Posted on by agilejack

Aboriginal Progress and Hectic Work

We finished our fall membership drive at work yesterday. I’m very glad to see the end of it. It is the final full length drive I will do before I retire. I celebrated my 30 year anniversary of raising money for public broadcasting yesterday. A rough calculation shows me that I’ve been responsible for over 200 on air fundraising campaigns across those years. That’s a lot!

I have set my retirement date. December 12 will be my last day of work. That means I have just over two months to go. It’s hard to believe I’m that close!

It’s been a rough year at work. I never would have guessed that the final year of my career would be like this. But I’m happy to say that I’m leaving a strong program and an amazing team as I depart.

With work being hectic the last few weeks I haven’t gotten much sewing done. But I have made a little progress on my scrappy Australian Aboriginal impulse project. You know, I really love an impulsive project. They are usually the most fun for me.

I got all the bocks done and up on my design wall a couple weeks ago.

This will make a good size throw quilt. And I do like it. Of course, scrappy quilts are my favorite.

Earlier this week I sewed the first four rows together, so that’s 1/3 of the top done. The bottom section in this next photo is the four rows sewn together. The top section is still loose blocks that need to be sewn together.

I sewed the center section into rows this evening.

I still need to sew these rows together. That will go really fast.

The dogs are good. Bender had an odd head tremor a couple weeks ago so off to the vet we went. After an exam and blood tests, the diagnosis is that he is old. He has been fine since his vet visit.

He is at the stage where he doesn’t hear me come home so I’m always checking to see if he’s breathing as he sleeps.

So far so good.

He’s been enjoying himself eating the last of my cherry tomatoes.

Rico is great. Very healthy and enthusiastic. He will be nine soon. I can’t believe my baby is nine!

I found out after my vacation last month that I still have two weeks of vacation available. So I’ve scheduled some days in the next two months to take my days off rather than taking a pay out when I retire.

I’ll be off this Thursday and Friday. I actually need to buy a new car. My current car is a 2012. I bought it new and it has nearly 190,000 miles on it. I drive alone in the countryside all the time and want to have a new car. I love my current car but need something with lower mileage. I really dread buying a car. It’s such a terrible ordeal.

I’ve been playing pickleball five or six times a week. The weather has been lovely. Fall here in Portland can be really lovely. We have had some days of rain but it hasn’t completely settled in yet. Hoping for a few more weeks of nice fall sunshine.

46 Replies to “Aboriginal Progress and Hectic Work”

  1. HI, You gave me a really good idea when you posted your quilt picture. I have two dresser drawers of Hawaiian fabric in lots of different sizes and now I know what to do with them!

    Thanks for sending this out and enjoy your retirement!

    Joyce Outten
    North Pole, Alaska

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. I’m not seeing any pics of your beautiful sewing in my last two emails. Are you not including pictures?
    Good luck with car buying…..Dealerships advertise they make buying easy, but it is always stressful to me.

    Have a wonderful day, Sue

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. You are leaving a spectacular legacy for the good of all of us. Thanks for providing for the future of our country through public radio. “My” station, WAMU, is my morning companion.

    Love that Rico nose. Such a good shot. We had Golden Retrievers and loved them boldly too. Banner lived to be 17 but he didn’t know he was a dog as his best friend was the neighbor’s cat.

    Keep posting your progress. It’s inspirational for lots of others besides me!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I have a couple friends at WAMU! Have been at industry meetings with them for a good number of years!

      17 is very old for a dog! Forrest lived to 14 1/4 . that’s the oldest dog I’ve ever had.

      Anne

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You would love the quilt that I was fortunate to win (more then 1,000 tickets sold) in the raffle my quilt guild held at our recent quilt show! I can believe it is mine!

        Like

  7. Congrats on your upcoming retirement. What a great career you’ve had and for a wonderful public service! Now for some car “advice”. We just bought a Subaru Forester Hybrid and could not be happier! Go check out Subaru…they are a wonderful company and our experience was smooth as butter!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’ve been a Toyota girl for years and will buy another one. I need more cargo space with my boys than the smaller Subaru’s have. I just like a car that will last a long time and not require a lot of fixing!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

    2. I’m currently driving our 10th Subaru. It’s a Forester. I love them for hauling all my sewing machines around. I’m under 5 feet and can easily get my heaviest machines into the cargo area. I like that the fifth door opens and shuts with the touch of a button and that I can easily see out of the car in any direction. Did you know that the passenger side front door opens up to the widest angle of any front door in the industry? That’s a real plus for those with mobility issues.

