Here Comes 2022 — QuiltsFromtheHeart ENDS with 3002!

UPDATE: In case anyone has tried to find me here, I've moved my blog (a year ago) to my website under https://www.territomoff.com/blog. There is where you will find me with the newly named blog: Manufacturing Sunshine! I hope you will join me in my new space. Thank YOU! 

I have to admit, ending my blog TODAY in this space is bittersweet. I'm thrilled on how much I learned and who I became as a result of sitting in the "hot seat" to pound out posts on my keyboard (or phone when not at my home or computer). Others, like the Seth Godin's of the world, who has been a huge inspiration to me,  have pounded out 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 posts in the last 20+ years. I am not like them. I am me. I leveled up to the "dare"my brother-in-law, Don Tomoff, suggested I do in December of 2011. I don't think he remembers that, but I sure do.

If it wasn't for the almost daily routine of writing, I don't know if the book I finished this year would have come to fruition (and a shout out to my biggest supporter and lead cheerleader in all of it - my hubby, Bill Tomoff!). As most of you know, I love to quilt. It's one of my life's passions. But...I have fallen in love more and more with writing, and the, ahem, "daily" writing, in the past few years. I am going to continue to write daily, but won't be posting in my blog, as of right now, almost. every. single. day. 

QuiltsFromTheHeart posts will be archived under my website: territomoff.com  Anyone can go look up a prior post, including me. That's the beauty of an archive so as long Google keeps the forum. Fingers crossed they do for years to come as lots of folks have blogged through their sites (Blogger, Blogspot etc.)

Consolidating all my entities under one roof has been my mission the last quarter of this year (Thanks, Bo!). In addition to my quilting and writing, I'm changing my blog title under the heading of Manufacturing Sunshine! I'll start a new decade with uplifting stories of quilting, soccer refereeing and, most importantly, life's musings. I'm excited to start including my favorite posts – #CelebratingOthers. I hope you will stay tuned.

I am sure this new blog will morph and change as well; the possibilities are endless. I am ready and willing to take on a "new" challenge in a new space. There may be kinks to work through, so I hope you will be patient with me. 

And, without further rambling, this last post needs no further introduction to end the year with a take on the lyrics of Seasons of Love from Rent: I love this Pentatonix youtube version you can click here and listen and watch if you so desire: 

Season's of Love!

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear (holding sacred space for so many)

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure? Measure a year?

In daylights, (Yes!)
In sunsets, (Love them all!)
In midnights, (Love those too when awake!)
In cups of coffee,(tea, please)
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife (Covid-19)

In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in a life? (The daily writing)

How about love? (It's the only thing)

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan (wishful to travel once again when safe!)

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a life of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned (it's all about the people, people)
Or in times that she cried (several times through the year)
In bridges he burned (hopefully not!)
Or the way that she died (way too many around the world this year...)

Its time now to sing out though (scream it from the rooftops!)
The story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in a life (as best we could)
Of friends (and family)

Remember the love... (always remember the love)
(Oh you gotta remember the love)
Remember the love...
(Oh yeah, its a gift from up above)
Remember the love...
(Sing out, give out, measure your life
In looooooove...!)
Seasons of love...

BSolielle! This sign off has meant to BE SUNNY! I "invented" it way back in the early blogging days to remember, even on dark days, literally and figuratively, we can find a sliver of sunshine to light our path. 

I'd like to end on this; You, my readers, have been the wind beneath my wings. I am thankful for each and every one of you! I am wildly blessed and only wish for the best for you as we muscle through this thing called life with 7.5 Billion people on Planet Earth. I know everyone is trying to get your time and attention, so when you take a sneak peak in what I'm up to or writing, I am eternally grateful for those few minutes. I know your time is precious! 

My first post under Manufacturing Sunshine will be out tomorrow (still working on the intro). It will be under my website as mentioned above, but will be posted to Facebook/social media as well. Again, still working out the kinks. Thank you in advance for your patience. 

Happy New Year! 2022! I hope it's going to be a good one! Our world needs it.

Terri

Tomoff FamJam pic: Olivia, Bill, Ryan and me - Thanksgiving 2021 

What is the Lesson 2021 Taught You/Me?

After writing yesterday's post of the top 21 Things in 2021, I received a message from one of my Writing in community (WIC) members. He read with interest my list, plans on writing up his thoughts, and his 21, and posed the question: What is the lesson 2021 taught me? 

Well, I had to sit for a bit and think. I did take some time to think through my 21 Things, but what did they all teach me. Hmmm. 

Here is my response:

The lesson that 2021 taught me is that our world revolves around people. 

I'm a people person. 

People need People. 

Those close to me have been the light for me on some dark days in 2021 as noted in my 21 Things. This all wraps up nicely with the WIC, the people here, and the chance to express ourselves through our words. Many of those words may stay dormant, but many of them will be turned into blog posts, newsletters and books that could change the world. 

And how does one do that? One person at a time. 

bSoleille!

Terri

A Kelleys Island, Ohio sunset over Lake Erie 2021

What 21 Things Went Right in 2021?

