VALLEN _ DON"T LOOK IF YOUR BOXES DIDN"T ARRIVE

This is on its way - I have waited to post so that maybe it will have arrived. Pink and brown. This was spread all over the island between my living and dining room for days. If you guys are regular readers, you know I make piles and add to them and subtract from them as I do any project. That includes swap packages too. I had so much stuff, that it took two boxes to ship it.

I do hope Ms. Vallen will find some use for this stuff. If not, please pass it along to someone who will.

Vallen was MaryAnn's partner. When I read the things she enjoys, I found that she is a creator of crowns, so I tried really hard to send things she might be able to use in that process. There are ribbons, papers, threads, some little bowls to hold stuff, and the ultimate sustaining product for crafting ---- chocolate. I do hope there are things in here she enjoys.

I had a good weekend for WIP. I have finished two sides of the binding on Baby Maggie's quilt. I made and mailed 6 bird ATC for Kristen's bird swap, I started another "surprise" for Vallen. We have started emailing about a trip she is taking into my neck of the woods, and I told her how much I loved the crown she made for MaryAnn. She offered to make me one and I am making her something in return. I cannot wait.

I found a magazine with the perfect "quick" ornaments to make for the church bazaar and I will be making those in the next few weeks.

An updated list of where I am -
1. finish baby Maggie's quilt
2. mail the ATC for swap bot textile swap
3. mail the ATC for swapbot autumn splendor swap
4. design and finish something for baby Deandra
5. design and finish something for baby Charley (girl)
6. make about 50 items for the church bazaar.
7. finish Abbys stocking assembly.
8. finish Vallen's surprise.
9. handmade Christmas cards for several newfound friends.
10 ATC ATC ATC for the indulgence project. (to be completed before the end of the year)

How am I going to function when Molly leaves for college? Her WIP this weekend was to respond to colleges all over the nation seeking more information about curriculum, financial aid, athletics, scholarship opportunities, etc. She is only a Jr. but I can see the separations coming, and I am just not sure I am ready for this. I have several more years with Abby, then I will really be without the interaction that gets me through my days. I have said for years that I am destined to spend the end of my life in silence, and I can see that time drawing near.

So how do I deal with all this? I create. It is one thing that is a part of me. I find that my creative work is satisfying and gives me a solace, a way to get absorbed into a project and quietly contemplate the changes my life is about to undergo. I am often quiet, but never bored. The challenge of making something keeps my brain occupied to prevent boredom. Planning the next project keeps me inspired. Reading other people's words here and in creative magazines helps keep that inspiration engine moving. So - like every other change that has occurred in my life - I will meet this challenge as well. I know this about myself and yet I am still sometimes afraid of the changes that will come when the children are gone.

What do I want from my life after children? I want to travel. I want to have long and intimate conversations without interruption. I want to share time with like minded people. I want to improve my artistic abilities. I want to be cherished for the person I am at that moment in time. I want to encourage others. I want to be encouraged. I want to dance. I want to have the energy to play. I want to love hard and live fully. I want to laugh. I want someone to hold my hand. Damn - this list is not much different than what I want now.

What do you wish for?

Have a beautiful day.