It's 2015!

Happy New Year!
It's 2015 and already half way thru January. I've been in kind of a hiatus on purpose and accidental and now it's time to get back to reality. Going to physio in 3 days got me back to year end books. Thank goodness a group of us are making a slab block for a friend that is retiring because it got me back into quilting.

Where have I been. First went to a business conference nw of Baltimore. I never knew bamboo grew in Virginia.

Enjoyed spending time in BWI looking at the Canada Geese going one way and the police going the other while the crab was inside all glassed in.

Then on Christmas day, my family and I had lunch at YYC before I headed out to the World Jr Hockey games in Toronto.

First game was between Russia and Denmark. Very exciting to watch because the Juniors play with their heart and the love of the game and not their wallet.
Then 5 days into the tournament I rolled my foot. Crapola! Spent all day foot up and on ice. Only missed the game between Denmark and Swiss.  Could walk on it next day in a tensor but slowly.

The best part CANADA WON GOLD!!! OMG it was so nail biting, exciting, loud and fun! The juniors are back in Canada in 2 years. Can hardly wait!

Wrapping gifts

Wrapping gifts is something that I absolutely do not like to do. When my DH worked in the oil patch most times he didn't get home until December 23 or 24. That meant that no gifts were wrapped until the last day, ie 10 hours of gift wrapping. After a few years I got smart and only left the gifts that were given to the family that we did not see at Christmas unwrapped - only 5 hours of wrapping. But he had to pay attention when opening gifts at the family we spent Christmas with.
Then along came the gift bags made of fabric with a glittery cord to pull the top closed and a big bow placed on top. Woo Hoo only 2 hours of stuffing.
Next came the paper gift bags. Thanks to the $1 stores all were affordable. More Woo Hoo and 1 hour of stuffing.

I've always loved the shows where the gift receivers opened a beautiful box, no wrapping, no stuffing of tissue paper. Today, a friend sent this video for making fabric boxes. Yes, at this time of the year it is too late ... well, okay, maybe not, as some of you will attempt to make one for each person, but for me, too late. What a great gift for a quilting or sewing friend or anyone!

Winter Sharing

The greatest reason to live in a winter country is that you have lots of time to finish quilts, that go back 10 years, because it is so darn cold outside and then share your love with others. First group is ready to give to those that need love and warmth. Second group is ready for quilting.

 

 

Winter is back in all it's bluster snow and cold.

Only a lone rabbit ventured outside

Hoarding: Keeping things that are memories and just things. Since May, my sister and I have been dealing with our mother's hoarding issues. Mom has downsized from 1800 sq ft to 900 sq ft. An eye opening Whoa!
It takes a lot of time and energy to understand what hoarding is. At one time we called it pack rat. The scary thing about it is this is a genetic disease. Apparently my great grandfather was like this and I have those tendencies and this could be me at her age - 30 years from now. I'm only grateful that I am learning this lesson now and able to pay attention to it. I've been telling all my friends and acquaintances to not leave your memories to your kids or even your grand kids because this is not their memories - this is your memories. Recycle, or sell or donate useful things now because 10 - 2 years from now the things will probably not be useful. As my sister says, give it to someone that will be able to use it more than you, give your things another chance to be useful.