Tuesdays With Tag - Adults Only...

Brynwood Needleworks - Chillin' Tag

 

Hi, Everybody!

 

One might ask why I'm so darn relaxed. I mean, I can't usually chill out like this without gettin' my face smooched by a certain annoyin' kid. Well, I can tell you that if I could do the underwear scene from that Tom Cruise movie, I'd be slidin' across the floor and partyin'!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Road Trippers

 

Dad and Carlita Puppita Mom's nickname, not mine!) left yesterday mornin' for Florida! I might miss her in a couple of days, but today, I'm celebratin' this bein' an "adults only" house for a while. We're all (especially Mom) missin' Dad already, but he'll call every day and let us know how they're doin'.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - ©Ron Schmidt - Loose Leashes "Vote"

 

Now, if you don't know what today is...you must be livin' under a rock. This picture was done by our favorite dog photographer (next to Mom), Ron Schmidt of Loose Leashes. It says it all, doesn't it?

Everyone who's legal in our house has already voted. Mom usually works at the polls, but can't help right now 'cuz of her surgery issues, so she got her absentee ballot a few weeks ago. Dad got his, too, because he knew he was gonna be travelin' soon.

I asked if there were any Corgis on the ballot (there weren't), so I'm not gonna trot off to the polls. Bella said she's gonna stay home, too.

Brynwood Needleworks - Day Is Done

 

So, when it's all said and done, I can just jump up in my own little chair, and I won't have to worry about bein' accosted (unless Boo can't resist kissin' on me from time to time). I'm so relaxed, I don't even know where to start. I guess I'll just chill.

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...

"Just Do It...but not on the rug."

 

Tuesdays With Tag - Early To Bed...

Brynwood Needleworks - Bed Time

 Hi, Everybody!

Did you survive April 1st? I did. Mom was too busy to prank me. That doesn't mean that she got off scott-free tho'.  

I gave her the slip when we were in the yard in the mornin'. She thought I'd run away again, but when she called for me, I jumped out from behind our big pine tree and hollered, "April Fool's!!!" She laughed and told me it was time to play fetch. (I had a good time doin' that!)

Last night, we hit the rack early 'cuz Mom is gonna be a poll dancer today.

"TAAAAGGGG! I'm not going to be a poll dancer. I'm going to be a poll worker. HUGE difference."

Ooops. Sorry, Mom. I stand corrected. Geez. Make one, little mistake.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag and His Cuddly Corgi

 

I told Mom I really didn't want my picture taken last night. I mean. I don't wear pajamas to bed. I sleep "au naturel", and I didn't want any of the ladies to get offended. Yes. I sleep with my stuffed Corgi, too. What about it? 

 

Well, we got up before 5:00 this mornin', and I'm gonna go with Mom, so she didn't have to ask anyone to take care of me. It's not so cold outside that I can't hang out in her car with my huntin' magazines and her iPad to amuse me.

 

She found out that things sure are different for workin' these Wisconsin elections than in Florida. Once she checked in there, she wasn't allowed to leave until the books (on computers) were closed at the end of the night. Of course, she was a clerk (in charge) there, so she had a lot more responsibility.

 

Here, everythin' is on paper; she gets to take breaks and a lunch hour offsite (so we can go forage for food); and she might even go home early if it isn't busy. So, she'll be able to let me out herself, take me for walkies, and visit throughout the day. It's gonna be a lot of fun! I've got lots to do now, so I've gotta run...Don't forget to vote!

 

I'll see you again in seven, 'til then...

"Live Like Someone Left The Gate Open".

 

It Was A Very Good Day...

Brynwood Needleworks via savedbydogs.com

 

Yesterday went really well. I was up at 4 am, and out of the house by 5:15. I met my eager poll workers at our polling place at 5:45 and we got right to work. The polls opened at 7 am, closed - without incident - at 7 pm, and my assistant and I handed off our precious ballots and records by 8 pm.

My team worked like a well-oiled machine, and by the end of the evening, nearly 76% of our voters had cast their ballot (between early voting and Election Day). The fact that we were able to reconcile our books and close out our precinct in such fine form just proved how well we worked together.

I'll be sending out personal thank you notes to all my poll workers and two deputies today. Then I'm going to sit and stitch. Time to rejuvenate and rest. 

Wool, Needle and Threads...

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Pincushion

Thanks to my customers, I had fun stitching this weekend. I began by packaging fabric orders first. Once those were taken care of, an order came in for one of my Acorn Pincushions. I pulled wools, threads and got busy.

Brynwood Needleworks - Acorn Pincushion

By lunch time Sunday, the pincushion was finished and packaged, too. Today, I'll take everything to the post office and get them all on the way to their new homes.

I'll have a couple of busy days now. I'll be picking up the Electronic Poll Books (EPBs) from the Supervisor of Elections' office, meeting my pollworkers at my precinct to get everything set up, and then pick up a few groceries for my meal contribution for our workers potluck for tomorrow's election.

