Monday, September 24, 2012

Peri's Blocks are Finished!

Monday! Time to work on my "real job". Sigh...BUT, I finished all of the 110 blocks for Peri's quilt! Yea! Now I just have to lay them out and sew them together. Without a design wall, it's going to be a challenge. My sewing room/office has no blank wall space to hang one.

When I lay blocks on the floor, Charlie and Lola come over and "investigate" and then claim their area of the blocks. They do the same "claiming" ritual when there is only one little block on the floor. They love quilts. I also finished Row 3 of Lori Holt's Row Along blog group. I haven't had time to take a photo of it yet. It's so easy and cute that, if I had more time, I would make 3 of them...one for each of my son, Eric's, girls.
Speaking of my son, Eric, he brought this over yesterday to see if I could handle it. It's going to be my birthday present this year. Are you shocked? Well, after my home invasion where 4 men kicked down my door at 10AM in the morning (with a garage sale going on 4 doors down the street), he has been after me to get a gun. I live in a very nice neighborhood but times aren't what they used to be. It's a Glock 19. Guess we are going to the shooting range later this week. Who would have thought. My other son, Jason, got me an alarm system. So I guess I'll be all set. Eric has enrolled me in the Conceal/Carry class although I can't see myself toting a gun to Walmart which is just about the only place I go. hehe Do you guys have guns? More on the arming of the quilting grandma later.
Well, off to work. Take care and have a great Monday! Cheery wave from Bev

16 comments:

Cathy said...

Such a cheery group of blocks! What size is the centre square??

Bev said...

Hi Cathy. The center square is 2.5", the next row is l.5" and the 3rd row is 2.5". Seems like everything I do these days has 2.5" strips so I was just using leftovers.

Jan said...

I was raised around guns. I'm a city girl, but my Dad thought if there were guns in the house, we better know how to use them. When I got married, 48 years ago, I could out-shoot, my husband. He went into law enforcement, and I lost my edge! Yes, we have guns in our home. Most are locked in the safe, but two are accessible, just in case.

20 North Ora said...

Bev - It's almost funny if it wasn't so serious!! My husband traveled 5 days a week for 20+ years so I was armed also. Just be sure you go to the shooting range on a regular basis until you are very comfortable with it.

Judy

Tina said...

Yes I carry a concealed .38 S&W with a laser sight for the exact reasons that you mentioned. We had a shooting here at our Ihop Restaurant last year that killed four and wounded eight. The guy just walked in and started shooting. I feel that I need to be prepared in case the unthinkable happens as it seems to be happening all the time now. I live in Carson City, Nevada and our town is still small compared to other towns, but we still ended up with this terrible tragedy. I've carried a concealed weapon for about five years and I feel much, much safer and in control in case something does happen. The CCW class is great but it's important to keep practicing after you get your permit so you remain comfortable drawing and shooting your weapon. Your sons are doing a good job looking out for their mom!!

jennyg said...

Omg here in Australia people very rarely carry guns, unless you are up to no good. What an awful thing to have gone through I hope you weren't hurt.

If I was you I would have the gun, the only problem being if you pull it out to defend yourself could you pull the trigger, you don't want to gve the "baddies" extra weapons.

I love your dog daughters we ave one she is a 13 year o,d jack Russell who also loves quilts that's why I ave them on all my lounges and lounge chairs.

If I am hand sewing the binding down she sometimes sits on my lap to "help" with the sewing lol

Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries said...

Just found your blog while hopping around quilting blogs.

Love your work and am enjoying your blog posts.

I am absolutely horrified to hear of your home invasion! Without a doubt, I'd be taking a refresher course and getting a permit to carry a concealed weapon!

I grew up with my father wearing a handgun under his suit jacket. He was special forces in the army and in civilian life he was a reserve marshall. We learned early about gun safety.

This is America, no one should be afraid in their own homes! I am so sorry about your ordeal, it sounds like you have taken the right steps in restoring your confidence and personal safety!!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Bev what part of the country do you live in? In Arkansas where I live we don't have a lot of home invasions though lately I've heard of a few. My sister and my best friend have both taken the conceal and carry class and both have a gun in the car with them all the time. My sister has taken an "advanced" class where she had to shoot from all positions...on the ground, behind the house, etc. She's a border-line "prepper" and believes that if we have an economic collapse we should be prepared for widespread violence. She could be right but I've not given in to the urge to get a gun...yet. :) blessings, marlene

Bev said...

