The years do fly by!  Here I am in sunny Florida enjoying retirement.  Never really believed it would happen.  So many turns and changes and life.  So what really matters?  The people you love.  Family.  Kindness.  Humility.  Learning.  There was a time I would have had a much larger list but now I see things a bit clearer...maybe clearer isn't accurate as my eyesight isn't what it was.  Maybe I can fly over my past life and see the trends from 50,000 feet.  The worn paths, the bending grass, the worn spots where nothing grows, the thick greens heavy with mist.  I can rattle off 10 year chunks of my life- 60 plus - without much thought.  Kids are a great place marker in life events.  Moved from there very pregnant with twins.  Lived in that house for 10 years.  Build new, celebrated Y2K (remember that?) after a few weeks in the new place.  I can see the kids wearing tee shirts that were 10 sizes too big (and nothing else) popping noisemakers as midnight ball drops were on the TV.  I see the shoe piles at the front door from church youth group.  All those kids and I loved every minute.  I can see all the mistakes I made navigating the trouble at the church.  I was ill equipped for the situation and unfortunately paid a big price for taking sides and being too involved.  Not saying I was innocent, not at all.  Just not aware of the breadth and seriousness that would fall.  Someday I'll write a book about it.  On the other hand, I think it's best left in the past.  Why bring up all of that.  I was on my knees to survive.  Sometimes things don't have to be reconciled.  Just left alone.  I can do that.  I have moved on as I was forgiven for my part, and I forgave others for theirs.  

I can see the shock of the job loss and the home sale with all the things on the driveway.  The people with piles of my treasures offering a quarter, a dollar, a dime.  I took the coins from their hands too numb to feel anything but gratitude.  Less to move, less to pay, less to take to the next life chapter.  My only anchors were Jesus and the great power of gravity.  I might be up in the air now, but I will land.  Don't know when, don't know where.  So clueless if this was any of the right things to do.  It was all we could do was walk blindly through and hope for redemption.  

And we did find it, indirectly.  Ended up in Virginia.  Build a new house of dreams, filled it with all things I felt I had lost and lived there 10 years.  Then COVID.  I loved my job with the navy and found meaning and joy with each patient.  I loved it like I loved those kids in the youth group.  They were pure joy.  The music, the laughter, the food that appeared out of everywhere and nowhere.  Like fishes and loaves.  Anyway, the navy kids were mostly young, homesick and fearful of my sharp tools.  As gentle as possible I tried to help them get healthier.  But after 11 years COVID required what I just couldn't bring myself to endure,  The shots made no sense, no science could back up the complete gamble it appeared to offer.  I was devastated but understanding when 2 of my 3 kids had been punctured and I could only offer prayer.  Adults make their own decisions.

So I retired and thought we would find the things we wanted to do that didn't pay.  Our daughter's boyfriend (fiancé/son in law) had two strokes from the vax and nearly died.  We stayed in Virginia and helped get him to rehab and pray for healing.  Two years we stayed, a baby came (a delight to my heart!) and then it was leave or stay forever.  We found a home and moved to Florida.  The pool is still under construction and we'll soon be going back to visit those 3 grand babies and the beautiful kids who birthed them.  Time just moves, like it's the job.  Ha! I've spent an hour here.  Time to get busy on sewing projects.

Weekend sewing

Well not just sewing.  Costco was happy to see me as I spent my way back into their heart.  Lots of fruits and veggies because once Fat Tuesday is over, I'm going to try a juice fast.  I would love to commit to 30 days, but I'll be realistic and go for three, then 3 more, and we'll see from there.  Loaded up on celery, cucumbers, carrots, apples, blackberries, blueberries, acai, and spinach, maybe I'll pick up some kale later in the week.  I will add protein powder to one or two per day depending on how I feel.  I do feel like I should juice fast in the summer when we have lots of homegrown produce, but I wanted to do it now after the 30 day diet I did after the first of the year.Lost 10 pounds in January, a two week break, then 30 days (maybe) of juicing.  Then 2 week break and the New Adkins will begin.  Just getting a good jump start as it seems a bit easier to lose in the winter.  My goal is 85 pounds off this year.  Wish me luck!

