I'm off the hunt...

I decided to postpone my hunt for an embroidery machine for now. I still REALLY want one, but the more I look, the more expensive the ones I look at get. I see one that I like, so I look at others with similar features, and then another, and another. Each time I look at another one, it has one more feature that the previous one didn't that I think I must have. It's getting overwhelming trying to figure it all out.

No problem.

I'll use the money Uncle Sam gave me for a little medical procedure to improve my quality of life. And then whenever I sell my Volkswagen Thing, I'll buy my embroidery machine.

Don't know what a VW Thing is? Check out this link for google images.

The "Thing" has been around long enough, and it's time for it to go. It's been past time, actually, for a while, and this will be the perfect motivation to get it ready to go.

Off to camping this weekend, and OMAHA next week!

Should have some good pics to post then.

AMW

I'm on the hunt....

For a combo sewing/embroidery machine. I found one on craigslist that I was interested in, but it's just a bit out of my price range. Although, I am expecting a small refund from the irs, it's not due for a another week. In the meantime, the lady put it on eBay. So, I've got my eye on it.

But then I started looking around, trying to see what else may be out there. And there are a lot! Most of which are REALLY out of my price range. Another reason to look used.

I first tried my hand at machine embroidery and blogged about it here. I also was able to go back and make a quilt label with it, a few months later.

But I enjoyed it so much, that I've often thought about getting one. And now, the machines are made so they are good for both quilting and embroidery.

Any readers out there have a combo machine? Any suggestions? Any first-hand experience on features to look for, or brands to stay away from? I'd certainly welcome ANY advice on this!!!

Thanks!!

AMW

The "yellow" is killing me!

OK, not the color yellow, but the pollen. The whole area has turned yellow. From the cars, to the sidewalks, to street lights, and even the roads. I actually saw tire tracks through the pollen yesterday.

I'll admit that in some settings, it looks cool. Like when it's mixed in the water, and there are awesome yellow swirly designs. But just the fact that it can be seen in the water should let you know that it's too high....

Our local weather guys let us know each day what the Pollen Index is. Moderate days are around 70. Anything over 100 is considered high. Earlier this week, it was over 1300! Don't believe me? Here's proof:

This graphic was taken right from their website and was not altered in any way.

I had to mow the yard yesterday, and pollen was flying everywhere. I was covered in yellow.

I hosed down the front porch, since I couldn't even sit in a chair without getting covered, but didn't bother with the cars or anything else, since it was supposed to storm overnight.

I don't think I've ever looked forward to the storms they were predicting as much as I was last night. They said it would be torrential rains, possibly hail, loud thunder (which the dog hates), and would be done by morning.

Ah, to be able to breath again!

But do you know that when I woke up this morning, I had to ask if it had rained???? I hadn't heard any storms (and a window was open all night), and there was still a good amount of yellow around!

Oh it rained a little, but nothing like what was forecasted. UGH!

So, here I sit with an awful sinus headache, wishing and hoping for RAIN, RAIN, RAIN!

Here is what I saw today when I went to check the Pollen index on the same site:

Folks, I am not making this up. This is truly and genuinely what they put on their site. Again, not altered in any way. GAS MASK HIGH!

And I'm thinking that maybe I should be wearing a gas mask! Perhaps I can get a plain white hospital one, and draw a smiley face on it, that way I can have a perpetual smile when someone asks me for something today.

Cause with this sinus headache, it's gonna be tough to keep a smile attached!

Did I mention I'm out of Claritin?????

AMW

Went for a little walk

We've seen this location from the interstate many times, but today ventured to find out where it was. We were met with a set of super steep stairs, but then made it to the pier...

The descent.

A view of the marsh.

The daunting task of the ascent. We made it, and it was a lot of fun! I would definitely go out here and see this again!

Do you have a favorite place to walk???

AMW

April Fool's Day

What a fun day. I've always liked this day, and I guess it's because I'm such a smart-ass that it just seems like a fitting day.

Today is un-officially my Casey-Dog's birthday. We knew she was born in early April, but the exact date was unknown. So why not make it April 1st???? I could find no good reason not to... This morning before heading to work, she got extra treats! She didn't know why, but she was happy.

As a kid, I remember playing the common April Fool's jokes. "Hey, your shoes untied" followed by "April Fools!"

I even remember one year, I replaced my parent's sugar bowl with salt. So when they had their morning cup of tea, they put salt in it instead. I also remember them not seeing the humor in it. DOH!

But the most memorable April Fool's Joke I remember was one done by local disc jockeys.

Set the scene: Mt. Trashmore!

What is Mt. Trashmore?? Once a landfill, it was converted into a city park in the 70's by compacting the trash and covering it with clean soil, and planting grass. It's a large hill that is 60 feet high and 800 feet long. The park now boasts two mountains, two lakes, and a multitude of trails. If one were to dig beneath the surface they would find that the whole hill is covered in a thick layer of rubber to keep water from running through the trash. In addition, three of the flag poles in the park secretly act as vents for methane gas released by the rotting trash beneath the scenic park.

It was April 1992. On FM-99, the morning guys were Tommy Griffith and the late Henry "The Bull" Del Toro. A roudy duo to say the least.

But on that April Fool's Day, they claimed that Mt. Trashmore had a build up of methane gas and was about to explode.

Local residents flooded 911 with calls. People evacuated their homes. And near panic ensued. The duo tried to give clues by giving phony highways as evacuation routes, but too many folks thought it was real.

The radio station was fined by the FCC and the DJ's were suspended for two weeks without pay.

I know I shouldn't think it funny, but I really did think it was hilarious!

The Museum of Hoaxes even has it listed (along with another incident) as #9 in the "Top 10 Worst April Fool's Day Hoaxes Ever". Is it wrong that I think that's AWESOME???

How do you spend April Fool's? Do you have any that are particularly memorable? What is your favorite April Fool's joke???

AMW