Pink Monkey- She is a prototype for future craft fairs. She has a removeable heat and, in future models, aromatherapy pack in her back.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas Sewing
A couple projects from Christmas
Pink Monkey- She is a prototype for future craft fairs. She has a removeable heat and, in future models, aromatherapy pack in her back.
Pink Monkey- She is a prototype for future craft fairs. She has a removeable heat and, in future models, aromatherapy pack in her back.
Post Secrets
http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
Also, they have 4 books out. Read the reviews- they are good. http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Secrets-PostSecret-Book/dp/0061238600?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177350558&sr=8-8
Also, they have 4 books out. Read the reviews- they are good. http://www.amazon.com/Lifetime-Secrets-PostSecret-Book/dp/0061238600?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177350558&sr=8-8
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Who would you call?
If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? ~Stephen Levine
Monday, December 8, 2008
Sugar Cookies
I'm not a huge sugar cookie fan, but these are good!
I used my own icing though, just powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and milk
I used my own icing though, just powdered sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and milk
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Toby's Fingerless gloves. I made a K1P1. These are a picture of them before they were used, SOTN (Straight off the Needle).
And then my well loved pair. Mine were much shorter, had a K2P2 cuff which I prefer, but I think might not hold up as well.
And, my wool yarn stash. Although, the plumknits is bamboo and the green debbie bliss is cotton angora.
And then my well loved pair. Mine were much shorter, had a K2P2 cuff which I prefer, but I think might not hold up as well.
And, my wool yarn stash. Although, the plumknits is bamboo and the green debbie bliss is cotton angora.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
I am Thankful...
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, & NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME & NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH...
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING & I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Sometimes it is about how you look at things.
FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME & NOT OUT AT THE BARS.
FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH...
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING & I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.
Sometimes it is about how you look at things.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
More Finished Projects
Some of these are older than others just haven't posted them. I've done a lot more than this, but I'm getting lazy at my picture taking. However, now that I have a nicer camera I'm hoping that will change.
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Friday, August 29, 2008
Girls Night In
Toby went on a mini vacation by himself and so I induldged:
Papa Johns and Cranberry Juice on the rocks!
And, I walked to the Walgreens and then the pizza place and got hit on 3 times by 4 different guys and that was before I was carrying the pizza. I guess I never realized how much having him around affects that!
Papa Johns and Cranberry Juice on the rocks!
And, I walked to the Walgreens and then the pizza place and got hit on 3 times by 4 different guys and that was before I was carrying the pizza. I guess I never realized how much having him around affects that!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
OK, distraction explained
I lost one of my jobs, but more importantly, my volunteer position. I wish I had some great story of how that happened, but I don't. I was informed that it wasn't working out for me or them. Hmm, thanks for letting me know. I spent a couple of days upset. I thought about it a lot, prayed about it, and talked to an attorney. I am sure that there is a reason for this and hope that it becomes clear eventually. But, until then I have turned it over to God and have already seen his answer many time this week.
On the other hand, my new job is going great and I am really enjoying it. There is a ton of driving as I am working in another county, but so far so good. I have been meeting my partner at the park & ride and have been carpooling so that has saved a lot of gas.
And, yesterday was my birthday and so many people called, wrote, emailed, and posted on my myspace/facebook. I've never had my birthday so noticed and this was one where I really needed that.
On the other hand, my new job is going great and I am really enjoying it. There is a ton of driving as I am working in another county, but so far so good. I have been meeting my partner at the park & ride and have been carpooling so that has saved a lot of gas.
And, yesterday was my birthday and so many people called, wrote, emailed, and posted on my myspace/facebook. I've never had my birthday so noticed and this was one where I really needed that.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Happy Birthday Mom & Dad!!!
Hi Mom (pretty much my only blog reader!)!!
I should have posted this on Monday, but I was distracted which surely I can explain, but that doesn't belong in a post like this. So,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM (50) & DAD (63)!!!!
They are now both officially over the hill!!!
But, if you ask her, she just turned 29.
