Ah...The Holidays are OVER!

I hate to say it,  because I really do love the holidays, but this year I'm REALLY glad they're over!  It just didn't seem like Christmas this year...and I don't know why!   This year, for the first time in 11 years, I got to spend the holiday with one of my boys.  THAT part was wonderful!  We had a lovely day, with too many gifts (IS there such a thing?) certainly more than I deserved, and a lovely dinner with my sister's family.

I don't know what it was...but I've heard it from many of our customers here in the office too..."It just didn't seem like Christmas this year..."

Oh well...it came...it went...and I'm glad that it came..and I'm glad that it went.

I haven't been much interested in my machines lately either.  Oh! Don't get me wrong, I still love and adore my old sewing machines, but really have no interest in collecting any more of them.  Not real fired up to sew right now either.

Knitting.  I find myself wanting to knit. I don't want to knit just any old thing either...I want to knit...get this...are you ready for it?  SOCKS!  I find myself wanting to knit socks in the worst way!! ~shaking my head~   It doesn't make sense to me!  I have never been overly fond of knitting...crochet was always faster for me...but nope.  No crochet....don't wanna.  I want to knit socks!

Who knows how the human mind works?  If you do, would you please let me know?  Wouldn't a burning desire to knit a pretty sweater...hats, gloves, scarfs...be better than knitting SOCKS?  But I don't want to knit any of those.

So...a trip to Michael's tonight for some sock yarn...I already have the "tools".  Years ago, I took care of an elderly woman named Mildred, and when Mildred passed to the arms of our Lord, I inherited her knitting needles. TONS of them...to include on set of double pointed needles, made in Japan, that are marked "Ivory".  (They're still in their original package, they cost her $3.95, I'm guessing purchased sometime in the 40's or 50's.)  Guess I better get a pattern for  beginners and brush up on techniques as well.  I learned the very basics when I was 8 years old,  but I think socks are going to weigh in at slightly above my skill level of "Knit one, Purl two".

I'll keep you posted on the Great Sock Saga as it develops!

In other news...I'm interested in what you all think about the "condition" of our Great Nation?  I am seriously worried about our country and where it's headed.  Even Fox News has mentioned "The coming civil war"....that scares the bejeebies out of me, I don't know about you!
I really feel that the current administration is screwing up big time, and I, for one among many, would like to know some truths behind the whole Benghazi affair.  I think that Obama and his minions have some answers to deliver, and truth be told, I would not be surprised if this whole thing turns out to be like Nixon's Watergate...

On that same front, I'm also interested to know if any of you are "preppers"?  No...not like the wackjobs on "Doomsday Preppers"...some of those folks are just plain nuts, but I actually think they'll survive whatever might come....and think about it...Do you want our world to be repopulated by THEM ALONE???  LOL!!!!   Get your preps on...look at it as buying ahead so you don't have to go to the grocery store! ~grin~  I am actually starting to buy a bit ahead, not for any great devastation, but for the event of a personal financial strain...who knows, in this economy, if one is going to have a job tomorrow?  No job, no money, no grocery shopping...I told the spousal unit that I'd like to have at least six months of "backup" groceries...which is really no big deal, when you consider that if you have a large garden, and can/preserve the produce from it each year, you have about a years worth of groceries...

:)  Santa brought me a new pressure canner for Christmas...I'm going to put that puppy to work!

Happy New Year,  may God's blessings be with you and your family!

Why is it? (And you thought we were done with "The Guy" posts!)

Why is it that when it comes to defending "The Guy" the only place the defenders will post is in his PDA on the board?   Why don't they come here and defend him?  I've promised in the past, and I will again make the promise to post their defense of him...along with my answer to it.  The only reason I have moderated comments is to keep the porn spam out...  Bring it on here ladies...where you don't have a moderator to protect you and delete contrary posts!

The poor guy.  It seems that we're mean to him in the Vintage threads.  Why?  Because we don't particularly care to put up with his bullshit?  Because some of the folks there (not me!) know scads more than he'll EVER know?  Could it be because the folks in the Vintage section don't need to pay him for his services, and we scorn his methods of restoration that destroy the beauty of decals on some machines?

One more time.  I don't believe that he's ill.  I believe that he's using an illness of such rarity as to be hard to check on to scam the folks with soft hearts...and just coincidentally, soft heads, since they don't actually READ and UNDERSTAND his posts!  His posts about his alleged illness are contradictory.  Read and understand EVERYTHING he writes and you can't help but to see it.

I have to mention one person in particular, without actually mentioning her name...I'm betting tho, that she'll read this and know I'm talking about her.  She posted that the guy doesn't come back to the board because we are mean to him.  This is the same woman who in PMs, told me that she wasn't aware of how long some of the women had gone without their machines, and why they hadn't bitched about it before a year or two had gone by.  We talked about how they were trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but they were starting to worry about ever getting their machines (some of the heirlooms) if he was as sick as he claimed to be...after all...he was telling about how an infection could kill him at any time, and yet he was still going to work on machines, no matter if he died doing it.  We also laughed about her offer to send her biker son and his friends to the guy's house to pick up the machines so they could be shipped.  Hmmmmmmmmmm....  Yep.  I'd say there's more than one face to that one... and while I thought I kind of liked her, I'm changing my mind.

It's sad.  He's still suckering them in.  They're still drinking the Koolaid.  They don't even realize that it's full of poison, some, like the person mentioned above, know, and drink up anyway...reminds me very much of Jim Jones (The People's Temple in Jonestown,Guyana)...Marshall Applewhite (Heaven's Gate).....Charlie Manson (I don't doubt that the guy could have that kind of influence!)...

Amazing!   Koolaid, anyone?

Köhler Sewing Machine

Well Friends...it's as done as it's going to get for now!   I love this machine!  It's quiet, smooth sewing, easy treadling!   Or at least it was until I broke the  belt three times...now it's too short, and I don't have a leather bootlace to sub for it right now!

Anyway...What I did:

1.  I cleaned and oiled the machine, and got every part of it working right. (With a bit of help from the spousal unit!)
2.  I touched up the paint on the machine where it was scuffed and chipped.  I considered trying to do gold leaf over the decals for the work "Köhler", but can't bring myself to try it.
3.  I waxed the machine and polished it.  It doesn't fall into the "fix the shellac" catagory, because the clear coat on the machine is NOT shellac!  I'll have to figure out something else....or just live with it, which is most likely what I'll do. :)
4.  The cabinet got worked over.  It was taken apart, cleaned, stripped, sanded, stained, and shellac was applied....many coats of shellac...  I had to re-glue a strip of wood to the base of the cabinet that the lid attached to...some goon had opened it and let the lid fall, breaking that strip of wood loose.  Also had to re-glue the front legs...they were separating.

I think it looks MUCH better now...LOVE this machine! :)


The machine is very similar to my Singer 115, or to a Singer 15.  Some differences of course, but it takes a 15x1 needle, a class 15 bobbin.  The faceplate and the slide plate are identical to the 115, the bobbin winder is pretty close too. All in all....no great feats of German engineering on this one, not like the little Vestas or my friend Muv's wonderful machines, (which I would LOVE to get my hands on!!)  but still a nice one, and it will still get used often and loved lots!

