Joining the ranks of the furloughed

Well I knew it was happening, it was just a matter of when and how many days per month. The shoe was in the air and now it has dropped. Yesterday at my day job, we were informed that we are going to be furloughed one day a month starting in July through at least December.

Furloughs in the military mean time off = fun. Furloughs are also a measurement of distance = 220 yards. In Great Recession speak, furloughs = mandatory day off of work without pay. Not fun and not going anywhere.

Yes, I am thankful it is only one day a month (so far). Yes, I am thankful I have two jobs when lots of people don't have any. Yes, everything could be much much worse. However....

I am still bitter and tired. State employees had had no cost of living increases since 2000 (even when the state's economy was good) and now essentially a pay cut. I have not heard one iota from the governor's office about the governor sacrificing any of his pay, nor the lieutenant governor, nor the secretary of state, etc. etc. Hello.....Make that Bitter with a capital B.

Today I'm thinking of moving to France to raise goats or perhaps sheep.

I (heart) BBC 4

I have a new love--BBC 4 radio on-line. How did I ever sew without it? Thanks CMD for the recommendation!!! Last weekend, I spent a lot of time listening to "Open Country" and various political and environmental shows. There was archaeologists--on the radio--historical places--on the radio--discussions of climate change--on the radio--interviews with sheep farmers--on the radio! I am such a nerd.

Now I have something to listen to while I am waiting for new episodes of "The Bugle" podcast. (For the irreverent at heart you can find The Bugle at www.timesonline.co.uk)

PS: I wonder if Amanda and Jane will get a kick out of this post?

Saturday post #2

Here's project #2 for my peaceful/pieceful Saturday, all sewn together and resting on the ironing board. Yes, I am working on another project from the book Jelly Roll Quilts......

A Peaceful (and Pieceful) Saturday

I am so glad this week is over. I was really busy with day job this week (lots of traveling around the state), hence the lack of posts. I didn't have to work at SBux last night so had a great evening at home with the cats and working on projects. I'm also trying to catch up on blogs and emails.

It is overcast and rainy here, which means I can't clean the carpets (too damp) and can bypass working in the yard. So I got up early for a Saturday and finished this project:

I love love love this quilt. Very 1940s. I got the pattern and fabric from Sweet Home Quilt Co. (Melisa takes on-line orders if you want to make one too!)

Stella is settling in for nap time. I, on the other hand, am going to start in on another project. More later....

A very long month

I am ready for May to be over with--it's been a really busy month, which usually makes time go by fast, but not this month (wow what bunch of horrible grammar in that sentence). Work (both jobs) has just been annoying (and that's the nicest word I can say).

Anyway--- I did have a good time at Silver Thimble club on Saturday. There is nothing like laughing until you cry with your girlfriends to make your day. In fact, we laughed so much I was exhausted and had to take a nap when I got home. I kid you not (big thank you to Pat for being in RARE form!!!!!)

OK, I am off to bed and then it will be Tuesday and one day closer to Saturday.

PS: Edgar Poe thanks all his adoring fans for their lovely comments. He is trying to recruit Stella into being his publicist/personal assistant/manager. She is having none of it and promptly tackled him a good one.

A Guest Host

Edgar Poe here. I'm filling in for Gretchen on this post. She is in shock because a friend of hers reminded her that it's been 20 years since she graduated high school at the end of this month. I think she is trying to find her Doc Martins and leather jacket and dig out something called "records". I heard her mumbling something about being old and gray hairs and there's no way she's going to something called a reunion but I'm not sure. I hope she doesn't try to skateboard...

Odds and Ends

Hope you are in the mood for some randomness. I am trying to get motivated to do something productive today but so far it hasn't happened (although I did put in a full day's work at Starbucks already). Friday was an annoying day at the day job because my computer crashed taking my finished presentation and script that I have to give this Tuesday with it. This makes the third time my computer has crashed since I started working there and the second time on this same computer. The state is light years behind on technology and the department's IT people--well let's just say we do not count on them for anything. I am beyond annoyed with the situation. Hope my presentation is recoverable. A fun trip to the local garden center for some plants on the way home improved the day.

Yesterday, I went by Sweet Home Quilt Co. to pick up my copy of Quilt Sampler magazine. I love this magazine--it is so fun to see other quilt shops around the country. I also picked up a few other items
some blue and red flowered fabric for binding, some nifty fat eights in a bundle, a fat quarter, and a new book. I also went to Home Depot to pick up supplies for making a raised garden bed.

Voila! Our Recession Garden. I didn't make the bed; I just hauled all the stuff home. All things working out well, my really local organic food will be: okra, heirloom tomatoes, red bell peppers, yellow squash, strawberries, basil, and for the cats--catnip. Marigolds are planted around the sides to keep away pests.

Because it is so hot here in the summer, we have to wait until fall to plant lettuces, kale, carrots, and potatoes but that's the plan.

I also set up a Twitter account. I don't know why, but I did. Possibly in case an iPhone magically appears in my life (I really really want an iPhone but don't want to spend the money for one. Maybe the apple elf will bring one. I'll hold my breath..............) OK apple elf hasn't appeared yet so I guess I'll quit holding my breath. I'll probably tweet a little more than an ivory billed woodpecker but maybe not too much more. Infrequent tweets at @stellabellaqlts.

I finished two really good books recently: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Unforgiving Minute. I highly recommend both (links are to Amazon.com in case you are interested.) OK must get off the computer and find something productive to do.