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Sunday, August 09, 2015

Cabin Time!

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This is my bliss!

It felt so good to just sit down and sew yesterday –music on Pandora, simply string piecing some neutral units for a project!

Cabin.  Home.  Solo sewing time.  So nice!

When I find myself in the midst of people every day, be it teaching a workshop, giving a lecture, having a blast at two back to back retreats, or even sitting amongst strangers in airports and on planes, I
reach a point where all I want to do is return home.

I need to spend some solo time recharging. 

That need for solitude comes at a time when family’s needs are taken care of, everything else has been addressed ---and though it might seem to some as selfish, this is time I need to be alone with my own thoughts, working out my schedule in my head as I feed the pieces through the machine.
Because even though introverts are misunderstood constantly, you know this to be true:

Are you like this, too?

Just for a little while!  Then I am re-charged and ready rumble!

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And so is Sadie!  And Beanie!

Mona came over and brought lunch!  We had made plans to spend the afternoon together, and while we cut out our projects – no sewing was going on, just dueling rotary cutters kitting up projects –we talked about this need to just be “SOLO” from time to time.

She too had been feeling the same way, having spent the past couple of months up in Ohio dealing with her dad’s illness, helping her mom with being a full time care-giver and she agreed with me.  No matter how much we love family, and want to be there, there comes a time where we just need to go off by ourselves and just BE.  For ourselves.  Not for anyone else.  Just to reconnect with our center of being and recharge those batteries so that we can once again step back in to all of the roles that we fill on a daily basis as wife, mom, friend, sister, business owner, etc.

And we had a great afternoon!  And the afternoon went into evening as all four of us, and the two dogs enjoyed dinner on the front porch as the sun fell behind the mountains, retiring to the basement afterwards to watch a movie.

Easy living.  It was just what I needed!

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Binding is all done on Lozenges!

The sleeve is stitched down and so is the label! 

I just have to sign it –but I don’t have a pen with me.

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Out on the fence up against the woods.

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I so love how this turned out – all of those neglected 3 1/2’’ strips getting put to good use!

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This was a fun Leader & Ender challenge!

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This morning’s walk gave this view!

August on the mountain.  Sultry and humid.  The blue ridge ever so blue.  This place definitely recharges me and I’ll be ready to re-enter the social whirl come Thursday when I fly to Las Vegas for a fun retreat weekend with Debbie Caffrey and Charlotte Angotti!

Quilt-Cam is scheduled for TUESDAY evening – so put a post-it note where you see it OFTEN!  9pm Eastern time.  I’m looking forward to some sewing time from the basement with you sewing along with me!

Enjoy a pieceful Sunday, everyone!


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49 comments:

  1. I totally agree with your need for "me" time...years ago, when I returned to work full time (after working part-time evenings while the kids were small), the biggest adjustment for me was no "me" time while the kids were in school. It became much harder to have any time to myself! So glad you have Quilt Villa as an escape....it's perfect for your lifestyle! Looking forward to Vegas next weekend....hubby and I are flying out Wednesday so I have a chance to "do" the Vegas thing before we sew all weekend. Can't wait!

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  2. I agree with solo time. Being an introvert I find that I become exhausted if I don't get a break. I'm going to the New England TOGA next weekend to have fun with vintage machines. It will provide me some solo time as well. Enjoy your cabin time! Go Mona!

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  3. When I worked full time and kids were small, my me time was 11 pm to 2 am. I would sew while they slept. I needed that very much.
    Enjoy your weekend. Love the view.

    Aileen in Florida

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  4. Lozenges is beautiful Bonnie. I understand your need for peace and quiet, your schedule is pretty hectic. I too need my 'alone' time. Have a great weekend at your cabin.

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  5. I'm TOTALLY with you on the need to have some alone time!! Although, mine is usually a half hour before bed. Time to read and reflect, plot and plan. Enjoy you time up the mountain! I'll be passing through next week on my way to Chattanooga and Nashville. Ahh, the mountains!!!

