I've kept a few remnants of my old world, where I was a full-time attorney in a law firm who litigated on a regular basis. But as my new world as an alumni director becomes more and more demanding, my old world has become more and more distant. Especially since I haven't been replacing clients as their cases have finally been resolved.
One of my very last clients is the father of 3 children. He and his ex have been fighting over the kids for 14 years! The youngest child who is 14, has never known anything but litigation between her parents. I've been representing him since 2001.
The thing that distinguishes this case from others is that the ex represents herself. This makes the case extremely challenging and makes everything about three times harder as she doesn't understand issues or confuses things or just won't listen.
We've been to court many times over the years. Four years ago I successfully got him awarded custody of his kids, only to have him return two of them to their mother within the year. But, he hung on to the youngest, his only daughter, with all his strength.
Well, two years ago, the ex filed a motion to get custody of the daughter too. And we went to court this week. It was long and nasty, but in the end, my client will keep his daughter. The other two children will be or are adults now. We were all tired of the litigation and they all swear they won't go back to court. I'm hoping so, as I'm especially tired of their fighting over the children.
Today was a milestone for several reasons. One, I prevailed one more time for my client. But, somewhere along the way, I also determined that my custody trial days are now over. I love litigation, but my life is clearly going somewhere else. And, unless I make a U-turn, there won't be time or room for custody trials. So, I'm going out in a blaze of rulings in my favor. And, it feels good to know that I won't have to wear two hats; at least I won't wear the litigator's hat any more. I'm not sure what I am if I'm not a litigator, but it's probably time to find out.
Dreams Do Come True
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
For the past three years I've wanted a quilting machine of my very own. I've priced them, studied them, and dreamed about using one on my own quilts. I put one on my Christmas list and handed the list to my darling husband, the man who isn't the mayor, but should be.
"How much is one of these?" He asked.
"$7,000," I managed to say with a straight face.
"Why do you want one that is so expensive?"
"It's the best. Why do you fish with a $45,000 Triton bass boat?"
Conversation ended.
Well, the economy intervened and it's not like there aren't plenty of ways for me to spend my time while I wait.
Fast forward three years. A month ago I received an email from my wonderful sister-in-law Jesse titled: Quilting Machine. This is what I read . . . and noted.
Hi Jeri:
Bonnie gave me her quilting machine and stuff. I just don't think that I will ever use it. I am not a quilter. I thought I might be interested, but I just do not find a quilting bug in me. Too much cutting, and stitiching small items. Would you be interested in it? If you are not a quilter either, I do have a cousin in Elko who would like it. Bonnie almost gave it to her instead of me, so I know it would be all right with her if I gave it to her.
You are very clever with your knitting, much better than I am, so when I saw you with your knitting last night, I wondered if you would use this stuff. It has two large tables, a machine, frames and a video on how to use it, plus some fabric Bonnie left.
I told Bonnie that she could have it when she comes back, but I don't think she will take it back.
Let me know if you want it and we will bring it over. Otherwise, if you just want to look at it before, come by sometime and I will show you it to you before you decide. You really need a room dedicated to quilting.
Love, Jesse
With all apologies to the cousin in Elko, she will never see the quilting machine. After responding instantly to Jesse that YES, I wanted the machine, I suggested that she should call Don and tell him so he could give it to me for Christmas. She did call him, and smart man that he is, he claimed the machine for me, and called me a few days later to tell me that I had a quilting machine in a pile of parts in the basement.
When I got home that night, the parts were assembled into a real quilting machine in as few minutes as possible, only to find that a major part was missing: one of the two carriages the machine sat on, making the whole thing useless. AGHHHHH! So close and yet so far away.
After two calls to HandiQuilter where I finally talked to the right person who assured me that yes, they did replace missing parts, resulted in the carriage sitting in my sewing room five days later. And, now I have a quilting machine. Imagine the possiblities! I can't wait to start quilting.
And why haven't I quilted yet? I have two trials this month, and if I set up the quilting machine, I will never be ready to argue in court. But just check back after the 24th and see how dreams really do come true.
"How much is one of these?" He asked.
"$7,000," I managed to say with a straight face.
"Why do you want one that is so expensive?"
"It's the best. Why do you fish with a $45,000 Triton bass boat?"
Conversation ended.
Well, the economy intervened and it's not like there aren't plenty of ways for me to spend my time while I wait.
Fast forward three years. A month ago I received an email from my wonderful sister-in-law Jesse titled: Quilting Machine. This is what I read . . . and noted.
Hi Jeri:
Bonnie gave me her quilting machine and stuff. I just don't think that I will ever use it. I am not a quilter. I thought I might be interested, but I just do not find a quilting bug in me. Too much cutting, and stitiching small items. Would you be interested in it? If you are not a quilter either, I do have a cousin in Elko who would like it. Bonnie almost gave it to her instead of me, so I know it would be all right with her if I gave it to her.
You are very clever with your knitting, much better than I am, so when I saw you with your knitting last night, I wondered if you would use this stuff. It has two large tables, a machine, frames and a video on how to use it, plus some fabric Bonnie left.
I told Bonnie that she could have it when she comes back, but I don't think she will take it back.
Let me know if you want it and we will bring it over. Otherwise, if you just want to look at it before, come by sometime and I will show you it to you before you decide. You really need a room dedicated to quilting.
Love, Jesse
With all apologies to the cousin in Elko, she will never see the quilting machine. After responding instantly to Jesse that YES, I wanted the machine, I suggested that she should call Don and tell him so he could give it to me for Christmas. She did call him, and smart man that he is, he claimed the machine for me, and called me a few days later to tell me that I had a quilting machine in a pile of parts in the basement.
