Monday, April 28, 2008

A Simple Woman Failure

I can't do it. I tried. I really love reading all the Simple Woman Daybook's on Monday. I will continue to read them, but I am having a hard time with it. I have too much to say, especially on Monday's. I have even found myself posting on the weekends, knowing I won't be able to be my usual blabber mouth self on Monday! I can hear Linda laughing all the way from Oklahoma!!! Shush!!! Anyway, living simply and blogging simply are two different things. I am not living simply by most "plain" standards, but I have really pared things down around here...I will never be able to raise all my own food (nor do I want to), but a little kitchen garden is my simple step. I am not consuming as much....well, just about everything...as I was before. We eat simpler, making more scratch foods to save on the grocery bill (and our health), we use less energy, making sure lights are off, we are buying less frivolous...except my trip to Galena ;), I am using more stash fabrics to make quilts. I have a baby quilt to make and may go buy one accent fabric, but will use mostly stash...maybe all, we'll see. I think making changes in your life to live more simply are great, but don't lose who you are (even if you are a blabber mouth!). I am terrible with coupons. They make me a wreck. If I run across one I will use it, but I can't spend my time or energy hunting them down. If, and when the time comes that I NEED to do this, I am thrilled at the blogs who have owners that are coupon Queens!! I will know where to go! Now, my Daybook would never have allowed me that rant!!!
Monday. I love Mondays. Unlike alot of people, I never feel like my little friend in the picture on Mondays. Everyone here easily gets back in the weekly groove, and Sweetheart is home for dinner. There are 3 nights during the week that he is gone 12+ hours. Monday's are nice. Today, laundry is part of the plan, along with school and, guess what??? (Zachary's famous words...you have to answer with "what?" or he will not stop saying it) I have worked sewing time back into my schedule. I love to sew in the mornings and I have lots of machine work to do...("G" I have not forgotten your apron!). Charlotte has finished her math for the year...she is doing a daily review now and requires little assistance. Zach is almost done, and though he "gets" it, he requires some assistance with the directions. This means I need to be ever present for him. Here is the plan....He can do his math at my desk while I am 5 ft away sitting at my machine. I did LOTS of sewing over the weekend. Here are some of my finished projects.... 216, 2 and 1/2 inch squares all cut for the 24 nine patches. It took 24 fabrics to do this...all stash fabric!Here are 6 of the finished blocks...there are 6 more exactly like these! A set for me and one for Linda! I have 12 more and those will get done today during math and writing (also done at my desk). I also finished my 4 Seasons Swap. Follow the link here and you can see some wonderful spring quilts. The baskets are 6" finished and the entire quilt measures 18x18. It has a definite Spring feel to it. I am terrible with labels...I need to buy some pre-made labels for future use. Here is the label I made for this piece. (I blanked out pertinent information) You can see my machine quilting on the back. Not terrible. It is totally hidden in the seams on the front. I can at least say it is done...and on time!!

I loaned my favorite chair to my daughter as it fit better with her desk. I noticed yesterday that the chair was not being cared for, so I asked Sweetheart if he could fix it. He re-painted it and reupholstered the seat...I LOVE it.
Sue gave me the cherry fabric and I just LOVE it. Now I can enjoy it everyday! I was able to keep my sewing mess under control, so today I have a nice neat area to work in. It is a cloudy dreary day here...perfect for sewing and cleaning...who says you can't do both!!?? As Kyle left for work this morning, here is what was happening outside... Yes, that is snow! It didn't last long and melted right away. Tomorrow is looking better weather wise, but for today, let it do whatever it wants...I have plenty to keep me busy right here in my home. Well it is time to sew....er, I mean do math....you get the idea!! Praying your Monday is a blessed one!

16 comments:

Unknown said...

LOL on the blabber mouth, but I'm not saying a word. Your 4SQS is lovely, I'm sure you must be happy to have it finished.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Sewing and math sound like a good plan! How I miss our homeschooling days! I like how you have your sewing are set up with that little tabletop ironing board. I'm going to try to find one - it's such a bother dragging out the big one when I only have small things that need ironing.

Manuela

P.s. The chair looks so cute!

Marilyn Robertson said...

I've just caught up on your posts since I have been out of town. You have been one busy gal! Love the Spring Swap quilt! It is wonderful! You have made my desire to visit Galena stronger too!

Libby said...

The way I figure it is: Simple has to be simple for you . . . otherwise it's not simple at all. *huh* Well, I know what I mean *s*

Debi said...

I love the chair, and so glad you are getting some sewing worked into your schedule.

Anonymous said...

The quilt looks great, and I love how the chair turned out. You have been very busy this weekend, always make you feel better to get some quilting thingies done!

Love Bears All Things said...

I think the concept of a simple woman might be that we enjoy simple pleasures which you do. As for having too much to say to do the Meme, well it was a good fit for me when I didn't have a lot to say.
I like your label. I think you sold yourself short there.
My second block this weekend was the double nine patch. I'll post them once I get some prints off the camera.
Thanks for visiting me today.
Mama Bear

Mountain Mama said...

Great to get caught up on all the things happening in your life. The quilts look great and love the chair. Have a happy Tuesday!
ashley

copperswife said...

Ummmmm.........you had snow today? We were flirting around with turning the air conditioning on late today! We toughed it out, though, and the evening breeze is cooling us off nicely. We'll be a brisk 70 or so tomorrow! ;-)

I LOVE that you have found a way to work your sewing/quilting back into your days. So great that Zach can work nearby on his math while you sew.

Donetta said...

Hi, Love you. I like the cherries fabric. I hope your well.

Knit-Wit said...

Maybe you need to start a new series called "Marvelous Mondays"

Patty said...

I don't know what the daybook is, but living simply is about doing what works for you, perhaps within the idea of living with less of what the world says we have to have etc, but never trying to do just what another person has set up for standards. Simple living is about making your own life simple and what works for one, doesn't mean it will work for everyone.

Ginger Patches said...

Your swap quilt is beautiful...someone will be blessed by it :) The math and the sewing should work together beautifully...I have done many similar things over the years!

Sue said...

LOVE the chair. I think about you every time I see my quilt with the cherry fabric!

julieQ said...

I absolutely love the clip art of the little creature who just can't get up and go! Seems so familiar... :)

Solstitches said...

I love the little quilt you did for the Four Seasons Swap. Pretty colours and I like the label too.
The newly refurbished chair looks wonderful.