BOB and Orca Bay

SPOILER ALERT -

BOB THINKS SHE HAS THE SOLUTION TO THE ORCA BAY MYSTERY -

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW -

STOP READING NOW!!!
===================


By jove - I think I’ve got it!!

BOB was trying to go to sleep the other night -

Waiting for Santa - ;))

And was playing with Orca Bay in her head -

This is what BOB thinks -

And we all know BOB could be WRONG!!

But - what if we have -

Block A -

Block B -

The Blue String blocks as CORNERSTONES -

AND -

The Red String blocks are GEESE -

With the Part 5 patches as the WINGS -

And the FLYING GEESE are the SASHES -

And it looks like this??

BOB has NO IDEA if this is even close -

Or what Bonnie has planned for the borders -

But -

This would be a really cool layout - don’t ya think?

Yeah - BOB thought so -


But then again - it’s probably just me.

BOB and Super Bowl XLVI

Have you seen the TV commercial -

Sorry - don’t remember which one - ;((

Where the kid clerk mentions the Super Bowl that is coming up -

And calls it -

Super Bowl - “X” - “L” - “V” - “I”

Instead of -

Super Bowl “46”

????

Don’t they teach Roman Numerals anymore?

And - if they don’t -

Why do they still use them -

Especially on sporting events -

With millions of people watching -

If no one knows what they are -

????


But then again - it’s probably just me.

BOB uses "use"

BOB uses "use"


BOB uses “use” -

BOB doesn’t use “utilize” -

BOB thinks that in this day and age

Of quick and easy -

People would want to simplify things -

And use "use" -

It’s shorter - quicker - and easier -

So use “use” -

That’s what it’s for - ;))


But then again - it’s probably just me.

BOB has moved - again -

BOB has moved - again -

To a brand-new home - HERE -

I decided to change the name of her blog (again) to something less harsh -

Something that I could actually refer my nice quilty readers to -

Something that I could have Google actually scroll -

Something that I wouldn't mind seeing on the first page of a Google search -

Something without the word "b!tch" in it -

Even though BOB is one -

She doesn't want to show up on any "@dult" searches - ;))

SO -

This is BOB's new home.

I tried to transfer all of the old posts and such -

But Blogger got upset at all of the activity -

So - the transfer itself is yet another UFO -

Just what I need, right? -

Another UFO -

Anyway -

Please come visit -

We'll put the coffee on. ;))

BOB and clutter

BOB and clutter -


Where is it written that the MOM has to clean up everyone’s mess??

BOB has a little pillow hanging from the pantry door knob -

It has a little button sewn on it -

And says -

Push button for maid -

If no one answers -

Do it yourself!!

===

BOB read a blog recently -

Actually BOB read quite a few blogs recently -

But this one in particular “spoke” to her -

Mind you - this is just her opinion -

And she could be wrong -

But - BOB thinks -

CLUTTER makes her house look MESSY -

And MESSY bothers her (sometimes) -

BUT -

CLUTTERED is not the same as DIRTY.

Her house is CLEAN -

Thanks to a couple of very nice young girls who help her out -

BUT it is also MESSY and CLUTTERED!!

Sometimes it bothers her -

Sometimes it doesn’t -

If it’s HER mess -

She doesn’t mind cleaning/straightening it up -

If it’s NOT her mess -

She has a tough time -

It's nowhere near as bad now as it was when her kids still lived at home -

If a visitor thought that she was not doing a good job keeping the house CLEAN -

She would have LOVED to tell them that she didn’t put it there!!

Blame the owner(s) of the shirt(s) for being a slob -

It’s not HER job to clean up after them!!

And they better not be judging HER for something she cannot control -

In the meantime - she put on her blinders and walked AROUND it -

Trying not to trip. ;))



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and the Gizmo

BOB and the Gizmo


This is only my opinion –

I could be wrong -

But –

I think this thing is silly –

Why do I need one?

I chain stitched my jelly roll strips - end to end -

All I have to do is lay them out and line them up –

And clip them apart –

One by one –

By one –

By one –

It’s not hard –

It’s not even time consuming –

It took me longer to take the pics –

And write this post –

Than it did to clip ALL of the strips –

On my Jelly Roll Race Quilt #2 –

Forty strips in about 20 seconds –

With the gizmo -

I would have to pick up each strip and run it through the blade -

To me -

And this is just my opinion - I could be wrong -

That doesn't look easier or faster to me -

So -

I repeat –

Why do I need one?

Answer –

I don’t. ;))


But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and the little blue box

BOB and the little blue box


BOB picked up some meds this morning –

They came in a little blue box –

A little blue booby trap –

The top of the box read –
And BOB thought – as she read it -

"This packaging is designed to help you take your medication as directed.
I know how to take one pill a day. I don’t need “help to take my/your medication as directed”.

To open, firmly press on the tip of the thumb-shaped button.
I can’t press firmly on ANYTHING anymore – much less with my thumb.

While holding the button down, pull out blister

The rest was covered by the pharmacy stickers –
So BOB peeled them back to read what was under them -

card from open end of pack.
– much less while I am trying to pull something else out.
And - what idiot is going to try to pull it out of the “closed” end of the pack??

Refer to the calendar to find your daily dose,
Again – I know how to take one pill a day. I have my system – and it works for me.

press out and take appropriate pill.
If (not when) I can get the blister card out – pressing out the little itty bitty pill is going to be a royal pain in the ass.

To close, slide the blister card back into the pack
Trying to get the blister card back in the little blue box should be even more fun.

to re-engage the child-resistance features.”
Oh – THERE it is -
To re-engage the child-resistance features.

All of this crap isn't designed to "help me/you take my/your medication as directed" -

It's designed this way because of the child-resistance features.

You’re afraid a child might try to open it.

And you’re going to get sued.

How about designing it so I can open the damn thing?

And then there is the WARNING – KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN

Ya think??

=====

Funny thing – when my kids were little – I had absolutely NO trouble keeping meds out of their reach. What the hell is wrong with people nowadays that that is so hard to do? The manufacturer has to bobby trap the packaging to do it for them? Give me a break!

And - I am over sixty – exactly what children do I have to keep them “out of the reach of” anyway?? My children are grown and my grandchildren are teenagers. Even when they were little - I didn’t have any trouble keeping meds out of their reach.

I repeat - What is wrong with people?

Don’t the manufacturers realize that older people – and sick ones - who actually need these meds – also need to be able to open the damn box to get to them?

I vote they put the pills in a little bottle – let’s even call it a "pill bottle” – and sell them that way. Then I can keep them out of the reach of children – I do know how.

You want to know the really stupid part?

We don’t even have the option of getting them as separate little pills -

They ONLY come in the little blue box –

So guess what I spent the rest of the morning doing –

Yup –

Cutting the damn things out of the blister pack in the little blue box –

And putting them in a pill bottle –

So that I can take my medication as directed.


But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB and Another Black Hole

BOB and Another Black Hole


Told you I had to get a new printer -

Seems that my model has ink problems - here - (the pink blurb) -
(Emphasis added by me)

Epson Workforce 610 and 615
When making cartridges there are two factors the manufacturer has to consider: 1) that the chip is fully compatible with the printer and 2) that the ink formula is engineered to work properly. The Workforce 610 and 615 use the same cartridges as the Workforce 500, 600 and numerous others. The ink formula is the same. Yet for some reason, we are getting more complaints (about 5% vs 1%) with the Workforce 610 than any other model. The complaints have to do with the printer eventually "losing a color" - usually black - after some months of use. Even head cleanings does not solve it. It appears that the narrow hoses which carry ink to the print head became filled with air which broke the vacuum effect needed to suck ink to the head. Now all or most Epson printers use this method to transport ink. We have no idea why this problem only seems to occur with some Workforce 610s. We suspect a manufacturing defect in some of these printers. 95% of our customers with Workforce 610 have been using them for many months without a problem. We don't have enough feedback on the Workforce 615 to indicate a pattern.
Incidentally, if you do have this problem with any Epson printer, we have a $7 Epson printer head cleaning kit which solves this problem almost all the time.


=====

I like how you have to PAY -

For a POSSIBLE solution -

I also think that the damn thing should work -

When you BUY it -


But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB rented a video

BOB rented a video


Once upon a time –

BOB and her family went to the grocery store.

