Well, I’m sorry I’ve been
AWOL so long. It’s been a most interesting year. I thought that it would be
easy for me to get through a year and a half with my husband about 1,600 miles
away, but it hasn’t been so easy. I miss him a lot!
Despite being widowed for
more than 5 years before I met him, we have been married for 13 years. I’ve
gotten used to his presence in my home and in my life. It’s a little lonely
without him, I have to admit. Add to that I’ve been working very long hours
this year trying to build up a slush fund for all the repairs and updates we
need/want to do, and I haven’t gotten nearly as much sewing done as
anticipated. I was picturing myself as I was during the first years after I was
widowed, sewing many hours a day. That just hasn’t happened, although I have
done some sewing this year. Not blogging about it, but sewing did get done.
Fitting remains the
challenge, and with the help of some wonderful people, I’m actually getting
better at it. Thank you Mrs. Mole. Learning HOW to start was a huge help. By
learning to measure my body separately front and back in multiple areas… including
shoulder to bust, shoulder to waist, width between apex, and similar things on
the back area, I have cut my muslin process down from as many as 8 to many
less. Jacket I’m working on now, just took two tries to get it right! HOORAY!
I’ve been lurking, watching
most of the blogs I follow, adding a few more throughout the year, and checking
in on Stitcher’s Forum at Artisan’s Square at least once a month, and lately
about once a week or more. As we got closer to the release of the rules on November 1, it became a few times a day! I’ve been watching the palpable excitement over the
discussions of SWAP 2016, and even more so at the announcement of the rules.
As we all know, life can get
in the way, but I’m sticking my foot into the water and anticipating going for a
full SWAP collection this year. I don’t anticipate any big life changes like I’ve
encountered in the spring the last few years, and am very hopeful we have a
very uneventful 2016.
I need new clothes, and the
rules fit into my lifestyle well. My lifestyle will be changing over the next
year, as I am starting the countdown to my retirement, with (for now) an
anticipated move at the end of August 2016. In the interim, I still need to
have workable clothing that looks business casual and is easily laundered. So
it’s going to be a mish-mash of a year for me sewing wise.
I’m thinking my retirement
looks like gardening, continuing with remodeling and updating our home, sewing,
perhaps a bit of quilting, walking, and biking, a comprehensive exercise program and some exploring of the
amazing country we’ll be living in. I’m also anticipating a bit of volunteer
work, and getting involved with the community. Perhaps a foray into a new and different part time career to keep me interested.
So far, the photographs and
the visits have convinced me that New Mexico truly is the “Land of
Enchantment.” It will be my
first time living outside the State of California, and I’m anticipating a bit
of weather shock when I first live in an area with four seasons, and a bit of
culture shock too. It’s exciting to start thinking and planning my next phase
of life.
I’ll be sharing my ideas
about the SWAP as I get my planning put together.
More later!
