Lessons Learned

This is what school looked like this year, not only for Gregory, but for all four of our grandchildren; they all participated in what's known as Virtual Academy for this '20-'21 school year. They're lucky, both our daughter and our daughter-in-law have been present and committed to overseeing their online school days and helping them to develop skills in focus, independence and self-sufficiency. Taking children successfully from an in-person classroom to one on-screen has been challenging and not without many speed bumps along the way. I've heard this transition and all the planning and organizing that it took to make remote learning "a thing" referred to as building the airplane in flight. Certainly it was a Herculean task, one that was unprecedented. Slowly, this year, as schools began returning students to the classrooms in person there was a percentage who, like those in our family, kept on doing what they've been doing all year. Getting up in the morning and signing on through their laptops. 

Here's what the school day looked like in our son and daughter-in-law's kitchen. 

Their family was profiled in a piece about Virtual Academy for our local newspaper back in August when they began the year, and with a second, front page, "wrap-up" piece this week on the last day. Mr. G and I were on hand Tuesday for their final day of this school year. I was impressed, seeing first-hand, their abilities to stay on task, keep track of their breaks by setting their own timers and being so responsible. This hasn't been easy, not by any means, and so much of the credit goes to those at home supervising this method of schooling; but, I'm proud of these young students who've hung in there and rolled with the punches every step of the way.  The lessons learned along the way will serve them for a lifetime. 

Well done!

Life is Good! 

Back To School?

It's a whole new world, learning-wise. Last week Lucy Ann had a full school day on Friday, even though she was visiting us, and away from home, she brought her "classroom" with her and didn't miss a beat. She set up her laptop in the bedroom, closed the door, and only emerged for breaks and lunch. She and her brother have opted for virtual learning this entire school year. Mason is beginning Middle School and Lucy Ann is in the fourth grade this year. Their typical first-day picture shows laptops replacing their backpacks. 

After that picture was taken they simply turned around and went back inside the house! North Carolina is still a mixed bag as far as opening up is concerned, and the whole school situation is complicated. The more populated counties have held fast to distance learning (at home) for the first quarter and will assess the in-person option once again as time moves forward. Faced with that decision to make (go back or go virtual), and not knowing what the schools will look like, exactly, when/if they do re-open: masks, social distancing, removal of social activities like recess and specials, this family chose the virtual all year option. They approached the decision as a family and were in agreement. Our daughter, their mother, is a teacher assistant and has chosen to do that virtually as well. They've each carved out their own work spaces at home and this seems to be working, there's still a few kinks but each day is getting better and going more smoothly.  

Our son's family has chosen the same path, they've reached the same conclusion as a family, our daughter-in-law not only has Gregory and Lynnleigh at home but also another brother/sister team for their learning days. Our son constructed the work station for them (in background) to our DIL's (also a teacher) strict specifications. She's been on "furlough" from teaching for some time, but once a teacher always a teacher! This photo (above) is from our local newspaper. The family was featured in  a front-page article on Monday on this very subject: virtual classrooms. 

 Lynnleigh was excited and very proud to have her picture on the front page, above the fold! 😉

As you can tell from these photos, also from the featured newspaper article (!), back-to-school is looking quite different for families this year. Just like everyone's comfort level is on a sliding scale for venturing out, we need to trust that everyone is making the best, most informed, choice that they can to stay safe and healthy wherever they live. We're all adapting in an upside-down 🙃world right now. Wishing students everywhere the best of all learning years, even if that classroom just so happens to be their own kitchen!

Life is Good! 

 

This and That

I'm keeping busy, there's always too much to do and not enough time to get it all accomplished. I don't know how I ever got anything done at all when I was allowed to leave the house! As fast as I finish one project I find three others to work on! I began setting these stitcheries together with low volume 25-patches.

These squares measure 5" finished; with the one inch framing border all around this becomes a 12 inch block. Right now I have a few ideas in my head as far as where these will go eventually, but I will set them aside for now and let the ideas simmer.

I found this new (to me) product that's too good not to share my rave review: if you've ever been confronted with an errant thread that gets caught between your quilt layers and shadows through the top, here's the solution! No matter how well you trim before loading and layering your quilt, threads happen. This is a super-fine tool with a micro hook on the end that slips easily through the weave of cotton fabric, grabs that thread and retrieves it without leaving a trace! Once again, Clover notions to the rescue, they make the best products! I'm really excited about this one. 

