4/16/14

Living without

Oh, woe is me.  We have no internet at home.  Weird, huh?  You'd think we were on the prairie, in winter, without firewood or food. 

It's so easy to get used to things just being there, at the tip of a finger.  Flip the switch, there is light.  Push the button and make the toast.  And, when those little conveniences aren't there, life is all discombobulated.  I don't like it.  I like routine.  I burned the sausages this morning, trying to make breakfast, lunch and dinner, while talking to the tech help desk.  I tried too much multi-tasking and had to ask Syd for help. 

I woke really early this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, so I got up and put on my nice warm robe and went to the sewing room.  I wasn't intending to sit at the machine, but I did.  I finished quilting  the last section of roof and started some tiny background work to represent an oak tree that shades one side of the house.  My white marks are starting to fade and the pencil just doesn't leave as nice a mark on the silk when I'm doing it on the soft batting instead of a hard surface.  But, if I sit under a very bright light, I can still see the lines to trace them again; just a little at a time, as much as I think I can do in a sitting or it wipes off again and I'm back for another tracing. 

The last marked item is the tree branches above the house.  And, then I move to the lawn.  Still not quite sure how I will quilt something that makes you think of well manicured, St Augustine grass.  I  plan to doodle the ideas I've had and see if I like any of them.  Better to doodle than to unsew what I don't like.

After all that quilting, I finally finished the first bobbin.  A class 15J bobbin will hold a LOT of 100wt silk thread.  I decided after that much work, my Bernina needs an oiling and cleaning before I do more.  She's starting to make a bit of noise and that usually means she wants oil.  She doesn't want much from me.  A swipe with a brush to remove lint and several well placed drops of oil.  I keep her happy, she keeps me happy. 

Not sure what is interfering with my ability to sleep lately.  Waking at 3am.  Can't just lay there.  If I'm awake, I toss and turn.  That keeps Rob up, so once in a while, I get up and head to the sewing room.  I guess I can't complain about the extra sewing time.  Every quilter wishes the day was two hours longer.  I just wish I wasn't getting mine when I should be asleep.

Be well.  Have a good Wednesday.  Wish our internet devils away.  I have pictures I want to share.

Lane

6 comments:

Rebecca Grace said...

I know what you mean about taking technology for granted. I DO have Internet, but apparently I also have a nasty, embarrassing VIRUS as well because my Internet speed is about as fast as molasses. I tried kicking the computer, and it did not help -- except that it got my husband's attention and inspired him to run whatever scans and fixes were necessary to restore Internet and Peace to our home... :-)

Waking at 3 AM regularly all of a sudden? Are you eating or drinking anything in the afternoon or evening that might have hidden caffeine? What about exercise? I've read that getting some cardio in can help you sleep better. I know we quilters tend to spend a lot more time seated at our sewing machines than out walking or (God forbid!) jogging around the neighborhood. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on the silk wholecloth quilt!

lw said...

I hate it when things break down, but I hate it worse when I'm sick. I hope your internet is fixed soon, I'd like to see your photos.

Your quilted lawn could have the cross hatching left by mowing to show it's neatly clipped-- like the lawn on the daylight level of Plants vs. Zombies.

My husband has trouble sleeping through the night, too. If it's stress, there are two things that help him. One is a tea called Tulsi and one is an herb called ashwagandha. They are both adaptogens that block cortisol. He gets maybe an extra hour or two a night with ashwagandha.

Russell1947 said...

Try Mid Nite to get back to sleep.

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain. We have been without for 2 weeks. I'm not getting nearly as many things done as you are. Love all the quilts and cannot wait to see the front of the silk one. You are so much more talented than anyone in out family. lum

Elizabeth said...

Sorry about the internet. I hope it is up soon. I want to see your pictures.

Hope your sleep problems sort themselves out. I know I'm not getting all the sleep I need, and it's not for lack of trying.

xo -E

Anonymous said...

I would love to get up in the morning and be able to sew until people wake up. but my daughter has ears like a bat and is an early riser too. So if I can't sew, I clean up and arrange the small details of a project and decide what's next. You are lucky.