My poor, sad neglected blog! I think back to when this started and how I found something interesting (at least to me) to blog about every day. Now, I struggle to find anything to share, and even commenting on other blogs has fallen by the wayside. I used to wonder why some blogs just ended without any real ending...there one day and then never to be heard from again. I'm not quite there and I truly believe, if I were to quit I'd leave a final blog post to say thank you and good bye.
I guess once in awhile is better than never. So what have I been up to since the end of January?
No a whole lot really. Just work and home, with some knitting, sewing, and general housework thrown in. Oh yeah, and packing for my trip. That's been on my mind more than anything else the last couple of weeks. I've spent a lot of time reading Cruise Critic threads, viewing YouTube videos of the ship, and TripAdvisor reviews of the ports. Basically, lots of time surfing the net...I like to think it's not wasted time. :)
Work has been, well work. I'm still struggling every morning to get up and go to work, and when I'm there I'm not nearly as productive as I once was, or would like to be. I had another session with our EAP counsellor last week. She suggested that rather than looking at work as something I have to get through, but rather to think of it as a means to the end because every day I work gets me closer to my goal of retirement. It will certainly help me in the morning, but not so much the feelings of guilt for not putting in as much effort as I think I ought to. My friend C tells me to quit beating myself up...I've given a lot of time and energy to the department over the years so if I slow down slightly it's not the end of the world. Plus as she reminds me, it's really important for those who will be leading the organization after we retire, to start demonstrating their commitment now.
I wonder if all my planning for retirement has changed my focus so much it's hampered my ability to stay in the here and now. Something to think about.
Well, the here and now at the moment is focused on the cruise. I feel like I'm so prepared for this trip from all my research and I've pretty much finished packing. I did laundry last weekend, tried on all the clothing to make sure it all fits (it does), and started pulling together all the sundry items I'll need. On Friday I went by the bank to pick up some US cash. I do have a US savings account, which I would normally transfer funds into throughout the year when the exchange rate seemed reasonable. Well, I did have some money left in it which I withdrew, but I bought another $100 US...it cost me $142,38 CD. Ouch!
Yesterday, I had a pedicure, a tanning appointment, and spent much of the day working with my niece on a sewing project. (More on that later). In the evening, I went to my friend's C&N's for their annual beach party in advance of their winter holiday. Everyone dresses in beach wear (well, except for the grumpy old guy friend) and we enjoy drinks and munchies. The main living areas were decorated with beach items (including a small sand box), and a video of the beach played on the television. I watched, with several others, the entire video twice through, enjoying the sights and sounds of the waves. Soon, very soon I'll see it in person.
This morning I put the last of the items in the suitcase and carry-on. I'm only taking a small suitcase so I can't do much shopping on this trip! The carry-on has my camera bag in it, along with a change of clothing, a nightgown, bathing suit, a small bag of toiletries, and some reading material. If, heaven forbid, my suitcase went missing I'd have enough to see me through the first couple of days. I've only had it happen once and that would be the time I wasn't prepared.
The next few days are going to be tough to get through, because I'm already bouncing off the walls eager to get going. I told C&N last night, I wish they'd hurry up and leave (Tues). so that my trip would be that much closer. I'm pretty certain they think I'm a little nuts.
Back to the sewing project. There's a bit of whine going to happen here so if you want to pass, go ahead. A year or so ago, my niece expressed an interest in learning to sew and I had offered to help. She spent part of a morning with me and I taught her how to thread the machine, wind the bobbin and we sewed a couple of felt Christmas ornaments. Well, apparently that wasn't good enough for her mother, so it was decided a family friend C, would take over the sewing lessons. About three weeks ago, my brother called me to say that L needed some help with a school project, she wanted to sew a a dress, would I be willing to help? I bit my tongue, and didn't ask about C, and said for sure I'd help. We got together last weekend, bought a pattern, and the notions, as L had the material. At that time, we thought the project wasn't due until the beginning of May. On Thursday, R e-mailed me to say, no it's actually due on March 7. Yikes!
So, he dropped her off at my house yesterday about noon. By 5 p.m. we had the dress mostly put together. I showed L how to pin the pattern to the material and cut it out, mark the darts, and read the pattern. She did most of the cutting, and she only had to re-cut one piece when she nicked the material. I demonstrated sewing a couple of the darts and let her do the rest. She also pinned the pieces together (with a little help) and did the back, waist and shoulder seams. We did have to do some ripping out when she bunched up the material...another learning opportunity. It's an interesting pattern, as it is a wrap dress so all the other edges (except the hem) will be edged with bias tape. There are buttons and snaps that will need to be hand sewn on, once that's done. She was so excited with what we'd done and so proud to model it for her dad when he arrived.
She told me C has the pieces cut out for her when she's had her lessons, so that all L does is sew them together. I know, and like C, but I don't think L is learning much from her - better that she get to try it all, make a few mistakes and learn from those. I was talking to R this morning, and he said my SIL was very surprised at how much we'd gotten done yesterday.
Right now the plan is we'll get together the weekend before the project is due to get it done. I'll probably do a little work on it before then to help her along. I know how finicky sewing the bias tape around the neckline will be so will spare her that. But again, it's my plan to get her to do the rest...including the hand sewing. She groaned at that idea, but said that everyone will believe she made it herself because she can point out the mistakes. I love this kid!
It's been years since I've sewn. The last thing I can remember sewing was a Halloween costume for my son. He's 28 and hasn't been trick or treating since he was 12, and it was well before that...you do the math. For all the neglect, my sewing machine was in good working order, just a little dusty. It's got me excited about sewing again, and I found a pattern in the clearance bin at the fabric store, for a pretty summer top. When I get back from my vacation, I'll pick up some material and have a go at it.
So perhaps, there is hope for my blog too. It's been getting a little dusty from lack of use - I just need to make time for it. Thanks for being there when I do show up!
Have a great week everyone!
