Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!! I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately. No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing. I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM! I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun. I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in. Ugh. After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025. If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post. I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot. Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth. January is typically a time to re-evaluate - right? So this month is Coming to Terms time. For me, that will be writing down the things I wish to have different in my life in order to be more content. They may be actually physical things - like cleaning out a kitchen cupboard or sewing drawer and they may be more mental - as in wrapping my head around the things I cannot control. Whatever is the case -- I'm Coming to Terms and will reduce the chaos and last minute freaking out in my life so that there is room for those crazy things that DO happen which we cannot prepare for. What can you do?
Now, if you are new to this blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?" I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily. I just can't. Sooooo, what happens is I document each day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place. See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too. It's a great system for me. There will be links throughout this update that go to related posts of MINE. They will open in a new window so that you can keep your place here. Just click on the hyper-links if you wish. There are NO ADS. Never have had them, don't intend to start unless my whole world gets turned upside down.
In years past, I have set goals for each month that I NEVER was able to reach. However, I NEED that guideline to follow, so I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track. UFO mode is still a part of my life and I have set a definite budget for fabric in order to not create more things sitting around for "someday." The "hopeful attempts" will change each month and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.
Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun read and perhaps a new idea or two. (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story. It is what it is.
1st - Happy New Year! Here we go with another fun-filled year.
2nd - Binding on Forever My Valentine is about all that happened today, other than working on my lists.
3rd - I've prepped two hand projects for the first month.
4th - One more block prepped for applique.
5th - Getting another block ready for applique and embroidery.
6th - Our beautiful Christmas cactus is blooming red and white. So, so pretty.
7th - All my Dear Jane blocks for last August are finished. Woohoo.
8th - mad packing and then . . . I am zipping down the road to meet Gwen. For all of our details and fun, check out this LINK.
9th - Leaving from Corsicana we make another portion of our trip south.
At Frieda's house in the evening, I finally finish up all the flowers on Forever My Valentine. Now, all that is left are the beads.
10th - The reason we left early has hit Dallas. Mister sent me this pic.
We've had a great time at Frieda's, but are off to Galveston today. We'll see her tomorrow when we board the ship.
11th - We are up and repacking to make the transfer to the cruise terminal. While in line for the shuttle, our remaining group members also arrive. Perfect as we are now able to board all together. Here is the fabulous LINK to our first three days.
12th - It's the first time I've had a forward cabin and I love it.
Most of us are off to an ice cream class.
Have to admit - this was the bomb.
15th - We are in Costa Maya today and if you want to peek in, here is the LINK.
13th - While I am out galivanting in the ocean, my sweetie is holding down the fort. He sent me this picture today of the trays that line my new little tool box. They were custom made with a 3d printer.
14th - We are on Isla Roatan today and have a fun excursion planned. Here is the LINK to our very full and fun day.
15th - We are in Costa Maya today and if you want to peek in, here is the LINK.
Probably one of the best bird pictures I've ever taken.
17th - Our last Sea Day and while I'm sad the cruise is coming to an end, I have so much on my mind that it's getting harder to stay away from reality. Check out our fun the last two days in this LINK.
Chef's Table tonight -so, so good.
18th - Back in the good old U.S. of A. Hello Galveston.
Love you two so very much - thank you for being there through it all. I need you more than you know.
19th -This was just a no good, very bad day. I'm going to be pulling out of most retreats next year in order to handle other things. I lost a very good friend this week because of the stress pulling on me and I can't afford to lose more. Gotta back off a bit for awhile.
20th - The hits just keep coming - our September Crabapple Hill retreat has been cancelled due to the owner retiring. Ugh. Sat and watched the Inauguration today - that's a mess too.
My bowls from Missouri Star arrived - so that's something fun. These are the replacement ones for Day 3 of the Jenny Boc.
21st - I am spending all of my time working on pictures - I have over 2k to get through since October. It keeps my mind busy and off of things I cannot change.
22nd - Just more pictures - I'm making progress and hoping to have them all done before going to Montana on Saturday.
23rd - Still doing pictures. Mister even has a picture with proof.
24th - Laundry, getting the house ready to travel, etc. Emptied the fridge and made some soup. This month is rapidly flying by and I so want to get some parts under control.
25th - Afternoon flight to Montana had us leaving the house at 12:30 and making our way to the airport. To follow along with our travel and first week in Montana, here is your LINK.
26th - We are at Flathead Lake and loving the beauty, as usual. I'm just working on the blog like a crazy person trying to finish 3 months of uploads.
27th - Quiet day - mostly spent working on blog.
28th - Ditto on yesterday but did manage to make a trip to the grocery store.
29th - Still working on the computer, also baking brownies and readying the house for a visit with my son tonight. Sis and Joe and Brock and Jill are also coming down.
30th - Let Mister sleep in a bit and then drove up to Olney to see Matt's new place. He has an incredible view.
31st - It's the last day of the month and my UFO is TA-DONE. I put the last stitches in today (yes, I've been working on it off and on all week.)
My other major goal was to have the blog current and it IS! I am so very happy. I hope you had a good month, filled with love and laughter. We are onto February - are you ready?
For this month - the way to control the chaos (for me) is to Learn to Let Go. That can be material in nature (selling stuff, for sure, and donating as well) or spiritual (find peace inside - no one can provide it for you). I'm going to be working very hard on BOTH aspects this month. January was a heck of a ride - gotta reduce the stress. Join me?
Thank you for reading this far. If you made it here, kudos to you. Hope you have a great month and find a way to bring joy into your life. Stay creative Y'all.
I've tried to make a COMPLETE list here so that I have only one place to look it all up. I apologize in advance for the boring nature of this to y'all, but it helps me. I've made quite a few category changes this year - anything to help stay on top of things.
Projects ready to quilt by me:
Ruby Jubilee - Loaded on frame and ready to quilt
Sophie-Claire -
UFO's to finish: *means on UFO Monthly Challenge sheet
Alphabet project from MSQC 2022 -
Second Half Moon Rising project from MSQC 2022 -
BAD blocks as leader/enders -
*Rhododendron Trail -
*Sandcastles - set, backing, label, binding, quilt and bind
Midnight Flight -
Daybreak -
Row by Rows -
*Rachel's Sewing Room - quilt borders and attach all parts
Desert Sky -
*Ruby Jubilee - Loaded and ready to quilt
Feathered Star BOW -
Current Projects:
Dear Jane - August blocks DONE
One Block Wonder -
Looking Through the Lattice -
Periwinkle Squared -
Paper-piece Project each month - November DONE
New for this year:
Turtle Items
Pillow Exchange
Penguin Mug Rugs
Just need final finishing
Forever My Valentine - beads need to be attached
UFO Handwork Items:
Hand Quilting --
Hand Quilting --
Stocking - in Montana, will work on there
Wool Wall Hanging - DONE
Links to Previous 2025 Monthly Posts - don't have any yet.
Links to Previous 2025 Monthly Posts - don't have any yet.
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