overboard!

I went a bit overboard fabric shopping while I was traveling.  I went to two quilt stores I liked and Ragfinery.  I bought enough flannel for two Christmases!  I can say it was for a non-profit and by the pound so I got a good deal.  I spent more on thrifted fabric then new!  But that is life.

I do admit that for the last bit of the trip I surely wished that I had packed sewing machine.  My "portable' sewing machine is not very portable.  If I am tired, I need help carrying it.

But the first day home, I did get a chance to sew.  I am making myself a Halloween wall hanging quilt with new and old fabric.  I am enjoying myself.

I am exhausted.  There has been no time at work for anything.  I do not even feel like I am caring for myself for in ten hours of the day it has been so busy.  People are freaking out that I will not be there soon.  Nothing I can do about it.  But it is making me tired.  And the stress is such I think I am not eating enough.  It wil get better.

My brain is starting to turn in crazy directions.  Who knows where it will turn up!

modification or mending?

I seem to be doing a lot of modifications lately.  Long sleeve shirts to short sleeve.  It is not really mending but it feels like it.  And when there are ten shirts to be modified it is hard to get anything else done.

Life is full of things I am not enjoying currently.  People at work that did not make the decision of me leaving are panicing.  There is much work and many meetings.  Many early meetings.  So early that I do not have a chance to sew as much as I would wish.  I am very tired by the time I get a quiet bit so it is hard to stay awake at the sewing machine.  It is not as dangerous as other activities but still not good.

The next bit is going to be interesting as well.  The Tall Short Person is back from Oregon for a few weeks.  She will take Koda Bear with her.  What I am going to do without my small helper?  Yes, Chef!  

I am hoping to get a bit of time on my machine on this weekend.  Maybe?  I have lots of work to do.

traveling

I am getting very handy at making a dropped egg on a camp stove with homemade bread.  I like traveling this way.  Eating my food means I get to travel more.  Wahoo!

It was an interesting week.  The day we left for the mountain I was told that the company I work for was ending my contract at the end of the month.  The corporate answer is that they were cutting costs.  The real reason is that I told the truth to a customers.  I was told I needed to share lessons learned.  I did.  Well that was an oops.  But I had a co-worker call the corporation evil today sooo . . .  It is just a paycheck.  It was just a paycheck before I was told that they were ending my contract.  They ran with the "fire me if it is that important."  I find that truth is but that is not the corp.

The mountain was about maintenance, eating ice cream, family, books.  Relaxation was much needed.  I am thinking that I will sleep for a week after my contract ends.  I have sent my resume out but I am thinking about other things.  Sick stomache feeling but excited at the same time.  I might set up shop or see if my butcher would take me on as apprentice or if the sewing repair shop would be interested in a home quilter geophysicist.  Many ideas.  

Maybe I should travel more and perfect camp cooking.  Sounds like a plan!

strange request

I had the strangest request from Koda Bear.  He wanted a nightdress.  Light blue.  I was like okay.  Historically, small bears of his age would still be wearing nightdresses.  Not a problem.  I had coupons and I made him a nightdress.  

I come to find out that it was not quite what he invisioned.  He wanted a cross between a nightdress, a mummy wrap, and a ninja covering.  Toes and hands could not be seen.  His head and face needed to be covered.  I do not even know where he got this idea.  I may try again but next time I will have him draw me a picture of what he wants!  

He was kind and wore the night dress once.  He pulled the hem up over his head trying to make the mummy suit he really wanted.  That is what he calls it.

But, while I was making the nightdress, I made Koda Bear a light blue heart.  I used scraps and wool roving for stuffing.  It is one of his favorite things now.  He wants to sleep with it and hold it.  Something was a success!

Mummy suit.  That one will be interesting.  Maybe he will pick out the fabric this time.

I am off to the mountain.  I am so excited and so ready.  I am going to take Koda Bear's advice and sleep while travelling.  Sleeping between visiting with friends.  Sounds like a plan.  

I would have to disagree

I follow Bon Appetit on facebook.  They post some interesting articles and recipes.  Recently, the best easiest cocoa recipe came across my feed.

I would have to say not the best.  Fairly easy.  But I bake so much I am not a good judge.  I work on laminations most weekend.  I realized what these reminded me of was boxed brownie mix brownies.  If that is what you wish, the best.  If not, not.  But the batter tastes right if that is what you grew up with!  Oh well.  It was an interesting experiment.

Today was a long day.  Work is starting earlier due to a required meeting I am going to.  Then, I got called on the carpet for telling the truth.  Doing the right thing and striving for excellence.  My response to being told off was I am sorry but if it is that big of a deal just fire me, I am tired.  

That is never the response people expect.  It is the second time I have made that statement which is why I say people.  My industry has this attitude that if you have a job you must be desperate to keep it.  Not a good time in the industry to go looking but being fired is much better then the other options.  Life is always interesting.