Feb 23, 2009

Marvelous Monday Update 2/23/09

Four Letter Words
Four letter words are naughty. I know I shouldn't say it. But, I *have* to... S-N-O-W!!! Yes, my area got more SNOW. Everyone, including myself, is soooo ready for it to be done. Alas, it's only February so there's at least another month of white possibilities. This time, we had 5" dumped on us and to add a little more fun to the mix, Mother Nature decided to whip up some winds. So while trying to blow snow, the winds created white-out conditions blasting me in the face with COLD WET SNOW. Talk about refreshing! An hour and a half later, the driveway was clean. I was cold, wet... and looked like an abominable snow goddess! Two hours later I felt like Granny. Every joint in my body hurt. :(


Stitchy Stuff
I've been struck by the stitchy-itis bug. I really tried to fight it off, really I did! Once it sunk its teeth into me, I was done for. Yes, I started a new project. A small one. Well, relatively small. I started Flip Flop Trivet. This is what it looks like after 15 hours:


Giveaway
This time it's something stitchy-related. If you'd like to be included in the giveaway, leave a comment with your name and email addy (if you're not a blogger). What's the giveaway? A beaded scissor fob! If more than one person is interested, I'll put names in a hat and pull one on Sunday. Winner will be announced next week.


A Request
I am looking for a Victorian floral design. A freebie would be nice. The trick is... the design cannot be any larger than 17W x 18H. Does anyone have ideas? Feel free to leave a comment, or send me an email. Any help would be appreciated. :)


School
It's hard to believe I'm already starting the 6th week of class. Two more weeks and the session is done! I've done fairly well on the tests each week, getting 94-100%. I'm so thrilled with that! I have no idea how I've done on the homework assignments because the instructor hasn't made his feedback readable online. He keeps promising, but so far no dice. As for the group class project... My group is *barely* started. The rough draft is due next week and thus far I have received no information -none-nada- from my classmates so that I can write the report. To say I'm worried is putting it lightly!


Tick-Tick-Ticky
For a while now, I've had a rattling/ticking sound coming from under the hood of my car. The only thing was... It was intermittent. You know how it is when you take your car to the shop with an intermittent sound? It won't happen when you get it there and then you look dumb. LOL

The sound starting happening more regularly and became a bit louder so I called the mechanic to have it looked at. Bearings in the supercharger going out. Can't replace *just* the bearings, though. Oh no. Have to replace the ENTIRE supercharger. Was quoted a price of $1800 for a reburbished SC. Ouch!

I did some research and found that it's a common occurence with the amount of mileage on my car. Yes, I could drive the car without a supercharger, but mileage would really be bad. Maybe that would explain why my mileage has been so bad? I also did some research on prices of superchargers. I'm pretty sure the mechanic called the local GM dealer for pricing on a refurbished SC because when I called GM the price was the same. I know from past experience that the GM dealer's pricing is astronomical compared to everyone else's. I called around at some other places I found on the internet and their prices were about 1/3 of what GM quoted. So guess what? I ordered the part, had it shipped to the mechanic, and he's going to install it. The best part of it... the part has a lifetime guarantee. Others I'd looked at came with a guarantee of 3 years.

Unfortunately, with this latest repair I won't be able to go to the stitching retreat I had planned on for this summer. Bummer! :(

42 comments:

Chars said...

I would love to be included in your giveaway :) Hugs Chars x

Puppy Love said...

Yea you for finding a cheaper part!! I wouldn't ever have thought of that.

I also love the look of that scissors fob and would love to be considered for it. :)

GoldenAngelsWorks said...

Sorry about your four letter word friend that showed it's face again.

Me I am only wishing just for a day or two to be given the gift of snow to the point no school could happen.... I am not feeling well and have no leave time.

Your stitching is looking great.

Please include me in your drawing...

Lots of good wishes on your schooling and congrats on finding a cheaper part for your car.

Sorry to hear you will be missing the retreat.... I could only wish to go to one... money and kids do not allow me that pleasure.

