Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Getting a bit settled in NC

I haven't done a stitch of quilting, but I am on the verge of getting back in the groove.   It was definitely fun to unpack my quilting books. 

The past two months have been really intensely all about "the move." I have all the pieces in place, except that I'm still waiting to buy my car (it is taking forever to arrive at the dealer).  I am so grateful to be able to use my daughter Noelle's car. 

I have been so humbled by this experience.  After three years in a small (some would say tiny) apartment in Tokyo, my body was just not ready for a three-story townhouse, and it's been such a challenge, physically.   

I have needed and gratefully welcomed a lot of help.  My brother has been over multiple times, and my son Tommy visited for a few days and worked non stop doing whatever I needed, and more. 

Once boxes are on the right floor, it's fun to unpack and I'm almost finished with that.  When I tune in to news about Ukraine, I'm further humbled that my problems aren't problems at all.  



Guest room ready: 


Sewing room is bare bones, because almost all my sewing stuff is still in Japan.  Board books and stuffed animals for Charlotte;). 


And last weekend Kaela, Joe and Charlotte visited... and ... they are seriously considering a move to North Carolina!  Oh my goodness that would be amazing. 



Charlotte loves the Story Dolls my Grandma Mary Lou made for my girls so many years ago - melt my heart! 







They left on Sunday, and yesterday, I felt for the first time since starting this whole crazy process, that I truly had some free time.  So.... I got myself to a local quilt store, yes I did!  I went to Cary Quilting Company for a good look around and some 1/4 yard cuts of this and that.   I have a baby quilt to make for my cousin, and finally feel like I can get started!  Something simple and non gendered, to be ready by end of April.  


xo

Cynthia 

20 comments:

  1. I'm so happy to hear that you are getting settled in. And, wouldn't it be wonderful if Charlotte and family moved closer too. Hugs and well wishes for your new home!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cynthia me alegra que ya estas casi instalada, se lo que es un una mudanza completa de casa,
    Tu bebe es deliciosa, disfruta de sus caricias siempre. Saludos

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy to hear you are getting settled! There's nothing like fabric therapy to help smooth the rough edges of life. And having family closer will be a blessing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Finding all of your previous packed belongs must seem like Christmas. Glad you've had some help and family visits while putting everything away. Nothing wrong in taking a fabric break.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful to see you settling in...and to see Charlotte love those dolls...nothing better xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  6. Charlotte in her big girl slippers! Life is nearly complete, and will be as soon as your husband returns from Japan. So thankful we don't have to try buying a car in these times, have been waiting over 6 months for a refrigerator. Looks like you're pretty settled in for the moment until your sewing things arrive from Japan. Enjoy the early spring weather and the fabric therapy!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so happy to hear that you're getting settled into your new home. Three stories is a big change from a small apartment! More exercise, maybe? How great that family members have been able to help.
    That's a beautiful Hoosier cabinet!
    Charlotte is such a cutie. Have you blogged about those dolls before? I'd love to see and read more about them. Did your mom make the pattern?
    Congrats on getting to the quilt store! You found some fun fabrics (that are so very different from the ones in photos from Japan!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nancy, I don't think I've blogged about them but I will, sometime. My Grandma must have had a pattern for them. She made them for her great-grand daughters in the early 90's. I am thinking about creating my own version;).

      Delete
  8. I had to laugh seeing your quilting books because I have around 400! I definitely need to try to get rid of at least half of them, but am such a bibliophile I’m not sure I can until forced to 😊. Sounds like your adjustment back to US life is going well. I do hope your family/granddaughter are able to move closer!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Gladi! Wow, you must have an enviable collection!! I have moved so many times, and each time I sort through my books and give a few (or many) away. When our sea shipment arrives from Japan, these shelves will fill up, because I did bring some books to Japan.... and acquired more during those three years!

      Delete
  9. Welcome home! It's so much work to get settled but sounds like you had wonderful support. Love seeing your granddaughter! So precious!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What an overwhelming challenge this must have been!
    Oh, I am happy to hear that you FINALLY had some free time for creative therapy. Even shopping for supplies is a step in the right direction.
    Wonderful news that Charlotte MIGHT be moving closer, and bringing her parents with her. My goodness, she has grown!!
    I hear you on the 3 level thing! We lived on the ground floor of our home for about 20 years while slowly finishing the 2nd floor and loft without a loan. We finally expanded into the upper floors after our 2 oldest had left home. I had never had stairs in my home and now I had 2 flights to my bedroom. In the beginning I thought it would kill me. That was something that came to my mind the other day as I ran up the stairs from the laundry room to get something I had forgotten up in the loft that needed to go in the wash. I remembered how I used to huff and puff going up the one flight, and now I run up 2. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, Charlotte is getting so big. What a cutie! Glad things are coming together for you so you can feel settled and "Home At Last."

    ReplyDelete
  12. You may want to take a break from all the moving and organizing and check out the Fiber Fest at the Raleigh Convention Center this weekend. I think it's geared to knitters but it sounds interesting. Having just relocated to NC within the past year or so, I will agree with you that Cary Quilting is an enjoyable stop for us quilters!

    ReplyDelete
  13. It warms my heart to see you settling in your place.
    Charlotte is so sweet and I love those soft dolls. Simple toys are the best toys.
    Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm so glad to hear you are finally settling in. Charlotte is just the cutest in pigtails and big slippers! In my mind going to a quilt shop is always good therapy and it looks like you even found some fabrics to bring home :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. So happy to see this post! I've been checking in on you, and then missed a bit and now here you are. Glad the townhouse is working out, and yes--those stairs would be a challenge for me, too. What happy news that more grandchildren might move closer--you'll have such a great time with them all.

    Glad you were also able to find your way to a fabric shop and dream a little and buy a little. Onward!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I cannot believe Charlotte is so big already! Isn't that amazing!
    Your words ring so true... In the midst of everything, my problems are not really problems at all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a process! Wonderful to hear that you are getting settled and starting to find your way.:)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! I love reading your comments. As time allows I email replies, if your email is included in your user profile.