Distractions

Today is a grey day, and I'm sitting waiting for roofing supplies to arrive.  Snow is expected tonight... far too early in my opinion, but who do you talk to to change these things???  Thankfully, we got our winter tires on our car yesterday, in preparation... of course, the Alignment machine wasn't working, so I have to go back again next week, but hey!  Life is an adventure, right???  =)


And, Yes, we're trying, at this point in the year, to have a new roof put on.  Probably a good thing with some of the winds that come through in the winter!  Hopefully, it will be done by Halloween.  Last year, over Halloween, we were having drain tile replaced, so our yard was in total disrepair.  As a result, my husband and I sat in our driveway, away from our step-less doors, in hopes of having lots of Trick-or-Treaters come our way.... We had maybe 12.  Rather a let-down really, but not unusual for our neck-of-the-woods.  I'm always hopeful, each year, that we'll have lots of kids, but we're in a very quiet area, so it doesn't often happen.  But I digress.... my point was that I would like to have the roofing done, and the yard cleaned up before the Trick-or-treaters come knocking.  Fingers crossed!

Well, this week has flown by, and sadly, I don't remember much of it.  What does that say about my life?  I'm going through it like a zombie?  Or, perhaps, I'm just too distracted to remember anything.  I think that's the excuse I'm going with right now.  I'm distracted.


You've heard the internet joke/story about how you start doing one thing, like looking for your keys, then that takes you to another room where you see something else you figure you should do.  That takes you to yet another room, where again, something else catches your eye, and you start that task, and so on, and so on, and so on.  By the end of the day, you feel like you've accomplished nothing, because you still haven't found your keys, and the day is gone....  My life, and my mind.... totally distracted, as you might see below with some of the things that are taking my attention.


Last week I had the opportunity to spend time in one of my favorite places.  The big Indigo store in our area!  (I lovelovelove that store!)  Well, while I was there, I found a knitting book entitled "Knitting Essentials - An Instructional Guide to Knitting".  What a great book!  I'm looking forward to making time to sit down and work on my two projects (Thrum Mittens, and Gauntlets).  Here are a couple of pictures of my progress so far!  

  

I expect the book will have the answers I need to all of the questions I may have about the patterns, and instructions! Yay!!!  I know where to go if it doesn't, though.... Cricket Cove!  It's nice to know there is such a great place to go, and to be, to find everything you need with regards to yarn.  =)


In another creative vein, Sunday, our local Camera Club had it's Fall Excursion.  The light was perfect, and we got some great fall shots, as well as had a superb time!  Organized by one of  our club members, we toured the countryside, and got lots of water, and foliage shots.  One of the unexpected moments that day was when we came across a mother cow giving birth!  Now, THAT was a moment!!! 

And, on to yet another past-time. Last night, I got to take the second class in a Beginning Quilters Class that is offered by our Quilt Guild.  I've been quilting for seven years, but have never taken the beginner's course.  I must say, I'm so very glad that I'm doing this.  We've had two classes, but already I'm learning things that I didn't know (or skipped over because I'm always trying to do things the quick way.... not necessarily the Best way)!  What an adventure life is... always learning!  I'll put up some pictures of this, too, as things move along.  =)

Lastly, as I mentioned before, I'm trying to get some unwanted pounds off.  I'm not being terribly successful from the eating standpoint, but my husband and I Are walking at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.  Certainly more than we have done before, so we celebrate the small victories.  Eventually, the big ones will come.  I have tried checking out the local gyms, but I'm not a class kind of person, and the classes that are offered aren't at times that work for me, so I'm walking for now.

I have, however, been creative, and made my very own iCan...

  

It's a visual tool to remind me that I Can do anything I put my mind to.  The idea is that I will put inspirational thoughts, goals, or ideas of things to do in the can.  Then, when I'm struggling, I will go to the can and pull something out that will keep me going, hopefully.  Fingers crossed!

Okay, well, I'm going to pick something to focus on today, and work on that... ummm... Quilting.  If I can stay focused, I might accomplish something.  I'll let you know  how it goes!

