Changes

We've been gone for a few weeks; we traveled to New England to spend time with my parents. It's been the first time in a VERY LONG while that we've traveled without a canine companion. This, among other changes, is but one more in a long list of new things what we're getting used to. My Dad now does much of the cooking at home. When I was young, growing up, and even up until the last few years, my Dad NEVER spent anytime in the kitchen preparing food, that's always been Mom's domain. My mother is doing okay, it's the physical mobility that stands in the way of her getting even the most basic of household chores accomplished anymore. She and I spent days cleaning out and organizing; she is happy to have this done, and was eager to participate, but the fact that she can't do it on her own anymore is emotionally hard on her. She goes to outpatient physical therapy now, twice a week; that's a highlight for her on those days. Mr. G and I took meals that I had pre-prepared, and frozen, it worked out well and they seemed to appreciate that. A lot of things are different now, we're all adapting; it seems that each day brings a new series of adaptations. The good news is that Mom and Dad seem content and accepting of this situation. We watched television together in the evenings, for entertainment, and loved spending time together reminiscing! Before we left to return home Dad and Mr. G readied his snowplow and walk-behind snow blower for the months to come, Dad's happy and excited to see winter, and the snow, return; as much so as a young boy would be! We have much to be thankful for: at 94 (Dad), and 89 (Mom), they're still in their home, are mobile enough to go out for lunch and an occasional dinner and still very much enjoy their friends and their days together. We couldn't ask for anything more.

Life is Good!

Meet the Happy Dressmaker

I received a recorded voice text from our youngest granddaughter, Lynnleigh, this morning as we were eating our breakfast. "Nana, I made a dress" she said; it was accompanied by this photograph. Doesn't she look proud of herself? She should be! She subsequently sent three more little videos explaining how she accomplished this dressmaking feat. It was all her own idea; she used two T-shirts, cut one apart and used the bottom portion to form the skirt, she attached it, by hand, and was quick to point out how she pinned it together and that she switched from a running stitch to a whip stitch somewhere in the construction process. 😉 She had taken her sewing kit home with her after her last sewing lesson here, (it's a good thing that she did!) she's putting all of her sewing supplies to good use! Her enthusiasm was contagious, it was a great way to start the day! I was surprised to see how long her hair had grown in these last weeks, but we're all in the same boat there (see below for more on that hairy subject!).

I did a screen shot from one of her video clips and came away with this "model" shot:

Can you believe this? Seven years old going on seventeen!

I haven't seen any of our grands in what seems like forever, 

I hope it's not ten years before we're reunited!

Adapting to changes in this upside down🙃 world: Our governor has announced a three phase plan for opening the state back up. To begin with the stay-at-home order remains in place through May 8. After that, the phases will allow the systematic opening of more businesses with strict restrictions in place; slowly, as the weeks pass more restrictions will be relaxed one by one if the numbers of virus cases don't escalate. During the governor's speech yesterday I received a text from my hair stylist asking if we could move my already rescheduled (April 16 to May 5) appointment to May 20th. She was responding to the phases as they were being announced. "Yes", I replied, "but I'll be in a ponytail by then!"  As the details of the phases became increasingly apparent the May 20th appointment was ultimately moved to June 2! That's twelve weeks between trims, normally I go in every five weeks. I can certainly learn to live with longer hair, we'll see how it turns out!  Stay safe, 🧼wash your hands!

I ordered this bracelet, it's my new motto.

"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -2 Timothy 1:7

Life is Good!

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Planting

When the days run together in endless succession and the news isn't always good, there's something inherently therapeutic about digging in the dirt! This morning I made up a bunch of my own potting mix from a blend of garden soil, peat moss and vermiculite and set my sights on getting annuals potted up for the porches and patio. I felt so good to take control of outside beautification through hard, physical labor. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I was tired and dirty when I was finished but oh, so satisfied! I didn't even get a shower until after lunch, in time to make a quick a dash to the Post Office. 

The demand by friends and family for face masks doesn't end. Every day this week I've either shipped off or delivered masks. The newest batch will be sent in tomorrow morning's mail. I have found that everything goes quicker with the process if I cut and prepare all the ties first, then I can sit and sew assembly-line style. I'm making a HUGE dent in my batik stash.

Adapting to life in an upside down 🙃 world: The little Post Office where I live has hung a clear, vinyl shower curtain across the service counter. One can see the postal clerks behind the curtain but they're completely protected from the public on the other side. Parcels are slid beneath the edge and the receipt and tracking number are returned the same way. I still wipe everything down with my Purel wipes, even my steering wheel when I get back inside the car, before I pull away. Stay safe and healthy, my friends. Wash your hands. 🧼 

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."

-Proverbs 18:10

Life is Good! 

Up next: Surprise!

