That 70's Look….New Listings for the Week of September 14

A quick sampling of the latest listings in GoofingOffSewing…..That 70's Look

McCall's 2630, Misses' High-Waisted Dress, Size 8, Bust 31.5 inches. #That70'sLook

Simplicity 6082, Jiffy Knits Misses' Dress, Size 12, Bust 34 inches. Sized for Stretch knits. #That70'sLook

Simplicity 8850, Misses' Pullover Slash neck top and skirt,  size 10, bust 32 inches.  #That70'sLook

Simplicity 5541 in size 7. An easy to make smock top or dress, a cute look for school, with round neck, puffed sleeves (short or long), and patch pockets. #That70'sLook. 

McCall's 5722 Girls' Wrap Jumper or Wrap Top in size 14 #That70'sLook

Simplicity 9869 Misses' Capes and Cardigan in size 14, Bust 36 inches. #That70'sLook

New Listings September 11, 2014

Remember to honor those who died in the Twin Towers from a senseless act of terrorism. So many lives lost, so many lives affected, a way of life changed in a moment. God bless their memory. 

A few new listings from the GoofingOff Sewing shop.

Vintage Sewing Pattern McCall's 3585 Misses' Dress Size 14 Bust 36 inches Complete

Vintage 1972 Sewing Pattern Simplicity 9869 Misses' Cape and Cardigan Size 14 Bust 36 inches Complete

Vintage Sewing Pattern Simplicity 7227 Misses' Camisole and Jacket Size 16 Bust 38     Inches Complete from 1985

McCall's 4824 in size 10-12-14, bust 32-36 inches. The cuff pattern piece is missing…..special pricing for this pattern to reflect the missing pattern piece. 

The Moment of Silence

There are somethings I do at my job that on a list of things I like from 1-10  (with 1 being EWWW and 10 being YIPPEE) are on the 1 end of the scale. Carrying the code pager is one of them. After 20+ years...OK...30+ years in nursing I got over the adrenalin rush/excitement of running to a code. No fun, I'd rather not, but I carry the pager when it is my turn and silently pray all day that there won't be a code, that everyone will be safe, that all the ugly stuff will be recognized long before the code situation arises, and if there is a code I will know immediately what to do and do it well. The pager is clipped to my neckband hanging heavily to remind me that someone's life depends on my hearing the pager and answering it as fast as possible. No bragging here; it's what I do. 

The other day it was my turn to carry the pager. Most of the day it was quiet. We had one patient who went for a procedure that could go bad. The man knew the risks and signed the consent anyway. Maybe he felt he didn't have too many options....It could work and he would be OK...or it wouldn't and the battle he was fighting would be over in an instant. I don't know. I know his nurse was worried when he left. 

I was eating lunch when the pager went off. I quickly put the lid back on my dish and ran meeting his nurse on the way. "I'll go," he said. "He's my patient." I felt relieved (it's not my favorite thing to do) and understood his reason for going. If it was my patient I would have gone, too. Our patients become a part of us, even our grumpy ones. I often think about them when I am home. Sometimes I visit them after they transfer out of the unit. I check to see if they are still in the hospital. Not being nosy...just because I care and I can't turn off the caring part. Someone once told me you have to leave your work behind to survive in this business. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. 

Without going into details the man didn't make it. The unit was silent when we heard the news and stayed that way for a minute or two while we thought about the man, his family, and his choice. Miraculously, not a beeper beeped, not alarm sounded, and not a person spoke during that moment of silence.

 If the beepers or alarms sounded I didn't hear them. That silent moment was his...

Post by Eileen Patterson

What to Eat....There's a Menu on the Fridge

I got tired of it....coming home and, not sure what to eat, ordering out. Sound familiar? Throwing something together is not near as difficult as deciding WHAT to eat.....and that's where the hubby and I get stuck. You try to eat healthy and save a few bucks there goes your best intentions, out the window as you stop at the fast food window or order pizza for supper. Last week I had enough of the last minute "I didn't make anything? How about a Chinese night?" the day after the "I didn't make anything...we're having pizza tonight" calls and made a menu. More like a plan...like D-Day. Momma is cooking this week!

I found this blank calendar from Cegeon.com. Just print it, add your dinner ideas, and put it on the fridge. I took it a step further and added where the hubby could find the ingredients in our well-stocked but not always well-organized pantry and freezer. I even left open one night for a night out. 

Voila! It worked! The first week went so well the hubby and I sat down TOGETHER and planned the next week's menu. It was nice to have his input. It became OURS instead of mine. 

The menu can be printed for use or just use a piece of paper. Do it when you are not stressed for time. Remember what you have in your pantry or consider what you have to pick up to make the menu work. Keep it flexible...there will be times that delivery IS the best choice and that's OK. Every night of it is not. I don't want to be so close with the delivery kid that he thinks he is part of the family...not that I don't like him. Nothing personal. 

Take a little stress out of dinner time and every drop less of stress is welcome.