Metaphorically Speaking

I am not afraid.  I am not afraid to take out the screws and open up the machine.  I am not afraid to remove pieces and poke at the cogs.  I am not afraid to search the Internet for the part required and order it.  I will not be afraid to replace this part when it arrives (found a tutorial online). 

A quick call to a sewing machine repair shop and the price comparsion braced my courage, ordering the parts for $16.65 (shipping included) versus a $120 repair bill. 

The quilting production line has been brought to a stand still by a worn out feed dog gear set.  I'm bummed, the second child's blanket is prepped and pinned to finish binding the edges. 

So, I'm looking at the pieces laying around the upended machine, the inner workings bared for all (me) to see.  It makes the mind wander over the metaphors such a scene can conjure . . . . and I am not afraid.

The past year is a milestone for our family of three.  D. and I both turned 50.  We've embraced this birthday along with the stronger prescription for glasses, easily sparked aching joints, tired bodies; basic older ailments. 

L. turned 18, graduated from high school, moved away to college and throwing us into an unexpectedly strong swirl of empty nest emotions.  My heart has been as tender as my aging body; easily tired, vulnerable to bruising, quick to want to recoil and hide away.

Yet, as there are replacement parts to fix a broken machine time also heals the heart.  L. has settled into his new normal and so have D. and I.  We counteract the aging process by continuing our quest for a healthier lifestyle, getting good sleep and soaking regularly in the hot tub.  Sewing has been a balm to my frazzled feelings, pouring my emotions into fabric as D. pours his into cooking.  The results have been multiple quilts and fabulous meals.

I'm anxious to get my machine fixed because what was a panacea for the first year of college is becoming a productive hobby.  I expect D. will continue to cook too.

What milestone have you recently reached?

Body Tune-Up

January of 2010 D's employer embarked on a wellness program.  At start up every participating employee was given 17 sessions with Weight Watchers plus multiple other incentives to make healthy lifestyle choices.  D. led his campus, and our family, through those 17 weeks with much success. 

We have continued with the wellness program taking advantage of the monetary incentives earned by participating in tasks that direct us towards better health.

Along with all the information provided we have made our own discoveries that have helped in our personal journey. 

Achieving your personal weight loss is a time for celebration and deserves recognition.  Even as we struggled to remain steadfast in our efforts it was helpful when others recognized the loss and were affirming and encouraging.

Both D. and I believe that the toughest part of our wellness program is maintenance.  The initial kickoff and anticipation of embarking on a challenge with co-workers is long past.  Many of us reached our goals and incentives remain in place but the program, and all those involved, have moved to maintenance mode.

The excitement has waned and we no longer check each other's progress or encourage each other along.  I'm afraid to bring it up.  I've gained some weight back, as have others and who wants to be asked to admit it?  We realize it is time for a body tune-up, a Weight Watchers refresher. 

D. and I both put some weight back on and are going back to the basics to lose it before our determination turns to complacency.  We have gone back to WW Points Plus but we restart well informed which makes this experience somewhat different than the first time. 

A new discovery is a blog with tasty 'lightened'  recipes.  Emily Bites offers up reduced calorie recipes we find simple to make, enjoyable to eat and easy to plug into our wellness program.

To all those who are reaching for a better, healthier lifestyle I encourage you to; keep up the good work, don't get discouraged, continue to keep trying. 

What great tips have you discovered?

Pictures from: 
inc.com
clipartof.com
dragonwritingprompts.blogsome.com

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed.

Easter, like other holidays, has it traditions and memories.  I was confirmed into the Congregational Church body and understood the significance of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter morning.  My sisters and I also enjoyed the fun of Easter outfits, baskets of candy and the Easter bunny.


We were a rural family with limited discretionary funds so we made our baskets out of old shoe boxes.  My mother made this an anticipated activity by letting us design and create our own masterpieces with construction paper, crayons and the yearly recycled plastic grass.  We colored two dozen eggs to put in our baskets then hid them for the Easter bunny to find and re-hide.

By Good Friday we had been to Copps in Oshkosh, or downtown Portage, to purchase our Easter outfits.  My most memorable outfit is a sky blue pant suit that had a white stripped lapel and button front with yellow smiley faces for buttons.  (Who can date this outfit?)

Early Sunday morning we attended Sunday school and church then home to hunt our baskets.  Our baskets appeared to overflow with candy, socks, underpants (practical gifts of necessities) and small items such as a kite or small game, books, pencils or stationary.

D and I incorporated most of these traditions and even with our son away at college I put together an Easter basket and sent it to him in time for Easter Sunday.  We will observe the holy days remembering what Christ suffered and rejoicing on Easter morning for what the resurrection means for us.  I pray your life is full of joy and peace by knowing the love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite Easter tradition or memory?

Pictures from:
dream-it-make-it.blogspot.com
turnbacktogod.com
thefind.com

A Spring Campaign of Color

Here in the Panhandle we are experiencing a short spring.  We hit the 90's and it's just the end of March!  This warm/hot weather has brought out the flowers in wonderful color and made the lawn an emerald carpet.  This is a favorite time of year, before the heat browns the yard and the sun burns up the foliage. 

