I have been following the newsletter for several weeks and it is so exciting to have so many online friends. I retired from elementary teaching last June. I had been teaching for 36 years. I loved my job but I decided I needed to spend the next years in an equally creative venue. I tried painting,( great 3rd grade work). I made my daughter and daughter-in-law, quilted bags for Christmas. I rediscovered my love of fabric. However, my 35 year old Kenmore wasn't up to quilting. So for my birthday in Feb., my husband bought me a Babylock Quest Plus. It is wonderful. Then he said," You need something lighter, to tote to classes." So for Mother's Day I got a Janome, Jem Platinum. It is a treat to piece on. I look forward to talking to all of you. I belong to the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Guild.