DAD went one way – to get the groceries -

While BOB and the kids went to the section where they rented out videos.

(Yeah – I know – the "olden” days – before Blockbuster – Netflix – and DVR’s.)

Anyway –

After selecting a couple of videos –

BOB went to “check out” -

And was told -

“You can’t check these out – your name isn’t in the computer.”

BOB said –

“So – put my name in the computer.” (Duh!)

The young female clerk said –

“We can’t do that – you need your husband’s permission to be on the account.”

To which BOB replied –

“We have been married a VERY long time – I don’t need my husband’s PERMSSION for anything!”

BOB’s husband has always had impeccable timing –

And showed up right on cue.

He asked what was going on –

And BOB told him.

He told the young female clerk to add my name in the computer –

Which she did.

=====

I think that this one is funny –

Because -

The young female clerk didn’t even ask my husband who he WAS –

Or ask for his ID!!

Me – I didn’t have PERMISSION –

Him – he could have been anybody!!



But then again – it’s probably just me.

And they wonder why -

AND THEY WONDER WHY I'M CONFUSED -

Not long ago I got a form letter from my "Primary Care Physician" -

It said - and I quote -

"In order to assure your continued good health, our office staff regularly review (sic) patient charts. In reviewing your chart we have found you are in need of one or more of the tests/exams listed below.

  X   Complete Blood Panel

  X   Mammogram

  X   Colorectal Cancer Screening by Colonoscopy
(Please call our office to request a referral for a specialty consult.)

  X   Well Woman/Pap Smear
(Please call the office to schedule an appointment or inform our staff if you go elsewhere so we may make a note in our records.)

Your lab tests have been ordered electronically at ...

Please fast - ..."

Etc. etc. etc. -

SO -

Like a good girl -

I do the lab tests and schedule the mammogram and Well Woman exams.
(BOB will tell you about the mammogram some other day.)

The colonoscopy part had me confused -

I just had a colonoscopy two years ago -

So I didn't think I needed another one for a couple of more years -

But when I scheduled the Well Woman exam -

I also made sure to "request a referral for a specialty consult" for the colonoscopy.

AND -

I thought that the part about having to call them to "request a referral" was downright hilarious - seeing as how it was THEIR OFFICE that said I needed one in the first place!! Don't they talk to each other?? Guess not.

ANYWAY -

I waited - and waited - and waited - and waited for the referral/authorization - and never got one.

SO -

When I went to the doctor for my Well Woman exam - I told her about it -

and she said she would check on it for me.

TODAY -

I get a call from my "Primary Care Physician's" office -

telling me that they had called the "Specialty Doctor's" office -

and that he said that he didn't need to see me -

UNTIL 2015!!

Funny how -

In REVIEWING my chart -

They found ALL that other stuff -

BUT

They didn't see THAT!!



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and the Twister block

BOB and the Twister block

The other day BOB received her EQ7 October 2011 Newsletter –
with a link to a tutorial on how to make an easy Twister block –
without the special ruler.

It got her to thinking –

about the TUTORIAL -

Is it just her – or is the EQ7 tutorial wrong?

If you start with a 5” x 5” charm square –

BOB thinks the block will finish at 4” not 4-1/2” square.

You lose the ¼” on each side – we all know that –

BUT –

you also lose ¼” on each side of the cut you make down the MIDDLE of the square -

Right?

To BOB that makes an inch of seam allowance loss –

not half an inch.

about the BLOCK -

Sure looks like a block she made last Halloween -

using the book called “Rotary Cutting Revolution” -

by Anita Grossman Solomon.  C&T Publishing – © 2010

http://alefthandedquilter.blogspot.com/2010/10/feeling-better-today.html

http://alefthandedquilter.blogspot.com/2010/11/november-already.html

about the RULER –

Just her opinion – mind you – but -

When she first saw the special ruler and all the blogs touting its merits –

she remembered the block she made WITHOUT the ruler.

Here’s what she had left from the blocks she made –
and most of it was because she screwed up when she cut some of them.
(The bobbin is in there to give you a sense of scale.)

So here are five reasons she doesn’t want/need the ruler –

1. It costs $$$.
2. She can make a Twister block without it.
3. She has more control over which color goes where.
4. She has straight edges on her blocks – not bias ones.
5. She has minimal waste – not Swiss-Cheese.

The whole thing may take her longer –

But she actually ENJOYS sewing –

So if it's not done in an afternoon. -

BOB is good with that.


But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB and the refund fiasco

BOB and the refund fiasco

Last Sunday I did a post on my other blog about whether or not I should tell the insurance company that I didn’t need an authorization for a mammogram since I had just had one.

I decided not to tell them – to just let them figure it out themselves.

My new rule is - Don’t try to help – you’ll just confuse them.

The reason I said that was that recently I DID try to help and it was a total waste of time.

Here’s the quick version – I don’t want to bore you –

In March I called the bank for the recent ATM activity on our account – automated menu stuff – hit the buttons – listen – write it down – do my bank reconciliation – the usual. I do it every week – nothing out of the ordinary.

Well, after I did my bank rec – I had TOO MUCH MONEY!! I called again and found that there were two extra deposits - federal and state tax refunds that weren’t mine. The bank had credited my account with someone else’s tax refunds. We hadn’t even DONE our taxes yet – they couldn’t have been ours,

So – silly me - I tried to help. I called the bank – and talked to a very nice lady with an odd name – I don’t remember what it was right now – but I wrote it down somewhere. Anyway – I explained that the refunds weren’t mine – she found the error – thanked me for my honesty - and assured me that it would be fixed.

I made a note in my records of the error – and waited for them to make the correction – and waited – and waited - for it to show on my bank statement.

It took them until AUGUST to deduct both refunds from my account. No notice – just deducted it from my account – one at a time – in two different months.

I feel sorry for whoever/whomever those refunds belonged to. They should have received them in MARCH.

Oh – and by the way – the bank charges a “research” charge of $25/hour if you want them to research an error. Those poor people probably had to pay the bank to find the error that I TOLD them about. The bank screws up – and you have to pay them to find it and fix it!! By the hour!! So who knows how long it will take them to figure out what they did. And how much it will cost you!!

Good grief!!

So – the moral of the story is –

Don’t keep the money – it’s not yours – and they will want it back SOMEDAY when you least expect it. And they WILL take it back without telling you first.

But - more importantly –

Don’t try to help – because - it won’t help.


But then again - it's probably just me.

International Skeptics Day

According to Chris over at Shared Creativity -

Today is "International Skeptics Day" -

I think BOB was born a skeptic -

So -

For BOB -

Every Day is Skeptics Day!!



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and the ball

BOB and the ball


The question is - 

If a bat and a ball together cost $1.10 and the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball –
how much does the ball cost?


The answer is - 

Five cents.

The ball costs five cents.
The bat costs one dollar and five cents.
The bat costs one dollar more than the ball.
Together they cost one dollar and ten cents.

That’s OK –

BOB got it wrong, too.

BOB was taught to show your work –

SO she will give you two methods to solve this problem -

METHOD #1 – Algebra – 

BOB LOVES ALGEBRA –
IT’S SO LOGICAL -
BUT IT IS THE LONG WAY –
AND most people HATE Algebra -
So -
BOB won’t use “X” –
Instead - she will just use (BALL) –
Maybe that will make more sense to those of you who are math-challenged.

We want to know the cost of the ball – so that’s - (BALL)

Ball = (BALL)

The BAT costs one dollar more than the ball –

Bat = (BALL + $1.00)

Together they cost ($1.00 + $.10)

So –

Ball + Bat = ($1.00 + $.10)

Substitute for Ball and Bat -
(BALL) + (BALL + $1.00) = ($1.00 + $.10)

Simplify – get rid of the parentheses -
BALL + BALL + $1.00 = $1.00 + $.10

Add the balls together -
2 BALLS + $1.00 = $1.00 + $.10

Get rid of the dollar on each side - 
Leaves us with -
2 BALLS = $.10

So –
1 BALL = $.05


METHOD #2 - Talk it out -
The short way -

Together the ball and bat cost one dollar and ten cents.
If the bat costs one dollar more than the ball –
The dollar belongs to the bat.
That leaves the ten cents.
Except for the dollar - the bat and ball cost the same.
The bat is half of the ten cents – the ball is the other half.
Half of ten cents is five cents.
The ball costs five cents.
The bat costs one dollar and five cents.
Together they cost one dollar and ten cents.


