Maybe I will finish the Christmas quilt this year.

A Few Finishes

There have been some finishes over the last few months.

           

     

                                                                        
   

                     T-Squares for K&K

                                                 

                                                      Breaking Waves for T&L

                                                                                                                                         

                                                           

Kayaking

Our latest adventure was kayaking on a section of the L A River.  What a fun morning!  The L A River is being revitalized and this section is not too far from home.

There were 14 kayaks in our group.  We launched in shallow water then spread out to enjoy the river.  

It's been several years since we rented kayaks.  This was so much fun we are planning an ocean kayaking day soon!

Sewing again!

I can't believe how long I've been away from here!  No excuses.  I guess I would just rather read blog posts than write them.  For several months we were in sort of a holding pattern waiting to see what would happen with Ed's job.  The FAA's indecision is ongoing but we made our decision and Ed retired in October after reaching his 40th anniversary as an air traffic controller.  It is strange not having a work schedule dictating our lives!

Holidays, family and a cruise have kept me away from sewing much too long.  And it’s time to change that!  This week we are “camping in our 5^th wheel” so Ed can attend a seminar for one of his licenses and my little sewing machine came along.  While he was away today I pieced a table runner.  Quilting it will be my first project when we get home.  It felt good to be sewing again!

Changes.............

I'm still here......and "Changes" seem to be the new normal for us.  Just when I think I have things somewhat under control we hit another twist in the road.  You know how that goes.

The latest is retirement.  We have been talking about this next big step happening in a few months.  DH will have been working as an air traffic controller for forty years and we have been getting ourselves ready.  Then a month ago the FAA announced that it was closing all it's contract towers.  After some thought and a lot of talking the idea of retiring sooner rather than later was sounding very nice.  Three days before "R" day our plans came to a halt when the FAA put the tower closures on hold for ten weeks.  We are now in a holding pattern until mid-June and waiting to see what comes next.

Looking back.....

The last few months have been a bit of a roller coaster ride for us.  Most of my time last summer was spent getting Mom's house ready to sell.  Thanks to my DH for tons of support and lots of heavy lifting and to a wonderful realtor we closed escrow the first week of November.  Starting in October I spent way too much time hanging out at hospitals while family members recovered from accidents and health issues. 

So for several months my sewing machine has sat idle because I lacked the time, energy, inspiration and even the desire to sew.  Instead I have gone back to knitting--for me a very calming activity and also very portable.  After knitting several scarves I jumped in and started a sweater.  It's about 2/3 finished and with luck it will fit me when it's done.  It's been many years since I knit sweaters and it feels good to work with yarn again.  My sewing machine is starting to call to me too.  Mom will come home from the hospital in a couple of weeks and I think then I'll be ready to find a UFO and pick up where I left off. 

It feels good to be moving forward again.

Time Flies!

Hmmm.  Where did the last month go?  I feel like I've been running non-stop.  Fortunately this month was full of fun and happy times. 

Our RV trip to St George was great and a much needed get-away.  Because the eclipse occurred at 6pm we were able to set up the scope in the park right beside the RV to view it.  All the comforts of home and I was able to knit while waiting for the big event to take place.

The day after we got home we moved the plane to a hangar and began taking it apart for it's annual inspection.  This year we replaced the carpet so the process was a little more involved than usual.  With luck there will not be any local TFRs next weekend and we will get some flying in.

Son Tim graduated from CSUN with a second masters last week so of course there was celebrating.  Congratulations Tim!!!  And I am days away from closing the books on the bank accounts for the SWS meeting our chapter hosted.  Yippee!

Tomorrow our mini-group goes on its annual quilting retreat.  So today I'm packing up fabric, sewing machine, snacks and all the other "important stuff" we need at retreat.  Hope I don't forget anything.  I'm looking forward to three wonderful days!

Till next time.............

Loose ends

Lots going on but none of it in the sewing room.  I spent Mother's Day with Mom and it was a very nice day.  We went to church then brunch.  Most of last week was spent working on SWS accounting.  I'm so happy that the end is in sight!

We brought the RV home on Friday so all my free time is spent packing.  We will leave Wednesday evening, spend Thursday at Disneyland then work our way to St George, Utah to view the solar eclipse next Sunday.  Summer is here and with the warmer nights hubby is looking forward to lots of telescope time.  And that means more time in the sewing room for me.  But now I have to find a hand project to take on the road.