My Anniversary Gift

My husband and I were married 13 years on May 30th.  I can't think of a better "BFF" to have...he's so good to me!

It was a special day.  We went to "town" and while there, stopped at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store.  They had this beat up old girl...normally I would have let him talk me out of it.  Something though, told me that I didn't want to go home without her.  She's a Köhler, made in East Germany, either shortly before the end of World War II, or shortly after.  My bet is on "after".

She's beat up, missing decals, and her cabinet is in terrible shape!  The place on the body of the cabinet where the lid attaches via a piano style of hinge broke off.  The finish looks like it's sat outside for a spell.  Dirty, and presenting as a "challenge" piece.  The decals that remain are pretty though, and the cabinet has potential.

William pointed out the "Angel" in the woodgrain of the door. It didn't take me long to see "her"

I need to say once again, William did NOT want me to bring this machine home.  He doesn't always see the same beauty in them that I do, and he knows how much work and inconvenience is involved when I tear into one of these "projects".   We don't have a shop to work in, so these things "happen" in our dining room.  He knows that the machine will never look as pretty as she did new, like some of our other machines.  I HAD to have it, even though I didn't exactly know why at the time.  I've let him talk me out of others in the past, not this one.  This one was a MUST have!  I think maybe I have a sort of "sixth sense" about them...when I "had to have" the 115 in the drawing room cabinet, I had no idea that it was one of the earliest known machines of that model...and I had no idea when I "had to have" this Köhler, that not many of these machines made it out of Communist East Germany.  I just knew that these machines needed to come home with me.

William didn't want me to post pictures of the Köhler until it was finished, but I couldn't wait.  I have started on the cabinet, and most of it is done, just waiting for it's finishing coats of wax that it will get after the shellac cures.   In the meantime, I should be working on the clear coat that's on the machine...it's cracked and flaking, but it scares me a bit!  I think I need my friend Skip to come fix it for me!  LOL!!  I will tackle it in the next day or so, I've touched up the chips in the paint, polished the steel plates, and oiled the machine.  William was able to get the lever to drop the feed dogs to move, and was able to take off the stop action knob so that I could clean the post and oil it so it works again. (For those of you that don't know what that is, the stop action knob is the part you turn to keep the needle from moving up and down when you wind a bobbin)  I've tested the machine just by turning the handwheel, and she makes a nice stitch, forwards and backwards (YES!! She has a reverse!).  I'm looking forward to getting her back in the treadle and really stitching something with it!

I will have photos soon, of Liesl (that's the machine's name) in her newly refinished cabinet.   Bear with me, as impatient as I get to have these projects done quickly, you just can't rush it.  My attempts to do so in the past have resulted in "starting over", and if anything turns the air in this household blue, it's the knowledge that I've messed up and have to re-do all of my hard work!

Wish me luck!  Hopefully this cabinet will turn out as pretty as I'm hoping that it will, and that Liesl will look awesome sitting in it!  

One More from Skip!

These old sewing machines that we like to collect oftentimes have damage to the finish due to the old shellac or clearcoat finish aging, getting dull, and wearing away.  The pictures here are of my own Singer 201-2.  Skip tells me that the machine got pretty hot at some time or another, causing the "alligator" looking shellac finish on it.  The finish was cracked, separated, flaky and dull.

I will caution you before you use this tutorial to ASK QUESTIONS if you have exposed decals!!  There is no guarantee that the products used in this tutorial will not hurt those decals, nor will Skip or I take responsibility for damages done to decals.  I will tell you that I have used this technique on my own machines with no problems, but being over-enthusiastic when cleaning or rubbing on these machines can cause problems!!  Proceed with caution, and I would suggest that if you are new to these kinds of techniques to test them first on less common, "boat anchor" types of machines before you try it on your great great grandmother's extremely rare antique machine that really doesn't look too bad to begin with! 

I am going to first post the photos of my own machine, a Centennial Singer 201-2.  This machine was a GREAT thrift store find, and cost me a whopping $15.00.  Nothing was with it in the way of attachments, but since those are "a dime a dozen", I didn't care.  Normally, seeing boxes of attachments with a machine will incite me to buy it faster than if it doesn't have attachments...don't ask why, I couldn't tell you and it has nothing to do with this post anyway!   This machine had a finish  that was dull, flaking, and the decals were in danger from exposure.  I couldn't quite follow Skip's tutorial down to the letter, because I first had to add more shellac to the machine to protect the decals.

These photos are of the machine's finish BEFORE I started on it.  I had to, gently as possible, clean the machine of all of the layers of car wax I had applied trying to "fix" the finish, and I had to add shellac first to give me something to work with using Skip's tutorial that I'm going to post in just a minute.  This is the time to be REALLY CAREFUL, and know with a certainty that you are not going to further damage your machine's decals and decorations before you advance to cleaning!!   PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS!!
Here is the same machine after following Skip's instructions; still not perfect, but so much better, and the decals are protected!

Here are Skip's instructions:

Supplies needed: Shellac
Denatured alcohol
Linseed oil (boiled)
Rags (old t-shirts or old tighty whites)

1. Clean the head with your favorite method to remove dirt and grime.
2. Wrap your finger with a couple of layers with the t-shirt.
3. dip finger in alcohol and place a few drops of linseed oil on the finger
4. now start rubbing the bed with light circular motions, add more oil if finger sticks to the finish.

We are now melting the old shellac into a smooth coating trying to eliminate the dull brown spots of old shellac.

5.Now go from left to right in a straight line ligthly lifting the finger and the repeat. you can also go from right to left if you like. Now we are trying to get rid of any swirl marks that were left by the rag.

Stay away of the decals at this time. Cont this tech until you have a smooth finish on the entire head.

When you have a smooth and clear finish on the head(as clear as it will get and you will know)

6. Now go over the the decals with the same method above very lightly.

7. Let this cure for about a day then with new rag on finger dip it in shellac and place a few drops of oil and with a circular motion go over the decals and the head. Cont. dipping finger in shellac and a few drops of linseed oil and do this over the entire head and decals. this is adding more clean shellac to protect the decals and the japan coating. Always ending in the straight line finishing to get rid of the swirl marks made by the rag.

8. Do this until it looks good to you and smooth and shiny. Let cure for a week and then wax if you want. You favorite brand of wax is okay although it is not needed now.

Please note: I recommend you practice this french polish method on an old machine first so you can get the hang of it. Please do not hesitate to ask questions anytime. I am always here to help.

More Words of Wisdom from Skip!

