February is just about over!

Well....got one thing finished this month.  Actually that's all I did in the crafty department.

I enlarged the block to a 21 inch block.  Simple and I had fun.  Of course, I'm low on large chunks of batting but flush with insulbrite.  So it could double as a giant potholder!

In other news, my kitchen is finally finished and it is actually a nice space with lots of work surface.  I love it.

We also redid our spare bathroom.  We don't use it much and it houses the washer and dryer as well but it was downright ugly and really needed help.  It wasn't an expensive redo but it is done and quite nice.   No pics right now...haven't gotten around to it.

It is busy here in the park and there is always something going on.  We're stretched a little thin at times.  Again...fresh meat - someone is always asking for something.  I forecast burnout soon if we don't start saying no!

All for now.  Maybe next month I can be more creative. 

Hope you are all creative!

Little lightbulb moments

We had company from New Hampshire last week.  We were very busy with eating out and doing things and we haven't been that active socially for quite some time.  So while it was hectic and a frenzied pace I realized that while we've chosen a completely different lifestyle for ourselves we can still have fun.

One of our fun events was going up to Orlando.  We stayed in a time share for one night (basically we slept there).  The pup stayed overnight at the neighbors.  Stressful for Mom!!!  We went to a restaurant called Rocco's Tacos which is quite the hot spot.   It truly was about the people we were with because the food and drink were a bit mediocre for my tastes.  The place was packed and it was loud and there were some serious tequila drinkers in the room we were in.  Perhaps too much and hopefully they had a shuttle for travel!!!!  However, it was a good time. 

We also went and hung out at Port Canaveral on Saturday.  Seafood!!!  I do love seafood.  The port is a cool place to hang.  Most places have music and outside dining.  We will go again now that football season is almost over.

We also tried restaurants right down the street from us that were fabulous.  I guess in the 4 months we've been here we have been so busy and just haven't bothered to venture in. 

We had a great time with our friends and it was sad to see them go but we will see them this summer.  Our California friends are coming in March for a week and that will be another week long party!  I have time to rest up!!!

I'm going to probably force the issue on having fun but I'm now realizing it can be done and done cheaply.  I am the queen of cheap these days.  It is actually a good challenge.  I started getting the newspaper here today. (bitching about the monthly price plus sales tax, but whatever)  I have continued to read New Hampshire news on a daily basis and yes I pay for it!  However, it is time I learn what the heck goes on around here so I can have little adventures.  

I'm not one to sit idle in a community that I live in.  I always like to be involved.  Sometimes,  I really should just sit on my hands.  A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a Board member to be on the Homeowner's Association Board of Directors.  I agreed to do it.  There seems to be a bit of apathy here and there is always the "it has always been done this way" comment that comes with the drama of change.  Unfortunately, right now we are experiencing some change and there is a lot of drama and emotion.  There is also fear and that is just not a good thing.  So..............

Last night I was elected to the HOA Board of Directors.  Heaven help me but I think it will be a very good thing for me.  Keeps the brain working, I think.  So despite my trepidation, I do believe I can be of some value.  Another light bulb moment - I still might have my brain and it just might be working!!!! 

I have been working on my list of quilting projects for 2015.  Sadly, that is as far as I have gotten, what with the kitchen project and guests.  I do need to make some quick table toppers for the seasons so that might be first up.  I need a Valentine topper.  I have some reds kicking around!!!  I'm also going to make things for the Women's Bazaar in November.  If I get things done over the next few months I won't be stressed in October with wanting to make a contribution.  I will be taking time to get organized over the next week so that I can just sit and do stuff every day.

I'm waiting on a new washing machine that was supposed to be delivered yesterday but now isn't coming until tomorrow.  My husband took our old one out on Sunday afternoon because we believed the new one was coming yesterday.  So....the clothes are piling up but I have extra time on my hands for me!!  The old washer wasn't really broken.  It still worked but we think it got damaged in the move and it was showing signs of problems (like spitting out grease from the bottom and at first I thought it was just dirt) so we decided to be proactive.  Better this way than to have a washer full of water and wet clothes. Trust me, that has happened!!!   I guess I will be playing catch up starting tomorrow! 

