Building a Dream - the Good side of TV

Last night on TV, I saw a program about "The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls."

Oprah, is my reigning Queen - she's become the one who we have come to count on to bring topics of concern, interest and inspiration to our attention. And thank goodness for her.  I am very grateful that she exposes us to people who can teach us and help us expand our vision of the world and ourselves.

Oprah is building a Dream School in South Africa. She is looking for the best and brightest girls (7-12th grade) to help educate and ultimately create great leaders for Africa. For acceptance into the school they were being tested and intereviewed by Oprah. Of course, the girls were amazing and Oprah just fell in love with all of them.

These girls live in very challenging situations, with many family members having been killed, (often one or more of their parents). Their communities are dangerous, they pray for their safety as they walk to school daily. 

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TV Show Addict

Do you have any shows that you are addicted to watching?

Do you not answer the phone, avoid any social engagements, or speak to anyone in your household while these programs are on?  Then, you're like me and you have a TV addiction! (quoting a line from an old Seinfeld episode, "Not that there's anything wrong with that.")

If there was a 12-Step Program for this, I would be attending and make the following statement:
"My Name is Debbie, and I'm addicted to American Idol (and Dancing with the Stars when it's back on - March 19, by the way)."

I counted down the days until the Season 6 started and announced the "count" on a regular basis to people I knew really didn't care.  I don't even really like watching all the bad auditions - but I can't seem to stop myself from watching becaus e I don't want to miss anything. I get very irritated with Simon Cowell and his pension for rudeness, am mystified on occassion by Paula Abdul's rambling remarks, and Randy Jackson - well, he's the "dawg!" - But no matter, I hang on to their every comment and then react. What's with that? I guess it's all part of the addiction. Am I all alone in this - are there other addicts out there??   

Although, I do usually watch alone - the next day of hashing it out over the water cooler is a big part of the fun. Discussing the favorite and least favorite performances, agreeing or disagreeing with the comments, sharing the emotional reactions to who was sent home and if it was "their time to go?" Adopting the language is another aspect of addiction...."She was "the bomb,"  he sounded a little "pitchy,"  I give her "props."  Talking "A.I. Speak" - this is a requirement to being a fully engaged participant (a euphemism for addict). 

When you have a notepad at your side to make notes during the show, when you meet a friend for lunch and the most passionate part of the conversation is to rehash the most current shows - those are all signs. 

As all good addicts do, we know how to "rationalize." 

Here's my top 6 Rationalizations:
1.  I'd rather have my "drama" be on TV instead of my own life.
2.  I always exercise while I'm watching - to remove "guilty" from the term "guilty pleasure."
3.  Hey, everyone's doing it, right?
4.  I haven't started or participated in a fan club - so I'm not that bad off.
5.  I can stop whenever I want.  (I hope I never have to test that one)
6.  I haven't auditioned yet - those are the real addicts!

Hey, what's the harm?  I'd love to hear your TV Addiction Confessions.

Debbie

PS - Did anyone see Grey's Anatomy last week?

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Playing Hookey in Santa Fe

I just snuck away for a few days to visit my good friends Bob and Gail who live in Santa Fe.  As far as places to sneak away to, Santa Fe is not bad.... and I had FUN!!

We met several years ago when Bob photographed me for a magazine and for several years he did the photography for my quilt books.  Gail ran the photo studio and we all became good friends.  Sadly, (for me) they moved from Spokane to Mexico for a few years, but then eventually landed in Santa Fe.  We get together whenever we can and have remained good friends even though miles separate us.

We're the kind of friends that when we get together we have lots of great talks.  We cover all the big topics like love, family, spirituality, relationships, career.....you know - the good, the bad, the ugly. 

As I mentioned, we were having fun - so I made an unprecedented move and extended my trip by an extra day. I turned my three-day weekend into a four-day weekend. I felt so powerful to have made such a bold move. Can you blame me? -  We just didn't have enough time to do it all.  Visiting, snacking, eating, drinking, gallery (and clothes too!) shopping, going to the spa, exercising and the most important of all - sleeping in!

There is something to be said for getting together for a few concentrated days at time because you have a whole years worth of topics to catch up on.  Naturally, the easiest situation is friends who live in town and they are part of your daily life. But there is really something to be said for long-distance friendship too.  It's such a focused visit with lots of sharing and no time to waste.

Next time, they're due back in Spokane. They call it "Mumm Resort." They love hanging out on my patio and around the pool. 

Either way now....(I have a day to make up) so, it's right back to work for me. 

Debbie

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Go Red for Women!

I got to attend the American Heart Association "Go Red for Women" annual lunch event this week.  First of all, it is quite a visual sight to witness a large room of people all wearing red (at least all the ladies were).  The purpose of the lunch is to bring women together to educate them about how they can prevent heart attacks and heart disease and understand that it is now the number one killer of women (as well as men). 

Before the luncheon, they had a silent auction,  I had donated a large bed size quilt to help raise funds for the AHA.  Yes, the other purpose of the event was to raise money to continue to fund research and education. 

Of course the Luncheon was delicious (very yummy!). The keynote speaker  was Jennifer Bushman (the Kitchen Coach) who reminded us how important it is to have family meals (with real food).  Besides eating a nutritious and delicious meal with the family -  She said that action also relaxes you which is also good for health.

In our goodie bag they also included some Go Red pins and a small stack brochures with Heart Health tips and asked attendees to share these will people you care about. So, I thought I would share with you:

5 Simple ways to love your heart:

It's not hard to reduce your risk for Heart disease.  Start today with small, simple actions like these:

1.  CELBRATE WITH A CHECKUP: Let each birthday remind you that it's time for your early checkup and talk with your doctor about how you can reduce your risk for heart disease. 

