Sunday Laughing Day

Happy Sunday to you all, 

today I am posting SMILES to make you LAUGH, which is something we all need NOW, and ALWAYS,

ENJOY!

Hugs Always

Karen and Charlie

I write fluff to think about!

Never wanting to be a serious writer, just an article about something that interested me.

My blog is where to go when you want 5 minutes to  take your mind away from one's hectic life.

It started out with knowing I had family and friends in Monaco (Williams F1 team aboard the Stad Amsterdam Tall ship with my Sarah), Indy, and the Nascar event. So as I watch the events I know family and friends are having a great time enjoying themselves.

Then difficult news for our family, medical problems with cures,  and medical problems with no cure, again I ask why.  

So I go to a family picture that makes me laugh, Quinn has no worries in the world right now, innocence is wonderful!

Realize we are not alone, Patty lost her father, John and Alicia Nash died in a car crash, Kati's hip broke while away from her home state.

Family and friends are everything, whether you have one person in your life or a million.  Take a minute to say a prayer to someone in heaven,  on earth, then call someone you haven't caught up with for ages.

This is Eddrick, he can make anyone smile, and think of something fun, even for only a few minutes.  Go play with a dog, try it you'll like it.

As the saying goes, SHIT HAPPENS, and we try to keep going, look for some laughter in the tough times everyone is going through.  

 I write fluff to give you a break from reality to think of something absurd!

Hugs Always

Karen and Charlie

COLLECTOR - ACCUMULATOR - GATHERER

Is it time to change?

These words conjure up a myriad of images, and thoughts of what they mean to you.  

When is it time to thin down the collection of this and that, will I lose the memory of something if I can’t physically touch it?

Knick Knacks, and Books that have come to you over the years, what will happen if you let go of them?  Will the person who gave them to you be hurt?  Is re-gifting wrong? 

It’s time for no more things to come into my home, but time for things to leave and find a new home.  Now how will I remember those things that are leaving?

For me, it is to get the camera out, take a good picture, and say goodbye to it.  

After the pictures are taken, transfer them to a digital picture frame.  This way you can see the item repeatedly again, remembering the memory, and knowing it is with someone who is making new memories.

My mug collection is the right size, and will be kept intact. I am so lucky to have a Madam in my life, and she brought me two mugs from Paris and London which hold special meaning to me.  

Tea Cups seem to be abundant in homes these days, I take flowers, put them in it, and pass them on. Instead of flowers what about someone's favorite candy!

Consider putting a basket together for a silent auction to help your favorite charity.  You may find that enclosing a special note about the contents and the memories they gave you, will bring on the winning bid! 

Hugs Always

Karen and Charlie 

Invisible Disability Week

October 2015

One week a year, it’s our week. 

The following is from my perspective, someone with an invisible disability, and what I do to try to survive.

Invisible Disabilities are exhausting.

If someone can’t see something, then it isn’t real.  

I hear the following comments directly, and indirectly?

•   Why can’t you just sit in a regular folding chair
•   Why the grimace or crying for no apparent reason
•   Why are you avoiding stairs at every opportunity
•   Why aren’t you showing up for certain functions    anymore
•   Why is your circle of friends changing
•   Why are you acting like a spoiled diva 

I have tried to hide my Arthritis/Blood Clots/Thyroid issues for years from everyone, but now it is too tiring to hide it any longer.  I have good and bad days.  The bad days I try to stay away from everyone, trying to explain takes forever.  Even to the point of someone saying just take a pill, or I didn’t really want to know.

Why do you have to be such a diva, I just saw you walk a mile, and now you say you can’t walk up a flight of stairs?   

Lucky for me I have asked for help, and possible solutions to be able to keep going whether at home, driving, or outside activities.

If you are staying with friends, or family, make them aware of what you might need, or special things you are bringing. If there is a chance of a negative response,  I opt for a hotel.  

Suggestions to make for you to enjoy life a little more:

Your bed should be high, and you feet should not touch the floor, this way you won’t put extra stress on your knees getting in, and out of it. Novaform Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper will do wonders to improving your comfort.  They also make pillows.  Available at any Costco. www.costco.ca or www.costco.com 

Your toilet should be high, you can get the insert at any home medical store.  

