WIP Wednesday

I've been a slacker on Work In Progress Wednesday because I haven't been doing anything. This is a bad photo of the only thing I've done lately. An advent calendar for Noah. I have it hanging in a place where I couldn't back up far enough for a full shot so the bottom & sides are missing. This was a preprinted panel that I purchased at my local quilt shop.

Since Noah doesn't have much of a sweet tooth (he must not really be related to me!) I've put little mini ornaments in the pockets and have gotten him a little tree to place them on.

This is cool

I got an email today from someone who saw my quilt in Houston. She wanted to know if the quilt was for sale, or if I would make a duplicate to sell. I don't make quilts for sale, so I had to decline, but it sure made me feel good!

Ancestry

I saw an article in my local paper today talking about this website on which you can find passenger info about people from the UK who immigrated to the US. The data is available for entries between 1820 to 1960. I was able to find both of my maternal grandparents who immigrated through Canada into Detroit. They were already married when they came into the US in 1923, but separately; my grandfather in March and my grandmother in May. I've always known that one of my grandparents was from Ireland and one from Scotland, but I didn't know which. Turns out my grandfather, Sidney Gunning, was born in Belfast Ireland and my grandmother, Agnes Gunning, was born in Greenock Scotland. The odd thing about that is that when we lived in Dunoon Scotland, we were just across the River Clyde from Greenock and I never knew it was her birthplace.

While I never knew either of my grandparents, I have seen samples of my grandfather's handwriting - which was very elegant and looked a bit like calligraphy. The image of his entry card that I found on-line was obviously filled out by him in his own beautiful handwriting.

The info on the website is only free until November 30th and does require registration, but is interesting to browse.

My quilt in Houston

My friend Sarah, a fabulous quilter and a former state dept. worker who has lots of very interesting stories to tell, took this photo for me of my quilt as it was displayed in Houston. (clickable for a larger view)

I'm hoping that the woman pointing to something on the quilt wasn't pointing out some mistake!

Thanks Sarah!

Boys and their toys

I think it's now official - Jerry has reached the height of a mid-life crisis. (although as Craig pointed out, he's a bit late for 'mid-life' unless he's planning to stay around until he's over 100).

About 2 weeks ago Jerry decided to grow a beard. I've never been a huge fan of beards, so I've been giving him a hard time, which he just laughs off.

Now, to go with his beard he has purchased a motorcycle.

This is the 3rd bike he's owned, but the first since the 80's. This wasn't a spur of the moment purchase for him as he's spent the last 6 months or so looking for just the right bike.

Now that Jerry has a motorcycle, I think I should be able to get what I want - don't you?

A bunch of odd questions

I got this one from Deb

Someone knocks on your door at 2am, who do you want it to be?

It better be either Ed McMahon or the Publishers Clearing House people with my $10,000,000 check.

Your boss tells you he/she will give you a $20 raise if you'll do your job naked. Do you stay and take the raise?

Nope, Nope, Nope - although now that I'm retired I no longer have a boss.

Put yourself in a nutshell.

Yeah, like I'd fit...

Ever see a ghost?

No!

Happy with your body?

Hate it!

A reason to move to Iceland.

We have old friends who lived in Iceland for a few years. They liked it.

A place you've lived that you miss.

The California weather and the drive along Pacific Coast Highway

A job you'd never do, no matter how much you were paid.

Sewer worker

A band/group you thought was cool when you were 13.

I was the biggest Beatle fan at 13. There wasn't another band to compare.

You have a nightmare, who's the first person you think to call?

Jerry

Wanna have kids before you're 30?

Been there, done that.

A memory from high school.

Singing in Choir concerts

Ever had a crush on a friend's parent?

What a weird question! NO!

Do you look more like your mom or dad?

My mother

Something you've always wanted to learn to do.

Be part of a rowing crew

How you'd like your life to be in 10 years.

Just like now

Something you learned this year.

That not exercising equals added pounds.

What do you want for your birthday?

A golf cart.

Name 4 things you did yesterday.

1. Went to the quilt shop
2. Picked up Noah from school
3. Played checkers with Noah (with the chess pieces)
4. Surfed the web

Last item you bought yourself?

3 magazines

What did you have for breakfast?

Peanut Butter sandwich

Name a celeb you crush on.

Mark Harmon

Name the last 3 songs you heard.

I don't know the names - they were on the radio this evening

How many hours of sleep do you get each night?

Fewer than I'd like

What do you wish you were doing right now?

Seeing the quilts in Houston

Who's the first person in your phone book on your cell?

My cell phone number (which I had to put into the phone because I don't know it.)

Last time you witnessed a fight?

Don't know

Name 3 places you'd like to travel to.

Not sure, let me get back to you on that

Do you know how to ice skate?

Not really, but I do roller blade sometimes (not well)

Name something you like that's out of the ordinary.

??

Is bigger really better?

Depends - bigger is better for ice cream but not so good for rodents

What do you think of Brad Pitt?

I don't think about Brad Pitt

What color are your toenails.

No color right now - I just took off the chipped polish the other day

Do you own anything with a skull on it?

We have a pirate flag.

Traveled to Europe?

Yes (and if you consider the UK Europe than I even lived there for 2 years.)

Last movie you watched?

Some movie on WE today when I was sewing

Where were you when you had your first kiss?

Can't remember back that far!

Last board game you played?

Sorry with Noah

Leather or lace?

How about lacy leather

Ever had a black eye?

No

Have you ever worn fishnet stockings?

I think so.

Accent on Accents

I have always been interested in regional expressions and dialect. Probably because of moving around the country and getting funny looks when I ordered 'pop' to drink. (Since living in New York City I now order 'soda' - I didn't want to mess with those New Yorkers about what to drink!)

I find it interesting that this short quiz would place me in the area of my youth even though I haven't lived there in years. I guess you can take the girl out of Detroit, but you can't take the Detroit out of the girl!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
North Central
The Northeast
The South
Philadelphia
The Midland
The West
Boston
What American accent do you have?