Work Commitments / Health Issues / Lack of Balance

Work commitments seem to be weighing heavily these days. I can't seem to get out of work before 5:00 pm.  Which means I am not home before 6:00pm. That is 12 hours away from home. I get up at 5:30 in the morning and go to bed at 9:00 at night. That should be 8 and half hours of sleep and yet I am exhausted when I get home. I have no energy to work on quilts or the studio. I have found myself getting easily frustrated with employees and having to watch that I don't take things the wrong way.  I know work won't fall apart if I leave on time but things don't get done if I don't do them. I hate to be behind or worse putting out fires. It seems I am doing a lot of both lately.

I used to really enjoy my job. Not so much anymore. Adding another supervisor did not take any of the burden off me and in fact has added stress. Before, I ran the lab, I could make decisions and policies with out running it by a committee. I just mentioned it to my boss and he was fine with it. Now everything is done by consensus of the 2 supervisors and manager. I am one of the supervisors. I find myself resenting others for their lack of experience. And I find myself biting my tongue and trying not to make waves. I am really not terribly happy there anymore. I am looking for a different job but there really aren't any in the area.

Add to that my lung/bronchitis issue developed two years ago at work, when I was exposed to mold, rust, grit, and whatever chemical they used to clean out the air handler and duct the was in the ceiling of the lab where my desk is. I made the mistake of going to my doctor instead of waiting for them to send me. I really thought it was just an allergic reaction and I could deal with it but 5 days later I had bronchitis. I find that I am resenting work over all of this.

I had hoped that the Symbicort would help me breathe and I would have more energy. It has in fact seem to clear up my lungs. I am breathing much easier yet, still no energy. I have been dying of thirst. Top that off with muscle cramps and yeast infections and you have all the symptoms of diabetes. I read up on the side effects of Symbicort, one of which is increased blood sugar levels.

Now I have been tested many times over the years for diabetes and always my A1c was great. The highest my blood sugar ever tested was 133 and that was while I was on predinsone. Two years ago at the health screening at work my blood sugar was high for a fasting test. I was on prednisone but went to the doctor for a check. Again my A1c was great. Last year the health screening at work included an A1c. It showed I was borderline diabetic. I went to the doctor. I had been on prednisone several time in the previous 4 months for Bronchitis. The doctor had me come back in 4 months with me being off the prednisone and of course my A1c was again great. So I while I have kept an eye on it, I have not been too worried about being diabetic.

After expressing my irritation at being constantly thirsty, my husband urged me to check my blood sugar. It was 329. I almost freaked out. Obviously, I went to the doctor the next day. He drew the blood and had me come back two days later. I am diabetic. Which means a whole lifestyle change. I get to prick my finger twice a day now. I will need to give up the sweets, cut way back on the starches and get myself moving. I know I can do this, I have actually done it before to lose weight. I just am a little frustrated over it.

Oh and while I have always been slightly iron deficient, I am now more than moderately iron deficient. That may explain the dark circles under my eyes. I am now on prescription iron supplement as well as diabetes medication.

I guess it is no wonder I haven't felt like working on quilts or the studio. I just am too worn down to do it. I am hoping that all this medicine will help get things straightened out and I will start to feel like my old self. I need to feel like my old self. I want to be creating and finishing quilts. I want to have my studio put together and organized. I want to come home from work and feel inspired instead of worn out and frustrated.

I have never been great about annual physicals. I have always been healthy despite being overweight. I had been so focused on the bronchitis issues and work that I have been missing out on other things. I have not been taking care of myself as I should have. I have not had a good balance in my life. That has led me to missing out on things I enjoy. Including quilting. I need to rectify that.

Time to get several things back on track. Put a priority on getting my health straightened out. Let others at work pick up some of the workload. Spend time with my kids while I still have them at home. Spend time doing what I love - quilting.

How is your life balance?