I should have posted this on Monday, but I was distracted which surely I can explain, but that doesn't belong in a post like this. So,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM (50) & DAD (63)!!!!
They are now both officially over the hill!!!
But, if you ask her, she just turned 29.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Dancing in the Rain
It's not about waiting for the storm to pass,
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I really believe that happiness is a choice and we are each in charge of creating our own happiness. Most of the people I work with have so much stuff going on in life that all the stress, anxiety, and pain begins to take over. They get consumed by this and miss out on opportunities to take care of themselves, feel good about themselves, and celebrate their successes.
Rain happens, but it doesn't mean that we can just stay inside. That is why God invented umbrellas! Happiness does not come to us on its own, we must seek it out.
I have a plan to extend this a lot further perhaps ending with an art piece so feel free to leave some more ideas in the comments and I hope you enjoy thinking up your own list!
Things that make me happy:
1. Bread, still warm
2. A kiss from my dogs
3. Singing at the top of my lungs
4. Dancing in the Rain
5. Hammocks
6. An afternoon hike in the woods
7. Gliding along in a kayak
8. Campfires
9. The smell of pine trees
10. Small changes
11. A note on the bathroom mirror
12. Our secret word
13. A phone call from a friend
14. Getting Mail
15. Warm M&Ms
16. Spring
17. The sound of the sewing machine humming along
Then, I asked people a group of online women I "know" to add to the list and they came up with:
18. roof over my head
19. good food to eat
20. spending money
21. time to sew (work on soul fulfilling activity)
22. a sunny day after days of clouds
23. watching my kids figure out the solution to some "problem"
24. soft baby skin
25. your kids hugs
26. the words "I Love You"
27. Sunshine and fresh air
28. Juicy summer watermelon
29. ability to get online and "talk" with other mamas
30. cat snuggling against me at night
31. son laughing
32. son squeeling
33. warm sun on my skin
34. jumping in rain puddles
35. watching my seedlings grow
36. the smell of rain on dry earth
37. baby feet
38. baby smiles
39. baby cuddles
40. birds singing
41. rainbows
42. The first direct rays of sunshine on skin when wearing a short-sleeve shirt after a long winter.
43. A hot latte with real whipped cream.
44. Real whipped cream.
45. Yellow.
46. Blue walls with white crown molding.
47. Polka dots.
48. Fresh flowers on the dining room table.
49. Mud pies with sides of grass and weeds.
50. A bowl of Life (cereal) for breakfast.
51. Pipecleaner animals.
52. Sun setting on the kids playing outside
53. birds singing first thing in the morning
54. wind through the trees
55. that place on my husbands neck I bury my face into when we hug
56. being able to finish a project start through finish\
57. fresh homemade bread
58. hugs from my kiddos
59. the feel of their skin touching mine when we snuggle
60. the way the kids both sigh in their sleep
61. the baby rooting for me when we are asleep at night
62. fiona buring her nose in my hair at night because she likes the smell of it
63. holding hands with my hubby
64. eating together at the kitchen table
65. having a house that we are working hard for
66. singing kids songs with the kids, and listening the the funny lyrics that they say
67. playing makeup with my girls
68. having a "fashion show"