Fabric addict.  *ugh*  What is it about fabric anyway?  I don't like feeling out of control but, well, I think I just might be when it comes to fabric.  I keep saying "No more!" but the packages keep coming!  Feeding the addiction doesn't make it go away, it just makes it stronger.  I can justify almost any fabric purchase with my twisted logic.  "It's on sale!"  "It won't be available when I decide what I'm going to make with it!"  "It's just a half a yard.  What's the harm?"  "I don't spend money on anything else"  "I make these for other people, not me, so it's not a selfish thing" "Pretty!  Need it!  Have to HAVE IT NOW!"  Goodness there is nothing good about this!  Hopefully facing the beast and seeing it for what it is (my desire for instant gratification) will help me get over it a bit.  Ha!  Sure.  Admitting you have a problem is the first step to correcting it.  Um yeah.  I guess I'll try again to keep my resolution--no more fabric--today.  lol

Monday agains

Cold, cold here in Virginia today!  Brrr.  Good day to stay inside and get things done!

I wanted to post some of my projects.  These are my "Paris" blocks in progress.  I also wanted to show how I use those little clip hangars to hold my blocks in progress.  They work really well and are about 12 inches.  I also have some that hold my prepared bindings so as soon as I get my quilts from Sandy (who does my long arm quilting) my binding is ready to go.  I also feel happy when I see the bindings because I know my quilts are in process of becoming quilted and, well, that's what they are meant to be!  I will see her at the end of the month and hopefully she will have one done for me (she has 4 of mine right now).

Paris

Paris zoom

Happy throw

"Paris" is nearly finished and I'll post when it's together.  Happy day to you!

Sewing Saturday

Well that's the plan!  After a trip to the farm for eggs yesterday, I figured I should go ahead and run grocery errands while I was out.  I went to Costco, then Wegman's, ugh, by the time I got it all put away I was ready for a nap and a glass of wine!  I talked with my son and watched him make a fabulous dinner for us and then watched a movie with my daughter.  Time well spent, but not sewing productive!  I did take 3 quilt tops to the quilter last week, so I have been crazy sewing these last few weeks.

I finished the nearly king sized BOM cottage quilt last week;  I need to post the pictures from my camera.  Also the Covenant Garden and Christmas Presence quits.  I made 2 baby quilts this week as well.  Working on 2 more baby quilts and hopefully get Paris quilt top finished this weekend.  Good thing my son is my housekeeper!  lol  I feel blessed to have the twins living with us.  I know its hard for them at 24 to be with mom and dad, but such is the economy of now.   

Watching a few snow flurries *gasp* fly past my sewing room window.  Two days ago it was 73 degrees, today it is 33.   The River that runs through the "backyard" is up today from all the rain.  It's a tidal river and it is just under flood stage this morning.  It is beautiful to see from a distance; makes me very happy I can see it without worrying it will reach all the way up here to my little happy house.  Blustery winds are blowing from the north swaying the trees at the rivers edge.  The main part of the river is in the far distance; the wetlands are still draining the rainwater into the river.  I spend so much time up here on my days off; this view is so changeable day to day.

Quilting plan for today is to piece the Paris quilt top.  It is cut and ready, but first I need to run out to the local farm to get eggs for the week.  I will post pictures of my quilt progress this afternoon.  Hoping it gets completely done today!

I got one of those shoe things to hold my fabrics that are 3 yards or more. Gosh there is so much when I gather it in one spot!

Below is a close up of the top of the cabinet. I know it's cluttered but I know where everything is and it is very compact! I think the storage drawers are holding at least 600 yards of fabric. WooHoo! I'd better call my homeowners insurance and add a fabric rider to the policy!

My cutting table & mega fabric storage thingy. Love having it all neat, tidy and compact!

