First Streetdance of the Summer

After Tim’s softball game, I headed downtown for the First Streetdance of the Summer and caught the Pirate Flags and part of Zion Crossroads.  The location seems odd (on 7th inbetween Walnut and College…yeah, by the Taco Bell), but it was fun.

Tim is working on fixing some steps on the side of the house, and I am putting off preparing for a book discussion that I am leading tomorrow.  Maybe I’ll go and cut some more fabric.  I am close to having all 2,160 pieces cut for my next donation quilt.

Eggplanty

Eggplant hair clip made for Meagan, my partner in crime organic community gardens.  In two weeks or so we will be starting work on our veggie garden in one of the library plots on 6th street.  It will be an experimental year, but we hope to have lots of starter donations and in return, donate our produce to Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.

Also, Ashley and I tied in our annual Oscar prediction challenge.  So we both have to make each other something….a surprise.  So I better get to work.  Hint: Its something I’ve never made before.

Year of Making Stuff: Week 1

Having a broken sewing machine isn’t going to stop my Year of Making Stuff.  Even though many things that are on my mind to make are sewn items, I had to regroup and ended up making a quick request, two book marks.  My coworker and I share a distaste for romances and westerns, but read them from time to time as part of our jobs.  We read the same inspirational book, Winterbirds, about a year ago and both found it, well, sort of gaggy.  And strange.  We laugh about it pretty much weekly.  Elizabeth recently read a romance book, A Perfect Match, with the ridiculously named protagonist Cash Lawless.  And while Elizabeth makes fun of Cash Lawless, I think she secretly pines for him.

Elizabeth’s 18 year old daughter will be the recipient of the second bookmark I made this week.  Rachel does live the Thug Life in a pretty-Barbie-Bloomington kind of way.  I hope then she finds this fitting.  And funny.

Planning Purple Squares

Working Saturday screws with your entire weekend, with Friday and Sunday off.  So it never really feels like you’ve had a proper weekend.  Spent most of today organizing, shredding, sewing and planning.  I am making new slippers (the finished one is in the lower left) and planning a new queen sized quilt for our bedroom in purples and white.  The measurements are pretty much figured out, not just have to come up with a cutting plan.  There is a lot of math involved, but figuring it out gives me sastisfaction.  It also helps to know before hand if you have enough fabric.  It feels good to be planning/sewing.  I’ve had a crazy two weeks and its been super cold, so there are few new picture opportunities.

Three days of work left until Thanksgiving break!

Quilt Show

I worked on the committee for the Bloomington Quilters’ Guild quilt show that took place over the last two days.  I am exhausted, but it was a lot of fun and the show was a success despite the crappy rain.  I had two quilts in the show and bought some fabric for a steal at the treasure shop.

My crazy two weeks continues this coming week, and my foot hurts.  I am rooting for Thanksgiving to hurry up.

Retirement

As of April 30, my dad will officially be retired after working for 37 years in the same position at the same library.  I will never work for 37 years anywhere and I’m not even really sure if I’ve found the right career path.  But I was able to take part in the festivities during a quick trip to Colorado and we all can’t wait to hear the fishing tales yet to come.

Thinking

Things I think about: food, coffee, being passionate about my work, quilts, fabric, Loki, Tim, classes, going back to school, work, work, work, am I eating enough fruit, going to the farmer’s market, Web 2.0, interns, photography, SPEA, The Commission for Sustainability, recycling, living green, whether I can see the New Pornographers in concert, being a good person, travel, friends, organic food, allergies, natural leave-in conditioner, exercise, switching to gmail, having a baby someday, paint colors, books, The Clash, religion, gardening, health care, family, whether I should get new highlights, crosswords, publicity, and politics.

In no particular order, and not meant to be inclusive or exclusive.

Spring Conference

Returned last night from a quick conference in Minneapolis.  I did get a few good ideas (so identified in my notes), and was also able to see my extended library family, including my parents, my cousin and Ashley.  Location was also working in my favor, as I got to see Newman, her bf and Buddy her ginormous golden retriever.  My travel companions were also fun and I am still sleepy this morning.  That’s what you get for catching the 6:30 am shuttle to the conference.  This PLA was my dad’s last, and my first.  Talk about passing the torch.  Yikes!

Back home to rain and rain and rain.  I may curl up and read all day, but I will have to head out at some point for groceries.

Doing What You Love

What would it take for you to actually do what you love…for a living? What forces would have to align? Would this actually be feasible? Would you still love doing whatever it is that hangs out in your dreams if you had to do it, for you know, money.

Why do so many of us work in jobs that we like, and are possibly even really good at, but are quite frankly, sort of soul sucking? And I don’t mean that I am woefully unhappy, there are many bright spots in every day. But generally….theoretically….not me in particular. Think if you can see yourself, doing what you do now, say 20 years from now?

On the bright side, actual fall weather is here and it is lovely!

We Got the Ax

It feels strange to have gotten a promotion and be moving on when I know that there won’t be anybody to fill my shoes. Sigh. I move on and my department gets the ax. Even so, I am very excited to be doing something different at the library and am ready for the change. I had to get re-fingerprinted this week and even have my new shiny badge, but no start date and no schedule. I guess I will just continue to report to my old office until they tell me otherwise.

I am very excited that Niko has joined the world in NY, and we are waiting for baby Lily in MO. Would love to go and visit and cook for the new families, but not sure I will have a chance to do so anytime soon. So I did what I could and made quilts.

I have another quick and easy baby quilt that is awaiting borders and quilting, and fabric on the way from the internets for another one. I have also finished up a little holiday knitting (already!) despite the missing double pointed size eight needles and almost running out of yarn. Now I just need to plan my halloween costume…