End of Spring Break

Tomorrow it's back to work. I may have missed the retreat, but I did manage to get quite a bit done this week that I would have taken with me. Finished on snowmobile raffle top, one Linda Ballard mystery top from last summer, and put together all the chevron log cabin blocks I won at guild last time. Also made 8 place mats and hemmed two pairs of pants. Not bad considering how much time I've spent at Mom's. I even got the Ballard mystery top sandwiched and some of the quilting done. Decided to just do it in the ditch. Nothing fancy - just get 'er done. The failure to finish things is making me totally crazy. I promised myself that I wouldn't make any more tops until I finished at least 3 quilts. I even got the bug to just box up the fabric and give it away this weekend just to take down the stash. Good thing I wrote Kathy who talked me out of it. Probably wouldn't have done it anyway, but I really am feeling overwhelmed with all the fabric and unfinished tops. Of course, tonight I was looking at Facebook quilt sites and found several very cool patterns.... so now I need the stash and want to make more tops. Having some of the quilting done on the Ballard feels really good - I think I can finish it this week. It isn't that big and I simply need to find a border pattern that I can do with the walking foot. I think I have a fairly simple one that will work. If I could just finish ONE!!!!!! I know it would help me realize that I can finish another. The other idea is to get the charity quilts done for guild in May. If I can get them going, I will also feel like I am getting somewhere.....

Hunter's Quilt

This morning I finished an over sized lap quilt that I will finish up for the snowmobile convention next January. I've been going to do these quilts for years; finally decided the pattern I was going to us was too ambitious, found some good substitutes and got around to cutting and sewing. Overall, I think it turned out fine. Have to figure out how to quilt it..... probably some simple thread play and some general motifs in the borders. It's nice and masculine, which should work perfectly for the snowmobile crowd.

I guess it makes me feel a little better about having to back out of the sewing retreat this coming weekend. I was really looking forward to spending time with friends and sewing. This was a project I had planned to bring with me to finish.

The reality of my life being put totally on hold has finally hit me. I won't be going anywhere this summer unless Mom is in some kind of care facility. I don't think this has occurred to John yet. I honestly don't think he has a clue how overwhelmed I am right now with work and now Mom. I am pretty depressed, tired and sad. I just don't see how I am going to keep my sanity for the next couple of months. I guess I am going to have to simply focus on one day at a time, say no to as many things as I can, keep lists and try and take care of myself.

Good luck with that.....