Any problem is easy – if you know the answer.  ;))

BOB has an appointment next Wednesday

BOB has an appointment next Wednesday

BOB got a call from the doctor’s office earlier this week –

It went something like this –

She – twenty/thirty-something female clerk –
I’m calling to reschedule your appointment this Thursday.

BOB –
I don’t have an appointment this Thursday.  My appointment is next Wednesday.

She –
Next Wednesday?  Oh, you’re right.  I see it here on the computer.

BOB –
And the reason I don’t have an appointment this Thursday is that you called me last week and you rescheduled it for next Wednesday.  You put it on Wednesday but you forgot to take it off Thursday, didn’t you?

She –
Oh.

=====

This is a STUPID story.

Back in the “old” days – we wrote tax appointments on a piece of paper with a pen -

When someone called to reschedule – we crossed it off one day and wrote it in on the other day – with a note on the "old" date that it had been rescheduled to the "new" date - simple.

Nowadays – "The computer does it."

But the computer ONLY does what the user tells it to do!

The user has to “use” some brains and do BOTH steps.

You can "ADD" the appointment to the NEW date –

but you also have to "DELETE" it from the OLD date.

The computer can’t DO it unless you tell it to!!

This “adventure” ranks right up there with the phone calls BOB gets the night before to remind her that she has an appointment the next morning.

AND THEN THEY SAY that if BOB wants/needs to cancel the appointment that she must give them 24 hours notice!!

How the hell is she supposed to do that when they barely give her 12!!

When she complained – all she got was “Oh, the computer does that!”

What - the computer programs itself?

How does the computer know to call me?

How does the computer know when I have an appointment?

Doesn't SOMEONE have to tell it?

Idiots. 

To them I say - 

Get your shit together -

The baby boomers are coming –

and, Bob, for one, is getting tired of dealing with stupidity and incompetence.



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB and FedEx

BOB and FedEx


Sept. 4, 2001 – BOB placed an order online

Sept. 4, 2001 – 9:24AM – BOB received an Order confirmation

Sept. 6, 2011 - 7:00AM – Shipment information sent to FedEx

Sept. 6, 2011 – 3:58PM – Picked up – Amarillo, TX

Sept. 6, 2011 – 4:26PM – Arrived at FedEx location – Amarillo TX

Sept. 6, 2011 – 8:19PM – Left FedEx origin facility – Amarillo, TX

Sept. 7, 2011 – 12:04AM – In transit – Wichita Falls, TX

Sept. 7, 2011 – 6:07AM – Arrived at FedEx location – Fort Worth, TX

Sept. 7, 2011 – 9:14AM – Departed FedEx location – Fort Worth, TX

Sept. 8, 2011 – 3:16PM – Arrived at FedEx location – Lewisberry, PA

Huh??  BOB lives in California - NOT Pennsylvania.

Sept. 9, 2011 – 1:04PM – Departed FedEx location – Lewisberry, PA

Sept. 13, 2011 – 4:54PM – Arrived at FedEx location – Bloomington, CA

Sept. 13, 2011 – 11:30PM – Departed FedEx location – Bloomington, CA

Sept. 14, 2011 – 7:14AM – At FedEx facility – my town

Sept. 14, 2011 – 8:06AM – On FedEx vehicle for delivery

=====

Could have had it sooner if it didn’t have to go to Pennsylvania first.

So what’s in Pennsylvania that it had to go see??

And why didn’t someone at FedEx notice that to get to California from Texas –

You go WEST – not EAST??



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB and the new century

BOB and the new century


The question is - 

What was the date (MM/DD/YY) of the first day of this new century?

The answer is - 

01/01/01

January 1, 2001

What else would it be?

I know – some of you think it was January 1, 2000 –

01/01/00

But - you must admit - that doesn’t even LOOK right - 

It amazes BOB that something that should be so obvious has to be explained.

And then to have people - intelligent people - argue with you – simply amazing!!

BOB found a link to a website that I think explains it pretty well – here -

BOB is going to use that - no use trying to re-invent the wheel, right??

Assuming anyone will read BOB - or even care...

=====

Then - just for fun –

BOB asked three of her grandsons the same question –

Grandson #1 (age 16) said - January 1, 2000

Grandson #2 (age 14) said - January 1, 2001

Grandson #3 (age 12) said - Tuesday**

BOB thinks that one out of three is pretty bad -


But then again – it’s probably just me.


**Note - 01/01/01 was a Monday - in case you were wondering.

BOB had another copay - Part 2

BOB had another copay - Part 2 - 


On my last post – I forgot one part –

I forgot to tell the part where she called me - "HONEY".

When I gave the twenty-something female clerk the twenty-dollar bill –

She actually said - "HONEY, do you have a ten?"

That pissed BOB OFF!!
(BOB is usually a very nice lady - until she gets pissed off!)

That’s why I called her - “SWEETIE”.
(BOB isn't usually so rude and demeaning as to call someone "Sweetie".)

Just because I have white hair –

Doesn't mean that I'm old and stupid –

AND –

IT SURE AS HELL DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN CALL ME - “HONEY”!!

AND –

Next time –

Just for fun –

I’ll be sure to take another twenty.  ;))



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB had another copay

BOB had another copay

This time the copay was $10.00 -

BOB gave the twenty-something female clerk a twenty-dollar bill.

The twenty-something female clerk said - "Do you have a ten?"

BOB said -

"Sweetie, if I had a ten - I would have given you a ten.  All I have is a twenty."

The twenty-something female clerk said -

"I don't have change for a twenty.  I'll be right back."

And then she left and went across the way to another office to get change.

While she was gone -

BOB thought -

• You don't have change for a twenty?


• Let's see - most doctor visits require copays.


• And most copays are ten dollars.


• What happened to all of the copays that you got from all of the other people sitting out here in the waiting room?


• Where are they?


• Did the people "charge" them - or use a "debit" card?


• You didn't tell me that I could "charge" it - or use a "debit" card.


• I gave you cash and you don't have change?


• Good grief!

After a while - the twenty-something female clerk came back.

And gave BOB her change for a twenty - 

ONE five - 

THREE ones - 

and EIGHT quarters

It was probably all those quarters that took so long to find, huh?



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and Jack Reacher

BOB and Jack Reacher

This morning - on my other blog –

I posted this question –

• If they made a movie – who should play Jack Reacher?

My answer was -

Josh Brolin. I heard/read somewhere that “they” were thinking of making a Jack Reacher movie - based on the books written by Lee Child – and casting Tom Cruise as Jack. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! If they cast Tom Cruise – they will ruin the whole thing – and I, for one, won’t watch the movie. Jack and Josh are “tall, dark, and handsome” - Tom is short and creepy. That’s just my opinion – I could be wrong.

Then Mad about Craft asked who Jack Reacher was.

Very good question –

I knew -

but how to explain to someone who had never heard of him??

So I did what everyone does –

I googled “Jack Reacher” –

And I found a link to Lee Child’s website –

Then I emailed her back and said -

Jack Reacher is the main character in a series of books by Lee Child. Rather than try to explain - here's a link to Lee Child's website.
http://leechild.com/

And I guess I'm too late - they already cast Tom Cruise.

============

But that’s not my rant – 

THIS is my rant –

Not only did I find Lee Child’s website –

I found THIS – here -

with a photo of Lee GRANT.

Somebody needs to tell them that - 

Lee GRANT is NOT Lee CHILD!!

According to Wikipedia – here - 

Jim Grant's pen name is Lee CHILD - 

And Lee GRANT -

According to Wikipedia - here -

Is a woman – and an academy award winning actress – and a film director -

NOT the author of the Jack Reacher novels!!

Good grief!!

Doesn’t anyone check ANYTHING anymore??



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB has a copay

BOB has a copay.

One kind of doctor is $10.

Another kind is $20.

BOB went to “another kind”

And tried to pay the $20.

