Saturday, December 16, 2017

An eye-opener


I'm a pretty active person and I'm a pretty positive person and I'm also able to entertain myself.

However, the last couple of days have been an eye-opener. I've been home alone during the day and sometimes well into the evening. Yes, I have the two girls to keep me entertained and yes, I have lots of work to keep me busy. BUT - it's amazing how "lonely" one can get by yourself the entire day.

Now I have the option to go out for a walk which I did (with the girls which is a challenge) and I have the option to get in the car and go somewhere, which I didn't. But I didn't have a conversation with anyone and no place to go. I even thought if I hurried up and read my book, I could walk to the library to return it!  I can't imagine how people (seniors and other shut-ins) can handle being alone all day. I'd go insane probably within a couple of weeks. No wonder people turn to the TV to keep them entertained.

When you work, it's pretty difficult to pass a day where you don't interact with your co-workers. If you're a shopper, you're amongst other people. I'm not about to take up shopping so I guess that means we need to go to the dog park every day! I just heard cheers (bark, bark, woof, woof!) down the hall, but it's so cold outside!

Seriously though, this is a very serious problem. This is where I see the benefit of a retirement home or condo living or having people drop in or chat on the phone or whatever. I better get myself in order soon or I'll be going crazy.

However, I am getting work done and that's a good thing. I try to do computer work in the morning and I have enough to keep me busy for several weeks and I quilt in the afternoon. Notice - NO fun quilting or play time just for me. That will come and besides - it's the weekend and I can do whatever I want. That hasn't happened in a long long time!  The ENTIRE weekend!

But I managed to whip off another HUGE quilt yesterday and it's all trimmed and I wish I could say ready for pickup, except this particular customer always includes the binding with her projects. So she can show me how efficient she is?  Nope - she wants me to sew the darn thing on for her! That's a project for later today.

Customer quilt - DONE!

The next quilt is loaded and ready to go later this afternoon as well. I'm on a roll and I might as well get as much done as I can because my long arm is going to the spa and to get an upgrade in January and I want to try and get the customer quilts that are sitting here done!


I got a nice gift in the mail the other day. Look at this calendar from Thimble and Things (love the store). They are in Orillia. Sue made a calendar and I love it. It's a nice size - not too big, got a nice coil binding on it.

Thimbles & Things 2018 Calendar


And what's inside?  Well - have a look - oh my - there's a quilt of mine!  Thanks Sue for including me in your project. Someone asked me the other day if I had a pattern for a license plate quilt and I said no. This isn't really a pattern and it's very specific to me. However, now that I have some time, I'm thinking it's time to get a Row by Row license plate pattern in the works!

My quilt in Thimbles & Things calendar
 I don't think Sue knows this, but my birthday is in August so she picked an appropriate month to showcase my quilt.

The calendars are available for $10. When you buy one, your name goes into a draw for either a $150, $100, or $50 gift certificate. The winners will be drawn when all the calendars are sold. I think that's a super idea and what fun to showcase some local designers and/or quilts that were hung in the store this past year.  Thanks, Sue - another brilliant idea!

I have another quilt that needs to be made for a magazine and I'm not sure what design to come up with for it. That's been mulling in my head for the last week. I need to come up with an idea this weekend. I thought of something but when I went to search out my Cut A Round ruler, I couldn't find it. Did someone by any chance borrow the ruler? Did I leave it at my last class? 







It's the standard one that cuts from 6" to 17" circles? I need to take better note when I loan stuff out. It's quite possible that it's here somewhere, but it's a big ruler and hard to just leave under something. I'm usually pretty careful about putting that one back where it belongs.  So if you have it and it's mine, let me know.  If you have one and you don't want it and want to sell it - let me know. If you're in the area, I'll buy it from you!

On that note, I'm off to see what I can get done today. I won't be lonely today or tomorrow - we've got plans!

Have a great day!

Ciao!


2 comments:

  1. "Being alone and loneliness" I am an expert as that's been my life for 17 years.
    Being alone can be wonderful- not having to stop to get meals, working to your own schedule and getting tons accomplished.
    Loneliness, on the other hand creeps up on us when we least expect it, screws up our emotions and makes us useless - nothing gets accomplished, motivation is gone, panic and stress take over.
    Managing the two is an ongoing battle. Motivational Monday has been good for me. Setting goals and reporting in gives a person purpose. I am always telling my quilting friends how much this group has inspired me. Thanks Elaine for making it happen.

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    1. Helen -- WOW --- can't imagine being alone for 17 years. With everything else going on - you are a VERY STRONG person! It's definitely something that many of us face and we need to take steps to keep on top of it. I think you're doing a great job. I do like the setting goals things and reporting - it makes us accountable. I'm so happy that you're liking the group. Have you made your list for 2018? TAke care Helen!

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