If you read my previous post, then you know about my friend Skip already.  If you didn't read my previous post, go read it first.   It will tell you Skip's credentials, and you'll need the information in it before you start with this step of sewing machine cabinet refinishing! :)  Once again, I have Skip's permission to repost his instructions.  Skip DOES read here, so if you have any questions, post them, I'm sure he'll answer when he sees them.  If he doesn't, I'll send your question on to him for an answer for you.  Without rambling on as I usually do, (STOP CHEERING!  It's not polite! LOL!)  here are Skip's directions for refinishing that beat up sewing machine cabinet:

Okay quilters here we go!
Supplies needed: 
0000steel wool
120-200 grit sandpaper
Lots of cotton rags(old t-shirts underware etc) white only
containers to but stripper and mess from the old finish in(coffee cans work great)
2" natural bristle brush of good quality for applying shellac
putty knife
stain brown walnut, dark oak or mahogony(your choice) I use aniline dye water soluble(can be ordered from the Rockler Cat)
your choice of brand

Orange and clear shellac 1qt each
1gal denatured alcohol
1 gal of turpintine
1 gal of your favorite stripper

Paint the stripper on the surface doing a section at a time. For example do the top first then the each side. Let stand according to the instructions on the stripper. Scrape off old loose finish into a coffee can. Wipe surface with rag and turps. This will clean the stripper and nutralize the chemical action of the stripper. Repeat if necessary.
When stipped to your satisfaction wipe down the entire piece with turps. Let stand 24 hours to let the turps evaporate. Then Wipe the piece down again using alcohol. This will prep the wood for staining and remove any unwanted moisture. Let dry for about an hour.

Using a clean rag apply stain to the cabinet. If using oil base stain let dry overnight. If using water base let a couple of hours. Make sure stain is even on the cabinet. The stain can be adjusted at anytime during this stage.

Feel the surface now that the stain is dry to see if it raised the grain of the wood. If it did use the steel wool or sandpaper to lightly smooth the surface down. Clean all dust off with a vacuum then wipe down with the alcohol. Let stand 1 hour.

Apply first coat of shellac using the orange shellac. This gives the amber look to the finish to simulate age. Let dry a couple of hours and apply the clear shellac. Apply two to three coats of clear shellac. Let the piece stand for about a week to cure.

The finish will appear shiny and new. Now take the paste wax and apply it using the steel wool with the grain. Gently rubbing down the finish. Let wax dry buff with clean cloth. Do only a small area at a time. This will take the shine and the new look off the finish. This will take some time so do not rush. When you are pleased with the results you are done. All that is required now is to keep it dusted (NO enddust or pledge please) Dust with soft rag then a clean soft rag can be used to buff the shine back up. You should wax the cabinet once a year, you will not use steel wool this time. Just follw the instructions. 


Note; If shellac feels to thick you can thin it with the alcohol. Work quickly when appling shellac and always keep a wet edge Shellac dries fastbut easy to apply. It can be sprayed also.

You do not have to use shellac you can also use an oil varnish, I do not recommend water based poly because of it clearity it will not have that old wood glow. Oil varnish takes so long to dry(overnight) that you need a dust free place to work or you will wake up to a finish with embeded dust. I am here to answer your qustions. 

My Friend Skip and His Knowledge

Skip is also known as "Glenn" on the quilting board.  This is a man of MANY talents!  (Sorry Girls, he's married to the lovely Miz Pat, and quite happily, I might add! ~wink~)

Skip can sew.  He's a quilter.  Skip can crochet.  He makes the cutest little "thread pin doilies" to decorate the old sewing machines that he loves. (I have some that he made for me, they're GREAT!!)  And Skip knows wood and finishes.  Skip is also probably one of the most helpful and willing to share person on the quilting board!  (Ok...that's not necessarily true, there are lots there that are willing to help and share, but not all of them know how to do woodworking and rejuvenate a sewing machine finish! LOL)  Suffice it to say that Skip knows his stuff, and he gave me permission to use his tutorials/instructions here to help others.   Trust me, if you like old machines and old cabinets/wood furniture, these tips are going to help you make the best of them!  He spent many years working with woods and restoring antiques.  Can I get a round of applause for our friend?  YAY!! THANKS SKIPPER, FOR PERMITTING ME TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE HERE!!  :)

So.  Without further ado, this is Skip's advice on cleaning an old wood finish.  All of the following words are Skip's own.  If you have missing shellac, stop at the end of Step #2, I'll be posting more of Skip's knowledge in another post.  All of the ingredients needed can be found at your local hardware or "big box" store.

Cleaning solutions needed:
Solution One--4parts white venegar, 4parts boiled linseed oil, 4parts mineral spirits, 1part denatured alcohol and 3-4 drops of household ammonia.

Solution Two--4parts mineral spirits, 1part boiled linseed oil

Stept 1-- with a course lint free cloth(blue jeans is good) charge the cloth with Solution one and rub in a circular motion, turning a recharging the rag with solution one. Replace rag as it gets dirty. Continue until the whole is cleaned. Hard to clean areas use 0000steel wool with the solution. The final wipe down should be with the grain of the wood. This finish will be cloudy and dry looking at this point.

Step 2--with a lint free cloth charged with Solution Two rub in a circular motion turning rag and recharging with solution two. Replace rag as it gets dirty. Continue until the whole is cleaned and the finish is not cloudy and dry looking. Finish by wiping the whole with only minaral spirits.

Step 3-- Apply a good coat of wax( such as a tinted briwax or any of the antique paste waxes that can be found in antique stores) according to the directions on the can. Apply thinly and buff like crazy to a nice clean shine. The looks of the piece can be maintained by waxing once a year and regular dusting and buff to shine. Nothing else needs to be done. I do not recommend endust or pledge. No need for lemon oil or anything.

This is the accepted method of proff antique restorers. After you can say I did not refinish the piece I restored the finish. Happy cleaning

Just for the record....

"Remission" does NOT mean that you are miraculously well again...it simply means that your disease is not going to advance further at this particular time.  Remission doesn't make the damage already done go away.  It's there to stay if indeed any damage ever existed to begin with.
So for a certain someone who feels SO MUCH BETTER, and is no longer having problems with his vision, constant infections, lesions, etc.?   I'm calling BULLSHIT!  (Apply it where you like...it's ALL BS in my book)

Nuff said.

***EDIT***

I have been informed Pemphigus Vulgaris remission can happen


"From retired Nurse Practitioner-Just wanted to let you know that PV patients can go into partial or total remission and have improvement and even reversal of symptoms, the same as Multiple Sclerosis patients. That being said- He has shown himself to be quite a narcissist and liar so I don't know whether to believe he even has PV. First rule of a con- pick a background that is easy for you to remember, hard or impossible for others to verify, and plucks the heartstrings of the target audience."
 
I stand gladly corrected. :)  Many thanks to the retired NP...I appreciate the information, and I agree with the later part of your comments!   That's the first thing his ex-mistress said when I told her what he claimed to have...."At least he chose something that wouldn't be easy for anyone to verify"....we also discussed how appropriate the root of the word "Vulgaris" is when pertaining to the guy...  :)

Amazing...

"The Guy" is back.  After no posting for a few weeks, even tho he checked into the board occasionally, (easy to check)  he posts that he's been working on the machines that he's been promising for weeks/months/YEARS.  Yep.  Machines that he previously said had been sent out are sitting there in his shop.
Didn't surprise me a bit.  What surprised me...beyond belief...was the woman that told him she was sending her machine!!!!!!