69. painting tiny toenails
70. baby feet
71. when the baby smiles in her sleep
72. new grass between my toes
73. walking in the sand
74. building a sandcastle
75. A NAP!!!!!
76. Sleeping late (like that ever happens, but a girl can dream)
77. making mudpies
78. when you tell you kid "stop" and the actually stop
79. kids laughing
80. sleeping next to my dh at night
81. warming up my cold feet by putting them under dhs legs at night (dh doesnt love 82. that one as much as me )
83. playing the piano without anyone to hear
84. singing in the shower
85. making clothes/diapers for my kids
86. drinking a coke without having to share any of it
87. making hot wings for dinner just because "I" like them (same goes for hubs
88. favorite soup, and chicken and stars for the girls)
89. Children swinging
90. My vision - I can see. (My friend is loosing her sight)
91. A pen that writes
92. unborn baby kicks
93. Children's "bouquets" no matter how bedraggled
94. Warm hugs from children stopping their play for a moment
95. Birds chirping
96. Strawberries
97. Hens clucking contentedly as they scratch about
98. eggs
99. my daughters dancing and having fun
100. a baby's giggle
101. sisters making each other laugh
102. the sound of the soft breeze through the trees
103. a clean home (found my new nirvana )
104. ice cream on a hot sunny day
105. smell of coffee in the morning
106. a home
107. family to love
108. playing in the kiddie pool (adults enjoy it too )
109. spinning wool into yarn
110. knitting
111. a little quiet time to yourself
112. flowers
113. birds
114. the groundhog digging up the lawn (he's really cute to look at)
115. smell of horse manure and hay on a frosty cold morning in Buffalo and hearing their soft whinnys as they greet you looking for their morning food and caress from your hand and a nuzzle.
116. an Icee at the fair
117. family getting together and laughing
118. My daughters' painting.
119. The drawing my daughter made me on her own for mother's day that is sitting above my sewing machine on the wall.
120. A healthy body (I am truly thankful that I am able to sit, stand, walk, run, dance, chase after children, breastfeed my babies, etc. (my mil has ms & has been wheelchair bound since my dh was 6!))
121. children's healthy bodies
Wow, I had a lot more than I thought!
"Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response." ~ Mildred Barthel
"We always have enough to be happy if we are enjoying what we do have--and not worrying about what we don't have." ~ Ken Keyes, Jr.
"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." ~ Francesca Reigler, artist
“The mind is like a garden: if you plant potatoes, you will get potatoes. If you plant flowers, you will get flowers. If you plant nothing, you’ll get weeds.” – Anonymous
I Choose to Plant Happiness!
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
I really believe that happiness is a choice and we are each in charge of creating our own happiness. Most of the people I work with have so much stuff going on in life that all the stress, anxiety, and pain begins to take over. They get consumed by this and miss out on opportunities to take care of themselves, feel good about themselves, and celebrate their successes.
Rain happens, but it doesn't mean that we can just stay inside. That is why God invented umbrellas! Happiness does not come to us on its own, we must seek it out.
I have a plan to extend this a lot further perhaps ending with an art piece so feel free to leave some more ideas in the comments and I hope you enjoy thinking up your own list!
Things that make me happy:
1. Bread, still warm
2. A kiss from my dogs
3. Singing at the top of my lungs
4. Dancing in the Rain
5. Hammocks
6. An afternoon hike in the woods
7. Gliding along in a kayak
8. Campfires
9. The smell of pine trees
10. Small changes
11. A note on the bathroom mirror
12. Our secret word
13. A phone call from a friend
14. Getting Mail
15. Warm M&Ms
16. Spring
17. The sound of the sewing machine humming along
Then, I asked people a group of online women I "know" to add to the list and they came up with:
18. roof over my head
19. good food to eat
20. spending money
21. time to sew (work on soul fulfilling activity)
22. a sunny day after days of clouds
23. watching my kids figure out the solution to some "problem"
24. soft baby skin
25. your kids hugs
26. the words "I Love You"
