthwise (because I have a 60" needle and it's quicker!) and was going to put a stripe of that greeny-aqua on one side but I soon realised that they were different weights. Doh. I always tuck the yarn info in the centre of the skein but I guess it fell out. Oh well. I've finished it and the hubs is so pleased with his new scarf. It's just a simple stockinette stitch but he's so excited :)

I did make him another scarf out of a heavier yarn in a basket weave pattern. It's much shorter so that he can just tuck the ends into his coat. And also maybe because I ran out of yarn and they don't make it anymore. Ahem.

I've also finished my Mum's quilt (HOORAY!) and am hoping to finish my Cuzco quilt soon. Just deciding what I want to do with the borders... or if I even want one! Oh decisions, decisions.

Anyway, I've decided to stop moping around and no more feeling sorry for myself. My dad's going to continue his treatments later this month, so only good thoughts from here on out.

Snow In November

A week after Sandy, we had another storm. A nor'easter. I panicked because last year we had one around this time and we lost power for over a week. Thankfully it wasn't much more than a few inches of snow, and because the leaves had fallen off the trees, it didn't wreak havoc. 

This was yesterday, while it was snowing. I'm sick, so I really shouldn't have gone outside, but I couldn't help it.

Not sure how many inches we got total, but it looks like it's starting to melt. While I'm not fond of the snow, it does look pretty. Although this morning the hubs had to snow blow, and he was not pleased.

While we're all okay, I wonder about all those people who still have no power or heat since Sandy. I know a little of what that feels like. Last year, while the power was out, we had no water or heat. I never thought I'd see my own breath inside my house, but the temperature indoors dipped below freezing and it was so cold, especially at night. I wore layer upon layer and still I was freezing. Horrible.

I just hope there's no more terrible weather in store for the east coast. Those poor people have suffered enough.

Randomness

- Last week, Amy from nana Company came into the store and I just had to ask if it was her. I didn't know for sure because she's on the west coast, but it was her! Go figure! She even blogged about it haha! It's always weird (but SO fun!) to be recognised, so I fully understand why she was taken aback.

- In preparation for the storm, we filled one of the bathtubs with water. After the storm, the hubs flung open the bathroom door, forgetting that the tub was full. We heard a loud ruckus and then had a drenched cat running through the house. Curiosity did kill the cat, didn't it???

- My house was extremely tidy and clean before the storm hit. I can't sit still when I'm stressed, so I kept doing laundry, washing sheets and towels, and cleaning the house. It's like when I had final exams, my apartment was always sparkling clean.

- I'm completely and utterly obsessed with this quilt. Four-patches! So simple! I think it's mostly the colours and prints of the fabric, but I can't stop looking at it to the point that I had to save a copy to my desktop. And you know I've already started cutting for this :)

- My dad is doing brilliantly. I'm so grateful for all your well wishes... you cannot imagine what it means to me that you guys care. Seriously. He's up and about, eating and talking (in our family, that's the two things we do best so it's not really that surprising...) so I'm beyond relieved.

- Remember the triangle quilt I made in April that started popping up on Pinterest? (I'm still in shock, by the way.) Anyway, I've been getting emails since I made it and have had to turn down people because I no longer do customs. Well, I've made a few of them (all identical) and will list them in my shop early next week. I'll do a shop update on here and link, so you'll be able to find it easily.

- The hubs and I have decided to give the triangle quilt an actual name. The Tango Mango Quilt. It was originally Creamsicle but then looking at it again, the oranges aren't very creamsicle-ish.

- Now I want a creamsicle.

Picture is from here.

Lucky

Sandy has passed and we're so grateful that we didn't suffer any damage to the house or ourselves, and the miracle is that we didn't lose power. Normally, a small breeze tends to knock the power out, so I'm still so shocked. SO SO SO shocked. I'm sure the hubs is so sick of me saying that, but I really am. 

I walked around the backyard and all that we have to show for the storm are some scattered leaves. I feel so awful for everyone whose homes were damaged, those who lost lives and loved ones. I almost feel guilty... thankful for our bit of luck, but slightly guilty that they're so much worse off than we are. Is this what they call 'survivor's guilt'?

But aside from the storm, I was going through a rough time because my Dad was undergoing surgery. That's mostly why I was so afraid to lose power -- I wanted updates from home whenever my family had them, and I knew without power, it'd make it that much harder. He made it through surgery just fine and is now recovering. I'm still not really breathing a sigh of relief because I know there's a long way to go before he's 100% again. He's my daddy, and I worry about him. It's my duty.

And if everyone could think good, positive thoughts for my Dad, we would all appreciate it greatly.

Frankenstorm

Yesterday was the hub's 30th birthday and unfortunately it wasn't much of a celebration because of the stupid Frankenstorm that's headed our way. Our initial plan was to go to NYC for the weekend but decided to stay home instead. So we spent the day preparing for the storm as best we can... we don't really know what to expect so we're just hoping for the best. I promised the hubs we'll celebrate his birthday properly once this bullshit's over with. 

