"Let's See Just How Many Sheets There Really Are ... "	"Too Much HGTV 'Design At Nine' Series"

Artist: Judie Burchum Uhl
Media: Machine appliqué

"Let's See Just How Many Sheets There Really Are ..." easily came to mind from one night when I came home from work and discovered our Airedale darlings had been cleaning out the powder room.

"Too Much HGTV 'Design At Nine' Series" was inspired by my Cody (RIP) who had ever so carefully pulled back an oriental rug and then tore the carpet pad into bits. HGTV, for those of you who don't get it on cable, airs decorating, design & home building/remodeling shows. The block represents the apparent Airedale need to RE- decorate and that's what sprang to mind to fit Cody's antics.

I have to say thanks to Judy Dwiggins for buying a New Home/Janome sewing machine and making me realize I "had to have" one! ($700+ for that). I suffered from my normal INABILITY TO CONTROL MYSELF in a fabric store! I spent close to an entire afternoon salivating over every bolt I seemed to see and then, yes, AGAIN, selecting only those fabrics THAT WERE NOT ON SALE! I'd never used a rotary cutter before - discovered just how sharp and fast they are, meaning it took me a while to develop any accuracy. And I now own things like quilting pins, a cutting mat marked for quilters and other gizmos I won't be using, in all likelihood, until next year's quilt project. If my blocks have hairs in them they're attributed to the close inspections done by 2 of our cats. Had I not been dealing with the tragic loss of a friend and ongoing tests on our Maggie, who knows how much more I would have spent?

Sadly, Judie and Brian lost both Maggie and Oliver this year.

Brian shared with us the following memories of Maggie:

Our Top Ten Memories Of Maggie Airedale

1. Round 3 in Maggie vs. Oliver (aka "Oliver's Welcome To The Family"). Oliver gets the TKO when Maggie comes out of the clinch with a bloody ear. Daddy wraps the boo-boo with first a napkin (a quick thinking manly decision) and then an ace bandage. He wraps her entire head. He takes a video of this because Mom is in Seattle at the time and would not believe her sweet Maggie picked a fight with another dog. Maggie sees the video "Who's that? Oh my doG! That's me! How humiliating, Dad!"

2. Maggie's thoughts on thunderstorms: "I have to dig a hole to get away! Your pillow/this sofa cushion looks like just the place to start." "Ok then, your bed. You're in it too but I don't see you....I've gotta dig. Dig, dig, dig, dig. Oops! Your head's in the way! So is your hair! Sorry but I have to dig!!"

3. Maggie's sofa. "Daddy says he can't take a nap on this new sofa but I know I can. So IT'S MINE!" "Oliver, NO! This is MY SOFA!!" "What are these humans doing sitting on MY sofa? Hmmm. I'll just squeeze between them, maybe they'll get the hint and move!"

4. Affection: "I'm just overcome with glee! I can't help myself! You're playing with me so I'll bite you." "You don't want to play? I'll bite you." "I love you. Here let me show you how much....I'll bite you! See? Those are love bites! Good thing I don't have many teeth, huh, Mom?" "Hey! That's 'the Airedale Grab', I just added a little more pressure."

5. On rain: "I'm not going out there!!! IT'S RAINING!" "I don't care if you're late for work, IT'S RAINING!" "I wouldn't make you go out in that! IT'S RAINING!" "I'll hold it all day, you'll see...I AM NOT GOING OUT IN THAT RAIN!"

6. On Christmas: "Which present is mine? Are they home? I'll just inspect each of these until I find one that must be mine." "Gee, they I don't get why they wrap them all. I'll just take a peek from the corner, they'll never notice a little piece of wrapping papre missing...ahhh, right there. Hmmm, couldn't be for me. Let's try another." "Ok, they left the house. Now I'll just unwrap a few more of these while I'm waiting." "See? I helped you. Cathie didn't want that present anyway. What were you thinking? But I sure liked it! Hmmm, no I don't remember what it was." "Ummm, which ornament?" "Is that what that's called? A beaded fruit, you say? I didn't know that. I just liked it." "Look, I've already helped you by taking a few off. Less work for you! You should be happy." "Well I was just laying by the tree and when I rolled over there I was under the tree and, hey, have you ever looked at one of those while upside down?" "Well, you know, I got up and I couldn't help it. It was an accident."

7. Maggie vs. Trixie: "Ok, I'm ignoring those 2 younger cats beause they're just stupid coming up to me and rubbing on me and all. Geesh!" "Did you know that gray cat doesn't like me? I've tried and tried but she won't leave me alone! I've decided I don't like her either!" "When she least expects it I'm going to pretend I'm going to grab her and HA HA HA! she'll be afraid of me then!" "Ok, I've thought it over while you've had me here in 'down & stay'. That gray cat might taste okay with a little mustard." "I don't know why you're putting me in time out. She started it! Didn't you hear those foul cat words streaming from HER mouth? That cat has a potty mouth!"

8. Attention Getters: "Hey, Oliver, it's 3:30. You know what that means. LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" "I like practicing these WWF moves on you! Daddy taught me every single one!" "If I act WILD and TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL maybe they'll feed me dinner early. So what if it's only 4pm?" "I keep telling you, YOU NEED TO FEED ME MY DINNER NOW! Don't you understand me? I'm going to go hoarse telling you this every single day!"

9. Decorating: "I've rearranged the bed pillows and then I had to try them out." "I didn't like the way that comforter draped so I plumped it up." "The sofa needed to be moved!" "You added pillows, I took them off. Less is more, you know." "I'm just adding the Hedgehogs for that rustic look. See? They're like little pillows!" "I can't be expected to nap here most of the day and not have all of my toys with me!"

10. Maternal instincts: "Yes, I own 6 Hedghogs." "Look, they're like puppies only you don't have to nurse them!" "I can take them anywhere and they don't walk away!" "Let's see, I count 5 big Hedgies and yep, that little 1." "Ok, you and Dad can pick them up, but you better keep Oliver and those cats away from them!" "Uh, I gave this one a nose-job. It needs some fine tuning."

We'll meet you at the bridge, dear friend. ~ Judie

Artist's Bio:

Judie and Brian Uhl live in Chesapeake, VA with their extraordinarily Q-U-I-E-T (yes, quiet) Rescuedale, Baxter (aka "Bubba") and 3 cats. Baxter's rescue was a true sign from heaven that he was to be part of the family. Knowing nothing about him, he was bailed out of a kennel and taken home where he was introduced to the cats. Remarkably he has tolerated Trixie Queen's orders, Willie has become his true ally, and Punkin adores him. MAS (Multiple Airedale Syndrome) is the family's affliction and an additional Airedale is likely in the near future. As the saying goes, "There's always room for one more."

It never, ever is easy losing a much loved pet and true family member. Losing two so close has been especially hard. I will say getting Baxter has been a blessing. He's a great dog.