I'm glad I got a chance to get in a little stitching. It will be a few days before I'll have time to do that again. Destiny is still in Ft. Myers, and I hope she'll be ready to come back home by Wednesday. So much going on. I'd better be sure to take my vitamins!
 

Just Breathe...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pinterest Image

 

I'm heading to the Supervisor of Elections location today to pick up part of my clerk/election supplies in preparation for Tuesday. The countdown begins. Today I shall "just breathe".

Training Yesterday - Playing Today...

Brynwood Needleworks - Training Day Sunrise

I was up and out of the house before dawn yesterday.  I was headed to my mandatory pre-election training to work as a precinct clerk for the upcoming Presidential election. I completed my online training/testing prior to this day, and this was my scheduled in-person portion.

I'm not often up before dawn, so I always stop to take notice of the beautiful colors painting the sky. It was a stunning way to start my day.

Brynwood Needleworks - Training Day

 

After finishing up my training, I stopped at the Supervisor of Elections' office in North Port to cast my own votes, thanks to early voting. When I work as a clerk on Election Day, I'm not in my voting precinct (and I can't leave while the polls are open) so I have to vote early in order to have my choices count. When I exited the polls, the precinct deputy handed me my "I Voted" sticker, which I placed on my clerk's binder on my way home. (Then I took a picture of it to use here.) Now I'm all set for November 8th, and I have a feeling it will be a busy and interesting day.

Today, I'll be heading down to Harbour Heights to see my girlfriends at Nifty 50s. I'm going to stitch on "Hedgehog and Vine". We'll see how far I can get today.

The Best...

Brynwood Needleworks - via Internet

  I had a great team at the precinct yesterday. We were finished and made our delivery to the Supervisor's office before 9 pm. I'm going to rest and stitch today. Thank you to my team members - Loretta, Nancy, Susie, Dick and Barb. You all made it look easy. Until November, when we'll do it all over again...  

Tuesdays With Tag - Florida Votes...

Brynwood Needleworks - Taggart

Hi, Everybody!

Today is Primary Election Day in Florida.

Mom left home at 5:15 this mornin' and will be gone until her work is done. I'll be here makin' sure things run smoothly at home, but I'll be watchin' for her to come back in the door. Dad and Bella will be here, too, but I'm not happy until I know Mom's back.

I know she's doin' important stuff, but I like it better when we're hangin' out together. I guess I'm just gonna go sleep near the garage door until I hear her in the driveway. 

Go vote if you're supposed to today. It's your civic duty. If you don't...don't complain. That's what Mom always says. I wonder when we're gonna have an election around here. I wanna vote for favorite meals; minimum swimmin' pool breaks every day; and how much time I have to spend with BB. Maybe we'll have to talk about that.

I've gotta run for now. I'll be in the garage if anyone is lookin' for me.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then...  

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

A Surprise Gift...

Brynwood Needleworks - Voting Rose

I have voted every election since I came of legal age. It's been a matter of civic pride to me to head out to the polls on Election Day. I never cared much for early voting, preferring the shared experience of standing in line, finally making it to the registration table, showing my identification, signing the poll book and then taking my secret ballot into the booth to cast my sacred vote.

More recently, my pride has extended to being more a part of the process by sitting on the other side of the registration table. The precinct where I serve as clerk is not the same precinct where I cast my vote, though. Once I get to the polls (by no later than 6 am) on Election Day, I - along with all the other poll workers - am required to stay there until the polls close and all our work is done. Then, my assistant clerk and I deliver the locked ballot box and tabulator (that counts the votes) to the Supervisor of Elections office.

What this means for my being able to cast my vote(s) is that I have to vote early. The Supervisor of Elections office in North Port is open up until Friday evening for anyone who prefers (or needs) to vote early, so Handsome and I went there yesterday.

Brynwood Needleworks - Voting Rose

 

As we exited the polls, the Deputy handed each of us an "I Voted" label and then told us that the florist next door was handing out free roses to each voter who cast their ballot early. I took my label next door and the owner, Andree, directed me to a large container, filled with beautiful and fragrant blooms.

This is the one I chose. I placed it in one of my mother-in-law's crystal bud vases as soon as I got home, and I'll be enjoying it through the rest of the week. 

 

Thanks to North Port Natural Florist in North Port, Florida - and the owner Andree Belliveau - for such a nice gesture. I know where I'll go next time we need to purchase fresh flowers or a beautiful arrangement. 

Good Tired...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lab Mat

My first experience as an election clerk went really well. We all arrived by 6 am on Election Day and we jumped right into our jobs. I got up at 4:30 in the morning, was at the precinct by 5:55; polls closed at 7 pm; and we completed our bookkeeping and closed the precinct at 8:10 pm. Fourteen hours flew by, and I'm now "done in".

