A Week In

and I find that the New Year is not quite going as I planned.

It hasn't been BAD, but I am not meeting my goals.

In my defense:

Jan 1st - drive to Son's so we could leave early the next morning for his GF's surgery.

Jan 2nd - surgery day. We stayed in a hotel, just in case, and I am so glad we did.

Jan 3rd - trip to ER when a slight complication arose. It was resolved and we were able to go back to Son's house later that evening.

Jan 4th - made sure GF was feeling well enough to not need me. She was so I came home that afternoon. I was tired but was unable to sleep when I tried to nap. I did get unpacked and started to get caught up on mail, e-mail, some household stuff.

Jan 5th - lunch with quilt friends. That was nice. Started laundry later that day and tried to finish getting caught up.

Jan 6th - went with Husband to sale barn with some cows. We stopped at the quilt shop in that town, but they were closed which was a little disappointing. When we got home I put up this cute artwork Son gave me for Christmas. 

I have used roosters to decorate my kitchen.

I made the quilt, but everything else has been gifted to me.

Jan. 7 - went quilt shop hopping with my little quilt tribe. We made it to three different shops, a fourth one was closed, had a nice lunch and ice cream on the way home. We had a great day. I didn't buy a lot. I think having just completed the inventory of my projects and kits helped me show a little restraint! This is what I added to my stash. I have plans for almost all of it.

This is a 5 yard bundle. It is flannel. Son's GS's brother (who is temporarily living with them) has hinted that he would like a quilt of his own. These seem perfect for a guy quilt.

A colorful jellyroll needed for a project I am thinking of, but didn't have enough fabrics in the the jellyroll I am planning to use. They aren't the same fabrics, but the colors will work together. Also, some Glide thread I want to try and a thimble. I keep searching for the one have because it is always with a different project.

A mottled blue flannel that I am hoping with work for the Snowmen applique project.

A couple of cute prints to make bandanas for Son's doggie. These work up very quickly. They also don't use much fabric so a bowl buddy or two might also get made with these fabrics.

Some half yard pieces. The top two will work as lights in the 365 Challenge and the bottom yellow will get added to the Civil War Repro stash. I have been thinking about a project - or two - for those.

Lastly, last nights sunset. I don't know why but the sunsets this time of year just seem so spectacular. I wish my photos showed the colors better.

Hoping to

in the new year.

EDIT: Oops, forgot to add this - to see what other quilters are up to visit
Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.

I have made a list of all my projects. 

Some are kits waiting to be started, some are projects that have been started, some are close to being finished. I am pretty sure know this is not ALL of my projects. I found a couple more hiding today.

 Then I took photos of them

and started an Excel document to help me keep track of them. 

I know the photos are tiny, but they are big enough that I know what project it is.

My plan is to pick one or two to work on, get them finished up and cross them off the list. I took 137 photos which does not include the projects I didn't get listed. Wonder how many years it will take me to do this?! I know this is probably not a lot compared to some, but it seems like I need to get busy! I am going to prioritize them as a few of them are ones I would like to finish sooner rather than later for gifts or fair entries. I am pretty sure a few of them may get passed on. I have lost interest and don't think I want to spend time completing them. There is another Sew Day and Retreat coming up this month. I have been slowly going through fabric, notions, tools and there is usually someone who takes the things I no longer want.

So, I am off the sew!

Whew!

I am hoping the new year doesn't go like this last week. Son's GF had a procedure for kidney stone removal on Thursday. She had been pretty miserable, but was able to get some relief from prescribed pain meds. The surgery went fine and she was feeling better, then things took a turn. We ended up in the ER the next day. It took a while but she finally got some relief and the situation was resolved. She is at home resting with a little soreness and a little pain, but that is normal and expected and should improve over the next few days. Fortunately, she has the next 3 days off and can take more if needed.

On a bright note, Son loves his newly recovered chair. Also, we were able to visit some the day before and while GF was having the procedure done, so that was good. 

I spent yesterday afternoon unpacking and resting. I am glad to be home. Mental stress can wear a person out! 

As I was coming down the last 2 miles of road to my house I noticed a box of 'stuff' laying in the ditch. I thought it had fallen off of someone's truck unnoticed by the driver. But, as I continued down the road I noticed more, many more, boxes and bags. It seemed intentional now. Husband says is continues on past our place also. I am angry. I posted this photo on Facebook. My neighbor responded that they had already opened a bag, found the person's name and called the police. 

Today, the bags and boxes are still there and have split, or been ripped, open and garbage is blowing all over. In my head, garbage dumped along a rural road is equivalent to garbage being dumped in the front yard of a person who lives in town. It's ugly. It presents a problem for the people who travel on these roads if they have to pull over to let other vehicles and farm equipment pass. It is also a problem for mowing. Who knows what is in these bags/boxes - sharp objects that can flatten a tire, items that may be poisonous to wildlife, spoiled food, etc. DON'T DO IT! I was hoping the authorities would make the responsible person be...well, responsible and make them clean it up. So far, that hasn't happened.

In other news, I had a lovely lunch with my little quilt group. There are five of us who like to spend time with each other away from the group. One of the ladies had a visitor - her sister - who is part of the group when she is in town. Another one of the ladies is recovering from knee replacement surgery and is finally feeling up to getting out and about. We will be going on a quilt store trip on Tuesday. Yay! Those are always fun days.

Finally, a beautiful sunset to end this day.

Of course, my photo does not do it justice.

Here's To A Great New Year

I wish you all a wonderful new year. I hope you get to spend time with the people you love and get to do the things that bring you joy.

While I do not make resolutions, I do have some goals in mind. I will be talking about those in another post.

I will be spending the first few days of the new year with Son and his GF. Thursday she is suppose to be having surgery to remove a large kidney stone. She is getting over something, but the doctor thought she should still be able to have the surgery. We will find out Thursday morning. I hope it all goes as planned. She needs to get healthy.