What IS normal, anyway?

Is there a normal life? Does anyone ever live a normal life? Sometimes I find myself wanting to “get back to a normal routine”. But usually, it just means “getting to do whatever I want to do, when I want to do it”. Wait a minute – that sounds exactly like my definition of being retired. And since I am retired, why am I not living a normal life? Oh, I know! I haven’t done a lick of sewing or quilting since I put all of those sleeves on all those quilts that you saw in my last post. I think I’m having withdrawal symptoms.

News from the studio

Studio time has been limited to non-sewing stuff. I finally got sick of the larger pieces of batting stashed all over the place, and got them a bit organized. I took a hamper we weren't using and put all the smaller pieces in it - when the bag is full, I'll put them into a clear bag and put them in the guild auction in the fall. The big pieces I measured, labeled, and have found a place for them in the closet.

Sometimes, I like to serge the raw edges of yardage before it is pre-washed. The little, inexpensive serger I have has languished, unused for a few years, so I knew it had to be serviced. I'd prefer to just make it a boat anchor, but in case it could be saved... So, my traveling service guy stopped by the house, spruced 'er up good, tightened up the tension control wheels, and now she just hums along. Just wish she would thread herself!

A visit to the Mead Orchard

Last week, the DH and I drove to upstate NY, to visit my sister and her DH. His family owns a large orchard near Tivoli, Mead Orchards. They grow many varieties of apples, peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, you name it. They also have some acreage in veggies and fruits, like strawberries and blueberries for the summer markets. They have pick your own in the fall, make their own cider, and on and on.

Oh, the DS and I have started our own shop hop in that part of the country. There are NO quilt stores in her area – but if you are willing to drive (and who isn’t?) you can hit a few. We found 2 of them, one in Selkirk (got some batik @ 25% off) and my favorite so far, The Patchwork Co., in Windham. That's one of their blocks of the month. Great store! 

 Back to real life

After all of that, it’s back to “normal” – but the mundane kind: fill up the frig, go to the pharmacy, make dr. appointments, take care of guild business, etc. and still no quilting! Sorry, I just can’t devote my life to the mundane. So, the payoff for all that mundane stuff is to reward myself with studio time!! The goal today is to wash the batik I got in NY and figure out where I am on that Precision Piecing class quilt.

So, do the daily chores with joy, knowing that your reward is waiting for you in your sewing space!

Now let’s go quilting!