I Brought it Back

Last night, I brought back mom's sewing machine.  I had borrowed it until I had saved up enough to go and get mine at Blow's.

Back when I was in grade school and in my early teens.  Mom and grandma made a lot of my dresses on that machine.  I used to sit at the other side of the dining room table and watch in amazement at the welding to the fabric together.  Sometimes, she'd rush me over and I'd stand for her as she'd adjust the fabric so it would fit me - not too well  because well - a girl needs room to grow.  She really didn't care if she poked me or not.

I was her human pin cushion - and she was fine with that.

Sometimes, I'd stay up at night and hear the engine all the way up on the second floor.  It seemed I could smell the heat of her speedy seams all the way in my formulating dreams.

She'd talk to dad about which bills needed to be paid as she pinned sleeves to bodices

Dad would be smoking a pipe -in the next room watching Carson.

I'd listen to the clack clack of the needle -  excited to be getting that new dress.

On praying...

I caught this article this morning.. I like it - I may just forward it to my pastor. 

On Saying No

Last night, I swore if anyone called, I would not sub.  This morning, the principal at the elementary school called and asked if I could sub for preschool.  YES! came right out of these lips.


That's where I started my educational career.  I was a para in the preschool room.  I loved every minute of it.  That's when I decided I would go back to school to finish up my degree.

How could I say no to such a precious little group?

Lurch

My dad loves to tell stories - surprising right?  Back in the 80's, The Addams Family played on TBS after school.  One day, my dad watched the show with us when he came home from work. 

"That's me!"  He pointed to Lurch.



Missi and I were amazed.


"See that?"  He pointed to Uncle Fester...  "Grandpa George played Uncle Fester."






Miss and I looked at each other - it was Grandpa George!!



I remember going into the shed and dad pointing to some boots...

"Yep - I wore those when I was Lurch."

I remember sitting at my Grandma's table peering at Grandpa George and wanting to rub his bald head.  Grandpa George even wore a lot of black - just like Uncle Fester.

Luckily, Grandpa George was hard of hearing so he couldn't hear me ask him questions about his and dad's time on the set of  The Addam's Family.



I can't remember the time when I stopped believing dad.  I just know I told a lot of people about it and argued with them about it. 

Me and My Shadow!

Weeee!!

This morning, my brother-in-law dropped off Mykayla to spend the morning with me.  Mostly, she played with Allison's dollhouse though.

She came outside with me while I pinned clothes on the line.  She spun around the pole and sang away kicking leaves.  I love how throwing leaves in the air can make a child feel like a million dollars!


 We went to get the mail.  She insisted on carrying the mail back to the house...

She commented to me several times at how pretty our mail was.

"What a pretty puppy!"  She pointed to a llama in front of the Heifer Project magazine that came in the mail.

She didn't miss a pot hole.

"Bobbi, I like the bumps."

Church Supper

Hmmfff

  

"I'm waiting for my Love rrr................."

I didn't realize Home of Economy encouraged such sultry behavior with their knick knacks.

I'm So Mad At Bill Cosby

Last night, I had one of those dreams that make you so mad that you can barely wrap your mind around it.  My dream was about Bill Cosby.

Last year, I taught a yearbook class.  Those senior and junior girls really tugged at my heart.  I made plans with one of the seniors to take her out to supper this Saturday when I pick up my new sewing machine.

In my dream, Bill Cosby was working for my dad as a lineman.  I couldn't figure out why he'd want that job as I'm pretty sure that he's financially secure. In the mean time,  My student worked for me at the pool as a lifeguard.  Her dad was upset because he thought she was starting to see Mr. Cosby against his wishes.  I assured him that they were only rumors.

Later that night, my dad confirmed to me that the rumors were true. My student was, in fact, dating Bill Cosby. 

Jason and I took them out to eat.  It was a little annoying to watch them make out.  It was all I could do to not shake her and ask her what she was thinking...

More importantly - I wanted to shake Mr. Cosby and ask him just what the hell he was thinking.

Sweet Land

Last night, I was ready for bed at 9:30. My jammies were on.  The covers were turned over.  I had my fuzzy socks on...  when I heard Jason call me...

"Hey Bobbi..."

The bed was so warm...

"Yes?"

"Roberta! Come here!"

I drug myself out of bed and looked at him...

"Yes?"

"Look"

He started a movie on Netflix.

And there on the screen was a farm - just like his grandmother's.   He started to laugh.

"The setting is Minnesota."

I looked at him and smiled.




I sat next to him, put my head on his shoulder and stayed up for two more hours.

When the movie was done, I had to find out everything about it.  The screen play is based on a short story from Will Weaver's Tombstone Made of Wheat.

No wonder.

Will Weaver is a professor at Bemidji State.  Only ninety miles from here.  In fact, he's been a big supporter of Poetry Out Loud

No wonder I loved the movie so much.

Doing Something Right

I'm finding Natalie has a strong moral compass.  I'm impressed.  One of her friends called her and asked her who so and so's mom and dad were.  She wanted to prank call them.

Natalie refused.


When a friend started a I hate Mrs. ________ club.  Natalie refused to be a part of it and did her own thing at recess.  In fact, she made sure it was reported.... 

And so, this young woman - who spends her life in her bedroom ignoring her weird parents - is doing something right.

Shredded Cabbage

Last night, I called into Brent's...
"Say - do you have shredded cabbage?'

The young girl put me on hold.... 

"No sorry... no shredded cabbage here."

