Thursday, January 22, 2009

Here and Happy

I got my new Mac computer and there has definitely been a steep learning curve. I think I've got at least a bit of it figured out and managed to edit a photo using Picasa3. Here's a pic of Bibi here in our new home:

So let's see. The move from France to Florida went smoothly. We used Animal Land pet movers to take care of Habibi and Howler - there's just no easy way to get those big boys out of their cages at the airport. I recommend Animal Land - they did a great job getting the boys to Paris as well as getting them back home.

Pokey and Lily were forced to wear the humiliating pink harnesses so that I had something to hold onto while they were out of their carriers. I held the harness AND the end of the leash to be doubly sure - almost losing Pokey at the airport in Washington DC a couple of years ago was terrifying. The little girls didn't make a peep the entire trip - they are good travellers. 

There was definitely some unhappiness when the kitties all arrived, but now they are all incredibly happy soaking up the sunshine. The little girls still hiss at each other - I expect that will last for a few months. Pokey discovered the joys of opening kitchen cabinets and after getting herself stuck in the one above the refrigerator we've had to block that off.

As I said, I crammed quite a few quilts, scraps and strings of fabric and even a bit of yardage into the two suitcases and two duffel bags. I brought a few items of clothing and even let my husband bring back a pair of shorts and some flip-flop sandals - awfully generous of me. Right now everything is a disaster - haven't figured out how to organize it all.

I brought Gwen Marston's Liberated Quiltmaking in my backpack - no chance of losing that. Speaking of Gwen, I spoke with her on the phone today. Very fun - what a gracious, wonderful, funny woman she is. I asked if she had any information to pass along to ya'all - this is her tip of the day: If your car doors are ever frozen shut you can get them open with a crowbar.

Eek.  You know there is a whole long story to go along with that one. And here I've been feeling cold at a relatively balmy 55 degrees. My husband is so desperate for some beach time that he went for a couple of hours today despite the chill.

I've been spending a lot of time getting set up, making this home for the next couple of years. I now have broadband internet - woohoo is this ever fast. I've also revelled in having all sorts of english language tv shows again. Good to just veg in front of them with hand quilting when I'm in need of zoning out.

In addition to those kinds of jobs I've been spending time with my husband while I can - he has to leave next week to go back to Paris for who knows how long. Additionally a friend is in town and we've had fun eating out - mmm Mexican food and hot wings - not at the same meal.

Okay, I gotta run. I'm getting a better handle on this computer so it shouldn't be so long 'til my next post. Take care.

39 comments:

Brenda said...

We have minus 7 degrees Celsius here in Winnipeg, which is balmy for January, but we're going down to minus 25 overnight, which is cold on either thermometer. So I know what Gwen is talking about. Glad to hear you're settling in. Is this a permanent move?

Browndirtcottage said...

OH YEAH...I am so glad you are back and all went well....I was really and truly going to email you this morning and tell you that you were being missed....now that you're here......perhaps a 'beaver island' quilt retreat in the fall...my Dhubby keeps encouraging ME to sign up and go...they fill up fast so I shouldn't 'tarry' in deciding....I just don't know how to handle the sewing machine ordeal..oh well, I'm so loving your new view too!

Dianne said...

So glad to hear the furry felines are all together now, Tonya, and that they travelled well.

A Mac, eh? Wow! Don't know if I'd be brave enough to make the leap after so many years of being a PC person.

The new digs look to be very salubrious...and sunshine, after a year plus of grey skies...woo-hoo!

dee said...

So happy you are safe and sound-and your furry babies as well. You're just in time! Burn Notice starts tonight at 10 Whoo Hoo!!

Kristin L said...

Welcome to your new home. I know you guys will settle in in no time. :-)

Quiltdivajulie said...

Belinda - pack and ship your sewing machine via UPS so that it is there waiting for you... GO!!!!!

Tonya - So good to (a) hear you have your Mac, you'll be flying with it soon - won't take long at all; (b) the kitties are here and happy; and (c) you're BACK!!!!

We've missed you... (and it's only 45 and rainy in Paris according to your weather ticker - aren't you glad you're in Florida?!?!?!?!?)

Tracey in CT said...

Happy to hear that everyone arrived safely and that you are starting the process of getting settled. Even better to hear that you have your new computer and your internet connection up and running!

scraphappy said...

Welcome to sunny Florida. Sorry the weather here is so dreadfully cold for you. Still, nothing that would require a crow bar! I'm sure things will be back to normal soon enough.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

You've been missed in blogland! So glad to hear your settled and are becoming MAC friendly! 55 is better then 17... Enjoy! I'm looking forward to a drive down the Florida Keys in March. It can't come soon enough.... I can't believe your cats didn't cry the whole time! what good kitties!

Donna said...

glad all has gone smoothly with the move.... prying a car door open with a crow bar makes sense to me -- much more than a beach in January!! wish it weren't so sometimes, but that's life. :-)

Tazzie said...

I'm so pleased you all made is safely and are settling in well. I've been thinking of you often.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Kim said...

Hi Tanya-

You don't know me, but we spent the Christmas and New Year's holidays together this year. I was off of work and I read your entire blog from beginning to present! Wow, you are something!

I love the letters, and the kitties, and living in Paris vicariously through you was quite fun.

Welcome back to the U.S. from cold, cold southeastern Pennsylvania.

jude said...

woo-hoo!

Anonymous said...

