My desire to finish five projects before we leave for New Mexico is actually working! I have finished 3 1/2 plus I have made a new quilt that wasn't on the list....just because I HAD TO!! Any crafter will understand!
Now I'm going through things trying to decide what to take on our journey. With the understanding that we have to fit clothes and other nonsense into the car I'm trying to be smart about my selections. Every time I begin to go through things I hear my inner self saying, "Oh! I forgot about this fabric...project...pattern...!" How many things can I reasonably complete in a month? What can I take that will help prevent boredom from setting in? I can't work on one thing at a time so that presents a problem as well.
Today is a day that I will finish the other half of project 3 1/2. Can't ask more than that of a Sunday - day of rest!
Hope you are enjoying your week-end and that you have a hobby that fills your free time with fun and creativity!
New Mexico
Riding into Capitan...
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Little Girls
There is something special about a little girl! I remember when my neice, Melissa, was little and we had so much fun being "girls" together. Not that the little boys weren't fun - they definitely were. But I have been thinking all things girl the past few weeks. We have had some extra time to visit family and to keep our granddaughter, Abby. The fun clothes, the "smart" toys, the great sense of humor that these girls are encouraged to enjoy.
I love that little girls are encouraged to be more independent and assertive than when I was young a million years ago. You know, the days when a girl was to become a teacher, a secretary, a nurse, or (the most glamorous of all!) a stewardess. When we tried out for junior high band in sixth grade my back-door neighbor, Linda, told the band director that she wanted to play the drums. I though he would fall over in a faint! He told her that girls just don't have strong hands to play the drums and for her to pick out a more appropriate instrument. Hmmmm....guess he didn't know about the strength of a woman's hands. Dr. Linda Deere, MD still uses those weak hands to practice cardiology. She got that degree nearly 40 years ago when some of us were dreaming about flying the friendly skies as a flight attendant!
Talking to young women today I get the sense that they are proud of their roles in life - whatever they may be. Maybe it is because of the options that are open to them now. I watched for the 38 years that I worked in a school setting changes in attitudes toward girls in school. It may have started around the time that Marlo Thomas published "Free to Be...You and Me!" What a ray of sunshine that was! I have watched women become more free and happier about being females as time has passed.
I look at our 2 1/2 year old Abby and think about the possibilities that are open for her. I never want her to feel that she is limited in her choices. Today at the pool Abby met a precious little boy who is five years old. She watched him as he swam underwater like a fish - something she has never attempted - and I could see the wheels turning in that little head. "If he can do it, I can do it." She walked up to the most shallow part of the pool, took a breath, and dove under the water...not once, but twice! She came up pretty full of water but none the worse for wear with a huge smile on her face and a look that said, "Just had to do it!" Go, Abby! Welcome to the world of girls!
I love that little girls are encouraged to be more independent and assertive than when I was young a million years ago. You know, the days when a girl was to become a teacher, a secretary, a nurse, or (the most glamorous of all!) a stewardess. When we tried out for junior high band in sixth grade my back-door neighbor, Linda, told the band director that she wanted to play the drums. I though he would fall over in a faint! He told her that girls just don't have strong hands to play the drums and for her to pick out a more appropriate instrument. Hmmmm....guess he didn't know about the strength of a woman's hands. Dr. Linda Deere, MD still uses those weak hands to practice cardiology. She got that degree nearly 40 years ago when some of us were dreaming about flying the friendly skies as a flight attendant!
Talking to young women today I get the sense that they are proud of their roles in life - whatever they may be. Maybe it is because of the options that are open to them now. I watched for the 38 years that I worked in a school setting changes in attitudes toward girls in school. It may have started around the time that Marlo Thomas published "Free to Be...You and Me!" What a ray of sunshine that was! I have watched women become more free and happier about being females as time has passed.
I look at our 2 1/2 year old Abby and think about the possibilities that are open for her. I never want her to feel that she is limited in her choices. Today at the pool Abby met a precious little boy who is five years old. She watched him as he swam underwater like a fish - something she has never attempted - and I could see the wheels turning in that little head. "If he can do it, I can do it." She walked up to the most shallow part of the pool, took a breath, and dove under the water...not once, but twice! She came up pretty full of water but none the worse for wear with a huge smile on her face and a look that said, "Just had to do it!" Go, Abby! Welcome to the world of girls!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Setting Goals and other Amusing Ideas
My friend Gale is in the process of a 13-week goal-following project. She recently retired and is doing a fine job of using her time in a worthwhile fashion. If my mother were still here she would just smile quietly and shake her head at the thought of me sticking to a schedule. I have so many projects started that I can't count them. It has always been soooo hard for me to complete anything directly from A to Z!
We are leaving for New Mexico to spend a month in a lovely cabin near John's mom and stepdad. We have 20 days before we hit the road. What can I do in the next 20 days that will fulfill my need for goal-setting satisfaction? Hmm....
I'm thinking that I need to complete some of those unfinished projects before we leave. Can I complete FIVE quilts before we leave for NM? I have some that just need finishing touches - such as a precious bug quilt that I'm making for one of those adorable grandbabies. Some just need binding or borders. Some just need to be put together. Yes, that will be a good challenge for me because those aren't my favorite things to do. The planning and beginning is always more fun than the finishing
Can I get 30 minutes of exercise for 15 of those 20 days - without fail? I think maybe I can do this one! I have a great bike that needs to be used more and a lovely pool right up the street that our sweet Abby enjoys as much as I do. Everyone can find 30 minutes a day, right?
Thank you, Gale, for the inspiration. Okay....here we go! Wish me luck!
We are leaving for New Mexico to spend a month in a lovely cabin near John's mom and stepdad. We have 20 days before we hit the road. What can I do in the next 20 days that will fulfill my need for goal-setting satisfaction? Hmm....
I'm thinking that I need to complete some of those unfinished projects before we leave. Can I complete FIVE quilts before we leave for NM? I have some that just need finishing touches - such as a precious bug quilt that I'm making for one of those adorable grandbabies. Some just need binding or borders. Some just need to be put together. Yes, that will be a good challenge for me because those aren't my favorite things to do. The planning and beginning is always more fun than the finishing
Can I get 30 minutes of exercise for 15 of those 20 days - without fail? I think maybe I can do this one! I have a great bike that needs to be used more and a lovely pool right up the street that our sweet Abby enjoys as much as I do. Everyone can find 30 minutes a day, right?
Thank you, Gale, for the inspiration. Okay....here we go! Wish me luck!
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