Marlene..I'm in Oklahoma. I was working in my office at 10 AM when 4 men kicked down my door. I had no burglar alarm or gun. I actually chased them out with my rotary cutter in hand-lol. The police told me that there are bands of men who are going around robbing homes while people are at work. Apparently they thought I was not at home. I didn't see any weapons on these guys and they ran out but if one of them had a knife and wanted to use it on me, there would have been nothing I could do. The policemen told me to get an alarm system and a gun. All 4 of them told me that things are getting rapidly worse with home invasion robberies. I live in a nice neighborhood. I asked them why I don't hear about the robberies increasing and was told that this is being kept quiet because it is so much on the rise. I used to never hear of any home invasions. Now the news just puts the ones with murdered people on the air. The others are too numerous. Imagine if people had no food or water. Uggg! I personally want a gun! I think your sister is right btw. Sadly.

Bev said...

Tina! We have open carry now in Oklahoma! and to Jenny...I would have NO problem shooting someone who broke into my home. I always imagined that I would be afraid if something like that happened but I was washed over with anger and, if I had a gun, there would have been some dead guys in my living room! I worried about my dogs more than myself-lol. I believe that, depending on the election results, things might get really bad. I hope not but I want to be ready to do the most I am able.

JudyQT said...

I own a Glock 19 and also a Glock 23. I have a concealed weapon permit. I take ladies classes at the local shooting range and also have competed in a moving range. I am an excellent shot. I am super comfortable with my Glock and do not feel that some one could take my Glock from me. I am 5'2" and weigh 100 pounds. I had an incident about 8 years ago in Idaho when I was with my then 2 year old grandson, who is mixed race. Three large buffoons were threatening this beautiful child. I realized what a disadvantage I had and wouldn't be able to protect him. Fortunately I'm spunky and stood up to these men. ...now I carry. Take some ladies classes. They are fun and you will gain skills and confidence.

GO STARS! said...

I don't have a blank wall for a design wall either. I did have a large closet with folding doors on one wall. I hung a curtain rod with clip rings over the wall and clip up a design wall when I need it. It can be taken down easily.
As for the gun thing - if it makes you feel safer - go for it.

Heartsdesire said...

I don't own a gun, but I was in my local WalMart a couple of years ago and a guy robbed a jewelry store in the mall and fled through WalMart, shooting his way to the parking lot. So I say go for it. Especially after your home invasion. It's a sad statement on our society when we have to carry a gun to protect ourselves. Even though I live in Canada, home invasions are on the rise.

Jill OLeary said...

I was the victim of a crazy so friends of mine loaned me a gun that week. The crazy came back a few days later. Adrenalin shot through my entire body! I picked up the gun, it went off. I shot our living room wall barely missing my best friend in the world. I can't imagine if she has been 12 inches to the left. If you learn how to use a gun, you must also heal your fears because its hard to think straight in a crisis after you've been a victim of violence. Please be careful.

Bev said...

Hi Jill! The same thing happened to me when the 4 guys kicked down my door and came into my house. I was washed throughout my body with Adrenalin! I always thought I would be afraid in that situation but I was crazy-angry! If I had a gun at that moment, I am sure I would have used it and maybe even over-used it. I was so angry that I had no fear. I grabbed my rotary cutter and chased them! Looking back, I'm sure they had no idea what a rotary cutter was-lol. I plan to do a lot of target practice. I live alone and, now that I no longer have the "it can't happen to me" syndrome, I want protection. I do think you are right about healing your fear. It's amazing all the response I've received about this issue. It's sad how many of my quilter friends have had experiences like yours. The world isn't how it used to be.

Linda said...

Love your blog - it is on my short list of favorites. :)

We were born and raised in Oklahoma, and I am proud of our state for its forward-thinking stance on self-defense. We both got our concealed carry while we lived in Oklahoma. We are in Texas since March, and we had to get re-certified here. I think it is fun to practice at the shooting range, and I joke about being a Granny-Oakley, but I feel much better knowing I have that defense if I should need it. Good for you for being proactive!