They did not hear, "Mom is quilting"

Quilting and needlework..........another homemaking skill that has a history for me. In the early 70s we did do some stitching. Mom was doing cross stitch. Sharon was doing counted cross stitch. I was doing what we called crewel embroidery. Needlework in the evenings was kinda fun. I guess we did that before there was e-mail, facebook, and blogging to do in the evenings. We've pulled out mom's blocks and are getting them made into quilts. There are still ladies around Washington that quilt.

Bernie's mom quilted. Grandma Blumer went to St. Peters Church to be a part of the quilting group that is still quilting and is doing some of the quilts for Mom. Grandma Beasley quilted, but, I get the sense that she quilted more out of necessity. Mom has quilts that she thinks belonged to Grandma Beasley but Mom thinks Grandma gave them to her to "keep you kids warm".

I am still not quilting, but, I am learning the basics of the craft by helping Mom get these blocks made into quilts. It is quite a mathematical, artistic, and passionate hobby. I admire the beauty and creativity of the quilts I am encountering as I learn the intricacies behind the final products.

The Answer is: 2 hours

As I spent two hours cleaning the house I realized there was a #4 with yesterday's post.

#4 reason our kids did not hear me say, "I'm going to clean the house today" --- Bernie and I had our latest plan for trying to get the kids to participate in "We're going to keep the house clean".

Transitions.........life is always changing...........it's nice to have a beautiful sunrise and a smile on my face. Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

"I'm going to clean the house today."

Yesterday I talked about our kids being grown, on their own. As they reflect on their childhood, I don't think they often heard their mom say "I'm going to clean the house today"

In my retirement, I have spent time reflecting on why this is true.
Is it #1? In the 70s, when I was starting out as a "grown up", we young, ego filled women figured that "cleaning the house" was not what we were going to do.
Is it #2? When I was growing up, my mom worked during the day and did the house jobs during her evenings. I suppose that is what I was on course to do, except that I drove kids to games and practices and graded papers in the evening instead of doing the house jobs.
Is it #3? I never developed the "attention span" to spend the day cleaning the house. I would allow myself to get distracted to do other more enjoyable tasks: cook, run, read, talk to Bernie, go on an outing, talk on the phone, play a game of kickball with the kids, etc. etc. etc.

I'm going to clean the house today. It is 8:36AM. I wonder how long my "attention span" will last today. I'll keep you "posted".

Our Kids Are Grown!!

In the photo for today's post you see that Ben and his dad are getting the roof top carrier situated for Ben's first "on his own" vacation. Talk about TRANSITIONS......our kids are all grown, on their own, living their lives. How did that happen?

March 2011

Life is always changing. Retirement has given me a chance to embrace the changes and transitions of my life.