It might not seem like it these days … but I did get 9 quilts tied on my first trip to Maine so maybe I’m not as behind as I feel but there are group tops to quilt, string blocks to finish, and a Jelly Roll quilt to piece.
I’ve been a little overwhelmed the last week or so … it turns out Keith has an early “retirement” from the company he’s worked for … 25 years!! They’re going through a reorganization combining a couple divisions and his position was no longer needed. He’s pretty happy about it and I’m trying to adjust.
Most of today was spent trying to get his new electronics purchased (iPhone), set up (he’s going to use my computer that hardly ever gets touched), and ordered (iPad) I don’t even remember how old his iPad mini is but it’s definitely time to replace. I’m his IT guy at home so it was a busy day and there’s still more work to be done!!
So after he went to bed I’m getting some of my work done … unpacking my muslin … with all the Rainbow HeartStrings blocks I made the last couple months I was out of muslin for my foundations and Joann’s is no longer an option. It was suggested that I try the muslin from Marshall Dry Goods and my order came while we were gone – two 10 yard bolts of 90 inch muslin. That should do me for a LONG while!
I brought back six tops from Maine to quilt and send back to Bev (no pressure on getting them done) and I got the first one loaded on the longarm tonight and plan to get it quilted in the next couple days.
Since I finished the Linen Stitch crochet blanket it’s time to start another one and that’s what I’m going to do now! I’ve not used this yarn before but I like Lion Brand yarns so we’ll see how it goes.
I feel you, Mary! My husband was offered a buy-out 8 years ago, so he retired and we moved back to the Midwest where our children live. It was quite an adjustment for both of us. The good news is that he has plenty of projects to keep him busy, and a separate garage for his “shop”. I hope we never have to move again, but we’re so happy to be close to the kids and grands.
My husband also had an early retirement offer- after 32 years, he said yes, he had enough. I can totally understand the adjustment process. The upside for us is we can travel more- and essentially do whatever we want, whenever we want. It has been a good thing. Best wishes!
You are one busy household. I am glad Keith is happy about the “retirement” decision. It took me several years to come to peace with the timing of my retirement — reorganization too. The message is doing exactly what you have been doing — enjoy every day! Yep, Marshall Dry Goods has been a great resource for our community service projects.
Congratulations Keith on your retirement! Many happy days ahead for both of you.
My husband retired at age 58, almost 59 and he’s never regretted it. We’ve traveled all over the world and seen every state multiple times in our RV. Plus just resting each morning with coffee reading the news is wonderful.
The new yarn is such a pretty color.
Congratulations to Keith on the retirement. I hope you both have a smooth transition. My husband started a new business at 58 and promised his partners he would work until 70. He’s 71 and about 95% retired. He has maybe adjusted better to retirement than I have adjusted to his retirement – after 40+ years of his constant travel.
Congrats to Keith on his retirement! 😃 Such a big change, perhaps at just the right time in your lives. Connecting Threads is a very good source for fabric. The new yarn looks interesting and the color is very nice, hope it works up well for you.
You and Keith will find so much to do. The first years of retirement are filled with all the things put off for a while. Then you expand to the want to dos including grandchildren activities that didn’t rise to the planning list, the peripheral family visits and all the things become more important. Enjoy but remember you have things important to your happiness and prioritize those. More lunches and picnics. When you are up to it kayaking. Hiking comes to mind. Enjoy and things will settle down and then you have to adjust to constant change as life happens. Love life.
Marshall Dry Goods has great fabric. Living 3+ hours away my partner in crime and I make the one day trip a couple times a year. Their parking lot is filled with cars from all over the U.S.
I longarm a lot of charity quilts. I’m curious. Do you use muslin for the backings?
Nine years ago my husband was pushed out of his job of 29 plus years because of salary dumping at the company he worked at. They let go of all the managers and then many of the regulars quit in protest. It was hard for him at first but now he’s enjoying his retirement. Now you and Keith can travel when you want. I’m looking forward to next year when I retire.
Chris retired before me and, even that, was an adjustment! I expect he felt the same when I retired. Congrats to Keith. Maybe there’s even more travel in your future!
What do you think of the Marshall Dry Goods muslin? I used to get mine from the Alco stores but they are long gone. Also bought wholesale during my fabric dying days. Have just been looking for a place to order online since I now have to drive a 120 mile round trip to get much of anything. About the only stores left around where I live are dollar stores…no fabric, no clothes, no shoes. Can be frustrating.
My mother lived near Marshall’s for many years and bought lots of fabric from them. I still buy online and when I visit that area. This is the perfect place to buy muslin. I like their 108 inch backings too.
Congratulations Keith! It will be an adjustment. My husband started working from home when Covid hit and that lasted until a few months ago. I am back to my former quilting routine and now he’s considering retirement. I may put him to work loading the longarm, which he knows how to do. Marshall Dry Goods is 6 hours away so shopping by mail is my favorite option unless we are traveling south, then we stop there on the way back to the Midwest. I have shared your many patterns with our community service group at quilt guild and we appreciate your generosity.