mutter

mutter
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

Have you seen the commercial for the newest Kevin Costner movie? My favorite line from the previews is when one of the politicians says:

"If you knew my Mother you would understand."

That line totally is something I would jokingly say about my Mom. People who know us, know that we raise our voices and really just speak our minds without being cruel. Sometimes people step slowly and carefully away when we get started. Apparely they've never just said what they are thinking without reservation, knowing full well that their family member will forgive them and love them anyway.

So, I can joke with a clear conscience. She can complain about me to her hearts content, and it's ok. I couldn't love her more, regardless.

Now she lives in Mystic Manor. I feel good about her being there, and she really seems to be content there. Her health is 100% better, she sees us more often, it's become the silver lining, that's what I think.

collision course

This afternoon I was driving along in Groton. For those classic novel readers out there (o who am I kidding, classic novel readers aren't really visitin' this here blog now are they?) Groton is a place where part of the story of East of Eden takes place. The part where an evil young woman meets a very mean hard working man and they couple secretly, as the man's brother is made a complete fool of.

I don't know where I was going with that... you see, as I was driving I realized that I am having 2 of life's biggest most stressful events taking place concurrantly and it's ... well *whining* ittttts haaaarrrddd!

Mom is not doing well. Wish I could say more, but we never convinced her to give us power of attorney so now we are told nothing. Zilch. Zip. I just know that she's much MUCH more confused, and when I tried to spend a little time with her today, the tech was in process of wheeling her down for a CT scan. She's been having 'seizure' type activity several times a day. Last night she had another one and then ripped off the leads and pulled out her iv. Now she has a full time sitter until the seizures stop.

She has a benign brain tumor. It's been there for over 20 years, but it's just now finally gotten big enough to affect her health. She's also been diabetic for over 20 years. For anyone in health care, you know that adds up to a grim outlook.

I just don't want her to be in pain.


And as far as the house goes, I found out that there's alot of drug activity across the street from a guy I work with. His brother lives in the apartment building directly next door to the house. I'm sure he's right. So now I have cold feet. Don't get me wrong, I've lived across the street from drug dealers on and off and as long as I've minded my own business, there have been zero problems. But back then I was renting. I didn't care about stuff like property values, or stray bullets because we lived up on the 2nd and 3rd floor and the streets were fairly wide. Plus, this is New London, not Chicago or New York. Shootings almost exclusively happen between friends over money or love.

Part of the reason I got the place cheap is b/c the property values were driven down, I know that. Put it on a nicer street and it would be 100k more.

I'll have to pray, and sleep on it.

New London

here is a link to the sailfest vid on the local paper's website.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1281296499/bctid1667925246

Funny how things unfolded. I found I had 2 messages on my cell phone Friday morning. The first one was my realtor:

"Hey Pam, just checking in to tell you that the bank countered with $$$$ .. let me know what you would like to do." (So I am thrilled b/c that was my target price! Happiness ensued!!)

Phone: next message:

My aunt Bev's voice comes on, and she takes a serious tone. "Pamela, your mother's in the hospital."


So I was thrilled about getting a price settled on the house for about um, 4 seconds. Eh, no biggie. That's been the story of my life.

another lovely Janet Bell painting

This art by Janet Bell sums up why I am moving. I know every day isn't pretty. Sea air can be the coldest air there is, but when it's a good day, it's heavenly.

housenumber4 update

Back in May I saw a 4 bedroom house in New London. Now, the listing had been showing up in my searches for the home, but I discounted it over and over again, until one day..........



I took a chance and saw it. My realtor and I had trouble finding it because it's on a somewhat secluded 1 way street. (bonus) It turned out to be a remodeled federal with hard woods, new tilt out windows, gas heat and a fireplace. Oh and off street parking too. (bonus bonus bonus bonus)

So I bid. The bank said it was such a low bid they wouldn't condescend to reply. I walked away and saw a few more houses.


Well.... This past Monday the bank decided to drop the price of the house from 150k to 132,8something. I resubmitted my bid, they counter offered a great price, and I accepted.

YAY!!!

House 9

House 9
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

This might wind up being home if choice number 1 (aka house number 4) falls through.

It's on a quarter acre and is already set up as a 2 family, with plenty of off street parking, gas heat, remodeled 2nd floor unit, on a main bus route and 1/2 mile from down town.

housenumber4

housenumber4
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

I'm waiting to hear on this one. It has my heart. Not sure if it's because it's so close to the waterfront of Long Island Sound, or because it's steps to the bus and train station, as well as having salty air and seagulls cries coming all the time. I sort of love this house a little bit.

home maybe

home maybe
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

Putting an offer in today or tomorrow. It depends on what the realtor comes back with re: washer/dryer hookups.

