Ami's Newsletter

October 1999

WELCOME
This is the first newsletter through ONELIST.COM and I sure hope it works! (So if you don't get this, let me know!) If at any time you want to stop the newsletter and get off the list, or change email addresses, see below. Please DON'T hit reply and ask me to do this for you unless you have already tried six times by yourself. Please DO hit reply if you want to comment or share, or write directly to me.

AOL CHAT
I'll be in the AOL chat room on Thursday, October 28 for our regular monthly chat from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST. Keyword: quilters. Follow the prompts to the PROFESSIONAL chat room. That's us.

EVERYBODY CHAT
Thanks to Mike Ober of Quiltropolis and Rob Holland at Planet Patchwork we can ALL chat together on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 1999 from 9-10 pm EST. Everybody is welcome, and everyone should be able to attend the chat! To get there, point your computer in the direction of http://www.quiltropolis.com/chatcenter.htm. It will be "Ask The Expert" time and I will be playing the role of expert. Come with a question in mind, or just come and lurk.

The Quiltropolis Chat Center and Conference Room is a web-based chat room. You will need to have a Java-capable browser in order to use it. Most of the newer browsers are Java-enabled, and AOL 3.0 and above should work.

Here's how things will go: After the "Conference Room" loads, you'll see a list of chat rooms over on the left. (They all have a # in front of the name.) Find #Ami and double click on it. It will say "Now talking in #Ami" in green and blue letters in the larger screen area. The room you're in (#Ami) will also be highlighted in the list of rooms on the left. That's it. You're in. (To get the area with the typing to be bigger, scroll up to the top and hit the button that says FLOAT. You can then re-size your screen from there if you want to.)

If you want to "speak" you'll have select a nickname. (Your first name, your screen name, something easy for me to type.....) Type that into the box that says "Type a nickname to participate." Hit return. That box will then turn into the place you will type your questions to me and a box of little colored squares will appear to the left.

To make it easier on your bi-focaled hostess, I'm going to ask you to click on the little red 4 box before you type anything. When you click on the red 4 you will see |4 pop up in the box you were about to type something in. (That's a little stick and a 4.) This will make what YOU type RED. (So I can see it!) Each time you "speak," you'll have to click the little red 4 box before typing. (I will be typing in black.)

When you have a question, just "get red" then type "?". Then type out your question in the box, but DO NOT SEND IT. When I am finished with the last person's question, I will call on the next person and if that's YOU, then hit ENTER and your question will pop up on the screen for me to answer. Please wait until I call on you to hit send. I will type something like, "Pam, ga." The ga stands for Go Ahead. (And if your nickname is Pam, you hit send.)

I will try my best to call on all the "?" in the order received. Remember that I'm keeping a paper and pencil list of people's nicknames who ask questions while I'm trying to answer other questions, and sometimes I do goof up. Just remind me that I forgot someone.

Please only type when you are asked to do so. In a protocol chat we don't interrupt the flow with "Hey SuzieQ, how's ya doin? And, if you just type your question without being called on, I will probably ignore you. But, look on the bright side, I won't instant message you a nasty reminder, nor will I reach my hand through your monitor and grab you by the neck and shake. Don't worry if you goof up. You'll get the hang of this pretty easily.

It might be a good idea to come in early. Before 9:00 p.m., there are essentially no rules. You can type what you want, when you want. Beginning at 9:00 p.m. EST, we will all use PROTOCOL. We do this because it's just easier for me to see your questions and get an answer back to you.

HEROES
Want to read about "good" stuff? There's a free email newsletter devoted to sharing the good deeds that people do for one another. Quite uplifting. Visit http://www.HeroicStories.com and sign up for the newsletter. It will give you all sorts of wonderful ideas! (This good deed is brought to you by Deborah A.)

CLICK AND DO GOOD
This about the strangest site I've heard of, but when I visited, it was on the up and up. http://www.thehungersite.com with me. Apparently you can click a button on the web site and somewhere in the world some hungry person gets a meal to eat at no cost to you. The food is paid for by corporate sponsors whose logos appear on the page. All you do is go to the site and click.. You're allowed one click per person per day. I haven't received any spam in return, so how could you lose? Try it! (Thanks so Phatqtr for sharing this unusual site.)

NEW QUILT SHOW ON HGTV
Be sure to tune in on Wednesday November 3, 10 pm EST OR Thursday November 25 (Thanksgiving Day), 10 pm EST for THREADS OF OUR HERITAGE.

It's an inspirational journey across America's diverse cultures, exploring how we express our heritage through the craft of quilting. From the hills of Appalachia to the land of the Lakota Sioux, from African American churches to farm families in Texas, we see how Americans use quilts to tell the stories that define us as a people.

It's hosted by Phyllis George, and I'm sure she's very good, but you should also know that my buddy, Cindy Brick, is the quilt historian on the show! (You GO, girl!)

