Generosity

We all know that quilters/sewers are some of the most generous people.  We pour our hearts into our projects, and if you are like me, give each one away to someone.

In troubled times, we help with the gift of a quilt (or other small token made by our own two hands.)  Whether it be pillowcases for the local homeless shelter/children's hospital, quilts for soldiers overseas, or for a disaster (such as the those who lost their homes in the fires.)

While I was on vacation, my sister and I went to a couple of quilt shops.  One of them was questionable on whether it was still open or not, since it was based out of someones home.  A few years earlier, my Mom and sister had gone by and the owner said her shop was closed.  We decided to drive by anyway and see if the situation was the same.

Upon walking through the open door, there were bolts of fabrics from ceiling to floor along the walls, as well as completed mini quilts and other such decor.  We could hear children talking but could not find anyone around.  My husband peeked upstairs and found the owner, explained to her what we were doing there.  It turned out that the fabric portion of her shop was closed, but she does long arm quilting, and that portion is still open.  All of those pretty bolts were her personal stash!

Instead of kicking us out, she showed us around her long arm studio and we chatted for a while - turns out she was a teacher at a neighboring school and we knew a lot of the same people - it really is a small world!

She asked me if I had sewn with flannel. 

Yes, not much though. 

Did you like it? 

Yeah sure.

She then proceeded to fill up a bag of fabrics for me to take home; fat quarters and cotton yardage pieces!

I couldn't believe it!  What a very generous gesture!  Quilters/sewers are truly the best!

Stay at Home Moms

Back when my husband and I were first married and we discussed having children, the topic always came around to how more than likely - because my husband can be lazy - he would be a stay at home dad while I earned the bread to keep the family going.

However, now that I have Logan and another little one on the way, I think often of how nice it would be to stay at home and play (okay I know it's not just playing) with our kids all day long.

I brought this up to someone one time and got back, "You don't really want to stay home do you?" My first thought was that I would like to have the option at least.

Somewhere along the lines it seems that the women wanting to stay at home and tend to the children have become estranged. Like there is something wrong with her if she doesn't want to go out and "climb the corporate ladder" so to speak. Why? There is nothing un-noble about staying at home. In fact I have heard time and time again that a stay at home mom has the equivalent work load of two full time jobs. Yet, she doesn't get paid.

My husband and I were discussing this topic the other day on our way home from town. He said that it all had to do with the feminists. Now, I don't consider myself a feminist, I do believe that women are equal to the same rights as men; but I also believe that if you choose the equality route you need to buck up to your fair share also. I know several feminists and they all seem to want their cake and eat it too.

I was reading an article about a woman who, while in college felt alienated because while her friends all were excited and craving the high end jobs, she was pulled more toward staying at home and tending to her house and children. She wrote how she was lucky to find a man (whom she married) that supported her choice, and once they were financially able, she lived what her heart told her was the right place for her.

There was a quote from the article said by Tasha Tudor, "Whenever I get one of those questionnaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down 'housewife'. It's an admirable profession; why apologize for it? you aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam, you can read Shakespeare."