2025 OneThing #41 - Move Lou's Stuff to Pool Table

I'm calling this a success even though there's lots more to be done! My 95-year-old father-in-law recently moved to a care facility. His wife has a tendency to throw everything away without even knowing what it is. I helped her remove all of Lou's stuff and that man LOVES his paperwork! Initially, I put it in the living room, thinking it would be a good place to sort and organize. Having my grandsons over the past weekend meant I needed to clear it out.

I took before pics and laugh to think that my f-i-l wants me to bring his papers to him! (I am bringing him a few file folders at a time. His room is 400 square feet and already has six pieces of furniture in it . . . 

Technically, the four bins / boxes in the back of this last photo are still here from two years ago when my sister-in-law emptied her Maple Grove house. They are mostly photographs, cards, etc. I have a lot of sorting to do!

I don't mind doing this too much, but having dealt with the packrat tendencies of my own parents and siblings, I'm becoming more of a "toss it out" person. My personal focus is: buy less, donate or recycle, make do with what you have. I'm a work in progress!

I wish I had better "after" pictures, but my grandsons kept me busy AND we still have camping stuff out from my August 26 trip up to the North Shore with my sister. Life has been quite full lately!

To be fair, I have plenty of my own papers which I moved to one end of the pool table before bringing Lou's stuff down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I have my living room "back" mostly. The stuff on the wingback chair is ready to go to his home. The stuff in the laundry basket is being prepped to go. These are the little odds and ends I'm close to getting rid of.

 

 

And here's what I'm facing downstairs in my office space. Wish me luck! Or better yet, come over and help me sort. :-)

2025 OneThing #40 - August Summary

I'm calling August a very stark look at what a lack of time management skills can do . . . and I'm writing this on September 2nd!

Week One (August 3-9): Call a friend

Week Two (August 10-16): Prepare Pahl info for picnic

Week Three (August 17-23): Sew fitted sheets for Lou

Week Four (August 24-30): ??? Have fun (I just wrote that in this morning!)

 

So I think I've already written about not calling any of my friends with whom I've not spoken in a while. Perhaps I'll still do that . . . since I think of some of my lovely friends quite often.

I sort of prepared some info for the Pahl picnic, but have some genealogical info in different places and could certainly do more. This will realistically go on a "someday" pile. Or perhaps I'll work on it earlier in the summer next year before the annual picnic.

Sew the fitted sheets for Lou? I sewed one and it works okay. I started a second one which is in my sewing room right now. Ann sewed a set, but I never tested them out to see if they fit. Sigh. Still on my to-do list. Honestly, just getting him moved in on August 25 felt like a victory. Everyone at Suite Living is so lovely! I think he's happy there, but my to-do list specifically for his stuff is getting longer and longer instead of shorter.

I wrote "have fun" for last week because that's what I did! After getting Lou settled, I went up North with Ann and had a lovely vacation. Twenty-two LaMoores, Gerdes, and Clarks spent the Labor Day weekend at Gunflint Lodge just across the lake from Canada. I have now set up my September calendar and have a goal that I think is realistic and important for this week. 

My verse for August was Psalm 86:11. I didn't read it / say it as much as I ought to have! There were definitely times where I was self-focused and mouthy. I'm so glad for repentance and forgiveness!

 

2025 OneThing #39 - Call Someone / Prepare Pahl Family Info

I am frustrated with myself. I have been thinking of several people I care about but haven't talked to in quite a while. So I set it as my OneThing, thinking that would help me get it done. 

 

Between Sunday, August 3 - Sunday, August 10, this did not happen. So I thought I would do it Monday 8/11 and then blog . . . and it kept not happening. Why on earth do I have such an issue with making phone calls?!

 

So this past week, my OneThing was to prepare some Pahl family info before the "cousins" picnic on Saturday, August 16. I started a family tree type thing on a Google Doc so that others could help me edit it. I wanted to gather old photos of Grandma and Grandpa. I had such good intentions . . . 

 

This one is a partial project. . . and I'm feeling out of sorts. I think I've been pushing some things too hard and not spending enough time in the Lord's presence. I'm going to set a new OneThing for this week and let the past two weeks be past. Progress, not perfection.

