Backstairs at the White House

I recently had Christmas money to spend on Amazon so I began looking through the movies they had to offer. The winters in North Western Pennsylvania are harsh and having some movies on hand is always a good idea.

Over the years I often wondered why TV would show so many not so good re runs when I clearly remembered several that I had enjoyed and seemed to be lost somewhere in a studio's backroom.

One of those I remembered was Backstairs at the White House. Some thirty years ago I remembered rushing home from work to feed my boys, do homework with them and get them off to bed so I would be free to sit and watch this TV mini series. The real memories of a White House maid that had turned into a book and was now being shown on NBC.

I was surprised when I typed the words into the Amazon search and it came up with a set of 4 DVD's. A bit pricey at almost $50.00, but I decided to treat myself to this memory of history mixed with good entertainment.

With yesterday's blizzard blowing outside my window, I opened the set of DVD's and set down to watch the first one. The set takes you for a ride in history seen through the eyes of a White House maid and her daughter over 52 years and 8 presidents. I read in the campanion guide that comes with the DVD's that the next First Lady after the book was written, Jacquelyn Kennedy, as a condition of employment, had the staff sign an agreement to not write about their memories of service to the White House.

Just as I remembered 30 years ago, I became so interested in the story that I couldn't wait for the next episode. Of course now, I didn't have to wait for next week to see it, so I didn't. I spent most of the day watching all 4 parts, enjoying each for it's story and a look into the worries of the Presidents of the past as each came and went.

If you were a child in the late 1970's or missed this story, it's well worth the cost of the DVD's.

Snow.........

Damn this horrible Snow. Who needs 2 feet on top of all that we still have. I was in no mood this morning for anyone to say anything nice. Every inch of my body hurt as I slide onto my stair climber to decend for my morning coffee. The pain in my hips brought me to tears as I slide onto the seat of my power chair.

As I sat by the kitchen table looking out at this horrible white blanket so deep the 4 foot fence now looked like it was 2 feet high, I saw 3 children off in the distance across the fields rolling a huge snowball.

The human mind is a wonderful thing! Anger and hateful feelings gave way to the memories of childhood past. I could almost hear them laughing as they tried to roll the second snowball on top of the first. I closed my eyes for a look into the past. I could see myself running across the fields with a carrot in hand and buttons jingling in my pocket. I could feel the bite of the snow on my cheeks.

When I opened my eyes I saw a mother trudging through the snow with a scarf blowing in her hands..awww, the glory of a mother adding the final touch to this master piece.

As I slid back onto the seat of the stair climber the thought of pain was covered with the feelings of the site I had just seen and the memories of my own childhood. This grouchy old gal will think twice with her damn snow thoughts in the future knowing the delight it once brought her and now brings to those children who are out there rolling snowballs with great excitment when mother wraps the scarf around the neck of Mr. Snowman.

Ready to send these quilts off to Sunny California!

Overnight I lost my space to take a hanging photo. That space is now full of boxes with parts for the well. I had to use my bed for the photo's and take them in sections so the ladies could see their 6 1/2 inch blocks on the side borders.







In the past when I asked for blocks, I got so many 12 1/2 inch blocks that it would have been impossible to use them all. This time I asked for a mix of 12 & 6 inch blocks. This worked out really well. I am left with 2 blocks which will be used to make the labels very special.

Now to package them up and see if I can get them to the post office with this huge snow storm that just started an hour ago. Soon they will be taking a vacation in Sunny Calif. with the longarm quilter. Maybe when they return they'll bring some of that nice weather with them! The binding will most likely be red. Thanks again Ladies from HGTV for making these quilts possible!

Moving right along

I didn't get as much done on quilt #2 today as I expected to, but I made enough progress that I think I'll be able to get them in the mail to Calif. on Saturday anyway.

The body of the quilt is finished. I am working on the borders and adding the extra flap of red.



Yep, the Christmas tree is still up and that is todays snow out the window.

Slow recovery

Let me tell you, anything you heard about this new flu is true! Just when you think you are getting better it hits you with another round of fever.

The ladies are waiting for the Heart Quilts to be finished so inbetween bouts in bed, I have been working on them. This morning I managed to finish one of the tops. It's not easy finding a place to take a photo of a full sized quilt in a construction zone and with a foot of snow outside but we did the best we could.

If all goes well, I think I'll be able to finish the second one tomorrow.