LOA

Corporate speak for Leave Of Absence and in this case open ended.

The Morning Star Sky

Because it was so clear this morning when I stepped outside at 5:30 I saw an incredible number of stars.  So many stars that I wanted to identify some of them.  I first checked the weather page because I thought I had seen that kind of information there.  Nope.  On to googling and this was the most promising site but no luck there either as this was the page that appeared...

Notice: Temporary Shutdown of the Night Sky Network

We at the Night Sky Network regretfully has to pass the news that due to the lapse in federal government funding, this website is not being updated. We also cannot respond to comments/questions. We sincerely regret this inconvenience.

We look forward to resuming our activities once  federal funding resumes.

Your club's Calendars and resources will continue to work, as well as all resrouces and activities.

Thank you, and we apologives for the inconvenience.

The Night Sky Network Team

My first first-hand experience with the government shutdown.  (I think they were heading out the door as they typed this message.)
 

QOTD

"May your projects be many and your frustrations few"

Kara Peterson

Moda Bake Shop

Just a Top

This top has one of my favorite blocks.  Easy to pick only three colors and easy to sew.  It was a BOM at The Cotton Shop a long time ago and in fact it might have been the first BOM they did.  It was in Country French colors but I enjoyed the individual blocks themselves so much that I made several tops using just one block.

I had the idea that this would be a picnic table cloth, the print is geraniums, but it's been sitting around far too long and it's time to move it out.

A Soft Finish

From concrete to quilts, one more for the cabinet.  Everything from The Stash, even the batting!

The focus fabric was left over from another baby quilt.  I don't even remember what that quilt looked like or who it was for but it was for a baby boy.  I still have two strips left each 6x44-ish so I could cut 14 more squares.  More than a yard of the paw print black and white but no more blue dot.  Maybe I will try green next time.  I have plenty of cheery green in The Stash and who knows, maybe I will run across even more of the dog and cat fabric.

Dirty Boys Day 2

Just waiting.  There's actually quite of bit of waiting that goes on.

I had pictured the big cement truck pumping directly into the driveway but they just connect to the hose on the smaller truck.

Kind of like frosting!

They told me when it was ready to scratch in my message.  Got it first try!

They sprayed on a darker grey colored stain that will be be more noticeable when it is sealed.

Once all the additional trucks arrived the actually pouring and smoothing of the concrete only took 45 minutes.  9 yards of concrete!  More waiting time for it to set up a bit before they could stamp.  Now three weeks to wait until it can be sealed and almost a month before I can drive on it.

For the record, the blog titles have not been a cleanliness assessment of the crew, the company's name is Dirty Boys.

The lawn crew also came last night so we are looking pretty darn spiffy!

Dirty Boys Day 1

The Before  (Road base in the foreground left by the landscaper who never returned to finish the backyard)

Part of the "cheering" section.  Snowball or Spot.  Not pictured is big dog Dylan adding the baritone.

They start with sledge hammers to break up the beginning of the concrete so they can use the machine.

"Wallee".  Pretty amazing!

I was surprised to see them picking up awfully large pieces to toss into the bobcat.  The rebar was a pain.

The rebar needed to be cut up and recycled and they also made a trip to recycle all the concrete.  The boys let me hold on to the Wacker for just a minute.  It vibrates and compacts the dirt at something like 4500 lbs per inch.. It has a mind of it's own.

End of day.
Two years ago, a landscaper never returned and left me with two wheelbarrows, 6 shovels, 2 pick axes and assorted other equipment, some of which I couldn't even identify.. I know these guys are coming back because in the background you can see that they left that very large and very loaded trailer overnight!