Ok...so to that woman.  Stop and think about it.  Are you willing to be without you machine for months?  Years?  A lifetime?

~shaking my head~

Buying Vintage or Antique Machines (Cont.)

Hopefully my last post made sense.  It's really a subject near and dear to my heart, these old vintage/antique machines are fantastic, and if you're looking to "go green" I can't think of a better way!  (I'm NOT actually a "greenie", my carbon footprints are all over the place, but in this?  I'm green, without really meaning to be!)

If you're a quilter, tell me, do you REALLY need that big fancy machine with all of the fancy stitches?  Do you USE those fancy stitches?  Most don't.  Most folks that own those machines play with the stitches a bit, and sit down to quilt with straight stitching.

You can't get a better straight stitch than you can with a straight stitch only machine.  We're talking about "old" machines.  Those old black Singers, New Home, White, etc. can't be beat when it comes to a straight stitch.  Guess what?  The harps/throat space on these oldies is bigger too!  My Singer 201-2 has a nine inch throat on it.  My Singer 15-91 is 8 1/2 inches.  The others are comparable.  This is my 15-91:

See how much space you have for a bulky quilt?  Perfect straight stitches, because it CAN'T stitch to the side! A zigzag machine has a needlebar that can be shifted to one side or the other in order to make the zigzag stitch.  While the machine is in straight stitch mode, that needlebar can still be shifted to one side or the other when sewing over heavy seam joins.   Since a straight stitch only machine doesn't have the zigzag feature, and therefore no need to move side to side, you can't force it to the side with a heavy seam.

This particular machine is from 1946, and has worked from the moment I plugged it in.  I have better luck with free motion quilting on this machine than I do with my 201-2.  This machine has a vertical bobbin, and that seems to work better for me than does the drop in or horizontal bobbin of the 201.  The 201 does  killer straight stitch quilting though!

Even tho the treadle machines themselves are awesome, if you're looking for a common use workhorse with somewhat modern features, then stay away from the treadle machines.  Treadles have a bit of a learning curve for most folks, they're not as fast as an electric machine, and depending on the model of treadle, needles may be hard to come by.  I'll write about them next time.

If you're looking for a workhorse, much like the other e-machines I wrote about last time,  check for the following:

1.  Wiring.  Make sure that there are no cracks or breaks in the insulation covering the wiring.  If there are cracks or breaks, it doesn't mean you shouldn't buy the machine, it just means that you can't USE the machine until those issues are repaired.  Find out before you go to look at the machine approximately what it would cost to rewire it if necessary (along with other possible repairs).
2.  Turn the handwheel.  Does it turn easily?  If it's a bit stiff, then it's likely that it's only old oil that is holding things up.  New oil and working the wheel will loosen it.
3.  When you turn the handwheel, does the needle go up and down?  If not, it could also be an oil problem, or you could have rust that is interfering.  Unless you want a project machine to learn repairs on, I'd pass.
4.  Make sure it's got a bobbin casing and bobbin.  Ok...so the bobbin is not quite so important, those are replaceable, but the bobbin casing (that the bobbin fits into) can cost $50 or more to replace.
5.  Assuming that the wiring is good, the handwheel turns and the needle moves, you remembered to bring a scrap of fabric, a needle, and some thread, right?  Thread the machine (they all thread basically the same way, with the main difference being that some thread right to left, and others left to right, a few thread front to back.)   Plug that baby in and stitch with it.  Does it make stitches?  Don't worry about tension at this point, that's an easy fix...you want to know that it's not skipping stitches.  If it's skipping stitches, check to make sure that the machine and bobbin are threaded correctly.  If it's still skipping, you may want to test it with a new needle.  If you exhaust all of the common "fixes" for skipped stitches, then it may be that the timing is off...that can be fixed, but know what it will cost before you commit to the machine.

Next time, we'll talk about the treadle and handcrank machines! :)

"The Guy" update.  Still, no one has gotten their machines or their money.  He claims that they're all repaired, and waiting to ship out, but he's not done it.   Things are getting snarky on his PDA once again, and the snarks are his defenders!  Everyone else, that I can see, has been polite....firm, but polite.  They state facts.  One from "across the pond" staunchly defends him...couldn't tell you why...other than I guess she believes his bs stories.
Oh..and guess what?  He couldn't go to his "studies" because he had infections from being forced to fix the machines that he's had what?  Some for YEARS.  I coulda told you he'd say that.  And yes.  I think he's lying, again.

Buying a Sewing Machine...Go Vintage or Antique!

Sure, I'd like to have one of those super spendy modern machines...I want one that has an embroidery module, because that's about the only thing that I don't have in my machines.  Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money to spend.  Not all at one time, anyway!  So that's just not going to happen.  Maybe someday...if I win the lotto.  So...what's a girl (or guy) to do?  Look to the vintage/antiques.  I can get a machine that is 100 times better than any of the less expensive models on the market today.

Let's examine why.  The average life span of a new, lower end machine (think big box store machines) these days seems to be about 5 years or less. These machines are going to cost you anywhere from $89 to $500.  True, they have extra stitches, pretty ones.  How often are you going to use them?  If you're quilting, you need the straight stitch, and maybe you'll use a decorative stitch to quilt with.  You'll sometimes use a zigzag, or a blanket stitch for applique.

The average life span of a Singer 403, made in the 50's,  has not yet been determined!  If you discount all of the  perfectly good machines from the 60's and before that have gone to landfills because they just weren't wanted anymore, even tho they still worked, you have very few of these oldies that went because they were worn out or broken!

People, I have a machine that is about 132 years old, and that baby sews like a dream!  My current favorite is a 100 year old treadle machine that will sew anything I throw at it!  Multiple layers of fabric where seams meet are nothing to it.  Doesn't even hesitate or moan a bit, just zips right through!  Treadles, tho, are a novelty for many and some don't even want to think about making them their "main machine", so we'll examine some e-machines. (electric machines)

I decided to write this blog article because last evening, I decided to make a "truck quilt" for the spousal unit.  He asked for one, and if I can avoid denying him anything, I will do just that...and he wants a quilt to put in his pickup truck.  I got out some precuts that I've had for awhile, and decided that since I haven't used it in awhile, I would stitch this one on my 1957 Kenmore model 84.  This baby has a 1.2 amp motor.  It's going to go forever.  Well, ok.  Not forever, but it's going to sew for a longggggggg time!  All metal machine, it's heavy.  It's in a "desk cabinet".  Very cool cabinet, when I lift the top of the cabinet to slide it behind the desk, it lifts the machine into position.  I paid $15 for the machine, and found the cabinet in another thrift store for $20.  I forked out a few more bucks for the decorative cams that the machine uses.  ($2 at an antique store)  So now I have a powerful machine, in a very nice cabinet, that does 18 different decorative stitches.  For $37.00, I have a machine that is going to outlast me.  This is the Kenmore 84 in the original cabinet that I brought it home in.  I switched it to the desk cabinet and took this cabinet to the St. Vinnie's store.

