Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 31, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec. 31, 2009

Gilbert and I decided to go OUT today -
kinda like a "date".
Imagine that, eh?

We did a few item exchanges,
at Future Shop and Staples
and then, headed uptown.

Here's Gilbert, at "Market Square",
one of our uptown malls.



My co-worker had given me
2 gift certificates for "Home Decor",
in "Brunswick Square" - another uptown mall.
Home Decor has incredibly fun
ornaments and kitchen gadgets.

I'll blog about these gadgets tomorrow.

By then, it was around 12 noon,
and we were hungry.

Stopped in at Pizza Hut, for their buffet.
YUMMY!!!!

They have some cool and funky info on their walls.

Took a picture of THIS question.

Did YOU know THIS?!?!?

Then, since the New Brunswick Museum
had a FREE ADMISSION today,
we went in to explore what
they had to show us.

Lots of Dinosaurs, of course!

These animals were in a glass case.
Picture's not too, too clear.

Gilbert and I thought this round table
was REAL cool!

The top flips to the back
and you get a wooden bench
that has a drawer on the bottom, even!

Did any of you ever own this kind of table?

Gilbert and I are SOOO out of shape,
at one point I said to him,
"Oh my goodness!! All these chairs
and we can't even SIT on them!!!"
LOL

All furniture was cordoned off, of course!

I REALLY, REALLY liked this set....
and I'm not into antiques - trust me!

But this one was all painted -
REALLY nice gold colors, too!
*VBG*

Now a day at the museum can
have it's humourous moments, right?
*grin*

Here, Gilbert and I sat behind a desk
and pretended we were radio announcers!

I even dug in my purse and found
an old calendar, to pretend it was our notes!

Whatcha think, eh?
Think we'll win some kind of journalistic
prize, for our efforts?!?!?
LOL

In the meantime, we came across
my sister, Princess Sophia,
her hubby and her mother-in-law.

Here's her hubby, reading a book.

ANOTHER high light of our
"Day at the Museum"....

In one of the children's room,
they had an interactive
theatre.... with LOTS of puppets, too!

My sister, Tina and Princess Sophia,
crawled inside and gave us an impromptu show!
*VBG*

Here's my sister and Princess Sophia...

There were quite a few paintings and sculptures,
throughout the museum.

Gilbert said to me,
"Oh, there I am with that red bag, again.
I'm starting to look like Santa!"
LOL

Actually, that was the red bag from "Home Decor",
and since we didn't return to the car,
it followed us everywhere....
*grin*

Amongst all the paintings and drawings
and sculptures and carvings...

This painting seemed to have sparked
something, in me....

Two little girls, playing in the hay
and there's hens, all over!
And it's such a bright painting, too!
You can just feel the summer sun,
beaming down!

Hey! Who'da thunk that we had a
COTTON MILL,
right here in my city,
at one time, eh?!??
It and it's building
doesn't exist anymore...
unfortunately.

THANK GOD I found a chair to rest!!!
My feet were SCREAMING by now...

And I was having one of those
"hot flashes", too!

As I looked up through my sweaty eyes,
I saw an old fashioned bar, in front of me.

Grabbed Gilbert and had him
pose, for me.

Well, we were almost OUT the door,
and my feet were screaming their thanks,
when Gilbert saw this HUGE moose...

Of course, we had to take a
few more pics, eh?
*grin*

Hope you've enjoyed accompanying us
during our trip to our
local museum!

I've got to share something else,
with you....

We had rented
"Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"

As a top off to our New Year's Eve evening,
Gilbert and I are watching some
T.V. and hopefully we'll catch
a few (funny) retrospective newsy stuff.

Hope you ALL have a
WONDERFUL and HAPPY....

NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Queen's Log - Finished.
(9h26 p.m.)

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 30, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec 30, 2009

Got up around 8 a.m., to a beautiful sunshine and FRIGIDLY COLD and WINDY weather!!!

Grabbed a cup of home brewed (Texan) coffee, went upstairs and blogged, worked on January's Basket BOM web page.... amongst other stuff. In other words, I sat on my butt all morning! LOL

Aren't vacations fun?!??!

Around 1 p.m., I went to Staples and picked up a 3-ring binder and a box of plastic sheet protectors. I was bound and determined to get my patterns and paperwork OR-GAH-NIZED!!!

