Celebrate the routines

I'm wrapped in  a fleece "blanket" with a cat on top, a routine occurrence for me. The cat is a little bit peeved that I am not giving her my undivided attention. My daily routine is to rest my back, sometimes with a cold pack included. Lately, the pinched nerve in my lower back has been affecting my left hip enough that I'm being referred to a pain management doctor for a cortisone injection. It will mean a day at home for me, as I will have "light anesthesia." Well, light anesthesia for me typically means I'm completely out. And difficult to reawaken. Part of me wants to say, "I'm okay, no need to get a shot" and part of me wants to be rid of this disability. My neurologist will easily give me an application for a handicapped permit, but I'm also holding off on that. My disability is an on-and-off type of status. I challenge myself to do all that I am physically able to do while keeping balance. 

Why "Celebrate the routines"? Well, there are days that I am unable to do those things that are routine--loading and emptying the dishwasher, for example. Yesterday, I felt well enough to load and unload the washer and dryer--albeit, using a step stool to reach the bottom of the washer! My DH usually does the bulk of the household chores, and he appreciates any help I can give. So, we both were able to celebrate yesterday!

May you also celebrate the routine today.

God bless you! 

Pedal smoothly

Pedal on! Franklin makes a debut!

I got my Craigslist find smoothly running, or should I say, pedaling, last night. It (he? she?) is a circa 1910 Franklin treadle sewing machine in a "parlor cabinet." The veneer has seen better days, but I am diligently soaking it in orange oil and biding my time. The head is lavishly decorated with Egyptian-styled decals that include beetles and outspread wings.  It has an oscillating bullet style bobbin that I had to learn how to wind and install. The stitches, when I got things going, are excellent. After sitting overnight, the mechanism moves even more smoothly, though not yet as quietly as I would like. The belt is leather and appears to be original. 

There's something so thrilling about reviving an antique sewing machine. I can envision the dresses that were made on it, perhaps even using the ruffler attachment (which I have!) The original owner may have purchased it from her Sears catalog, had it shipped to her by train, and picked it up at the station. Franklins were made by Sears Kenmore. 

I haven't tried piecing anything yet. All my stitch samples so far are straight lines, with the intent of clearing out any excess oil and for me to learn how to treadle without accidentally reversing the action! Other treadlers will understand. 

Photos to follow once I learn more about blogging!

Merry Christmas,
buzzquilter

Surprised again!

I've been surprised again by my 23 year old daughter, who transplanted herself to live in New York city this year.  She is an amazing young woman who has courage that I wish I'd had at her age. At 23, I was lacking confidence in myself, unsure what I wanted to do other than be a good wife and a good mother (both tremendously challenging and important roles). I doubt I would have even considered travelling anywhere alone, much less move across the country alone. 

I read her latest blog entry today and cried. She credits her father as being the rock from which she launched herself--who has helped her, basically, to fly. 

He is my rock also, but in a different way. He helps me stay connected, "grounded" if you will. He calms me when I overreact--which is less often these days. We married when I was 17 and he was 19. We overcame the odds and have managed to stay together 36 years--through moves to two other states and the births and raising of our three beautiful kids. He completed a PhD, and after I turned 40, I went back to college and completed through to a Master's. Many people predicted I wouldn't even finish my high school years! 

I have two sons also. They are a testament to the goodness of their father's nurturing. Both are kind, gentle, intelligent men like their Dad. They are witty, interesting and talented in so many ways.

Why a blog, now? My closely knit little family is dealing with the stress of cancer. My husband has prostate cancer and, while it is an early diagnosis and his prognosis is good, we are all shaken. 

When I am trying to process something or am anxious, my friends will tell you, I organize. I sort, arrange, weed out and generally obsess. This time, though, I find myself quilting. And quilting. And quilting. It's as though I need to create comfort for others to comfort myself. I am enjoying myself, and I can stop whenever I need or want to stop, so it is a healthy way to self soothe.  So I quilt. And I pray.