The search has officially begun for where we’d like to eventually retire. Living close in to the city for the past ten years has certainly been fun, but we’re both ready for something less congested and crowded. Friends of ours who used to live in ATL proper have settled into communities all over north Georgia and Tennessee. Reynolds Plantation/Lake Oconee, about 75 miles east of Atlanta, is another popular choice. Still others have moved to Savannah or over towards Charleston and Myrtle Beach. So many choices.

Ideally, we’d live near the water again in an area with a population of no more than 350,000 and a regional vibe like Boise, Idaho. Areas so far I’ve liked are Pensacola, SE Georgia from Savannah to St. Mary’s, Charleston, Virginia Beach and Knoxville. A little closer to where we currently live: Canton, Ellijay, Waleska, Greensboro, & Eatonton. One neighbor has already built their retirement home in Beaufort, SC (45 minutes NE of Hilton Head) and another will be doing so soon. I’m thinking road trip to check out the area since I’ve never been there.

What do these locations have in common? Each is near a lake, large river or ocean. The boxes of regional airport nearby and access to quality medical care are also checked. Typical places we like to shop and dine are nearby. Activities we like to engage in are available – dog parks, walking trails, library, quilting, volunteering, antiquing, festivals, theatre. Other than Virginia Beach, they’re all within a half day’s drive of our families.

Any other criteria you have for selecting a potential retirement spot that I’ve overlooked or an area to recommend we check out? Not looking to move right away, but we’d like to settle on the area within the next 12-18 months.

Our neighborhood book club had its usual monthly get together the other night. I almost didn’t go because I’d had one of those days. I was not in the best of moods and definitely wasn’t feeling sociable. Got ready and went anyway. I’m glad I did because I quickly realized after talking to my friends that I wasn’t alone. Thursday had been a difficult day for several in my book club group. We commiserated together over wine, dinner and a great discussion about our monthly book selection. I think we all left in much better moods. Community is so important.

My day started off fine and went downhill fast. All because my SUV wouldn’t start (again). Car troubles forced me to really acknowledge how much one of our trade-offs for early retirement – delaying the purchase of any new vehicles for at least two years – was starting to impact my ability to get around. I’ve had to miss a few events of late due to car issues and subsequent repairs. As aggravated as I am with my SUV, trading vehicles isn’t likely to happen until our health insurance premiums drop from COBRA to retiree rates next summer or I return to full-time employment. After another day with the mechanic and a full analysis of battery, electrical system and alternator – he couldn’t find anything wrong. He did, however, find a TSB and applied that remedy. So far, so good. Hopefully, it sticks. Guess I’ll be adding a portable charging unit to the winter supplies box i keep in my vehicle.

Flying Geese blocks give me fits. Single FG blocks come out perfect almost every time if I I sew just to the right of the diagonal line (see single FG in upper left corner of photo). The folded corner ruler also works – it’s just that I’m more consistent with the drawn line method. Regardless, there’s a lot of extra fabric wasted – especially with large FG blocks.

I was on a mission to try the no-waste 4 at a time “heart” method FG with/without a specialty ruler and the strip cutting method used with the specialty triangle ruler from Bonnie Hunter.

4 at a time “heart” method FG definitely works! My best advice is to start with the “modern” (larger) cut square sizes and sew using a full 1/4″ seam. You don’t *need* a FG trim ruler, but it helps. I tried a Wing Clipper I ruler from Deb Tucker/Studio 180 designs. Easy-Peasy. The individual geese all had a true 1/4″ seam left above the point once trimmed. All I had to do was sew the units together with a scant 1/4″ seam. (See trio of FG in upper right of photo.)

The ability to use strips to cut my FG blocks and minimize waste really, really appealed to me. However, I could not for the life of me get the hang of how to sew the blocks together so that they consistently came out (1) the correct size and (2) had a true 1/4″ seam left above the point. I watched several different videos and spent way too much time trying to figure out this method. The yellow/navy batik FG block is the result of this experiment. I had to sew the FG together using a 1/8″ seam allowance across the points. Not my preference. Several of my quilting friends swear by the Bonnie Hunter ruler for making FG, so perhaps I’ll try it again someday.

My recommendation: if you have to make a ton of FG, do the 4 at a time “heart” method starting with oversize squares and invest in a specialty ruler to trim them. Companies such as Creative Grids, Studio 180 Designs and Bloc Loc offer specialty FG rulers. A single, multiple size FG trim ruler is usually about $30.00 while the product from Bloc Loc has a different pricing structure. Check with your local quilt shop (or quilting friends) to see if you can try out the various rulers.

As an alternative, use FG papers available from Fat Quarter Shop.