Prepared ...

How does one prepare for a snow storm?  Well -- there are a variety of  ways that can vary as there are people or types of fabrics.  I did some grocery shopping at the beginning of the week, went to my sewing circle on Wednesday, and made sure I knew what hand sewing work was in hands reach.  I never lack for hand work for sure!  I know that I'm not the only one. 

So when the pretty flakes started to drift down yesterday, I was armed and ready in a matter of speaking. As there was a small break between systems, I trudged out to the mailbox in 4+" of fresh powder.  I was so content with my peaceful surroundings, that I was able to calmly stitch an average of  7 to 9 per inch.  After a simple dinner, I find that another couple of inches of fallen. This morning, after emerging from the cocoon of warmth of my bed, I peeked outside to find what appears to be a total of close 12" of snow has graced us with it's presents. The sunlight unmercifully glares blindingly off the unmarred quilt of snow that now covers everything in sight, as I sip from my cup of ambition known as coffee; as I ponder my own quilting weekend goals. 

Quilters seem to have a knack for being prepared by making sure that there is a quilt or two that is waiting for their binding stitching down.  Or perhaps those projects that only come out earmarked especially for those times when the power gets knocked out.  Maybe it's some taming of the scraps by using that daylight to cut them into more usable cut selections of squares and/or strips for those projects in the future.  

But either way, once the snow begins to fall; we quilters relish the thought of having some found "free" time to enjoy our endeavors.  If we think far enough ahead -- we even throw a meal together in a crock pot to simmer and tempt us with teasing aromas of a meal that is all but cooking itself so that we aren't interrupted by such a necessarily mundane chore. Oh such sweet glory to be had!!

The last several weeks I have found in somewhat a mental funk from the emotional roller coaster that continues to surround the family on several levels. Between children with their own issues and antics of the drama persuasion, and the Other Half's medical crisis's and subsequent appointments; I have tried to take a mental break from things. 

I have unplugged by reading a total of 8 books that included a pleasant mix of paranormal and supernatural baselines to a series that has a hint of post WWII era Irish doctors and dash of romance from a favorite author to top it off.  I have gone as far as going to the front room to spend time with my floor hoop and a couple Cd books as I hand quilt 12+ cross-hatched rows on an UFO by myself under the supervision of the cats -- who perch on the back of the couch to watch me and nap.

I have spent many hours on stitching in one matter or another.  I have thrown myself in a mystery quilt for one board, and TAW kit that I received in Dec. from another board for what I commonly refer to as my machine time.  I have a rotation of 2 TV Time hand projects next to my chair and a small wall hanging that is getting ready to be sandwiched.  I have taken great lengths to surrender myself to my quilting deity so that I might find a creative way of finding my zen. To allow myself the ability to relinquish the tension, to let go and truly concentrate on the project on hand.  To spend time that causes such a tunnelling effect, that it must noticeably shows some sort of difference to ones own mental health.  Maybe it's something that resembles the pleasure we have from eating chocolate.  What an interesting concept of thinking. Man -- that almost makes me sound like I'm some sort of a deep thinker working on a dissertation paper trying to prove one's hypotheses of a previous observation. 

Okay..... now that just showed my Geek.  LOL. Well maybe I need some chocolate, a fresh cup of coffee, and some fabric fondling therapy as I'm getting into some of my off-the-wall thinking process that can cause me to figuratively catch my tail & endless tangents of ramblings of nothingness.  So I may signing off for now.

Toodles,
Tricia