Also, stopped at M & M's and picked up some chicken wings, for myself. They were on SALE! *dollar signs going off in my eyes, like the cartoons on T.V. used to do*

LOL

Once home, I unpacked my "stuff" and cleaned up my Sewing Studio! Now, THAT job took a bit of time, but it sure felt better, afterwards!

At one point, while I was cleaning up my Studio, I called up my buddette Elaine... and we commiserated and compared our stashes, laughing and patting each other on the back, as much as possible. *grin*

Actually, I've been working on completing some "Tasks", to try and win and contest. (see previous Blog)

Went to bed around midnight and it was FREEZING outside!!!!

Still got 4 more days off!!!!

Queen's Log - Finished.

Check - Tasks 2, 3 and 4 ALL FINISHED!!!!

Hi There!

Okay, I worked all afternoon on my "Tasks"
and I think I've finally caught up.

"What am I talking about?", you ask.
Well, Prairie Moon Quilts has
a contest going on.

She's given us 4 "Tasks", so far
and the 5th and final one is tomorrow.

Have NO IDEA what the prize will be,
but she plans on plucking out a name,
from her cowboy's hat
and yellin' out a winner's name.
*grin*

And since she got me all riled up
about this contest,
I decided to clean up a bit
around my computer, even!

Did that this morning.
I think even Gilbert was amazed!
LOL

(Yup! That's considered "clean"!!!)



Okay, these are not in order,
but Task Three was to
tidy up our magazines and books.

Here's a BEFORE picture:

And here's an AFTER picture.
It might not appear to be tidied up,
but it is... TRUST ME!

Put away any "stray" fabrics, is
Task Two.

Took this picture, yesterday evening.
See all the paperwork and
one of my binders is open?
I'll explain about that, in a bit.

And here's a picture of my table,
taken this morning....
from another angle.

I decided, since my magazines weren't
really all THAT un-tidy that I would
run out to Staples and pick up a
box of plastic sheet protectors
and ANOTHER 3-ring binder
and FINALLY organize my
quilt patterns!

See the nice pink binder on the
corner of my table?
*grin*

Well, THAT activity took
a good part of my afternoon,
but I was pretty proud of myself,
once it was all over.

And FINALLY, my table is clean!!!!

Sewing machine area is clean, too!

Which actually brings me to
Task Four:
Clean up the area around your sewing machine.

Sooooo, tomorrow I "was" going to
baste ANOTHER quilt, and
remove EVERYTHING from my table,
but then Gilbert asked if I wanted to
go visit our local museum and return
a few items.

Who can resist a date like that, eh?
LOL

And, I hope that Prairie Moon Quilts
doesn't come up with a Task that's
too, too difficult nor time consuming,
tomorrow...

It's her 5th and final one!

Signing off for tonight - Goodnight!

Rosa

Task One - FINISHED!!!

Hi There!

YIPPEEEEE!!!!!

I finally finished Princess Sophia's
Eye Spy Quilt
and at the same time,
completed

Task One!!!!



Yep - Look and See!!!
Binding AND a label are on there!!!

Anyhow, Prairie Moon Quilts
is having a Blogtest -
that's a blog with a contest, BTW...
and to get your name in her hat,
you need to complete her 5 tasks,
before the 1st of January, I believe.

I'm playing catch up, at this point,
but I'm proud to annonce that
I've completed TASK ONE....

Now, onto TASK TWO.

Rosa

Queen's Log - Earthday Dec. 29, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthday Dec. 29, 2009
(the "new" Captain Kirk)
LOL

Got up at 6h45 and headed into work.

It had snowed during the evening and was still snowing, as I made it into work. Snow fell, on and off all day. And as the temps hovered under, over and AT the zero mark, throughout the day - zero's the freezing mark, BTW - the accumulated snow on the ground wasn't much. Probably around 3 inches or so.

Real slow day at work - thank goodness as I was able to catch up on a lot of work!

Well, by 3 p.m., as predicted by our local meteorologist, it turned windy and COLD. All of that slush had hardened and the roads really weren't all that nice, to drive in... on my way home.

Once home, I quickly changed into my house clothes - jogging pants and sweat shirt - and finished off those 8 inches of binding on that Eye Spy quilt and even added a label to it!

That's about it, folks! Had a relaxing evening....

Queen's Log - Finished

2009 FINAL CHALLENGE !!!!

Hi There!

Prairie Moon Quilts has thrown down the gauntlet and issued a 2009 Challenge!

It's not too late to try and play "Catch Up", either..... but don't just mosey on over.... You best head over there, PRONTO!!!!