We got the sweetest homemade card in the mail from our oldest two grandchildren in the Capital City, they each wrote personal notes inside. They're (along with all the schoolchildren in our state) about to experience the longest summer vacation ever as the governor announced on Friday that schools won't open again this academic year. I feel so sorry for all the children, I can't even imagine. 

Life goes on: Mama Carolina Wren coaxed the babies out of their deep, secluded nest-- they're on their own. She's been so busy flitting in and out with bugs and other treats to feed them, we'll miss watching the activity through the window at our breakfast table. But, now, the brick column can be removed; Mr. G. had that on his "to do" list but was detoured, temporarily, by the babies. 

Adapting during our stay-at-home in an upside down🙃 world: Quiltkeemosabe gave me this wonderful panel; I'm going to load it up and quilt it, as is, to use as a table runner. Isn't it wonderful? It measures 43" X 19". Since it's where we are, and there's no place like it, it's the perfect time. I have found another mask pattern to try out. I have always been a huge Ami Simms fan; so, when this one hit the Internet, naturally I downloaded the pattern and am giving this style a try. This will be the third style that I've stitched up. I lost track a long time ago how many I've made, it's ongoing.

😷

Speaking of Quiltkeemosabe- her husband is coming home from his five week hospital/rehab stay (non-COVID!) tomorrow, at long last. Thanks one and all who continued to hold him in prayer for health and healing. Please continue to pray for him and his family as he acclimates to being back home again and gains his strength back. 

😷

Please indulge me in a soapbox moment: I am deeply saddened and highly aggravated to witness the public shaming, name-calling and finger-pointing that I see on social media aimed at those who may not be complying with the current "rules" for virus prevention or spread as the accuser deems appropriate. Let's all keep in mind here that everyone is doing the very best that they can based on the information that they have. If you see someone without a mask, and you're uncomfortable, avoid them. If you see someone who's not observing social distancing, then be careful to keep your own distance. If a business opens back up and you don't feel safe entering, then, by all means, don't. Wash your hands, keep yourself and your loved ones as safe as you can; but, please, please, be kind. We can't possibly know everyone's story or current circumstance. We're all tired of being isolated, worn out from concern and eager to put this behind us-- but, we're all in this together and a little kindness goes a long, long way.

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5

Life is Good!

Spreadsheet Required

We had the youngest two grandchildren for a few days last week, it was wonderful and BUSY! They're in the third and first grades now and they both have lots of fun activities besides school. Our son had emailed me calendar items to add to my daily schedule as reminders but I find that I need a spreadsheet. It's the way I visualize and plan. It might be antiquated but that works for me, and so, I created one. It worked like a champ! I knew at a glance who needed to be where and when. If it had just been the kiddos and their schedules it would have been one thing; but, during this time, I had a bit of oral surgery and construction began, full bore, on our porch project. Things were hopping at Chez Goodneedle!

The oral surgery was done under sedation, a first for me. I had cracked a molar clear through to the root and a plan was devised, over several steps, to prepare for a dental implant. The tooth was extracted and a bone graft was set in place all while I snoozed. I don't remember a thing about leaving the dentist's office that day or anything (I suppose that's good!) until I woke up sitting in the car in the Chick-Fil-A parking lot (Mr. Goodneedle was bringing lunch home for the work crew that day). I've had a follow-up visit since; all is well. I'll have the remaining stitches removed in a few weeks' time. 

Here's where we stand today with the progress on our porch project, we're roofed in; Mr. Goodneedle is busy with wiring and doing the things that he can do as we move forward. We will, eventually, have ceiling fans and a tongue-and-groove ceiling, (as well as screens) this space will be much loved and well-used come spring and warmer temperatures.  

Our dress-loving six-year-old granddaughter maneuvering around the rink at ice hockey practice!

So, back to the grandchildren-sitting and my spreadsheet: except for Lynnleigh's art lesson the day of my afore-mentioned surgery (there simply wasn't time to squeeze it in!) neither Gregory or Lynnleigh missed a beat: they were at school, their respective music lessons, Daisy and Cub scouts and ice hockey practice. Homework was completed, meals were on the table at the correct hour and baths and bedtimes were accomplished on time and successfully. This New England girl absolutely loved watching them skate! Truth be told: I am a HUGE hockey fan!! Their gear bags are, literally, as big as they are and the only mishap last Sunday afternoon was losing a glove somewhere in the melee associated with leaving the ice at the end of practice and getting all their gear off and in the proper duffle bags while they chased around to find the candy-bearing coach who hands out treats. I'd still consider our time as temporary surrogate parents a huge win! As Mr. Goodneedle stated: "keeping children is a young persons' sport!" Clearly, we're not too old yet! It's been quiet around here since they returned home. And now it's Thanksgiving week-- bring it on, I can't wait to have them back here again!