Lack of Progress

I missed blogging last week. Mostly because I spent the day in bed trying to rest up fro the week ahead. These past two weeks I have been sick. My husband brought home a cold and shared it with the whole family. It set me back on my heels to say the least. Add to that, my boss was out of town for the first week. I had to be at work as long as I was not contagious and I wasn't. But I felt like crap. I would get off work and come home to a hot bath and crawl into bed. Not a whole lot of quilting or sewing going on.

We did get my youngest off to prom. She looked great. But I am struggling still. So quilting and sewing stuff was pretty much just ordering stuff or planning stuff. Not a whole lot of hands on.

I was suppose to put another practice piece on the long arm but so far I only have the back on. I want to get more practice with all over designs and lining up pantographs. Tatianna and I think we should do 5-6 quilts each before quilting for someone else. We have some projects ready to go but need to have the time.

Tatianna is starting a new job which will limit her time on the machine as well.

My husband on the other hand has been working like a mad man in his rock shop. In the past two weeks he has gotten tons of slabs cut. He loves his slab saw. He has also cut enough cabs to put together 14 or so belt buckles. He has discovered the relaxing/stress busting side of being creative. It has made a difference in his demeanor.

Hopefully I will feel better soon and really get going on the long arm. I just need some time and energy.

Hopefully you all are in good health and enjoying your current project.

Longarm Practice

The studio is not yet put together and my dining room in still a cluttered mess and completely unusable as a dining room. But that didn't stop me from getting some hands on time with Millie.

Millie

 I finally got to eek out some time to play with her. I am by no means ready to quilt for someone else but I am learning. I am getting practice at repairing patterns, picking out stitches, bobbin thread pulling, placing patterns, and advancing the fabric.  I have filled a 2 yard practice piece and am torn between putting another practice piece on or putting a quilt on.

I have decided on a couple of quilting patterns for specific quilts. I am kind of in favor of trying it out on a practice piece before doing it on a quilt. I do enjoy the machine. I can get a lot more done in a much more convenient amount of time. I enjoy watching it go but I also enjoy being able to start the next project with Millie stitching away on the previous project.  My son walked in while the machine was running and he exclaimed that is really neat. My husband thought it was cool. It is fun to watch. It is fun to play with. It is definitely worth the investment.

shamrocks

Some of the patterns I've tried on the practice piece. I like this Shamrocks pattern. I plan on using it on my daughters wedding quilt. I may actually get it finished before their fourth wedding anniversary.  Still I think it will go perfectly on their quilt.
 

leaves

I like the flowing leaves in this pattern. I actually flipped every other row so that the leaves go back and forth across the quilt. I plan on using this on a around the rail quilt.



I am not sure about which quilt I am going to use this on. I just really like the flowers.  I am going find one to use it on though.


I find that I really like most of the patterns in the quilt path but sometimes they don't look as neat stitched out as I thought they would. Plus there are some definite themes I want for certain quilts that are not in Quilt path. I am sure we are going to find some more online. We will have to pay for them. But that is okay, This is an investment.

Some of the patterns are pain to repair the pattern when a thread breaks or a bobbin runs out. I think I will need a lot more practice before quilting for others but I fortunately have enough quilts to do for myself.

This is going to be a fun learning process. Plus I am actually getting some quilting done. Which goes along with my goals. I will continue to work on getting the studio in shape. But I will also keep practicing on Millie. Some thing will go on Millie tomorrow either a practice peice or a quilt. but she won't be standing idle.  Practice is the key to improving.

Expectations Update

The year is already a quarter of the way over. Can you believe it? Time seems to be flying by faster and faster. I wish it would slow down just a little and let me catch my breath.

I thought I would take the time to review my expectations for the year.

