Blog Neglect

So I've been neglecting this blog.  Sorry, folks.  It happens from time to time.

I went to visit my grandfather in Arkansas for his 92nd birthday.  He's had some health scares lately, so this trip was extra special.  We're actually going again for spring break in a couple weeks.

During our trip, Owen got sick & by the time I brought him home, it had turned into a touch of pneumonia.  Lots of school was missed last week.  Both boys got sick. Then I got it.  We're still sniffling some, but I think we've recovered.

I moved my sewing operation (minus the design wall & ironing board) downstairs to my office so that I could have some measure of sanity by creating when I could get away with it.  I found a 2 x 6 board in the basement that was about 1 1/2 feet long & covered it with a layer of batting & flannel leftover from Owen's quilt.  It's serving as my mobile pressing station.  I have 3 or 4 rotary mats of various sizes, so cutting wasn't a problem.  Times like these, I really, really wish I'd bought myself a featherweight already.  I could and would use a portable machine.  However, it's hard for me to justify right now.  Perhaps this summer for my birthday?

I've been sewing some.  Made Mary Anne's bee blocks & some more for myself.  They're string blocks (I will add a picture later when I sync my phone).

This weekend is our monthly Quilts of Valor sewing day.  It will be nice go get away to sew.  I have a top that I will likely finish.  Some scrap fabrics were donated from our LQS for Quilts of Valor, so I'm making a block with stacked bricks.  Should be a nice one.  Very scrappy.

In other news, I've got a new TV addiction.  Downton Abbey.  If you haven't started watching yet, get busy!  It's a good one.  PBS series.  I watched 2 episodes last night and 2 1/2 more today.  Hooked.

And I recently fell in love with the series Parenthood.  It cost me a good 3 weeks of quilting time to catch up in the series.  I'm hopeful that there will be a new episode tonight.

Am thinking sewing might need to take a bit of a back seat soon.  I need to spend (and have been spending) time learning more about Autism & making plans for Wyatt's therapies.  An important doctor's visit and conference are coming up that I need to be extra prepared for.  Wanting to make plans for the summer for the boys.  Classes or lessons or something to get them out of the house & keep them active (and to keep me sane).  I will still sew (how could I not?) but I really do need to focus on real life more & be more proactive.  Plus, gardening season will soon be upon us and I have high hopes for my garden this year.

Today, Wyatt and I pruned out Rose of Sharon bushes & tied up all the limbs to put them on the curb.  Took us a couple hours.  We both enjoy yard work.  Owen is less diligent about finishing jobs, but Wyatt sticks to the task until it's completed.  We also trimmed up some of our bushes in the front yard, making a giant mess that has yet to be bagged up, but I have it all raked into a couple piles.  Must tackle it tomorrow.  This spring-like winter has been really enjoyable.

My sewing room is upside down & I don't think there's much of a way to fix it without removing half of the contents.  So... the door is shut & I try to not think about it.  For now, it's too overwhelming.

I think I'll go have a cookie.