2.  GET UP OFF THE COUCH: Step, march or jog in place for at least 30 minutes most days of the week - you can even do it while watching TV

3. QUIT SMOKING IN FOUR STEPS: Can't go cold turkey?  Cut the number of cigarettes you smoke each day in half; then cut that number in half; cut it in half again; finally, cut down to zero!

4. DROP A POUND OR TWO: Cutting out just 200--300 calories a day - about one candy bar's  worth - can help  you lose up to two pounds per week and gradually bring you closer to a heart=healthy weight. 

5. BECOME A SALT DETECTIVE:  Check out the Nutritional Facts panel on packaged foods to see how much sodium (salt) they contain.  Aim for a total intake of no more than 2,300 milligrams (ABOUT 1 TSP. SALT) PER DAY.

Love your heart!  Debbie

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Easier to Subscribe Now

I consulted with my Webmaster, Carson McComas and asked if we could make it a little easier, more straight-forward to subscribe to the blog.  And being the Webmaster he is........VOILA!!  Even I know how to subscribe now.  (It's really me who needed the help!!) 
Just in case you're as techno-challenged as I am - hopefully it will be easier for you too.
Debbie

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Quilt Donation Suggestions?

On my 2006 20th Anniversary Cruise to Alaska, we had a Quilt block challenge on board.  Participants brought blocks they had made out of my "Seasons" fabric line to enter.  We had about 70 entries.  And of course it was really hard to pick 12 winners from such a beautiful selection (we had a tie for 12th, so ended up with 13 winning blocks).  The good news is that all the non-winning blocks were made into 8 crib size quilts for donation to Project Linus.  Here are pictures of two of them. (Special thanks to Mary and Karleen for the sewing and quilting!) The 13 winning blocks are still available to be used in some productive way.  Pat Tobin (our quilt cruise organizer)  wrote me the other day to ask if I had any suggestions of what we should do with the blocks and if I had a preference of an organization that I would like to have the quilt donated to.  So, I thought I'd ask you!

Do you know of a non-profit organization that would have a good use for a quilt similar in color and theme to the quilts pictured here? I'd love to hear your ideas.  -Debbie

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Decorating Tips!

Thinking about a decorating project? Check out my checklist.

Here's a couple more tips on picking paint color:

1. Test your paint color right on the wall! The best way to tell what it will really look like in your home is to paint a large swatch right on the actual wall you will be painting. Many paint stores  have small samples you can buy; or ask them to mix a  test quart. This is a small expense compared to having to repaint a room (or even worse, live with a color that you really don't like!).

2. Is the color you want for your walls on a piece of fabric or an accessory? Take your sample to the paint store. If it is a solid color, they can often scan it and create a paint color to match. If it is blended, they will work with you to find a color that works and add more pigment if needed for a darker tone.

3. You don’t have to rely on paint fans. You can create your own sample! If you have acrylic paints, mix the color you want and paint a sample on a white board or white paper plate. The paint company can scan your sample and mix a color to match.

4. If selecting a paint color from printed samples from the paint store, be sure to look at the sample in natural light (take it outside) as the lighting in the store can be very misleading. Also, be sure to look at it in the room you intend to paint. This brings us back to #1—paint a swatch in your room to make sure the color looks good with the lighting in your home.

5. Be aware! The way color looks will change with the lighting. It can look dramatically different at different times of day.

Paint and color can be so fun to work with and create exciting, new changes in a room. Hopefully, these tips can help you experience the results you’re looking for. Good Luck! Debbie

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New Decorating Project

Some decorating (and other) projects just keep getting put off.  And, my office is one of those projects.  It is always busy at work and I'm not sure how/when to fit something like that in?  Not to mention, I've stopped even seeing what my office looks like.  I just walk in every morning, spend hours there every day, and close the door behind me at the end of the day.  Except for an occasional moment of really taking notice - I have just ignored the fact that it is long overdue for a little attention and updating.

Anyone who knows me also knows I'm not the neatest person in the world. So, I tend to let piles of papers stack up that I also try to ignore on a daily basis.  It's time to deal with some of this clutter!

So, I thought maybe if I track this project through my blog - I would somehow figure a way to get it done.  So, I'm showing you some very embarrassing "before" pictures of my office.  My strategy is to just do a step at a time when I can, keep it manageable, and I'll keep you up to date on my progress. 

My goals for the office are really pretty simple:  make it feel a little less crowded, bring some new colors in, and modernize it a little by updating the art and accessories. 

Maybe you want to join me and choose a decorating project that you've been putting off or lost "sight" of?  I'll share some basic Decorating Tips that may help you get started. 

Debbie

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Win Free stuff in our Drawing!

I want to say thank you and “nice job!” to all you who are sending us photos of your quilt tops that you made from our 2006 Sampler Block of the Month series. It’s really fun to see the different colors and interpretations. I was also excited to read that one of our drawing entries let me know that this  was her first quilt. And by the way, Margaret from Australia – “It looks great and congratulations on making your first quilt!” I realize I forgot to mention that we are having a drawing for a nice assortment of DM product. To qualify, you just need to send a photo of your completed quilt top from our 2006 Block of the Month Quilt. (Deadline for entries is March 15th.) Whether you were able to do the 2006 quilt or not, have no fear – we have a brand new 2007 block series started! Based on your votes, I designed a Garden quilt and this month is the “frog” block – check him out. You’re not behind yet – it’s only February. (But didn’t January go fast!?!) Debbie   

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