I know people will think I'm complaining when I say this but I'm really not...but I'M EXHAUSTED! You wouldn't think that retirement could be so exhausting but wow. Still, I'm loving the freedom!
Let me explain...
I've been doing a lot of cutting and marking for the quilt I'm making. I'm a little space-challenged but making the best of it. But for some reason, when I'm cutting fabric, my shoulders just scream. Now, I have really bad shoulders as it is but wow, cutting just tenses me up. And marking fabric - same thing. But, I don't trust myself to sew a straight line from corner to corner yet so mark, I must.
For some reason, too, whenever I set at my sewing table and work, my ankle swells up like you would not believe. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal but in the past, whenever I'd had swollen ankles, I've had blood clots. So I get a little paranoid - even though I am certain the Warfarin is doing its job.
I'm doing good on the quilt - I should have all the small squares done by tomorrow then I get the challenge of trying to match up seams to make the big squares. After that, I have to lay them out and see where I want them to go in the big scheme of things. I need to get some type of wall thing to place the pieces on - but Lord know where I'll hand it! :) But, I'll figure it out somehow...and my hubby is always good for creative ideas with that kind of thing! (thank goodness for his support in this new hobby).
Well, my shoulders are a little better now so back to marking. Yea!
Until next time...
Sunday, July 30, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Loving Life
Yesterday, I "found" a new fabric store near me. I was amazed at the selections - and the wonderful prices. (If you haven't been to the Fabric Shack in Waynesville, Ohio, go! Go NOW!)
I did buy a quilt kit yesterday because it was gorgeous but I resisted buying a Charm Pack of the most beautiful fabrics. Well, today, I realized I needed another fat quarter of yellow for the current quilt so I decided to hop over to Waynesville. Bad idea for me! I just couldn't resist this time. I ended up buying 2 Charm packs and enough coordinating material to create a full size quilt - border and backing. ARGH! I'm not exactly what pattern I'll do yet, but I just had to have it.
But, the point of this post - as seen by the title - is that as I was driving home, on a beautiful day, after picking up beautiful fabric and yarn (ok, I stopped in a yarn store too even though I swore I wouldn't), I realized that I love my life.
Let me say that again - I LOVE MY LIFE! I am not rich, I need to lose weight (lots and lots), I'm not someone that would be described as beautiful any longer, but....
I have a wonderful husband that puts up with me (for 32 years now), a fantastic son (even though I don't see him enough), I have my house with my front porch that I love, I have a crazy dog that I love (most of the time), and I'm retired. What more can a person ask for? Sure, I would love more money - who wouldn't? Sure, I want to be slim again (working on it), Sure, I would like a fancier house. But when I look at all I do have - I am truly blessed. So - I love my life! And, I'm happy to be able to say that.
Just saying...
I did buy a quilt kit yesterday because it was gorgeous but I resisted buying a Charm Pack of the most beautiful fabrics. Well, today, I realized I needed another fat quarter of yellow for the current quilt so I decided to hop over to Waynesville. Bad idea for me! I just couldn't resist this time. I ended up buying 2 Charm packs and enough coordinating material to create a full size quilt - border and backing. ARGH! I'm not exactly what pattern I'll do yet, but I just had to have it.
But, the point of this post - as seen by the title - is that as I was driving home, on a beautiful day, after picking up beautiful fabric and yarn (ok, I stopped in a yarn store too even though I swore I wouldn't), I realized that I love my life.
Let me say that again - I LOVE MY LIFE! I am not rich, I need to lose weight (lots and lots), I'm not someone that would be described as beautiful any longer, but....
I have a wonderful husband that puts up with me (for 32 years now), a fantastic son (even though I don't see him enough), I have my house with my front porch that I love, I have a crazy dog that I love (most of the time), and I'm retired. What more can a person ask for? Sure, I would love more money - who wouldn't? Sure, I want to be slim again (working on it), Sure, I would like a fancier house. But when I look at all I do have - I am truly blessed. So - I love my life! And, I'm happy to be able to say that.
Just saying...
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Lunch, Poker, and Fabric
What do these things - lunch, poker, and fabric - have in common? NOTHING! Absolutely nothing. But it's the way I've spent my days this week.
Tuesday was a fabric cutting day - cutting little 7.5 inch squares and 4 inch squares. Lots and lots of squares. I'm getting better at cutting - I'd probably get a C if I were graded now. That's a lot better than my previous D- (or even an F). But that doesn't mean I like it any better.
