Carlene's world

The sun came up today on Carlene's world.

Unfortunately it is hazy,

but this year in Iowa both rain and haze are predominate.

Welcome to my world of quilting, napping, a bit of planting

and yard appreciation.

I have returned to my home area after 40 years in

Boca Raton, Florida, Kansas City and primarily the Chicago suburbs.

Although I am retired, things are hopping in slow motion.
I have my first yard so I am monitoring weeds,

doing a bit of planting and having the lawn mowed.

The high points of having my own yard are

the birds "up close and personal" for the first time and all my flowers,

which unfortunately were frozen off just as they were developing early in April.

Next year...my flowers and the Chicago Cubs.

Since my passion is making quilts,

I will insert a photo of my Iraq War quilt.

This is my original reproduction of an antique quilt I found in a quilting book. I call it "Olive Oil". I made this quilt top in 2003 while I was watching the war news every night. Silly me, I assumed that our troops were wearing "army green"...like I wasn't watching them every night on the news....so I chose olive green-colored (not sand-colored) fabric for the background. The black fabrics represent the oil and the muslin is the troop movements back and forth across the country. Can you find the convoy who, perhaps in a sandstorm, got off course. I, too, had hoped "the mission" was completed. Unfortunately I "still" see the sand-colored uniforms every night on the television. Vietnam II.

I have recently contemplated getting a dog. I am home most of the time. I would like some company. But--I am both lazy and irritated by the stop and start of dog walking. My fenced yard is an option, but stepping in "you know what" would really tick me off. Also the living and dining rooms of my home have light blue carpet. Hmmm. Also I am not a enthusiatic housekeeper...I do it...but not with extreme dedication. A dog might upset this delicate balance where I am surviving. The neighbors have a new puppy. Maybe I will just watch and pet him.

My niece, Emma is spending her summer vacation with me while her parents, Doug and Judi, work. I am enjoying the company of a ten-year old....almost 11. Now I can more appreciate the "taxi service" duties I have often heard about.

I am enjoying living back "home" near family. I miss my friends in the Chicago area. Since everyone here has settled back into their "pre-Carlene" lives, I find myself with lots of free time I never had in Chicago while I was working and no longer have the number and caliber of dear friends with whom I quilted and attended church. As I knew, my life has changed. I find success in setting goals, so "to do" lists are a "must". Well, them and naps. I think I'll take one now. I am still on a later night schedule than the average Iowan, so although I get up around 6:45 a.m. when Emma arrives, I have usually gotten to bed around 1 a.m., so I function up until I actually blossom after my nap. Unfortunately this gives me the burst of energy to make it AGAIN until 1 a.m. Old doesn't mean smart.

Well, another burst of energy resulted in the watering of the flowering trees I planted earlier this morning. Rain will probably come, but I feel less guilty. And that is part of the feeling of success. I just remembered...planting the flowering trees was on my "to do" list. I have reached another goal. Yeah!

This is an Electric Quilt drawing of a quilt top I just finished. I'd insert the picture, but it is 102" square and I couldn't find a place to hang it where I could get a good picture.

What a beautiful day here in Iowa!

I hope you are having a bit of heaven where you are, too.

Bye for now. Carlene