KANSAS CITY STAR QUILT PATTERNS FOR A SONG
If you're into quilts from the 1930s my friend, Len Thomas, director of the Whaley Historical House here in Flint, has something special for you. He's just published a book of 48 quilt patterns from the famous Kansas City Star newspaper. All the proceeds go towards keeping this beautiful Victorian house in tip top shape. If you would like a copy of the book, send $13.50 in US funds to:
Len Thomas
Whaley Historical House
624 East Kearsley
Flint, MI 48502

Add $3.45 if you live in Canada, Western Europe or the Middle East. Add $5.45 if you live in the Pacific Rim or South America. (No credit card orders; US funds only. Intentional overpayments to help with renovations always welcome.)

COME QUILT WITH ME
March 25, 2000 is the day for the next Ami Quilt-In at the Whaley House. We'll begin with a few hours of informal instruction around the quilting frame, and then adjourn to the dining room for a gourmet luncheon prepared for us by chef Tom Moore. This time we're going to quilt first and eat later, as Tom's incredible spread left most of us ready for a nap last time! Also, we'll quilt during the daylight hours so we can SEE our stitches! (How did those Victorians do it?!). If you're from Flint, or would like to visit and spend a few hours quilting around the frame with me, call Len Thomas at (810) 235-6841 for details and reservations. We're limited to only 12 people and this usually fills within days, do don't wait. Proceeds are donated to the restoration fund at Whaley House, a very good cause.

MYSTERY BOX OF QUILT STUFF
I'm auctioning off a 16 pound box of quilting stuff including hand dyed fabrics, patterns, books, tools, Ami memorabilia and other strange stuff on eBay for the next 10 days. Here's your chance to get about $250 worth of cool stuff for probably a whole lot less. Bidding starts at $2.

http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewListedItems&userid=amisimms@aol.com&include=0&since=-1&sort=2&rows=25

THE QUILTING WORLD HAS LOST A GREAT TREASURE
As you may have heard, Doreen Speckmann passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 18, 1999 in Ireland, while leading a quilting tour. She was 48. Her accomplishments were many, but she was probably most loved for her sense of humor and her down-to-earth style teaching style. Over the years she touched the lives of thousands of quilters through her books and personal appearances.

A scholarship fund for Sievers School of Fiber Arts has been set up in Doreen's name. If you would like to contribute something in her memory, please contact:
The Doreen Speckmann Memorial/Sievers School of Fiber Arts
Jackson Harbor Road
Washington Island, WI 54246-9723
2701 Sunset Point Road
Clearwater, FL 33759

You can also visit http://www.quilt.com/doreen to share a memory about Doreen.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
Thanks to Smuchinsky for these Actual Medical Records...

-By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.
-Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
-On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared.
-She has had no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.
-The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1993.
-Patient was released to outpatient department without dressing.
-I have suggested that he loosen his pants before standing, and then, he stands with the help of his wife, they should fall to the floor.
-The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
-Discharge status: Alive but without permission.
-The patient will need disposition, and therefore we will get Dr. Smith to dispose of him.
-Healthy appearing decrepit 69 year-old male, mentally alert but forgetful. -The patient refused an autopsy.
-Patient has left his white blood cells at another hospital.
-The patient's past medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.
-She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in early December.
-The patient experienced sudden onset of severe shortness of breath with picture of acute pulmonary edema at home while having sex which gradually deteriorated in the emergency room.
-Since she can't get pregnant with her husband, I thought you would like to work her up.
-Skin: somewhat pale but present.
-Patient was seen in consultation by Dr Jones, who felt that we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.
-Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.
-Patient has two teenage children but no other abnormalities.

AND FINALLY....THINGS TO DO IN AN ELEVATOR: (from Sue@ttsw.com)

1) When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
2) Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
3) Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.
4) Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor you're on.
5) Hold the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend. After awhile, let the doors close and say, "Hi Greg. How's your day been?"
6) Drop a pen and wait until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream, "That's mine!"
7) Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator.
8) Move your desk in to the elevator and whenever someone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.
9) Lay down a Twister mat and ask people if they'd like to play.
10) Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on ask them if they hear something ticking.
11) Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
12) Ask, "Did you feel that?"
13) Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasional
14) When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay. Don't panic, they open up again."
15) Swat at flies that don't exist.
16) Tell people that you can see their aura.
17) Call out, "group hug!", then enforce it.
18) Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"
19) Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, Got enough air in there?"
20) Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
21) Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "You're one of THEM!" and back away slowly.
22) Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers.
23) Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.
24) Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
25) Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, and then announce, "I have new socks on."
26) Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is my personal space!"

Have a great quilting day,
Ami Simms
http://quilt.com/amisimms

PS: It won't do any good to stockpile bathroom tissue --- you must have it updated to Y2K compatible. If you have the old style, on 1/1/2000 it will roll backwards to 1900 and become a Sears catalog.

PPS: Special thanks to the Kienbaum Family-you know what for! :)

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