I did get a class from Craftsy specifically on cutting - and I have to say, it was $20 well spent. Within the first 5 minutes, I learned some things that did make it much easier. I suppose that like most things, it gets easier with practice. I still have more to cut but I decided today I will actually mark and sew. (Marking is another thing that I quickly discovered that I do not care for. I just don't have the patience but I also know that if I don't, this quilt won't turn out right. (OK, it probably won't turn out right anyway but it won't be because I did not mark the fabric!)
Yesterday, I had lunch with an old teammate. It was great to catch up with her and hear some of the things that are happening from her perspective. She's a great person with a ton of potential and I know she'll have lots of success!
But since I was already half way to Cincinnati, I decided to go ahead and hit the casino. It's been about 2 months so why not. I was stunned to see my favorite table almost empty. (I like to play Crazy 4.) I kept looking at the sign to make sure I wasn't accidentally at Four Handed Poker instead. (yes, I did that once - took me only one hand to say "Oops!" and get up.) But, I was at the right table. It was another 'not so good' day but at least I had fun. I lost $135 but at least I didn't lose it all. (ok, ok, the only reason I didn't lose it all was because they were changing cards and that takes about 10 minutes and it was good time to hit the road and beat the traffic.) Otherwise, I'm sure Jack would have all my money.
Today, I got the brilliant idea to get a manicure. I rarely do that. We're talking maybe once every 2 - 3 years. But they had an opening so what the heck. I wasn't going to get polish - just get the shaped up some and buffed but she convinced me to do a very light color that still showed the white tips. They look good but we'll see how long the polish stays on - it usually only stays for a day or two and splits my nails. Time will tell.
But, she did tell me about a fabric store in the next little town over that I did not know about. So I took a 15 minute drive over to check it out. ONLY TO LOOK! Yeh, right. I ended up buying a quilt package. ARGH! I'll be 90 before I finish all these damn quilts. But the store was HUGH! They had so many fabrics, I was in awe. Seems like some of their prices are cheaper, too, so I may be heading that way when I need fabric. I need to make a pledge on fabric like I did on yarn - NO MORE until I use up some of what I have!
So that's what I'm doing in my retirement days. Yeehaw! But, it's better that than working anyday.
So, here's to retirement. Thank you for the opportunity that I didn't know I wanted!
See ya next time
Tuesday was a fabric cutting day - cutting little 7.5 inch squares and 4 inch squares. Lots and lots of squares. I'm getting better at cutting - I'd probably get a C if I were graded now. That's a lot better than my previous D- (or even an F). But that doesn't mean I like it any better.
I did get a class from Craftsy specifically on cutting - and I have to say, it was $20 well spent. Within the first 5 minutes, I learned some things that did make it much easier. I suppose that like most things, it gets easier with practice. I still have more to cut but I decided today I will actually mark and sew. (Marking is another thing that I quickly discovered that I do not care for. I just don't have the patience but I also know that if I don't, this quilt won't turn out right. (OK, it probably won't turn out right anyway but it won't be because I did not mark the fabric!)
Yesterday, I had lunch with an old teammate. It was great to catch up with her and hear some of the things that are happening from her perspective. She's a great person with a ton of potential and I know she'll have lots of success!
But since I was already half way to Cincinnati, I decided to go ahead and hit the casino. It's been about 2 months so why not. I was stunned to see my favorite table almost empty. (I like to play Crazy 4.) I kept looking at the sign to make sure I wasn't accidentally at Four Handed Poker instead. (yes, I did that once - took me only one hand to say "Oops!" and get up.) But, I was at the right table. It was another 'not so good' day but at least I had fun. I lost $135 but at least I didn't lose it all. (ok, ok, the only reason I didn't lose it all was because they were changing cards and that takes about 10 minutes and it was good time to hit the road and beat the traffic.) Otherwise, I'm sure Jack would have all my money.
Today, I got the brilliant idea to get a manicure. I rarely do that. We're talking maybe once every 2 - 3 years. But they had an opening so what the heck. I wasn't going to get polish - just get the shaped up some and buffed but she convinced me to do a very light color that still showed the white tips. They look good but we'll see how long the polish stays on - it usually only stays for a day or two and splits my nails. Time will tell.
But, she did tell me about a fabric store in the next little town over that I did not know about. So I took a 15 minute drive over to check it out. ONLY TO LOOK! Yeh, right. I ended up buying a quilt package. ARGH! I'll be 90 before I finish all these damn quilts. But the store was HUGH! They had so many fabrics, I was in awe. Seems like some of their prices are cheaper, too, so I may be heading that way when I need fabric. I need to make a pledge on fabric like I did on yarn - NO MORE until I use up some of what I have!