Tonya,
I'm so glad to hear that you, the kitties, and the quilts made it to Florida! We were in Florida for the holidays and my husband had to pry *me* away from the palm trees with a crowbar. Alas, we're back in the land of icy sidewalks and below-freezing wind.
Wishing you the best as you settle in.
Rachel

Twisted Quilts said...

I am glad to hear that you are settling in. I hope you are warmer than the rest of us. Gwen always has great stories.

Vicky F said...

Hi Tonya,
It's good you made it back safe and sound. I was worried about the kitties, knowing that mine are very unhappy just traveling 4 miles to the vet.

So funny about that frozen door and crowbar. How about if a door is frozen open?? Our neighbors had that happen the other day, and bam, bam, bam, tried to get it to shut, but to no avail. Get out the bungie straps!
Vicky F

jovaliquilts said...

What a different view from your window! I hope you caught the opening night of the new season of Burn Notice tonight. :)

rondiquilts said...

I am so glad you are there and everyone is safe. Enjoy time with your husband before he has to leave. Have you seen Mccalls Quilting April issue? The question they ask the editors/designers etc... this month is "what blogs do you read?". Guess who the senior editor Kathy Patterson reads? YOU! As soon as I saw that I said "Me too!".We all love you! There were a couple on that page that I have been to before but I am not a regular like I am reading yours.
Take care and soak in the warmth and sunshine.

Rondi

jmb_craftypickle said...

It is so nice that you are in the sunshine!! It sounds like a grand time, despite all the chaos.
:)

black bear cabin said...

great to hear you are safe and settling in to your new pad! mmmmm...Mexican food...probably didnt get much of that in Paris :)
hope your new life agrees with you and look forward to seeing more creations from you soon!
cheers!

Sharon said...

It's good to know that you're all getting settled in to your new digs.
I can't believe your kitties were quiet on the flight - my Shade mades the most gawd-awful noises when he has to travel somewhere! I wouldn't dare take him on a plane! I hope they all calm down soon...I know you've been thru this before!
Have fun with your hubby before he goes! We've missed you, but we can wait a little longer for more blogging from you, if we have to!

Clare said...

Glad you are safe and sound and happy and that those gorgeous girls behaved themselves. I had visions of Washington DC all over again!

France has hardly stopped crying since you left and it is now positively howling! Good job you aren't here. I think the roof is about to blow off and the bottom of the valley is flooded. I envy those blue skies and that sun!

and you spoken to Gwen! Coooo!

Don't forget your number please.

nannergirl said...

Glad to hear you've all made it safe and sound :)

Jude said...

Yeah,great that you're all back safe and sound.
Look forward to reading more of your adventures soon.

YankeeQuilter said...

I have this picture in my mind of your DH sitting on the cold beach with a quilt around him! Poor boy...

So glad you are back!

Sio

Mindy said...

Welcome back to the states! So happy the move went well and the kitties all arrived safely.

I'm slowly inching my way back into quilting and knitting after taking way too long a break over the holidays.

You are always an inspriration to me creating such wonderful things. Happy to be able to hear from you again.

Quiltycat said...

Bibi seams to like the new view. Happy you are all safe and sound. I'm waiting for your new creations!

Lynda said...

Glad to hear you are settling in well. Great tip from Gwen, which we could have done with a couple of weeks ago, as the temperature was down to -8 Centigrade at night, which isn't normal for England. Luckily it's a manageable 4C today, so no frozen cars at the moment!

Laurie Ann said...

Ah yes, now you can watch all the shows on-line and right after they are on TV. Why don't you try out Life on Mars. You can see all the first 12 epis on abc.com. It starts up again next week. I like it and we seem to have very similar TV tastes.

Magpie Sue said...

Welcome home. I could sure go for 55 degrees about now and we don't even live in the freezer belt!

Mary Johnson said...

Glad you arrived safely and are settling in - Keith ran off to Florida without me today just for the weekend - it's 6 degrees here and temps are falling fast so 55 sounds pretty warm!

Unknown said...

Just got back from a very frigid walk outside in the dark with my dog. That 55 degrees sounds just fine to me. Glad to hear that things are getting sorted out OK. Rest and acclimate and enjoy!

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Glad you made the transition without too many problems. Sounds like all is going well.

Sandy's Quilter's Block said...

So glad you are back "home" with the kiddies and sounds like you're settling in.

SubeeSews said...

Tonya,
I am an avid fan of Bonnie Hunter and I also watch your blog.
I am glad your animal friends traveled safely to Florida. I cannot imagine traveling with my 5 kittie quilting partners!
Anyway...your blog is listed on page 49 of the newest McCalls. It is listed under Kathy Patterson's favorite websites.
Subee
www.subeesews.blogspot.com

Gypsy Quilter said...

So glad you and the kitties are back safely. Are you anywhere near Ocala?

Fabric Fanatic said...

Welcome Home! Glad that you, hubby and the kitties made it. I'm a product of the 50's where no one lived outside the US unless they were spies who were keeping an eye on the commies...lol. So, when I first ran across your blog and realized you were in Paris, I naturally figured that your husband worked for the CIA! What a hoot! And I had just returned to the US after living in Mexico.
D'you think I was a spy too?

Tanya said...

Habibi looks like he's happy for the warmer climate too!

Katie said...

Glad to see you and the cats are settling in. It's been so cold and snowy here in North Carolina I may come and join you! LOL

I finally turned into a Mac person a few years ago. It took a while to get my head around it but now I'd never go back! Not for all the free PCs in the world!

Enjoy! :-)