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  6. I need lots of alone time. I'm highly introverted, but have to make a living dealing with people/family/friends. Alone time quilting is highly soothing.

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  7. I'm definitely an introvert and I cherish some solitude and time for spiritual reflection as well. I loved my job and became fairly good at public speaking, but it always took a toll on my energy. Your career is high-energy, complicated, and people-based. Don't know how you do it, but I am glad you do.

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  8. I am also an introvert. And am an only child. You can chase me with a gathering. My son is not, and its taken him some time to get used to mom not being social. Enjoy your solo time. It's well deserved.

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  9. Being around people is like being on stage. You are "performing" every moment. We all need down time. Would go crazy without it. And this coming from an extrovert.

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  10. I am also an introvert who had a highly extroverted career. Most weekends I needed at least one day on my own to keep it all together. Thank goodness my husband is also a quiet stay at home kind of guy! Now that I am retired I am finding it easier to balance!

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  11. Everyone needs some alone time. You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself, first. Solitude is a great thing for recharging.

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  12. First of all, I love how your "ugly fabric" qiuilt turned out. Green binding ... spot on! A friend who knows me well, posted something to me that I love. "Introverts Unite!! (Separately and in our own homes...)". That pretty much sums up what I need after dealing with work from 7 to 7.

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  13. Anonymous10:38 AM EDT

    Nobody ever seems to know exactly how to take care of "Mother" or "the caregiver" or "the one who can handle it all by herself" except ourselves! We know when we need some nurturing, and it's usually up to us to give it to ourselves. This often means disappearing for awhile, even if it's into the bathroom for 5 minutes of alone time. (Well, until a kid or a pet shows up outside the door and needs us again.) Thank goodness we know how to soothe ourselves and recharge ourselves with needle & thread, too.

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  14. I totally agree with Cheryl Teapots2Quilting above! We all need our alone time to re-group/re-charge! You have to put on your oxygen mask before helping others with theirs!

    Secondly, I love love love the green binding on the Lozenges quilt! I call it "slime lime" and it is my favorite of all time color!

    Thirdly, is that Mona's cabin across the street from yours? How did you two meet? Just interested~~ Have a great time at the cabin and give Miss Sadie a hug from me! :-)

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  15. I retired 3 years ago and have loved EVERY moment of it because now my time is MINE!! Alone time is so very vital no matter what you do for a living. It not only recharges your energy level but allows you to see who you really are and re-balance. I used to be VERY social ... was always the organizer with the ideas and getting people together ... now I am so very happy just stitching away in my sewing room with my (also retired) hubby nearby ... we so a lot of things together but also respect each other's "alone" time. Good topic and I am glad you (and Mona) have your "villas" to bring balance back into your lives. MOST OF ALL ... love, love, love the picture of Sadie and Beanie ... what an adorable pair of pooches!! Thanks for all you do and "see" you at Quilt Cam on Tuesday night!! Linda

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  16. Yes! I agree...we all need our own time to 'center' ourselves...Your dogs are precious.

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  17. Another introvert here. I teach for a living, and being "on stage" wears me out! I love my work, but I needs lots of alone time to recharge. :) I'm going to make string blocks today--nothing is more relaxing to sew. Looking forward to QuiltCam--though the last two times, I only remembered too late--saw two sign-offs in a row!

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  18. Yes I think that we all need down time especially when you are around people all the time. Take care and enjoy your down time you deserve it. See you Tuesday evening.

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  19. Anonymous11:58 AM EDT

    When my husband retired and until he found interests to use his talents, the togetherness was getting to the point where I wanted to scream. Now I love my husband, don't get me wrong, but I needed sometime to myself. It took us a while to find a balance. Now he is busier with his involvement with the town and volunteering and I get my "me" time. So do not, I repeat, do not feel guilty nor feel you have to explain your need for this time. You need it and certainly deserve it. For every purpose there is a season.

