It has been hot...hot...hot here in sunny, humid, sticky Georgia so I've been spending lots of time fussin' around the quilt room but not getting a whole lot done. I have however spent a lot of time thinking and planning....
On the quilting front I played with some orphan blocks left over from my Moda phase. (Do you find you go through "phases" where you use a lot of one line or type of fabric then move on...I made three or four quilts from these pink, brown, green and red Modas. I must still love them since I can't seem to part with the scraps!)
I've had this little scottie dog figure on my shelf for years and had the brainstorm of adding a little wool pincushion to his basket...a perfect place for my needle while I am working. Can't tell you how many needles I've "lost" in the regular pincushions....
I'm gradually pulling out the projects from the sewing room and making a list of what I need/want to finish, boxing up ones that I "may do," and putting the "what was I thinking" projects into bags for our next guild sale.
Now a little non-quilt musings...for the past few months I have been going to a really good physical therapist. Besides the fact he looks a lot like a young Robert Conrad (think Wild Wild West original TV Series...) with a Ukrainian accent...he is also very philosophical in his approach to PT.
A few weeks ago he asked me why I fight having MS. It struck me as a really dumb comment and I must have given him one of "those" looks. "You Americans want everything to be perfect and if not you fight it or ignore it...why don't you just accept and work with it." Coming from a man with a 24 inch waist who didn't come to work one day because he has a pimple on his nose this was pretty funny...but it did get me thinking.
My initial approach to MS was an all out battle...I was determined not to change my behavior at all. And how did that work out for me? Not good. I had repeated episodes and my life was pretty much in chaos since day to day my physical capabilities were all over the place.
So change to "I accept I have MS and I am going to fix it!" So I went in search of the magic formula of medications, meditations, nutrients and exercise. Think of Type A personality in search of the Holy Grail, Fountain of Youth or the perfect little back dress....I'm not sure who I drove crazy first: my doctor, my husband, or me. (They both claim the honors.)
What I did not change however was my image of what success would be...this is where that Type A thing becomes a problem. I'm not going to ever be the athlete I was while in the military, nor wear a size 6 (or even an 8!) and I'm certainly not going to stitch another Baltimore Album Quilt but in the past f my MS cure didn't get me to those goals I was moving on to the next "cure."
And when I looked over my turning 50 goals there all those perfect things were just waiting to be abandoned....So I am revamping my list to being more experience vs end result. For instance I am changing my "be able to walk two miles in under 24 minutes" to "participate in PT or modified cardio-aerobics 3 times a week." Instead of "win a ribbon at the next guild show" it is "sign up to do quilt appraisals at the quilt show."
Being less competitive and participative...my new matra...if I only could say it three times quickly....
16 comments:
Awesome new goals! You are inspiring. I'm praying you get some good comfort and reward for your efforts.
The scotty dog is adorable and the wool is a great idea! And the cat pic is of course wonderful...send it to Anne at Bunny Hill, she's having a contest with pet photos :-)
MS or not, these are good goals for any of us. Thanks for sharing.
You have a very wise therapist and I have to agree with his description of us, Americans.
Like Sue said above,the goals you've set for yourself are worthy goals for all of us.
Congrats on your new view of life. We all do what we can and not worry about the rest...
This morning I see Brownie and I smile. I see blocks and I grin. I read about letting go of the "what was I thinking? blocks" and I suddenly feel set free. And I read on. I feel something important here. I sense the "Truth" that with MS (as in life) - flexibility is essential. Love the Grace you share!
Your goals are a true inspiration!
I love the pin cushion! It is so cute. Your pics should be entered in a contest with pet photos and crafts.
It seems I go in cycles. Days of accepting, days of fighting, days of feeling overwhelmed. The best days are when I don't make any goals- just say to myself, "Self, let's see what you can get done today." God bless and hope every day is a better one than the last
I am keeping this post of yours for future reference just for myself, Sio. I love your sense of humor, as well as your sensibility. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Love the scottie pin cushion! Very inventive of you. ;-)
And I say this sincerely: Stay cool! And drink lots of water and natural juices. Ugh...that heat!
Good luck, it sounds like you're on the right track. Me, I can't even find the track most times. Age isn't for sissies and neither is the health problem track.
Oh the last part of your post rang so many bells for me. As you know I've been "fighting" fibromyalgia and trying to be as normal as I ever was..meanwhile suffering episode after episode. I've just hit the next phase of wanted to take time out (I've quit my job) so I can spend time "fixing" myself! LOL...you might be on the money there and perhaps might save me the grief...perhaps I should just move to acceptance and not fight any more! :o)
That is a fantastic attitude. You've set your sites high but achievable!! I like that.
I also like the idea of your turning 50 goals. I'm getting closer to that. Are these goals to do before 50?
Brownie always looks so sweet when she's curled up sleeping. love the random, orphan block sampler you've got going on. glad to hear about the new world view too!
Maybe I need to think about some turning 50 goals for next year. I could stand to look at life a little differently too
Your approach to life is awesome. Thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for sharing this! I can understand the tendancy to "fight" MS - my mind is where it always has been, but my body won't perform. How frustrating!!! But to accept it means that I need to let go of what I think I "should" be doing. Most of the time, I can. But when I can't sew because I'm tired . . . well, that just sucks!
I have been following your blog for awhile. I enjoy reading your blog to see your quilts and it is well written. I also appreciate your thoughts and feelings on MS. I have fibromyalgia for the past thirteen years and have run the gambit of feelings and actions. I am glad I went back to catch up on posts over the summer. (I just discovered google reader.) I think I need to make up a goal list for this type "A" quilter. Thanks again for sharing.
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