Well, I guess that is it from the Sunshine State, where it is currently cloudy with no sun!  I'm feeling much more positive than I have in a while and that is a good thing for me.   There is a scheduled rocket launch tonight and I just love that.  They are so awesome when it is dark out.  Hope the weather clears out later on and I can watch the sky light up and hear the rumble of the rocket.  It really is awesome.

I  hope you are all doing well and being creative in some fashion.

Happy New Year! 8 days late!!!

Happy 2015.  I was so ready for a new year and my hope is that this will be a much calmer year than 2014.  So much happened in 2014 that I am glad to close the chapter on the year.

I did a tiny bit of crafty for the holidays.  Made a couple of wine bags and a tiny topper for our step-aunt, who lives here in the retirement community.

Over the Christmas break the hubby started redoing the kitchen.  We are doing it in 3 sections.  2 are done.  The center island which formerly had a 36 inch cooktop is now a complete work surface.  I am in love with the island.  The other side, which formerly had a wall oven and cheap, cheap cabinets, now has new cabinets, a free standing range and counter space.  Heaven, I'm in heaven!!!  It is a rather large kitchen but it was so inefficient that I just couldn't stand it.  The hubby is still doing the final finish work (as I type) with poly on the cabinet doors and drawers.  I still need to pick out knobs and handles.  The last side will be done in another month or so.  That's a bigger deal as we are talking about eliminating a bank of cabinets to make the place more open concept. 

We have friends coming from New Hampshire next week and we are looking forward to that visit. 

We do love the community here.  Everyone looks out for everyone else and the people are friendly.  While we've struggled to adjust to our new life and lifestyle, we are finally getting a handle on things.   I do laugh about the gas prices coming way down.  We rarely visit the gas stations anymore.  Too bad it didn't happen in New Hampshire when my husband hit the station every other day due to his long commute.  Ah well....that is the way it goes, I guess.

Okay back to quilting.  I did receive a gift certificate for Christmas to the nice quilt store that is near me.  Well, I will use it for something but once again this year, I am not buying any fabric unless it is an absolute necessity.  I've got to get a handle on de-stashing.  I've also got UFO's to figure out if I want to finish or do something else with them.

I want to make new toss pillows for my living room.  Something I actually piece and quilt and maybe, just maybe use a zipper instead of making an envelope backing.  I need to learn how to do zippers and the internet is a wonderful place to find a tutorial!

I will just need to make a list of what needs doing, what I want to do, etc.  I will also start making things for the Autumn Bazaar which will be in November.  I can whip up toppers, candle mats, and things that are small.  Those wine bags are super easy to make and I keep wondering why I don't have a stash on hand for gifting! 

Well, I think I'll take the pup for a walk and rack up some steps on my Fitbit Flex.  I tried so hard to win one of those every time the Pioneer Woman had a giveaway on her blog.  Fortunately, Santa brought me one.  Pink!!!  I might need to get the orange bracelet since you can change them out for style and fashion (oh yeah....I'm all about that!  NOT!!!).

All for now and again Happy New Year.  May it be "piecefully" creative.

Retirement Ramblings

Well, it has been a while.  I was nudged a week or so ago to write a post.  This is how long it has taken me to get here.  Right now I'm doing laundry and waiting for butter to soften so I can bake 2 more batches of cookies!  Baked two batches yesterday.

There has been a little sewing.  I whipped up a bunch of eyeglass cases for the Women's Club Autumn Bazaar which was held November 8th.  I made 19 and I believe only 6 sold.  I let them keep the remainder for next year. 

They were only being sold for $2.50.  I don't know.  People thought they were cute.  I would have lots to say about the craft table and the amount of work some people put in to making things.  There was the good stuff and there was "well, you know".  Freakishly, the "well, you know" stuff seemed to go.   Someone said I could possibly head up that table next year.  I don't think that will happen.  I'm happy to contribute but I think it would be a huge struggle to be the point person.