My assistant clerk, inspectors and deputy all pulled together and we made a great team. We wrapped up just over an hour after the polls closed. I'm going to contemplate our successful job, and then I'll plan my next project. Nothing better than being "good tired". 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lab Mat

 

I finished this mug mat for a client Monday evening. I'm glad I had it ready to mail so I could show it to you before I mail it off today. I'm not expecting to do much else now (except rest). 

 

Maybe you'd like to tell me what you've been working on? I could live vicariously through you until I get back into the studio.

Tuesdays With Tag - Gettin' Out The Vote...

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag Voted

Hi, Everybody!

Do you know what today is??

In Florida, it's Voting Day.

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag Voted

I decided to cast a write-in vote for Flamingos. They're happy, colorful and don't say much. I even got a sticker!

Brynwood Needleworks - Bella Can't Vote

Bella's too young to vote, so she'll probably just set up a Milk Bone stand outside the polls and try to sell 'em to voters as they leave the premises. (I told her she'd be better off just stayin' home and goin' swimmin'.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Tag Voted

Mom's gonna be runnin' a "pre-sink" today, so I'm gonna have to find somethin' to keep me busy. I'll probably be in bed when she gets home. She'll wake me up with a smooch to say "goodnight", though.

Is your state votin' today? If so, I hope you're gonna exercise your right. Bella said she's just gonna exercise by chasin' the bunny that's currently hangin' out in our yard. I don't have the heart to tell her...

I'll see you again in seven! 'til then...

"Chase A Dream - Or A Squirrel".

Friendship, Family and Fabulous Music...

Brynwood Needleworks - Friendship Blocks

 

Sunday was spent with friends and fabulous music, courtesy of the Sarasota Jazz Ambassadors (my Handsome husband on drum kit). By the time we got back home, there was no time for sewing. 

This morning, I'll be involved with my precinct workers to set up our location for our Florida primary on Tuesday. After I leave there, I'll be picking up our Electronic Poll Books (we don't use paper voter registration books anymore) from the Supervisor of Elections' office. 

Then, I'll be back in the studio to assemble Friendship quilt blocks for my current project. They'll be 2" square each when they're finished. I'm making four, but may only use three. I'll know for sure once I see the layout. They'll be petite and perfect for this application.

Good thing Tag is covering for me tomorrow. I'll be out of the house by 5:30 am, not to return until all our precinct election results are returned to Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections' office. It will be a long but busy day, indeed.

The Harbor 'Gator...

You probably already know that photography is not allowed in the polling place. That makes it difficult to come up with a post for me, having worked from 6 am until 8 pm as a precinct inspector on election day. That is, until we looked out the window during a lull in the voting.

We saw an alligator in the little harbor serving the gated community where I worked yesterday. We were told that this guy seems to be a regular and shows up about the same time every day.

I didn't have my camera with me, but I had my trusty iPhone - and there were no voters in the precinct room - so I hightailed it outside to catch a couple of pictures. Not the highest quality, unfortunately, but it's better than the usual photos of the Loch Ness Monster, right? (Ok. Not much better. wink.)

We all agreed that this 'gator is about six feet long. That's not huge, but even a six footer is still impressive. Alas, I didn't spend much time outside during the day and I'm told the weather was great.

After taking these pictures, I got back to work and, while I made it home by 8 pm,  I was too tired to go into the studio at the close of my day. I'll be back there today to continue efforts on my current commission. I'm hoping to finish that work this week. Photographs will follow. I've had enough of alligators for a while!

Weekend At Dempsy Ranch...

  The weather was in the 60s. It was sunny and windy... and it was a fantastic weekend spent with dear friends.

I promised Tag that he could tell you all about it tomorrow, so I'm just posting two photographs of our views of the landscape at Dempsy Ranch.    I'll be working at the polls Tuesday, so Tag will be completely on his own  for his post. He was pretty impressed with the ranch and he wants to be the  one to tell you all about it. Far be it for me to deny the Little Man!

Don't forget to vote tomorrow! I'll be back Wednesday.

My Civic Duty...

This is where I spent my day yesterday. In through those doors and

down the hall to...

this room. It was where the local precinct was located, and I was

employed at a poll inspector. I arrived at 5:45 am and didn't leave 

until nearly 8 pm. It was a long day spent talking to folks and helping

them process through so that they could vote in the Florida primaries.

At the end of the day, all the results from our machines are posted on

the outside window so that anyone who wants to know can see them.

I've done my civic duty until the regular election this fall. I'm on break now.

Also, thanks for all your comments on my (and Tag's) latest posts. I 

promise I'll respond to all of them now that I'm home for a while. I

do read every single one of them - and many have made me really

giggle! I can finally sit down and put some thought into my replies.

Thanks again for letting me know what you think when you read them.

Tag and I really appreciate it!