Followers

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Rain, Please GO AWAY!

It has rained so much that we have not had a day to mow the lawn.  It is about long enough that we could cut and bale it!  The rain started a week ago as we went to Greencastle, IN for The Fiber Event.  The Fiber Event was great!  Sales were up and I met many new friends and had such a great time talking with old friends.  Dinner at Greencastle's restaurant, Almost Home was again a treat.  A great big YUM! 

After coming home from Greencastle, I taught a felting class.  The class was using a resist in felting.  When one uses a resist, they can make an object with no seams such as a vessel, mittens, slippers, etc.  This time the student wanted to make a saddle pad for one of her horses.  By making the pad by using a resist, she will be able to add padding to the hollow inside of the pad.  This project is the largest using a resist.  I was very thankful that I have the felt rolling machine or we would have been totally exhausted!

Late Thursday, Edmundson RV called and said that the motor home would not be ready for our trip to the Fiber Arts Festival in Kendallville, IN.  (again)  We loaded the truck and were on I 69 heading north.  Since we had such a late call from Edmundson, we arrived with only about an hour to set up our booth, but we made it. 

Friday, we were greeted with more rain and a cold that was totally bone chilling.  Since my silk long johns were in the motor home, I was totally unprepared for the cold and drank more hot chocolate than I had all winter!  Surprisingly enough, the die hard fiber artists came out and shopped for supplies.  I was very pleased that our sales were as much as they were and looked forward to Saturday's sales since it was not supposed to rain before 7:00 p.m. and the show was to end at 5:00.  Saturday's sales were also good and for a first time show, I was mildly pleased with our sales.    We packed up and headed home and of course it began to rain as we approached Indianapolis.  

It has rained all day and we have had a quiet, thoughtful Easter.  Our California daughter, Jojo, sent me a picture of Joshua Tree.  They are camping there this week end.  Later, she called and we talked for a wonderfully long time.  It is so hard to have a child 2000 miles away.  Her phone call made the day wonderful! 

The rain is supposed to continue all week.  This will guarantee that I stay in the studio and get some work done.  I also need to order more pottery knitting bowls and the knitting lights.  I have sold about 50 lights in a week.  They are truly a hit with knitters, weavers, and those who do other kinds of needle work and reading! 

The end of this week we will be heading for Nashville, IN and the Brown County State Park.  John will be fishing and I will be attending a 3 day crank in for owners of antique circular sock machines.  This is going to be a great time.  I have yet to make a second sock because I keep running into a problem when I get to the increase portion of the heel!  There will be plenty of people to help this newbee cranker.  So far, I have just been a cranky cranker and I plan to leave as a happy cranker! 

Wow, this week is going to be really productive!  I'm going to felt hats and vessels in the studio and then crank some socks!  What else could I ask for other than 2 dry days to mow!  Hey, maybe we will meet some campers in Brown County! 

Till next time.....may the meaning of Easter bless your lives.....He is risen! 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Discouragement & Who do You Trust?

We are to leave for The Fiber Event this Thursday morning.  The motorhome repairs on the toilet leak that ruined carpeting in bathroom and bedroom, the brakes, door and generator were supposed to be completed "in 2 or 3 days".  The motorhome has been in Edmundson's RV for 14 days and counting.  They say they will call with prices "that afternoon" or "tomorrow" and it ends up that I have to call to get estimates. 

Today, we learned that 1. since they have not called us with the estimates, the parts have not been ordered. 2.  they are not standing behind all the repairs for the damages caused by the improper installation of the toilet after the first repair (they don't want to pay for new flooring to cover the damaged areas) and 3.  This comes to another grand total of around $4000.00.  The only thing they say they will do for us is to give us a "military discount".  Big whoop. 

We took the motorhome to them for repairs due to the fact that we were totally impressed with them and their service department when we were shopping for our motorhome.  Mind you,  we just paid the $6000 in January to fix the toilet for the first time, the brakes, new door handle/lock and other things that seemed to come up that they found. 

Now, in all fairness, the motorhome was a super ride out to California and back.  We did not have to stop for one repair (did have an oil change at the 3000 mile interval).  Reading other blogs and finding that many people have to find a RV service, we felt very pleased and satisfied that we did not have a problem like that. (Other than we did discover on our trip out there that the toilet was not working properly).  I called them from California and told them and the answer was, don't worry, we will take care of you. 

So, tomorrow we are going to have a "sit down and discuss this situation" with the powers that be.  If we need to bring Mr. Edmundson into the discussion, we will.  We don't feel that we are being unreasonable asking them to replace the flooring that was damaged. 

As a result of this damage, we will also have to replace the flooring in the front of the coach, but are not asking for that to be included in their repairs.  We are trying to be as fair as we know how.... is there any input out there?  We would love to hear from you if you think we are being unreasonable, then help us see the light. 

On to more pleasant things...The Fiber Event is Friday and Saturday.  (of course, all booth set up and merchandise will have to be transported in our truck rather than in motorhome).  We are looking forward to meeting up with more vendors that we have not seen since last fall.  We started our reunions in Tennessee and Ohio and will see more this week end.

If you are in the area of Greencastle, Indiana this week end, come visit.  You will find some mighty awesome vendors, yarns, fiber and equipment there.   Till then.....God Bless

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Eagels Have Landed!

While being home for a bit, I've discovered www.ustream.com  and their coverage of Eagles hatching and caring for first, their eggs and now feeding the babes.  If you are interested, visit Decorah Eagles at  http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles  I find this fascinating!   Meanwhile, I continue to prepare for The Fiber Event in Greencastle, IN.  Hope to see you there...

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Back Home Again In Indiana

We were not greeted with warm temperatures when we arrived home.  Today, I read that the temperature in Palm Springs, CA is 85 and that reminded me of the times we were in California checking the temperatures in Indiana.  Not once did we say that we wished we were home.  Daily, we say we wish we were back in the warmth of the south west.  We are already looking forward to warm temperatures in January, February and March makes planning for next year's trip more special.

The Winnebago is at the "Dr" to have its toilet fixed along with some minor tune ups on little things.  Edmundson RV in Taylorsville, IN just off  I 65 south of Indianapolis, is quite service oriented and are taking good care of Winnie. After they finish with her, we will be putting down new flooring, wallpapering and adding new window treatments.  Our Road House is going to be "lookin gooood.

In two weeks we will be in Greencastle, Indiana for The Fiber Event.  For the first time in 9 years my booth will will be in the heated Community Building!  Oh how sweet it is.  This event is at a time that the weather is so unpredictable.  There have been nice warm breezes to rain, snow and sleet.  Two years ago we had the last three in a matter of a couple of hours.  The Fiber Arts Building has no heat.  The organizers brought in blowers but it didn't make anyone much more comfortable.

If you are ever traveling on I 70 in western Indiana and are hungry, you might want to drive into Greencastle and eat at Almost Home on the town square.  Very good food and a nice atmosphere.  Greencastle is a college town with Depauw University, so there are a few excellent places to eat.

I'm off to finish laundry, shower and to get ready for the NCAA men's basketball games.  Our Butler University, here in Indianapolis, IN are in the Final Four for the second year in a ROW.  After loosing to Duke by two points in the last second of the game, I sooo hope that our Dawgs can complete their mission this year.  Either way, we are so proud of the team.  Those are a great group of boys.  Academic All American, etc.  They are at Butler not only to play basketball, but to get a superior education.  

Until next time, God bless!  Be safe out there.....