Whoa!

I see it is nearing Chrismas. I barely have any decorations up - no outdoor lights and an indoor tree with ONLY lights. The boys claim they will remedy that tomorrow. We will see!

I have gotten some sewing done. I have four lap quilts ranging from 38 x 42 all the way up to a 61" square ready for the long arm quilter. Ok - full disclosure - I need to get the batting cut for the 61" square and need to iron the seam I created in sewing the backing - but the others are ready. Did I tell you how generous one company was to our guild? They donated enough money so that we could purchase a full bolt of batting. The only stipulation is that it is only available for quilts we are giving to Hospice. There are a couple long-arm quilters in our guild who stitch the quilts for Hospice at no charge - which is generous of their time and skill. Of my 4, three will go there: two are serendipity quilts and one is a minions simple panel. The fourth is my donation to the guild, so I need to pay for that quilting myself. That quilt was a round robin. It is very pretty with its bird fabric and appliqué, but it is not my style. With those off the UFO list, I can move on! (To other UFOs. 😊)

Warning:

Ok, now for the self pity moment. My in–laws just returned from two weeks in Europe seeing the Christmas markets. They are going to Antartica next year and Scandanavia in 2017! Ugh! I don't care really about the former, but Norway, etc? I'd love to see the fjords and Hans Anderson's Little Mermaid statue. Even if I could physically make it - we have paid out so much for my medical - we couldn't go. This is not what I expected in retirement.

Rant over.

Tomorrow, we are going to try to see Star Wars. I am pretty excited! I have been able to avoid spoilers so far. If anyone has seen it, just tell me if you liked it!

November 2015

Hoping I'd fallen off the face of the earth? Sorry, no, just not in a routine of blogging. (Obviously.)

I hope to return to blogging regularly, so we will see. I am finishing my second year as my guild secretary - I am so done. I have done little regular quilting; I have become a serial starter. Our incoming President has plans for a UFO challenge. I think it will be good motivation. I have enough projects to consider. The only recent thing I have done is finish three lap quilts for Hospice. I have three more to finish and donate. I think finishing as secretary will allow me to enjoy quilting again. I can concentrate on my goals more.

Speaking of which, another goal is to be less self-absorbed and more grateful. I have been very down the past couple days: My in-laws are off tomorrow for two weeks in Europe and I cannot go. Parkinsons has forced me to give up my dreams of traveling in retirement. My disability forced me out of work earlier than planned, left me trying to walk, talk, and live more normally than I can, and screws up a lot of plans. I should be grateful for a wonderful husband and two fantastic sons. They never get upset with my help requests and always care for me. I know I am fortunate - but I am still angry.

By quilting, I can give to others. It takes the focus off me.  Maybe I will appreciate what I have. I know that I will lose this ability, too, so I need to control it as long as possible. Off to bed now. My sewing will beckon tomorrow.