The goal is to make money for the Women's Club and they did make money.  I think they could do better but I will sit on my hands.  A few women made casserole covers and they sold for $10.00.  They sold out as I believe they should have.  They were quilted and rather nice. 

I've been learning to play Mah Jongg and I absolutely love it.  It gives me a couple of hours break and forces me to think.  I also have been playing shuffleboard.  Seems weird for me but it is kind of fun. 

I did manage to make a table topper that I have been wanting to make for a couple of years.  I do believe I bought the pattern a couple of years ago.  I'm quick!  I will make it again, maybe even for the Autumn Bazaar!!! 

   Jewel tones for the holidays!

We are all decorated for the holidays.   Harley had fun helping!  Crazy dog!!!

 

 

We also did some painting in the house.  Hallway and dining room.  The living room is on tap but the tree had to go up before we got to it.  After the holidays that will happen! 

 

Orange Bougainvilla!  Love it.  We got rid of the jungle of jasmine from the trellis.  We have two of these structures but Jeff is allergic to jasmine so out to the street it went for the trash men.  We did plant a couple of birds of paradise.  One is thriving and the other is not.  It may need to be replaced.  This particular section of plantings seems to need a lot of help. 

I'm trying to be active in my little community and I am participating.  There are a few quilters here and maybe we can get something going after the holidays.  I don't know but I might try.  I might have to join the stash busting band wagon next year.  I have so much fabric.  I keep telling the quilters to come shop at my color coded shop!  I've been to the quilt shop once...I needed a marking pen and basting spray.  Big spender!!!!  Great fabric though.  I had all I could do to resist purchasing.   I need to go again as I need some white muslin or white Kona for a valance for my kitchen window. 

Retirement is not easy.  It is a huge adjustment and I am doing okay in the adjustment department.  It just seems so weird.    The food here is very expensive but we may have finally nailed it down.   I need to redo the kitchen.  I stopped all potential projects until after the holiday as I think I have had enough in 2014.  I do need to get a new oven so I may seriously consider the redo in 2015.  We'll see. 

Jeff is doing well.  The older ladies love him!  He is helpful.  He knows just about everyone here.  I know the women. 

Well that's it for this rambling post.  The laundry needs to be moved and I've got to get on those cookies. 

Hope you are all well.



 

 

Greetings from the Sunshine State!!

It has been nearly three weeks since we arrived in Florida.  Long two day drive.  The dog did fine, thank goodness.

The very first full day we worked our rears off to unpack the boxes.  Actually, that took a couple of weeks but, thankfully, the bulk of the unpacking is over.  We got television, internet and a telephone as in one stop shopping cable.  Not a fan of cable but I'm working on liking it.  Apparently the only game in town.

It is funny, I have been away from our desktop for so long that getting back on seems like such a chore.  I will have to try harder to get on more frequently as I cannot seem to load pictures from the iPad.

So...what have we done?  Well, the spare bathroom has been painted.  It had an awful wallpaper border that needed to go and the wall color was, well, hideous.  So that got done.  Then there was weeding, trimming, pressure washing the house....work, work, work.  We've had some extremely heavy rains and the grounds are flooded so completion of the yard work is not done but perhaps on Saturday that might be possible.

This house has been empty for 18 months.  It needs some coaxing to come back to life.  Fortunately, we are getting there.

The first big project was an all day affair.  Change out the sink in the kitchen.  Dated and not very deep.  I have some big pots that would never fit in the old sink.

Above is the old sink and also the awful teal color of the kitchen.  We both did not like it at all.

Now we have a new 9 inch deep sink, a more trendy handle with a spray mechanism and a soap dispenser.  The color of the room also changed this past week.  It is now painted "Apricot Light".  Yep, orange!!!  We love it.  It even makes the tired cabinets and gross handles look okay.  That will be a future endeavor.  I counted 43 handles in that kitchen.  Even cheaping out will cost a little bit of money and that is just the handles. 