So, that's it for now.  I hope you find some sun in your life today, whether in the view out your window, or the people that cross your path.

Here is a quote that may inspire:

"You're all obliged to do what you love because that's where your gifts lie and those gifts belong to all of us." - Barbara Sher

Until next time.  =)

Home Alone

Hi,

Let me introduce myself. I am a wife of 23 years, a mother of 2 beautiful young women, and the primary care-taker of the family cat. I work one morning a week, just to get out and take part in society. I have been lucky enough to stay at home while our girls were growing up, and am grateful for that opportunity. I did, however, lose my social skills because my social network became children, my husband, my parents, and one or two other stay-at-home moms. Once our girls got into high school, I began to realize that I needed to start getting out, and finding some social opportunities for myself. Thus, the mini-job.

I've never done much in the way of reading blogs, so forgive me if this is more of a journal, or outpouring of my thoughts. I guess I'm hoping that this will help someone in some way, or inspire someone to take part in something that is important to them. So, on that note, here is my first blog:

We're well into October now, and life is finally starting to settle down. We've sent kids off to school, travelled, had kids home for Thanksgiving, and finally gotten back to the empty nester's "couple's life", and the regular week's routine.

Life has changed this year. I have always had someone to take care of, and now I don't. Don't get me wrong. I still have my wonderful husband with me, but I consider him to be independent enough to look after most of his things himself. I guess by "take care of" I mean looking after those who are dependent on me because they aren't able, or aren't mature enough, to do it themselves. Our children are now in post-secondary education, and so are spreading their wings.... I get so excited for them, because their possibilities are endless!

My Dad passed away 5 years ago, at the age of 78, and my Mom just passed away this year, in April. She was 85. I had the privilege of being able to help her after Dad's passing. Certainly, an experience I wouldn't have traded for the world.

Now, however, I find that I have time on my hands, and am scattered in my thinking, and attention span. I know I need to clean the house, and declutter. That happens usually only when I am in the mood. (I am really not much of a housekeeper.)

I am taking part in a choir (that I joined with my mother's encouragement), a quilt guild (that I've been a member of for 7 years), a local camera club (that I joined originally for my daughter), and have just taken up knitting (something that my mother did, and was exceptional at). There are art classes that still call to me, but I'm not ready to get back to that yet. I would also like to get back to learning more of the violin (I did that last year, but didn't take the time to practice much, so thought I'd wait a bit until I'm more focused.)

My biggest challenge right now, however, is my weight. I have at least 10 pounds on, although I would like to lose 18 lb. in total. It is hard, when I'm home alone, to stay focused on eating well. I also am looking for other avenues of exercise, besides walking my regular traffic-laden routes. There is a beautiful park here, but the trail is rather long to walk alone. Plus, I'm more of a fair-weather walker. Therefore, I'm going to check into the local gyms and see what they are offering for programs. The idea of a yoga class is intriguing, as is a spinning class, and/or a running club (my sister, and a friend are both inspiring me in that vein of thinking). I will let you know what I decide on, and how I make out with my journey in weight loss.

Knitting-wise, I have taken a class on how to make thrummed mittens. A rather ambitious project, considering I am a basic knitter, and have never made mitts before! The class was given by a local yarn shop, Cricket Cove, at the Home Port Inn. It was a wonderful day, and a great class! Cricket Cove is a wonderful place, with such beautiful yarns to work with! It is the kind of store that welcomes all levels of knitters. You can take your knitting in and sit and knit, or ask for help. They give classes there, too. I am stuck on my project now, so will be stopping in to the store to get some help this week. =)

Quilting-wise, I am finally taking the Beginner's class, offered by our Guild. There are lots of tips and tricks that I am looking forward to learning... if I can just get over the thinking of finding the "quick" way to do things, instead of the best way! My quilting goal this year is to finish the top of the Maple Leaf quilt I'm making for my best friend's wedding gift (She's been married for two and a half years now!!!). I'll post a picture when I finally finish it. =)

Well, that's my life in a nutshell. I will leave you with a quote for the day.

" ... our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive - the risk to be alive and express what we really are." - Don Miguel

Have a happy and safe day.