1. Complete 3 quilts for family. -  Not off to a great start here. I have one that needs quilted for my daughter and her husband. I have the Christmas Lemonade Quilt that I will probably send to a sibling. Then there are a couple of others that need finished. So this is still do able.
2. Buy a long arm. -  This one is done. YEA!!!! It is set up and I am starting to learn to use it. I am not getting as much time to work with it as I would like.
3. Organize my studio. - This is well on it's way. The walls have been painted, things have been moved around, and the long arm is set up. Just need to find places for things.
4. Sew/quilt for 20 minutes a day. -  Some days are good and some not so good. For a month, while I was was working on the studio, I didn't sew at all. Today, I sewed for a couple for hours. 
5. Work fewer unpaid hours. - This isn't always in my control. Right now It is not happening. We are short staffed again. I am training again and so my days will be longer than I like.
6. Blog weekly. -  I have done this all but 2 weeks since I set the expectations. It isn't always very informative but it does happen.
7. Document quilts. - I am working on the creating a label for my quilts.
8. Use labels - I am working on creating some. When I finish a quilt I will use them.

So not too bad for the first quarter. I have plenty of room for improvement but feel like I have made some progress. I think I am doing pretty good. Forward progression is what it is all about.

How do you feel about your goals, resolutions or expectations? 

Frustrations Continue

I am a week away from my long arm being set up and no closer to having my studio in order. My husband told me that he won't be putting in the lights this week. The knick knack shelf has not been moved and nothing can progress until that is done.  I actually threw a tantrum today. I am 54 years old and throwing tantrums. That is pretty sad.

I apologized to my family for ruining the spirit in our home this morning. My ever forgiving son said "Mom, I understand, you have the awesome new toy and you can't play with it."  Of course when I was mid tantrum he had offered me Nutella to soothe the savage beast I had become. Some lucky girl will someday benefit from the training his sisters and I gave him.

I am sure that not being able to use the long arm yet is part of the problem. The other part of the problem is I know my family. If the studio changes are not done before the long arm is set up, they will never be done. History has proven that out. So I am frantic to get things done.

Add to that I haven't really sewn anything for two weeks now because I have my studio in disarray. I have to find space for it all. I did reorganize some of my stash storage and put fat quarters in my fat quarter storage bags. But playing with the fabric only acts as a salve for so long.

Right now, I wish I wasn't working. It would be so much easier if I could be home to work on it during the week. Honestly, the past two Saturdays I have ended up running errands. So nothing gets done. How am I suppose to get anything done when I work long hours and am too tired to do anything when I get home. Plus I am wheezing more and more these days.

Don't I do a good job of feeling sorry for myself?

I did pick a color for the studio, actually two colors.  I have decided to paint the wainscotting.  I will be painting the upper walls "Clear Blue Sky" and the wainscot "Slumber" both by Valspar. I will paint the other trim white.  I am going to make my daughter get it ready to paint. If I have to I will set up work lights in the studio so I can paint at night. Plus I think my husbad will be putting in the lights this week after all.

This week my daughter asked if I would help the young women's group at church learn quilting.  This presents a few challenges.  One is that there are only two young women, and one of them, my daughter, will be graduating out of Young Women in May. Another issue is, I don't believe the other young woman has any sewing experience. The leaders will be happy to help but both of them don't sew. I need to pick a quilt that will be simple enough to get done quickly and yet still let them feel like they accomplished something. A pattern that will work for a beginner and a more experienced sewer.

I chose to use the Fons and Porter pattern Around the Rail Fence. This will help teach them to do quarter inch seams and straight lines plus they don't have to worry about matching things us as much. We will strip piece it and get them sewing right away. Tatianna will be helping with this as well. I may need to get some 1/4 inch presser feet that have the blade to butt up the fabric against. Or maybe we just make bumpers on the face plate of the sewing machine using weather stripping.

I am afraid a good deal of this will fall on Tatianna to teach. I think about the only time we can get the girls together is during spring break and well I have to work. But I can get the plan solidified, the fabric cut and she can get them sewing. Hopefully they can make the rail blocks or at least most of them, then Tatianna and I can put the top together. Then maybe we put in on the long arm to quilt it. I think they might like to see how that is done.

