Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Quilter

Last night I was the speaker for the Haldimand Quilters' Guild in Hagersville. It was quite the adventure! On the way there, the police had closed a road on the route I had carefully planned to follow. And because there was a mouse in my car last week and I had cleared everything out to get the car completely detailed on the weekend, I forgot to put my trusty paper map back in the car. NO MAP?!? How is a directionally challenged quilter supposed to find her way?!?
Of course I got hopelessly lost, and was almost late for the meeting. Maybe it's time to either invest in a GPS or figure out how to use my cell phone properly. Yuck.


I made it just in time, and here are the lovely quilters waiting patiently. I wish I could put a video camera on my shoulder and play for you the conversations that I enjoyed last night. These women were so fun, and so encouraging to me, that I actually felt a little teary on the way home.
That might also have been partly because after the meeting I loaded the quilts in the car in the pouring rain, and white-knuckled the drive home through a vicious thunderstorm wearing soaking wet clothes. But there were no road closures, I didn't get lost, and I arrived home safe and sound, though soggy.
A huge thank you to Shirley for not giving up on contacting me, to Deb for helping with the arrangements, to Linda for the lovely letter and gift, and to all the quilters who came out on such a stormy night to hear a stressed out crazy quilter talk about her quiltaholic behaviour! Thank you for reading my blog and for sharing with me how it has helped you over the years. 


Remember...
"NO" is a complete sentence! 
(which I learned from the inspirational writings of Cheryl Richardson and Anne Lamott).

17 comments:

Created by Kathi said...

I love using "Google Maps" app FREE on my smart phone... it always gets me where I am going thus far! lol I still chart out my path at home on the computer before going though just so I don't totally depend on GPS in unfavorable conditions... That quilt group was blessed to have you come speak to them... I am glad you made it in time in the end and I am sure the paper map is ready now to go back into the car! Mouse in the car you say??? We have a show "AFV" that showed a vid of a mouse in someone s drink in their car! lol I was scared just watching that! I could go on but suffice to say I am glad the mouse is out and your car is detailed now! Have a blessed week.. you are totally inspiring to ME too!!! <3 Kathi

Jill said...

Glad you made it to your destination safely and persevered so as not to disappoint an eager, friendly group of quilters. My sister once had a mouse in her car. She'll be glad to know she is not the only one.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Time to get a gps...I am directionally challenged too and the gps has saved me many times! Glad to hear you made it to the meeting on time and then home again. I would love to have you come back to speak to our guild...

Deanna W said...

Modern technology seems to be the way to go. I find the paper maps are good but trying to drive and wear glasses to read maps is not good. I love the phone apps that are out there that talk to you as you drive. I of course don't have one of those apps or phones for that matter!!!This is why I let Barb and Louise drive or at least direct me!!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I love to see a map, but depend on GPS - but always double check a map - I like to use google on the computer to and sometimes will print out my directions and map also for a back up - LOL - GPS has been known to be wrong

Monica said...

That storm was a big surprise for us too. Glad you made it safely!

Kristin said...

Yikes!! Sounds like you had an adventure before the meeting even started!! Glad you made it and had a nice time. :)

Janet O. said...

Glad it all worked out, but what an adventurous evening you had!
Just recently watched a news magazine show of a young woman lost for 5 days in a desert after trying to get to her destination following Google Maps. Maybe you have the right idea doing without. : )

Deb A said...

Oh No! I love my GPS App on the phone - I'd be lost without it. So sorry the mouse had you remove the paper map - hope it has made it's way back into the car.... the map, not the mouse!

Lisa J. said...

i'm glad things worked out in the end Kathy and that you had a great meeting.

Sherill said...

Really enjoyed your visit with us last night! Sorry about the soaking but glad you made it home safe and sound!

julieQ said...

LOL! I do fine with right and left, but don't tell me to go two miles north, LOL!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I rely on my GPS -- a lot. Congratulations for getting there, doing your presentation, AND getting home again.

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

I suffer the same ailment. I wrote a post about getting lost for 90 minutes on my own land (it was 100 acres) and actually feeling scared. Looked at Google maps later to see where I had wandered. Seriously, it is an affliction...lol

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

My old GPS would have just sent you back to the closed road, over and over. I think the new one would help find a way. Glad you got there, sorry you got wet.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

I love my maps!!!! I can go anywhere, see where and how I will get there!
We bought a Navigator that has all the bells and whistles and that lovely Lady who tells you how to go. Well, give me my maps and I can do better than she!
Although it is nice, once you can trust the GPS, to know that someone is navigating. LOL But I can see why there are so many wrecks - this can be so distracting.
Looks like you had a great crowd and lots of fun.

Kate said...

Oh, give me a good map any day. It's so frustrating to be on your way and then there are road closures. Glad you had a great meeting and go home in spite of the weather.