2018 Year in Review

 This year has flown by.  So many blessings. So, so thankful for another year of life and good health.  Here is a look at my 2018.  Beware, long post.

 Who would have thought this panel would make a cute one block wonder quilt?

 I made a Remembrance quilt for a sweet widow from her husband's shirts.

I also finished this beauty up to be used in the 2018 Christmas season.......

 Worked with others in our church quilting group to make table runners for our church staff.

This was a kit I purchased at the Paducah quilt show. Love the 3D effect.

Another one block wonder quilt purchased from panels from Hancock's in Paducah.

 And this one is probably my favorite of the year.  Made for the husband and wife building contractor team that is currently building our new home.

I also made four baby quilts that I can't show yet.  Two for design testing, and two for publications scheduled for 2019.  Not as many quilts as I normally make in a year, but we've been pretty focused on picking out all the things for the new home.  I am excited about moving in, hopefully in January, and will have a great quilting studio I'm looking forward to using and sharing.

I discovered Audible books a couple of years ago and have really enjoyed those this year.  Currently I have an Audible subscription, but also got the free Overdrive app that lets me borrow audible books from our local library.  Here is my 2018 reading list:

From Diana Gibaldon (finished up the Outlander Series)
- The Fiery Cross
- A Breath of Snow and Ashes
- An Echo in the Bone
- Written in My Own Heart's Blood
Lords of Disciple by Pat Conroy (did not like this)
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Dear Bob and Sue by Matt and Karen Smith
Buried Sins by Mary Gaines (local author)
Hillbilly Elegy by J.D.Vance
The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (didn't really like this one either)
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate (good but heartbreaking story based on true events)
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
The Seamstress by Sara Tuval Bernstein (True story of a holocaust survivor)
Unlocked by Karen Kingsbury
Gifted Hands by Ben Carson (good book)
Scent of the Missing by Susannah Charleson (good book)
Make Something Good Today by Ben and Erin Napier (HGTV stars)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Excellent, MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE YEAR)
The Possibility Dogs by Susannah Charleson (makes me want a dog! now!)
Chosen People, by Robert Whitlow

I like to "read" while I run, while I sew, and while I drive.

My running continued this year with only one 5k and one half marathon. But I continued my habit of running 3x a week, at least 3 miles. I did the Kiawah Island half in December. It was fun. We went down with some friends.

I was able to visit the grandchildren in Edinburg in February.  Of course the highlight of that trip was Emma meeting Prince Harry at Edinburgh Castle.

My son completed his Doctorate from the University of Edinburgh and although I wasn't there to witness it in person, I stayed home from work so I could witness it via live streaming.

We started our new home, and that has kept us so busy.

Still in progress

I made a trip to Los Alamos with some of my former work buddies.  So proud of these three.  They all worked for me in the past and have all turned into great managers of their own groups/department.

I did a lot of chalk painting this year too, but I won't bore you with all of those pictures. :)  But....here is my favorite.....I chalk painted the table, some mis-matched chairs, and the bottom of the buffet.

                        

So, what's cooking for 2019?  I love goals so here's some I've committed to or thinking about:

- Lead the first Run For God class at our church 

- Design some new quilts and get a few published

- Make a few more baby quilts for gifts/charities to have on hand

- Read, read, read.....

- Start a new daily devotional (I received one by Ray Comfort for Christmas)

- Move!! of course the goals with this, are get the sewing room organized and ready for work, purchase several things for the new house (counter stools, a TV, curtains, etc.)

- Have 2-3 big get-togethers at the new house (we want to use our new home as a blessing for others)

- Visit the kids in Cambridge, England, their home for the next 18 months or so.

- Build at least one bed, a work bench, and some other projects

- Do more for others

- Start and keep up a Gratitude journal (document 3 things each day I'm grateful for)

I better stop with the goals for now......I could easily fill several pages of what I'd like to do this year.

One of my favorite quotes is "Life doesn't get any better by chance; it gets better by change."  So, we should get in there and change the things we want or need to in 2019.  Looking up for guidance and wisdom. Hope this post has made you evaluate your activities in 2018 and your plans for 2019.  So, go ahead and document them.  One day you'll enjoy reading them, and maybe your children or grandchildren will enjoy learning about your life.