 

Here's a pic of the 2022 picnic and some of my cousins (which I did not have handy to share on Saturday):

 

2025 OneThing #38 - July Summary

 

I moved my board to my cutting table. It's upright and I see it when I go in the room, but it's a bit more awkward to actually get to it. 

This month feels as though it has flown by. My goals didn't feel super significant, but they all felt good to accomplish (except week one . . . but that's another story). 

I need to "clean up" my last week goal. My WORD photos and info are not where I'd like them to be, but I'm much, much closer now.

I am at the lake, so will wait to wipe the board and set up August. My July verse was 2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom."

 

I thought that was particularly appropriate for Independence Day. It's amazing to understand and experience the freedom that God offers!

2025 OneThing #37 - Organize WORD info

This one was just a "what's on my list that I've been meaning to deal with and haven't gotten around to but can easily tackle while at the lake" thing. (It's kind of hard to believe that I have an English degree with a sentence like that!)

I first encountered the One Word phenomenon during the 2014-15 school year. Our principal introduced the concept to the staff and challenged us to choose a word for the school year. I chose the word "listen" because I am not a very good listener . . . as many talkers are not. But I also went to the library to get the book by Jon Gordon. My blog entry for the book is here.

Instead of their idea of making a sign, I decided to make a quilt block. I initially thought I would make one each year until I retired, but I quit teaching full time at the end of the 2016-17 school year! I have continued to make a block each year, but have decided that this will be my final year. I will have twelve blocks and can work on making them into a quilt. I have continued to do this by the school year rather than the calendar year.

Since I have photos, notes, and ideas in at least five different places (file folder, on the blocks hanging in my studio, in my photos folder on laptop, in my Storyworth book pages 191-196, and in Google drive), I have been intending to gather them into one cohesive spot. So this is it! (I have spent far too long finding the bits and pieces of info to make this entry . . . and I may replace the photos that I copied from my Storyworth book with the clipping tool later.)

2014-15 Listen (black block letters on white)

Psalm 46:10 "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"

 

 

2015-16 Joy (purple on yellow / white)

John 15:11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”

 

 

 

 2016-17 Hope (green on grey)

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 

 2017-18 Trust (rainbow on white)

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

2018-19 Love (hot pink on white)

 

1 John 4:19
“We love because He first loved us.”

(As I noted in my StoryWorth entry, the Bible has LOTS of references to love. I picked this one to have as a focus.)

 

 2019-20 Choose (red on newsprint)

Joshua 24:15

“But if serving the LORD seems
undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom
you will serve, … But as for me and my household, we will serve
the LORD.”

 2020-21 Humility (brown on beige)

Philippians 2:3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others."

2021-22 Grace (navy on pink lace on blue on white with snowflakes)

2 Corinthians 12:9 

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

2022-23 Shine (one inch yellow squares on black / grey with gold accents)

Matthew 5:16 

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

 

 2023-24 Selflessness

 Galatians 5:24-25

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

 

2024-25 Simplify (red stitching on pale yellow)

Colossians 3:2

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

 

Detail:

Funny story! I had seen a technique at the 2024 Minnesota Quilters show that I wanted to try. My sister Ann had taken a class where you outline your word or design, then stitch intricate designs outside of it so that the "negative space" left shows your intent. I loved that idea and tried two different methods for doing that with this word. Then on my third try, I "started" with hand stitching the outline I'd drawn . . . and began laughing. Why was I complicating my One Word for .  . . "simplify" ? I decided to leave it like this. (And a learning experience! Thread color can bleed onto fabrics . . . )

2025-26 Abide (purple grapes / berries on pale green)

 

<...I'm currently working on this one...>

John 15:4-5

"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.'"

 

I'm posting this even though I need to clean it up a bit . . . but this has taken a lot of time! I'm keeping the file folder with my scraps of paper (for now) and I have the basic info on a Google spreadsheet. Clearly, starting and staying organized with projects is much easier than trying to pull pieces together from several sources!

 

Oh, and I initially planned to make all the blocks the same size (my notes in the file folder say 10" x 28" for a target size) but quickly fell away from that plan. My first five blocks ranged from 9 1/2" - 12 1/2" high and 25 1/2" - 29 1/2" wide. Last year's simplify is oversize so I can cut it down, but I will probably end up using some kind of sashing to get them all to a certain size so the quilt goes together more easily.

