What You Might Learn

Yesterday I decided that I needed to watch one of the online sewing courses I have acquired. You may or may not have come across this relatively new phenom.  I first heard about it from my quilting teacher in Japan.  She enthused about being able to watch whenever and repeat if necessary.  I remember looking at what they had to offer and deciding that there wasn't anything there I wanted.  Over time though they have added a lot of different classes on a multitude of crafting genres.

So, in the last year, when they have put some classes I had some interest in and they had a really good sale, I have purchased access. There was one I got that was about fitting garments to plus size  figures. So, as I am looking at making some new clothes I decided I should see what I could learn.  I watched about 6 lessons, one right after the other.

The most revolutionary thing I learned was that in America today, wearing as I do a Women's 18 in skirts and trousers and a 1X or 2X in RTW tops and a C cup bra, I am not even really considered a Plus Size. I'm still not sure who's fooling whom here.

Another thing that these lessons crystallized for me was that in the world of making your own clothes, and caring how they look, and wanting a bit of style and detail, there are several schools of thought about how to make flat pieces of fabric fit onto our multi-sized, curved figures.  One is comparing your actual measurements to the pattern and making adjustments, then fitting the paper to your body. Another is to make some general adjustments to the pattern paper, making sure it's bigger than you are and then fitting the fabric to your body or a dress form that has been adjusted to your shape.

I have never worked with a dress form.  I have no desire to make a dress form with paper tape and an old t-shirt that ends up looking like a naked me. Just not on my list of wanna dos.

So it's back to Sewing With Nancy and her Fitting Finesse that's been in my library for years.

Being a Senior Citizen in Florida I

Last year when I returned to Florida I had already applied for Medicare and had a certain number of days to obtain Supplemental Coverage.  Fortunately I had some good friends who could refer me to an agent who helped me make a decision by the deadline.

What I'm finding one year later is that this was one of several areas where my decision making skills were taxed. It was quite difficult for me to decide how much was a reasonable amount to have to pay for different services; how it would all work together and what the bottom line would be.

This year I have reached full retirement age and have begun receiving Social Security Benefits. The bottom line has become a lot more clear. My real needs are more evident.

On my return, there were many things I felt very strongly about.  Some of those things I put into practice immediately, other things I put on hold.  Now I'm finding it's time to make some changes.  I'm really glad to be able to think a bit more clearly and not have strong emotions guide me so much.

One by one, step by step, little by little I'll get there.

October 9, 2012

All good things must come to an end, someone said.  That was the case one year ago today. It was up early to catch a train to Gatwick Airport and then the flight home to Florida. It was great to see the face of a friend waiting to pick up my stuff and drive me home. My adventure was coming to an end.

It's taken the better part of that year to rest up and readjust to life in America. I finally can see progress toward acclimating to retirement and the pursuit of new ideas and enjoyment of familiar pleasures.

Thanks for accompanying me on this two weeks of remembrance. Even though the pictures have been in a Picasa album for most of the past year, I never felt I had done them justice.  It has been fun looking at them again and choosing which ones to put in each post. It has been especially good to remember all of the people involved and their willingness to not only put me up, but put up with me.

Nearing the Finish

October 8, 2012; Ruth's kind niece was willing to take us by car to Windsor on this day. The weather was a bit drizzly, but bearable. One of our objectives was to do a little shopping along with our sight seeing.









Of course Windsor is the home of the Queen's favorite weekend home.

We didn't do the tour, but walked along the high street.

The Thames flows through Windsor as well and here there are lots of swans and other water birds.

There was an authentic Pillar Box on the street.

And around the corner from the castle was the Queen's official Pharmacy.

Across the river is Eton.  This was one of the uniform shops. It seems like a lot of gear for a scholar to keep track of. The students we saw didn't look quite this neat or well put together somehow.

A peek into a residential area.

And up on the hill is Eton.

We had a lovely stroll and then a big chunk of time for lunch and shopping. I even found a pair of trousers in my size and on sale at Marks and Spencer. I also got a few last minute souvenirs.












Meanwhile at home in Florida some of my friends were preparing for my return.  One had a plumber come by and check that I wouldn't have any rude surprises. Other friends cleaned the house which had unexpectedly sat unoccupied for four years not one. Food in the fridge and sheets on the bed.  They thought of everything!

Poorly

For October 7, 2012 there are no pictures in my file. This is because the cold I was working on when I returned from the north did take hold and my hostess, who is a nurse after all, decided I should stay home for a day. I had planned to accompany her to the service at her church.

It really is good when you are ill to stop and take a rest. So, I obeyed and loafed around in jammies and slippers and ate the good food that was prepared for me. It was cozy in the lounge with the gas fire and kind of dreary outside.

It did aid my recovery. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you to go lie down.

One More Day in London

My hostess was anxious to show me more of London so after breakfast we headed out again.  It turned out to be a glorious day with deep blue sky and ever changing cloud patterns and bright sunshine.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     






There was no wind, so the surfaces of the water were like glass and reflected the surroundings and the sky.

A piece of Roman wall

The Tower Of London

Tower Bridge and the view

The Shard

October 5, 2012, The Cotswolds.

After our lazy morning, Hannah drove us to her parent's home. I had met her mom by email when Hannah first came to Japan and helped me at the Guest Home. She showed me some paper piecing she was working on. Hundreds of 'hexies' pieced together by hand in the English paper piecing style.  I was impressed.  

Hannah and her parents

Our objective for the afternoon was to take a brief driving tour through a section of the Cotswolds and to have lunch at a nice pub they knew.  Sometime in the late afternoon they would find me a train that would take me on toward London. I was expected back at Ruth's that evening. The weather was a bit cloudy and drizzly. We drove through lovely countryside and small villages. Everywhere were the characteristic buildings of sandstone. Lots of thatched roofs too.  It was really lovely.  We had our pub lunch and stopped in one village where there were several gift shops. We also visited an organic farm market that also sold housewares. It was really quite big and had lots of the things to look at and food to think about buying. 

All too soon we were figuring out a train route and found the rail station they had in mind. I was on my way again by British Rail. I'm pretty sure that Clapham Junction played a role in my return trip, it being the center of the universe, and once there I knew I wasn't far from my destination. I walked from Frimley station in steady light rain and got back to Ruth's just on time for her return from her day's activities. We were both glad to be warm and dry..