Is this Happiness? or does life just happen.

Went to Quilt show in Abilene, Texas.  Had a great time.  Lots of ideas to steal.  It's amazing how people come out of the woodwork when you get in trouble.  So, I guess that is true happiness.  Had a freak storm come through Abilene on Thursday.  At least I was parked and not driving.  Lost my front windshield, blew out my rear windshield and scratches on my side windows.  Hope "they" don't total my car.  She's good for 30,000 more even though I'm at 171,000 miles.   Baseball size hail.  Yup!!  not golf ball but baseball size hail.  Dents all over my car.  Front end tore up.  One of the cats can curl up comfortably in the dents. Headlight out and tail light broken.  But, I'm safe and unharmed.  A gentleman staying next to me:  swept the broken glass out of my car and when I went to buy  duck tape :  this couple of 37 years of marriage helped me tape plastic to my rear window.  I had George come pick me up.  I wanted him to follow me home just in case I lost the front windshield in the middle of no where and had to get towed.  So:  Happiness:  is I wasn't robbed or mugged and I home safe and now I get to pay all the deductibles.....

Day 2 of Pure Happiness

 Woke up to a stress free day.  Just couldn't get organized.  Then I heard this tap tap tap on door.  Paula.  Yikes!!  Cleaned Linen closet, Cleaned bed room closet.  Sorted through boxes of fabric.  Went to mail box and discovered.............I don't have to do anything.  I'm on summer vacation!!

  Wait I will be on summer vacation in the fall too.

                                                                                                                              Hand painted storm

                                                                       Sun print

                                                    I hate you mocking bird

Did you know how the Nazi's indoctrined many of the S.S. boys.  Reading a book and found out today:  They grabbed male teen boys and sent them to S.S. training.  Every boy was given a dog to train and bond with.  Then the boys and dogs were lined-up.  Dogs were shot by boy.  If he showed no weakness they were put into S.S.  Others sent home abused and humiliated until old enough to join military.

Day 1 of 365 days of happiness.

Had a  great time in quilt class.  Getting ready for Quilt Show coming up this weekend.  Taking wool, hand-dyed and patterns.  Should work on web page:  but! Oh!  I don't have to worry about having time.  Cleaning a little.  Quilting a little.  Had a steak sandwich today.  No bread.  No salt.  Added pasta salad and lettuce tomato.  Should have gone to the store.  but Oh!  Can go tomorrow.  Who goes to grocery stores in the early afternoon?   Day one of happiness.  Let's see how long it will take to stop feeling like summer vacation. ummmm?

                                                                 started new quilt today:  all hand dyed by me

                                        David's  :  look at top right pink leaf.  All I got done

                                ripped out flower:  never even opened hummer.  Darn flower

                                                                     girafffe's have long tongues

                                                                Day 1 of pure happiness.

                                                                     too happy

what a flippin' let down.

  What was I thinking?  After 33 summer vacations.......my body and mind have to adjust.  It was just another day driving to work.  Turning in my keys was bitter sweet.  Same key chain for 11 years.  George got me from Seattle.  Parts missing and no longer said Seattle and a round thingy from an old purse I tossed years ago.  My keys were color coded.  Easy to turn in at security:  but they were laughing so hard at my t-shirt "retired"  I couldn't even tear up.  What a relief to turn in keys that cost $200 to replace.  Got a great gift from my Library Assistant.  15 years and first time ever! to have an assistant.  The summer cold from hell!  Day 2.  I don't think I can find enough tissue in Texas to stop my runny nose.  So no hugs or kisses except from the brave and bold.  They will remember me in 10 days.  No one will want to be my partner in quilt class tomorrow.  How long will it take to realize I have money, I have insurance and I don't have to ever work again?  Will it be when I wake up tommorrow?  Will it be when librarians return to work Aug 10th?  Will it be when I do my first $5 movie on a Tues afternoon?  I feel like summer vacation. But, Lord!!!! it feels good.

                                                                            dog show and booth

                                                      to kill a mocking bird

                                                    paint class

my last nite as a contract employee.

What is it going to feel like:  driving into the sun tomorrow morning before 7 am to work.   I never have to again.  What is it going to feel like turning my keys in after caring for them for 7 years?  I tried to imagine today and could not.I never thought a girl from Arizona would cross the Atlantic 6 times.  Never thought a girl from AZ would cross the equator 9 times.  Never had a job more than 2 years until Montana.  Texas feels like home.  7 years.  What is like to be a free agent?  Will I sleep tonite?  Will I cry on my way to work tomorrow.  Will I skip to the parking lot at 3:00.  Had a retirement party at work today.  What a darn surprize it was.

                                                            soon to be a quilt

                                                        a lily from Lang. Arts Dept.  surviving the drought

                                                                        My Lizzie

                                                                   Texas Sky

                                                                  Painted waterfall from Mickey's class

                                                                painted sunset

GEEZ! no photos again tonite

No time.  Awards assembly this evening.  Photos tomorrow.  Have to pack for David Taylor's class.  No more shows :  no more 2x/month.  Hey I'm retired.  1/month.  Classes w/ Quilters.  Again one per month.  I'm a runnin' out of money.  I wish my guild would get beyond beginning piecing.  They make lovely quilts but don't meet my needs.  Best advice:  take classes.  continue learning and growing.  Think like a 14 year old and you will be young forever.

driving

The class was a success.  Photos to follow.  I will never ever have to drive home alone at nite.  From now on I drive daylight hours only.  Won't have to kill myself to be home to get up and go to work.  Over the past several years the darker it gets the slower I go.  I just don't feel safe doing 75 on a single lane out in the country.  Scared I'm going to hit a dog, coyote, cow , deer, moose or bear.  I killed an endangered species 25 yrs ago in AZ and never have gotten over it.  The older I get the less I can see the lines going around curves and darn it!!!!  It's just plain boring.  Photos to follow.  check back soon