Life is Good!

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving!

Up next: There IS A Simpler Way!

Wrapping It Up

I'm down to quilting the last few rows of blocks in this quilt: "Jackstones". It's been on the rails for a very long time; so long, in fact, that I have removed it and replaced it three times already to quilt pantographs on other quilts while it languished! It really is way beyond time that this one gets wrapped up. I don't know about you but I feel a particular sense of urgency at this time of year, a push to get things done, wrap up loose ends and complete tasks. I believe it goes back to all those years of being a student. The month of May signals "end of year" like nothing else in my mind, that signal increases in frequency and volume with each passing day in the month. Just thinking about term papers being due, final exams and end-of-year this or that can still elicit a cold sweat, even after all these decades. With increased age I am keenly aware now, more than ever, of the all-too-swift pace of time passing; easily gauged through the rocket-like growth of my own grandchildren. There's no time like now; right now! "Wrap it up, finish the job, get it done" echoes in my head, "there are new challenges on the horizon". We were invited to a few "end of year" programs for Gregory and Lynnleigh at their respective schools (didn't school only just begin last week?).  They were both adorable, naturally.

Lynnleigh, age 4

Gregory, age 6

Back to the job at hand, only a few more rows. "Wrap it up, finish the job, get it done"... almost there!

None of us know how much time we have; but I, for one, know that I don't want to spend forever quilting on just one quilt! There's simply too many other things that I want to try and need to get done. I am thankful for this ingrained "end-of-year" urgency that not-too-gently propels me forward, presses me onward; yep, it's high time increase that final effort and wrap things up! Summer (and all the fun and adventure that one word implies) awaits; and beyond that there are newer, bigger, mountains to climb! I'm sure you remember that feeling too: the giddy excitement of what's to come.

Life is Good!

Up next: "Twirl, Girl, Twirl!"

Road Trip Time Out

Mason- Grade 2

I'm leaving the "Road Trip" posts temporarily for back to school photos. You knew that had to happen, right?

Lucy Ann- First day of Kindergarten

Gregory- Kindergarten first day

Gregory- first school bus ride home; it was a success!

Our babies! Where has the time gone? In honor of that auspicious day that rolls around every year at the end of August, Nana created each one a special back-to-school pillowcase of their own.

Also for that "first day" our small quilt group rose to the occasion and produced fifty three fabulous nap blankets that were delivered to the pre-K classes at the local elementary school that we adopted some years ago. Each child in three classes there will choose their very own nap blanket to snuggle with all year and keep forever when school dismisses at the end of the year.

Lynnleigh returned to pre-school again this morning. This face! As I told her mother, if her father had put on a sad expression when he was this age, to protest something he didn't want to do, it didn't faze me, he did it anyway; I was immune to emotional manipulation. But this one? If I had been at her house this morning I would have swept her up in a big hug and allowed her to stay at home! That's what God does when he creates grandmothers! Awwww... I pray that she's smiling again now.

Life is Good!

The EPIC Road Trip installments will resume again tomorrow. 

Get ready to hop back in the car!

Can You Hear Me Now?

I cleaned out a couple of drawers and a cabinet today; that's not what this blog post is about, but I always feel good when I can report that I am winning waging the a war against clutter. Okay, well, indirectly the cleaning spurt leads to the subject matter of this post. These are my own earbuds, discovered amidst a tangle of cords for various electronic devices we no longer own. I am happy for the rediscovery; although, I admit, I hardly ever use these. Anyway... back to the subject. Yesterday I was running  errands in the late afternoon and had the misfortune of being behind a school bus as it stopped at each and every side street and driveway. The students disembarking appeared to be middle school age. Without exception, each student stepped off the bus loaded down with a backpack the size of a Mini Cooper, full of books I would assume, with earbuds in their ears. Not one student was in conversation with another. Some of these bus stops let off six or seven 12-14 year olds at one time, each one was in their own little world. Plugged in, music or phone, straight to individual brains. I wondered, through this observation, when interpersonal skills are learned. I can't help but think that this isn't a good thing; not for them now, not for their futures. Am I wrong? Maybe I am. Perhaps I am way off base. By virtue of the fact that I am blogging about this to readers whom I may never meet, or speak with in person, I am likely guilty of the same false reality. I can't help but think, though, that if the students whom I observed yesterday pulled out those earbuds, lifted their faces from the ground and actually SPOKE with their neighbors and fellow students (let alone listened to the birds singing and happy sounds of children running and playing around them) how much richer their daily lives would be.