I have a 1950's Singer 403 that I paid $29.00 for in the cabinet.  None of the attachments that I have would fit it, as it's a "slank shank" machine, meaning that the needle/presser foot is at a slant to allow better viewing of the stitching as it occurs.  Since this girl didn't have any extras, I felt the need to buy some.  So I found presser feet at the local Goodwill for six dollars.  My friend Cathy had a set of the decorative stitch cams and more presser feet (I got another slant shank machine, a 500A for Christmas that I needed the extra feet for!).  I only have to give $25 to Cathy for all of what she sent, and it was a LOT, half for each machine, so another $12.50 invested in this machine.  Forty seven dollars and fifty cents later, I have a complete machine setup that once again will last longer than I do, and it will do 21 decorative stitches with the cams I have. This is the Singer 403.  Photo was taken right after I got it home, and it's not been cleaned yet.

My point is this.  Do you want a machine for it's "status value" or for it's REAL value?  These vintage machines are workhorses that in no way deserve to be put out to pasture.  They are heavy, all metal machines.  They, with a bit of care, will last you more than your lifetime, and will sew a "prettier" straighter stitch than any modern machine.  They will zig zag, they will applique, they will free motion quilt AND free motion embroider.  They will serve you well, and be more faithful to you than their previous owners were to them.  

What to look for when you look for a vintage machine:

Ignore the dirt and grungy stuff on the machine body.  That will clean off.  Instead ask to plug the machine in and run it.  If that's not possible, at least look to see that the cords and foot feed  (or knee feed) are there.  If you don't want to mess with rewiring, check the cords and wires to make sure they are intact and solid.  You don't want to see any cracks or bare spots in the insulation.  Turn the handwheel and make sure that the needle goes up and down.  Look to see if the bobbin case is there.  (that bobbin case can be spendy, if it's missing)  Take thread and scrap fabric with you, thread the machine and even if you have to do it by turning the handwheel, make sure it stitches.  (If the timing is off, it won't make stitches, and while you CAN time a machine yourself, it can be difficult.  You don't want to have to pay to have it done, and besides, when the timing is off, it's usually a sign of abuse of some kind).  For pricing?  I've been lucky with mine, as you can see above, but if you are patient and watch for it, you can get some real bargains!

Where to look?

Ebay, Craigs List, local papers, thrift stores, yard/garage sales, antique stores, let your friends and neighbors know that you're looking.   Keep in mind that Ebay is going to have shipping attached, and these babies are HEAVY.

If you're looking for an update on "The Guy" saga, he seems to have disappeared...most likely will be back with a story of how he almost died.   (DO NOT read that as a wish that he did!! In my perfect world, illness or injury doesn't exist, not even for my enemies!)  I do know that a machine that he promised would be delivered on Feb. 12th didn't show up.  Nor has the money that the lady paid for it.  I don't believe that any of the others have gotten their machines either, but I don't know for sure.

Next time, I'll talk about what to look for in an antique or vintage straight stitch machine.

Well now...Let's see...

We've been called ignorant and stupid, we've been called heartless, we've been accused of a lack of understanding, and of being ungrateful.  Did you know we're poor examples of Christianity?   Now I honestly don't have a dog in this fight, (read as, he doesn't have one of my machines), but I feel included, by virtue of the fact that I support the folks that are upset that they haven't gotten their machines back yet.

Blind faith.  That's what the guy's supporters have....it must be because they don't READ what he writes, and if they do they don't SEE the truth behind it.  Let me try again to open some eyes, because I KNOW some of you read this blog.  Much of this will be redundant, if not all of it, but I'm hoping that repetition will be effective.  It works when teaching first graders.

• He says he's never been called a liar before in his life.   Not true.  I know of a few women that have called him a liar, and at least one that calls him a slimy slug that she wants nothing to do with, and won't even ask him a vintage machine question because every time she contacted him in the past he flirted with her and she thinks he's creepy.  He's lied several times about fixing the machines he has that belong to others, and he's lied about sending them out to their rightful owners.
• He implies that he can't afford medical bills or meds.  If that's true, then he and his wife (who has my extreme sympathy) might want to sell off some of the over 8 million in assets that he told me they have. (he told me that when he was going to marry his mistress and didn't want to just up and leave in the name of true love until he knew the mistress was going to have money to support him with....unless, of course he was lying about that)
• He claims to have a deadly illness.  We already know what I think of this, but I'll say it again.  I do not believe that he is ill.  I believe he had some kind of condition that caused the ugly sores on his head as shown in the photo on his PDA, but I in no way believe that it's autoimmune, but maybe that's because he's lied in the past.
• He can no longer work and needs SSDI.  We might need to examine this one a bit...well...no we don't.  He claims he's working several hours per day on the machines that he was supposed to have done months (or more than a year) ago.  Uhm.  If you can work hours per day on machines, then get a job.  At least that's what SSDI will say, and I'll be sure to point them to the PDA should they approve the disability.
• He claims that his vision is shot.  Says that with glasses, his vision is ONLY 10/10.  He really shoulda googled that before he posted it.  10/10 is the same as 20/20.  For those of you that support him, what those numbers mean is that what the average person can see at 10 or 20 feet, the person being examined can also see at 10 or 20 feet.  Wish my vision was that good.  Poor research on your part guy!!  Oh!  Add to that please, that he doesn't seem to have trouble seeing a computer screen and reading it.  

If that's not enough to make you question your blind faith in the guy, then I don't know what would be.  Know though, that we are NOT ignorant or stupid, we READ his posts, and SEE him for what he IS, not what you WANT him to be.  We're NOT heartless, we honestly care about those that are truly sick, homeless, and I've yet to kick a dog when he's down.  Christian?  Keep in mind ladies, that Satan can quote the scriptures, it doesn't make him righteous.  True Christians do not follow false prophets, and that's pretty close to what you're doing.  He's the Jim Jones of the board, and you are ready and willing to drink his Koolaid.  (Thanks to my friend for the Koolaid analogy, she knows who she is)  Don't do it ladies...it's poison.

Oh!  I nearly forgot!  He claims to have gotten death threats, death wishes, and wishes for untold misery for the rest of his life!  Really?  Seriously?  You folks that I'm writing this for...you BELIEVE that?  Stop and think about who the ladies are that sent their machines to him.  You honestly think those ladies would do something like that?  Let me share with you that I've heard that song before.  He claims the ex of his mistress did the same thing...threatened him.   The ex of his mistress says he didn't.  I choose to believe the ex of his mistress. I've never caught HIM in a lie...

Oh my...

The Guy had a temper tantrum on the board last night, threatening to overcharge the people who expect him to return their machines. Then he posted again that he's "just tired".  All I have to say to that is, "You made your bed, lie in it."
Now...if he *really is* sick, I feel for him.  No fun, no fun at all, but you see, I don't believe that he's really sick.  C'mon...think about it.  So few folks have this disease here in the States, it's incredibly deadly and yet his doctors wait months to suggest he join a study, and then wait months to enroll him in said study?  Someone who could die from a simple infection, which he reports that he often has?  The doctors are going to wait months to get him to a place where they can examine him?  Not only that, but he'll be an inpatient the whole time?  Really?  Seriously?  He should do his homework better.

