ChatterLei

I’m procrastinating getting ready for work this morning.

I have a new job, and learning new things has never come easily for me. I didn’t leave my last job by choice, so there’s a bit of lingering bitterness mixed in with all this “starting over” that began back in October.

A couple of months ago, my husband surprised me with a birthday party. I was able to catch up with old friends and spend time with family who made the effort to be there. It was such a thoughtful gift from him and my daughter, and I held onto that warm, happy feeling for weeks… maybe even a month or two.

Last summer, I cleaned out my sewing and craft room and got rid of a ton of fabric. I hadn’t quilted in years, and it felt good to let it go. I even thought about selling my sewing machine, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Thank goodness I didn’t.

One of my new coworkers is a quilter. She changes out a quilt in her office with each season, and I found myself studying the details of each one. Before long, I was hooked again.

The quilting bug bit me.

I went to a local quilt shop, picked out a simple pattern and some bright fabric, and put together a quilt top in no time. I wasn’t overly particular. I didn’t worry too much about trimming threads, but it felt so good to measure, cut, and create again.

And the hum of my sewing machine…

It’s calming in a way that settles my whole nervous system.

I’m now working on a block-of-the-month quilt. There’s something so exciting about receiving new fabric and a fresh pattern each month. By my birthday next year, I’ll have a beautiful quilt for our bed—one stitched together slowly, without pressure, but with care.

This time, I’m taking my time. Trimming threads. Pressing seams. Paying attention to each block as it comes together.

It’s been more therapeutic than I expected.

I suppose I should get ready for work now…

So I can come home and sew tonight.

If I feel like it.