Snow, snow, glorious SNOW!

It is snowing, snowing, snowing and we are due for 6-12 inches! Yeah! I know my friend Tina on the East side of the state is happy as well!

The threats have already started about who is going to find themselves 'down' in the snow today. Everyone knows I win every year! Phil always winds up waist deep and covered! =^)

Our car should be done in the morning and all will be fine again. I have considered walking to see if our clubhouse is available so I can baste a few quilts, however Phil is worried about me walking in the snow. I don't know why, it is a bit further down the neighborhood road but hey, didn't our ancestors brave the elements? We are too comfortable in our surroundings! I can't imagine having to go out and hunt for dinner, or forage for berries, or even work my way to milk the cows at some wee hour of the morning! We have it quite easy!

Stormy Kromer -- an update

I am pleased that the place Phil bought his Stormy Kromer from has sent us the following note:

Good Morning

Yes, you can exchange the kromer for a different size, just send the too small one back to us with a note saying what size he woulds like to have and we will take the tags off of the new one for the returned one and ship it out to you

Obviously as we are pleased with this service I want to tell you about them. They are Surplus Outlet and the link is here: http://www.surplusoutlet.net/

Thank you Surplus Outlet!

It's December, the saga of the Stormy Kromer, and other ramblings...

There is snow on the ground...unfortunately it is slowly trying to melt with last night's 1/3 inch rain. I do love the snow and like the fresh fallen beauty of it much better than the wet dirty ugliness it shows when trying to melt.

As usual, life is chaos and craziness. We have decided to fore-go the holiday decorations and though it seems a bit bleak, there just doesn't seem to be enough reason or energy to put into the typical Christmastime traditions.

This month Phil and I will share our 13th wedding anniversary. It seems that every winter I've heard about this 'Stormy Kromer'. Do you know what that is? It is a hat that men seem to desire if they have to perform any outside chores in cold windy areas. It's legendary, or so I've been told -- it has ear flaps and a bill but stays where it is supposed to. Apparently Phil was 'lacking' in man tools because he didn't have a Stormy Kromer. He finally broke me down and declared "This year, I'm getting a Stormy Kromer". So, he goes about ordering one and I say to him "don't you think we should measure your head". The response I received was "My head has been the same size 7-1/4 per the US Government." Did I mention he served with the US Navy?

The hat arrives...it is a beautiful blue just like the one in this picture below. He rips the tags off and puts it on his head (directions say don't untie the flaps, you just slide it down where you need it). The gorgeous Michigan weather is in his favor and he can't wait to get out there and blow snow. Out the door he goes...

I don't remember the first time he mentioned it, but I do recall the words that "I think my Stormy Kromer is too small". Too small I wonder? Of course I told him "you should have measured your head..." I admit, this conversation has come around a few times over the last few days, but the man sized Stormy Kromer is simply too small. I suggest he return it for a new one as he's only had it for a week. He said he can't as he's already disposed of the tags, receipt, blah blah blah..."

So, this morning the conversation comes around again. "Can you adjust my Stormy Kromer" he asks? My response is "I don't know, suppose I can try. You know you should have measured your head". He responds, "But I ordered it size 7-3/8" a full 1/8 of an inch larger for 'old age'. It should fit, I mean your head doesn't grow." I said yes Phil, your head doesn't grow. You were born a little baby with this big head because your head doesn't grow." Then he says, the US Government says I have a 7-1/4" head and the US Government is not wrong." Oh I couldn't help myself when I bust out laughing and said "Everyone knows the government is messed up (okay, maybe I didn't say the word messed but you know what I mean)! That is why the US is in such financial turmoil, and why Christmas at the Mikula household will be spent on replacing the transmission on my 2000 Olds Intrique. Yes, I will try to modify the Stormy Kromer...if that doesn't work then I'll shave his head. =)

http://www.stormykromer.com/view.php?id=History

Aside from life, stressing about our car, work, the economy, and the saga of the Stormy Kromer I have been focusing on my vintage sewing machines. The majority of my time this year has been on creating my Treadleroom out of the former store room, and cleaning sewing machines. I love to clean the machines and don't even mind getting dirty doing it. The process is very satisfying and I learn so much about how the different machines work. I think every collector goes through a phase and thins out the herd and I am no different. For me it is focusing on our New Home Sewing Machine Company research that I am researching along with my friend Tina. This means I am focusing on my very favorite New Home treadle machines. I've also decided to keep my other favorites which include my Davis Vertical Feed, a Standard, White VS I, and keeping just a few Singers (two 99s, my good featherweight, and my 201). I've recently sold a featherweight, 301, traded a Singer 28. Today, I'm selling a Singer 66.