One more note - the Scriptures are to help me remember WHY that word is my focus. God's Word holds the wisdom and direction I need. The Bible verses are an anchor for me. I love the word "abide" and want to get that block made so that I can hang it in my office as a visual reminder.

2025 OneThing #36 - Prep for Somers Family Summer Party

I don't have any photos! This mostly involved cleaning the house (something I don't love to do . . . but I enjoy having a clean house). I also did a rough food plan. I had asked people to bring meat to grill and a dish to share. So I made a list of condiments, beverage options, dessert ideas, etc.

It has been incredibly hot and humid, so the best part of the party (other than visiting with loved ones) is that my middle son did the grilling for me! Typically my husband does the grilling, but he was at the lake. I'm so very appreciative of Alex for stepping in.

I felt pretty good about the cleaning I got done - scrubbed the bathroom; swept and mopped the kitchen and dining room; dusted a bit; vacuumed the upstairs, stairs, and entryway; got the dishes washed; . . . I had more items on my list (because there's always more you can do!) but when I saw my brother's car outside, I asked him to come in. My rule is that I clean until company shows up. Then I can stop and enjoy people! (He said he didn't want to wreck my quiet time.)

I have been a bit too busy and/or unfocused lately, so this was a realistic (and important to me) goal for the week. I really didn't do much until Friday / Saturday, but I enjoyed myself yesterday. I love my family. And today (Monday, 7.28.2025) has been nice to do party clean-up and getting other things taken care of. It feels good to look ahead to what's coming up.

This picture has nothing to do with my OneThing, but I love my siblings (and I like photos!). This was taken last summer when our cousin François and his sweetheart Annie were visiting. I hadn't seen him since the 1970s! It was fun to chat and reconnect.

OneThing #35 - Get Pole Barn Photos Off Phone

I'm blogging this on Tuesday instead of Sunday because I wanted to do more. I should know by know! I successfully got all my photos together in one place on my hard drive. I sorted them by date into folders. I put them all on a flash drive for Louie. There are 441 pictures!

I also intended to put the "best" into a folder to do a slideshow or video . . . and that hasn't happened yet. But my stated goal WAS achieved (by Friday!) I need to be good with that and move on to this week already.

I love this picture because Titus quickly developed an affinity for the pole barn. He got to be off-leash, running around and playing inside. 

Louie and Mike plan to frame up the workshop next. I still hope to make a "greatest" hits folder to show the progress. It feels as though this has taken an incredibly long time (and a lot of money!) but I love the space and pray we will use it well for many years to come.

Oh, and now that I'm at home, I'll back up those 441 photos to our "home cloud" for further safekeeping.

OneThing #33 - Submit Info to VA for Lou

This one is a "partial" success . . . and I don't want to share personal info online. Suffice it to say, this is still at the top of my to-do list, but I cannot do it alone. I have made progress and progress is better than not doing anything!

I will fill this entry with an old thing I did.

There was a display case at New Prague Middle School that had not changed for a long time (think years). It was dusty, faded, and mostly empty (see first pic). A teacher who had been there previously had put derby cars and race results in the case back when kids had tech ed classes.

 

I had brainstormed a list of ideas during 2023-24 with students while subbing in an eighth grade language arts class, but the kids didn't seem very interested in actually making anything happen. I shared my ideas with the assistant principal who said he would talk with the student council.

 

When I started subbing the following school year, I was discouraged to see that nothing had changed. I talked with the new industrial tech / shop teacher (whose classroom was nearby) to see what he wanted. He was fine with me doing whatever with it. Again, I brainstormed some ideas and decided to go with something that could just stay up for a while (since the case is clearly NOT attended to). 

 

I came up with this (see pics two and three) and it was the day before conferences! Several teachers passed by me in the hall as they left work that day. I stayed until 4:30 finishing it . . . can you see why I don't have a full time job any more? I'm not good at just leaving well enough alone. This was back in February 2025.

The tech ed teacher provided most of the objects in the case - cribbage boards, derby cars, etc.  I printed out technology-related and woodworking-related quotations and comics.

OneThing #32 - June Summary

It has been a good month! Busier than I anticipated, but filled with blessings.

The blogging about these things has happened. In a way, they feel undone . . . at least the passport, the quilt journal, and the guest room . . . but is anything ever "done" until life is over? 