He did manage to have a bit of fun terrorising the kitties though :)

I hope everyone who's affected by the storm stays safe. I'm sure we'll lose power but our generator's hooked up so hopefully that'll make things a lot less painful this time round. Just keeping fingers crossed that there's no damage from the strong winds that are expected. I just wish it was over already!!!

Friday The 13th

I had to get a root canal done on one of my teeth that I broke in my bicycle accident when I was 16. One of the dates available was July 13. As in Friday the 13th. I said why the hell not. If shit's going to happen, it might as well happen on my schedule.

I'm quite amazed that I managed to make it to the appointment because my heart was beating out of my chest. When I sat in the chair I thought I was going to pass out. Then it began and I almost fell asleep. It was no more difficult than a simple filling... the root canal itself was super quick. The waiting for x-rays to make sure everything was done correctly took more time than anything else. I think the hardest part was not being able to talk for an hour and a half. Being quiet is very difficult for me. Clearly. I contemplated learning sign language so I could communicate to my dentist but then I realised quickly that he'd have to learn too, and then the idea just fell apart. See, when I have to be quiet, my brain goes nuts. Thank goodness I could still laugh at the jokes the dentist was making. Otherwise they'd have to sedate me for sure.

Anyway, for those still cringing at the idea of a root canal, just keep looking at the pretty flowers :)

RIP MCA

I am in complete disbelief right now. My favourite Beastie Boy has lost his fight with cancer. This is unbelievable and so terrible... I feel like when Kurt Cobain died 20 years ago. Gutted. Absolutely gutted.

Oh Adam, I cannot put into words what you and the other Beasties have meant to me over the years. May you rest in peace, MCA.

Pictures from here and here.

Randomness

- This + this = Awesomepants? (Don't get too excited... I can't do much of anything quite yet, just typing out loud...)

- I told the hubs he looked like Forrest Gump and he wasn't thrilled. I didn't mean it as a bad thing! He essentially looked like a clean-cut, younger Tom Hanks, no?

- We had a new tap / faucet installed. It's giant and I now have to wear a raincoat when I do the dishes. On the upside, crap goes flying off the plates at warp speed.

- I got stung by a bloody yellow jacket yesterday. I was kneeling on the floor, trimming a quilt, and then there was this searing pain in my knee. It swelled considerably for what felt like forever, even after I slapped on a paste of baking soda and water. It still hurts every now and again, but the swelling's pretty much gone. And yes, I killed the living shit out of that stupid yellow jacket. Rest in pieces, you idiot.

You can see the picture of my knee here. I didn't want to scare everyone lol

- The hubs has started wearing Breathe Right strips. And not just at bedtime, either. I have come to the conclusion (it took about 2 seconds to formulate) that they are not sexy. Not even a little.

First Snowfall

We had our first proper snowfall (I'm not counting that bitch of a freak storm in October) of the winter. It's mid-January and we've only just gotten snow. Go figure. By this time last year, we were buried under ten thousand feet of it.

I'm not a very big fan of the stuff, but it's kind of pretty. Well, pretty until it melts and gets all mucky and gross and makes you question your faith in all humanity.

Whoops, I kind of went to the dark side there, didn't I? You see, my cheery disposition is courtesy of a cold. I went to the doctor to get my ear flushed and was informed that I also have a cold. Like "Oh hey, while you're here, want a cold too?". Did he not realise I was trying to ignore my scratchy throat and sniffly nose so I could get shit done? Such a rudepants.

Power (And Sanity) Has Been Restored!!!

I have never been happier to turn my laptop on and update my blog. Ever. We lost power due to bloody Winter Storm Alfred on Saturday October 29... And finally got it back Saturday November 5. A total of 162 hours. One hundred and sixty-two hours. I had lost all sense of humour by the middle of the week, and by the end I was getting awfully stabby.

Evening of the storm. Cannot. See. The. ROAD.

Way in the back is the top of a tree that had fallen. We had no idea how massive the fallen branches were till the snow melted and wasn't weighing it all down.

Other side of the back deck.

Side of the house where three or four large tree limbs / branches fell. I was so afraid the entire tree would snap and land on the house.

Bushes all weighed down by the stupid snow.

They couldn't plow our street because there were so many fallen tree limbs laying everywhere.

On Tuesday these guys turned up with chainsaws and worked for a little over an hour. Didn't make a damn bit of difference whatsoever.

Came home from work today to find all the mess cleared up by the hubs and his dad, and he'd piled the wood between two trees in case we ever needed firewood hehe I doubt it, but it does look pretty all stacked like that :)

Last night I slept with only one layer of clothing and my toes weren't numb from the cold. This morning I woke up to the lovely scent of freshly brewed coffee. I've cleaned the house, washed the dishes, did the laundry and towels... tomorrow I can sew! :) And best of all, the cats aren't scurrying around, all freaked out.

I hope that everyone who's still waiting for their power to come back will get it very soon. It's a crappy situation especially with this cold weather, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I truly hope this never happens again. There should've been a better contingency plan in place. Yes, this was a storm that came way too early. Yes, no one expected this much devastation. But come on, I'm sure we can do better than this. And definitely without making excuses, making false promises or playing the blame game.