Saturday, June 25, 2016

Packing it in

We've been really busy lately helping the oldest daughter pack up her apartment and move.  While that was going on the boy/man came home briefly from university ( in between regular and summer classes) and we cleaned out his bedroom and packed away his childhood. But before that could happen, I had to tidy up the garage to make space for sports equipment, video games and high school yearbooks. I've dropped off so much at the Goodwill lately, they must see me coming and think my house is a never ending bottomless pit of All the Stuff.
I tell you what, my 50 something body can't take too much more of this moving and packing, especially since the weather is hovering around 100 degrees or higher for the next 5 days.
Ah summer, how I want to love you here in Northern California, but I want to experience you in Alaska, or Maine, where I imagine a light sweater is needed when the sun goes down,  people eat supper outside, and you can still wear long pants and shirts with sleeves in them.
There have been beautiful sunsets here though, and the grasses have dried to that rich California gold color.  I get to pick wild blackberries on my morning walks, make fresh lemonade from the lemons off my tree and float on a raft in the pool looking up at a sky so blue it makes you ache inside.
All that kind of makes up for the upper lip and boob sweat, the constant hum of the AC, and the inability to do anything outside between lunch time and 9:00pm without melting your face off.

 Enough complaining about the weather. Guess what? I finally joined the Instagram crowd (I resisted for a long time).  I still prefer blogging because I love the written word, the stories, the connection.  It's quicker to post something on Instagram, a nice picture, two sentences punctuated by a dozen emoji's and you're done. But man you can really get sucked into the looking and spend hours of time on there! I'm just figuring out how to navigate around and so far it's been fun.  I don't have too many posts up yet, but if you want to visit, I'm at  lifeofreilly58.
In between the packing I'm grateful this week for some quiet moments to practice my knitting, and  continue sewing more of my drunkards path blocks.  I've been able to build up a nice little pile so far.  However this is looking to be a 3 year quilt, as I started these blocks last year and it doesn't appear I'll be finishing any time this year.
Anyone got a summer project started?  Besides my white crocheted blanket, I've been itching to try some embroidery and I have 2 new books to read.  I'm down for anything really, as long as it doesn't  involve packing tape and a truck :) 




10 comments:

  1. You have been busy! I am slowly going through this big house of mine and trying to let things go. When my oldest comes home next week he will be going through his room and so will Mr 19 who hates to get rid of anything. Love your knitting you are doing a great job.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  2. I don't suppose endless weeding counts as a summer project?! Love your blog post.

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  3. Just moved my daughter and family into their first house. They had stuff in storage, stuff at our house, stuff at the in-laws, stuff,stuff and more stuff. I am going to settle down with my knitting and a good audio book with my earphones on so that I can't hear one more request for a large box and packing tape!

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  4. Good morning Lynne! I sure feel your pain, with all the packing and moving! We moved our daughter and grandson Noah out a couple of months ago, and recarpeted, and did a whole house switcheroo!! I moved my sewing room back into the original bedroom it was in. I did more bending, and toting, and all that jazz, and my body "talked" to me for weeks! We ain't no spring chicks anymore, are we!?
    Love your blocks!!! Love them. I am missing my sewing and embroidery on machine, and also crochet. I have just been on such a knitting kick, and particularly, sock knitting, that all else went to the wayside for a bit.
    You described our horrible hot summers perfectly. Wow, we sure did start off with the high heat, and we will be hot through October here. We are off to the lake again today. Our refuge. This time, just the two of us though. Should be a nap or two involved!!
    xo Kris

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  5. I'm glad you still enjoy writing your blog, because I sure enjoy reading it!

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  6. I tell you what that moving and packing stuff is a killer for sure Girl! The heat makes it even worse.
    All of your pictures are so beautiful and I cannot wait to see that quilt no matter how long it takes you to finish it. I am a huge fan of all of your quilts! I also am in love with that gorgeous crocheted blanket you're working on. You are a wonder my friend.
    Enjoy the rest of your weekend (boob sweat and all),
    Danette

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  7. Oh, IG!! I'd better go find you! Your circle blocks are lovely! What a pretty coral/orange spot you have there.....

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  8. Where does all the stuff come from? Even when your children move out, there still seems to be so much of it around. Floating on a raft in the pool sounds wonderful, here in the UK we have rain forecast for the week ahead!

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  9. Isn't it a fun time of life? hehe Loving your drunkards path blocks!

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  10. I love your drunkards path blocks, that is defenitely something I have to make some day. It doesn´t matter how long it will take, this quilt will be beautiful.
    KATRIN W.

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You guys are awesome! Thank you for the comments!