Welcome to Ma's Got'a Notion
Here at Ma's, I've got your back...quilt back, that is!!!

Whoever said change is constant, sure knew what they were talking about! Sometimes we choose change, and other times it bowls us over, coming right out of left field! No matter what causes change in our lives, it challenges us. We either bend, adapt, and meet it head-on, or we curl into a ball and give up. I know all about change. In the last two years, I have learned to embrace it and just keep moving forward. Nothing is guaranteed, nor does it stay the same, so often when change comes, we may need to modify our future. And modification is what I must do now...

Deb's life has changed almost overnight; she no longer needs to work a full-time job and will be cutting her hours at the shop almost in half. Her 34-hour workweek will be cut to 24 hours in June. In July, she will work an 18-hour work week. Once I have my first knee replacement at the end of July, she will work a 21-hour workweek until I am back to work, and then return to 18 hours a week. So why am I telling you all of this? Here is why: I can't work in the shop during my recovery, and as a full-time caregiver to my husband, I need as many free hours as possible to take him to doctors' appointments, ensure he has meals, and assist with his daily activities. I had bought him a scooter in hopes that he would get out and about, but that did not last very long. He gets so short of breath that I think he fears going very far from the comfort and security of home. 

So, here is what will need to change beginning July 1, 2026:

I will be closed on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

My open hours will also change: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, OPEN 11 am - 4 pm. Saturdays 11 am - 2 pm.

I truly have no other choice. Finding reliable help in my small town is virtually slim to none. I understand Debs' newfound financial freedom, and I am very happy for her. And I am very glad that she will be working at least a few hours each week. I hope to heal quickly and get back to work so I can work Saturdays, so she has that day a week free also.

Twenty-three years ago, I started the shop and worked 24/7, at least 12-hour days... those were the days, and silly me, I honestly had no idea that one day I could not, but here I am! In those days...I only took off Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve at noon, and Christmas Day. I could do that because my kids were adults, my husband was healthy, and I was in the prime of my life...LOL, talk about change...this old gal has a devil of a time now, just getting up the two porch steps to get into my house!

 Life is change; it robs us of our youth, our health, and our loved ones over time. What do we do? We do what everyone chooses to do: we conform, or, well, you know...curl up and give up. Not me, and I know so many of you who have had huge changes in your lives over the years. You are my heroes. I have listened to your stories, and I am amazed by your strength. I am now going to draw on your strength and hope you understand why I must cut my open shop hours.

I plan to work in the shop and keep it open for years to come. I can and will do that with your understanding. Thank you for understanding, and should you find you need to come at a time when I am not open, call the shop during my open hours, and if it is in my power to meet you at an off hour, I will (that is, prior to my surgery, and after my recovery).

Online orders will be filled each day, except on the day of my surgery or on PT days. My CA daughter will be home for my surgery and a few days after, while I recuperate. My oldest son is taking a week's vacation to be with us on the day his sis heads back to CA. After that, I will need to buck up, throw out the pain meds, and get my butt in a vehicle and drive myself to PT 3x's a week. Unfortunately, my PT will be out of town, which will be a bit of a challenge for me to make the drive on those three days. The little gal who cleans my house and shop each week will come by for an hour each day to take my orders to the post office for me, or the postman will pick them up if she can't come on any day of the week. She will also do a bit of shopping for me and run through the house daily to do the chores I can't do here at home during my recovery. I think I am pretty fortunate to finally get this out of the way. I will get the 2nd knee done once I am back to full capacity with the first one. That's all I got to say about that, now! LOL

Now, about the flowers in the shop boxes, this will be the year they go flowerless... No one will be there 3 days a week to water them, and in truly hot weather, they sometimes need water not only every day, but 2x a day. So if you think they look like two lonely boxes hanging around out there, that's why!

Ok, enough about hours and flowers...

How about helping me out by stopping by the shop and purchasing a few bags of wide backings? We have been doing a little stripping of thin bolts to make room for fatter ones, and I am finding the bagged sacks are becoming a society of their own. I do believe they are threatening to take over if I do not do something! So, if you help me out, I will give you 20% off each bag. This sale will begin on Tuesday, May 19th, and last until Saturday, May 30th. NOTE: (this is an in-store-only sale; no online orders). There are a ton of sizes, from throws to kings, so come check them out. Many are the last of their prints, never to be seen again, as they are no longer in print. Get them before they are gone forever!

I want to reiterate how thankful I am to each of you for understanding the temporary dilemma I find myself in. As I age, I am sure I will see many changes in the coming days. "That's life."

(That's life, that's what all the people say. You're riding high in April, shot down in May. But, I know I'm gonna change that tune when I'm back on top in June!) This tune has been running over and over in my head for the last several days. Those of us of a certain age grew up listening to this tune on the radio or our parents' record player! This is just a bit of a setback for the time being, and as I heal, I'll move forward, accepting all change in my life with grace... who knows, by June of 2027, there may be more change... there is one thing life does guarantee for certain, c h a n g e!

Again, thank you all for understanding the change in my open and closed hours, and please pass it on to your quilt groups, guilds, and circle of friends who may frequent my shop. My biggest fear is that someone may travel a distance and find that I am closed on a day or time when I would normally be open. Please do not leave it to chance; always check my website, Facebook, or call before you make any trip that involves miles and miles to get to the shop. I will post the updated times as the day of the change approaches.

In the meantime, I will try to keep you reminded by sending a few more emails than I have sent in the past. I know many of you do not use Facebook, but it is the best place to keep up with current events, not only my shop but others, too.

I hope to see you all before I take this short sabbatical to get my "gate" back in stride. Who knew that bad knees could make us look like we just dismounted a horse after a day's ride! LOL