Happy Valentine's Day all! Snowing but not unpleasant here today. Here's some eye candy since we don't
have chocolates from Terry any more! Photos not the best!

Geneva, years ago, my Mum recommended doing some polishing when you are feeling down, preferably something metal that you could actually see the results of your work and that would make you feel better to see the improvement.
She also told me of a sneaky cheat she did when it came to polishing furniture. Back in the late 50’s she looked after her Gran, and the Aunts expected her to use lavender wax polish on her Gran’s furniture not the newfangled Pledge spray polish. Mum didn’t have time or inclination to use the lavender wax polish, but when she knew the Aunts were going to be visiting she got it out and ‘polished’ the door frame at head height, so they would smell the lavender wax polish and assume that she had used it on all of the furniture in the front room. As far as I know they never caught on that she was using Pledge on the furniture.
Got the hoovering done, and Izzy noticed the difference when she came home tonight!

Rosemary,

Being in a stressful situation for close to 3 years takes a toll on the physical and emotional body. Give yourself some time. Next week and the week after you'll be feeling better. I'm sorry you had to spend the time doing a job that wasn't suited for you. That's tough. Be easy and sweet to yourself.

Since you are in a house cleaning mode I'll let you in on a secret I learned. I worked at a quilt shop in Carmel, Indiana in the late 80's - early 90's. I met the nicest people. Anyway, one day I was finishing up bagging a customer's beautiful order of fabric and she said "Well, I better get home and move the vacuum cleaner out into the middle of the living room." I said "why?" She smiled and said "That way when my husband gets home he'll think that I've been vacuuming!" I have never forgotten that advice.

Have some Rosemary time and do what you want for a bit. You deserve it! Enjoy your Izzy outing!

geneva

I’ve enjoyed the last 3 days at home and am feeling more rested already ( don’t tell DH but I spent the morning in bed reading - bliss!) Making me feel better about myself and being a better potential new employee.
Next week Izzy is on half term from school and she wants to get her ears pierced, so we have that to look forward to as well as a ‘ladies that lunch’ trip - we’ve done these since she was little and usually only to the supermarket cafe, but it is a treat she really enjoys, and so do I, because she has always had good table manners (it took work, practise at home and forward planning when going to restaurants for family ‘do’s’, but it certainly paid off early on).

Unfortunately, I think that I have got over the urge to do housework cos there is still plenty to do. Including my sewing table - think I will need either a pitchfork or a trowel for the archeological excavations there, but it is holding up the proceedings of going forward with some sewing so I definitely need to sort it out. Next up, a quick hoover around to look as if I have been busy before anyone gets in......

Rosemary, I won't be surprised if your "interlude" at home is short. The next best part of your life is just around the corner. No doubt, it will return some of that joy to your wonderful creative spirit. Rest and regroup! I agree with all that others have written to you.

Rosemary, welcome to the next chapter!

Rosemary, God has a plan for us all and I bet something terrific will be coming your way! And sewing up stash is a good thing! You asked to see my spools quilt when I got it finished a few months ago. At long last I am down to finishing the binding and creating the label with the names of the contributors of the “spools”. I incorporated some of the batik strips from that exchange too. I posted it under the “Wot ROTT” topic. Hope you like it! Bev

Sorry you've had a rough time Rosemary. Well done doing something positive to get out of it.

Hurray Rosemary!!

Hard decision for sure but great to step away from the stress.

Barb

Rosemary...that weight is lifted! Now for a little joy in every day! Time's too short for that much stress !

Rosemary, good for you leaving your job. I had to make a similar decision recently. Only I was laid off due to health complications of my boss and she couldn't pay me. Two years later she called and asked me to come back and I said NO, and it felt great!!

Lotti, thanks so much for the Mardi Gras photos from your corner of the world.

Sharon in Colorado

Well Good for You, Rosemary!
sometimes a decision like this is needed. a certain satisfaction and fun needs to be found in every job - otherwise it will only pull you down.
one day at a time - and i'm sure you'll find something that suits you. sometimes closed doors are required in order to open a new one.
sending you hope and strength of will and above all smiles
big hugs

Well, another door closes in life’s rich tapestry. I’ve just resigned from my job at the prison. I won’t miss the stress of trying to get big, hairy ar**d men to do anything, let alone sew in straight lines. Even though I stuck it out for 2 3/4 years I was never right for the job and I have certainly lost some of my ‘Joie de vivre’ (had several visits from the ‘black dog’ instead). Money is going to be tight until I find another job, but we have enough to get by on and I have plenty of stash to use up. Hopefully I will now have time to get on and finish my imqe quilt in time for the deadline and then on with my row robin bog coat (as well as some embroidery pieces that have deadlines too!) Spent this morning scrubbing the kitchen down - it is not finished, but by ‘eck it looks a whole lot better, and that makes me feel better.

Onward and ever upward...

Thank you for sharing this, Lotti! Those festivals look like so much fun. I've never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA, but it sounds very different than what goes on in Switzerland. Interesting that one starts after Ash Wednesday, the "fasting" has already begun.

Hope all is well with everyone!