Nessa G. said...

Cold again here...but your lovely flip-flops make me feel nice and sunny. Very cute!

Anonymous said...

I dont have a fob and yours is gorgeous, would love to be considered, keep up the good work

Anonymous said...

Hi Meari.
I'm sorry you can't go to the retreat. I do say you car has had quite the round of problems! I drive a Chevy too and so far (knock on wood) I've been problem free and I just hit 80,000 miles...so are you at more mileage than me is this something I have to look forward to?
Your WIP looks great...if you know how to get that bug let me know, I need something to get me stitching again. Please include me in your drawing.
Petra

Vicky L said...

I will love to be in the giveaway. It is a pretty fob.
Your flip flops look great. I am sorry to hear what happen to the car but at least you got a good deal. February is almost over and next month may not be that bad, well I hope it isnt.

Rita E in AZ said...

Hi Meari,
The Victoria Sampler has a lot of free charts - maybe you could pick a flower motif from one of her freebies that would work for you.
http://www.victoriasampler.com/Free_Patterns/Default.aspx

One rose from this chart is smaller than you need but you could put one of her borders from another free chart around it:
http://www.victoriasampler.com/Free_Patterns/Cure_Pocket.aspx
(click on the "printer friendly page below the pic to get the chart)
I can't wait to see what you make
Rita E in AZ

Linda in MA said...

Meari,
Please include me in the drawing for the scissor fob. It certainly pays to look around for parts. Glad you found it a lot cheaper but too bad you can't go on your stitchy retreat.

lhoberg721@comcast.net

Kathy said...

Sorry to hear about the four letter word. :) Lucky us here onyl got a cold rain. The flip flop piece is too cute. And just the thing to help feel warmer on a cold, snowy day.

Kim Reid said...

Love your beautiful ornaments and your cute Flip-Flops! Please include me in your drawing. Thanks!
kimberlybreid@hotmail.com

Mary said...

I would love to be added to the giveaway!

Mary
Stitching Sisters

valerie said...

Hi Meari...please include me in your drawing.

Sorry to hear about your car. Aren't old cars such a pain?! I am scared to take my car in for the weird knocking sound it is making. Good for you for finding a cheaper part though! Hope it doesn't give you any more problems after this repair.

Unknown said...

Don't cars suck? I wish I worked close enough to home that I could trade mine in for a bicycle!

I love your trivet start. I tried the link, but State Farm has put the kibosh on Multiply. GRRRRR! At least they backed down (somewhat) on Flickr, Webshots, Photobucket, and Wordpress. For a while, it was hit or miss if there would be photos or little red Xes on the blogs - if we could see the blogs at all. :P I say somewhat because there are still some issues with Webshots "community" links.

Anyway, I would love to be entered into the drawing for the fob. Thanks!

Donna said...

Please include me in your drawing.
I won't share anymore about daffodils until your snow is gone!
I am sorry about your car, but glad you did the research. I would have never thought of that.

Barb said...

Sorry about your car and your not being able to go to the retreat. Your flipflops turned out stunning, so bright and cheerful.
Please enter my name into your drawing. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

sorry about the retreat and about the four-letter word.
Your stitching looks great
Katrien - ILCS

Rebel In Ontario said...

Lots of the four lettered word here as well :-(

But on a brighter note, I would love to be entered in your give-a-way!

craftypatty2 said...

Meari,
I would love to be included in your give away.
Also wanted to say love the cross stitch it would make a great pocket for a beach bag... I am making lots of tote right now can you tell lol.
Also wanted to thank you for mentioning the luck you have had with freecycle, I mentioned it to my daughter who has just moved to Birmingham UK, and she was able to get a microwave and some free cross stitch supplies. so HUGS thank you from both of us.
HUGS Patty
craftypatty2@yahoo.ca
http://craftypatty2.multiply.com/

Mylene said...

Your Flip Flops is looking great.

Cynimin said...

Hi Please include me in your give-a-way...so nice of you!
I also just had car repair damage to my bank account again! Sometimes I think it would be easier to have a horse!
Thank you!

