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Monday, December 1, 2008

Back to the Middle

*Blog title inspiration*


I recently spent three relaxing and stress free days in a small community called Mt. Calm in north Louisiana at an unoccupied, fully functioning and furnished house owned and upkept by my dad. Just me. No computer and only 3 channels on the t.v. When I was younger, visiting my paternal family in this rural, secluded place frightened me. It was so quiet and dark and shadowy (at night) and wooded and just...out in the middle of nowhere. Now it's this type of environment that I crave when I need a break from all the realities of "grown up life." *Cues Martin Luther's "Growing Pains"*

And this time it was good. Really good. Doing absolutely nothing. Although I did visit my grandparents (a short stroll across the street) and had much needed conversation with my grandmother about life and family. In true grandmother fashion, she accosted me on several occasions with home cooked meals, non of which consisted of foods that I actually eat. She didn't know, so it wasn't her fault. She still doesn't know. Rather than admitting that I no longer eat most of the foods I grew up on and being subjected to that look and lecture that never fails to follow whenever the issue of my diet comes up around family, I just politely rejected any of the meals and got by on fruit and walnuts for 3 days. Nevermind the bit of my mom's peach cobbler that I tore into on Saturday night. My fatigued state on Sunday was the consequence of all the sugar and crust made with lard. :-/

Oh! Of course I can't forget to mention the bag of fabric, zippers, and other sewing supplies my grandmother handed over to me from somewhere deep in one of the bedroom closets. She used to sew and had forgotten about all this goodness that was left over from those days. You know I'm ecstatic anytime free fabric and notions enter into the picture. :-D

So today I'm back on the grind. Right now I'm in the process of making a pant suit for somebody to wear to a church revival this Saturday. The person came to me on short notice asking if I could have it done by December 6th, and unfortunately for me I said "yeah." And it's really only unfortunate because I didn't go to the store with her when she went to pick out a pattern for the jacket. As a result of not really having a sense of required time and effort, she chose one of the most involved patterns they had. See, when people don't sew or have an understanding of how garments are put together, they're likely to do this type of thing. It looks pretty, and they want it. Forget that they want in in less than 7 days and that there are a million pieces involved and all sorts of intricacies that have to be taken care of and that I've got all sorts of other things to do. I'm the one who agreed to do it, so how can I complain? Given my tendency towards simplicity, this is a bit more involved than I'd normally get, but it's good to have these sorts of projects from time to time. It's a reminder that I actually could produce more detailed pieces if it came down to it. So I'm giving myself until Thursday morning to get this done. We'll see what happens. One thing's for sure, though. Somewhere between make this outfit and working on other sewing projects and writing a 12 page paper for a folklore class and studying for a grammar exam, I've gotta catch up on my blog reading...the most important thing of all! :-)


peace

14 comments:

Unknown said...

It sounds like the rest was exactly what you needed considering how busy you will be this week. That jacket is a beauty, I can't wait to see the finished product.

High Desert Diva said...

Mt. Calm is such a perfect name for a place to go to relax.

*seriously considers a diet of fruit and nuts to have a figure like yours...ok...not gonna happen*

That jacket pattern might be involved but I gotta say....I love it. Take pics of the finished piece, please!

T.Allen said...

Oh yes, can I come too please? I'm feeling over-stimulated again! Ack, I didn't even have people over. Perhaps it was the phone calls.

I can't wait to see what you make with grandma's stash, of course after you're done with the jacket. *Giggles*

Kim Caro said...

I don't have a gramma that I can talk to, one speaks spanish, one i never met and my step gramma lives all the way across the country. My great gramma in PA passed away too but I got to spend some time with her and adored her.

Barbara said...

Wow, you go a lot going on there. Looking forward to seeing that jacket when you are done... and pants? I didn't know you made pants =).

Just think, when you finish you class and some more of your sewing projects maybe you can escape again to your "calm" place.

Jasmine said...

Heeeey! Stopping by to check out ya blog! But I can't find a "follow this blog widger" :-(

Megan Steer said...

Oh, I miss having a grandmother to push food upon me! You write beautifully.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

mt clam sounds like the bomb to me

Jewelry Rockstar said...

That place looks heavenly. It's good to talk to Grandma's. Mine are gone now, but I got in good talks that I still remember and use to guide my life today.

A Cuban In London said...

I'm glad you had a restful time and the second picture top to bottom says it all.

Greetings from London.

Anonymous said...

My mom (see taught me how to sew) and I have this discussion all the time about people asking you to make the most ridiclous stuff becuase the have no idea of the time or effort it will take to make it...or the COST....let's not forget the cost...they will never pay what it's worth...Please, that's couture! Your good...

please sir said...

Sounds like a great trip - good luck!

Debra said...

Glad you were able to relax!!
Hope you are having a wonderful Monday.

GalleryJuana said...

I would love to have a place like Mt. Calm to go to anytime.