The thirty-something clerk insisted that the copay was $15.

BOB tried to explain that it was not $15

It was $20.

Have you ever tried to explain something to someone who has the concept TOTALLY WRONG but insists that she/he is RIGHT?

Well - BOB finally gave up trying to explain that the copay was $20

And paid the thirty-something clerk $15.

SO –

What did BOB get in the mail today?

A bill for $5.00.

Because (the thirty-something clerk wrote) –

The copay is $20.

REALLY???

YA THINK???

As a baby boomer –

BOB is having a very tough time dealing with some of the know-it-all know-nothing/clueless generation.

BOB wonders why some are wonderful and others just don't have a clue.

Where did the clueless ones come from?

Can we send them back?




But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB has some UFOs

BOB has some UFOs

Actually - BOB has A LOT OF UFOs.

BOB also has the attention span of a gnat.

BOB likes everything she sees - 
and shiny things, too - 

and wants to try every technique she can find -

and wants to make every quilt in the world!

But that's not happening - 

not enough time left - 

SO - 

BOB tries a little of this - 

and a little of that - 

all the time - learning - learning - learning new stuff - 

and HAVING FUN!!

BOB doesn't understand the whole UFO thing - 

you know - the - "ALL UFOs MUST BE FINISHED!" - thing

WHY??

WHO SAYS??

Do you have to finish EVERY book you ever start to read?
BOB just couldn't get through "Wicked" - sorry - just not my thing!
The musical might be great - but the book sucked - big time!

Do you have to finish EVERY bit of the food you cooked for dinner?
You can't ever have left-overs?
You can't ever throw them away?

Do you have to eat EVERYTHING in your refrigerator before it spoils?
You can't ever replace the milk because it has expired?

BOB thinks some things are worth doing - 
and some things are a total waste of time.

BOB likes to work on something -
until she figures it out -
then she moves on -

Sometimes the colors don't work - 
Sometimes the instructions suck -
Sometimes - she just gets bored - 

Some of her UFOs date back many years - 

but -

WHO CARES!!

BOB will work on them - 

WHEN and IF she wants to - 

or start a new project - 

whenever she wants - 

It's her hobby - 

and her rules!!

SO - 

NEW RULE - 

You can never have too many UFOs!!



But then again - it's probably just me.

LHQ - International Left-Handed Quilters Anonymous

INTERNATIONAL LEFT-HANDED QUILTERS ANONYMOUS

==========
Note - this is a new and improved version (re-edited re-post) of one I posted on my other blog -  A Left-Handed Quilter.
==========

I once mentioned that I thought that we needed to start our very own 
"International Left-Handed Quilters Association".  (ILHQA)
 

I've changed my mind - I think we need to call it -

INTERNATIONAL LEFT-HANDED QUILTERS ANONYMOUS.

Then we could have a meeting online - and I could say -

Hello, my name is Kitty - and I'm a Left-Handed Quilter.

And then you could say -

Hello, Kitty!

=========

Sorry - I'm in a goofy mood today - and I've always wanted to say that - but it's kinda hard to work into a conversation!

Did you know that August 13 is International Left-Handers Day?

Check out my other blog - A Left-Handed Quilter - for a special post on August 13.

My mission between now and then is to get other Lefties out there to get my button on their blog and to maybe show up for the meeting.   Maybe we can link up or something - I still need to work on that.  And an agenda - probably need an agenda - and...

And - I'm curious - just how many left-handed quilters are out there in blogland?
Hundreds?  Thousands?  Millions?  (No, Kitty - it's just you and some of your followers!)

So - leave me a comment and answer two questions for me - if you would, please -

1.  Are you a lefty?
2.  What gives you the most trouble in the right-handed world of quilting?

Thanks -


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

No-reply commenter

Hi there - 

My other blog - A Left-Handed Quilter - asked a question today -

• Are you a "no-reply" commenter?  NO?  Are you SURE?

and gave you a short answer - adding that if you want a detailed explanation of the problem - and my solution - to come visit me for the LOOOOOOONG version.

So - here goes - 

I'll try to explain this the best I can - 

WARNING - This answer is going to be REALLY LONG.
And it isn't the same old "Check the Show Email Address box in your Profile" problem - either - in case you think you've heard it all before and want to skip this post entirely.  You might want to keep reading - this problem may apply to you - and you don't even know it!!  I sure didn't know it applied to me!!

Anyway - I didn’t think I was a "no-reply" commenter - but Connie - Quilting by the River - said I was – so I had to check it out.   

It turns out that sometimes I WAS - and - sometimes I WASN'T.

Weird, huh?

Wonder why that is?

I have been leaving comments on other blogs for a long time now.  Sometimes I leave them as “Kitty” and sometimes as “A Left-Handed Quilter” – with a link to my blog.  It all depends on the other blogger’s comment section – the part that says “Choose an Identity”.

The choices are usually -

• Google Account
• OpenID
• Name/Url
• Anonymous

If I could – I would always choose "Name/Url" -
I just figured that my blog name on a comment might generate more visits to my blog – free publicity and all that.  Can’t hurt to have more readers, right?

That choice would pop up two more boxes -

• Name – and I would enter - A Left-Handed Quilter
• URL - and I would enter - http://alefthandedquilter.blogspot.com/

If that wasn’t an option - I would check the first box – Google Account – and leave my comment as “Kitty”.  Not my first choice - but a generic "default" sort of thing.

Either way – I would leave my comment – and then go on to read the next blog.

Sometimes I would get a response - and sometimes not.

I never really paid much attention -

UNTIL -

Connie emailed me to say that she had tried to answer my comment –
And that it came up as “no-reply”.

Huh???

Julie - My Quilt Diary - answered my comments sometimes –

How come Connie couldn’t?

Weird.

I emailed Connie back and said - 

I have no idea why my comment would show as "no-reply".  My profile shows both my email address and my web page.  What else would it need?

Kitty

She then replied –

Now this works, here is something I copied from Sew Many Ways to check to see if people can sent you email.
·    first, go to your blogger dashboard
·    near your picture or logo on the left, click "Edit Profile"
·    go to the first section labeled "Privacy"
·    in this section, the third line down should say "Show Email Address"
·    make sure the IS a Check Mark in the "Show Email Address"
·    if you don't have an email address listed, you can fill it in in the "Identity" section
·    The MOST IMPORTANT part when you finish, is to go to the bottom of the page and click "Save Profile" on the bottom left side. If you do not click save it won't work.

Connie

So – I checked to see whether or not I had “Checked the Box” –
(By the way - Connie - great instructions!)

And –

Yeah – IT WAS CHECKED!!

What the...???

OK – this makes NO SENSE!!

So –

I looked at the comment I left on Julie’s blog –
An orange Blogger icon/profile image – "Kitty"

And the comment I left on Connie’s blog –
A grayed out icon/profile image – "A Left-Handed Quilter"

I could get a response if I commented as ''Kitty"
But not as “A Left-Handed Quilter”

Hmmmmm...........interesting.

That lead to Blogger HELP – ALL evening – researching – researching -

And then I found a blurb –

Just a little blurb –

That made all the difference in the world!!
http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/blogger/thread?tid=517bd987aec2c511&hl=en

It got me to thinking –

And – as much as this computer crap gives me a headache sometimes –

I DO have experience in the area –

And – I like puzzles –

So – I came up with a theory -

And – Sunday morning – with Connie's help - I tested my hypothesis –

Like the song goes – 

The knee bone is connected to the leg bone – the leg bone is connected to the ankle bone…  (or something like that..)

Anyway – here’s the deal –

Your Email address is connected to your Google Account –
You log in to your Google Account  -
and you have access to your email - 
and your blog (if you have one)

And –

Your Email address is connected to your Blogger Profile –
You check the box (or not) –
And your email address will show (or not) on your Blogger Profile

BUT –

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

Your BLOGGER NAME/URL is NOT DIRECTLY connected to your EMAIL ADDRESS

So if you use it to leave a comment - it shows you as a “NO-REPLY” COMMENTER.

The other blogger (the one you left a comment on) has to click on your name in the comment - 
Go to your Profile - 
And then to your email – IF - and only IF - you have an email contact listed
(Like Connie's instructions explain)

The other blogger can get there – eventually - 
but NOT DIRECTLY –
it’s a really long way around something that should be simple.