Sorting It Out

With nowhere to go, and a stash of fabric and supplies on hand, it's like being on a never-ending retreat; these are the days we quilters have been stockpiling for all those years! But-- I need to slow down and sort this out. I have always been that person who's thinking of the "next quilt" before I finish what I'm working on now. With this current situation, for me, it's worse than ever. I tell myself that I'm keeping my eye on my guiding word for 2020 (VISION); with focus aimed at using up the fabric and precut scraps that I have on hand. But, that doesn't keep me from wandering onto Pinterest and "pinning" scrap quilts galore to my visual bulletin boards. "Oh, I want to try that one, and that one, and that one... " Pin.Pin.Pin. If it stopped there that wouldn't be so bad but I find myself obsessed with pulling out my rectangles to begin a Chinese Coin that I saw pictured and organizing fabrics for a Jack's Chain quilt all in shades of blue that someone made and posted. I need to settle down! I need to sort this out. In all honesty, if this quarantine went on forever and a day I would never got to all of those quilts that I have pinned, let alone those that I've already begun. So, to start; I am not clicking on Pinterest. I am writing daily lists, (I've always been a list-maker and daily planner anyway, this wasn't a stretch) I am putting on blinders to anything else. As a way to feel much more productive and in control I am cleaning out and organizing one thing a day; this can be as simple as a drawer or as labor-intensive as a closet; for me, this helps, it keeps me busy and helps me to stay in check with something to show for my deliberate attention to one thing.

While talking on the phone with my Dad this morning my eyes went to the design wall where my partially done "Which Way Now" is hanging and all of a sudden realized a secondary design element to explore with the HSTs; that's placing focus where it belongs-- on what I am working on; I don't need to be running in seventeen different directions! I'm continuing to sort out what it means for me to have nothing but time on my hands and supplies at the ready, I'm also sticking to a regimen of walking and holding fast to reading hour. These few minor adjustments are keeping me centered and better directed. It's all good!

Adapting in an upside down 🙃world: My well-check up scheduled for next week with my PCP has been reformatted-- to a video visit; okay, that's new! I understand the reason but question the value. I assumed when the office called that they were going to reschedule, not suggest this alternative. But, we're all adjusting; we'll see how it goes. Changes are happening so fast it's hard to keep up.

Update on the standing prayer request: Quiltkeemosabe's husband is continuing to improve following surgery, thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts for him, for Quiltkeemosabe and for their family. 

"For nothing will be impossible with God.” -Luke 1:37

Life is Good!

Up next: RAK

On The Plus Side

This is a re-post of sorts from the spring of 2014. I know that there are no shortage of quarantine sew-alongs and patterns out there to stitch up while we are sheltering at home. Here's one more. If there was ever a time to make a quilt oozing of positivity-- this is the time! These blocks were designed in EQ and are super quick and easy to sew; believe me, the hardest part will be selecting your fabrics and stopping-- making these little blocks are like eating potato chips! Your cutting directions are pictured below, these cute little "plus" blocks finish to five inches.

Here's the layout:

This quilt (my finished quilt is pictured below) as drafted finishes to 45" X 55" including a 2.5" inner border. Certainly the size could be boosted with additional sashing or extra blocks.

Have fun with this. 

Adapting to an upside down 🙃world: As I mentioned earlier, spring is coming on and there's no stopping that. Mr. Goodneedle and I have rebooted our outdoor walking regimen to right after breakfast (we're early risers); there's no one else outside yet and at this time of year we're serenaded by bird song and emerging foliage. We have a bluebird couple nesting in the nesting box right outside my studio space, this morning we observed them both sitting on top of the box in all their glory. I will check the box in a few days for any eggs. I hope that you're all well, staying safe and healthy; wash your hands!🧼

Prayer update: Thanks one and all for your prayers for Quiltkeemosabe's husband. He had surgery last evening and the best of all possible outcomes was realized. He's been moved to a post-surgical ICU at this time, things are really looking up for him and their family today! Your prayers are working!

"But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer." Psalm 38:15

Think Positive!

Life is Good!

Up next: Sorting It Out

D.E.A.R. Time

Since we've created the new porch space to enjoy we've added a new element to our daily schedules. No matter what Mr. Goodneedle or I are doing at 4:00 PM  we Drop Everything And Read for an hour. We have really come to enjoy this custom over the past two weeks and we hold each other to it, if I'm busy in the sewing room and might even consider skipping a day he encourages me to leave what I'm doing and come sit down. This is escapism in its most basic form, it's been far too long that I have dedicated time exclusively for reading; and if we ever needed escapism- it's now!

These are my most recent additions. I've finished The Nightingale, am more than halfway through Keeping Faith and half yet to begin Then She Was Gone. If you've been frustrated by recent trips to the grocery store you might consider reading The Nightingale-- you'll rejoice at the abundance on the shelves today, even in light of the current state of the health crisis and an upside-down world. 🙃 Ann, over at straythreads, has posted a reading list to ponder if you are searching to titles to explore. What's new and different at your house during this stay at home time, how are you "escaping"?

Adapting today: I keep a can of Lysol handy and have taken to spraying and wiping down everything that comes in from the outside before I bring it in now.  We can't be too careful- wash your hands 🧼.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." -Romans 15:4

Life is Good!

Up next: Creeping In