      Like

      Reply

  8. good luck in your retirement. I think you’re going to enjoy it being with your dogs, playing pickle ball all the time and quilting. I’m very impressed with how many miles you have on your car, I usually get rid of mine at 100 K. I only buy Nissan and have a favorite salesman, so buying a car is not difficult for me. Thanks for sending a picture of your boys, I’ve missed seeing how they’re doing. I have four dogs now, they’re all rescues, and I adore them. They are not well behaved at all, but it doesn’t matter. I hope the next few months go very well for you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I had a Nissan when I was just out of College. Have also had a Honda. but most of my cars have been Toyotas. I’m very practical about my cars and want one that will last a long time.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  9. your quilt looks like a bunch of film slides. Love it. I just replaced my 2003 outback (270,000 miles). I got a brand new outback, and I thought it was fairly painless. I am pretty sure it is the last car I will get, and it is the first new car I have had.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. A friend of mine hooked me up with a salesman that has helped her buy three cars. She said he was fantastic. So I feel like I have someone who is doing some footwork for me, so I idon’t have to do it. I talked to him today and told him what I wanted and he will let me know what he finds. Might have a new car this week!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  10. Retirement! What a wonderful thing to look forward to. The time will fly by so fast and then your last day at work is here and you’ll be free. Get some creative projects lined up and ready to go. You didn’t collect all that fabric for no reason. Please keep your email coming as you are an inspiration to so many of us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Retirement! What a wonderful thing to look forward to. The time will fly by so fast and then your last day at work is here and you’ll be free. Get some creative projects lined up and ready to go. You didn’t collect all that fabric for no reason. Please keep your email coming as you are an inspiration to so many of us.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I always love to see your aboriginal-fabric quilts – they are truly works of art. When I told my Australian friend how much I love the designs – she brought a bag of beautiful fabrics with her when they came to spend time with us

    Like

    Reply

  13. Congratulations on your retirement! You will no doubt be missed but for selfish reasons WE the quilting community gains in every way. Thanks for all you do! Kim Oster ( Spearfish SD)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I can’t possibly imagine what you’ve experienced this past 9 months. I hope there are enough supporters in your area to thumb their noses at the 🍊administration! Your quilt looks wonderful. It’s simplicity makes it striking! Glad to see your posts, whenever they pop in my mailbox. Capi

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Our supporters have really rallied to help make up the difference. it’s been really amazing to watch. I’m glad I’m leaving everything in good shape and a top notch team to carry on.

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  15. You certainly have been a hard dedicated worker – Bless your heart.

    What a lovely quilt – great accomplishment. Embrace your retirement like you embraced your job

    My doggie is going to be 16years old on November 13 she has slowed quite a bit this year and sleeps more has me pp accidents – she is a sweetie.

    take care and thank you for sharing all your adventures 🌻🙏💐

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. Thanks for the updates! I have a “bazillion” Australian fabrics in my collection and I desperately need to get them out and used. What size did you make your blocks? I hate to cut them too small and ruin the “story” in the fabric.

    Sad to see our beloved pets get old and somewhat infirm. Blessings on your guys, and YOU, as they age. Cute picture of your “nosy” one!

    Enjoy your vacation days as you work up to retirement, and enjoy counting down the days! Good luck with the car buying.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. The quilt is looking beautiful! I’m happy for you that you’ll be retiring soon because you’ll have so much more time for quilt making and pickleball. Also very happy that you’ll be looking for a car given the mileage on yours and the fact that you drive around by yourself on country roads. Of course this is a hard time to buy cars because prices are so jacked up because of tariffs, but I wish you the best on that front and on your last few months of work!

