Best-Laid Plans and 2021 Reflection
“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” That quote is translated from the Scots poem by Robert Burns, “The best-laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men.” Another quote along this same line caught my eye, “The devil fools with the best-laid plans,” by Neil Young. And one last one that often comes to my mind is, “Man plans and God laughs,” which is an old Yiddish adage translated. I am both a planner and a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants action taker. Probably more of the first unless it comes to fabric buying, as my bestie Sue would quickly attest. Are you ready to put a period on 2021?
2021 Laid to Rest
The end of 2021 is nearing and I have divided thoughts on many topics. It certainly wasn’t as challenging as 2020 was as far as where we were going, what would happen, who might not make it to the last day of the year. Of course, none of us really know the answers to those questions. The return to closer-to-normal situations like school/work, healthcare, and even grocery shopping helped a lot. Wasn’t it nice to not have to worry about toilet paper and whatever odd shortages that worried you? New shortages popped up but it didn’t seem as desperate, mostly, i think, because we were more informed. Vaccinations happened to those that wanted them, and as a surprise to no one, falsified vax cards have sprouted up. I don’t understand why, if you chose not to get vaccinated, you would want a falsified card. Would it be because you are denied access to flying, events, and even working? Time to get off that topic . . .
A favorite school principal of mine retired at the end of the school year in June 2021. We made him a special quilt using the Road to Oklahoma block and some pretty fabrics. While I was sad to see him go, he moved on to filling his time with grandchildren and riding his Harley. Let the wind blow through that non-existent long hair! HAHA!
Throw A Parade!
Right at the end of a wonderful month of June, I stressed myself into a case of shingles. While we were enjoying our littles in an Independence Day parade, my rash was spreading over the right side of my head, ear, neck, and face. Luckily, the walk-in clinic doctor swabbed the unknown rash and referred me to a dermatologist. The appointment and the results came back on the same day – it was a classic case of shingles. Providentially, the dermatologist took a look at my arm and informed me that I wasn’t leaving the office without giving a sample. A skin sample that is, which turned out to be melanoma. A spot that had been on my arm for ELEVEN years at least. If you have a questionable spot, go have it checked. Please!
My plan to host a parade for our littles came to fruition! We all had a baby or little to push/pull and everyone was bedecked in red, white, and blue. I’m not going to let shingles bumps or melanoma keep us down. It did, however, prompt me to “go fishing” for about four weeks. Having never enjoyed the sport at all – ewww to worms and sitting still in a boat for hours – I thought it was a humorous way to let friends know I was on a break!
2021 Perspective Changed?
That self-enforced break was nearly the end of this blog. Were it not for some friends reaching out to ask if all was well, I may just have floated away. A step-back and a reassess is sometimes helpful in many aspects of life. The school year amid COVID was behind us in 2020, right? Surely, this new year starting in August would be much better. Most staff and many students were vaccinated . . . we were mask-less for a few weeks in July!! Ahh. The freedom to breath easily all of the time. But we were smacked back to reality. Masks are here to stay, it seems. Required in all public school buildings is an easy choice to make, and the law in Illinois. No problem! I don’t mind wearing them nine hours a day. It keeps me healthy – I haven’t had a cold in nearly two years.
May 2021 Commitment
We made a commitment in May which was waylaid shortly thereafter. The Positivity quilts were finished and sent on their way but our “production” slowed way down. And that’s okay! I gave myself permission to not stress about blog posts or even quilt finishes. If I have something to say, fine; if not, who cares? Same with quilting – we don’t have any deadlines once the Positivity quilts were complete. Four – that’s how many posts I wrote and shared in August. You know who you are – the friends that reached out – and it is much appreciated. In September, I raised our hands for a blog hop with a Halloween-inspired theme.
The blog hop pushed us to finally have a finish, or two, technically, with these table toppers. Phew! Are we back on track and into a groove yet?!
2021 Ah, Ah, Ah!
Just like the Count on one table topper, being on track was not yet to be. An ambitious project of a ballerina quilt for a certain sweet girl who is sleeping in a big girl bed was started. We spent oodles of time debating the specifics for each area, and at last we had a quilt top! Woohoo! Gamma helped her blow out the candles on her ballerina cake while she kept the Paw Patrol puppies under control.
Time to start quilting the behemoth . . . or is it?! Wait until November – and don’t stress about it. Just a few more commitments remained after that finish, which include a table topper for Nicole and a December Virtual Cookie Exchange blog hop shelf liners project.
