The last few weeks have been both troubling and insightful for me. As you all know I have a real love for quilting since taking a gazzillion classes here in LHC. One of the techniques is called "stippling" and is done on the machine to quilt a specific area or the entire quilt. The machine needs to have features (free-motion) that allow it to do so. Apparently, mine doesn't have that feature. I only found this out after talking to people in the know at classes, stores, online and over the phone. Each had their own ideas and said I should be able to do this but...nope. This took me a few weeks and much frustration but just couldn't or wouldn't work.
OK, so the next step is to find a machine that did have this feature. Again, I spoke to everyone I could to see what they had or recommended. Jon Ali ( a local quilt store) had some machines to look at and try. I found a very nice Viking. My taste being what it is......the machine sells for over $1600.00 ! Yikes ! (I know...... a good machine isn't cheap but when you're on a fixed income it is alot!) There are two other ladies that ordered and paid for this machine but none were in stock at this time and they had no clue when to expect any. They'll call when they are in.
Maybe I don't really need to do any free-motion. Norm says, wait til we get to Bozeman and look at the quilt stores there. They have several that are nice stores.
A week later I got a call from a gentleman named "Charlie" and he owns Odegaard's Sewing Center in Flagstaff, AZ. He says a friend of mine called and explained my situation and he would like to help. The machine I liked was not in stock at his store either but he would call Viking and find out why they were back-ordered, then let me know. Two days later he called back and had a brand new Viking Sapphire 875 computerized machine ready for me to pick up. Flagstaff is a 4 hour drive from here, one way ! No, can't do that. We bantered back and forth and after much joking, dickering and such, Charlie said he'd sell it to me for $899.00 , pay the tax and ship it at his expense, it would arrive on Tues. (This was Thurs.). You Betcha, OK !
I was very excited and knew I wouldn't sleep much for a few days. The next morning Norm took me for coffee, his phone rings and it's Linda telling him FedEx just dropped a BIG box at their door. Good ole Charlie sent my new machine overnight express !! Now THAT is superior customer service ! I couldn't believe my eyes ! Just so you know Charlie is my Hero !
I had to send Norm out for ? (whatever) so I could play with my new toy ! It came already threaded so of course I had to try it out. Put the fabric under the needle and hit GO. Whoa !....did it ever ! Now, how do I get that fabric out from under the presser foot ? Took me 2 days ..... had to read that manual 4 times ! I've called one of the stores in Bozeman and we've set up some time to teach me how to use this puppy. I'm sure glad I took all those computer classes in Feb......this is all computerized and could be very intimidating ! Norm says, now I have to find someone to buy my old machine. Kinda tough when we're on the road.
Just as an up-date.....the Jon Ali store still has not contacted me. Don't think I'll do much shopping there. Now I can only hope the small spool of thread that came with the machine will hold out til I get to Bozeman. Not sure how to thread it ! Back to the manual !!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
APRIL !!
My oh my !! Spring is really here and we've been notified of our Summer work schedules. Time to think about making sure all our gear is ready to move back to West Yellowstone.
Last week it was a wheel bearing, then found out the harness wiring had rubbed down to the copper wires. All taken care of, now. Engine was tuned and lubed before we got here, the paint re-done last Christmas and interior beautified in February.
One of our first stops will be Las Vegas, again. It's got a Costco, Camping World, Bass Pro Shop and a Joann's so we can stock up on goodies ! Funny, we thought it wouldn't be a big deal to make a Costco run while we are here but it's a LONG drive to Vegas and back, about 300 miles round trip. Next time we'll stock up on the necessities.
On one of Mary Ann's FB posts she said there is a different kind of beauty here. We thought we'd miss the trees, as she said but the desert is gorgeous. I love learning about the various cacti and to see and smell such fragrant blooms ... we hear coyotes yipping almost every night and road runners and jack rabbits run under our coach every day. So far no snakes !
It's hard to describe it all...but believe me it is a wonderous place. Two things I can't get used to...1) remembering it is winter, when the temps are so warm and 2) the amount of dust that my vacuum picks up everyday ! I think I've single handedly cleaned the entire desert or at least replaced it once or twice !
Lake Havasu City (LHC) is a mecca for retiree's. The resources have been thought out well and if anyone were to say there's nothing to do here it's their own fault. I have told you of all the classes, etc, but beyond that the lake provides all kinds of play as does the desert. Next year we plan to get a small boat for Norm to fish from and if I get my way I'd like to get a side x side desert vehicle. ( We'll have to load up on sunscreen or we'll be two little crispy critters !) The biggest problem with getting these toys though, is, not the cost but where do we store them? Hmmmmm! All in all our stay here has been alot of fun !