A Once a Year Thing

I know--too long and so forgotten! Here I am again and what is new, you ask? Well more fabric....lol...but now it's organized and compact in it's own little place in the "Girl Cave". That's what the Mister calls it, but it's much too nice. It's not in the basement but in a sunny bedroom on the second floor. I have a great view of the river and the woods, although I kind of miss the neighbor's trampoline. You see they used to have one right on the property line between our houses, and their son would spend hours....and hours....jumping and flipping on that thing. At first it made me so nervous because he was out there by himself, and we all know how dangerous one of those things are. Or at least I was always told that. I do remember a boy in high school falling off the trampoline and having a severe injury that included paralysis, so maybe that's the story our mom's reminded us of when we wanted a turn. Anyway, I would watch him try to flip and land on the back of his bent up neck time and time again. Ugh! I held my breath so often because I had to watch to see if he got up each time...I don't think I got much done! But as the weeks/months went by, I came to admire that boy and his determination. Over and over again he would try. I could see he was trying different rhythms to his jumping before he would ball up his fists and throw himself head over heels. The first time I saw him flip completely around and land on his feet, I let out a cheer. I guess he heard because he stopped and kind of looked around. At some point I guess he noticed me watching and he would look up to see if I was clapping for him. I know he was probably wondering what that creepy old woman next door was doing watching him from the window. He didn't know my computer was open in front of me and I was working. But the local police never showed up to ask serious questions (thank goodness) so I guess it was sort of our secret. When the hurricane came through this past fall the trampoline was caught in the wind and twisted itself into a pretzel around the fence. So it's kind of sad to not hear that scretching sound the springs made as he bounced for hours as I wrote or sewed. So back to the point--it's not a girl cave because there is nothing cave like about it. I will think of a better name --maybe tomorrow.

Goodness almost another year has gone by...

Wow I guess I really am not good at this blogging thing! Has the money really made the difference? Meaning--I'm used to being paid for what I write, so the "doing it for the fun of it" maybe was not what this was about anyway. Anyway. Any way I can start over?

I do have a new love. I guess I should keep it quiet, the neighbors will talk you know. I have tried to hide it but my eyes light up when I see it. I have to touch, hold, possess! You'd think I would be satisfied with two or three but no....I have to have, well, HUNDREDS. I'm insatiable! There are probably self help books out there for people like me, hungry for more, more. I will try to stay away but I just can't do it. Then I think, "Just one quick look" but I lose control and have to have it now. I don't care who is looking. I keep them in the car, hoping I can get them in without, well you know who, seeing I've brought them here. Once he is asleep, I practically dance to the car to bring them in. "Oh I have such plans for you!" I tell them. Gleeful and excited--who could sleep now?--I think of all the ways I will have them. All the ways I can make them my own. All the ways they will satisfy the desires of my heart. And once I have decided--once I have crafted and dreamed and considered--I take the blade to them. Because I must cut them deeply to make them mine. They must be marked and changed and deconstructed so I can recreate them into what I need. I can stitch and not leave much of a scar. Sometimes you can't even tell it's been altered by my blade because the cut was perfect. The hours I spend in re-creation of my masterpiece--cut and stitch and fit and bind. I make it new. I have made it my own. The fabric has yielded to my dreams--the perfect quilt at last.

Unprepared

Missing the boat was never an option. I prepared, planned (a, b and the I-hope-it-never -comes-to-this c, d and e) and was confident. So how could I have been a whole day off? Who took Thursday off the calendar? All the days added up, marching in line, one, two, three. I promised I'd be there, but how could I know the entire time/space continuum would be jiggled enough to drop an entire 24 hours from my life? Surely you can understand the dilemma. You would be asking the same questions I am. But who is able to field such a question? They'd lock you up. Crazy girl who loses a whole day! Who has heard of such a thing? Or say you were on a binge. The recycling guy who came on Wednesday could testify to an empty...or two...in the bin in front of my house. I could deny they were mine; after all anyone could drop an empty or two as they walked past. Would they check for prints? Or maybe they would guess you slept 24 hours straight. Did you wake up really hungry? What evidence would be left behind? Claiming alien abduction brings us back around to the crazy girl argument. So what other excuse is there. It's Friday. Thursday never happened. I guess I missed the boat.

Hi

Hi and welcome to my world. I have been a writer many, many years and have never really felt compelled to blog. However, I want to exercise my writing and reach out into fiction so this seems like the best way to do that. So forgive me if I'm stiff or not quite as fluent or polished as I could be. These are my thoughts so if you disagree please start your own blog. Of course, your kind comments and constructive criticisms are welcome.

Let's see where this goes, shall we?