Back to the Fun Stuff!

We have a new "lady" in the house!!  She followed me home, and I had to let her in, it was snowing and cold, I was afraid she'd get all rusty! ;)

When William and I went to Eugene, Oregon about a week and a half ago, we went to one antique shop that had this pretty machine and cabinet.  Priced WAY out of my range.  I left it sitting in the store, and thought about it quite a bit on the way home.  Thought about it all evening and the next day.  Announced to William the next day that I was going to sell some of my collection so I could go back and get this machine.  It was just something I felt I had to do, and even though I felt it was overpriced, I HAD to have it.  As the week wore on, I was moving about and trying to decide which of the machines I already have would be offered on Craig's List, my ever-loving spousal unit would counter with "But you LIKE that one"...."We worked hard on that one"...."it's kind of a cute machine"....and a "Don't even CONSIDER that one!"  LOL...he won't admit it, he likes these ladies as much as I do!

Tuesday, we were off to Eugene again, and the bonus was that one of the ladies from the Quilting Board was going to meet us for lunch!  Margie is just the sweetest, cutest woman!!  We had a great time!

 That's Margie on the left, yours truly on the right.  We had lunch at "Dicky Jo's Burgers" in Eugene...it was GREAT food, and wonderful company!

"It" or as I more commonly refer to them, "She" is a 1912 Singer model 115-1 with "Gold Wing" decals.  Her "skirt" is a very desirable "Drawing Room" cabinet, an early model with the spring elevator lift. (Later models of this cabinet didn't have the lift)  She's in wonderful shape as is the cabinet.  One of the guys on Needlebar said it was a "top of the line machine in a top of the line cabinet".  I think this is the first time I've ever had anything that was considered "top of the line" with the exception of my spousal unit, and I don't own him...he graciously puts up with me!! :)  In doing some research today, I learned that this combination originally sold for somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 in 1912.  That, according to the inflation calculator, translates to about $4500 in today's dollars.  Someone with some money first owned this machine...and it shows in that there is very little wear on it or the cabinet.

I took photos before I wiped her down so you get to see the dust from the store...but here she is...meet "Margie"!  (Named for the lovely lady we had lunch with,  and coincidentally, my Aunt Marg, who I was named after. (Long story...another day)

Isn't she pretty?  I've already made a table runner with her...she sews SUPER stitches!  I'm pretty pleased with this machine, and I'm thrilled with the cabinet!  To see how the cabinet works, mosey over to YouTube and watch this video, courtesy of the "Treadle Lady"...it's a cute video, and it shows you just how really cool this set up is! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi8a_OHUv1M&lr=1&feature=mhum 

I KNEW IT!!

Get this.
The Guy gets bashed on his PDA for keeping machines that don't belong to him, after he took the money for them.  He whines and gets the posts removed, and says he just doesn't understand why people don't understand that he's sick and just can't do what he promised.  (Paraphrased because I don't recall his exact words.)
He disappeared for a few days, and I told someone that he would be back, that he would claim to have been working on machines, and that he would have a "set-back" in his "illness" because of it.  He didn't disappoint!  He posted this evening, claiming that he has been working on machines, that they've nicked his fingers and caused infections, and that his wife is angry because of it all.

There's a bright side to his post tho.  He says he NEVER wants to work on another machine!  That means that he won't be bilking folks out of their money in the future!  I know it really doesn't help those that are having problems now, and for that I'm sorry...I truly am.  I'm guessing that he WILL send the machines out, providing he can remember who they belong to... and be expecting those ladies that have waited for over a year to be grateful to him for putting his life on the line in order to "stop the bitching" (and no, that's not the way *I* think of it, but I'm pretty positive that it's the way *HE* does! LOL)

Time now, to sit back and watch the show...I'm pretty sure the guy, who by the way, out does every drama queen I've ever met in my life, will make it a good one!

Bring it on...

I've heard from several of the ladies that were open and honest on the guy's thread about being cheated out of their money and their machines...they've been getting hateful PMs from the guy's supporters.

Now how is it, when I offered in an earlier post to publish any defense that anyone wanted to offer for him, (I don't censor out ANYTHING other than porn!) not one of those same folks offered to defend the guy here on my blog?  NOT ONE!  Yet they'll take the time to send a hateful PM defending the poor guy on the grounds that his daughter left home (gimme a break, she's an adult, it was time!),  he's got a disabled son...yes...yes he does....that evidently can deal with funerals and 100 mile yard sales,  and let's not forget how incredibly sick he is!

Bring it to me people!  I have an answer for everything that you have defend him with!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I don't for a minute believe that he's as sick as he claims to be.  NOT FOR ONE MINUTE!  He can get on the computer and chat with his friends via email and PM, he can post on two quilting boards, he can go to family reunions and funerals, he can go to yard sales, antique and thrift stores, etc., but he can't go to the Post Office to mail a check to refund money that was paid to him for a machine he was selling?  He can't go to the Post Office to mail a machine to it's rightful owner who has told him, "I don't care anymore, please just send my machine back!"

Do you folks that defend him have ANY IDEA how many times he's used the excuse that the address  was wrong and the box was sent back?   I've heard of him giving that excuse at least THREE times!

So...down to brass tacks.  If he can go to family reunions, he can work on machines that he is OBLIGATED to work on.  If he can go to funerals, he can take the time to send back machines that DO NOT BELONG TO HIM.  And while we're at it, someone who claims to have everything he has, and spends everything that he says he spends DOES NOT NEED assistance to pay his medical bills, pay for meds, and he DOES NOT NEED SSDI!   He's yet another deadbeat who is looking to work the system so he doesn't have to work.

Before you jump me about all of this tho, do me the favor of arguing with fact and not emotion.  I will say it one more time.  I will post your defense of "the guy" ,  there are, after all two sides to every story.  I will answer you with fact, and if need be, with quotes.  If I have no answer to something you have to say, then I will admit it.

The one thing I will NOT do is to abandon these ladies that he's lied to and cheated out of their machines.  The only thing they are guilty of is wanting what they paid him for, and in lieu of that, just to get their machines back...for crying out loud, neither the guy or his wife work, how tough can it be?

The Poor Guy....

He managed to whine and get the negative posts removed from his PDA. I'm sure he felt the need to, dissatisfied customers are really bad for business, and when you're still trying to drum up business from unsuspecting people who don't realize that they may never see their machine again, well..you just can't have people posting on a public board that you cash checks, and don't return items to their rightful owners.

Now, in defense of the moderator that removed the posts, it IS his "personal thread" and as such he should be able to say what's posted there.  Can't hold any resentment there.  The mods have a LOT to deal with on this board...and I have respect for all but one of them.  That one that I have little respect for is one of his groupies, and I honestly thought she'd not get sucked into his line of BS...but hey.  To each their own, right?

