How's that for a pot pourri of stuff to talk about today? Better lighting, great texture/snow, and cute goats. Haha!
Okay, first for the lighting. I think I've complained enough to you about the poor lighting in my "studio" many times before. I get really frustrated sometimes with it....especially if I'm trying to do something at night. But even in the day, there are areas of my sewing room that are so dark, it just makes it really hard to see.
As you know, I sew in this unfinished part of the basement right now. We'll finish it one of these days, but first, we have to finish remodeling the more "visible" parts of the house. Papa pea was nice enough to put up this white beadboard on a couple of these walls and to build me some temporary shelves. But, what I'm trying to show you here is the ceiling. See that bare bulb? My lighting is two bare bulbs and that window (which actually lets in a lot of nice light!). My sewing machine is not snown in this photo, but it's right in front of the shelves you see on the right side of the window. My ironing board is in front of the shelves on the left side of the windo. Both are in the dark. The light I have by my sewing machine is basically the light the machine throws! In the daytime, it's not too bad, because that window give extra light. But at night, it's horrible.
One day I made a passing frustrated remark about how I was so tired of living in the dark. I went to run an errand, and when I came home, I found Papa Pea in my sewing room installing these track lights for me! He had gone out, bought them, and started installing them. Look at all the glorious light over my sewing machine now! (Pay no attention to the mess that is my sewing room otherwise.)
Plus, these over my ironing board and cutting table! I now have 12--count 'em 12--light bulbs instead of one! Plus there is one more right over where I'm standing to take this photo. It shines on my plastic fabric drawers. It is so awesome. Everytime I go in there, I breathe a sigh of relief now. Thanks, Papa Pea!
Now, I just need some covered storage so I can get all this clutter out of my visual field. One day, this room will get finished. Although not pretty, it's very functional right now. That whole shelving unit by my dryer is filled with batting scraps and fleece. I need to figure out a better way to store it. It's the one thing that really bugs me to look at in my sewing room. (Dad, don't look at these photos. I know the clutter would make you nuts.)
Okay....snow....
My SIL sent me some great photos of the snow at her house from that last great snowstorm. Check out these three. What great texture!
I think those are really neat. There could be some cool quilt inspiration there.
This next one, I just thought was funny:
The snow plow came by and buried the mailbox. (Post script: THIS WAS BEFORE THE PLOWS CAME! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!) My SIL's husband asked her to go find the maibox so he didn't knock it over whe he plowed out the driveway with his tractor. Look how this was buried!
Finally, the goats. I just have to show you this, because they're so cute! My SIL just had a slew of baby goats born recently.
Here's her grandson holding one. This goat's name is Twinkie. (Her grandkids get to name them, I think.)
And this one is Jack. This poor guy has had quite a life so far.
- Jack's mom rejected him. So, my SIL was bottle feeding him every two hours! Even through the night. I think he's down to every 6 hours now.
- Then he hurt his hind leg.
- Then he got diarrhea, then pneumonia.
My SIL wasn't sure he was going to live. But he seems to have perked up and it appears he's going to make it now! She said it was worse than having a newborn baby around. At least you get to feed newborn babies in the house and not out in the barn!
Here's a funny story. My SIL said:
We just found out he likes to dance - Yes, seriously! He polkas! hahahaha. Sunday, he started trying to prance like a goat but because his leg is still bad, he usually falls. Well, every night from 5-6 (if he's home) [her husband] listens to 'The Barn Show' -a polka radio station. Last night, we were both in the barn listening to it and Jack started prancing, jumping, and bouncing each time a polka came on. Sometimes, he still fell but it was just too funny. I started dancing with him and he danced harder. We were laughing so hard at him! I wish I had a video.
I love it. I can't wait to go visit her and see these goats. I think Sweet Pea would really get a kick out of it, too.
Seeing these photos of Jack and hearing his story made me think of the quote I posted yesterday about making a difference in the world. I think Jack has already made his mark on the world, too. What do you think?
Well, that's enough rambling for today, I guess. I better get to work. I skipped my guild meeting last night. I just couldn't handle one more thing to do by the end of the day yesterday! Today will be a little slower (though not a lot).
Until next time,
Mama Pea
Yea to Papa Pea for the awesome lights! I love the textures the winds make in the snow! And that little goat kid is cute!
Posted by: Maggie Szafranski | February 16, 2011 at 08:34 AM
1.Good job papa! I have a basement too (plead)
2.Your sewing room isn't cluttered - remember your stamping room in Ohio?
3.That mailbox was that buried -that was before the plows came!!
4.Jack is doing great. I tried to take a video and had to laugh because he's just like a human kid-turn on the camera, they stop-turn it off, they dance.
Posted by: sisLH | February 16, 2011 at 08:36 AM
That hubby of yours! Wow! I drop hints like bags of cement and nothing ever happens. I want to adopt Jack.
Posted by: Terri | February 16, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Awesome about the lights... my husband has always had a shop and lights and music are his two must haves. The baby goat is adorable I love those little guys.
Posted by: Jewel | February 16, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Your husband is wonderful! Not many guys like that! About the covered storage, I'm afraid of that. Out of sight out of mind and I have to go buy new fabric! Those pictures of snow make me think Michigan isn't so bad! That goat is precious. Your SIL sounds like a special lady.
Posted by: carolld | February 16, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Lighting is so important. Looks like your lighting situation has greatly improved!!! Looks great!
SIL's grandson and Twinkie are both just adorable! :-)
Posted by: Linda | February 16, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Well, isn't Mr. Pea handy? I think you better keep him cause he's very sweet to you too!! The little goats sure are cute.
Posted by: Linda in Calif. | February 16, 2011 at 11:27 AM
The lighting looks wonderful. Yay Papa Pea!
A dancing goat - hysterical!
Posted by: Lynn | February 16, 2011 at 02:32 PM
I need to borrow Papa Pea. Lighting is one of the hardest things to come by, it seems! Good for him! Don't like the look of that snow, but at least it makes our neck of the woods look tropical by comparison. Love the goats!!!!!
Posted by: Allie | February 16, 2011 at 11:34 PM