Rosa

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 28, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthday Dec. 28, 2009
(the "New and Improved" Capt. Kirk at the helm!)
LOL

Got up around 6 a.m., sipped home brewed (Texan) coffee and read some emails.

Around 9 a.m., I suggested to Gilbert that since the sun was out, we should go visit my parents TODAY, rather than wait towards the end of the week and risk bad weather. We had promised to go visit them and Gilbert was to help my parents with their new "Internet Radio" that they had received, for Christmas, amongst other technical/computer stuff.

Estimated time of Departure? 1h00 p.m.

Called up my parents and the plans were all set..... till my Mom called back about an hour later to tell us that the roads were really, REALLY icy and that the Village (plow) People had been called and they were going to put sand/ice on the roads, that day - (read: sometime during the day... probably late afternoon, even!) Who knew, eh?

Sooooo, Gilbert and I decided that even though the sun was shining and the temps were above the freezing mark, here in our area.... it wouldn't be wise to risk our necks, going to visit them today. They live about 1 hour's drive away from us, in the country.

That final decision was taken around 12 noon.

Around 1h30, I went to get some groceries, swinging by Tim Horton's for 2 coffees, on my way back. Arrived home, unloaded groceries and put them away. Amazing how shopping can be so tiresome some times, eh? LOL

I then plunked my butt in front of my computer, popped in a DVD movie and continued the binding on that Eye Spy quilt. I have about 6 to 12 inches left to do on it and I gave it up till the next time. Told you that I was a slow sewer / quilter / binder... didn't I?!?? LOL

I have to go into work tomorrow, the 29th of December and then I have FIVE (5) days off!!!!

My Vacation Bucket List?

1 - Visit my Parents - weather permitting.

2 - Shopping on the 30th of December (Wednesday), at Brunswick Square. That's one of our malls, that we have "uptown". I have a gift certificate at Home Decor and want to grab some sale items.

3 - January 1st - attend the "Mayor's Levee", at the HMCS Brunswicker. That's our Naval Reserve building. Event starts at 9 a.m., I believe and you get to meet our Mayor and city counsellors. Plus, there's supposed to be TONS of finger foods. I've never been to the Mayor's Levee but have always wanted to go. Hoping THIS year will be "THE" year! *grin*

4 - And sewing, and quilting, and updating my website with my finished 2009 projects and in between.... well, more quilting!!! *VBG*

Back to the "Queen's Log"....

By 8h30 p.m., I was tired. Started to go to bed and made the mistake of checking what was on T.V.

LOL

Started to watch the (old) .... "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", with Ron Howard, as "Eddie".

OH MY GOODNESS... I didn't realize that Ron Howard, the now film director, was a child actor - and he was GOOD, too!

Well, I think I was in bed by 11 p.m. Need my sleep, as I'm working tomorrow.

Queen's Log - Finished.

And OH YES!

Since I don't like to log without a picture,
and I had meant to do a photo shoot
and upload a couple pictures....

here's what I received from a good friend,
just before Christmas.

*grin*



Isn't it sooooooooooo darn frustrating yet
mind boggling when you see such perfection,
can't figure out HOW they did it
and only wish that your
friend lived NEXT door,
so you could only HOPE
to ASPIRE to be as good as them,
some day?!?!??



The second picture is a closeup of
her gorgeous ornament.

I won't name her name,
for reasons that she and I know....

But, thanks a bunch, my (secret) friend!!!

Rosa

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 27, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec. 27, 2009
(Captain James T. Kirk - In Your Face!!!!)
LOL

Got up this morning, around 7 p.m. and did a bit of blogging.

Around 10 a.m., I called up my sister Tina and chit-chat, chit-chat, she tells me that she'd love to go see the new movie, "Avatar". Woah! So do I!!!!!

Invited our cousin G-G (my nickname for her) and her son and headed off to see Avatar - the 1:45 p.m. showing, that is.

OH MY GOD!!!!! I can't say enough for this movie!!!!!

Gilbert didn't want to come with me 'cause he thought it was a cartoon movie... WAS NOT!!!

We've been grading movies since we've been together. You know? How much out of 10, type of grade...

I think the UTMOST score that we ever gave a movie was a 9 out of 10.

Avatar, IMHO and without even thinking about it, was a rock solid TEN!!! *VBG*

Now, I just HATE it when someone overly brags about a movie... you go see it and you say to yourself, "Well, gee whiz... it really wasn't all THAT great! It was just an average movie."