Yesterday my friend Peggy came over and we visited a few little shops nearby and then proceeded to clean a very dirty Singer 66. This machine is definitely well loved and has the scars on the decals and cabinet to prove it, but the new owner will nevertheless be very happy with her performance and quality of stitch. The cabinet which was a dried out mess of scratches, is now a proud deep beautiful cleaned wood cabinet. I should have taken before pictures, but after feeling no attachment to this machine, didn't think it necessary. We started with Murphy's Oil Soap on the cabinet, then wiped on/wiped off a coat of Linseed Oil, and then Howard's Feed and Wax. The end result is amazing.

Today a young lady is coming by to purchase the Singer 66 treadle. Her family is building a home and they are trying to 'go green' so she wants a treadle. More and more people are going green and suddenly our treadles are more important to the world. Or should I say, the world is finally catching on. There is something so soothing when you hear the quiet sounds of a treadle sewing machine at work. I have webshots that show some of my favorite machines here http://community.webshots.com/user/abycats . It is also a fact that most cats can't help but be intrigued by the sounds of a treadle. Even my little Chloe' who is still fitting herself into our family seems to drop some of her defensiveness.

Once in a while some profound idea of something you need and want to do enters your mind and you can't forget it. This idea joined me yesterday when Peggy and I were returning from a visit at a local antique store. I can't share it with you yet as it will be something I think I have been driven all my life to do (evident by the box in my closet)...but, I am finally listening to the universe on this thing I need to do. I just need to figure out how to start. If Peggy reads this I'm certain she will call me wondering what the heck it is as even she doesn't know. I'm thinking this will be next year's big 'accomplishment' for me. More later, I promise.

So, moving on and with a little more space in my heart, I am planning out the rest of my day and as usual the list is longer than the hours. I need to do some chores, move a few things around in my treadle room (Peggy took a few machines off the shelves I was holding for a couple friends), move the mangle ironer, and finish up some sewing projects. I realize after writing this that I didn't mention the mangle ironer. It is awesome!! it is another tool from the past. I really need to take a better picture of it. If you want to learn about it, here is the best link I've found:
http://www.jitterbuzz.com/indirn.html#ironman

Well, off to finish up my afternoon. Hopefully I'll be a bit more diligent about updating my blog. I wish everyone a very merry Christmas!

WHERE did the time go?

Simply, I'm certain that someone has stolen a few months from me and I'd like to know where they went??

Life has shifted into Indy 500 speed and I need to put the brakes on to bring it back down to a pace I can manage. So...hopefully I can more appropriately update my blog in the near future, but in a rundown, this is it. :)

Work -- I'm working as fast as I can! Still love my job!

The babies -- Miss Chloe' is still finding her comfort zone, but is doing tons better! She still occasionally has verbal disagreements mostly with Baby Minette, but those are usually near feeding time. Chloe' is also supposed to have her picture in a magazine. There will be more of that when it happens. :) Everyone else is enjoying the summer sunshine in the windows!

Sewing -- not much has happened. I've finished one group project and sent that off, but haven't heard if the recipient has received it yet. This year I need to complete: 1 pin cushion, two Think Pink bags, squishy swaps, and at least 1 of my friend Tim and his wife Heather's daughter's quilts.

Reorganization project -- I've managed to clean out 99% of the 'storage' room and it is now my antique sewing machine room. LOVE having gained that space. Still have more stuff to complete just to finish up the sewing room reorganization project, but hopefully soon. This did open up one more window for kitties to enjoy! I also installed ceiling fan in the room with very LITTLE help from Phil. =) YEAH!

Antique Sewing Machines -- I love them. Have finally been able to play with them some and went to the Michigan TOGA. It is not a TOGA party with sheets, get your minds out of the gutter! LOL! A TOGA is a TreadleOn Gathering Academy, an event where antique sewing machine collectors gather. My oldest is an 1880 White VS1. I am also very fond of my New Home Model A.

What's next? Well, as if I don't have enough to do, my friend Tina and I have formalized our joint interest in New Home Sewing machines into a research project. If you have a New Home Sewing Machine pre-1960, I would love to gather some data from you. I've created a webshots page that contains pictures of some of my antique sewing machines. You can find it here: http://community.webshots.com/user/abycats

Hopefully, I'll get back into the swing of things and update this sooner.

I can't believe it's April already!!!