My bathroom floor is a one piece of dense cushioned flooring.  If I fall, it won't be like falling on concrete.  The floor installer said that this will last forever, and will certainly help in a fall, and it did!

It is great now that Bistro Dinning Room tables are all the rage, with the high chairs to match.  So easy to sit down, and get up from.

Your favorite living room chair, why not watch for the 1/2 price sales on the electric chair (in Canada called an Acorn Chair) that goes up and down, and stands you up.  Awesome.

I traded my office chair for a drafting chair, great support, arms, and it keeps me high, so no knee pain when getting off it.  

Outdoor furniture, go for the Director’s Chair XL, it comes with a side table, and have had many friends who love mine, and have bought their own.  Cabela’s sells an excellent one for under $50.00.  www.cabelas.com 

Camping equipment, initially I thought my days of camping were over, when a friend suggested that I think outside the box on what I need.  I went way outside the box, when he suggested I look at what hunters use in the woods.  There it was a camping cot which was high, I sat on one, again my feet did not touch the ground.  With a 1 inch thick mattress, and sleeping bag, I was set.  Under the cot is where the luggage, and any extra items not being used.  The cot is at Cabela’s for $100.00, comes with it’s own shoulder bag to put it in when collapsed. www.cabelas.com 

Kayaking, I tried several types, and got tired of being turned upside down to get me out, then crawl to somewhere to stand up.  

Eric Moledyk, Programs Administrator, Sam Sullivan Disability Foundation, put me in touch with Jericho Sailing Club, which has a disability kayaking group. 
I have been there twice kayaking in Spanish Banks area among the tankers, boaters, and everyone else, what a great time I had.  I can't say how much these people helped in getting me out on the water, and learning the ropes.  I encourage you all to donate, or contact them about sailing, kayaking, or whatever, you will not be disappointed. Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia, eric@disabilityfoundation.org

The owner of the Portland Kayaking Company said to me, I should be using a “sit on top” kayak only, and would have no problems.  He was right.  I have kayaked in Monterey, California, Portland, Oregon, Semiahmoo Bay, and Spanish Banks with no problems.  As a side note remember Stand Up Paddling (SUP) you can use sitting on the top and paddle to your heart's content!
http://www.portlandkayakcompany.com

Yoga, going cheap on your equipment, will turn you off to what you are wanting to do.  A mat should be thicker, a recommendation would be one from Lululemon, $100.00.  Bolster, try several out for what’s best for you.  Blocks should be of good quality cork, Halfmoon Yoga makes wonderful ones.  The blocks have to lift me up to a standing position, so I paid the 2 for $50.00, and worth every penny. www.shophalfmoon.com   www.lululemon.com 

School or Lectures, how do you handle those low seats?  Shear agony, to try to stand up. I take my high chair and stepping stool with me.  This lets me enjoy the experience.  Going to UBC in July, and have confirmed that my high chair is more than welcome.

Friends and Family

When I arrive at a friend’s home in Seattle for the weekend, the first thing my host does is come to the car, get my high chair and stool.  He takes it, sets it up in the best location for me, then puts a lovely nesting table beside it for me.  He, and his wife want me to feel right at home, and not out of place in any way.

When I visit my family out of town, they expect me to bring everything that will make the stay easier for me.  I forgot my high chair one day, my sister had a great idea, bringing out her 75cm exercise ball, which I could sit on with ease, and bounce to stand up with no pain.

Stay and visit with positive people, who are willing to adapt to you coming to visit or stay.  If they can’t or won’t there’s always a hotel down the street.  

I have friends who have MS, and when we are going to meet.  I look for places with parking at the door, no stairs, bistro seating, good food, pet friendly. This way everyone invited knows that the place we are going we can all go to, and enjoy.

Further information:

Invisible Disabilities Association Community - www.inspire.com

Kayaking 

http://www.canoecopia.com/

http://www.creatingability.com/

http://www.bcadaptive.com/  

these terrific people will introduce you to skiing!

hugs always

karen and charlie

First time Quilting, and making it fun.......

BOM, FART, HIPS, STASH, TGIF if you can comprehend this terminology you are a quilter already.  

These are what they mean:

BOM - Block of the Month

FART - Fabric Acquisition Road Trip

HIPS - Hundreds of Ideas Piling Skyward

STASH - Special Treasures all secretly hidden

TGIF - Thank God It’s Finished

From reading the above you will have a smile on you face, wanting to get started in finding out what your next step is.