So to Sum Up, Studio is a mess and I only have a week to pull it together. I have another quilt project for some one else to work on. I have not sewn in two weeks and my family is paying the price. Hmmm, sounds like I need time off. Oh wait I can't my boss is out of town this week and my counter part is having a family emergency. It looks like long hours and little patience in the forecast.

Goals are not looking too good right now. Have you ever had days, weeks, and months like that?

Studio Frustrations

When we moved into this house a little over eight years ago, We all knew that I would need a space to do my crafting. The problem that arises is the house is too small for our needs and we have absolutely no storage. There are enough bedrooms, 4 to be exact. There are two bathrooms which is adequate. The back entrance houses the washer and dryer and a stand up freezer. The kitchen is just off the back entrance and at the end of the back entrance is a very small pantry. We have a family room that the three of the bedrooms open off of. Then there is the parlor or living room, where the main entrance is and where the door to the master beroom is.

Now each bedroom has a closet, each closet is being used to store things other than clothes. Mostly my craft supplies. My poor children don't even have their own bedrooms because my husband's and my stuff are in them. At first the plan was to use part of the master bedroom as a craft space. But it was quickly filled up with my husband's stuff. That left the living room, which we did not have furniture for anyway. It was suppose to be temporary, but over the first year and a half I set up the living room as a craft studio. Then my husband started doing lapidary work. Because he likes to be near me, he moved into the studio with me. That was working out okay except that when he was faceting, I couldn't sew. So I made jewelry instead.

As time progressed, I was doing more and more quilting. I wanted and needed a long arm. Okay maybe I didn't NEED a long arm. But I did NEED a different machine to quilt on. If I was going to spend several grand on a machine so I could do machine quilting, I might as well go all the way and buy the long arm. I figure the long arm is an investment. I hope to use it to supplement my retirement by machine quilting for other people. However, buying the long arm meant my husband had to move out of the studio to make room for it.

From August on, we spent a lot of time getting a studio set up for him outside. We took a storage shed and converted it into a studio. It now only lacks a few things, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a cat door and perch for the outdoor cat. (By the way the outdoor cat insists on being an outdoor cat but he likes the rock shed) Oh and we haven't run water to it yet but it is hooked up to a hose for the time being. All of this being done when my husband has not been traveling for work. Which he has been doing a lot of.

Once out of the studio, my husband left me with designing and organizing "my studio". I do mean left in the literal sense. As I said he has been traveling for business and it doesn't look like it is going to slow down anytime soon.

With my studio being in the house, I feel it affects the whole family. The thing is we spent so much time and money on his studio and the long arm that there is not much money left for my studio. So I am needing to use what I have. We need to get lighting in there and we know what we want. I need to paint it and have an idea what color. All of this is easily done and my kids are really willing to help.

What is not easily done is trying to figure out where to put every thing. The area I have to work in is about 12.5 by 16 feet. Take out 3 feet for the door and a walkway on the north end, then take out another 3 feet on the south east corner for the door to the master suite. That leaves me 12.5 by 13 foot are to put a 12 by 5 foot print long arm machine. Figuring I need 2 feet in front of it and the eats up more than half the space. Plus I need to leave a path to the master bedroom. I had 3 short book shelves, a tall wire rack/shelf, a 3 by 5 foot desk, an ironing board and a 3.75 by 1.5 ft knick/knack shelf, all in that original space. It is not all going to fit in half that space.

I am frustrated to say the least. For me, the frustration led to being blocked and then to procrastination. I couldn't see where to start. Plus I was hoping Tatianna could move her machine into the space as well. Instead of her moving in, I will need to move some things out.

Tatianna suggested that we just make the studio for the long arm and it's supplies and move everything else into one bedroom. That would require taking down the bed and then we would have no place for the other kids to stay when they come home. That won't work for the family.

My husband suggested we give up the dining room. But we do use it at least a couple of times each the week. I hate to give that up. Plus giving up the dining room would require making changes to the kitchen and that takes money.

Anyway I look at it, there isn't a quick easy solution that makes everything magically fit and that doesn't require buying new stuff and or giving up stuff. It is a conundrum and not one I am going to solve before the tech gets here on April 3rd to set up my long arm.