The place has all my main requirements: family neighborhood on a bus line, gas heat, two decent sized apartments, off street parking, a yard, newer windows and roof, and the price is good.

And, the part of town it sits in is called "Greeneville". So, I'm going Green, maybe.

Stopped by to say hi to the MOM-ster yesterday and..

somehow we had words and then....
.... tempers flared. I got upset. She got upset. My kids got upset.


It didn't go well. Not at all.

young giraffe rubbing against its mother

young giraffe rubbing against its mother
Originally uploaded by mk_lynx

"my...*sigh*.... Mommy..." Nothing felt so good as to lay my head on my Mom's arm when I sat next to her. Half way through the public talk I got heavy-eyed, and minutes later I remember needing to rest my head on her soft arm. I didn't care that the man on the stage worked on his talk, overcame nerves to stand up there and deliver it, and might be offended.

She was ok with it until I was 9 or 10. That was pretty much the only time we could be very near to her. Once we weren't toddlers anymore she couldn't stand having us 'laying all over her.' I think she just didn't like us anymore.

Nowadays, I still have 'kids' plopping on top of me. Tiffany is famous for it. As long as she minds her knees and elbows, it's fine. I hope they will always want to sit on my lap, or lay her legs across mine on the couch, or put her head on my shoulder. Cara is over 6 feet tall, and she too will flop down, crushing me for a minute but I don't really mind as long as I can breathe. Mom's are for flopping on, that's what I say.

Just not when we're at a public talk and someone is delivering a discourse that they wrote. Cuz that's sorta rude.

Pay it Forward. Seriously, do it.

I saw this on little z's blog, and was tempted to comment there BUT she already has somone from the U.S. signed up, and I don't want her to have to send 2 gifts over seas. So I decided to just initiate this myself without expecting anything in return, so here goes.

Copied from Little Z's blog:


There is a new (well....it's new for me) thing going on in Blogger-land. It's meant to spread some happiness and handmade giving into the world. Here are the rules:

The promise: "I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."


So....Pay It Forward!

5 post card swap

5 post card swap
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

Wha's that? You say you only can count 4 blurry post cards? WHY ... you're absolutely right!


No offence to the responsible, kindhearted people on Swap Bot that are great swappers, but it's been very dicey an experience for me so I'm not signing up for any more.

More often than not I have been matched with people who have flaked on (in Swap Bot-speak that means they didn't live up to their part of the swapping bargain... getting but not ever sending, etc.) 3 or more of their last Swap sign ups.

So, yea. 4 post cards received. I sent 5.

Um, and there's the person who will not be sending me any cupcake toppers.She has flaked on her last 3 swaps so I am not even checking the mail for them. I sent out 24 toppers to someone in Florida who kindly pointed out my error in misreading the Swap rules, so she is supposed to have not the 12 I made and sent, but indeed she is correct, I need to send her another 12 to fulfill the Swap rules so that she can give me a good rating, OTHERWISE she might be responsible for causing my sterling 5.0 rating to drop a little. But I am still not getting any cupcake toppers anyway.

For a Threads Swap, I sent out 3 good quality spools of new thread, monochromatic blue/greeny shades, AND just because I am a giver, I included a fat quarter of 'aquarium' printed fabric and a pretty
button. Hopefully the receiver is sewing her dear heart out over there in Japan. Back here in the USA, there's no thread in my mailbox because the sender is late, she's also very sorry, and she appreciates my patience.

(*This is where I am hitting ENTER hard twice)

So, it's getting late and I wait. Much like Chuck Norris, I don't sleep.... I wait. Sorry, every so often I remember that web page about Chuck Norris and I quote it, to take the edge off. Check Chuck out. Funny stuff.

And who am I kidding. I need to squeeze every penny out of my butt to cover college costs for the next 8 or 9 months. Then there's the Orlando trip to save up for, what with a villa and the cost of attractions. We're all going, did I tell you?

miniquilt

miniquilt
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

I grabbed some scraps and sewed them together. The whole time, I was thinking about the house I just looked at, and whether or not to submit an offer. Sew, snip, clip, iron, sew again. Mindless, or so I believed.

When I was ready to machine quilt it, I held it up and behold, it was the shape of a little house. Hence the decision to quilt the yellow and red like a roof, and the bottom differently.

Today, I called my realtor and submitted what I think is a good offer. She thinks so too. Hopefully the bank agrees.

turqkitch

turqkitch
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

You can't see in the picture, but around the kitchen walls there is black shiney tiles, and enough room for eating in.

