Working full time – I sew, but many times it’s on the fly, a couple of seams here and there. This is the scrap basket that fabric scraps get tossed in. Chelsey and I are working at getting organized and the basket is now empty and a few pieces every night get iron and measured up and cut into even strips for a scrap quilt dream that I have. I look at the basket and think—‘ My Grandma could easily get two quilts out of that…’ We’ll keep you posted.
Enough fabric talk – the rest is about Life this week. Today is the first day in over a week that the temperatures will reach double digits. A friend and I have been walking 2miles everyday at lunch. There were two days when I wimped out and didn’t go. But there were 2 days at 5 degrees that we bundled up and made it the distance. Working in an airplane hangar you must dress for the weather, I’ve been wearing my husbands ‘Under Armor’ long underwear a couple pairs of socks and sweaters. And I dare anyone to say I’ve put on weight--- it’s simply survival….
When I thought I couldn't take the cold any more I trudged out to the mailbox and found this - Juliann sent me magazines she had finished with. It made my day. What a great idea -- I hope others do this or take them to hospitals or even senior citizens centers. Thanks again....
Ransom and I hit the trails 3 days this week. As cold as it is, just to see him dance at the opportunity, it’s worth it. The snow is piled about two feet high along the road’s edge, so I’ve been walking without Don because there’ just not room on our road. Ransom – he runs through the woods… and sleeps real good at night.
Chelsey got her grades – 2 A’s, 2 B’s and 1 C in the class she cut (Let’s not relive it, check previous posts!!!). I was thrilled. One more semester and she’ll graduate. I had a Sunday School teacher’s meeting Tuesday night—which I bailed on. I deliberately did not go. We’ve been going through a lot with Chelsey lately--- not bad stuff… but I guess I have forgotten what it’s like to almost be 18 and having all the pressures of “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?!?!” I just needed to be home for supper with her. They were recruiting people for a Teacher’s workshop on Saturday and with working full time, parenting and housework, I am not up for it. I called the director and told the truth and they understood. I told them not to give up on me, and in a few months I may be able to attend all the workshops they want me to, but right now life is about priorities and I have choices to make. Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, kids are often pressured to go ‘Downstate to college a minimum of 6 hours away or they’re not really going to college’. Lots of pressure, but there are several really good universities close to home in the U.P. Chelsey is just not ready to be so far from home--- and I’m OK with that. She’s going to be a great adult one day--- if I can just get her there….
I’ve played with fabric every night this week--- wish I had more to share--- I’ll do better next week. Stay warm, do something fun this weekend.
18 comments:
We've had similar thoughts on the scrap basket fabrics.... Yaaah for Chelsey and her grades, and a big yaaah for her mum who chose family over a meeting. I'm sure she appreciated it and I'm sure you'll be able to look back years from now and understand.
((((((Hugs)))))
It is always hard to make those family first decisions but I think it was a wise choice too. Glad you got to play with fabric and such this week. Happy friday.
Even the Lord wants us to choose family over other things. You did the right thing.
I am curious what your job is in an airplane hangar? My husband has his private pilot's license and owned his own plane for about 20 years. He just sold it about 2 years ago, it was an offer he couldn't refuse.
Sounds like you may have an interesting job. How brave of you to go out walking in the cold, brrr. I have been wimping out this week on going to the pool. At 66 your bones get cold. And Yes family first, always.
Sounds like you've had a full plate. Yeah for your daughter's grades and for your knowing that you were needed at home! As for the scraps -- I've been ignoring mine for so long I'm afraid to even look. But, it will have to be done!
Family first, foremost and always. I agree 100%. We will have different times in our lives when we can give the time to others, but our girls need us!
Looking forward to our summer project!
It's nice when your days have a balance family, work, fabric . . . it all comes together in the end and the journey is almost always memorable *s*
Keep up the good work. Balancing work, family, life is not easy. You're setting a great example for your kids.
Good for you for putting you and your family first. I often think that if we don't look after ourselves, noone else will.
I hope you find some quilting time, and have fun playing with all your scraps.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
My children are now 38, 25 and 23, and I can tell you that you never regret any time you spent with them - only the time you chose to do something else will you regret. You did good!
~Elaine~
I am cold just thinking of you out there walking at 5 degrees! Been there, done that! Didn't like it then and I don't miss it! Now that scrap basket--it looks downright inviting!
Putting your family first is a very wise decision - Way to go! So often we do forget to do that. And, please don't forget to take a few minutes for Melanie - so often we forget to do that, too.
Hi Mel, ya, my teeth have been chattering all this past week. It's creeping up into the low 20's today, feels like a heat wave!!
Good for you for walking despite the cold. I've been doing my short amount of walking in the village on the sidewalks, which are usually clean and dry. Our roads sure aren't! The packed snow gets so slippery underfoot.
Love the look of that scrap basket. Slow and steady will win the race. I've decided to give an hour to day to CUTTING. Period. I have roughly a rubbermaid(tote size-13? gallons?) plus some in baskets. I know I can, I know I can..LOL
Big warm hugs for everything life tosses your way, Finn
You can get 2 quilts out of there, sepsecially if you make a couple more and keep adding!! -A good excuse.
Always good to know when to bail on the meetings...and if Sunday School teachers can't cope then no-one can! I planned mt term last night....23 possibles from Grade 3 to 6...I will need to be SO organized! Tracey
I was always amazed at how anyone could just expect a person to decide what they wanted to do with the REST of their lives at in one year...it's not so easy for most of us. Plus, lives and circumstances change and things don't always work out. You did the right thing...sticking close to her is where you should be at the moment!
Your fabric basket looks luscious! It will make wonderful quilts!
I think people underestimate how much our kids need us when they are teenagers. I think they need us more then than when they are infants - after all anyone can teach a kid to use the potty and walk, but a parent has to be the one that teaches values and leads them into adulthood. I spent more time during that time with my daughter too.
My younger daughter did NOT want to leave home, and no amount of encouragement to spread her wings gave her the confidence to leave. She chose a university only 30 miles from home the day she realized she could call me every day and it wouldn't be long distance! Now I joke that she left and never came back.
She pretty much didn't come back and married a classmate soon after they graduated. And she's still living in the same college town 30 miles away--with my precious grandchildren. And she still calls me every day. How thrilled am I!
I'm itching to get my hands in your basket of scraps!
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