Life circles entertwined???

Last week my daughter made a delicious sweet potato pizza. Perfect rounds of orange potato covered the top. I looked at the homemade delics' and thought about the life circles I've covered in the last six weeks. My favorite weekly writing exercise, my blog, fell behind and one circle fell on top of another. Sometimes I didn't know if it was Tuesday or Wednesday--the blurred schedule entertwined.

For those of you that follow me, you know my annual Quilting Adventures seminars fall in early March. That meant, for me, airline schedules, room maps, Power Point presentations and last minute endless details pulled on almost every hour from January through mid-March. In-between were big family b-days (Michael turned 4!) , snow days and cold days that altered the daily planned schedule, even one or two "ill" days that caused the blood energy level to drop much below normal for a much needed rest.

And, at the top of the list was Barbara's and my plan to announce the closing (and hopefully, passing of the torch) of QA after our spring event. We had to keep our plans a secret for over a year, so it was welcome relief and emotion to finally talk about it.

Now, five weeks past QA I am thrilled to announce the joyful transfer of QA ownership to a perfect mother-daughter team, Debby and Kim. We are so-o excited! They are awesome and will carry the annual quilt seminar forward in full style. I can't wait to attend next year's event. They will soon post the dates and teachers for 2012. If you love to quilt I highly recommend you give this learning experience to yourself.
You deserve it! --five days of fabulous food, lodging and instruction in a comfortable, campus-style setting. Check it out-- www.quilting-adventures.com

Almost immediately after the spring sessions of QA I flew to Berkeley and enjoyed a teaching weekend with East Bay Heritage Quilters. Delightful hosts and students, a good visit with friends Mary Mashuta and Roberta Horton, and the most fun classes. Thanks, friends. And your lemon trees--oh my, so gorgeous!

Next, and none too soon, was a trek to OKC. I had not held my grandkids since December! Kate is singing, Michael is painting and they both are "all kid."  --meaning 24/7. Yes, my life has embraced a four year old, a 21 month old and very soon, baby # 3. My daughter and I visited, "nested", and cooked for her freezer, all in anticipation of Baby David, due in only 3 weeks. Mercy! Wow! I can't believe it! Really??!!--all of these sentiments fit my emotions. As the mother of one, I realize what I missed and what Lis missed by not having siblings. These little ones are so in love with one another, even as they pull and tug (as all kids do). I stand amazed at the energy and intensity of everyday. At home, I must NEVER think I'm busy again!

My adult kids are the best parents and I am convinced--there is a reason to be  YOUNG PARENTS. The energy requirement; the continuous act of self denial is endless. The discipline requirements (to mold the child) are off the chart. Indeed, the challenges never end. And thankfully, neither do the laughs and love.

Tomorrow, after almost two months of constant activity, is my drive home day. I'm ready. I'm young at heart, but the body needs a day or two of a different schedule. I'm not too old to play, just maybe too old to play--full time. And I must get reved up for baby # 3, less than three weeks away!

I'm back on track--one blog a week. I promise. I love to hear from you.

TIL THEN,

ALI

And on this beautiful EASTER SUNDAY:
                                          
 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall have everlasting life. AMEN!

Remember the old story...

on the way ...can I focus on one?

You have heard the old story. "I went to get the mail. On the way, I saw the ficus needed water so I went to the kitchen to fill a water pitcher. Then the phone rang. Julie, my neighbor, had a car problem. "Will I take her to town?" The beans are cooking, but not done, from my early-morning efficiency plan." How soon can I leave the house?....you know the rest of the story.

Isn't that how we live? It seems to be a woman's way. I guess it goes with another favorite saying,"the best laid plans."Today is one of those days. I started the day with my favorite breakfast --one egg, one dry multi-grain toast, orange slices and one cup of fresh black coffee. Simple and delicious enough... I planned the day between bites.

Then, I took the mail to the mailbox. I noticed the wind had blown down some tree branches. I picked them up to declutter the yard and yep!, I saw a bush that needed the frozen limbs cut away. Yep! Just one, maybe two, but what about those weeds? Thistles...oh, they are so annoying and if we don't get them while they are babies. Yep! Three hours later...you know the rest of the story.

Everyday evolves the same. My rescue dog chases his tail before he lies down. I've always laughed at his nap-order predictability, and yet, I find some of the "chase the tail" traits visible in my everyday. So, here's a NEW plan.. for tomorrow, taken from a summary of some the best efficiency books.

1. Make a Wednesday (or Thursday,etc.) plan. What won't budge off the calendar? Food prep for family, shower and grooming, have to's for business commitments, thoughtfulness in food, card or call to a friend that is hurting or needing, and a haircut appointment.These are non-negotiable.





Multiple random lists...tie together...simplify

2. Next, make a flexible plan. What do I want to do today? Town trip, studio time for the jacket needed/wanted at end of month, reading of the magazine that came in the mail and one/two phone visits. A magazine query for hopeful work and income in late spring? Oh, I must add email/blog reading time.

3. Grid the calendar. Mark the get-up time, then divide the day by hour segments and slot in the have-to-do's. What and where is the time left? Add the want-to-dos. Leave one space open for the daily unexpected.

I remember learning the concept of "dove-tailing" in a college class taken years ago. The principle of baking a potato but doing multiple other tasks while the one-hour lapse of baking takes place is dove-tailing. It was useful at age 19; it is useful many years later. Laundry--what is possible while it is happening? Baking--what is possible while it is happening? Looking at every task helps me squeeze in my "want-to-do's" and some of the "have-to-do's" that are urging me even though they are a month away.

As the kids say "sounds like a plan." Go for it; I'll go for it too (after all, it is the first day of the month--i.e.plan) and let's make an effort to get a handle on the day-plan. Good luck! amid your best laid day...have and give a "happy" day.  Let me know how your plan goes.

My best, to my organized readers,

Alice

my favorite scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:---v. 14...everything God does will endure forever.

Thank you, our blessed God for this wisdom.

a good read: Aunt Erma's Cope Book by Erma Bombeck, 1979.

(check it out from your library--you'll laugh until your sides hurt--a feel good laugh!)