Autumn Blues
It's that time of year again... yes, time to catch colds.
I should have remembered from several Novembers past that this is the time when kids get sick, and pass on the joy to everyone else.
For several years I participated in National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo) where budding novelists pen a 50K word novel in 30 days or less. It's a harrowing experience, yet when you cross that finish line it's like everything you went through the whole month was so totally worth it.
Every October, I'd prepare for the next month's writing. I'd make extra casseroles, breads, cookies, and meals and freeze them. I'd get all my Christmas cards written, addressed, and stamped so they could be mailed on time. I'd get a leg up on my house cleaning so that the basics of dusting, laundry, and vacuuming were squeezed in between writing sessions.
The only thing I couldn't schedule in was when my two children, both babies at the time, would get sick.
And inevitably, they did. Ear infections and stomach flu and pneumonia (that last one was pretty scary). No matter what joy you get out of writing, it's sucked dry when one of your kids falls ill.
So this month I should have known that this is the time for it. I've been offline taking care of my two darling sickies, as well as my husband-with-a-cold. I've been running around trying to get things finished for our kitchen (which is, by the way, working now but still not complete). There are days when I can't even get a moment to turn on the computer. In between all of this I've been sneaking in classes to learn new quilting techniques, and searching for new ideas to bring you, and also inventing new patterns for this column.
With many new improvements coming to Suite 101 (check, for example, the new RSS feed available with the articles) it's all going to be worth the wait. I promise. On deck from my end are cross stitch patterns from a new company I'll introduce you to, instructions for ways to use ordinary household items in your sewing and needlework, book reviews, and brand new patterns by yours truly.
Please feel free to send me your feedback at sewingneedlework@suite101.com. Enjoy your week!