Now before you run out and buy everything, think about what you need. Do some research (http://www2.fiskars.com) is an excellent place to start.  They have broken the information down to show the beginner how to get started.  

Learn everything about the fabric you think you want to use.  If you are going to buy the fabric, start with 100% pre-washed cotton.  If you are going to use fabric you already have, know what it is.  The wrong fabric choice can have your quilt coming unraveled, frayed, and shrinking.  As you grow in experience trying alternate fabrics you will learn which ones work best for you.   

First time quilters will find that cutting the fabric in squares, is a lot easier than trying to do triangles, or special shapes.  Keep it simple to start with.

Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance. It is important to always remember a quarter inch seam allowance. If you are an avid sewer you probably normally use a 5/8 inch seam allowance so this might be a bit of an adjustment. The quarter seam allowance is vital in creating squares that are all the same size. To achieve a perfect seam allowance you should practice your technique on small fabric patches before you begin a quilt.

Become familiar with quilting terminology. Even a few terms mentioned already might have you confused and this is why it is important to learn all the quilting terminology. Instead of looking at buying a book, why not research the internet for the same thing, and print off the terminology.  Check out The National Quilters Circle at (http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com) 

A handy tool to obtain is a rotary cutter to make precise cuts.  This will save you time. It is very time consuming to make patterns to cut around by hand so with the rotary cutting tools you will be able to make straighter and quicker cuts.

Do you know how to use your iron?  In the 1950s this would seem like a silly question, but in 2015, many people don’t own an iron anymore.  Get yours out from the back cupboard.  Take a practice piece of fabric, and teach yourself how to press the squares with it.  This will keep you squares organized and easier to sew. 

Measure and sew borders correctly. Adding borders to your quilt allows for you to fix minor mistakes. By adding a border you can square uneven edges. Adding a butted border will add more structure to your quilt. This is the easiest border to do for a beginner.  

If you make a mistake, stop fretting, with anything new you try if you obsess over a mistake, chances are you won’t try again.

As a beginning quilter you are sure to make a few mistakes but each one will allow you to improve.

Quilting can be as inexpensive or as expensive as you want it to be.  Use what you have, or buy the latest quilting gadgets, it’s your choice.

Are you ready, well let’s give it a try.

Cut 12, 4 inch x 4 inch pieces of fabric, 100% pre-washed cotton.  

Lay them down on a flat surface to see what design looks good to you.

Now take the 4 left side pieces and sew them together with their quarter inch seam allowance, don’t forget to iron carefully.  Repeat this with the next 4, and the final 4.  You have 3 strips now, join strip 1 and 2, then strip 2 and 3.  It’s beginning to look like a quilt.

Now what?

A piece of bunting, nothing to thick, lay it down what we call the right side (trust me it will end up on the inside).

Take a piece of fabric, hopefully you have one piece 16 inches by 12 inches, lay it right side on top of the quilted strips.  

Sew all around the entire 3 pieces, leaving an approximately 

6 inch opening on the 4th side.  

Turn everything inside outside, and you are nearly there.  

Iron the last opening with the quarter inch, now carefully sew it shut, or if you can invisible hand stitch it shut.  

It’s finished.   We were all rooting for you.  

Further information to consider:

Quilters cutting board, for precise cuts

Color wheel to choose quilt colors that go together 

and my favorite that I learned from Mrs. Wendy Sullivan of Victoria, British Columbia an expert quilter of many years.

a piece of felt that you just put on the wall then place your pieces on the felt to make a design you want, looking at it from your standing position, rather than looking down at it on a table.

Mrs. Sullivan made a quilt she had studied from the standing position, to make sure correct, but when put together it revealed a secret, one of the pieces was upside down.  The quilt was going to her first grandchild, and it is affectionally called “I spy with my little eyes something that is upside down”

Place to visit:

Quilting Museum

703 South Second Street

La Conner, Washington 

98257

http://www.laconnerquilts.org

I visited this place to see an exhibit of Patricia Goffette, who was given a showing of her quilts she had done from posters, and other mediums.   The design intricacies were amazing.  Below was a picture of her Polar Bear Quilt, and yes it is really a quilt.

and so is this one

hugs always

karen and charlie