At first, I thought I was going bonkers. I had no clue why I was feeling totally exhausted and lethargic or why I was freezing cold (especially my hands and feet), gaining weight, losing my hair, and not able to concentrate. When a girlfriend complained that I was walking at a snail’s pace vs. my normal peppy tempo on our walks on the Soos Creek Trail, it finally occurred to me that maybe I needed to see my doctor. It turned out I had hypothyroidism.
When I opened the envelope, I felt my heart drop. As much as I tried to ignore it, tear it up, or burn it, it stared me down, flashing its pert little red, white and blue face at me. Tell me, how can such a youthful person such as myself, be on Medicare? Right then and there, I sat down and wrote this list of the top 10 things I won't do just because I am an old fart....
I don’t how I get myself into such panic-stricken situations with looming deadlines with such consistency.
So, here’s the deal. When my husband Donald retired, everyone asked him, “What are you going to do after you retire?” He replied, “Carry my wife’s bags when she travels to teach quilting.”
Confessions of a quiltaholic: My Thursday quilting group of friends
Holy smokes, am I stoked! I got to see the cover of my new book for the first time today. My latest quilting book, “Quick Little Landscape Quilts,” makes its debut this fall. In fact, I’m so happy, I feel like doing cartwheels across my lawn. I said I feel like doing cartwheels, not that I will do cartwheels. Hell would freeze over and pigs would fly if I attempted a cartwheel at my age.
Holy smokes, am I stoked! I got to see the cover of my new book for the first time today. My latest quilting book, "Quick Little Landscape Quilts," makes its debut this fall. In fact, I’m so happy, I feel like doing cartwheels across my lawn. I said I feel like doing cartwheels, not that I will do cartwheels. Hell would freeze over and pigs would fly if I attempted a cartwheel at my age.
Looking outside, it is hard to believe just a week ago, I was teaching at Quilt Canada, in Calgary, Alberta where it was snowing like crazy! Smart person that I am, I took along my wool coat which kept me toasty warm, but alas, no boots.
When bad things happen, and boy do they happen, I try to look at the positive.
Sometimes my mind wanders and I picture myself trapped in a culture or society where women have no rights and are subservient.
How would I keep my thoughts and desires to myself, when inside, I am a rebel at heart and must express my creativity?
When my husband transferred to a position in hospital administration with the VA in Seattle, I was ecstatic. Living in a smog-filled, congested metropolis near Los Angeles, I’d dreamed of living in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by beautiful mountains, lush evergreen trees, and abundant waterways.
Having traveled to most regions of the country, teaching and lecturing about quilting, I can tell you straight up: we quilters who live in the area are spoiled rotten! We have the option to “Shop till we drop” at local quilt shops sprinkled throughout King, Pierce and other nearby counties.
The last time we chatted, I was off on a 10-day cruise with my husband and a contingency of approximately 174 quilters and their significant others. For those of you that don’t have a clue what a “quilting cruise’’ is, I thought I’d tell you!
On my way home from teaching and lecturing at the annual International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas, last year, it occurred to me that a… Continue reading
