Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

A Day Off

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Hello?  Heeelllllllloooooo?????  Do I still have some readers out there?  I really am a quilter, first and foremost, even though it may not seem like it right now.

I have had no quilting related posts for awhile, because of my insane schedule, but that is going to change.  I worked nearly 60 hours this week, and that makes even an hour a day sewing a challenge.   This week.  I missed the Charming Girls Quilt Club deadline, but what the heck.  I try to fit in sewing every day, but this week things just got away from me.  My schedule is far better this week, so I will get back to my hour a day regime.  Prairie Paisley, here I come….

What a lovely Sunday I had.  I had the day off for one thing.  One little day.  One entire marvelous day all to myself (once the dogs were dealt with).  I went to the mall, I cooked a new appetizer that teenagers devoured, and I attended my sweet niece Emily's graduation party.  At the mall, I tried on a Spanx slip that was a complete miracle.  It smoothed everything from my neck to my knees, I swear.  Fabulous under an LBD.  (Little Black Dress–which all of us need in our wardrobes).  My gosh, I do love Spanx products.  If you think you would like a bit of slimming magic, comment on my last post for a chance to win a camisole that will smooth your back and your tummy all in one swell foop.

Dh is still away, helping Sara and her DH move completely into their new house.  He spent Sunday lining their kitchen shelves and figuring out where all the dishes and kitchen gear should go. He is really good at that sort of thing.  Hmmm, that might be a good second career option for him.  Helping folks organize their kitchens.  My son (home for the summer from grad school) and I are in charge of the dogs.  Sophie realized once my husband had driven out of the drive way that the Alpha Person's shoes needed filling and stepped right into the job.  She and Ozzie got into a big fight almost immediately, and ever since, my son and I have kept them apart.  It has been a bit of an ordeal, but nothing like the time DH left them both with me on my own.  They sure don't respect me like they do him.  Now why is that?

The rose above is actually one from my garden.  My son Ahren took the picture early in the morning.  Is is beautiful isn't it?  I give this rose to all of you, my friends.  Have a great week!

PS:  Oh, and tomorrow I will share that new appetizer that the teenagers loved.   You have got to try it!

PPS:  Just a little update on my economizing.  I gave up on my naked nails in less than a week.  I couldn't do it.  I know, I know.  I am weak.  Those poor nails were so thin, and so fragile.  They split, they cracked, they tore.  They HURT they were so short.  I couldn't stick it out.  Just so you know, do not tell me any top secrets, ever.  I would be the first to crack under torture.  I will say or do anything, just let my nails look really good.

34 responses to “A Day Off”

  1. Nicole, I for one am loving your blog, even though I am a “lurker” and rarely leave a comment. Keep on keeping us posted!

  2. Nicole, I for one am loving your blog, even though I am a “lurker” and rarely leave a comment. Keep on keeping us posted!

  3. What’s happened to your daughter’s blog? Did she shut it down? Will she have another? I always enjoyed reading her blog~it was just beautifully written and photographed…I noticed that you still have it listed on your sidebar.. but for over a week now, no luck accessing it~~ 🙁

  4. What’s happened to your daughter’s blog? Did she shut it down? Will she have another? I always enjoyed reading her blog~it was just beautifully written and photographed…I noticed that you still have it listed on your sidebar.. but for over a week now, no luck accessing it~~ 🙁

  5. Good Morning Nicole! Glad you enjoyed your day off~60 hours is alot! And you deserve the nails. . .Good luck with those silly little pupsters!

  6. Good Morning Nicole! Glad you enjoyed your day off~60 hours is alot! And you deserve the nails. . .Good luck with those silly little pupsters!

  7. Oh Nicole, you and i have had the same week….too many hours working, not enough hours for sewing, and feeling guilty about no quilt posts. Shall we convene at some upscale corner cafe and drown our sorrows in decadent chocolate? I’ll be the one with the bags under my eyes.

  8. Oh Nicole, you and i have had the same week….too many hours working, not enough hours for sewing, and feeling guilty about no quilt posts. Shall we convene at some upscale corner cafe and drown our sorrows in decadent chocolate? I’ll be the one with the bags under my eyes.

  9. Nicole: I have the worse nails. Thin, brittle, weak, icky, terrible cuticles. Just plain bad. And I’m a nail biter. Ok, so much for confessions. A couple weeks ago I said, no more. I went to Target and looked at all the nail products. What’s a girl to do. I bought Sally Hansen “Healthy Cuticles Now” in a little orange jar and Sally Hansen “Nailgrowth Miracle” in a little gold bottle. Holy, Moly, I have NAILS!!!!! No hang nails, my cuticles look great and my nails are strong and growing!! I used to have acrylics when I worked but hated going in for the appointments. So if you ever give up on the acrylics, try these products. They rock!

