Will I ever get better at sewing?

 I worked steadily all morning on this quilt pattern called Quail's nest.  I thought long and hard on what colors to use and I finally settled on what I figured would be pretty. Nope. I'm not happy with it. Even as I look at the pattern in the book, I can see my finished product doesn't look all that much like the book picture does.

I can see what I did wrong. I should have used a really light color for one of the pieces instead of the busy leaf pattern.  Oh well, live and learn. Every screwup brings me closer to a better job next time. I made four of these squares, sewed them together and put a blue border around them.  Had one hell of a time trying to get it to lay flat as I steam ironed it to death.  I'm going to quilt it tomorrow after I practice on test pieces first.  Probably should attach my walking foot too -- and that's always a pain in the butt!

On the plus side, I finally got through this very long audio book I got at the library. It was entirely too dark and sad. Didn't help my mood any. And the Stephen King book I'm starting tomorrow will probably leave me cold too. Nothing seems to satisfy me all that much lately.  I stopped to have lunch and couldn't do the crossword (too hard) so I pulled up my favorite solitaire games on the laptop. I planned to play unti I won -- and then I wasted over an hour 'cause I wasn't winning.  Thank God my daughter called and that pulled me away from my addiction.

I do have a new jigsaw puzzle set up on the card table so I'll occupy myself there later today and/or tomorrow.  I went for a half hour walk around the neighborhood this morning and while I had to use my walker, at least I was able to stay out there for 30 minutes.  Yesterday and the day before, my hip was hurting so bad I could barely navigate. Today was better so I've got to accept the fact that there are going to be both good and bad days in regards to body parts being nice to me or being mean.  I sure am thankful for that walker as it enables me to get out and move. I thought using two walking sticks would be good enough but most of the time, the walker is my go to machine. haha

Oh dear!  I just entered my slump period. (4:20 pm)  Am yawning to beat the band and could probably take a recliner nap with no problem.  I didn't sleep real soundly last night. Was up and down and back and forth from my bed to my recliner.  Dreams were weird too. But then they always are. Last night my granddaughter, Maddie, had her new wedding ring on and it was shaped like a small end table with four legs.  It was gold but it fit on her hand like a table and I remember telling her that she must be careful not to lose it.

Sent the manager of this place an email this morning telling her I need a better stove. I bought a toaster oven that air frys and bakes but I need a regular oven sometimes too and the one in here (my second) is just a piece of shit!

I had cookies to bake that required a temp of 350.  I set the knob at 275 and the temp gauge in the oven shot up to 500 quickly.  Am tired of trying to second guess what that oven is going to do or not do.

Only two things on my calendar this week. Both on Thursday -- eye appt in the morning (getting cataracts removed next month) and fish and chips at the Elks that night. Will be my first time eating there. Cathi White invited me and Mary.

My latest fun thing to watch on tv is Youtube (via my roku device)  Am enjoying all the various presenations from Dollar Tree savings hacks to exercises and music and sewing. Great fun and I love I can do it all from the recliner.

And that about wraps it up for today.