Where Did January Go?

During the dark, short, windy, days of January I did very little quiltmaking. The obsessive, compulsive Granny finally got around to sorting and organizing my bedroom/sewing studio, and office. There was so much stuff piled everywhere that it made me tired just living with it, and I sure don't want my kids to have to do something with this mess when I'm no longer able, so I have sorted, boxed, thrown away, and hauled trunk loads to Goodwill.

Some of the business files in storage boxes were old enough to be thrown in the dumpster(they took up a lot of space) and previous year files have been put into plastic tubs that can be stored in the backyard storage shed, until they can be disposed of in future years; multitudes of books have gone to Goodwill for someone else to enjoy [it is so hard for me to give away books but too much is too much], and many trashbags of clothing, that I no longer wear, have gone to the thrift shop. I even sorted out a lot of old fabrics, from my Mom's sewing days, that I probably won't use for quilts [hopefully some lady out there will be overjoyed to discover them].

A very large portion of boxes that were taking up needed space consisted of memorabilia from Joe's family. I actually found more photos, more than 100 years old, that I don't remember ever seeing before. Some of these were scanned for use in family history books and most of the photos and small pieces like funeral cards, wedding and baby announcements [individual, not in the same envelopes], and graduation invitations will be placed in more albums. Joe's mom, fraternal grandmother and great-grandmother were all savers of these family momentos and I am fortunate in finding tons [I've always exaggerated] of material for the family histories, after sorting thru tons [doesn't seem like exaggeration, it has taken me 20 years] of junk to find the treasures.

And then, of course, as I find more old family photos I am drawn to Adam Dell (my computer) to do more genealogical research, and when I get started making finds I am drawn to spend more and more time researching. It must be similar to the way those old prospectors with their burros felt, but instead of a burro I have Adam to accompany my travels. Joe and I are planning to take a trip to Harlen County, Nebraska this spring to search out distant cousins, old homes, and headstones in tiny cemetaries in small farming towns. If any Vansyocs, Perkins, Ransdells, Burkes, or Clausens from that area read this, please e-mail me.

I've also finished tops for crib quilts for the two new great-grandsons which I now will send to a machine quilter, since I've determined that I enjoy making the quiltops, but not quilting them. In addition I have made a resolution to get my WIPs (UFOs?) quilted because I am not able to rest easily with them calling and sobbing from their storage places (in my bedroom). I also have some ideas rolling around in my mind for new pieces, but I feel guilty to start them with so many WIPS (um UFOs).

Quilt tops from top to bottom:

GGS Brendan's "Water Creatures"

GGS Adam's "Noah's Ark"

GS Alex's "Nine Patch Animals"

GS Shaun's "Mythical Horses"

Daughter Michal Ann's "Waterlilies Bargello"

Mom Evy's "Family Album"