Alphabet Soup
When I was small we always enjoyed having alphabet chicken noodle soup. We only got it when we were sick. I loved everything about it – the smell – the taste – the way it felt as you swallowed it – and the way it warmed your tummy and made you feel better. Why is it that we take something as simple as alphabet soup and turn it into something not so pleasant?
Years later while I was in high school/college they gave every student a small booklet titled Alphabet Soup. The booklet contained the abbreviations of clubs and organizations so you would not seem so lost. Some examples: FFA(Future Farmers of America), TC (Thespian Club), MAC (Medical Arts Club) – well you get the idea. Of course, some of the more important ones needed no explanations – SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT.
When I started work, there it was, the alphabet soup booklet that contained so many letters to memorize, it would make your head swim. SOP (Standard Operating Procedure), BP (Blood Pressure), HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy), PRN (take as needed), NPO (nothing by mouth), etc. etc. Was life going to be a never ending list of alphabet soup? How much soup can one person use?
Now that I am a quilter, I thought I was free from the abbreviations. Not true! In fact, we have our own special set. Here are a few of my favorites:
WIP (Work in Progress) this one usually goes with Wednesday like – WIP Wednesday.
UFO (Unfinished Object) this can be used to describe any WIP.
LQS (Local Quilt Shop) a place where you get the things needed to finish your UFO or WIP.
SMSB (Saturday Morning Sampler Block) Blocks kits that you work on at your LQS on Saturday morning. Sometimes they become UFO’s or WIP’s.
QFF (Quilting Friends Forever ) People who become kindred spirits when they quilt together at the LQS while working on WIP’s, UFO’s, or SMSB’s.
LFSF (Looking for Specific Fabric) Quilter in desperate need of a certain fabric to finish her UFO, WIP, or SMBS so she will ask all her QFF’s and her LQS if they have any.
LOL (Laughing out Loud) This is what we do when we finally are LFSF, find it, then meet our QFF’s at the LQS on Wednesday to finish our WIP’s and UFO’s. Then meet again on Saturday to pick up our SMSB kits. We leave laughing out loud while we try to decide which AYCE breakfast place is still open.
We all need little bit of humor now and then. Do you have some favorite alphabet soup? Send me and email, I am always looking for new ones to add to my list.
P.S. AYCE stands for All you can eat Breakfast!
#AlphabetSoup #QFF #Quilt