    Dotti

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  20. Anonymous11:59 AM EDT

    Yes, I need MY time too. You can only give, give, give so much before you need to recharge. I think this affect women more than men it's just the nature of things. Take all the time you need, you have to take care of #1 first, or you won't be able to do what you love in return. I'm with ya girl.
    jefarley@charter.net
    Wisconsin

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  21. I know I'm not an Introvert! I just want to SEW after a week of NONE! I was so tired I couldn't brave a Big Project so I cut out a few little blocks and stitched them up. It felt sooo good to be back behind my "Bernie"! I need to sew my Guild Lotto Blocks for Guild Tuesday. I can watch a bit of Quilt Cam Before I go. Thanks for sharing your basement time with us!

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  22. Anonymous1:04 PM EDT

    Could not agree more - solo time is critical to mental health. I wish I had figured that out years sooner - instead of being made to feel selfish by saying "no". We all would have benefited as a family. "We grow too soon old, and too late smart."

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  23. I am an introvert and love my alone time. My time in my sewing room keeps me sane and ready to face the outside world when I need to.

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  24. I think everyone needs some alone time, we have to look after ourselves before we can look after anyone else. The cabin is a great place for that. I am trying not to start any more quilts and wasn't sure about the lozenges but I love the finished quilt....and I have a large amount of 3 1/2" strips that need to be used so it may be next up :).

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  25. Sometimes in life it is very hard to get alone time- usually that happens when you need it most. I love the grounding effect of quilting and creating- Right now we are busily trying to declutter our home so we can move this fall or early winter. We have lived in our current home for 35 years so there is much to cull and get rid of..Today's job is my sewing area- that will be the closest I will get to playing with fabric in the near future VBS ..
    Your mountain time sounds pretty lovely just now.
    Regards,
    Anna

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  26. I know exactly what you mean, I constantly travel for my job, and when I get home I just want to close the doors and not come out to deal with people, are anything else my sewing time is precious to me.

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  27. yes, we each need that precious "me" time. I love it so much.

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  28. I also agree....and I don't do this often. The "me" time is usually a nap smack dab in the middle of a weekend day or evening. This recharges me. Yesterday I went to my guild's sit&sew in lieu of going to watch my granddaughter's rifle lesson. I felt guilty, but with all I have going on right now....my son completely understood.

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  29. I SO AGREE!! I used to have (ALL) me time, and then 2 years ago, started seeing a man who LOVES to go, go, go and see and talk to everyone, even if he doesn't know them NOT ME!! I have been missing "me time" and I think it is about time to get back to my cave!! Thanks gals for giving me that peace of mind again! It is OK to be alone!!!

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  30. I am SO like that - I tend to get a bit cranky if I don't get my "me" time. What a perfect color you picked for that lozenge quilt. It really sets the crown on the whole project. Just wonderful!

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  31. I am absolutely like that! So glad you take time for you after all that you give all of us!

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  32. Anonymous6:51 PM EDT

    Your quilt is beautiful ! We just got home after a week on Buck Mountain enjoying some peace and quiet and alone time! Even saw a small bear in our yard! I understand exactly what you mean, everyone needs that solo time. When I saw on Instagram you and Mona (I met her once doing some cleanup at the pond) were sewing, I wanted to jump on 4 wheeler and come find ya'll! I didn't want to be a crazy stalker girl so I didn't. haha maybe one day we meet up there, Keep up with all the inspiration, you do amazing work. Brenda Gregg bcg60@aol.com

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  33. There's a book about us introverts. It's called 'Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking' By Susan Cain

    I've reread it several times. Whenever I need to remind myself that the need to have some quiet time is worth getting up at 6AM for :)

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  34. I have a friend who is an oncologist. She said that if she doesn't take care of herself, then she is no good to her patients. I think that the same thing applies here…if you don't take care of yourself, you can't share all of the wonderful "Bonnie" with us! Love the Lozenges quilt!