2021 into 2022
Where are we going in 2022? The SAHRR 2022 (Stay at Home Round Robin) starts on January 10th. We will very likely join Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict in her yearly charity event. A new baby joining our extended family will require a baby quilt and Positivity II happen in May. That’s it! Rather stress-free and open to do whatever we want. It sounds slightly unstructured to me . . . and I suspect we will find ways to fill our time. Sue will remind me of our ongoing project list, to which she is the keeper. She is rather diligent on sticking to the list, especially at the start of a new year. ~smile~ How does your end of year and new year stack up for you?
What a lovely post to read, Roseann! I saved it for when I could really enjoy it; like you I am not stressing about blog writing or reading or commenting. It is much healthier for our souls I think. The ballerina quilt turned out fabulous! I am so glad that your Health is good, and hundred percent agree with you on masks and how much good there is as a result of wearing them. We’ve had a mandate here for a year and a half now and it is no big deal.
What a year you had!!! Its so fun to see how you document your life through the quilts you make. and of course, the littles – they are so fun to watch grow, Here is to a successful 2022 !!!
My year is going to be dedicated to whatever I want to do when I want to do it!!! No more adherence to challenges or deadlines. I will just endeavor to be happy with what is on my list or it will be removed! I have 2 “customer” items to do, leftover from 2021, but they will be attempted in January so I can clear out my obligations. Then it’s gather QAL/KAL info and decide when “I” want to do it!
A thought provoking retrospective…had to think back on my past two years and how much the world has changed in ways that I doubt I would have thought possible when I was much younger. I do wish I had been as productive as you were though! LOL Thank you for the glimpses of constant creativity and familial warmth…love those little ones that make my week, every week! Thank you for all that you do and all the best to you and the extended family in the New Year! May it surpass expectations in all positive ways!
Hi Roseanne. Another delightful post to sit and enjoy. I loved the fact that in spite of the past two years you still find positive things to write about. How fun to see your quilts again and read that you are doing what you need to do to lessen the stress. I think we all slowed down this year at various points. I’m taking a page from your book and trying not to plan or commit to many projects or deadlines this year. Hugs my friend. 😉
It’s amazing what stress can do to us. Though what was a bad thing prevented an even worse thing, so maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. I’m adopting your perspective and have decided not to stress about finishes, my goal for 2022 is progress . As long as I’m not going backwards, it will be a good year. Happy New Year. Wishing you a happy and stress free 2022.
I’m ready to put the past two years way behind me, and look forward to this year. You’ve had some challenges through the year, but you met them with spunk and positivity. Happy New Year to you and Sue!
Wow what a year. So sorry that you had shingles and I guess a very lucky find with the melanoma. I honestly don’t know how you do all you do. Work, quilting and that gorgeous family. It’s wise not to commit to too much and go wit the flow. Love that ballerina quilt and so huge, lot of work in that. All the best for 2022, with some time set aside to be “gone fishing!”
A great post about the best and not so great parts of the year. You have sewn more than you know and your posts are always the bright spot in my Thursdays!! No pressure (LOL). I’m happy the doctor took care of you and you came out on the right side. While face masks and vaccinations aren’t fun, they sure aren’t the hill I want to die on. And if it keeps me and others around me relatively safe, I’m happy to do my part. Meanwhile I want to party like those two in your last picture…I’ll probably be asleep under my hat! Happy New Year my frine.
It was delightful to read about your year and be reminded of all the good (and bad) things that happened!
Happy New Year! 🙂
I really enjoyed reading your long and newsy post about 2021. I can relate to liking to plan things but also doing things spur of the moment. In college I had to choose an oxymoron to describe me, and I chose Spontaneous Planner. So speaking of planning, I’m thinking of joining you all for the SAHRR this year. Happy New Year!
Great post, Roseanne! Here’s to 2022 – the best is yet to come!!! Happy New Year to you and Sue and your family! Looking forward to seeing the new baby and quilt!!
What an odd year for many. I, too, slowed down – the endless low grade worry that still kept us distant from others. I am so glad your dermatologist was on the ball…and took good care of you. Lots of great finishes, but Addison’s quilt is so special. Glad you are back to blogging as needed. Looking forward to SAHRR!
Roseanne, I had shingles this year, too! So crazy! Glad to be past that, as I’m sure you are, too. And the melanoma – good riddance to it! You’ve made some beautiful quilts this year, shared some wonderful times with your family, and I’m glad you’re back to blogging. Happy New Year!
What a wonderful post! I’m so glad that shingles is behind you. Can you get the vaccine for that now? You continue to inspire and the kids continue to delight me! I love your quilts and projects. I love that you are taking it easier on yourself (enough stress getting through the day). Like you, I don’t mind masks. Have a safe and happy holiday dear Roseanne and Sue! Hugs!
It certainly has been two strange years. We are not out of it yet, but at least better. I for one am so glad you are back to quilting and blogging. Happy New year 🎆!!