  10. Nicole: I have the worse nails. Thin, brittle, weak, icky, terrible cuticles. Just plain bad. And I’m a nail biter. Ok, so much for confessions. A couple weeks ago I said, no more. I went to Target and looked at all the nail products. What’s a girl to do. I bought Sally Hansen “Healthy Cuticles Now” in a little orange jar and Sally Hansen “Nailgrowth Miracle” in a little gold bottle. Holy, Moly, I have NAILS!!!!! No hang nails, my cuticles look great and my nails are strong and growing!! I used to have acrylics when I worked but hated going in for the appointments. So if you ever give up on the acrylics, try these products. They rock!

  13. The rose is beautiful! I had acrylic nails for a very short time and getting them removed and dealing with the mess that my real nails were was a nightmare. I have never had nice shaped or long nails but at least they are HEALTHY! My family has been gone since Friday morning and won’t be back until Wed night, I too am on dog duty. ARGH! He never barks, until now. Everytime I let him out he goes swimming in the pond which requires me to then clean and dry him. Why he is punishing ME I don’t know! I stayed home! Punish your master for leaving you!!!!

  14. The rose is beautiful! I had acrylic nails for a very short time and getting them removed and dealing with the mess that my real nails were was a nightmare. I have never had nice shaped or long nails but at least they are HEALTHY! My family has been gone since Friday morning and won’t be back until Wed night, I too am on dog duty. ARGH! He never barks, until now. Everytime I let him out he goes swimming in the pond which requires me to then clean and dry him. Why he is punishing ME I don’t know! I stayed home! Punish your master for leaving you!!!!

  15. Thank you for the rose! I understand the nail thing, but suffered through them growing out enough to not hurt as a part of retiring early – it’s definitely been worth it for me. I wouldn’t get ANYTHING else finished if I worked a 60 hour week. You’re good!

  16. Thank you for the rose! I understand the nail thing, but suffered through them growing out enough to not hurt as a part of retiring early – it’s definitely been worth it for me. I wouldn’t get ANYTHING else finished if I worked a 60 hour week. You’re good!

  17. Nails are a funny thing, I love mine and I’m thankful they are real. I splurge on pedicures so I understand the nail issue. If it makes you feel great, then find another area to pinch, brown bag? office coffee instead of latte? dvd instead of theatre? I’m glad you got your nails back, if everyday you looked at your hands and had negative thoughts about your current situation, it wouldn’t be good for your health!..and I hope you get some sewing time in, that also keeps us healthy 😉

  18. Nails are a funny thing, I love mine and I’m thankful they are real. I splurge on pedicures so I understand the nail issue. If it makes you feel great, then find another area to pinch, brown bag? office coffee instead of latte? dvd instead of theatre? I’m glad you got your nails back, if everyday you looked at your hands and had negative thoughts about your current situation, it wouldn’t be good for your health!..and I hope you get some sewing time in, that also keeps us healthy 😉

  19. It’s OK if you don’t quilt, I still like to read your blog and see what you are up to. Hope you have a good week! Nancy in WI

  20. It’s OK if you don’t quilt, I still like to read your blog and see what you are up to. Hope you have a good week! Nancy in WI

  21. Thank you for the beautiful rose photograph!
    Its a wonder you had time to breathe working almost 60 hours last week! You deserve some quilty time this week. 🙂

  22. Thank you for the beautiful rose photograph!
    Its a wonder you had time to breathe working almost 60 hours last week! You deserve some quilty time this week. 🙂

  25. The rose is beautiful. Hang in there. 60 hours work does not leave any time or energy for quilting–that’s my summer for the last 7 weeks. Now, the students are gone and I hope I am a committed as you are to dive right back into my favorite hobby. I love your blog and it is one of the first things I read everyday.

  26. The rose is beautiful. Hang in there. 60 hours work does not leave any time or energy for quilting–that’s my summer for the last 7 weeks. Now, the students are gone and I hope I am a committed as you are to dive right back into my favorite hobby. I love your blog and it is one of the first things I read everyday.

  33. Beautiful picture! I don’t wear nail polish, but when I did use some, I found that my nails became very weak afterwards. So now I don’t use nailpolish or anything else, and I make sure I take a multivitamin. I find that both of those things keep my nails strong and healthy.

  34. Beautiful picture! I don’t wear nail polish, but when I did use some, I found that my nails became very weak afterwards. So now I don’t use nailpolish or anything else, and I make sure I take a multivitamin. I find that both of those things keep my nails strong and healthy.