The Scripture for June was Colossians 2:6-7. This was one of our unit verses back when I taught Missionettes. I tried to remember the actions I used to teach it to the girls . . . I definitely need to work on my Bible verse memorization again!

 

On Saturday afternoon (6.28.2025), my sister Ann came out so Louie could provide her with some tech support. We spent time in my studio and it felt great to get some stuff done! One of the little things I did was take a panel that our other sister had given me and cut out some square autumn / Thanksgiving messages. I had three small quilt hoops (I don't like quilt hoops, but people give them to me) and I have three nails in my entryway wall. Now the sayings are ready to go in my "Autumn" decoration box! I put the rest of the panel into my "Novelty" fabric bin. It felt so incredibly good to clear up some of my studio work space!

OneThing #31 - Prepare the Guest Room

No pictures . . . I only think of doing "before and after" pics when I'm at the after . . . 

I have been slightly unmotivated this week. After the quilt show, I had dumped a lot of things in my hallway and sewing room. Expecting guests this weekend, I wanted to at least get the guest bedroom ready for them!

My grandsons had been the last people to use the room, so the sheets were still fresh (they sleep close to or on the floor). But I had some of my seasonal decor on the bed that needed to be put in its proper place. I had to set the time on the clock / alarm / CD player (the boys are allowed to play with the buttons . . . )

I removed the two extra dining chairs that I've been storing in there, then vacuumed the floor. 

I had intended to do more deep cleaning in the bathroom, kitchen, etc. but it didn't happen. It's a good thing our friends love us just as we are! (Their home is fabulous, of course. But their kindness is better than a clean house.)

Since I do love pictures, I'll post one from February 18, 2025. I sewed another crib sheet for my grandson's little bed (which is in the guest room!). 

 

I've saved a few "little things" to include if my OneThing doesn't pan out. ;-) 

 

This fabric made me so happy. Again, I don't think my grandson cares but I love it!

OneThing #30 - Update Quilt Journal

I'm blogging this one a day late - no surprise! Louise and I drove up to St. Cloud last Tuesday. I brought my quilt book with me but didn't get it out until Thursday or Friday. A few other quilters were really interested in my little scrapbook-y thing. (Someone had given me this hardcover diary for 1999 and I didn't use it that year) so when I started quilting in 2004, I used it for my "journal." It's very, very scrappy.

I went through it and put post-it notes in places where something was missing (mostly photographs). Then I tucked it away for a few days. Saturday and take-down of the show was quite busy. (I got over 24k steps in that day . . . ) and yesterday after church we went to my brother's house to deliver a mower and do some yard work (not a fabulous choice in 95 degree heat, but it's done!).

So today (Monday), I'm sitting down to print out some photos and add some info to my quilt book. It's not fancy, but it is fun to look through and remember. 

 

I find that I'm taking much too long to do this, so I'll just say I've made progress but have a lot left to do! Honestly, even having the post-it notes for what I need where is helpful. I'll work on it again another day! I was able to remove just three post-it notes, but I've made progress. (Sometimes you just need to focus on moving forward.)

 

This is what a "before" page looks like . . . and then an "after" of the right side. I generally like writing and do a fair amount of that. I'm less good about grabbing swatches of fabric and printing out photos. My printer has some issues, so even the ones I do print out are not great.

 

It's nice to have this, though. Inside the front few pages is a list of where the quilt show has been each year, which committee I was on when I served, and the quilts I've completed. I want to do more sewing!

 

 

OneThing #29 - Send in Passport Renewal

I can't believe how I've dragged my feet on this!

First I had it on my to-do list last year at this time. My first ever passport expired July 17, 2024 . . . and I didn't renew on time. Then I was worried - what would I have to do if I let it expire?!?!

When I went to get my driver's license in April 2025, I asked. The gal gave me the form. I filled it out, went to Walgreen's and got my passport photos, . . . and it sat. What next? It isn't rocket science, but I was concerned about doing something wrong. Louie encouraged me to get my passport and not wait.

So I asked one day at the post office if I needed to make an appointment. I need to learn the lady's name, but she is wonderful! (I love the USPS and especially the Jordan office!) So today I brought my folder with my filled out application, my new passport photos, my expired passport, and my checkbook. 