"Oh.  Bummer."

So...  I wondered this morning if they had cabbage heads (Guess who's bringin' cabbage to BethanY? ya - me!)  and if I should ask that.. so, I called back...

"Do you have heads of cabbage..?"

"Oh let me look"

She put me on hold again.  I danced to their  music was it "Do you know the way to San Jose?"  I think so.

"Yes!"

We were in business!

I went into town - (let's pretend I showered first.)

And guess what??  They had ooodles of bagged cabbage.

I turned to the dear and exclaimed... "Lucky me!!!  You got shredded cabbage in this morning... You didn't have it last night."

"Oh."  She said confused.  "Last night, I only saw the bags of coleslaw - I didn't see the shredded cabbage."

And I smiled - "Well - I guess this is what I meant.... Shredded cabbage is the coleslaw mix."

"ohhhh..." 

Poor girl... I got the giggles at her expense.

I got a

little side tracked with sewing...  you know?  That sexy apron with owl.  I'll have to think of something very deep and moving to write about - probably about lefse and the fundamental grumpiness I have when it comes to going to church dinners.

OOooooo..

What a ridiculous pose!  It says oooooo  I'm sexy with my owl apron.

Foster Quilts

I'm a member of a Quilter's Guild.  I think I am the youngest member.  I'm not sure if every other member realizes I'm not fifty because when I brought a blanket I made for one of the girls a few years ago and another member asked me if I made it for my grandchild.

"I'm thirty-four."  I was confused and wore make-up for the next two weeks.

At last week's meeting, we decided to make quilts for kids in foster care.  This cause is dear to me.


Our organizer commented that many kids in foster care don't have a thing when they are rescued....  Sometimes, they only have the diaper they were wearing.  Wouldn't it be nice for them to have something of their own?  Something to keep them warm?  Something to snuggle with?

For one year, I did respite care for a brother and sister.  They spent Christmas with me and my family along with Thanksgiving and Easter....  They didn't have much...  That Christmas each had received a blanket - so soft - and I wondered who the secret angel was that put so much love in to their creation for two lonely little angels sitting under my tree.

Alma Mater

I've been subbing at my Alma Mater - L-A-F-A-Y-E-T-T--E-E-A-G-L-E-S. 

It's odd.

Do you ever have dreams about High School? 

I always dream about MY high school.  The three levels.  Being late for Spanish class on the third floor - the cafeteria in the basement.



About ten? years ago - they tore down the old part of the school and put up a new school..

It's really niceeee ...

There's only one teacher left from my old days - and the school counselor. 

 I was dropping off my sub key at the end of the day and on the counter were makeup slips - remember those - we had to have all the teachers sign them so we knew what to do because we were sick or whatever - and I looked at the make-up slip pad - and I thought "oh my.... that's the same thing we had in high school - exactly"

- and do you know what I did?

 I picked it up - and smelled it! 

Because I'm a freak!

And it reminded me of my teen years..  the old school...

The secretaries looked at me odd and started laughing and then, I laughed realizing how silly that was... 

I had a case of sensory impulse...

Sewing With Allie

  

As I was making another table topper....  Allie came to me at the sewing machine...

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Can I help you?"

Cringe...

That's the risk of sewing with kids around.

They want to sew too!  It's magic after all!!!  I gave her the camera.  And she took pictures like this:

Sewww.....  We took out some squares she had cut out a few months ago..  And - I ironed them. I had her set out the squares into a pattern....Allison started pinning squares together.  Then, she sat on my lap

and  started to sew!

And judging by the smile on her face - it was worth it!!!

Things I Do When I Sub

So - when I sub for the elementary school - there is not a lot of extra time.  I'm busy playing with kindergartners or giving sixth graders the look -

High School can be different - a lot of teachers give worksheets when a sub is there - and so - yeah - I walk around asking if the kids need help - give them the eye to keep them quiet  -


VERY Intimidating ---------------------- > right?






Also - I read.... look up.....  read...... walk around.......


Yesterday I memorized a poem from the preface of the book....  El Sonador  --- are you Impressed?

So la poesia
que acecha al poeta
desbrevenido.
Formulo preguntas
de respeustas inagotables.
 No elijo ninguna
y al mismos tiempo todas
Acerte
si eres capaz...

I bet you're impressed.... Right?

Also - the past two weeks - I've almost finished a Christmas present for my bro-in-law....


Of course - it's always more fun to teach a lesson - but that can really be difficult - to make a lesson - and teach someone else how to teach it - I've been there - it's not easy!

I love when I get to learn something too.  In the "Shop Class," I've been subbing for - he's been giving me some History Channel movies entitled "Modern Marvels" - something I never would have picked out for myself - but find myself interested in learning!

Ok ok - Brennie -

I'm making this table topper for Jason's Grandma for Christmas - it's one of the first things I've made that I'm not embarrassed to show anyone -  So my friend Brenda asked - "Bobbi - would you show us something you've made?"

And now I have.

I love looking at all the boxes and diamonds - how easy and difficult it was to make.  I had switched an angle of a square - and when I did that - the whole pattern was lost - so out...  came the seam ripper - I put the blocks on my cutting board and played with them awhile - and ta da!!!!!

This pattern was free!!!!! FREE FREE!   

One thing that I loved about this pattern is that is uses charms - you can buy charm packs in quilt shops  - and well - there's a lot of different fabrics in a pack - that matches- and they're so pretty....  and they're already cut!!!