So –

My theory is/was –

I could change my Google Account Name to the Name of my blog –
and then all I have to do is leave my comment using my Google Account Name.

Simple.

Problem solved.

I made some changes - and left a comment on Connie’s blog to test my theory.

Then I emailed Connie to tell her that I had left a comment -
and asked her to tell me if it still came up "no-reply" -

It DIDN'T - 

It WORKED!!

I'm sure that other bloggers are probably way ahead of me and have already figured this out - but somehow I didn't get the memo and they neglected to tell me.  ;))

Anyway - if you are leaving comments using your Name/URL - be aware that you are coming up as a "no-reply" commenter.

Here’s a quick test you can use to see if you are a "no-reply" commenter - 

• Go to another blog where you have left a comment.

• If the little icon/symbol/profile image next to your name on the comment is GRAYED OUT – you are a “no-reply” commenter.

• If the little icon/symbol/profile image next to your name on the comment is the orange Blogger symbol – or your Google Account picture – you are good to go.

I can be so clever sometimes –

But right now – I have a HUGE HEADACHE!!  ;))

BOB wants to know

BOB wants to know -

Why people can't spell DEFINITELY correctly.

It is spelled - D - E - F - I - N - I - T - E - L - Y.

It's really not that hard to remember - E - I - I - E.

BOB hates misspellings - and typos just JUMP off the page right in her face!

BOB doesn't think that people realize that it makes them look stupid.

The problem these days seems to be that they don't CARE if they look stupid.

BOB just can't wrap her head around that AT ALL!

They don't read anymore.

They can't do math.

And now they aren't teaching cursive in schools anymore -

so much for readin', writin', and 'rithmetic, huh?

I have to laugh when they mix up words -

conversation - conservation

calvary - cavalry

know - no

knew - new

your - you're

their - there - they're

to - too - two

though - thought - through - thorough - tough


Hey guys - they're spelled differently - BECAUSE they are DIFFERENT WORDS!!



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB should have

BOB should have


Not should OF -

Should HAVE is often shortened to

The contraction - SHOULD'VE -

And then pronounced

SHOULD - UV

Which sounds like

SHOULD OF -

But

IT SNOT.

BOB doesn't do Starbucks

BOB DOESN’T DO STARBUCKS

BOB thinks that STARBUCKS charges too much money.

BOB doesn’t know the current menu prices –

Nor does she care.

BOB can get a 12 oz. CAN of coffee

For under $6.00

And make 14 POTS of coffee

Each with 12 CUPS

For a total of 168 CUPS.

If BOB does the math
.
(And she does know how)

$6.00 / 168 cups  = .03571429 per cup

That’s  $0.036 per cup

STARBUCKS couldn’t beat that even if it had a stick!



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB and Modern Quilting

BOB and Modern Quilting


My other blog asked the question –

What is “modern” quilting?

My response was – (and BOB thought) –

I’m not really sure what “modern” quilting is – or what it is supposed to be. (I can’t tell.) The quilts that I see that are being called “modern” appear to be patterns with simple lines - squares and/or rectangles – and solid fabrics. They look Amish to me – (but with less precision) - or like the Gees Bend quilts.

Or they use those “NEW” big/splashy “Flower Power” prints that remind me of the 60’s and 70’s. Sorry, guys – but that was 40-50 years ago! If you weren’t born back then – they may be "NEW" to you - but I was there! To me – that "look" is NOT "modern" - it's OLD!! (Besides - I didn't like those prints back then - and I still don't!)

And to prove that IT'S NOT JUST ME -

Bonnie K. Hunter said in a recent post -
Quiltville's Quips and Snips!! - Sunday – 7/10/11 – As Seen Around Sisters! -
(emphasis added by me)

...The past couple of years, the ladies from Gees Bend have been at the show, and I always love coming to see their wonky quilts. What really struck me as FUNNY ((not haha funny, but peculiar funny I guess)) Is how MODERN these look, but they are not, right? These are bare bones UTILITY quilts. Well, there was also an exhibit by the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. And I could swear…what they thought was modern, was just a re-do of the good old Gees Bend style utility quilt! But what I love about the utility quilts is the use of recycled fabric, anything, everything from corduroy to denim to poly to sheets to whatever....

No offense, Christina – but BOB and I totally agree!

==========

The rest of my answer to this question may offend/alienate some/all of my readers -
but BOB is nothing if not opinionated - so here goes...

Your comments (if I get any) should be interesting.

Stir the pot - yes I will!! It's about as close to cooking as I get these days!

=====

Now - if "modern" means learning/trying new techniques - being creative - and breaking the "traditional rules" - then I'm all for it!

BOB likes to do that just as much as the next guy/gal.

But - BOB doesn't consider herself a "modern" quilter.

Let me tell you why - 

Learning/trying new techniques - 

I like learning/trying new techniques. But just because a method or technique is "traditional" or "old-fashioned" - doesn't mean it is bad. Learn from it - don't just discard it as if it has no value!

In this world of rotary cutting - templates are rarely used - but guess what? If you want a really weird shape - templates are the way to go! And what about hexies? English paper piecing? Hand quilting? Too old? Or "modern" because you use solid colors?

Being creative - 

I think that there is a big difference between being CREATIVE and being just plain LAZY!

Some people won't even try - if it's too HARD! Something has to be quick and easy or they are not interested! And don't think that it's CREATIVE to have your points NOT match - when you just didn't take the time to do it - that's being LAZY!

My dad used to tell me -
"If it was easy - anyone could do it! Take pride in being able to do something difficult!"

The trend seems to be lately that people don't want to invest the time it takes to learn how to do something properly. Some things just take time to learn - and lots and lots of practice. You probably think that I'm talking about FMQ (free-motion quilting) - and yes, FMQ takes practice!

But - I'm talking about other stuff, too -

Guitar Hero comes to mind. Heaven forbid kids actually take the time to learn how to play a "real" guitar. If they took the same time they took learning to play their video games - they might be "real" rock stars! WOW! What a concept!

Breaking the "traditional rules" -

The so-called "rules" that some quilters like to break - aren't really "rules" at all. They are the hints and tips that grandmothers, mothers, aunts and cousins used to pass on to new quilters. There are tips and tricks for matching corners, seams, and points - and for making complex designs. These tips and tricks have become so ingrained in quilting culture that they are seen as "rules" - but they are just helpful hints, tutorials, and "how-tos". It's the stuff we blog about!!

The 1/4" seam allowance, for instance, just makes matching seams easier - simply because patterns are drafted with 1/4" seams. If you have no pattern - you don't need the 1/4" seam allowance! Go figure!

And before you get on my case for losing my points and my 1/4" seam allowance - let me say this -

I mess up when I'm not paying attention - and I just laugh it off - it's less stressful for me that way. And I like quick and easy sometimes, too - BUT - I have taken the time to learn how to do it correctly - and precisely. (And I have the ribbons to prove it!)

I lose my 1/4" repeatedly – and I jokingly blog about it – it makes for some funny stuff -
but I also FIND it again when I need it!

I DO KNOW HOW!

And though I see a certain beauty in simplicity - and "modern" designs -

I also see an "OMG!! How did she DO that?" - in a complex traditional design.

I'm hoping for one of the latter to appear in my Quilt Journal someday - aren't you?

BECAUSE –

IF IT WAS EASY - ANYONE COULD DO IT!



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB went to the County Fair

BOB went to the County Fair

and bought a Wonder Mop®

BOB took it home

and mopped

and twisted

and mopped

and twisted

and mopped

and twisted some more

until the mop fell apart

because

BOB had UNSCREWED it.



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB has C.D.O.

.

BOB has C.D.O.

It's like O.C.D.

But - 

The letters are in alphabetical order - 

Like they should be.



But then again - it's probably just me.

=====
NOTE - This joke is not original.  I wish I could tell you where I saw/read  it - I would love to give credit - but I just don't remember.  If you know - please tell me.  

BOB went to the library

BOB went to the library

A couple of months ago I read a great blog rant about the "Oh, I can't do that!" experience - about the stupid attitude of those people who don’t know even want to learn how to do stuff.  Like quilt.  You know the one - the "You're better than us!" attitude - trying to make you feel guilty because you can do something they can't.  Yeah - that one!