When I got home that night, the parts were assembled into a real quilting machine in as few minutes as possible, only to find that a major part was missing: one of the two carriages the machine sat on, making the whole thing useless. AGHHHHH! So close and yet so far away.
After two calls to HandiQuilter where I finally talked to the right person who assured me that yes, they did replace missing parts, resulted in the carriage sitting in my sewing room five days later. And, now I have a quilting machine. Imagine the possiblities! I can't wait to start quilting.
And why haven't I quilted yet? I have two trials this month, and if I set up the quilting machine, I will never be ready to argue in court. But just check back after the 24th and see how dreams really do come true.
Wrapped in Love, better known as Self-Binding Blankets
Sunday, September 13, 2009
One of my favorite fabric stores had the cutest baby blankets on display. On closer inspection I figured out that the blanket back was wrapped to the front to form a border. How was this done? I had to buy the instructions. Once I figured out they were pretty easy to make, I had to teach everyone else how to make them too.
While I was in St. Louis with Chris, Lacy and family, I learned that Colter didn't have but one flannel blanket. So, I made several for him my last day there. And, since every baby deserves a cuddly blanket, here goes:
Materials needed for one 35" x 35" blanket.
1 1/4 yd fabric for blanket back
1 yd fabric for blanket front
1. Cut fabric for blanket back: 40" x 40" square
2. Cut fabric for blanket front: 30" x 30" square.
3. Mark the center of each side of both fabric pieces with a small clip.
4. With right sides together, match the center notches of the two pieces of fabric.
5. Sew all four sides, matching up center notches. I use a 1/2" seam allowance. Whatever seam allowance you use, sew to within that allowance of the end. (Ex: if using 1/2" seam allowance, sew to 1/2" of end.) Leave a 6" to 8" opening for turning in one of the sides.
If you do this right, the seams will meet up with the corners of the blanket back hanging out.
6. the next part is the trickiest part. Fold each corner of the blanket so that the seams are lined up on top of each other. The corners will fold into a triangle. This photo shows the stitching, but imagine it without the stitching.
7. Using a ruler or other straight-edge, line it up with the blanket edge across the corner triangle. Mark this line. Repeat for each corner.
8. Sew on the line you've marked, from the side seams to the opposite edge.
11. Sew the border in place along the seam, closing the turning opening.
That's it! Wrap around the baby and enjoy.
Colter's new blankets, in different colors and weights.
My darling Colter, who loves being cuddled in his new blankets.
Once you understand the technique, you can be creative and vary the sizes. Basically, the blanket back is cut larger than the blanket front by double the size of the desired border width (plus seam allowances). A 10" difference creates a 2 1/2" border.
You can use any combination of fabrics, assuming they can be washed together. I always pre-wash my fabrics (before cutting) so I won't have to worry about uneven shrinkage.
I've used pre-quilted fabrics on the back (the blue gingham in the photos), which makes a nice padded blanket. Using two layers of cotton makes a nice summer weight blanket, while layers of flannel makes a slightly heavier warmer blanket. You can also add an additional layer of fabric between the two layers for more padding.
I would love to see your creations! Please share.
While I was in St. Louis with Chris, Lacy and family, I learned that Colter didn't have but one flannel blanket. So, I made several for him my last day there. And, since every baby deserves a cuddly blanket, here goes:
Materials needed for one 35" x 35" blanket.
1 1/4 yd fabric for blanket back
1 yd fabric for blanket front
2. Cut fabric for blanket front: 30" x 30" square.
3. Mark the center of each side of both fabric pieces with a small clip.
4. With right sides together, match the center notches of the two pieces of fabric.
The ends won't match, because remember that one piece is smaller than the other.
5. Sew all four sides, matching up center notches. I use a 1/2" seam allowance. Whatever seam allowance you use, sew to within that allowance of the end. (Ex: if using 1/2" seam allowance, sew to 1/2" of end.) Leave a 6" to 8" opening for turning in one of the sides.
If you do this right, the seams will meet up with the corners of the blanket back hanging out.
6. the next part is the trickiest part. Fold each corner of the blanket so that the seams are lined up on top of each other. The corners will fold into a triangle. This photo shows the stitching, but imagine it without the stitching.
7. Using a ruler or other straight-edge, line it up with the blanket edge across the corner triangle. Mark this line. Repeat for each corner.
9. Clip the corners and turn through the side opening.
10. The best part: once you've turned the blanket, it should naturally open to it's completed shape, borders and all. Press the blanket and even out the borders as you go. Press the raw edges of the opening under. Pin the entire border in place.
11. Sew the border in place along the seam, closing the turning opening.
That's it! Wrap around the baby and enjoy.
Colter's new blankets, in different colors and weights.
My darling Colter, who loves being cuddled in his new blankets.
Once you understand the technique, you can be creative and vary the sizes. Basically, the blanket back is cut larger than the blanket front by double the size of the desired border width (plus seam allowances). A 10" difference creates a 2 1/2" border.
You can use any combination of fabrics, assuming they can be washed together. I always pre-wash my fabrics (before cutting) so I won't have to worry about uneven shrinkage.
I've used pre-quilted fabrics on the back (the blue gingham in the photos), which makes a nice padded blanket. Using two layers of cotton makes a nice summer weight blanket, while layers of flannel makes a slightly heavier warmer blanket. You can also add an additional layer of fabric between the two layers for more padding.
I would love to see your creations! Please share.
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