A Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday was my 61st birthday. Friday's are one of my eight hour work days as the Park Attendant. In the morning, I  had the usual privilege of cleaning the bathroom. Part of the job. We have a nearly full campground this weekend, so it was a busy day of people arriving. Kevin surprised me by doing dishes. The best present he could have given me! One of my least favorite things to do. We're going to celebrate by going to Red Lobster on Monday for lunch.

We normally don't do presents, as we have everything we need or want. And, if we don't, we go get it. I did buy myself a present this year. I started quilting about 15 years ago, and really enjoy it. In that time I've been using a small sewing machine. I prefer to do my own quilting, so it's a struggle when the quilt is larger than baby sized.

I bought myself a Baby Lock Presto II. It is twice as wide as my old machine with lots of decorative stitches and some bells and whistles I'll probably never use. But, it has the wide throat I was wanting. It's amazing how much a sewing machine can cost. Five thousand dollars is not unusual for a Cadillac machine. I didn't get one of those, but I'm very happy with what I got. My old machine will be kept as a back up and for travelling. I think the new one will stay in Yuma.

A bonus with buying the new machine was a free four hour class on how to use it. It was just me and Lois, the instructor at Nancy's Notions in Beaver Dam. I learned so much about my machine, and sewing in general. I even learned some things about my old machine.

I have six baby quilts made and ready to be quilted. That will keep me busy for a while. This new machine just hums along while quilting. One of those quilts will be given to Korey for next year's quilt auction at his camp. The others are going to Cathryn to use as gifts for her friends and family members having babies.

It's been just over a month since I last posted. There just wasn't much to share. We've been working and enjoying life. We spent some time with family and friends. The usual stuff. The weather has been very strange this summer; super humid almost every day. Even when it's not that hot, it's SO sticky. I'm looking forward to fall. Seven weeks from this coming Monday, we're back on the road!

The weather has been strange in Yuma as well. In my previous post, I shared about the haboob they had in July. Last week they had heavy rain, and the washes were full of rushing waters. Here's a picture my friend Pat posted on Facebook of the wash behind some of the park models at the resort. This is not by our place, as we have the golf course behind us. Luckily, it didn't overflow!

Don’t wish upon a star – Reach for one!