I have had a couple of those experiences – and I must admit that I don't even want to learn some of this damn computer crap - I would much rather sew.  But - I have worked with computers since the mid-70's so it's not like I lack experience and/or don't know how.  I just get tired of relearning stuff that is not broken - but has been changed anyway - just because.  Then there's the new stuff - soooooo much new stuff - sometimes it's overwhelming - and I just don't want to play anymore.  But I digress -

My rant is a little bit different than the "Oh, I can't do that!" one – the “flip” side, if you will.  You should all know by now that I'm a Flippin Lefty!  I flip everything from rulers to directions.  Sometimes I even flip them off.  But I digress – again -

So -

Once upon a time - my husband and I went to the public library (remember those?).

That particular day the local quilt guild had displayed some beautiful quilts and some guild members were demonstrating hand quilting on a huge frame.  I watched one lady while she stitched.  I like to see "How" people do things - might learn something - you never know.

She noticed me and proceeded to explain what she was doing.

Then another lady asked if I quilted.

I (being my modest self) said, "A little."

The second lady invited me to join the guild.

They met at 9:00AM on Tuesdays.

I told her I couldn't do that - I worked.

She said - "Oh, you poor thing!  You'll just have to wait until you retire!"

BOB smiled sweetly and walked away - all the while thinking -

Watch what you say - ladies - especially if you don't know who you are talking to!

=====

What they didn't know was -

1) Yes, I worked - as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant).  There is nothing "poor" about being a professional!  I told doctors and lawyers what to do!  And they did it!  Because I said so!

2) I already had a collection of blue ribbons from the local County Fair and a quilt show in a near-by town.  Blue ribbons for my "hand-quilting" - no less!  I may have had to wait to join their guild - but I certainly didn't have to wait to quilt!  And how dare you assume that I didn't know anything - because I didn't belong to your guild! 

The point of my story is -

I didn't get the "You're better than us!" attitude.

I got the “flip” side.

I got the "We're better than you!" attitude.

I got the "We belong to the GUILD!" attitude.

I got the "You can't possibly know anything if you don't belong to the GUILD!" attitude.

I think that the condescending attitude of some quilters is far worse than the stupid attitude of those who won't even try to learn!!  

And - no – even though I am now retired - I won't be joining the local quilt guild any time soon!

I much prefer blogland - where I can find like-minded quilters – read their blogs (or not) - stay in my jammies and not even leave home.  I can sit back and watch some ladies crank out a quilt a week while I just take my time and enjoy the process.  Not that there's anything wrong with that - but I am no less a quilter because I go at a slower pace.  And I resent those who think I am. 

And I certainly hope that I don't come across in my blog as "I'm better than you!" to any of my readers.  I screw up all of the time - but I try to make the best of it - and share with you what works and doesn't work for me.  Maybe it will save you some time and/or trouble.  Maybe not.

And I certainly do not want to imply that all guild members are snobs.  Most of them are not.

I'm just talking about some bitchy quilters who have crossed my path.

Like the one "teacher" who visited (interrupted) my teacher's class.  She was all full of herself because she had just written a book.  La - de - fuckin' - da!  She announced to the class - "I don't see COLOR - I see VALUE!"  Then she proceeded to criticize one student's (my friend) color choices.  COLOR is a personal choice - you don't CRITICIZE someone's color choices!!  How rude!!   
 
And - to me - blogland is way more fun than being stuck in a guild meeting anyway.

Those damn things remind me of WORK!

You know - PROJECTS and DEADLINES!

Besides - one BOB in the room is enough.



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB doesn't do self-checkout

BOB doesn’t do self-checkout

BOB thinks that the grocery store should employ people to do that for me.

BOB thinks that it would be much easier

to teach a handful of employees how to use the register

than it would be 

to teach every customer how to do the same thing.

Here AGAIN – they want me to do it myself!

And I don’t like it!

Where is my damn discount for doing their job?

And why AM I doing their job?

Why aren’t they doing their OWN job?

And they wonder where the jobs are going!

Haven’t I said that before?

Oh, yeah – that's right - I have!



But then again – it’s probably just me.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

or - 

as BOB would love to be able to say - out loud - 


HAPPY MOTHERF***ER’S DAY!!


========


Remember when Rahm Emanuel got in trouble for saying the "R" word?

How come he didn't get in trouble for saying the "F" word right before it?



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB has scraps

BOB has scraps


S.C.R.A.P.S. -

S - Senior

C - Citizen

R - Rotten

A - Attention

P - 

S - Span


Now I need a “P”...



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB doesn't do online banking

BOB doesn’t do online banking
or bill paying.

BOB doesn’t trust herself to do that.

I had a client once who paid his phone bill - and added an extra digit - $300 became $3300.

BOB can't afford to make that kind of mistake.

One time I paid a bill – and couldn’t for the life of me figure out why I had a “credit” balance forward from the prior month.

Seems that the month before I had paid the check number instead of the amount I actually owed - good thing the check number was larger than the bill or I would have been in trouble
.
Then there was the time I was paying the bills – and I couldn’t find one of the checks I had written the week before.

I don't get a bill from the guy who mows our lawn (mow/blow/go/Joe) until the last Thursday of the month - but I usually write his check along with a bunch of other ones the week before.

Monday I went looking for his check.  It wasn't in the usual place.  My husband said he hadn't seen it.  Where the hell had I put that check?  Couldn't figure it out.

Opened the mail on Tuesday.  The credit card company sent me back Joe’s check - 'cuz it wasn't made payable to them. 

So – now BOB takes her time and checks it and re-checks it again.

BOB doesn’t pay her bills on line – she doesn’t dare.



But then again - its probably just me.

BOB doesn't do 6:00AM

BOB doesn’t do 6:00AM


BOB is a night owl.

BOB is usually awake until 2:00AM.

Then eight hours of sleep –

Do the math –

BOB usually gets up at 10:00AM.

So -

BOB had a dentist appointment one time –

The dental assistant wanted me to come in at 7:00AM.

Our conversation went something like this –

BOB – That’s way too early for me.

She – But we need you to come in that early so we can start working on you at 8:00.

BOB – Let me ask you - what time do you wake up in the morning?

She – 5:00AM

BOB – OK – I usually wake up at 10:00.  In order for me to be here by 7:00 – I would have to wake up at 6:00.  Four hours before I normally get up.  How about you get up at 1:00 and come over to my house at 2:00 – you know - before you go to work - I’ll make the coffee.

She laughed – I think she got it – but BOB still had to come in at 7:00AM.

=====

And for those of you who think - well - just go to bed at 10:00PM instead of 2:00AM - like me -

BOB says - you just try to go to bed at 6:00PM instead of 10:00PM - see how it feels.



But then again – it’s probably just me.

Seven Years Ago Today

Seven years ago today –

BOB quit smoking.

It was totally unplanned.

This Is How I Did It.

I woke up one morning and thought –

I wonder how long I can go without a cigarette?

Mind you – I smoked almost a pack a day – for almost 40 years.

One or two before I left the house in the morning.

Another one on the drive to work.

Another one around 10:00AM.

Another two or three at lunch.

Another one around 3:00PM.

Another one on the drive home from work.

The rest in the evening while I watched TV.

BOB enjoyed smoking - every single one of them.

BOB did NOT enjoy the ANTI-smokers and their goody-goody, holier-than-thou attitudes.

Especially the total strangers who believed that it was their duty to tell me to quit.

Don't tell me to quit smoking - and I won't tell you to lose weight!!

But - one day I just woke up and wondered –

How long can I go without a cigarette?

I told myself two things -

1.    I can have a cigarette ANY TIME I want.
2.    But – if I have one - I have to start over counting.

I carried a brand–new – full – open pack of cigarettes in my purse for over a year.

First I made it through one hour -

Then two hours -

Then a whole day –

Then a week –

Then a month –

Then two months –

Then a year –

Then two years –

It has been seven years today –

I can have a cigarette ANY TIME I want.

But – if I have one - I have to start over counting.

