While Meghan was out . . .

I commandeered her blog!  Which gives us a wonderful opportunity to get to know one another!  I'm Emily.  You may remember me from the previous post (which was, like, a million years ago – which is why I'm writing this!).  I work full time as an accountant (but I'm not one of those boring, dry people you think of when someone says that.  I promise!) for a small clothing company, and part-time for Z&S fabrics writing fabric descriptions and generally helping to keep the site current.  Meghan and I have known each other off and on for the better part of 15 years.  Her brother and my husband were best chums in high school.  It's all quite wonderful, really.

So, Meghan's brother was getting married.  My husband was asked to be part of the wedding party.  I'm not the world's most social creature and was desperately figuring out how to get out of attending this wedding.  Then there was Meghan.  "I haven't seen Emily in years.  She HAS to come."  She whined so much about it that we almost had to call the "wahmbulance" to come help us out.  Okay, not really, but it makes a better story.  Don't you think so?

To cut all the fluff out of this (too late, I know) – I went to the wedding, Meghan and I picked up right where we left off, and we've been living happily ever after ever since.

You may be asking yourself what it is that we have in common.  Well, let's see – our birthdays are one day apart (Meghan was born a day before I was and she never lets me forget it!).  I think that might be it.  Okay, just kidding!  We have similar interests – fabric and yarns and fun stuff like that – and we share a strange sense of humor.  But we're different enough to make it fun to be around one another.  Really, it's a perfect match.  Plus, I just adore her mom (Carol) and am considering adopting her for my own.

Hmmm.  Stuff about me.  Well, the husband and I just bought a house two months ago (has it been that long already???) and left our apartment of two years.  Our landlady owned the building we lived in and the house next door, where she lived, and when she passed away earlier this year, her son opted to sell.  The people who bought our building (with two apartments very well adapted from a rowhome) wanted to live there, so we had to go.  We weren't sure what we wanted to do, but we finally figured it out.  And started packing.  One Saturday, we gathered together about a dozen friends and got all the boxes and furniture to our new house.  Next door to the old house.  Yes, that's right – we moved NEXT DOOR!  Let me tell you, it's really hard to explain that to the electric company, the cable company, the gas company, and the post office.  They seem to be really confused by it.  It's been two months, as I said, and we're all settled in.  Some minor plumbing problems and a little bit of standard home repair, and we're loving our new house.

One of the rooms in our new house has been designated "the sewing room".  Let me backtrack a bit:  I learned to knit and crochet when I was six.  Most of what I've made have been fairly simple afghans and things of that nature.  But, in the last few years, I've become a yarn snob and have been experimenting with baby clothing, intricate stitches for scarves, and have been looking at trying my hand at felting (there's a hat I really like).  I'm also very interested in jumping on the sock bandwagon – they look like loads of fun!  So, most of my "stuff" has been yarn-related.  I've also done my share of counted cross-stitch and related, so there's quite a bit of that, too.  About eight years ago, I was at an estate auction with my father-in-law and spotted a nicely kept

Kenmore

with tons of accessories.  I had about $45 to spend, and started bidding.  When it got to $40, I stopped.  Dad didn't.  It made it to $75, and that was my birthday present for the year!  My mother-in-law taught me how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin, and some basics, and off I went!  But, I didn't really like it (I tend not to like things I'm not immediately good at), and it sat for quite a while.  After a move to

Maine

, I found a quilting class being held at the local high school, signed up, and started sewing.  What a disaster!  Ever seen a log cabin cut on diagonals?  Not pretty.  So the machine sat again. . .  Until about a year ago.  I tried AGAIN.  I'm nothing if not persistent (stubborn, whatever).  And this time it's going quite well.  I've got a log cabin top put together for Meghan's brother and his new bride (needs borders, backing, quilting, and binding – but progress is progress, people!) which is on hold for a quilt for my brother-in-law.  He's planning a move from

Dublin

to

London

, so he'll need something to help keep him warm, right?  Any excuse to play with new fabric!  I'm sure there are at least a few of you who can relate.

Meghan loves my sewing room (so she says), and we spend a bit of time in there.  She's got her own workspace and everything – and I finally broke down and gave her a cabinet.  She's not getting that closet space, though!  Mine, all mine!!!

Well, I've babbled on long enough.  I hope this will tide all of you over until Meghan gets off her duff and starts posting again.  Your comments, I'm sure, will go a LONG way toward that end.  Hint, hint!

em

Comments

[Meghan]

Okay Em! I get the hint! I will TRY to squeeze some blogging into my life - soon. Really - I SWEAR!
I don't know why Typepad does those weird things with spacing and stuff. It is always such a mess for me! I can't get it to edit out, either. Such a pain in the neck, and it looks SO BAD! I find it to be terribly frustrating that my posts, that I spend so much time working on, end up looking so awful.
Thanks for the kick in the rear, em!
Meghan

[Nancy]

My impression of accountants have been changed. =) Thank you for making the Z&S website very user friendly. I am always anxious and glad to receive my fabrics tied with the perfect bow every time. Thanks!

[G Hesko]

That was too funny...and you are not boring and i am glad to know that Meghan is alive and well...happy knitting/sewing/and adding numbers!

[Kathy]

Who won beautiful Bob's beautiful fabric?

[Erinn]

Yay! A new post. You two are quite a pair and such an interesting read. Thanks for sharing yourself with us Emily. Look forward to more. Perhaps Meghan can share her Typepad space for the space in your Sewing Room. :)

[sarah]

LOL that has to be the longest blog I have ever read that wasn't peppered with photos !! I think that you are way too good at blogging to stop there, maybe do alternate posts???
oh, and Kathy?, it was me who won, sorry!!!
Sarah xx

[Cherie]

I love the Z&S website!! I'm an accountant too so I know Emily isn't boring :)

[JoAnne P]

Thanks for posting, Emily. Lucky Sarah's rotation strategy sounds like a plan - both of you are so entertaining!!

[dquilts]

Very fun post Emily! And I love your name! I have a daughter with the name Emily!

[Trudi]

Fantastic site, I love it, and its always a pleasure to receive those packages in the post. I'm trying to see how quick I can get one to the UK without clearing customs ;-) I add the fabric bows,(pressed) to my strip stash.

Loved the blogg - its a great read.

[chookyblue]

come on Meaghan........get a new post up...........I know you would be busy with all the wonderful sales you have had and the Aussie/US $$ exchange rate is fantastic for us to buy....I even brought some on one of your great sales....
...BUT it would be great to hear from you again..........

[Trudi]

Meghan - you were wondering how long it takes for orders to get to the UK. Well, I ordered early in the morning here (thats some unGodly hour of the night still at your end) and I was pleased to see that it was processed and shipped the same day. That meant I received my package exactly 7 days later. Thanks :-) I have to say they don't all work out like that but its not much more than a week. With the £/$ rate so good, its rude not to really!