So easy! A check for $130 to the U.S. Department of State. A check to USPS for $10.10 for the mailing envelope. Bing bang boom! My week's OneThing is done early! 

My secondary thing is to get ready for the quilt show. Next week will be almost all St. Cloud and Minnesota Quilters. Woohoo!

Because I love photos . . . but doesn't mine look like a booking mug? They tell you NOT to smile . . .

OneThing #28 - Donate to Emma Norton

So this was interesting. I am tuned in to "Emma Norton Residence" because my mother-in-law donated to them. But I actually had been hanging on to a newsletter from Sharing and Caring Hands. I had circled the part where they asked for sheets and pots and pans for people who were trying to get established in their own place. I had some bedding set aside . . . 

When I was heading in to St. Paul, I thought I could stop at Emma Norton. I looked at the newsletter I'd been holding on to and saw that it was from Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis. I called to make sure. Yep, I've donated there before. In fact, I've never been to Emma Norton! So I dropped off the items I had set aside. I'm not sure when I got on their mailing list, but I'll probably continue to get their newsletters. 

Ironically, a flyer came the next day for The Dwelling Place (Columbia Heights). I know why I get their newsletters. I went to one of their events when a former co-worker invited me. They do excellent work helping abused women and children find safe housing. All three of these entities do great work! I just can't financially support all of them . . . Prayer is key. God, what do YOU want of me?

I thought about using my spending money to buy a set of brand new pots and pans to donate. But there is so much need and I'm trying to be more prudent with my spending. I'll keep praying and listening for God's leading.

Since I love photos, I'll add one of a blanket I got along with the camo comforter I donated:

OneThing #27 - May Summary

This month was a mixed bag! I started strong and then faltered a bit. Being at our lake place for almost three weeks definitely took me off my stride. 

 

I feel really good about finally making the blog entry about Connie. So far, about forty people have read it.

 

I enjoyed my visit with Lou and recognize that I will probably be spending more time with him in the near future. It's too bad that Joyce is so challenging. She doesn't seem to like logic or problem solving very well.

 

I finally finished my Baby Medora! I need to go over a few directions before I drop it off at MQ on Wednesday, but at least I'm not still stitching on it!

 

I'm *still* not done with the book club book . . . I'm about halfway done reading it.

 

The missions potluck went well today. Praise God!

 

My May 2025 verse was Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." 

 

I am feeling blessed and ready to set the board up for June 2025.

OneThing #26 - Prep for Missions Potluck

Full disclosure: my original OneThing was going to be getting my passport application submitted. 

But I just couldn't do a "FAIL" two weeks in a row! And this was actually my highest priority this week (Another reason to not set goals several weeks in advance . . . ).

Today (June 1, 2025) was for the all-church Missions focus potluck. Besides the food (always easy for someone who enjoys food a lot!), I had planned some decor and games. It wasn't super fantastic; in fact, I think very few people looked at the displays I put up. However, it was a good time and my basket of prizes (mostly candy) was a hit.

Here are the "games" I had (along with a few trivia questions specific to the missionaries we currently support):

It was fun and I was pretty chill about giving out prizes. People visited, ate, talked. 

Praise God for Christian fellowship! And I'm so glad He guided me and prevented me from freaking out and / or making a bigger deal of things than was necessary.

2025 OneThing #25 - Read and Blog Book Club Book (FAIL)

This goal seemed like a no-brainer. We'd be up at the lake for two weeks, so I'd have plenty of time to read and blog. I'd be back in town for book club discussion on May 27 (last night). Perfect. (FYI - I still haven't finished the book completely and it's Wednesday of the next week's OneThing already. I *did* finish all the parts of the Medora Baby Quilt, though!)

We spent two weeks up at the lake to build our pole barn. The cement slab was in place last fall. We had ordered materials. We had Louie's brother Mike (a construction worker) and our son Nick (the engineer who made our plans) as well as our son Alex for a weekend.

For over a solid week, we all worked hard. I stayed on the ground and fetched things and handed things up. I cooked and did dishes. I ran errands. I did not have much time to read. Over Memorial Day weekend, Morgan and his boys came up. I switched to playing with my grandsons while still cooking and doing dishes. 

 

Over those two weeks, Louie and the guys did this: