Rules to live by

I had to laugh yesterday as the mystery book I was listening to mentioned the Camino! One of the potential suspects was walking the Camino, which ruled them out as a suspect! How timely!

Over the years, millions of "pilgrims" have walked the Camino, and many have written books about their journey. I've read the Jane Christmas book (What the Physic told the Pilgrim) -- that was probably the first one I read. I know there's a movie (The Way) I will watch when I get back. Watch that trailer -- it makes me cry!!!! I've seen the Shirley Maclaine book (sounds like she did this the VERY HARD way -- no making friends and begging for food - that won't be me) and I'll Push You (also a movie, and the trailer will make you cry!). Watching those trailers makes me emotional -- I'll be a wreck on the trail!  

I won't be writing a book, but I'll be writing my blog, which is the same thing but with lots of pictures! And you all get to share the experience. 

I'll be sharing some of my equipment purchase adventures before I go, and YES -- I'll answer some questions that I bet are burning in your mind but too afraid to ask. Those will have to wait for another day. All I can say is I'm running out of time! 

But -- I'm in good shape. I've got a plan, and I've got lists, and I'm following them, and even better, I'm on track. 

Here's something that I spotted on IG last night, and WOW -- this is so appropriate and an interesting way to look at your day - every day. 

Rules to live by

1. Get up early. Yes, I get up early every day and love doing that, and I get so much done in those first hours of my day. 

2. Express gratitude for what you have. While I don't actually come out and say "thank you" to the day, I often think that I am very fortunate in what I have: my health, my girls, DH, my lifestyle, and most important -- being able to choose! Yes, I am extremely grateful and need to be more aware of that. 

3. Do something productive. OK --- so this is where the day got interesting. I got a customer quilt done. 

Customer quilt - DONE

I've finished cutting out the magazine quilt that needs to be done before I leave, and I sorted and tidied up in Studio U and Studio B. So yes -- I feel my day was pretty productive. And here's some productivity from the day before. 

When Diane used to call me to ask for more fabric to sew into quilts for community projects, I used to panic. What to give her? I'm ahead of the game, as I have a cupboard with fabric kits "on deck." So when she called, like she did the day before, I had stuff ready to take to her. 

Fabric for Diane to sew

Two of those bags above were waiting in the cupboard, and I decided to dig more out since I'll be away for a while, and I don't want her to run out! 

I opened two tubs under the long arm, neither of which was completely full. I sorted them into groups or collections or things that would go together. 

Soring fabric into collections

And I set aside about 6 more fabric bundles for her to work on the next time she needs something. 

Waiting "on deck" for Diane

I had help, of course, and I swear she has claimed that piece of fabric as her own! 

The helper

The remainder fit into one tub that isn't full, and I have an empty tub. 

One empty tub!

I popped that empty tub to the other side of the long arm, and now all the cardboard boxes are gone! There are three tubs of fabric left under the long arm, and since most of that is monochromatic stuff, I might sort it by color and start going through my stash, pulling out one color, and adding in the monochromatic stuff. That's something I'll be thinking about on my trip. Maybe not! 

An empty tub

And there it is -- a hole under the long arm! Oh my -- well, I'll confess that it didn't take long before I found a tub from Studio U that filled that space. It's only half a tub, but I'm getting so giddy at my new organization that this isn't working. This is FUN!

Empty space under the long arm

4. Do something fun! Well, I enjoy everything I do, including sorting and organizing. The more organized and clean things are -- the more fun this becomes! I finished my audiobook and went for a walk -- almost 15 K again. I NEED to get that backpack on and start walking with it, so I'll be used to it. Time is running out. 

5. Do something for someone else. Does being a shoulder to cry on count? A friend I've known for years called me a while back to say that his wife had liver cancer. She was diagnosed in March, and she passed two nights ago. He called me to talk, and I listened. It is so sad - here's a grown man who I've NEVER seen cry, and he is devastated. I wish I was closer, so I could give him a hug, but he lives in a different city. 

And we had a few laughs amongst the tears. They live in an apartment, and my friend said that he has to go through her things in a storage locker. GASP!!! NOT the storage locker! I think it's a lot of clothes and he has no idea what to do with them. Thankfully, an adult daughter is in the picture, and she can help (hopefully). 

But this should be an eye-opener for everyone. Nat had little time or inclination to deal with her stuff after her diagnosis, and now it's left to her husband. Think long and hard about having a storage unit, and think long and hard about what you currently own. I know that is something I"ll be thinking about on my trip. What else needs to go from my house? How much do I need at home if I can live for 40 days from a 10 LB backpack? 

6. Get some sunlight. Absolutely --- not only do I take my Vitamin D pill (Mary -- I'm learning to take it every day!), but I'm outside for a couple of hours every day -- rain or shine, snow or sleet. I NEED to be outside, or I'll die!

7. Exercise  -- As I mentioned, I was out walking three times yesterday. In the morning for the girls, in the afternoon for me (no errands), and in the evening to drop off and pick up stuff from Diane. 

And I got my hanger for my Conqueror medals hung up yesterday. 

My medals hanger

I don't have a ton of medals, but I want to display them. 

My medals are in a heap

Notice how the one on the right isn't hanging nicely? Why is that? The bands are sewn to lie flat around your neck, not the flat bar. 

This medal is crooked

So I unsewed the seam and turned the fabric to make a flat loop! I love it. Those three medals represent 10,836 KM or 6,733 Miles. That's amazing and even more amazing to realize that I started on December 30, 2019. That's the equivalent of 11.6 KM (more or less EVERY DAY) for 2½ years! That's a HUGE commitment to walking! It's free, you can do it anywhere, and everyone CAN do it! Yep  -- I have aches and pains and arthritis in my knees, and my hips and back aren't always happy, but I do this for my mental health. And drugs work wonders! 

My medals! 

I don't need the motivation to walk -- I walk to do my errands, I walk the dogs, but mostly I want for ME. My mental health changes are HUGE. I firmly believe walking has helped me clear my head about the junk in my house, how I spend my time, and much more. I don't take entertainment with me on my walks -- no audiobooks, no music, just nature, and my brain! 

8. Put a smile on someone's face. I'm not sure I did this -- I know that others did this to me. I think I did -- at least I chatted with some neighbors, so hopefully, I put a smile on their faces!

9. Express gratitude or compliment someone. I thanked Diane for the quilts she had for me. I sure hope I did, and if I didn't -- Diane, here's a huge THANK YOU for everything you do!!!

Here are NINE quilts with backing and binding that I picked up from her in the last two days. 

Three quilts to be quilted

Six more quilts to be quilted

10. Learn or do something new. Oh gosh -- me who is always going on about learning -- did I learn something? Well, I didn't learn anything, but I'm going to try something new, and it was delivered yesterday. I'll share that with you in a couple of days. You're going to be SHOCKED. 

I have to say that I LOVE that list, and it's something that we should be looking at each and every day. Perhaps not those exact 10 things, but we need to be living our lives a bit more than we are! I know I was guilty of working too hard and frantically to get everything done. I know I'm in a lull right now, but when things pick up, I don't know that I want to return to that frantic pace. There has to be some downtime! 

Anyway, I leave you with that list as I think it's something to contemplate, and even if you work a 12-hour shift every day, NONE of those things above would take very long to accomplish and could be completed while you work! Think about it -- this is the ONLY life you get, so live it to its fullest!!!

And who turned down the thermostat? It's practically freezing this morning!! But I'm not complaining -- these days are SO comfortable, and I'm enjoying every second! 

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!

Just keep walking

 I'm feeling pretty accomplished these days. I still have a lot to do, but I'm making progress in all areas, which feels good. I have the time to work on things that are not urgent, and well, things are under control. However, I did forget that I had a meeting yesterday. Oh - it was in my calendar, and well, I was so focused sewing in the afternoon that POOF - the thought never occurred to me. 

I must get better about reviewing the day's events in the morning so that the items stick in my head!!

The good news for today? There's only one reminder today, and that's it. The rest of the day is MINE!!! Oh - I've got loads of plans for today, but I don't have any deadlines. No pick-ups or drop-offs, so I'm totally on my own. 

I think I was excited yesterday, which is why I forgot that meeting. I went on a road trip! Or - should I say that Ronda and I went on a road trip. We went to get my CUSTOM - MADE metal rack for my walking medals. 

Oh great -  there was an accident on the highway which slowed us down for a wee bit, but not much. 

The rack for my walking medals

Isn't that amazing?? I love it! He had previously made some Keep Running, but I didn't want that since I'm not a runner. I asked for Keep walking, and he even changed the figures to walkers from runners!! I would have loved to see his shop, but that'll have to wait for another day. Fortunately, he's not far from our retreat house (Fireside Retreat), so we'll have more opportunities to be in the area. The name of his business is Twisted Wrench Studio. He has a Facebook page.  Thanks to Pat for the recommendation!!!!  

Then a quick stop at our favorite quilt shop (Thimbles and Things) to do some curbside pickups. Holy - that store is hopping even in this crazy time. Not only with online classes but in ordering and servicing customers. All - within the guidelines of the current rules. A BIG thanks to Sue and all her staff to keep things going and stay cheery while doing it! I'll show you my curbside pickup tomorrow or Tuesday when it'll get put to use. 

It was a quick trip up and back. I used to think this was a long way away, but you know what? It's not that far at all. I was listening to an audiobook, and I knew that it would disappear at 1:40 PM. I listened to it on the way to pick up Ronda. I had ELEVEN minutes left when I picked her, so I waited and listened to those eleven minutes after dropping her off. I swear that about five minutes after that - the book disappeared! That was close!!!  The only disadvantage of audiobooks - you can't hang onto them for just a wee bit longer. 

I'm now 20% into the next one, which is long, so I hope to get a good part of that "read" today. Plus, I finished a physical book last night. 

I finished another customer quilt. I don't have a huge pile, so I'm trying to get them all done as one or two have been there for a wee bit longer than I would have liked. Can I get them all done before the end of this month? I sure hope so. I would like to get back to some Quilts of Valour quilts so I can start using those two rolls of batting. 

Customer quilt - DONE

I even managed to get some sewing done - FOR ME!!!!  The blue string quilt is HALF together. So that's good, and I should be able to finish it off later today. 

The blue string quilt

Then I'll need to think carefully about what goes back on that empty wall. I have one more project on the current projects tables where the blocks are done - they just need to be sewn together. I might put that one up, and I need to finish the other one that is half sewn on the other wall. 

But I got a chuckle as I was pressing. I noticed this fabric in one of the blocks. The pink and blue striped one. Yes - it's ugly, but wait. 

A wile arrangement of scrap fabrics

The SAME fabric was in one of the blocks for the other scrappy quilt that I had stitched the night before. What are the chances of that happening?? 

The same fabric is in this block

Oh yes - at one point when I was cleaning (years ago), I had a huge bundle of ugly fabrics, and I cut them up to be used in scrap quilts. I did start to cut them into strips of varying widths as per Bonnie Hunter. Then I realized that I wasn't using the strips. That's NOT how I function - I want to decide on a project and then find the fabrics. I don't like having stuff pre-cut. Anyway -- I don't like the pre-cutting of my scraps. That's just me - I know it works for others. 

Her's what I have left for scraps that have been cut into strips. 

Pre-cut UGLY strips

I'll find a purpose for them. I think they are 2" and 1½". 

I got two more blocks made for the latest scrap quilt. Only 10 more sets to sew. I CAN get this done!

Another set of scrap blocks done

And while sewing those, I'm putting those little blocks together made from the teeny half-square triangles. Yep - look at the size of those things. They are tiny! I think they finish at 3/4". 

Tiny half-square triangles

I know that some of you are madly cleaning, and I got this picture from - well, I won't say her name to protect the innocent. But she had a LOT of embroidery software products, and well, these just won't work any longer. First - the operating system they work on is not current, so that's one clue that these no longer have any value. Let's face it - some of us have software that is more than ONE generation past. PLUS - there are newer, easier to use, and more powerful features than these products. Why would you want to use the older products when you have newer ones? 

A few boxes of old software

We know that we should get rid of this stuff, but it's hard. Why? I think the owner of that software summed it up very nicely in this statement. 

" But the good news is that I had room to get more off my countertop into this now clear space.

 The downside of throwing out is you see the price you paid for these, and the manuals weren’t even opened. ☹"

And sadly, she is right. We see these great products that we bought with the best of intentions. We paid a LOT of money for some of these products and to find that the package was never opened? That's very sad. Plus - one thing about some of this software, and I mean ALL software, comes in a HUGE box containing a little manual and a CD. Takes up a LOT of shelf space. Even if you decide to keep the manual for the moment, it takes up a whole lot less space. 

However, now she has a lot more room on her shelf to put something else there. And here's the thing - if you have Embroidery software - Premier Plus (please!), I'll be teaching some classes through a local sewing machine dealer. So watch for that - I'm sure the spots will fill quickly. The idea is that if we've purchased something, we should use it. At least try it - maybe you won't like it, but at least you know that. 

And even better - if we decide to get rid of it, it's one less thing to clutter our spaces and one less thing for our families to deal with when you're gone. Or imagine having to downsize? I've been at the decluttering for years, and I can't imagine what will be involved in downsizing. 

So when it comes to software (and I NEED to tell myself this repeatedly), if the OPERATING SYSTEM is old on the software, NO ONE else can use it. Well, they may have an older computer, but what are the chances???  Just be mindful of that detail. I find that one VERY HARD to comprehend even though I know better. I'll have to tell you the story of my Dad one day and software. 

Just wait for it - I have a picture to share with you tomorrow that well, I need to be more ruthless.  

Since we're on the software kick - here's your assignment for today. I know we talked about the software before, but I bet you weren't ruthless enough. And your significant other may balk at this one. But dig it all out. ALL of it. Look at the operating system, look at the dates of the programs. Things like tax software, security protection system, and operating systems are all quickly outdated in the tech world. Recycle the boxes, and YES - you can throw the CDs away. Katheleen gave me permission to do that!!!

On that note, I'm off to have a glorious day!!! All by myself with my audiobook, my long arm, and the sewing machine!!

Have a super day!!!!

Ciao!!!!