Newspapers around the country (paper and online versions) are posting articles about year end and top songs/books/people etc. The Washington Post had an uplifting article recently about 21 Things that went Right this year. 

This got me inspired to make my own list. There is nothing like the power of a chocolate chip cookie and Gratitude to lift sagging and overwrought spirits! I invite you to make your own list - here is mine:

1. Placed in the care of great doctors at the beginning of the year after sobering uterine cancer diagnosis.

2. Healing went well after the (2) surgeries with my immediate family; Bill, Olivia and Ryan taking premium care of me for weeks.

3. Well wishes sent to me from around the world that catapulted me to where I am today: healthy!

4. Publishing my first book: The Focused Fight (March)

5. Thanking all the great folks who helped me shape that book to get the message of hope and inspiration out into the world (you know who you are!) 

6. Two Covid vaccinations and a Booster

7. The solid Writing in Community (WIC) that inspires my daily practice of writing.

8. My Quilts From the Heart blog readers! You rock!!!

9. A new microwave and whole house Insulation 

10. Quality time with my family that involved delicious food made on the trio of grills

11. A big book Zoom launch in March attended by many that love me and love my mission. Book signings in Crofton and Cleveland plus those who watched (30) 1 minute videos in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (on youtube)... and the Podcasts I've been asked to be on this past year to also help spread the message! 

12. Walking and Running the Crofton, Maryland Parkway almost daily

13. One week vacation on Kelleys Island, Ohio, in June. 

14. Summer travel for (8) weekends in a row for weddings/book signings/graduation parties

15. Two week vacation in Colorado with my hubby in August

16. Sleeping under the stars and full moon with just a sleeping bag (no tent) at 10,000 ft.

17. In shape enough to referee a full high school soccer season (over 40 games!)

18. Hearing from friends and family near and far for my milestone birthday (November) and hosting my college friends for a weekend of fun/hiking/dining-in in celebration

19. Hosting a beautiful Thanksgiving Day/Weekend for 12 in Crofton.

20.  All the T-shirt quilts and commissioned work I made for my clients throughout the year (especially at Christmastime!)

21. After 10 years of almost daily blogging, I reached a milestone I never dreamed of: 3000 posts! I am thrilled beyond words and appreciate anyone who has read my words through the years. My heart is full. 

I am working to switch over my writing under my website and the blog they offer through that. This way, everything will be under one roof! There will be an archive of all my QuiltsFromTheHeart posts as well as other announcements - like my next book and when it will be published.

Please stay tuned...

BSoleille!

Terri

Forest Bathing in Colorado 2021

15+Hours of Quilting (Draft #3 from 11/10/12)

A long day sitting at my machine but oh so worth it. I'm thankful that the other 21 ladies on retreat pretty much feel the same way and we "cheer" each other on to complete quilt tops, place labels on the finished projects and, the big one, to "support" each other when squaring our pieced blocks.

Many beautiful quilts and other sewing related items are nearing completion while here from just about everyone. If and when a project is completed the finisher receives a kazoo serenade, oohs and ahs from the multitude and a tiara plus "the beads of being done"! I was able to wear the tiara for a good 5 minutes today!

My photo is the one quilt top I "finished" today.

BSoleille! The bright side of thinking "Who needs to sleep on retreat?"

Terri

Front Porch Flowers (Draft #2)

Here is another half-post that was never shared when I started it; May of 2012. I'm thankful to post it today:

Alas, I did not take a photo of the red geraniums I bought that will sit on the stoop of our "front porch" because I was drawn to these huge gerber daisy's at Lowe's this afternoon!  I know my soil/birds/dogs will not let these beauties survive all summer, so the next best thing was to take a photo of one of them.  I hope someone can grow them and they survive, as their heads are quite large and may droop should they get any bigger!

Posts That Never Made It (Draft #1)

When I mentioned yesterday that I reached 3000 posts, that also included the (6) posts that are still in draft mode.

I then figured why not add them to this bunch? Out of six, a couple draft posts were not done—actually half-written. I am going to include them anyway. Here is the first one dated March 22, 2012:

Daughter done with teenage years

A big shout of Happy Birthday wishes to my 20 year old daughter, Olivia. She is a beautiful, kind and compassionate young lady and I'm proud to be her mother! A true blessing in my life that's for sure!

Of course, these sentiments still ring true (9) years hence! 

I did not have a photo selected yet, so I'm including this one.

Olivia and Me (November 2021 at the US Supreme Court Building)

Merry Christmas 2021 and My 3000th POST!

Christmas Haiku

Merry Christmas Everyone

Look: Santa's new ride

Ha! No more reindeer to feed.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday despite the virus wreaking havoc in our world. We have a nice sunny day with a balmy temperature of 66 degrees as I write this. It's a good thing too (no snow), because this made it easier for Santa to get around on his motorcycle! He ditched the reindeer and zoomed off without a care in the world. He's about the only one, huh? 

bSoleille! And drum roll please... this is my 3000th post (2994 published and 6 drafts since I started this blog in 2012 - I will have them all published by year's end (including those 6 drafts half-done). It couldn't have come on a more fitting day of the year. 

Terri

Beep Beep!!