Monday Mornings

Today is Monday morning, and it is a really fine day. Years ago, I used to have something I called the Sunday Night Syndrome, where I dreaded Mondays and started the downward spiral sometime on Sunday afternoon. I knew it was irrational, but I couldn't seem to help myself.

Today that Monday morning syndrome thing is all gone. I no longer stress about work on Sundays, and I look forward to each day the same. Monday is the beginning of another exciting week for me, and I feel very very lucky to like my job so much.

This weekend I felt that I should probably have someplace to go, or something exciting to do, but I didn't. Instead of finding my fun outside the house, I bought some paper and made valentines. I mailed them this morning. The process was really fun. As I sat and cut out paper hearts, and embossed the cards, I realized that i was going back to the creative process that children have when they make things just for the fun of it. I wasn't going to make any money doing this, I wasn't probably going to learn that much (although I did learn a better way to take glue dots off the backing), and I wasn't spending my time doing anything that would impress others. But I had a great deal of fun all by myself, cutting out hearts and pasting them on cards and making designs that I thought others would enjoy. I mailed out 10 valentines this morning at the post office.

I can't think of a better way to start off a Monday morning.

Have a great day.

Best Friends

Kitty helper

Simba came up on the table and laid down on the fabric of the new fleece blanket I was sewing. The fabric was still in the machine and he had already made it his. It was so funny!

Oh Simba.

Didn't take long for Safari to find the new throw I made this afternoon.

More fun with the new sewing machine

I bought this fleece today and made this fun throw and hemmed it with a blanket stitch. They are great fun to make. Mike, let me know if you want one!

Love, Mom

Help the economy: buy fabric

Today I am going to Joannes to buy more fabric to make stuff with my new sewing machine. As I go forth into the snowy, quiet, peaceful world we call Melrose in Winter, I am thinking about what it would be like to be standing on the Mall in Washington catching a glimpse of some celebrity on a giant screen TV. I imagine that I would be cold, tired and want to go to the bathroom. What in the world are they going to do with all those people?? Where do they eat?? How much would be pay to be a hot dog seller down there today?

Anyway, I'm off to do my part of keeping the economy going. What would I do without a good fabric and yarn store nearby?

Have a great day.

How we measure snowfall

We can measure how much snow we get by looking out at the back deck, the railings and the window boxes. Yesterday we got 8 inches and George spent a lot of time snow blowing and shoveling. This morning we woke to 4 more inches and he has to do it all over again. A winter wonderful on a day off is not a bad thing.

Have a great day.

Good sewing weather

Yesterday George and I set up my new sewing machine which he bought for me for Christmas. It is awesome. So simple, and much easier to use than my old Singer, and a plethora of stitches to choose from. I sewed one practice seam, and within minutes was already experimenting with the fancy stitches. I had bought some fabric for curtains for the bathroom, and whipped these up, as well as a pink kitty fleece blanket for George's granddaughter. Today we will take my Joanne fabric coupons to get a cutting board for the table. Measuring on the floor was ridiculous and hard to do. I had a great time making stuff, and although I haven't sewn anything in over 20 years, I fell back into the routine easily. The old machines may be heavy and trusty, but the new machines are light and smart. Fun.

My new sewing machine - and a new baby blanket

Another snow day for us.

I never tire of kitty pictures

This is taken this morning, when Simba and Safari decided to stretch out on a nice silk shirt of mine for their morning nap. So spoiled. So cute.

A very warm feeling after a very cold day

Today I was sitting at my desk finishing up some work, and I decided to hit the button on my new keyboard that brings me right to The New York Times. I guess everyone else at my office was busier than I was, because no one had heard about the plane landing on the Hudson River.

Goosebumps are on my arms as I realize how lucky we all are tonight that the tragedy was averted. What a wonderful guy that pilot is. An experienced fighter pilot since Viet Nam, with thirty years of experience as a commercial pilot. And all he had to say was 'hang on, it's going to be a hard landing'. I think he gave people on that aircraft some confidence that they were going to be ok, and then they all had the presence of mind to climb out on those wings and stand shivering waiting for their turn on the boats. What an incredible thing. I can't imagine what I would be thinking if it were me standing inches above the river and know that no matter how bad, we are alive, there is no fire, and the boats are right here to get us. Incredible! Today is a great day for all of us. It is exciting to know that there are so many heroes amongst us, passing us by every day. It is exciting to know that the commuter boats will turn around and be there in minutes, with commuters giving up their coats and holding people to provide warmth. It is exciting to know that a city can stand still while the emergency crews arrive in minutes to help 155 people escape a drowning airplane.

All I can say is that it is a very good night after a very cold day!

Have a good night.