BOB doesn't do digital magazines

BOB keeps getting emails touting the digital version of a certain magazine. BOB does not want a digital version of any magazine. BOB sent the following email in reply - This business of doing me a favor by making it digital is crap.  I want a paper magazine that I can read in bed or under a tree - eyestrain is not the issue - printing the magazine is.  You want to put the burden of printing it on me when it should be on you - that's what I'm paying for.  I'm already paying for your magazine so the very least you can do is spend the money on paper and ink to print it and mail it to me on a regular basis.  If you ever decide to make your magazine available only in a digital format - I will cancel my subscription. BOB can really be a Bitchy Old Broad at times. Unfortunately - the company that sent me the email was not the publisher.  The poor person on the receiving end of my rant very graciously replied and provided me with the name of the publisher and an email address - so that I could contact them if I had a problem with my subscription.  Oops!!  Sorry, poor person - I really shouldn't send emails when I'm pissed. But this is - to me - very similar to the situation with BORDERS - "they" want me to do their job for them and I don't like it! If this magazine goes digital - and I''m sure it will eventually - the following is bound to happen - I will cancel my subscription - no big deal there, I'm sure - the company that prints the magazine will no longer have this magazine to print - the company that supplies the paper and ink to the printer will no longer need to - the company that manufactures the printing presses will no longer need to - the company that services/repairs the machinery and premises will no longer need to - all of those people will lose their jobs - all because they want me to do it myself!! C'mon, people - don't you see a trend here???? But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB doesn't do swaps

BOB doesn’t do swaps

Some quilters all into "swaps" – but not BOB.

What if you don't like what they make you?

What if they don't like what you make them?

What if their/your colors aren't right?

What if their/your fabrics aren't right?

What if their/your blocks aren't right?

What if you/they don't like them?

What if I don't want to bother with any of the above?


I like to do things MY WAY - on my own schedule - at my own pace!

(Can you say bitchy old broad??)

And - if I’m going to make twelve of something – it will be for me.

I’m not going to make twelve – give them away – and wait forever to receive some back.

Mine will all be of the same quality and workmanship –

who knows what I’ll get back in return.

If theirs is better than mine – they will feel cheated.

If mine is better than theirs - I will feel cheated.

No win.



But then again – it’s probably just me.

MACRO - MICRO

MACRO – MICRO

I was reading blogs the other day. I won’t tell you which ones – I don’t want to embarrass anyone. One blogger made a remark that just struck me as WRONG.

I didn’t want to leave a comment on her blog – to correct her - that would have been bitchy.
But I can comment HERE – because this is where I can bitch all I want to.
(Check the title of the blog.)

Anyway – (not anyways) – she said -

But, I'm thinking that this is going to be the kind of quilt that's more fun to examine on a macro level, rather than from afar. And, I suppose, that's how quilts are enjoyed anyways - a piece at a time on your lap.

Silly me – I thought that to examine something at (not on) a macro level WAS from afar.
So since when is looking at something up close considered to be at a macro level?

And then two other people chimed in – in the comment section –

#1 - … you're right--it is best appreciated on a macro level. I think of that when I take full-length photos of my quilts. Unless it's a wall hanging, no one will ever see them all stretched out again!

#2 - … you're right that quilts (especially big ones) are most appreciated at the macro level, scrunched up on our laps.

I should remember that next time and not worry too much about the big picutre!

Now – I will overlook the “picutre” – that’s probably just a typo –

But – according to my dictionary – (Webster’s New World Dictionary)

Macro = large - big
Example – macrocosm – universe – any large, complex entity
Example - macroeconomics - entire economy

Micro = little - small
Example – microscopic – so small as to be invisible or obscure except through a microscope
Example - microeconomics - individual consumers

And I know that - in photography -

If you want to photograph something small - to make it look big - 

you want a "macro" view of the "micro" something.


So - if you want the reverse -

If you want to photograph something big - to make it look small - 

wouldn't you want a "micro" view of the "macro" something?

So I repeat -

since when is looking at something up close considered to be at a macro level?


And if it HAS changed – why don’t they rename that thing a MACROscope?



But then again – it’s probably just me.

BOB went to BORDERS

BORDERS (the book store) recently for bankruptcy.  This came as no surprise to BOB.

The last time BOB went to BORDERS it was to look for a specific book that my little sister (bob - blind old bat) had recommended.  I found several other books by the same author - but not the one I was looking for.  (I hate ending a sentence with a preposition - I was taught not to.  Every nun out there is probably looking for her ruler right about now - the better to rap my knuckles with.  See - I keep doing it!)

Anyway - unable to find the book that I was looking for - I ventured over to the store computer to see if it was "in stock" at another location.

I had just found that the book was NOT "in stock" at any store nearby when a twenty-something female employee noticed me at the computer and asked if she could help me.  (Poor little old white-haired lady - must not have a clue!  Another post for another time!)

Our conversation went something like this -

She -
Can (not May) I help you?

Me -
Yes, you can (not may) order this book for me.

She -
Oh, you can order that online and have it delivered to the store.  We can call you when it comes in.

BOB -
Nooooo - that's your job.  It's your job to order books so that they are on the shelf and we can buy them when we come to the store.  If you want me to order the book then you want me to do your job.  And if I order it online and have it delivered to the store - I may as well order it and have it delivered to my home.  That way I don't have to come to the store at all.  And if everybody does that - you won't have anyone coming to the store - the store will close - and you will lose your job.  How's that?

She thought I was kidding!  I wonder where she's not working now?? 

(And I got the book at Barnes and Noble - off the shelf - in case you're wondering.)

===

I don't think "they" realize that the whole point of a job is to get paid to do/make something for someone else.  If "they" want me to do/make it myself - what do I need "them" for?  And they wonder where the jobs are going!!

And if the store closes -

the employees lose their jobs -

they can't buy stuff - 

the cleaning crew has no store to clean -

the landlord loses a tenant -

the landlord can't make the payments on the building -

the building goes into foreclosure -

empty buildings are everywhere -

no one needs to build buildings - there are too many empty ones already -

contractors have no work -

construction workers have no jobs -

etc. - etc. - etc.

Maybe if "they" start doing something for me - I may even pay "them" to do it - and then -

Hey - looky here - a JOB!



But then again - it's probably just me.

Dear Family and Friends

Dear Family and Friends -

HERE BE DRAGONS!!

Anyone who knows BOB/me - in real life - knows what a bitch she/I can be at times.

This blog is for those times.

BOB/I may not be politically correct.

BOB/I may be irreverent.

If someone does or says something that rubs her/me the wrong way - BOB/I is/am liable to talk about him/her here.  That includes you.  Just so you know.

Don't piss BOB/me off - she/I may blog about it.

BOB/I may or may not change your name.

You may or may not recognize yourself in what BOB/I says/say.

SO -

You are more than welcome to visit me on my other blog - but read this one at your own risk!!

I read a quote somewhere -
(I wish I knew the author - BOB/I would LOVE to give her/him credit.)

It seems quite appropriate -

Meddle ye not with dragons - 

For thou art crunchy - 

And good with catsup!!

You have been warned!!

^..^

BOB paid her taxes

BOB paid her taxes

last month.

Now I hear commercials on the radio - 

You know the ones - 

Those tax relief help ads - 

The ones that say - 

Call now - 

If you owe the IRS more than $10,000 - 

We can settle your taxes for a fraction of what you owe - 


How come they can settle YOUR taxes for a fraction of what YOU owe -

And I have to pay ALL of what I owe?



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB gets junk mail

BOB gets junk mail - 

So she sorts it -

1. trash - cellophane and no name envelopes
2. shred - anything with a name on it
3. return envelopes - postage paid
4. innards - the junk

Then she throws away the trash -

And shreds the stuff that needs to be shredded -

And mails the innards back in the postage paid envelopes.

She mails the insurance stuff to the credit card companies -

and the credit card stuff to the insurance companies.

She sends the other stuff to the other guys.

Makes for a fun day playing "post office".


But then again - it's probably just me.

After Tuesday

Found this - thought you might like it -

Wednesday thought for the day - 

Click here.


My thoughts exactly!!

But then again - it's probably just me.