If you get a chance.... PLEASE go see this one.... Would you believe that I, along with a few other people in the theatre actually APPLAUDED after the movie was finished??? and NO, we didn't applaud because it was over, either! LOL

Well, once home, I checked my emails, went downstairs for supper and climbed back up the stairs, settled into my chair and continued working on the binding on that Eye Spy quilt, while watching T.V.

By 12 midnight, I decided to hit the sack and, in case you're wondering... the bindings almost finished on the Eye Spy quilt. *grin*

Queen's Log - Finished.

Moooooove over, Soo!!!

Hi There!

I've got only a couple things to tell you...

TWO cows are left
and there's only ONE week left,
to vote!!!!

Soo and Kirsten.

Kirsten's my favorite cow!!!

She's from Canada,
but would LOVE to become a
California Cow!!!!

Go watch BOTH their
audition videos and afterwards, try and
tell me that Kirsten's not the sweetest cow!!!

LOL

Please go there and cast your vote, ASAP!!!!!

And NO, you don't have to be in the USA
to vote!!!!

Rosa

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 26, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec. 26, 2009
(Envious yet, Captain Kirk?)

Well, don't ask me how we did it, but Gilbert and I BOTH really overslept! Must be all this Rest and Relaxation! LOL

Anyhow, once up and fully awake, I decided THIS IS IT!!! It's gonna be a...

"Rosa Day"!

After spending almost ALL DAY with just me and "Bro" (that's my Brother Sewing Machine), by 5 p.m. I had finished machine quilting Princess Sophia's Eye Spy quilt and machine sewed one side of the binding.

Gilbert and I had supper and, afterwards, we both went back upstairs. I brought the Eye Spy quilt with me, upstairs, to work on hand sewing the other half of the binding.

Then, around 10 p.m., Gilbert went to bed and I started watching a marathon series of "The Gilmour Girls", as I was working on the binding.

By 2 a.m., I had watched I don't know HOW MANY episodes of The Gilmour Girls and had about 1/2 sewn on the binding. No, I didn't sew continuously - I had to stop every now and then, to drink some water and shove a chocolate or two down my throat.... A Queen needs to nourish herself! LOL

Here's what it looks like, so far:

Queen's Log - Finished.

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 25, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec. 25, 2009
(Move over, Captain Kirk!!! LOL)

Christmas morning, Gilbert and I woke up around 7 a.m.

But OH MY GOODNESS - around 10h30, I was just plain DRAINED!

I went back to bed and slept until 1 p.m.!

Got up, got dressed, went downstairs and put my chicken in the oven.

Since Gilbert's a vegetarian, I RARELY cook "meat" meals but this evening was going to be FOR MOI!!! *grin*

Puttered around in the kitchen.. dishes and stuff...

Around 6h30 p.m., I had an INCREDIBLE supper with roast chicken, gravy and mashed potatoes!!!

Remember the gifty that my friend Jo had sent me?

I opened it up last week - HEY, Jo had written to me and said that I didn't need to wait till Christmas!

In her box, she sent me
a gorgeous ornament -
HAND PAINTED!

Sorry the picture's a bit blurry
but it says,
"Merry Christmas from Texas"!

I added in with my bowl of balls -
Gilbert and I didn't do the "tree" thing,
this year. *s*

She added 2 packages of Texas coffee, too!
We tried out some, this morning.

WONDERFUL COFFEE!!!
See the fabric in the background?
Jo included that also!

In her box, she also included
a glass "Red Pepper" ornament.

VERY FRAGILE and it came from
sooooo far away, yet it was intact!!!
*grin*

And Golly Miss Molly -
Take a look at THIS!!!!!!

TEN Fat Quarters!!!!
From a collection called:
"Rosie's Garden Salads"

See the green background?
That's yet ANOTHER fat quarter
that my friend, Jo, included!!!

And, down to the last item....

Jo had included one of her gifties
in this cute little
see-through-polka-dot-Christmas bag!!!!

Thank you SOOOO very much, Jo!!!!

Wishing you and yours a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Queen's Log - Finished.

Queen's Log - Earthdate Dec. 24, 2009

Queen's Log -
Earthdate Dec. 24, 2009
(trying to imitate a feminine version of
Captain James T. Kirk's voice)

As today is Christmas Eve, we managed to finish a bit early at work. As soon as I left work, I went to our local grocery store (Sobey's) and picked up some Oka cheese, some volkatini olives, baguettes, a gift card for Adam (my oldest son) and a few other items. Grocery store was overflowing with shoppers.

