Friday, July 14, 2006

It’s Friday evening. My kids just arrived home from their week long trips away. ‘Mom, can we have dates over—‘Sure. It just feels good having them close. Lots of stories to tell.

Revelation----My kids haven’t been here, and I still haven’t done much quilting. Yeah – they’ve been the reason, but I didn’t have them to blame. You know, I was bummed. I had a great week. Don and I did lots of great stuff. Hey, without the kids you don’t have anything to fight about. I worked full time. I had gardening to catch up on—which was fun. We walked Ransom 2 miles a day. Don worries about my heart (not the romantic way) but the health way. We have been doing some biking. We cooked together, the things the kids won’t eat. I just couldn’t fit everything into a 24 hour day.

I am just about finished with my MIL’s gift. I’ll have a picture tomorrow---I promise.
I laughed at my last posting. I said something about “whipping” up a thank you gift for Eric and Chelsey’s chaperone. Come on…get real. When do I have time to whip up anything? But this evening I half way finished the cottage creek quilts pattern I got in Appleton. .
I’m making my Mom and the teacher one. The colors are going to be a little darker than the pattern shows, but I like it so far. I had more fun picking out the scrappy pieces.

Yeah, Ransom and I picked Black-eyed Susans too.
So what am I complaining about??!?!? It’s not really a complaint. I just read about everything everyone is quilting on and I want to be doing it too. Don’s real understanding about it, but he keeps me grounded. Mel—it’s your hobby. It’s supposed to be fun. It’s not a race. It’s suppose to make you feel good not frustrated. I do a pretty good job (I think) of encouraging others on how to balance all the hats women wear, but I guess I’m not real good at practicing what I preach.


I’ve felt like I haven’t had anything to write about this week, but a few minutes in the sewing room changed my whole outlook. I guess for a little while, I’ll read about those quilts and be grateful for the time I do get. I’m learning tons…and I’m positive it’s the next best thing.

Until tomorrow --- live up today

14 comments:

Tazzie said...

Ohhh Melanie, I just feel like you need a big hug! It really sounds like you've had a wonderful week, so don't feel bad that you haven't sewed as much as you like. I usually do get quite a bit of sewing done, but you know, I'd give my sewing machine to have a husband who's interested to do any of the things you've done together. It's swings and roundabouts sometimes really ... Also, I must say, I love the sewing you did get to do ... so my colours, and so cute!
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

ForestJane said...

Awww, just remember my blog. :)

I work full time and count my progress each week in numbers of little strip pieced 6½ inch blocks done, instead of quilt tops done like some of these quilt-prolific retired folks!

Fiona said...

There's only so much you can do. I know just what you mean - you look at the work on all of these blogs and itch to have the time to do it but when you're a full time working mum with 2 kids it just ain't going to happen. It sounds like you and Don had a great time together - and that wouldn't have happened if you'd spent the time sewing on your own.
P.S. I love the way you've displayed the cottage creek pattern - doesn't matter that it isn't finished when it makes such a pretty picture anyway.

Pink and Barbara said...

Ow...Yes sometimes it feels like you get nothing done quiltwise...but there is always tomorrow!

Evelyn aka Starfishy said...

It sounds like you had some nice quality time with Don - so important in this fast paced world we live in. Last night I sat out on our porch with my DH and it was nice!

Your new sewing project is coming along just fine! Not much sewing going on here either - we are much too busy playing outside before the -20 weather is upon us again! But, I am cutting "kits" getting ready for my snowed in days!

Cheers!

Evelyn

Patti said...

That's the right attitude! At least you aren't falling into the trap some of us fall into. I'm talking about buying fabric, books, etc. that we really don't need because it "feels" like quilting even though we've not had time to do any stitching. You might have done only a little sewing, but the results were very nice. I love your little wooden church! And the flowers are so beautiful. We used to grow those, but they all seem to have died out.

MARCIE said...

Your photo settings are charming! I remember you said earlier that you went to Appleton. I went to high school there! I love Appleton! Haven't been there in o-so-many years! About these blogs: most of us are posting things we did long ago! But we all know the feeling of longing to sit and sew!

Juliann in WA said...

When our girls left for college, I thought I would have all sorts of time to quilt and scrapbook and read. Somehow, life got busier and these things didn't happen. But after a few years, I am finding ways to reclaim that creative energy and outlet - it is a cool thing to watch how we continue to grow into that person we are meant to be. Be kind to yourself.

Darlene said...

sounds like you had a wonderful week - time with your DH is incredibly important, too. You made that a priority. I go through cycles with sewing, sometimes I can't find a moment to do any and other times it seems that I've done more than I can believe I did. Relax and be kind to yourself.

Judy said...

I completely understand. After I started the blog I felt so bad because thers seemed to whip out all sort of things and then go blogging around and I don't have that many hours in the day...and I Don't work!! Just visiting blogs and commenting can take hours from quilting. Hubby is right, it's not a race. It just feels like that sometimes.

I love the wooden church and the flowers. One of my favorites!

Linda C said...

What a pretty arrangement with the sections you have done so far.

One stitch at a time, a few minutes at time. It will get done.

Finn said...

Hi Mel, first of all let me tell you that the stage-ing for your pics is marvelous. I love the weather wood, and the black eyed Susans and rustic country church are sooooo pleasant to look at! Talent lies in so many areas and ways..it isn't just quilts, or your quilts. It's your way of being in the world...it's what brings us back and back..*VBS*
Your quilts are fantastic..you do such a great job with color and dimentions.
We all hit those spots where we aren't sure what to blog about. IT's really very ok to be "there". In all fairness, we blog about stuff that isn't quilt related. Our kids and grandkids, our cats and our dogs. Our gardens and our sunsets, fabric and other things that live in our homes. Quilts that were made years and years ago, are just fine. I've never seen them before, even if you have. Patterns and books are ok too...it's your journal..even if all you want to say is..."life keeps happening while I was making other plans"...*VBS* Hugs, Finn

P.S. I love the scraps and background in this new project!!

Eileen said...

Mel,
I'm off in the summer-I drive schoolbus the rest of the year. So I understand life getting in the way.
My nest is half empty. DD goes away to college, but is home right now. DS and fiancee are crashing here until they can afford a place of their own.
Your projects are coming along great, they'll be done before you know it.

The Calico Cat said...

Enjoyed catching up - love the photos!