Norm just reminded me that next time we head this direction (south) we are going down the Coast. We haven't seen ocean beaches for way too long ! There are some very nice (we're told) Thousand Trail Parks along the California coastline that we need to experience so our arrival in LHC, next Fall, will be later.
You have heard, from Norm, on FB, that we're dying in the heat......the last couple of days have been in the low to mid 70's and just perfect for anything outside and for sleeping. I guess it will get hot again just after Easter so we'll plan to head north. After Vegas, we'll look for a campground near Bryce & Zion Natl. Parks. The kids were little last time we were there so it's probably changed just a tad. The elevation is higher so temps will be cooler. Gotta get re-acclimated for Montana ! (Our Winter). :) We'll go at this slowly ! It'll feel good getting back on the road....until we have to fill the fuel tank !! Gad's, that's going to be a shock !!!
Many of you are on Spring Break.....only how many more days til the end of school ? Enjoy your time off......we love ours !
Just a quick note.....remember to.take care of your health ! That's one of the main topics of conversation (as well as Hot-Rods) among retiree's. Many have such issues reguarding their health and are unable to do much at all....they really envy those that can and regret their lack of foresight. Sad...Sad ! Soooo much to do........but you need to be able to walk & breathe.....at the same time !!
Last week it was a wheel bearing, then found out the harness wiring had rubbed down to the copper wires. All taken care of, now. Engine was tuned and lubed before we got here, the paint re-done last Christmas and interior beautified in February.
One of our first stops will be Las Vegas, again. It's got a Costco, Camping World, Bass Pro Shop and a Joann's so we can stock up on goodies ! Funny, we thought it wouldn't be a big deal to make a Costco run while we are here but it's a LONG drive to Vegas and back, about 300 miles round trip. Next time we'll stock up on the necessities.
On one of Mary Ann's FB posts she said there is a different kind of beauty here. We thought we'd miss the trees, as she said but the desert is gorgeous. I love learning about the various cacti and to see and smell such fragrant blooms ... we hear coyotes yipping almost every night and road runners and jack rabbits run under our coach every day. So far no snakes !
It's hard to describe it all...but believe me it is a wonderous place. Two things I can't get used to...1) remembering it is winter, when the temps are so warm and 2) the amount of dust that my vacuum picks up everyday ! I think I've single handedly cleaned the entire desert or at least replaced it once or twice !
Lake Havasu City (LHC) is a mecca for retiree's. The resources have been thought out well and if anyone were to say there's nothing to do here it's their own fault. I have told you of all the classes, etc, but beyond that the lake provides all kinds of play as does the desert. Next year we plan to get a small boat for Norm to fish from and if I get my way I'd like to get a side x side desert vehicle. ( We'll have to load up on sunscreen or we'll be two little crispy critters !) The biggest problem with getting these toys though, is, not the cost but where do we store them? Hmmmmm! All in all our stay here has been alot of fun !
Norm just reminded me that next time we head this direction (south) we are going down the Coast. We haven't seen ocean beaches for way too long ! There are some very nice (we're told) Thousand Trail Parks along the California coastline that we need to experience so our arrival in LHC, next Fall, will be later.
You have heard, from Norm, on FB, that we're dying in the heat......the last couple of days have been in the low to mid 70's and just perfect for anything outside and for sleeping. I guess it will get hot again just after Easter so we'll plan to head north. After Vegas, we'll look for a campground near Bryce & Zion Natl. Parks. The kids were little last time we were there so it's probably changed just a tad. The elevation is higher so temps will be cooler. Gotta get re-acclimated for Montana ! (Our Winter). :) We'll go at this slowly ! It'll feel good getting back on the road....until we have to fill the fuel tank !! Gad's, that's going to be a shock !!!
Many of you are on Spring Break.....only how many more days til the end of school ? Enjoy your time off......we love ours !
Just a quick note.....remember to.take care of your health ! That's one of the main topics of conversation (as well as Hot-Rods) among retiree's. Many have such issues reguarding their health and are unable to do much at all....they really envy those that can and regret their lack of foresight. Sad...Sad ! Soooo much to do........but you need to be able to walk & breathe.....at the same time !!
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