So that's what I'm doing in my retirement days. Yeehaw! But, it's better that than working anyday.
So, here's to retirement. Thank you for the opportunity that I didn't know I wanted!
See ya next time
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Rainy Days
Rain, rain, go away.
That old nursery rhyme really has something going for it. We have had SO much rain lately that one of my new plants died from it. And, you would think my dog is going to die when it rains - she really stresses - ALOT!
First, on the plants...
Let me start by saying that I know NOTHING about gardening. I have never cared for gardening and that has not changed in 63 years. However, after getting the front porch added late last year, we had a large strip of dirt. Yes, we could have just seeded it and let grass grow but we also had some almost dead bushes on the other side so we decided to get some landscaping done.
I specifically asked for things that would take almost NO effort on our part. And all things considered, the things that we picked, with the store's guidance, are fairly low/no maintenance. But we got two Crimson Curls - that are just lovely - but about a week after they were planted, we started get some good rain and one of them just wilted away. I checked with the store and apparently, they are short-rooted (huh?) and if they get too much water, they rot. OK - good to know. Although not much I can do about nature's rain. (and right next to it is a Japanese Anemone that apparently needs lots of water.) geez. The 2nd Crimson Curl is about half dead - and with the way the rain keeps hitting us, I can see that it won't be long before it also succumbs to nature's fury. Here's some pics of the before after...
On to the dog...
Any loud noise just freaks our girl out. When we're downstairs, she runs behind the couch and pretty much stays there - which makes my life easy. But now and then, when it is late, I do like to actually sleep in my bed. And then the fun begins. She scoots around constantly, panting heavily. Her new trick, as of last night, was to wedge herself in between our pillow - at the top of the bed. Nothing like panting in your face and slobber on your arm and shoulder. (And at 100 lbs, that's a large "wedge".)
I decided that at least one of us should get some sleep so I went with her to the guest room. I left the light on, thinking it would diffuse the lightening (yes, that freaks her out too) and although it does help, there is really nothing I can do to get rid of the noise from the thunder. Thunder that was, by the way, quite heavy last night...and the night before that...and the night before that...etc. All I can really do at that point is just keep rubbing her and trying to calm her down until it ends.
The other half is asleep as he has to work tonight and I think that's just what I might do for an hour or two. After all, I am retired so I can sleep all I want, right? :)
Catch you later...
That old nursery rhyme really has something going for it. We have had SO much rain lately that one of my new plants died from it. And, you would think my dog is going to die when it rains - she really stresses - ALOT!
First, on the plants...
Let me start by saying that I know NOTHING about gardening. I have never cared for gardening and that has not changed in 63 years. However, after getting the front porch added late last year, we had a large strip of dirt. Yes, we could have just seeded it and let grass grow but we also had some almost dead bushes on the other side so we decided to get some landscaping done.
I specifically asked for things that would take almost NO effort on our part. And all things considered, the things that we picked, with the store's guidance, are fairly low/no maintenance. But we got two Crimson Curls - that are just lovely - but about a week after they were planted, we started get some good rain and one of them just wilted away. I checked with the store and apparently, they are short-rooted (huh?) and if they get too much water, they rot. OK - good to know. Although not much I can do about nature's rain. (and right next to it is a Japanese Anemone that apparently needs lots of water.) geez. The 2nd Crimson Curl is about half dead - and with the way the rain keeps hitting us, I can see that it won't be long before it also succumbs to nature's fury. Here's some pics of the before after...
On to the dog...
Any loud noise just freaks our girl out. When we're downstairs, she runs behind the couch and pretty much stays there - which makes my life easy. But now and then, when it is late, I do like to actually sleep in my bed. And then the fun begins. She scoots around constantly, panting heavily. Her new trick, as of last night, was to wedge herself in between our pillow - at the top of the bed. Nothing like panting in your face and slobber on your arm and shoulder. (And at 100 lbs, that's a large "wedge".)
I decided that at least one of us should get some sleep so I went with her to the guest room. I left the light on, thinking it would diffuse the lightening (yes, that freaks her out too) and although it does help, there is really nothing I can do to get rid of the noise from the thunder. Thunder that was, by the way, quite heavy last night...and the night before that...and the night before that...etc. All I can really do at that point is just keep rubbing her and trying to calm her down until it ends.
