six cats in the yard

It seems to me that in the last few months, maybe even since graduating from vet school, that I’ve been frequently bored and restless, slightly depressed sometimes from the pregnancy hormones and maybe from the fact that I’m not completely happy with work. Not to say that I’m always unhappy. I find that when I’m on vacation or taking a long weekend, I relax, and that gives me a good perspective on what I need to do to get my sanity back. I need to work less or find another aspect of vet medicine to practice rather than “private practice.” I love the medicine aspect and the spays and neuters; I also like doing the writing or editing when we’re sending out our newsletters. But the main things that I miss and haven’t been able to get back into effectively are my creative outlets: soap making, quilting (though I guess I have made 2 baby quilts in the last few months), mosaics and decoupage…whatever else seems artful. It gives my head some time to roam and gives my hands something to do as well as giving me a practical product to show for my time… So the last few days I have been looking forward to my “time off” both before and after the baby is born. I realize that the time after really won’t be “mine” and will be full of sleep deprivation, diapers and feeding (not to mention the miracle of getting to know this brand new being), but if I can actually find a reasonable paying job that allows me to work only 3 days a week with no emergency or weekends, I am hopeful that I will eventually have some time for bits of creative bursts. I have finally returned to working on my friend Emily’s (and her husband Chuck’s) wedding quilt (note: It took me 10 years to get my friend Sarah’s wedding quilt done, so maybe I can better my time with this one). I had already cut out all the squares in 2005 or 2006 and am now in the process of putting the blocks together. I have a total of 30 blocks or so and have successfully completed 2 in the last 48 hours! I don’t think I’d be ruining her surprise (she knows about the quilt) if I display my work in progress. Maybe I’ll have it done by the time she comes to Oregon in August?      Max not included in finished piece. Though I’m sure he’ll leave his hair all over it at some point. (Sorry for the wraps, the blog is acting up and the blogmaster is still sleeping).