I confess, and I know Karma will bite me in the butt for it, but I confess to having been amused by those posts!  NOT at the anguish of those that haven't gotten their machines back...THAT isn't funny in the least!  What I was amused at was that they dared to "Cross the King"!!   I can nearly hear him shouting and pitching a fit about those posts....much like I could nearly hear him verbally pitching a fit about me arguing with him on the vintage machine thread. LOL!   He as much as said in one of his posts shortly after our argument that he really wanted to hit someone...I'm pretty sure that "someone" was me...and all I could think was, "Bring it on..."   Tells me that he's an "emotional" debater...and they lose to those that argue using logic and fact... everytime.

Fact is, The Guy has machines that don't belong to him, under the pretense that he was going to fix and return them to their owners for a fee that he was paid up front.  At least one of those machines he's had for over 14 months.  Another one he's had for over 9 months. Nice machines, I might add.  He already cashed the checks on both accounts.... or his wife did.   See...he has folks make checks out to his wife, because "she handles all the finances".  Something fishy about that in itself.  Makes me wonder why he can't have money come in with his name on it.  Either my husband or I can deposit/cash the other's checks....we do it all the time.  What's he got hanging over his head that he have people write a check directly to him?  Hmmmm.... Time to check public records....could get interesting!  If I find anything, I'll let you all know! :)

Just Breathe Charlee...

I am nearly chewing my fingers off at the knuckles trying NOT to post to "The Guy's" PDA on the board!! Seriously Ladies??? Seriously?? You continue to defend someone who just posts that his vision is nearly gone, but who can evidently read the negative posts against him and whine how it hurts to see them in his PDA?? Ok...sorry. Y'all need help. He claims that he's never in his life been called a liar. SO not true...I'm pretty sure that he lied to his wife when he went to Colorado to meet with his mistress...and I KNOW his mistress called him a liar. I've called him a liar. It's so freakin' sad to see how desperately he's scrambling to hold onto the love and affection of the ladies on the board. It's sad to see the ladies on the board sucking up to him without really reading his posts and doing the math. Two plus two equals four, no matter what you add to the equation! Ah well...have said it before...will say it again. Can't save the world. And can't save ladies who don't want to be saved. ~heavy sigh~

SERIOUSLY???

Another one about "The Guy", because I see what he's doing and how he's manipulating the women on the message board. I really don't know why I post these, it does no good...those that read my last tirade about him either agree with me wholeheartedly, or claim to at least "semi-agree" while posting support for him. Heh! I guess if you don't send him your machines, you got nothing to worry about. One person that sent him her grandmother's machine, hasn't seen her machine in over NINE MONTHS! I know that the machine is a very nice one, and I have to wonder if she will ever see it again. She's upset, and wants her machine...I don't blame her. Another person posted today that all she wants is for him to communicate, something he's not very good at when he's avoiding an issue, like when he decided to dump the lady that thought he loved her because he told her he did...I regress, my apologies. Anyway, the person that posted today has been without her machine for FOURTEEN MONTHS! Over a YEAR! He claims that he mailed it but it was returned to him with address issues. Really? How many months ago was that and why hasn't it been shipped again with address corrections? Some of the people that trusted him are starting to post on his personal thread. Those that don't know him are defending him..."He's been so sick, cut him some slack". BULL! He called it a business. Now...I have a business job. I've had businesses in the past. One of the first things you learn is that if you can't be at work, you find someone to work for you. If you can't communicate you find someone to communicate for you. If you have items that belong to your customers, you use one of those people that you have working/communicating for you to get those items back to the customers WITH A FULL REFUND! He's felt well enough to be online, then he's felt well enough to send messages to the people that he's cheated out of their machines. If that sounds a bit strong to you, consider it. A full year and two months he's had at least one of those machines. Sounds to me like he doesn't intend to send it back unless he's forced to. That's how I'd feel if it was my machine anyway. I've gotten a few comments from those that agree with me. I know that some that don't agree with me have read these posts too, without comment. Seriously. If you've got proof that "The Guy" is an upstanding human being that would no more use/abuse online friendships, I'd love to see it. And yes. Even though I moderate the comments on my blog to prevent porn sites from being posted, I will post your points of view. I don't censor things that I don't agree with, but I may answer them. ;) Onward and upward!! I think I'm going to "thin the herd" of machines a bit. I don't have as many as some folks do, but I really do have too many to use...as much as I love them, I think it's time for some of them to go. It would make room for machines that are on my wish list, and also make some space in our apartment. I'll really have to think on it, but right now, I think the machines that are "on the block" would be: 1. 1912 Singer 9W treadle 2. 1934 White Number 8 3. 1924 Singer 99 in a bendwood case with kneebar. 4. 1951 Centennial Singer 201-2 That's the list for now...altho it should be longer, I don't think I'm ready to part with any of the others yet...and these four should open up a lot of space. I just need to gather the will to get it done...it's one of those things that no, I really don't want to sell them, but yes, I need to sell them. I need to be more selective in the future about what I buy. I want to rescue every last one of them. I'm pretty sure that it could be grounds for divorce if I did. ;) Oh! And just for the record? I actually DID use one of my machines the other day...I sewed a pair of pajama pants for myself! They're really comfy! :)

It Was A Lovely Holiday!

We had a really nice Christmas and New Years! Meet "Buzz", my Christmas gift from my wonderful Spousal Unit! Buzz is a 1963 (or so, no real records for these machines) Singer 500A, also known as a "Rocketeer". I absolutely LOVE this machine...William couldn't have gotten me a better gift. To go with it, he bought me a full set of the decorative stitch cams. I had found the machine on Craig's List and showed it to him, but he seemed to blow it off as just another old machine. I was so disappointed a few days later when I was once again browsing Craig's list and the machine was gone! I resigned myself to not having a Rocketeer in my collection yet, and didn't give it much more thought. After all, it's the season to do for others, right? So I went about my way planning to get Christmas gifts for this wonderful man I married. I got him a toolbox for his pickup, and some other things that he "needed" for the truck and for shooting his black powder rifle that he got for his birthday. I was tickled pink knowing that he was going to like his gifts...there was no doubt in my mind. Christmas morning, he handed me a box to open. I opened it, and there was a foot pedal for a sewing machine. He asked if it was the one I'd been looking for since I'd been thinking of finding a black one for my Singer 201-2, that currently has a white colored pedal. I looked at the plug on it, and told him that no, it wouldn't fit, but maybe we could rewire it. He suggested instead that it might fit the machine that was out in our storage shed! He immediately got marching orders to BRING IT IN!! :) He went and retrieved Buzz from the storage unit. I was SO excited!! It's a wonderful machine, sews like a dream.