    Like

    Reply

  18. I LOVE YOUR POSTS…I FEEL LIKE I KNOW YOU. I MOVED TO HILLSBORO SIX WEEKS AGO . I;M STILL UNPACKING BOXES ..IT IS OVERWHELMING,,,,,I DID GET MY BERNINA SET UP AND TRYING TO STAR A COUPLE OF VERY SMALL PROJECTS TO KEEP ME SANE WHILE UNPACKING…I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH STUFF !!

    MY DOG LEO IS 13….HE;S LIKE A GENTLE OLD MAN….HE IS A RAT TERRIER BUT STILL HAS A BIT OF PEP,,,JUST A LITTLE !!

    HOPE TO POST SOME PHOTS SOON !! COCO & LEO

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. what a wonderful career you have had with the most intelligent and meaningful broadcast companies !!!NPR is the only thing I listen to. Congratulations on your retirement…You will love being able to quilt and be creative with much more time and have more time with your adorable dogs. Thank you for sharing !! I love Orgon !1 coco

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I do feel like I’ve done something meaningful with my years of work with public media. It’s been work that’s important to me. But with all that, I am definitely ready to be done working!

        Anne

        Like

  21. Anne, it is so good to hear from you again. I am sorry for the age your dogs are, we went through loosing our Ivory female lab August 2024. She was 10 and a half. Died way to early. Now have an 11 month old baby Boy Black Lab. He is a HANDFUL. My hubby is 73, I am weeks from 70. I love him to pieces, but male labs are way more energetic that any female we’ve ever owned. Why do the bigger dogs have such a short lifespan? Or why any breed ? They give so much love and pass way to soon. “I” for one am ready to hear from you more often in your retirement! Hopefully that is in your plan? Either way, enjoy your last few weeks of working. You will miss that eventually in retirement. I sure do miss my co-workers that we all had so many fun times together!
    Waiting for more news from you!
    Joan in MN

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unlikely I’ll get back to th daily schedule I posted on last year. it was just too much and is probably responsible for a lot of my creative low. I feel like my desire to be in my sewing room is coming back, so that’s good!

      It’ true… our dogs just aren’t with us long enough, but bring so much to us while they are here.

      thanks for reading,

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  22. I’m so glad you posted, I too feel like I know you. I so appreciate the work you’ve done over the years. Our local WFDD was the only thing able to get information out after Hurricane Helene ravaged our high country. I love all your work and hope you continue to inspire me. Thanks for everything, including your sweet pictures of your dogs.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  23. Bless your psyche in your waning days at your primary career! I am certain that it will be a mixed bag of emotions, I’ve been there and survived. Some days I miss it, but most days I am so grateful that my time is spent on things that matter to me and mine. I hold on to the positive work memories and enjoy touching base with colleagues on a casual basis. I know that you will enjoy being with your boys more. I have a spoiled 9 yr old pup right now, but we’ve had several pups before him. Our Jack Russell littermates lived to be 16 and 17 years old respectively and their final years were an adjustment, but oh, the love we shared stays with us to this day. Don’t beat yourself up for the lulls in your quilting projects. Soon enough you will be humming along again! I am tediously hand quilting a queen size quilt for my adult son (should be complete and bound by the first week in Nov) and also obsessing over the 7 new quilt designs in my head. I have the fabrics ready, calling my name! Retirement is grand and well deserved…Yours is within reach. Sending you warm vibes, stay well!

    Susi B

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m definitely ready to be done working. I will definitely miss my team, but will keep in touch and check in with them. It’s definitely time and though it’s sad to leave, it’s a really great thing!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

  24. I have missed receiving regular posts from you, so today’s update on the Aboriginal Piece was delightful! Certainly understand that taking the time to post when you are still working is challenging, so do look forward to receiving more from you when you get into retirement! Free time to explore all the quilting challenges you wish with your creative energy! Best of luck in the car buying mode, it is challenging but I am sure you will find the perfect fit for new adventures on the back roads! Thanks for sharing your work with us, it is very motivating and inspiring!

    With appreciation,

    Jan Pinney

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m looking forward to having more free time. I doubt I’ll ever get back to the cadence of posting every day like I did last year. It was just too much. I will temper myself and avoid the creative crash that I’ve been trying to shake!

      Anne

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to agilejack Cancel reply