So, yesterday I had Pool School with Steve the Pool Guy. I learned how to vacuum the pool, how to clean the filters, how to check the salt and calcium levels, etc. I have a salt water filter so it is a little more complicated than the normal chlorine or bromine pool. Steve said to me, "you seem like a handy gal". High praise indeed. So, I've ordered my test kit and he will be back next week to teach me how to use that. Waiting for three final inspections but first have to put door alarms on and make my gate kid unfriendly. Quite a process.

 

Look how clean and beautiful. The pool and Sophie.

photo courtesy of David

I have been settling into my neighborhood and know most of my neighbors by name now, although I've attached little titles to them in my head, i.e. Jim the Crazy Biker, Cora the Hoarder, Gilberto the Chef, Sam the Stoner, etc. etc. (and yes these are not their real first names).  Here's some of what goes on in my hood . . .
o   Crazy biker with the unibrow, pokes his head over the fence and in a gravelly voice asks, Need a pool boy?  Zoiks!
o   Insane dog at the end of the street tears up and down behind his fence barking his head off while the parrot in residence across the street from him screams, Shut up, Bubba! Shut up, Bubba!
o   Large African-American man strolls around the block once a day giving a sermon. Loudly. And punctuated with wild gesticulations.
o   Little teeny white girl explores our garbage cans while speaking to her dog in a stern tone of voice, You need to do your business, Emmy, and do it fast because I've got a lot to do today. So many cans, so little time . . .
All in all a very satisfying place to live with the always interesting cast of characters. Wonder what they think of Lizzie Alone?

So, yesterday morning I cleaned up, packed up, wrote a novel for my BFF Gloria on the care and feeding of the girls, kissed them good-bye and headed north for my annual pilgrimage to the World Quilt Show in West Palm Beach. So excited! And truthfully, after 3+ hours on the road, so very thankful to be alive and well in this beautiful life. I witnessed the aftermath of one obviously fatal accident and the other most likely so. Sobering to say the least.

Made the day that much sweeter and I had a lovely day seeing the quilts, watching the demos and trying to restrain myself in terms of shopping! eeek!  But, I've been a model of fiscal prudence and purchased only the needful, like this FAB mini steam iron. Wow! Ok, well my camera is now dead so ... Check this out! So cool:

 

So here are a few of the quilts and they were awesome!

Best in Country from Israel

the detail (click on it!)

a first place winner, for composition I think

doctors without borders - awesome

covered with little round pieces, 1/2 inch at most - Zoiks!

from the Curacao exhibit which was really inspirational

Bathtub Beach - one of my little sobrinitos' fave places There is a mouse flying the plane

 

First place World

 This quilt was absolutely stunning. It won Viewers Choice
Just look at the detail in the water below

This next quilt was all about the thread. It is "painted" with thread. Must have taken her eons. Amazing.

And now I have to run because I am taking a class this morning, then having lunch with some very special people and then jetting home. Can you say "whirlwind?"

What a difference a day makes

 

Had a little spontaneous pool party yesterday and here are some of the bathing beauties.

I got my new Louise Hay calendar yesterday and here is what she has to say about 2015.

This year will be different from any other we have lived. Our knowledge and understanding will grow and deepen in new ways. Our capacity for compassion will expand. Our ability to give and receive love will make daily living feel like heaven on earth. Every new year brings us the opportunity for a fresh start. In 2015, peace is within our reach, even as new adventures beckon. Life loves us, and will bring us wonders all year long! 

Love that!


and just one more . . .

My beautiful Lulu

Happy New Year!

 

Write it on your heart that every day 

is the best day in the year.

Ralph Waldo Emerson