CMKathie said...

I love your fobs! Please include me in your giveaway! Sorry to hear about your car trouble--I know exactly what you're dealing with.

Kim said...

The finish looks great and I would love the chance for the fob..it is beautiful.

My email is
kfp10596@yahoo.com

~~~Melinda said...

Yes please count me in on the drawing!!

I would have done the same thing with the car part!! lol There is a great salvage yard online I have used to order side mirrors and rims for my car...the link is http://www.harryandsons.com/

Lindsay said...

Love the Flip flop's and I would love to give the scissor fob a new home :) purplepdsathotmail.com

CJ said...

Hey Girl -

Glad that you got some stitching done, sorry about the car but these thngs happen for a reason. Maybe you will meet a really cool dude in town the weekend of the the stitching retreat -- now wouldn't that be a treat.

See ya!!

CJ

Carolyn NC said...

Ouch - so sorry about the stitching retreat and more snow! Flip flops are so cute! Please enter me in your drawing - I love these kinds of fobs. :) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Love your flip-flops! Here in Australia they're called thongs lol. Can be a bit confusing when thongs are, in other countries, underwear!
Would love to be entered in the giveaway. Thank you for the offer even if I don't win!

Carol R said...

Love the flip flops - makes me think Summer might be round the corner!
Please enter me into your draw for that gorgeous fob.

Rene la Frog said...

Love the "Flip Flops" great job

Debra said...

Your wip is cute, but I love flip flops. Yeah doesn't all this snow stink! Sorry to hear about your car. We will miss you at the retreat.
DLS

Christine H said...

Flip flops is looking great. Too bad about the car, glad you shopped around for the part. Great job. And I am sick of the white stuff too.

Akila said...

Please please include me in your giveaway.

The flip flops look so cute. :)

Rebekka said...

Hi Meari! I don't know of any Victorian floral motifs in that size off the top of my head, but I will look through my freebie folder after I publish this comment. I'll repost if I find something.

I'm sorry to hear about the snow. I'd happily take a few inches from you. :) I live in Alabama, and we rarely get any snow, and it doesn't stick around long when it does snow.....

Please toss my name into the hat for your lovely fob. I've just purchased a pair of the black heart-shaped-handled scissors that your fob would look fabulous with.

Best Wishes,
Rebekka
rashulett@cableone.net

P.S. I love your playlist! I've been chair-dancin' this through this entire post! LOL

Anonymous said...

Love the colors on Flip Flop. So vibrant for summer!! I would love to be included in the drawing for the scissor fob, s.tompkins76@yahoo.com. Thanks

Jennifer said...

Oh oh oh!! Pick me! Pick me! :-)

Nancy M said...

Yep, it's me....replying late again! Too funny about the flip, flops because I have a flip, flop freebie pattern I pulled out that I wanted to start (but I want a lime green material, which I don't have). It must be we are both dreaming of wearing them again sometime!! Of course, include me in the drawing. Do you really have to ask? Hope your school chums pull it together and help you out. And glad that you searched better options for fixing your car! You always have the best ideas!!

Dawn said...

So sorry you will have to miss the retreat! My car needs some front end work, but I can't afford it yet. Your Flip-flop trivet is so cute!!
I would love to be in your drawing too, please.
Dawn F.

too_busy_to_stitch said...

I think that we so rarely get snow, that I LOVED ours, but I also had to dig out the drive - first time ever - and it's no fun, even when it's a novelty! sorry you can't make the retreat, I know that they will miss you :o(

CindyMae said...

Would love to be in the drawing for the fob!! I just love the flip flops design, that is so cute. Great job!

moonbugster@gmail.com

Ranae said...

Please add my name to the hat. I would love to receive a FOB made by someone else besides myself, lol
Love the flip flops, I can't wait for the weather to warm to wear some.

Kristin said...

The flip flop trivet is adorable. Glad your car is going to be fixed for less than the original quote but it sucks that this knocks out the stitchy retreat for you.