Our plan is to paint the cabinets white.  Can't wait as it will be lovely!

My husband has now torn apart the master bath.  He just cannot sit still.  Slated for a paint job.  So that involves patching holes, mudding, new lighting and oh yeah, paint!!! 

He has now made himself available to the neighbors for any work they might need done.  He has a palm tree trimming job tomorrow and he's been over to someone's house last night and twice this morning.  She got an 10x higher water bill.  I'd be freaked, too.  He will be great at helping the folks here.  He's one of the good guys.  I guess we all have good guys, don't we?

What else....registered the cars.  I'm now sporting a license plate with oranges on it.  PERFECT!!!

We went out to dinner with the olders last Friday.  We always went out with them when we visited his mother here.  We had a riot.  On Saturday we went to the monthly breakfast at the clubhouse.  Only about 20 folks present but the food was good and we met nice people.

I've been snagged to help out for the Women's Luncheon on the 14th.  Soup Day.  People make soup and bring it to share.  Sounds like a nice little event.

Sewing....well, I have set the room up.  I don't have the space I had in New Hampshire but I still have too darn much stuff.  I'm trying to figure things out.  I tidied up a bit more yesterday.  I need some Best Press and 505 Spray.  Must get to that quilt store near here.  Soon!

Oh I did do a tablescape on the bar area for the festive month of October.  I had to do it.

 

As usual, I am not the best photographer.  I'll keep trying to get better.

 

So all for now.  Back to my day.  Enjoy yours.   



 

 

 

 

Time to head out

Well, the hours are ticking down for the big move.  The 2 day drive starts tomorrow.

It has been quite the summer.  Adjustments all over the place.  Emotions running high, calm, high...vicious.

I will return to the blogosphere in a week or so.  My goal is to be productive.  I have missed quilting and really want to dedicate time everyday to me and my therapy.  Perhaps I need to be more vocal and not let the everyday life stuff consume the life out of me.

Things I will look forward to:  cooking real meals, laundry in my own home, perhaps a little television and learning how to survive humid weather!  It is a simple list but I know it will be great.

to be continued......soon

Be creative!!!

A new way of life fast approaching

Nancy commented that I might write every day. HA! I wrote my last post on the morning of the 17th of June. Things were looking great. It was a gorgeous day and I was off to my Guild to see my friends. I got there, eventually. As I approached the destination I was hit by a car that did not see me. Kiss that good day goodbye. It has been two weeks and I guess I am over all the stuff. I would like my car back but that may be another couple of weeks. I did not enjoy the Guild meeting that day even though I arrived. I was in a high speed wobble about everything. There is always the next meeting.

The important thing was that  no one was hurt. I did not have the pup in the car as he had been dropped off for a day of play.  Chalk it all up to life.

I still have not been doing any quilting.  Although, I am thinking about it.  I had a plan to reduce the pile of scraps that I brought here to the lake with me.  They are not going to Florida.  I guess I should think about getting that goal accomplished.

The weather has been very nice these last few days.  Boat rides have been plentiful and there will be another tonight.   The dog loves the boat.

In 2 days my spouse will retire from the corporate world.  We are seriously looking forward to it. They asked him to stay on a couple days a week through the summer but we decided it was not worth it.  I am relieved. He needs the summer to decompress from 40 years of hard work.  My worry is for him to be able to keep busy.  He does not sit still...ever!

So...life will change.  It will be a bit more relaxed and we can do things at our own pace.   We have not set a date to go to Florida for that new adventure but I am sure we will over the next month.

That is about all that is going on here.  We do have baby loons!  We saw one on Mama's back on Saturday and Sunday we saw one floating with the parents.  We usually have two sets of parents in the summer on our lake.   We are hoping they survive the elements of nature over the next few weeks.  We do enjoy watching them grow and seeing the parents teach them.  It is very interesting to watch.

Okay that's it.  I must go work on my geraniums.  They are looking a bit ratty.  Have a great day.