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  35. The was an episode on Designing Women where Charlotte told about her mother (their were 12 children as I recall). There would be a time when her mother would go away to the Grand Ole Opery, by her self just to get some of that alone time. We all need it.
    I have so much sometimes I need people time.Lol

    Joan
    iamlilac@gmail.com

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  36. Anonymous10:50 PM EDT

    You better get some quiet time before Vegas. We may all end up in Jail with Charlotte and Debbie being involved!
    See you in Vegas Baby!
    Becky, becajohn_50@msn.com

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  37. I recommend Quiet by Sarah Cain - it explains a lot!

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  38. Someone above said she calls your binding color "slime green". I have a nurse friend who calls that color "bilious green". Ha Have fun in Vegas and the visit with your mom after!

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  39. Extroverts recharge their batteries by being around people, introverts by being alone. I call it my "I" time. Throw in a sewing project, I call it heaven!

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  40. I believe that "alone" time is a necessary part of life. It does not matter how long it takes or how often it happens, but you are so right, it helps us to replan, refocus and just breathe. I am glad that you and Mona got to enjoy time together, yet help each other with that alone time. Your quilt is beautiful! Thank you for sharing every bit of you that you do. Have a wonderful creative day!

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  41. Anonymous12:47 AM EDT

    Bonnie, recharging time is essential for us all. Enjoy every hour you can get! Love the green binding and I call it "perky green"! I love green in every form and must resist making every quilt green or with green in it as a major element, yet green is a color that surrounds us with such joy when we live in the mountains among the wonderful trees in every shade and form. Enjoy the cabin times; those times are precious!

    Melanie in So. Oregon :o)

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  42. I hope you stop using the 'selfish' word. It's not selfish, it's self full! Know how your phone doesn't work if you don't charge it up? There is a reason why we don't work well either if we are all used up. Get it. Get self-full, GF.

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  43. Solo what a wonderful way to put it. Maybe you could design a quilt pattern called "Solo". Next week I hope to use that solo word also, not necessarily the selfish part, but so be it. My grandchildren will be back in school and I will finally have some time not to be driving them various places or keeping them so their parents can work. I have traveled a lot with my granddaughter for Fastpitch Softball, made memory time for my 11 year old grandson and welcomed the adoption of my 16 month old grandson this summer. Sewing has been very limited. Saying that the memories I have made with them is well worth the time and my projects will be there, my moments are priceless.

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  44. Love when you post pictures of your world, beautiful. I have those days of staying in my sewing room, planning and sewing, no phone calls and sometimes no music except for the birds outside my window!
    Love the quilt!

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  45. Cabin Time is great time. I love my alone time; I sometimes think I could be a hermit!! How do you keep going? It seems you have tons of energy and always have such an upbeat attitude. I'm pleased to know that you enjoy the quiet times as well as the busy times. :)

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  46. I would never have thought of you as an introvert, but I completely understand! I definitely need my alone time. That lozenges quilt is beautiful.

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  47. YaaaY! Although no one could call you an introvert, its just for that reason that you MUST take time out for yourself. That helps you function better at the frantic life you lead. You should not necessarily wait until all your motherly/wifely/business duties are fulfilled either.
    Keep on enjoying your busy life and your down times.

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  48. Everyone needs space and time alone. Caregivers and non-caregivers. As we age, space and time is required more and more.
    After 38 years of working and retirement, it did take about 4 years to not feel like I wanted to start a business or go to school or work, but then I realized that my body was exhausted after working for so many years, and now I realize how blessed I am to have started working at a young age, and have a great retirement! Freedom from work is great, but it takes years of hard work to get to the independent stage.
    Stress will do funny things to our mind and bodies - Baby Boomers are realizing it more and more! Enjoy your time at the Cabin.


    fredericsneice@gmail.com

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  49. Bonnie, looks like you struck a nerve with a great topic. I agree, we all need time to recharge.
    I was a trainer for several years. I loved it. But, some days, by the time I got home I would tell the family.."I'm all out of words, I have no more. Give me 30 minutes, I'll be back and ready to roll." I found it was much better to just be honest and take a little time, if only to change clothes and brush my teeth. Clean teeth always make me feel better...am I alone in this?)

    So glad you, Mona, and the pups had a great day together.
    Looking forward to quilt cam!

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