IMG_2012

IMG_2012
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

I contacted my buyer to see if she in fact received the item and here is her response:

Sent by ***b on June 21, 2008:

The apron arrived and I LOVE IT. I loved the picture when I saw it, but it is even more beautiful in person. It is a great addition to my collection.
Thanks so much- L*******

AWWW Garsh!! This made my day. People, like myself, are super busy. We don't take time to gush when things go really well, but we are more inclined to air our feelings of disappointment. So, maybe I will be sure to say a positive comment when someone's efforts turn out "just" fine...as expected... pretty ok. Even "just fine" takes effort, thought, concern.

On a different subject: I have caught a summer cold. AND also, I am doing WW Core for a while. The knees hurt some days. Maybe I can hold off on replacements for another 15 years if I keep my weight in check.

Congratulations Tiffany.

Today she graduates from Norwich Free Academy.

Tiffany has told me she is more scared than excited about starting college at Three Rivers in the fall. I know for a fact she will sweep everyone off their feet. You see, she did me on October 5th, 1989, and continues to do so on a dialy basis.

Despite the lost credit card, and the messy bedroom and occasional darkish mood. Because Tiffany is one of the smartest, kindest, most intuitive and creative people I will ever have the honor of knowing. I couldn't be more proud of this girl, my girl, Tiffany Rafaelle Roman.

baby quilt top finished

baby quilt top finished
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

I am really REALLY upset.


After spending money on an open toed quilting foot for my Janome machine, and setting it up, then practicing a while...

... the machine quilting had to be ripped out half a dozen times. I was trying to follow a growing swirl shaped pattern from the centrs of the pinwheels, from the middle of the motif broading outward..

and EVERY. STINKING! TIME! there was something wrong. The tension. The starting stitches were far too small. The ending stitched were a mess, with a big tangle of nasty bobbin string on the back side.

So, yes, I actually did practice for a while on some small samples, and it went pretty well. Of course since it was smaller it was much easier to control. But I am horrible at hand/eye coordination. Also, I have trouble controling the pressure with the foot control .

In order for me to make anything resembeling a quilt, I am gonna need a whole lot more practice.

daydreamer

daydreamer
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

I've said it before, so don't mind me please if I repeat myself and say I will miss this apartment when I finally do buy a house.

Things to do like swimming in the pool across the street with the kids, sometimes for hours. We talk, float, get a cold drink from the Coke vending machine. there is a bath house, and we can use the restrooms or showers with confidence 'cuz they are kept clean. Sometimes I sneak in white wine in a thermos container. We sit around the pool and soak up the rays or read or snooze a bit. I'm so proud of the kids, they are happy, and we are usually being silly and relaxed and people just enjoy watching us.

Or just gazing out the windows on a sunny day at well maintained grounds with the red cardinals and purple trees, these things feel so much like home now. Walking just across the street to
the Shop Rite, or the bank or pharmacy is sometimes done in our slippers.

I have great neighbors in this building, and we all get along well while minding our own business. No one has ever so much as asked to borrow an egg in the 4 years I've been here.

So, I am thinking very hard about moving. Once I give up this apartment I will not get it back. Frankly, if the rent doesn't go up much each year, I could honestly be happy to live here another 7 years, and then go into a 55+ retirement community.

Otis Library, in it's new and beautifully improved digs is 2 miles from here. Across the street from Otis is the YMCA with a pool and recently updated fitness machines. There's a fantastic resturant called The Red House, a dunkin' donuts, and a pawn shop downtown, also. And the post office is there.

Hmm.
Hmm indeed.

love hate relationship w/soup of the day

love hate relationship w/soup of the day
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

So.... this past Sunday I just decided (blithely) to 'try' that Sacred Heart Diet for one week.

We will have veggies, we will have fruit. Yay! Heck, even at least 3 bananas one of the days. Double Yay! We will have a baked potato and butter, and eventually we will have large portions of BEEF. Yuuuuum for my tum..... How bad can it be?

This is how bad: You want it so bad, then you eat it and you can't stand to look at it again for a while, then you want it and then you can't stand to look at it... etc. etc.

All I can say is the last time I felt this way about anything, I was in my 20's, dyed my hair blond, and disco WASN'T dead yet.



*After one week, I am down 11 lbs. Mostly all water, but heck I feel lighter, and better. Two days off and I'm doin' it again..... and....I don't 'disco' anymore. Haven't for years. Just had to clarify.

wip

wip
Originally uploaded by coquet's cache

Funny how if you asked me what my fav color combo for a quilt is, I would 'say' pinks, pastels........ but this, as I see it take shape, truely is my favorite for a blanket.

So now I will get off the laptop and make block #6 before I have to go to the porthole to hell..er.. my job.