Till next time.................

Another Finish

It's been a very busy week!  Our chapter of the 99s hosted the Southwest Section meeting over the weekend.  Women pilots from several states gathered and we all had a great time.  Just like quilters there was lots of laughter, photos, food and of course some chocolate and wine to be enjoyed. 

Before the weekend arrived I was able to finish up the little bag I pulled fabric for last week. 

The pattern is Tag Along Tote by Atkinson Designs.  It is fairly quick and easy to make and so nice when you don't want to carry a large (heavy) bag.  This one is a gift for a friend and will be on it's way today. 

Till next time.........

a Finish & a Start

First the Start.............

I have been watching Judy's Design Wall Monday posts on Patchwork Times for such a long time and wanting to join in.  But lots of other have-tos seemed to get in the way.  This week I have a clear design wall with just fabric I pulled for a little bag and the pattern.  By next week it will be done, ready to show you, and on its way to a friend.

& the Finish...........

I've been spending a lot of time working on my grandsons quilt and it is finally finished!  It's been about a year since he helped me pick out fabrics for his quilt.  I drafted the pattern on EQ and as often happens a few design changes were made along the way making for some creative piecing.  Now it's all ready to go home with him. 

Till next time..........................

Hmmmmm..................

It's been a busy week but no excuses.  Seems I would rather spend time reading others blogs than writing in mine...............

Sewing ~ Sewing ~ Sewing

Still no photos to show but I have been sewing the label and binding on my grandson's quilt.  It seems line miles around it!  I'm off to my guild meeting today to sew binding during the meeting and maybe show the quilt.

Happy Easter!

Busy, busy, busy........

The last couple of weeks have been super busy.  I've been spending a lot of time in my sewing room and grandson Seth's quilt is almost done.  He wanted a quillow pocket on it which took a little figuring and fiddling to get it right.  I also toured at the MC yesterday.  And we went flying!  It has been  way too long because of illness and weather complications.  It felt wonderful to be up again -- and the plan is to go flying again tomorrow! 


Till next time..............

New Beginnings

It's never to late for new beginnings.........and I'm so glad!

~Spring is officially here & the arrival of daylight savings time is giving us brighter evening hours.
~We  are feeling well for the first time in weeks--both of us were hit hard by several bugs that were going around this winter.
~Mom is nicely recovered from her December surgery.
~I have ventured back into my sewing room and grandson Seth's quilt will be finished soon--before I have to add another border because he is getting so tall!
~I celebrated my birthday with my second 5K---walking but happy with my time.

It just feels so good to be back!

Till next time...

Mini-Group Day

Wednesday was the day of our mini-group meeting and none too soon!  After all the holiday festivities it was so nice to relax with my special quilting friends and see what everyone was doing--quilty and otherwise.  Seth's quilt top was shown in it's not quite finished state and I got some good ideas for quilting it.  I hope to have the top finished before my next post and also to figure out how to post photos.  We finished with lunch at a Mexican restaurant--yum. 

Welcome 2012!

It's so nice to start a new year.  2011 has been most challenging and I'm happy to be done with it.  Now it's time for new hopes, plans and goals.  We closed out December with a very nice lunch flight on Friday.  The rest of the weekend was spent un-decorating and getting the house back in order after the holidays.  I love putting all the decorations up but it always feels so good when everything returns to normal!

Seth's quilt top is nearing completion. I'm happy with it but need to finish it before he grows any taller!  A photo is coming soon.

  

Merry Christmas!
Today has been a lovely day. After the many challenges our family faced this year it was so nice to just spend some time together. This morning Ed & I were with Mom in the Rehab center. She is recovering from hip replacement surgery last week and doing well. Krissie & Tim and their families visited Mom/Grandma too before coming over for a simple dinner and some time to just relax and enjoy our time together.

Hello out there! I’ve thought about starting a blog for a long time. But now that I have one I’m staring at a blank piece of paper and wondering what in the world to write. So……..here goes—my life today.
Tonight is a little get-a-way for us. We are at a beachside RV park, have finished dinner and enjoyed a lovely wine. Our kids are on the way and will arrive soon. They tent camp and soon we will begin the annual “set up two tents by flashlight” ritual. Life is good!