Friday, May 29, 2020

Fast Forward to Friday

So here we are, 2 1/2 months later.

Last week, Aaron stopped by in the evening for our yearly Mother's Day tradition. Normally, we go to Starbucks on Mother's  Day in the evening and chat for an hour or so. Obviously, as this is not a normal year, that did not happen. But on Thursday, he stopped by Starbucks and then came to our house, where we sat outside. Harley, our super friendly next door neighbor's cat, made friends with Aaron.
Have you been trying different creative ideas during this time? I have been collecting ideas, which I fully mean to accomplish this summer.

Like this rock painted to look like a lemon slice.

And a garland of watermelon pompoms.
If you aren't familiar with Marisa of The Neon Tea Party, check her out. She has lots of great ideas for pompoms, tassels, and tie dye, with great video tutorials.

Haha.

For the last week, I have been kind of beating myself up for "wasting" the last 2 1/2 months and not getting any sewing done. Here I have finally had all this "free" time and have spent virtually no time in my sewing room. But then I started to make a list of the things we have gotten done.

Just this week, we repainted all the baseboards in our house.

We made furniture (desk from Sauder).
Mark needed a desk in his office that actually fit him. He had been using the one made for me by my father when I was in 8th grade, very well built, solid maple. But the leg opening was only 15"--just fine for when I was in 8th grade, but not workable for someone who is 6'2".
After we unpackaged everything the other night, it was time for dinner. True to form, I would rather be completing a few steps on the desk while Mark was doing the cooking. We play to our strengths.


And I have to say, Sauder gets extra points for having every single screw and part labeled and in its own compartment, with easy to follow instructions (and a place to get video tutorials if you needed extra help). Although with Mark spending 30 years in the cabinet industry, he knows his way around cabinet hinges and how to adjust drawers.

So this desk is stable. And we made it through desk construction emotionally stable. :)

This cutie lost her first tooth.

The other huge project I completed this week was going through every.single.picture.folder on my computer. It's something I have been wanting to do for years. It all started when I wanted to find some pictures of a specific quilt. And realized it was like finding a needle in a haystack. What year did I make the quilt? What month of that year did I take any pictures? Total disarray.

As of last night, all my quilt photos are in folders by name of quilt. In the process, I also culled and deleted many bad photos I have taken throughout the years and screenshots I no longer need. This makes me realize I have not been exactly doing "nothing"--I have actually accomplished something in the last 2 1/2 months. A couple more things to do, and I'm pretty sure I will feel like sewing again.

In my yard. Does anyone know what this is?


In March, Charlotte and I had a date at Color Me Mine. We painted donuts--I made a mug, Charlotte made a bank.


Then the shelter in place happened and we couldn't pick up our projects. The store opened briefly this week, three mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. I quickly made a trip to pick up the donuts. I've been enjoying my mug. If only I had a real donut to go along with my coffee.
I found this picture from years ago, probably around 1975. Proof that I'm a natural redhead. And Mark's beard was dark.
Stacie took a picture of us this morning.

And then I took one of Ella and Stacie.
More things are opening up, and I admit to being very apprehensive about it all. No matter where you are, have a good weekend.


6 comments:

05 08
Grandma G said... #

Your plant is a type of sedum. Looks just like mine, which is called Autumn Joy.

Charlotte M. said... #

I think it's really important to give ourselves permission to not sew or whatever. These are the times that try men's souls, or something like that. We need to acknowledge our feelings and give them the space they need. I do fine most of the time, but when my daughter sent me a photo of her oldest son's teachers in masks, holding an encouraging sign at the end of their driveway, I cried for all the children who have lost something this year. And then, the next day she threw her kids a Star Wars Christmas party with food and decorations to help relieve their boredom. Life these days is really a roller coaster. Be good to yourself Cindy. You're doing fine.

stitchinpenny said... #

People are saying things are open and I am saying not so fast! I am older and have health challenges give me time. My timeline will be much slower.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

Going through all your photos is a huge accomplishment! Not to mention all the other things you've gotten done. Go with the flow of the moment. Don't be too hard on yourself. I'm trying to muster the motivation to go through old print photos. They have been organized but never purged so are full of bad prints. I'm also purging in other areas of the house. Trying to take advantage of the motivation when it strikes. Sometimes it's sewing. Sometimes it's yard work. Sometimes it's purging. Whatever it is, at least it's progress.

Robby said... #

So, how about I sew you something and you sort out my pictures? Well, yes that would be an unfair trade, so let's not. This is such an unusual time that I think it's both unfair and unrealistic to expect we should be PRODUCTIVE, in the way only Americans can have such expectations. Although desk assembly and a donut that's sugar free are both worthy accomplishments. You make me laugh a little every week, thank you.

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said... #

I sewed like gangbusters for the first few weeks. Then I slowed WAY down. I had a list of things I could/should do...like clean out the spare room which has become the "dump it in there" room. None of it has happened. I've read books, gained some weight, streamed some shows, sewed a few masks, given my daughter fabric for masks so shed didn't try to find fabric online (and it didn't even leave a dent). I think many of us are in the same place. Enjoy your week and any time you get with the grandkids.