The other half is asleep as he has to work tonight and I think that's just what I might do for an hour or two. After all, I am retired so I can sleep all I want, right? :)
Catch you later...
Monday, July 17, 2017
Squish
SQUISH!
Mammogram day today...not my favorite day but I guess it is worth 15 minutes of torture to know I'm ok for another year.
I know many in the medical community say that mammograms are not needed - but in 2002, it was a mammogram that found that I had cancer. It was found early and with a surgery, chemo, and radiation, all is well now. So, as much as I really don't like them, I go faithfully!
Tomorrow I am meeting to old teammates for lunch. It will be great to see them. I'm kinda disappointed that more people don't "check in" now and then. I've emailed quite a few and they always answer back but they never reach out first. I suppose that "out of sight, out of mind" is truer than people suspect. However, since I do have the ability to reach out periodically, I do and I don't regret it. It's nice to stay in touch.
A trip to the chiropractor on Wednesday rounds out my week. No plans beyond that. I REALLY need to find something meaningful to do and use my mind before it totally wastes away. (we know it's already going but it would be nice to keep it for a few more years!)
Gotta run - time to squish!
Mammogram day today...not my favorite day but I guess it is worth 15 minutes of torture to know I'm ok for another year.
I know many in the medical community say that mammograms are not needed - but in 2002, it was a mammogram that found that I had cancer. It was found early and with a surgery, chemo, and radiation, all is well now. So, as much as I really don't like them, I go faithfully!
Tomorrow I am meeting to old teammates for lunch. It will be great to see them. I'm kinda disappointed that more people don't "check in" now and then. I've emailed quite a few and they always answer back but they never reach out first. I suppose that "out of sight, out of mind" is truer than people suspect. However, since I do have the ability to reach out periodically, I do and I don't regret it. It's nice to stay in touch.
A trip to the chiropractor on Wednesday rounds out my week. No plans beyond that. I REALLY need to find something meaningful to do and use my mind before it totally wastes away. (we know it's already going but it would be nice to keep it for a few more years!)
Gotta run - time to squish!
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Retirement Blues
The name of the post says it all. Although I LOVE being retired, I am getting bored. One would think that with all the projects I have in progress, I wouldn't be but one can only crochet and knit for so many hours a day before fingers drop off! And I really like my fingers!
Currently, I'm working on knitting a sage green scarf, using some old yarn I had left over from an afghan; I'm crocheting a shawl with this beautiful light gray/dark gray yarn I got on line; and I am getting ready to start a new doily with the really cool blue yarn that I picked up on my Quilt Quest and I can't wait to use it!
I did finish my first quilt top - using Jelly Rolls. Very simple. I don't want to actually quilt it though, until I learn what I'm doing! And that can't happen until at least September since I just missed the beginning class at the Little Shop of Stitches. Bummer! I think I'm going to put a light border around it and then edge it with a rust color. Hope it works out!
I do have a pile of quilt rows to make thanks to Row by Row experience. I decided to start on a small kit I purchased several weeks ago. I started cutting the squares out on Sunday and quickly found that I flunked cutting. I mean really, who can't cut? But me and rotary cutter just don't get a long well. Go figure! I can hopefully salvage the mistakes I made when I start to piece things together. I think I'll save the Row by Row pieces until I learn what I'm doing!
Retirement is good but I do need to find another outlet besides crafts and reading. Open to all suggestions!
Currently, I'm working on knitting a sage green scarf, using some old yarn I had left over from an afghan; I'm crocheting a shawl with this beautiful light gray/dark gray yarn I got on line; and I am getting ready to start a new doily with the really cool blue yarn that I picked up on my Quilt Quest and I can't wait to use it!
I did finish my first quilt top - using Jelly Rolls. Very simple. I don't want to actually quilt it though, until I learn what I'm doing! And that can't happen until at least September since I just missed the beginning class at the Little Shop of Stitches. Bummer! I think I'm going to put a light border around it and then edge it with a rust color. Hope it works out!
I do have a pile of quilt rows to make thanks to Row by Row experience. I decided to start on a small kit I purchased several weeks ago. I started cutting the squares out on Sunday and quickly found that I flunked cutting. I mean really, who can't cut? But me and rotary cutter just don't get a long well. Go figure! I can hopefully salvage the mistakes I made when I start to piece things together. I think I'll save the Row by Row pieces until I learn what I'm doing!
Retirement is good but I do need to find another outlet besides crafts and reading. Open to all suggestions!
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