Genavieve: Glad to have you. My doll quilt partner is in the Air Force, stationed in Germany. I am a disabled veteran of the Army. I joined a year before the WAC was disbanded. When I went to basic training, we wore white tennis shoes, white anklets and green skirts with shorts underneath. We rode on buses to class and the only running we had to do was the 900 yard walk run. Pretty easy. No real field training and no rifle stuff. You can imagine how I felt when I was the only woman on the rifle range with about 500 men, and I was the only one who had never shot a gun or held a bullet. I qualified expert that day, and sharp shooter on the night range. Captain got really mad at his men. A 'girl' had out shot most of them. A week later, we went to the field with the captain and AG company (I was in the band). The band captured the whole group of 'enemy' after about 30 minutes. The captain got really angry and said he wasn't ever going to do anything with the band every again. He should have told AG company to stop playing cards by flashlight, stop smoking, and to be quiet.
I grew up in Ashland, Oregon. There are many wonderful ladies who belong to this forum. Also, there is a thread where you can ask to be mentored by another quilter. The University of Oregon might have some classes or there might be classes offered through the County Extension Office. Also, check the adult education opportunities through the local school district. They often offer classes in quilting or just general sewing. I live in Utah and will be glad to help, even if we have to use pictures. Just let me know what you would like to work on and we can get started.
Anyway, welcome. Glad to have you here. Gwyn