Geez!

Before I had to pick up my grandson today from preschool, I thought I had plenty of time to stop by a fabric store to get fabric for a new sewing project. But things didn't go quite like I had planned.

After I found material for my project, I headed to the cutting table. There was a line of 3 or 4 women in front of me. But I wasn't worried, since there were 3 employees cutting fabric. I figured that I still had plenty of time to go pick up Aidan after the fabric was cut and paid for.

My turn at the cutting table put me with an employee who was left handed (nothing against you lefties out there) who was using right handed scissors. It was a little awkward for her so she was a little slow cutting fabric. (You lefties can relate to that.) But I was still OK time wise.

She cut the last piece of fabric, turned it over and discovered dirt smears all over it. I suggested that she should cut me another piece because I didn't want to take the fabric home, wash it and find that the marks didn't come out. She said that she'd have to check with a supervisor to see if she could do that. The supervisor said, "Of course, cut her a new piece." At this point, I realized that I was probably dealing with a new employee who didn't know store policy on such matters. Cutting the new piece took some more time. But I was still OK time wise.

When it came time for her to scan the three pieces of fabric for pricing, she had problems with the scanner. She had to consult three other employees before she could get it to work right. I started to get a little concerned about the time this was all taking. But she ended up getting it scanned when I had about eight minutes left before I had to pick up Aidan. All I needed was to check out.

I moved to the check out counter just when the supervisor decided it was time to change cashiers. The replacement cashier ended up being the one who had waited on me at the cutting table. There was one lady in front of me with just a couple of items so it wouldn't take long for her to check out. But wait, her debit card didn't work. She tried it again. The cashier didn't know what to do.

By this time, I had less than five minutes to get to the preschool. I put the fabric on the counter and told the cashier, "I'll be back for this. I have to pick up my grandson from preschool." and left the store. After all, I couldn't leave a four year old standing in the snow outside his preschool wondering where his ride was.

Like Riding a Bike

I grew up with a mother who was a master seamstress. She made just about everything my two sisters and I wore....dresses, play clothes, coats, party dresses, formals and wedding dresses. My sisters and I also had very well dressed dolls since she made a multitude of dolls clothes over the years. Each new doll at Christmas time came with a hand made wardrobe made by my mother.

Mother often would take me shopping to look at what was new in the stores and to find out what I liked. The shopping trip would end up at the fabric store where she bought fabric, etc. to duplicate my favorite, must have, item. Often, the item was duplicated without the benefit of a store bought pattern. She just made it up from a pattern of her own making.

I learned the basics of sewing from Mom and took some sewing classes as part of my unfinished college major of Clothing and Textiles. When my kids were little, I did some sewing for them. But not to the extent that my own mother did for me. Over the years, my sewing efforts became basically shortening pants and making a few simple items. Finally, the sewing machine saw such little use that I let my daughter take it.

A little while ago, my daughter showed me a pattern she bought for a Halloween costume for her little girl. Since I had neglected to teach her how to sew when she was younger, I knew that the project was a little more than she could handle. I told her I'd help her with it and hopefully, teach her a little bit about sewing in the process. Then I wondered whether my very rusty sewing skills could be resurrected to tackle the project.

Well, I found out it's like riding a bike.


All the Little Red Riding Hood costume needs is the cape and pantaloons that my daughter is working on.

Another close call

I'm driving up E Street, approaching Ninth Avenue, when a gal in an Expedition rolls up to the stop sign at Ninth Avenue. Since I have the right away, I assume she is going to stop. Silly me. She keeps on going and even looks at me when I lean on my horn and slam on my brakes to avoid a collision.

Driving in the avenues, it isn't uncommon to have people roll through stop signs. But usually, they realize their mistake when they see another car with the right away coming at them, and stop. But I guess this gal was too busy YAKKING ON HER CELL PHONE to realize she was in the wrong. She seemed to be unphased at the near miss and just kept on driving and yakking.

Well, at least this time, I was in the car and had a fighting chance. Not like last week, when there was nothing to protect me if that driver on his cell phone had collided with me.

Thrill for the day

It's always interesting and sometimes scary to walk through out downtown Salt Lake City. I had a near miss with a guy driving a van who ran a red light and nearly hit me and two other people who were crossing the street with the light in our favor.

I was so ticked off that I wrote a letter to the editor of the local paper. I doubt if the guy will see it or even recognize himself if he does read it. Anyway, it made me feel better just to write it.

Just in case you don't read the Tribune, or the letter doesn't get published, here's what I wrote.

To the male driver of the white, late model Chevy van going west on 200 South at the State Street intersection at about 11:10 AM on Wednesday, September 23...that was an excellent evasive manuver you did to avoid the three pedestrians who were legally in the crosswalk as you sped through. I guess you were to engrossed in your phone conversation to realize that the light had turned red before you reached the intersection. Or maybe, you thought a little game of chicken with pedestrians might liven up your day. All I can say is that it sure made mine a little more exciting. Thanks for the unexpected thrill that comes from being a pedestrian in downtown Salt Lake.

I'm glad that I didn't become another statistic in the recent rash of pedestrians getting hit while in the crosswalk.

Question for you.

I just watched about 20 guys on Harleys pull into the parking lot of the funeral home across the street. None of them were wearing helmets. I believe it's safe to assume that the Harley guys were going to attend the funeral services of a buddy. Perhaps, the buddy died as the result of some medical issue. But if not and it was the result of motorcycle accident, was the buddy wearing a helmet? If he wasn't wearing a helmet, don't you think that his 20 buddies should have gone out and each purchased one?

I wondered where all my shoes were.

They're under the computer desk. This must be 3 days worth of shoes.

Things I like..

I like voting early for an election. It's just a minor election this year. But a friend is running for city council from my area. I decided to vote today...about two weeks early. Last year for the presidential election, I voted early too. It was quick, easy and hassle free. Why anyone would wait in line on the official election day is beyond me.

I like Cetaphil skin cream. It was recommended to me by the gal who gives me pedicures. It's wonderful. I finally found something that takes care of my dry skin that results from living in a dry climate. Thanks, Tarry!

I like the new skirt, top and shoes I bought last weekend. And best of all, the husband likes them too. He even commented on the fact that I was wearing heels other day.

I like living downtown and riding the light rail to get to some of the places I go. I had to drop the car off at my husband's office today. Instead having him drive me back home, it was great to walk a block to the TRAX station and ride the train home.

I like not working right now. I've been able to babysit some grandkids, sleep in a little, get the apartment cleaned up after a few months of neglect, and do some things for myself that I haven't been able to do while working. I'll probably miss the money when I don't get a paycheck in a couple of weeks, though.