Two Question Tuesday - 5/10/11

Two Question Tuesday - 5/10/11

Here's the deal -  I really liked Mama M.'s Five Question Friday - but that's just too many questions for me.  So I'm going to do my version - and without the linky thingy.

I'll ask two questions and then give you my answers.  If you want to play - you can give me your answers in the comment section.  If you have a blog and would rather answer them there - just leave a link to your blog instead.  I don't know how to do the "Linky" thing like Mama M. yet - and to be honest - I would rather sew than find out - so I'll do it this way until I figure it out.
==========

OK - the inspiration for the questions today comes from reading a bunch of blogs over the weekend.  They were all blogs written by quilters - and they covered a wide range of subjects - including quilting - cross-stitch - embroidery - knitting - crochet - cooking/recipes - family - travel - and history.  The first question is pretty general - as you will see.  However - the second question was inspired by a visit to Bonnie Hunter's blog  here.  She had a wonderful photo tour of Christ Church, Philadelphia ((And Betsy Ross too!)) - and she asked a question about what she had found.  The reader comments/responses got me to thinking.

So here goes -

Two questions for you this Tuesday -

1.  Do you like quilt blogs that only talk about quilting?

2.  Do you know your Roman numerals or do you have to look online for a chart?

==========

1.  Do you like quilt blogs that only talk about quilting?
Yes - actually I do - sometimes.  I like reading about a quilter's project of the day/week/month.  But I also like to read about the other things that interest the blog author.  If their interests match mine - I will probably continue to read their blog.

2.  Do you know your Roman numerals or do you have to look online for a chart?
Yes - I do know my Roman numerals.  And my multiplication tables.  (Still get messed up with 6x7 - 7x8 - though.)  I am a baby boomer.  I know this stuff.

==========

Here's where BOB is going to get in trouble - but - what the hell - nobody reads this blog anyway - except my followers - and they probably agree with me -

The second question was inspired by Bonnie's post about her visit to Christ Church - and your answer (assuming you actually answer the question) will tell me roughly how old you are.

I must admit - I laughed when I read that someone had found a chart of Roman numerals online.

Apparently the generation gap is wider than I thought.

As a baby boomer - I was taught Roman numerals in school and the "chart" is in my head.

The internet is a wonderful resource, but I don't think it's a proper substitute for good old fashioned "learning" stuff.

I'm sure my grandchildren disagree.

Oh, well!

And - I don't want any hate mail - or whatever they call it these days -

This is just my opinion.

And my blog.

==========

OK - your turn.

BOB doesn't do extended warranties

BOB doesn't do extended warranties.

BOB's reasoning is this -

Extended warranties usually offer to replace the item if it breaks within the first year.

So - I ask you -

If it breaks within the first year -

Why on earth would I want another one just like it?



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB and Two Question Tuesday - 5/3/11

BOB and Two Question Tuesday - 5/3/11

Like I said last week -

Here's the deal -  I really liked Mama M.'s Five Question Friday - but that's just too many questions for me.  So I'm going to do my version - and without the linky thingy.

I'll ask two questions and then give you my answers.  If you want to play - you can give me your answers in the comment section.  If you have a blog and would rather answer them there - just leave a link to your blog instead.  I don't know how to do the "Linky" thing like Mama M. yet - and to be honest - I would rather sew than find out - so I'll do it this way until I figure it out - if you don't mind.  (Computers and I get along sometimes and then they do something stupid like give me "server reject" errors when I try to "insert image".  Drove me nuts on my Design Wall Monday post yesterday.  So no more photos until I figure out what is going on.)
==========

It was that last part - last week - that was the inspiration for this week's first set of two questions designed For Bloggers Only.  But - because I want everybody to play - I'll also ask a second set of two questions - For Readers with or without Blogs.  (Bloggers - please feel free to answer both sets of questions - I don't mind.)  And this week - BOB is going to answer as well.  (Meet BOB here.)

Two questions for you this Tuesday - 

Set #1 -  For Bloggers Only

1A.  How much of your Picasa Web Albums storage are you currently using?

1B.  Did you even know you had Picasa Web Albums?

Set #2 - For Readers with or without Blogs

2A.  Do you like surprises?

2B.  Do you think you cuss too much?

==========

1A.  How much of your Picasa Web Albums storage are you currently using?
Last week I had maxed out my free storage.  I was using 991 MB (96.87%) of my allotted 1024 MB.  That's why I kept getting "server reject" errors when I tried to upload photos to my blog - no more room!  So I had to upgrade my storage - today I am using 0.98 GB (4.61%) of 21GB.

1B.  Did you even know you had Picasa Web Albums?
No - I had no idea!  It was a complete surprise to me!

2A.  Do you like surprises?
Nope - never have.  They make me nervous.  Most surprises in my life have not been the "fun" kind.  (BOB may need to do a post on surprises - especially THIS one!!) 

2B.  Do you think you cuss too much? 
I try to watch my mouth on my blog - but BOB says "Fuck, yeah!"

==========

OK - your turn.

Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

BOB went to Wendy's

Wendy's is promoting this new thing they call Natural Cut Fries.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/112557/wendys-natural-cut-fries-bnet

You know what this means - don't you??

Well - to BOB - it can mean only one thing.

It means -

They're too damn lazy to peel the potatoes before they cook them!

=====

As a child - I was taught to always peel potatoes before you cook them - and to make sure you didn't have any "eyes" looking at you when you were done!  They even have a little thingy you can use to do it - it's called a "potato peeler"!  WOW!

Guess the guys at Wendy's never heard of it.  Maybe somebody should tell them - but not me - I'd rather make fun of them.  (And get my fries elsewhere.)



But then again - it's probably just me.

BOB needs a new cell phone

BOB received a notice from AB&B.
(See - I remembered to change the name!)

The envelope said -

IMPORTANT
Act now to avoid interruption of your wireless service.
See inside for important details.

Inside - the notice said - (and BOB thought as she read it)

===

We would like to thank you for being a loyal AB&B customer.  (Yeah, right!)  In the coming months, AB&B will perform significant network upgrades in your area designed to increase capacity and reliability.  (This is going to be my problem - I just know it!)  Unfortunately, a small number of customers (translation - me) will no longer be able to use their phones once these upgrades are complete.  (Oh, goody!)  Our records indicate your phone (told you so!) with the wireless number(s) identified below will no longer be able to make or receive calls or perform any data function after May 15, 2011.  (Well, that will pretty much make my phone totally useless!)  You must take action to transition (transition? - since when is "transition" a verb?) your service to avoid service termination.  (Of course, it has to be ME who must take action!)

To make this transition (see- it's a noun!) as easy as possible (for you - not me), you may select a free replacement phone from the choices shown below - with no new service commitment required.  (Yeah, I bet!)  When you replace your phone, you must select a new AB&B plan.  (I knew there was a catch!  We already have a really good rate plan - who gives a crap about the free phone?)  We have rate plans to meet everyone's needs (except the plan we have now which is no longer offered - it was grandfathered in from the previous company), and you can keep your current phone number.  (Oh, gee - thanks!)  Your new service will be subject to AB&B's Terms of Service, available at abb - dot - com.  (Something else I get to do - look that up!)

To get your new, FREE phone, drop by your local AB&B company-owned store or call 1--866-xxx-xxxx by May 15, 2011.  (See - I knew this was going to be MY problem!)  Your new phone will allow you to take advantage of the planned network upgrades so you can enjoy all AB&B has to offer.  (How about offering to let me just keep the phone I have?)

Please visit your nearest AB&B company-owned retail store and select your new phone today to avoid service termination.  (Again - I have to do all of the work!)  Again, we appreciate your business and look forward to serving your wireless needs for years to come.  (Or until we upgrade again!)

Randolph H.........
(name changed to protect the guilty)
Vice-President, Sales and Service

(Well, Randolph - don't hold your breath!  If I have to get a new phone and a new rate plan - I may as well get a new provider while I'm at it!)

=====

I don't want a new phone.  I like the phone I have.

I don't need a phone that connects to the internet.  My laptop does that.

I don't need a phone that takes photos.  My camera does that.

I don't need a phone with GPS.  I can read a map.

I don't need a phone to play games.  I have a deck of cards.

I just want a phone that can make a phone call.

Is there an app for that?



But then again - it's probably just me.