Sigh...here I am starting out talking about time again. It is officially Spring, and I note that since I've last posted much has happened. I was rear-ended in a car accident, Easter passed, I celebrated another birthday, and I can hardly believe we've had Miss Chloé for almost two months already! She is settling in and finding her place with the rest of the gang! Here's a picture of her hanging out with Phil in the radio room. She was even caught sitting next to Phoebe on top of a cabinet! This is progress! Of course, Phoebe is leader of the pack and is also one of the sweetest kitties anyone could ever meet! Here's a picture of her in the radio room! See, she is one adorable girl! She also championed in her younger days, and had two or three litters before she was retired and we brought her home! What a blessing she is to us!
I have also been consumed with responsibilities at work and commitments with swaps with my favorite quilt group. My interest is shifting a bit more to my antique sewing machines and I realize I haven't shared them with you yet. In December, Phil sent me a copy of an ad on Craig's List with a woman looking for someone to take her mother's old machines. There were six of them, I took them and informed my dear friend Carol that as I do not have room for them all that she had to come get at least a couple of them. She was happy to take three of them in and sent her sister and my friend Suzy to pick them up. You think that would have been a good dose for a while, but then I got together with some fellow treadleon ladies and needless to say I came home with a Singer 66 and a small electric Singer 99. I have had this passion for old treadle sewing machines since I was a little girl. When I was 10 years old, I inherited one from my paternal grandmother when she passed. My oldest machine is a Wheeler & Wilson 9 from the late 1800's, my most cool looking is the Wilcox & Gibbs, and the nicest decals and cabinet can be found on my badged National Young & Chaffee Winner...my New Home Treadle has advertisements stamped in the drawers and a velvet top. My goal this spring is to clean out the store room so I can get some of my machines organized and we can remove some of the extra stuff we are hanging onto. Additionally, I would like to find a couple different and smaller end tables as I gave my coffee table to my mom, and she now wants the end tables and is doing what mother's do best to make sure I know it...every few weeks I get asked when she can have them. The coffee table and end tables were given to me by my sister and brother-in-law and are made of a very nice wood with heavy glass tops. Mind you, my mom wasn't even sure she wanted the coffee table or end tables, but now, she is making darn sure that I don't forget. So, the mission is to find suitable end tables for our living room at a price that will fit into my budget. Phil won't let me use sewing machines for fear they will get damaged if something accidentally spilled on them...

I have been dancing every month since we started our monthly get together! I usually can't walk afterwards, but the fun and exercise are well worth it! I've promised to dance till I drop this month!

That's about enough for now...I am so far behind in visiting my friends blogs and would also like to remind all of you of the Pay It Forward!

Hopefully I'll be able to check in again soon! Oh, and one more picture was found of me in my early 20's. This is me with my mom's cat Lucky.

Welcome home Chloé!!!

As you may know the loss of Molly and Eliana has left a bit of a hole in my heart. So, I've been looking online at the local rescue groups for a baby who needed a home that might fill that spot. I have lots of love to give, so imagine my surprise when I discovered there are more rescue groups in my area than I thought! The one kitty from the area that caught my heart was Chloé who was at Jandy's Home.


After a bit of correspondence with Amy of Jandy's Home, we decided to meet Chloé today. That baby found her way into our heart (I knew she would). So, we brought Chloé home and slowly have begun the introduction process with our other babies. She has eaten, drank water, used the box, and played. I think once she gets used to the others and they get used to her, she will fit right in. I had a very hard time trying to get a picture of her, but here are a couple (I apologize for the unmade bed, I took a nap and she slept on my pillow while Tyler slept under the blankets and Phoebe alongside of me). =)

I can't wait until Chloé discovers the cat tree and the bird feeders! I understand she has a real talent for bird watching!

Welcome Home Chloé!!!

When we left with Chloe, I had forgotten my camera and had to make a return trip to Jandy's Home. I didn't go empty handed, I brought a couple rolls of paper towel, a donation quilt (bright colors), and a small kitty size quilt.

My shameless plug -- Jandy's Home is in need of donations of towels, paper towels, cat toys, cat supplies, food, good bowls, bleach, pillow cases, gift certificates to local pet stores, cat books, etc. If you are on a limited budget, you can always donate your time...lots of homeless animals in all of our local rescue areas or shelters need attention (including your own respective areas). Also, please remember to spay and neuter your pets!

What a kindness...

I was so honored the other day to receive a blog award from my very talented and kind friend Kimberly! Thank you! Your creativity is such an inspiration!

I would like to share this award with some special people who have made my day. They are: Jeanne, Laurie, Jane, Rose, and Erica.

old picture...

This must be a milestone week as here are two more pictures I'm sharing!

My mom moved a couple weeks ago and through her sorting found a couple pictures that she passed on to me. The first is one of my grandpa (Jake Moerdyke) and myself in his kitchen. I have no idea how old I was but certain it was somewhere in my early 20's.

This other picture is one of me in my early teens playing the piano (I even managed to obtain 14 years of lessons). I always heard this piano was from the 1920's. Someday I hope to have a full-size keyboard so I can enjoy playing again as my small home doesn't have the space for a large upright. Can't say how grateful I was when my boss and his family were able to give this one a home...they moved it just last week.