Sunday, March 02, 2008

Why is this woman smiling?

Lots of reasons!

First and foremost, I QUIT MY JOB! And what's even better is that I didn't actually quit, I am retiring! I was shocked when I learned that I was eligible, but when we moved here in 1982 I taught European history at the high school on campus, and most of my jobs since then have also been at the University of Illinois. That means they all contributed towards the same retirement program. Suddenly I wouldn't be walking away but would be moving on. I will miss seeing some of my good friends at work, but I plan to keep in touch. Otherwise, it is time for me to go. Does anyone remember "Marvin K. Mooney, will you please go now?" by Dr. Seuss? It ends, "The time had come, so Marvin went." On April 1, the time will come and I will go.

Second, my guild had an auction Thursday. On the premise that one quilter's trash is another quilter's treasure, everyone donated the quilting stuff they didn't want anymore so that others could bid on it. There was a huge pile of quilting magazines and I despaired of trying to flip through to choose those I might want. I picked one up at random and it fell open to this article by Chris Kleppe (American Quilter, Winter 2003):
I love, I am completely fascinated by mosaics and Moorish architecture. I have often wondered how I could make one of those tracery designs into a quilt, but the answer always came up applique, and I am a piecer. Here Kleppe explains how to determine whether a particular design could be pieced using her method. Of the quilts shown in the article, this design is my favorite (there's another quilt overlapping in the upper right):

Third, I am grateful to so many quilters for their help and advice. Yesterday brought another example. A good friend and quilter stopped by yesterday afternoon just as I was finishing laying out AGAIN the quilt that had fallen off my design wall last May.
I love the look and feel of these rich batik flannels, but I didn't have as many blocks as I want and I couldn't find any more fabric. She had some in her stash and drove them over and gave them to me later in the day. How amazingly sweet, I am so very grateful. This is easy piecing, so I will make more blocks and then have something simple to stitch together in odd moments.

And fourth, after a brief shower this morning, the sun is out and our snow is melting! We might reach 50 degrees today and I can't stop smiling as I watch the mountain of dirty snow in our front yard dissolve into beautiful, non-frozen, totally splashable puddles.

9 comments:

Belvie said...

Oh my....just think of all those quilty projects you will now have time for!! Congratulations on the retirement.

Tonya Ricucci said...

whoohoo!!! that is fantastic news. you're goign to be able to do all sorts of amazing things with your freedom!

Quilting Pirate said...

when is your last day?! Congrats on retiring, of course I'm sure you will find plenty to do!

I love your upbeat positive post. I hope the rest of the day was just as positive!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Oh, I am so happy for you... there are several of us where I work who would LOVE to retire, but it isn't economically possible yet. All my best with the adjustment (bet you don't have much difficulty with your quilts waiting for you!).

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

that is great news that you will have more time to do the things you love and relax. Retirement is the beginning of the life you want to live.

Pattie said...

Congrats on your pending retirement. I can see visions of future quilting projects dancing through your head!

Love the batik flannels you've used. Be sure to post a photo of the finished project, will you?

Thanks for the positive, upbeat post. You made my day!

Helen in the UK said...

Congrats on your forthcoming retirement. Bet you're already thinking of all those new quilts you can make :)

laura west kong said...

Congratulations! Wow, all that time for quilting.

Those batiks simply glow...love them!

Laurel said...

I'm finally getting back to blogging, both doing it and reading others, and my I have missed a lot! Congratulations! My mom retired too, just a week ago, did you know that? What amazing coincidence with the timing. Relish the freedom!!!