Here is a small sample of the color that spring has sprung:

Pansies



All this color is around the tree in the backyard.

These beautiful colors are next to the house.

The rose garden will burst out next. 

Last Thursday was spent raking, weeding and trimming.

It is not unusual to experience a hard freeze in April, after the budding,

diminishing the bushe's full glory.

The temps this week make me eager to embrace summer.  

What does your yard look like? 

Who's in Charge?

Feelings are fickle things.  They can settle in and haunt us or change with a heartbeat.  There is a mantra I share with my son, and all who will listen, "Don't let your feelings make your decisions."  How you feel today will not be how you feel tomorrow or next week or next year.  Especially strong feelings will wane, often more quickly then you expect.

Knowing this, strongly advising this, you may anticipate that when a strong feeling takes hold of me the struggle is minimal.  On the contrary, it seems twice as difficult to control my behavior because I know better.

I've shared that the empty nest syndrome has plagued me since last August.  I've poured much of that energy into quilting (working on #5 currently) but there are days when I have missed L. something terrible.  We've gone through two campus visits, the holiday breaks and most recently a wonderful week of spring break.  As I wave good-by my heart grows heavy.

In my mind there is no saddness.  L. is doing so well adapting to college life.  He is managing his own changes with maturity and good decisions.  He stays in touch with us, sharing his struggles, concerns and new experiences. 

My heart, on the other hand, is desperately seeking a change.  The feeling is strong to change my environment (what I have control over) and change it now.  My mind knows this is not the thing to do, don't let your feelings make decisions, but oh, the struggle is tough.  I'm thankful D. is so patient and understanding of my mercurial feelings but more so his steadfastness in thwarting any rash actions.

The empty nest experience is one of those personal, common experiences, with none being the same.  There are those who can empathize or sympathize or just love me through this. I appreciate you all.  I am assured by those who have gone before that these moments of strong emotion will eventually subside.  In the meantime I hold true to the statement; don't let your feelings make your decisions. 

Pictures from:
plus.google.com
my.englishclub.com
i-am-changing-my-life.seebyseeing.net

Your Dynamic Style, Right On Target

Fashionista is not a word I would use to describe myself but I do like to look nice and dress to my best advantage.  In a continual quest towards life-long learning I've made efforts to educate myself on fashion and it's many facets. 

Advertisers are not good fashion advisers as their intent is to sell merchandise, whether it looks good on you or not.  With this in mind a "good job" shout out goes to Target for their latest 'color changes everything' campaign.  This quick advertising spot does a great job of showing the dynamic difference color can make on anything. 

Another good example, specifically for clothes, is in the opening credits of "What Not To Wear" (those seeking an education in fashion, you need to make this a favorite) provides a great demonstration of going from drab to dynamic, with color. 

This opening sequence took me to the store for my son.  Warm, summer tones are 'his' color.  I learned that the right scarf would help his leather jacket go from a good look to a better look.  Notice, along with the scarf, his shirt is also a warm color.  Color makes a dynamic difference.

I applaud Target for their entertaining, educational commercial and I encourage those who find themselves fashion challenged to pay attention. 

When choosing your outfit pick a piece that you like, combine with a piece that you love, then add two choices of bling (purse, shoes, jewelry, scarf). In the words of What Not To Wear 'bling squared', will finish an outfit.

A good eye isn't something you buy it's something you learn.  Educate yourself to your color, correct size and fit.  You'll be pleasantly surprised at how it takes your look from drab to dynamite. 

What is your favorite piece of bling?







pictures from:
flicker.com

Re-Cycle, Re-Craft: A Blanket Story

In the midst of my current quilting project, a Quilt-As-You-Go, I placed an order for a nifty tool that I'll wait on to continue, so, I'm digging in my remnant bag to see what treasures are waiting to be made.  In the depths I pull out a nice, large piece of camouflage material backed with soft flannel. 

The story behind this remnant goes back almost ten years when my sewing projects were annual Christmas pajamas for my son.  We were at my sister-in-law's for the holidays and her son, an avid outdoors man, had this piece of fabric.  During our discussion of the pajamas he asked me to make him a pair of shorts.

The shorts never got made but here was this nice, large remnant, a perfect size for a child's blanket.  This same nephew now has two adorable children.  The only kicker was a 1/4 of a yard chunk cut out of the corner.


Off to the wonderful world of fabrics; Hancock's and Joann's in my town, to see what kid friendly border could be found plus a suitable replacement for the corner. 

Hancock's was the winner with the fun frogs on camo print as well as a brown fleece for the replacement piece.


The finished blanket has a 4 inch border and a brown square with  frogs cut out of the fabric and ironed in place.

 I really like the whimsy of the frogs on camo which give the original piece a kid friendly feel.  I hope my nephew is happy with the final product, instead of his shorts, and the kids enjoy the warmth of their camouflage blanket.


This makes complete 'quilt' number 4 since September.  Number 5 is well underway.  I have to credit the empty nest energy, it keeps me productive.