My husband did come up with one solution. Hang the flat screen TV on the wall and move the knick/knack shelf into the family room. That will require the relocation of "goat" his antelope. But we can do that. A lot of this will fall on my kids. Now they are very supportive but as I have pointed out they haven't really had their own space since we moved in. And now it doesn't look like they ever will.

Moving the knick/knack shelf will be the first order of business in setting up the studio. Followed by installing lights and painting. I then will rearrange the furniture as best I can. I will still need a tall bookshelf to replace two of the short ones. I am thinking a couple of shelves over my sewing desk for books and notions. This week will be spent trying to figure out how to place things and clearing things to place stuff.  Maybe even painting. It will be a start. Fortunately my kids are all willing to help. I just need to decide how, when, and where I want things done.

So now I have a deadline. I also have the start of a plan. I still want things done by April 3rd before the tech gets here to set up the long arm. But I am just focusing on how to use the original space and not expanding. Now that  I have a general idea of how to set things up. I can actually start to work the plan.

I need to get a tall bookself for the jewerly stuff and I need to move some books around. I also need to get some shelves to put up over my desk. I need to choose a paint color and paint it. My husband and son will need to intall the lighting. Plus I need to sew (or buy) some curtains for the windows.

All this while we are working or going to school full time, with my son and I commuting an hour to and from work, and in between my husban'd business trips. It will be a chellenge.

It is going to require some late nights. But I at least can see some hope for the immeadiate future. The addtional space from another room may come later. Boxes and bins of fabric will have to stay in the other rooms and so will the other craft supplies. Some of the jewelry stuff may need to move into another room as well. But for now we can cope. I know we can because we have been for the past 8 years.

Do you have a sewing/quilting space? How do you organize it? What tips can you share with the rest of us? I know there are ideas on Pintrest but what have you found that works?

Sick Bed Quilting

So I got a lot done on my Christmas Lemonade Quilt this week. All of the 160 blocks are made. It was all I got done and then only because I was home sick with the flu. When I get sick with the Flu or Bronchitis, I have trouble doing much of anything. I am too weak to put a whole lot of effort into a project but I also can't just lay around all day. I find that I can quilt/sew but only for short periods at a time. So I set things up so that I could sit to cut and press as well as sew. I would work for about 20 minutes at a time and then go sleep. So being home sick for the week let me get a lot done on the quilt. It also help me to find relief in the aches and pains of the flu. I found that if I was still too much my muscles hurt more. So getting up and moving a little seemed to help. Who knew Quilting was physical therapy as well as mental therapy?

I got most of the work on the quilt done in the first half of the week, when I was feverish and achy. By Wednesday, I knew I had to go to the doctor if for nothing else but a doctor's note for work. Turns out I was sicker than I thought. I came home with a handful of prescriptions and totally exhausted. I fell into bed and pretty much stayed there all afternoon. I did trim up a few blocks in the evening but hit the hay pretty early. Thursday was mostly sleeping and taking meds. I cut a few blocks but that was it. Friday was pretty much the same with a few more blocks cut. Saturday I managed a trip to town with my son for some groceries and was exhausted again. Only a few blocks got cut on Saturday. It was weird how the farther into the week I went the less I got done. The aches and pains had really diminished but the breathing was a problem which I believe is what was making me so tired. I did manage to finish cutting and piecing the last 24 blocks today though. I had slept in quite late and I took a couple of short naps to get through. I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Not sure I can make it without a nap.

I know this is crazy but I almost don't mind being sick if I can get some quilting done. Don't get me wrong, I would rather not be sick and get a lot of quilting done. Since I have to use my accrued time off when I am sick at least I don't feel like I wasted a whole week off.  I got something done no matter how little or how long it took. Plus I feel less stressed because I got to do something I love to do. It's all part of healing. Quilting is a part of my healing process.

Do you ever quilt when you are ill?