Regarding my previous post about "the guy" on "that board" ("Frustration Reigns"). He's still tugging at the heart strings of the lovely, generous, big hearted ladies on the board. Today, he posted that he doesn't feel comfortable on the thread he started about vintage machines anymore...why? Because others have answers to questions too? Because he looks like a toddler having a tantrum when he's challenged? Heh! I'm at the point that I feel like I've tried. I've tried to warn the ladies there that he'll take them for a ride if given a chance. He's not beyond taking advantage of their generosity and big, warm hearts. Some of the ladies took what I had to say and have backed away from him. It seems that it's pushed some of them closer....one even suggesting that they take up a collection on the board to help him with his medical bills...GIVE ME A BREAK!! He just spent $300 on a GUITAR before Christmas! He doesn't need money...he needs to be neutered! At any rate...I feel my job is done. Can't save the world and all that. There are those out there that want to believe the best of everyone, and take everyone at their word, no matter what. I honestly wish those kind hearts all of the best this world has to offer, and I sincerely hope that they don't end up heartbroken as one woman did. Actually...more than one woman was hurt. Instead of praying for his health, I pray for his victims.

Back to machines!! :) The other "Pre-Christmas" gift I got was a Singer 403! It's the pre-cursor to the Rocketeer. Very nice machine, my friend Suzy found it for me and picked it up for less than $30! This one too, sews like a dream, and I'm so excited to have it! The cabinet on this one needs to be stripped and refinished, but all in all it's not too bad, and the machine itself is wonderful! It takes the same decorative cams as the Rocketeer, so the two machines will share those. Now I just have to get some other projects finished so that I can SEW SOMETHING! :) Speaking of getting things done...I'd best get at it...I really need to get this sewing/computer room so that I can walk through it! :) Talk to you later!

Frustration Reigns...

I frequent a message board. There is a person on the board that I watch like a hawk. This person is someone that I don't believe can be trusted as far as he can be thrown. I'll call him "the guy". I worry about the ladies on the board falling for the same ploy as another friend did. Let me give you some background: One day a little over a year ago, I get a message from this guy telling me that he's madly in love and has never been happier. Now, I know that he's married, and so was she, but ok, you can't help who you fall in love with, or when. You CAN control how you handle it, but hey! I'm not perfect, who am I to judge, right? Besides...the excitement of new love is contagious! You WANT to be happy for those folks that are lucky enough to find it... So I chat in PMs with the happy couple. He's traveled to visit her while her soon to be ex was out of town. They made plans. They seemed so happy. She came to Oregon on vacation, and I was tickled pink to get to meet her, and even posted pics of the two of us together on the message board. "He" posted on that post, calling her his "hot bride to be". (Some of you KNOW which message board I'm talking about...go look for topics I've started...you'll find it, it's still there.) Before you get all moralistic on me, you should know that I'm a sucker for romance, and I think it's incredibly romantic to find one another and work to bring that romance to fruition. I know that these things inevitably end up with someone being hurt, but believe that those "someones" will be hurt one way or another. I actually believed that these two were going to have a "happy ever after", that the respective spouses would go their own ways and end up with happiness too. So....in my excitement, I call the spousal unit into the room and tell him about it. I let him read the private messages that have been exchanged. Then I hear him say, "He's after money. She's going to be really hurt." I was flabbergasted! He was out of his mind! This was LOVE!! And with that, I bet him $5 that it would work out the way it was looking like it would from the messages! Spousal unit tells me to READ the messages where the guy states that the woman should take her soon to be ex for everything he's got. The guy said it more than once. I should not have risked the $5...and the "I told you so" that accompanied it. The woman's husband, in a desperate effort to keep her, made some trouble for the guy. The guy, afraid that his wife would find out what was going on, shut everything down. He sent a message to her, and told me, that he would be in touch when she was divorced and the path was clear. In the meantime, the guy was going to do his best to wrest part of the millions that his wife supposedly holds in assets away from her. The guy claims everything is in her name and he had to be careful. Not so sure I believe that, but if it's true, the guy's wife is one smart cookie not to trust him with any money. She obviously can't trust him with her heart, she shouldn't trust him with anything else either. Long story shorter, the woman ended up without a lot. She got her fair share, but half of not much is less than what the guy expected her to come out of her divorce with. When I pressed the guy, asking him if he was keeping both his wife and the woman on the line to see who had more money, he ADMITTED IT!! He asked me why the hell he should give up everything! "Uh....because I thought you were in love?" At that point, I handed over the $5 to the spousal unit, and I listened to the "I told you so" that was accompanied by a wink, a grin, and a return of my money. My disappointment was palpable. A great love story shot down in flames by the guy, who turned out to be a money grubbing toad. Not the end of the story tho. I continue to watch this guy, who flirted with other women on the message board at the same time he was "seeing" the woman. I know this from the women he flirted with. He quite proudly told me that one of them, whom he had openly on the board made plans to visit with, had a rather vulgar email address. So I watch. I see women going nuts over him. I see him promoting his business by flirting with them. I wonder if he's already got another victim on the hook or if the guy's wife has a tight enough grip on what he's doing that he hasn't had a chance. I wish I could put a stop to his taking advantage of these women. I can't. I've had to face the fact that I can't save the world from this guy, who is now playing on the sympathetic natures of the women on the message board by claiming to be seriously ill. Some kind of autoimmune thing. Tells all that if he gets a cold he could die...and then talks about how he went to a 100 mile yard sale, bought this and that, talked to lots of folks..... Wait! How many of us, no matter our level of intelligence, knowing that a simple cold could KILL us, would expose ourselves to hundreds of strangers and handle items that have been who knows where and contaminated by who knows what? It gets better. Can't afford the meds required, so apply for assistance. Whine because it's denied. Supposedly has a home, plus a vacation home, several cars, buys one thing after another, and he can't afford meds? What must the people on the message board, who honestly can NOT afford their meds, have nothing because of having to buy meds, sometimes have to make a choice between groceries and meds, what must they feel when they read about his whining about not getting free meds, but on the same day talks about going to the vacation home...or talks about blowing over $300 on a toy... You get my drift. I'm frustrated with the people on the message board that don't READ ALL of his posts, and don't reason out the ones that they do read. These folks are so soft hearted, and so trusting that they don't see what he's doing. All they see is someone that complains incessantly about how miserable he is....and being the kind hearted souls they are, they want to help someone that needs help. So they send him things. They pray for him. They send him business. They can't see beyond the fact that he's a male in a predominately female message board, and therefore someone to dote on. It just makes me sad.

Hazel's All Gussied Up!

I am SO pleased!! Miz Hazel the Machine has been all gussied up and I'm pleased as punch with the way she and her "skirt" look! It's been a LOT of work taking most of my free time for an entire week, and some of William's free time as well! My poor spousal unit never wanted to get involved with my machines, and yet he always comes through for me! While I still have some cleaning to do on the machine herself, the base is finished, and while it's NOT perfect, I'm still pretty proud of the job we did, considering our lack of experience, tools, and proper workspace. Before I show you how she looks now....here are some pics of the process.... This was the metal that is around the drawer frame...I thought it was brass at first.

And the same metal after some scrubbing....

Check out these rags....this isn't all of them....

She's so pretty now!

Of course...this means that I have to go camping, fishing, and keep my mouth shut about his hunting trips...somehow, I don't think I'll have a problem with that!!! :)