I've Been Thinking

 About a lot of things but mostly my knees.

Last May I started a walking program and eating a healthier diet. By June I was regularly power walking an hour a day minimum and losing weight.

Good quality walking shoes make all the difference:

By Thanksgiving I had lost 58 pounds, had gotten rid of lots of old, baggy clothes, and enjoyed shopping in my closet for new clothes, some still with tags, I had bought a few years back for "someday". 

Cookie season hit and though I kept up the long daily walks about 10 pounds crept back on. Just before Christmas we had a super cold spell hit, with temperatures in the single digits, too cold for ME to walk outdoors. 

So, I took 5 days off. When temps were above 40 I hit the road again. I was a little stiff and a little slower but still did the hour at my usual pace. The next day we were in the upper 60's, perfect winter weather. Off I go, at my usual "GO" speed. No problems at all. Felt fine. After I got home and sat for a while, I couldn't get up. And it was all downhill from there. 

Little sleep that night, worst pain I ever had, ever, all day the next day. I got an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor--tomorrow. I had to postpone the Facebook LIVE broadcast I was supposed to do that Friday at noon--I was just too pitiful to be seen. And Fuzzy Brain from no sleep and bad pain.

The GOOD news is each day I have improved, moving from awful pain, to tolerable pain, to sore, to stiff. I'll probably feel fine by the appointment, but I'll be at that appointment. Both knees were replaced, the left 15 years ago, the right 10 years ago. Hopefully, x-rays will show they are still fine. And all I did was sprain/strain the knees after not walking for 5 days then going full-tilt power walk.

I guess I'm not as young as I used to be.

So all this time spent resting, reading, relaxing and recovering, has me deciding to slow down a little bit.  I still want to travel to teach some, but not as much. Teaching on a cruise in March is something I am really looking forward to and hope to do annually. Hopefully, I will have good news to share in a couple months about some new opportunities for later this year. And there is an amazing job coming my way in 2024 I will be able to talk about this Spring.

Local classes have been very lightly attended in the past few years. Some of that is Covid, some is people expecting to learn for free on YouTube, some is "I can take her class another time". There will be a lot fewer local classes after this season. I wrote about current classes here: Local Classes Starting in January

My work for The Quilt Show continues as we work on the current Block of the Month quilt. I reach hundreds, if not thousands, that way. 

There is a trip planned for May 2023 I am calling my "TEXAS TOUR". So far, I will be in Huntsville, Tx May 1-2, The Woodlands May 3-4, and Lufkin May 8. I am hoping to add another stop or two before or after those dates, perhaps in Conroe or LaGrange or Austin or Round Rock. One airfare split between all guilds/stores will lower that cost for each organization. Then we can plan the logistics of getting me from "here" to "there". I used this source to find contacts--any help from my Texas friends will be much appreciated:

I love to work as a Quilt Show Judge so will seriously consider those jobs. Small shows with one judge, or large shows with several, I enjoy that aspect of the Quilt Industry a lot.

Local guilds can hire me, there are several near me that will allow us all to sleep in our own bed after a great all-day workshop. Or at the very least, don't involve an airplane ride.

ZOOMing is not my jam. I don't plan to do any more lectures that way. And I don't want to teach classes that way. I much prefer to be able to see up close what each student needs to get the most out of my class. I want to share what I know in the best way for each student.

I also expect to write this Blog weekly rather than twice a week. There aren't many comments though I know more than 2200 hundred follow me now. One good blog full of content should be better than two a week without a lot of content. Most people don't know about the many TUTORIALS here. The tab at the top takes you to them. 

Now I will have more time to make some of the many quilts that still need to be made. To use some of the stash that still needs to be whittled down. There will probably be an annual "BIRTHDAY SALE", purging that stash more and more each year.

The Design wall stays full now, think how much more productive I can be: 

Tops need quilting. Grandkids need loving, Husband needs attention. Knees need taking care of. I realize I have plenty to keep me busy if I stay home more.

So, if your group wants me to come, now is the time to ask. And if you are in Texas, I am coming your way THIS YEAR and would love to see you and your group while I am there.

Let's quilt.

Barbara