Life is Good!

Subtle Shifts

Things are changing... albeit slowly, the shifts are subtle ones. The changes take place one. day. at. a. time. Who notices such things as they occur? But then, all of a sudden, it has happened. The mornings grow just a degree or two cooler when I step outside to walk each day. One by one the darkening evenings happen a moment or two sooner. The green leaves of summer surrender their edges to nature's paintbrush for a makeover. The landscape is transformed. Summer releases her grip and slowly, silently, slips into fall. Babies become first graders.

Time marches on and waits for noone.

Hold on as tight as you can, enjoy each and every day; the shifts are subtle but changes will happen... celebrate them.

Life is Good!

 

We've Got Them Covered!

This is what twenty-five nap blankets looks like. They're waiting, along with some more to be picked up this weekend, to be delivered to the Pre-K classes at a local school on opening day. The small quilting group of which I'm a part, our "Bee", adopted a specific school a few years ago, we supply three classrooms there each year when the school year starts. Our Guild describes the program this way:  The Nap Blanket Program provides these simple covers to  Pre-Kindergarten classrooms in our local school system's schools which meet the criteria as an Equity Plus School. For an elementary school that designation is a school where over 75% of the students receive free or reduced lunches. The children who receive the nap blankets claim their own and keep them to take home forever at the end of the school year. It is hard to describe the happiness on a little one's face when they choose their very own blanket!

These blankets are simply constructed with two one yard lengths of child-friendly fabric, a front and a back. They're sewn right sides together, turned and top-stitched around the edges and with a corner to corner "X" through both layers, there is no batting. I bagged these up yesterday, preparing them for delivery and realized how very much this stack weighs; wow, it is heavy, that's when I realized the obvious... this is fifty yards of fabric! I'm grateful to be a member of such a generous group of quilting friends; we are all blessed with so much, this annual project elicits nothing but pure joy.

Life is Good!

Goodbye, Summer!

Today, as I sit here wearing a pair of white slacks for the last time this season, I am thinking about how quickly the summer has sped by and stare in disbelief at a newly turned calendar page... how on earth can it be September already?  Back in April, when my parents were visiting here, they bought us a small Black-Eyed Susan plantling... I remember the anticipation associated with its potential blooming as I set it into the garden. Well, that little plant took off and grew and bloomed with complete and glorious abandon; it didn't happen overnight but slowly, one day at a time, it got bigger and brighter and better! This plant turned out to be so much more beautiful and vibrant than I had even dared to hope; that's the same way I feel about this summer's passing. Let's face it, all time seems to speed by at breakneck velocity the older we get, but these last few months have been filled with happy days and priceless moments that defined my summer of 2014 as one even better than I had ever dreamed possible! Labor Day has always represented a major shift in my mind; either it was the end of summer for me and a new school year or it was that for our children when they were still at home. New schedules for fall, new classes, and the end of lazy, summer days used to bring a certain and distinct sadness to my heart and mind.

This is a photograph of my own daughter in 1981 on her first day of Kindergarten, looking at it, even today, still brings a lump to my throat.  My own children returning to school was always a bittersweet day for me when they were growing up, I wasn't a Mom who looked forward to summer's end, not one bit. Tomorrow my oldest grandson will sit in a Kindergarten classroom and this little girl, now the mother, will experience those same emotions that I felt back on this day 33 short years ago. Change happens, it's inevitable, but it happens ever so gradually, every single day! There are those markers that signal the transitions in a BIG way... like Labor Day screaming "summer's end" in our faces, or the first day of a new school year, but also happening at the same time, almost invisibly, are those quiet, daily, transitions as each hour and day slide one into the next. All of a sudden I've become acutely aware of time's passing as I stand, looking back at a string of yesterdays and realizing how precious every day, month and season has been... and how, just like that multi-bloomed Black-Eyed Susan demonstrated to me, they slowly combine and evolve to produce memories of days-gone-by that are so much more wonderful than I had ever even hoped that they would turn out to be!

Embrace today, change will occur tomorrow... it might be a big one or you may barely even notice it, but it will happen. This evening I'll hang my white slacks back in the closet one last time, it's my way of telling summer good-bye. I'm not sad anymore, though, today I am grateful. Why? Because today, on this last "official" day of summer, I find myself looking forward eagerly; ahead of me are a string of tomorrows that each hold the promise of something so much better than I can even imagine, or dare to hope.

Happy Labor Day... it's all good!

Life is Good!