Mr Gustav

It looks like soon we will be having a visit from Mr Gustav. Tommorrow is the three year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina so I would say the timing is just about perfect. For those that don't know, I live in south Louisiana about 60 miles (give or take) north of New Orleans. Occassionally, we have hurricanes.

What is a hurricane? A rain and wind event with wind speeds reaching 60+ MPH. I live far enough inland that most of the time when it gets to us, the land has buffered the storm so it is not as bad as it could be. If all goes as predicted, this hurricane is coming full blast at us. Once a storm pushes past Cuba, into the gulf, the water warms it and gives it energy. From there it is a straight shot to the gulf coast.

What happens during a hurricane? Mostly the hurricanes produce driving rain storms with lots of wind. You can sit in your house and hear tree limbs falling all around you (one thing about LA, we do have trees). If the power goes out, it is eerily quiet. Remember, hurricanes rotate so sometimes the wind is stronger and sometimes the rain is stronger, and sometimes there is nothing but quiet. At least it is still warm enough outside that we can grill the food in our freezers if there is no power.

Mom and I went to Walmart tonight and it was so weird. There was NO bread. Not just picked over bread, there was NO bread. There was also NO tuna, oh wait, there was one pack of lemon-blackpepper tuna steak (no thanks, I will eat peanut butter on a spoon because I have no bread), and there was very little water, very few bags of chips. When we went to check out, the check out lines were 12-15 people deep at every register. When a hurricane comes people buy lots and lots of junk food (because it doesn't have to be cooked or refrigerated), lots of water (in case the water gets contaminated) and batteries (for flashlights I guess). I don't buy any of that. I bought a magazine LOL. I guess I will have reading material and read by candlelight, eating my peanut butter. I don't have a real fear of my power going down. I live right across the street from the power station. During Katrina, my power was out for an hour. Unlike an earthquake or most other natural disaster, we know when a hurricane is coming so we can prepare ahead of time.

I just listened to the news and it looks like they are predicting it to not be quite as strong as they thought. All the national guard and police have been activated, in fact, there was a police class getting commissioned Tuesday and they are moving it up to Friday so they can go straight to work.

I am going to try to go to walmart and take pictures of the insanity. It is quite interesting if you have never experienced anything like it before. Until then, happy stitching.

Yet another RR post

I finally got around to doing my installment of the RR we are doing in my EGA group. This one belongs to Connie. She wanted a garden theme. I was going to do this little swan scene but her rr is only 12 inches long. It would have taken up too much room. I took these rows from 2 different charts by Elizabeth's Designs. I included a photo of her project bag in there. Somebody made it for her. It is sewing themed and the zipper pull is beads with some scissors. So cute.

Another HoE exchange done

This is the latest exchange....a needleroll. I am pretty positive that the recipient doesn't read my blog so I really wasn't worried about showing it. I did an MDesigns pattern. I really like how it turned out. I thought I would be pushing the deadline on this one but got it finished up faster than I expected to. Now to just get some goodies together and send it overseas, I think it goes...well, I am not sure where it goes. I do know who it goes to though.
This is of course the Lizzie Kate double flipits that everyone else is doing or has done. This was a pretty quick stitch. It took me on average about 2 nights to finish each word and I stayed with it until I finished.
I am getting ready to do a RR section for my EGA RR and then I have commited to doing 2 Mira RR sections for people whose RR's went MIA. I also signed up for 2 more exchanges so I will be busy. One stitch at a time.

Driving Rules for Baton Rouge!

I think this is so fitting for this town I live in. It is all true.

1. First you must learn to pronounce the city name. It is Batt’n Roodge.


2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Baton Rouge has its own version of traffic rules… Hold on…..and pray.



3. All directions start with, “Get on I-10″…which has no beginning and no end. (well, it does, but no one here has ever been to either side)



4. The Chamber of Commerce calls getting through traffic a “scenic drive.”


5. The morning rush hour is from 6:00 to 10:00. The evening rush hour is from 3:00 to 7:00. Friday’s rush hour starts Thursday morning.



6. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will get rear-ended.


7. Hoo Shoo Too Road can only be pronounced by a native.


8. Construction on I-12 is a way of life, and a permanent form of entertainment.


9. All unfamiliar sights are explained by the phrase, “Oh, we are in Denham Springs!”


10. If you actually see someone with their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect (because you know all turn signals are merely a SUGGESTION, never required!).



11. All old ladies with blue hair in Cadillac’s have the right of way.
12. Lots of streets mysteriously change names as you cross intersections: (Sherwood Forest = Siegen = Burbank) (Old Hammond = Corporate)


(Choctaw = O’neal) (Bluebonnet = Coursey = George O’neal)


13. If asking directions downtown, you keep your window rolled up and write your questions on a piece of paper.




14. A trip across town will take a minimum of an hour.
15. Don’t carry money, jewelry, family, etc. on Plank Road.

16. The wrought iron on windows downtown isn’t ornamental.




17. If you leave one car length for every 10 MPH speed between you and the car in front of you, somebody will cut in.
18. Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that says, “Keep honking. I’m reloading.”



19. For directions sake, you must know the difference between the “New” bridge (I-10) & the “Old” bridge (Hwy. 190), as also you should know the difference between the “New” mall (Mall of Louisiana) the “Old” mall (Cortana) and “Mall City” (Bon Marché…now Bon Carre)



And finally,
20. Anyone trying to get within 5 miles of the LSU campus on the day of an LSU Football game either does not live in Baton Rouge or has lost their mind.



GEAUX TIGERS!

Blog Award!

Sally over at Stitchyangels Treasures nominated me for a blog award. Thank you so much. I don't really know why I was chosen but, it doesn't matter. I am honored just the same. I know I need to be more diligent in updating my blog but I don't always have the time.
The rules are:
1. Put the logo on your blog (check)
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you (check)
3. Nominate at least 7 other people
4. Add links to those blogs on yours
5. Leave a message for your nominees

Everyone that I would nominate for this has already been nominated so I need to think on this for a while.


I almost have a stitchy finish to share. I need to get my current exchange going too. I am working the store by myself for the next week. That could be good and bad. If I am busy I will have no time to stitch but if I am slow maybe I can get some done. If I would put these books down I would have more time. I am stuck on Janet Evanovich. Light, fun reading. I have read almost all of her books over the last week.
Anyway, off to read for the rest of the evening so I can get rested up for tomorrow. My first day by myself but we close early so it won't be too bad.
Until next time........

Socks for Sale

How cute are these? I ran across these cute socks from this company I order from. I decided maybe some others would like some too. They are oatmeal colored with "Stitching Girl" on them and a little stitcher. If you want some let me know. Leave me a comment on this post or email me. I am selling them for 8.50 each and that includes shipping in the US.

Lookie What I Got!

I got the most beautiful package yesterday from the other side of the world. Chris sent me a gorgeous hanging pinkeep, some chocolate, buttons, fabric, and trim. I love it all! I am looking forward to using the trims. I can't wait. Thank you so much Chris. You made my day.