Got home, had a quick dinner around 1h30 p.m., packed up Gilbert's car with our gifts and we left for my sister's home around 3 p.m.

As we were the first ones there, her hubby opened up one of their Christmas gifts - a Wii game!!!

Gilbert and I absolutely LOVED this game and throughout the evening, my family and I took turns "bowling"! Imagine? Bowling, at home, on Christmas eve! *VBG*

Managed to take a few pictures of my family, as we were opening up our gifts.

(L to R) Chris, Bradley, Princess Sophia and Tina


(L to R) Emily, Chris, Julie, Sylvie and Carmelle (Queen's Mom)

(L to R) Elizé (Queen's Dad) and Gilbert (Queen's hubby)

See Gilbert's T-Shirt?
He had ordered it on the Internet
and had just received it,
Christmas Eve.
I told him that he was "dating" himself!
LOL


Me... the Queen.
Don't ask, but I think I'll be asking
for the photographer's resignation!
LOL


(L to R) The Queen's two sons:
"Prince" James and "Prince" Adam.

Well, instead of lobster this year, the family voted on pizza.

We ate and bowled and then, opened up our gifts....

Gilbert and I were in bed by 11 p.m. -
the earliest I've ever been in bed before,
on a Christmas Eve!

And the crew was happy!

*VBG*

Queen's Log - Finished.

15,000 visitors = BLOG CONTEST!!!!

Hi there!

My friend, Marianna, is having a VERY different contest!

She's just recently realized that she's had 15,000 visitors - incredible, eh???? - and she is having a contest, but she needs YOU to make it happen!

*VBG*

You can either post a comment on her blog or send her an email about what image or drawing you'd like for her to design on a quilt block, and if you win... she'll not only design you your very own block, but she'll make one up for you, too!

Who knows? She might even name that block, in your honour! And then, since she has a design shop, on the web... who knows, eh? She may someday publish a quilting book and your block could be in her book!!! And her book could eventually be sold in 500 different languages all over the world and even win TONS of literary prizes, right?!??

Okay, I'm getting carried away.... but dreams sometimes DO come true!

*VBG*

Sooooo.... sit back, close your eyes and imagine what kind of quilt block that you've ALWAYS wanted but couldn't find in a book or on the internet.... click on her blog and submit your thoughts.

Easy, right? *grin*

And Good Luck with this contest!

Rosa

SewCalGal's Christmas Give-A-Way!!!

SewCalGal has a contest going on
'cause she's hoping to have a
Virtual Christmas Show!!!

You have until the 25th of December
to submit your name and quilt and
NO!!! it's not a judging contest, either!

Here's my Christmas quilt!

It's a lap quilt that I will be
(hopefully)
hand quilting, soon.

I selected some Dear Jane blocks
and some "Midget" blocks, too!

Oh yes, 4 or 5 of the blocks were done
by friends of mine,
through a Dear Jane Christmas block swap.
*grin*




The blocks are framed in black, with gold speckles.

Makes it almost look like antique gold!
*grin*

Please go visit SewCalGal's web site,
follow the instructions and SIGN UP.....

QUICK!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Rosa

When a Woman Lies

Hi There!

Received this from a friend, today,
via email.
It's one of my favorites...
Enjoy!
Rosa

********************

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?' The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family.The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.




Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked .The seamstress replied, 'No.'

The Lord again dipped into the river.. He held out a golden thimble studded with rubies.

'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. Again, the seamstress replied, 'No..'

The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.

'Is this your thimble ?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'Yes.' The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?''Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!'



The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney.'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked.

Yes,' cried the seamstress.The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!'The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding. You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt.

Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.

And so the Lord let her keep him.

The moral of this story is: Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

Signed,

All Us Women

Swayed to Elly's comment!!!

Hi There!

Elly - you're right!
I had found Dean Martin's "Sway",
on YouTube!!!

I think I prefer Michael Buble's rendition of this song,
but either way... It's STILL in my head!!!

LOL

Which brings me to a couple different
kinds of videos.

About a couple weeks ago,
a friend had sent me a music video
of Martina McBride and Elvis -
digitally dropped, of course.

Showed it to Gilbert, as I was quite impressed
and OF COURSE he had to find a better one!

LOL

Elvis and Celine

Anyhooooo, I received this cute cartoon, today,
in my email box... *grin*

Just got 1 more gift to buy and wrap
and then I can say....

"Pick me with a fork - I'm DONE!"

LOL

Rosa