Wednesday, September 05, 2007


I’d like to tell you this was the making of a great project I’m working on. I could talk about how this was the remnants of a first place quilt project a county fair, because they are popping up all over the place this time of year. But I can’t—the truth is – it’s 3 fat quarters that I’ve packed in my lunch box as therapy today. I spend a lot of time alone in a parts room, so they will be something to dream about as I work. I can’t help but smile every time I look at them.

There hasn’t been any quilting going on—sometimes life is like that. My Sunday school room, however, looks dazzling. Eric is content back at college. He’s a sophomore now, so all the first year “jitters” are behind us.

Here are two photos of Chelsey—both firsts—her first day of her senior year in High School and her first day at the community college. She’s doing a dual-enrollment thing for college credit and taking a business law course.
Were there tears as my “baby” had her last first day at home? No---I think there was an “exhale” and a feeling of success.

As quilters I think you will appreciate this:
I found out last Thursday I will be flying to Wichita Kansas for a week leaving this Friday. I was to the point of tears. It was a conference that I thought might ”just go away” if I didn’t talk about it. But it didn’t. What were my first thoughts? Was it the opportunity to meet people in my same profession? Was it learning how to handle warranty issues for Stall Warning units on 441 planes? Was I contemplating getting the new literature on a service bulletin for a fuel control unit that we have two of the shelf of???? Not a chance—The VERY FIRST thing I thought of, well- three things—were:
1. I wonder if there’s a quilt shop there?
2. How am I going to get to that quilt shop without a rental car?
3. I’ve got to get another piece of my Primitive garden quilt cut out and pressed to pack along before Thursday….

I sat back for a split second and thought I was horrible, but then I laughed and said – No, I’m not. I think I have a real good handle on separating work from home. I realize work is important but there is life after work. And I know that I’ll always have quilting—it’s not going anywhere, and I won’t always have teenagers at home so I need to value that and I won’t always have to work, but the job does support, my kids, my quilting, and my Sunday school class.

I have a shelf of aircraft parts calling my name… I better get to work…

Take Care….

22 comments:

Joanne said...

Chelsey is a beautiful girl. You have a right to be proud -- especially if she's taking college classes at the same time as senior year.
Quilt shops was the first thing that came to my mind! Second was -- I used to work for Sundstrand Corp -- an aircraft parts mfr; their data control subs made the warning boxes!

Darlene said...

Well there you are! I've been missing you!

Chelsey is beautiful.

As I was reading about your upcoming trip and your thoughts I had this thought "we must remember to make a life while we're making a living". We often forget to do that.

Juliann in WA said...

Those are always my questions when we are going to travel - will I be able to find a quilt shop? Congrats on getting through that first day of the senior year and enjoy the journey.

Fiona said...

I've missed you too! Work needs to be put in its place - it's necessary, but it doesn't define who we are.

Gypsy Quilter said...

You know, when I went to visit San Diego for a reunion, I had no car. The quilt shop owner sent her hubby to pick me up. It was not very far and I got to see a shop in a different city.

Beemoosie said...

Lovely post! Yes, always know where your nearest quilt shop is!! That is imperative!!

I love that you take your fabric w/ you in your lunch box!! It may be lonely some days...but as I am back to work now, I'd take it! I work with 6 women in one small kitchen. I digress....

dutchcomfort said...

I hope your week will be going smooth and you will definately find a quiltshop, quilters do have a nose for that. Chelsea is a beautiful and clever girl!

tami said...

Chelsey is beautiful. You must be so proud.
I love, LOVE your first reaction to your upcoming conference travel. I too have to travel for work and that is always my first thought when I have an upcoming trip. I get online and start searching for quilt shops. :-D

Lindah said...

Ahh, your daughter is a sweet and ambitious young woman. Well, the work travel wouldn't go away...but there just might be the consolation of a quilt shop, hmmm? I hope you can get the logistics solved. :-) By the way, as a young married, I worked in parts, too --tractor parts. Farm and construction stuff. I was there until motherhood sent me home. Those were the days when "showing" on the job was not allowed. Of course, they would much rather have had a man in my position, but they could get by with paying me less. It worked out to about $1.125 per hour. Plus a turkey at Christmas. Wow! I sound like my mother talking. LOL But, working alone? Yes, I would take some fabric or stitchery or something, too. Blessings. Have a fun trip!

Sweet P said...

You ask the same questions I do when we go traveling anywhere. In fact, DH will ask me if I have the quilt shops mapped out.

Chelsey is gorgeous on her last first day. I hope she enjoys her last year of high school and her first year of college.

Journeying said...

Boy, I've missed you! I thought you might show up after being "gone" with a couple of baby quilts, a wallhanging, and a finished BOM or something. You are somehow able to get so much done. Ditto what everyone has said abouto Chelsey - she IS beautiful and a daughter to be proud of. Ditto about work and life being 2 totally different things. Good luck with finding and getting to a quilt shop - I haven't had such luck when on business trips - either there's been no car or I'm with doctors who don't want to spend the one lunch hour we have with no meetings or class finding a quilt shop.
Glad to see you back online!

Jeanne said...

Good luck to Chelsey this year! She's so pretty!
Laughing about your quilt/travel thoughts :)
Jeanne

Libby said...

What a wonderful record of firsts . . . funny how they don't end with a first smile or first step - us 'mom-types' love to remember EVERYTHING!
Have a wonderful time on your trip - surely there will be a way to get to a quilt shop or two . . . a friendly fellow seminar attendee or even a cab. Who knows - quilters are resourceful *s*

Jane Ann said...

I agree about the feeling of accomplishment. It's a long-term reward you deserve to enjoy. Chelsey is absolutely beautiful (but I know that's not the important part).

As for me, how do you separate vacation from quilting? We're planning a short trip and all I can think about is whether I can get to any quilt shops while I'm there! And planning to take my machine in for servicing while I'm gone (to lessen the days I have to be without her)! Hopeless.

Patti said...

So good to be caught up with you once more. By now you are gone on your conference so you won't see this for a few days. I hope you found a quilt shop and got there OK LOL! Beautiful pictures of your beautiful daughter. Does it feel strange to have her so close to leaving the nest? I know you'll cherish every one of these days - they will go by so quickly.

Carole said...

What a gorgeous daughter you have! Well, I thought the same time as you when you mentioned a trip. I wonder if there are any quilt shops around? lol If there's enough time I can send you one of my hand applique projecst and you can work on it for me! lol Have a safe trip!

atet said...

Your daughter is beautiful, and you should be proud! As for the fabrics, hmm, packing fabric in the lunchbox as inspiration -- brilliant!

ancient one said...

At last, someone who knows that work isn't everything and is able to seperate work and living. Your daughter is sooo pretty. I know you must be so proud. Enjoy your up coming trip and happy quilt shop hunting!!

Jeanne said...

I think the same way you do when I am going somewhere. Wonder if there are shops nearby?

Clare said...

Was getting worried about you as your feeds don't seem to be working for me and then discovered that you had posted and I missed it!

By now you will be on your trip so have a safe one and come back full of stories of your travels and how you found the best QS in the world!

Chelsey is a credit to her parents.

Rhonda said...

Darn it!
I should have kept up with you! I didn't even see that you were coming to my hometown! I hope you got to at least one of the several quilt shops in town.If you come back in to Wichita, email me and I will pick you up and take you for a fabulous quilt shop tour!
I hope you enjoyed my town!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Gorgeous photos ...and so pleased you are prioritising so well! Tracey