27. Sunshine and fresh air
28. Juicy summer watermelon
29. ability to get online and "talk" with other mamas
30. cat snuggling against me at night
31. son laughing
32. son squeeling
33. warm sun on my skin
34. jumping in rain puddles
35. watching my seedlings grow
36. the smell of rain on dry earth
37. baby feet
38. baby smiles
39. baby cuddles
40. birds singing
41. rainbows
42. The first direct rays of sunshine on skin when wearing a short-sleeve shirt after a long winter.
43. A hot latte with real whipped cream.
44. Real whipped cream.
45. Yellow.
46. Blue walls with white crown molding.
47. Polka dots.
48. Fresh flowers on the dining room table.
49. Mud pies with sides of grass and weeds.
50. A bowl of Life (cereal) for breakfast.
51. Pipecleaner animals.
52. Sun setting on the kids playing outside
53. birds singing first thing in the morning
54. wind through the trees
55. that place on my husbands neck I bury my face into when we hug
56. being able to finish a project start through finish\
57. fresh homemade bread
58. hugs from my kiddos
59. the feel of their skin touching mine when we snuggle
60. the way the kids both sigh in their sleep
61. the baby rooting for me when we are asleep at night
62. fiona buring her nose in my hair at night because she likes the smell of it
63. holding hands with my hubby
64. eating together at the kitchen table
65. having a house that we are working hard for
66. singing kids songs with the kids, and listening the the funny lyrics that they say
67. playing makeup with my girls
68. having a "fashion show"
69. painting tiny toenails
70. baby feet
71. when the baby smiles in her sleep
72. new grass between my toes
73. walking in the sand
74. building a sandcastle
75. A NAP!!!!!
76. Sleeping late (like that ever happens, but a girl can dream)
77. making mudpies
78. when you tell you kid "stop" and the actually stop
79. kids laughing
80. sleeping next to my dh at night
81. warming up my cold feet by putting them under dhs legs at night (dh doesnt love 82. that one as much as me )
83. playing the piano without anyone to hear
84. singing in the shower
85. making clothes/diapers for my kids
86. drinking a coke without having to share any of it
87. making hot wings for dinner just because "I" like them (same goes for hubs
88. favorite soup, and chicken and stars for the girls)
89. Children swinging
90. My vision - I can see. (My friend is loosing her sight)
91. A pen that writes
92. unborn baby kicks
93. Children's "bouquets" no matter how bedraggled
94. Warm hugs from children stopping their play for a moment
95. Birds chirping
96. Strawberries
97. Hens clucking contentedly as they scratch about
98. eggs
99. my daughters dancing and having fun
100. a baby's giggle
101. sisters making each other laugh
102. the sound of the soft breeze through the trees
103. a clean home (found my new nirvana )
104. ice cream on a hot sunny day
105. smell of coffee in the morning
106. a home
107. family to love
108. playing in the kiddie pool (adults enjoy it too )
109. spinning wool into yarn
110. knitting
111. a little quiet time to yourself
112. flowers
113. birds
114. the groundhog digging up the lawn (he's really cute to look at)
115. smell of horse manure and hay on a frosty cold morning in Buffalo and hearing their soft whinnys as they greet you looking for their morning food and caress from your hand and a nuzzle.
116. an Icee at the fair
117. family getting together and laughing
118. My daughters' painting.
119. The drawing my daughter made me on her own for mother's day that is sitting above my sewing machine on the wall.
120. A healthy body (I am truly thankful that I am able to sit, stand, walk, run, dance, chase after children, breastfeed my babies, etc. (my mil has ms & has been wheelchair bound since my dh was 6!))
121. children's healthy bodies
Wow, I had a lot more than I thought!
"Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response." ~ Mildred Barthel
"We always have enough to be happy if we are enjoying what we do have--and not worrying about what we don't have." ~ Ken Keyes, Jr.
"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." ~ Abraham Lincoln
"Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same." ~ Francesca Reigler, artist
“The mind is like a garden: if you plant potatoes, you will get potatoes. If you plant flowers, you will get flowers. If you plant nothing, you’ll get weeds.” – Anonymous
I Choose to Plant Happiness!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Aprons for Mother's Day
These are two aprons I whipped up for Mother's Day for my Grandmas. The first is for my Grandma Haack. I love the cute little pocket on this one.
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The second was for my Grandma Stilling. This was the first one I made. She is always wearing little half aprons when we go over and I was currently in the middle of an apron swap on one of the board I frequent. So, when we were trying to decide what to get her I thought of an apron. Toby was laughing at me as I made it, but he later admitted that it was perfect for her, even the print.
One of the great things about this apron is that when my Grandma H moved she packed a box of sewing stuff for me. One of the things in that box was the trim on this apron. The trim smells like my Grandma. It was nice to think of her as I was sewing!
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The second was for my Grandma Stilling. This was the first one I made. She is always wearing little half aprons when we go over and I was currently in the middle of an apron swap on one of the board I frequent. So, when we were trying to decide what to get her I thought of an apron. Toby was laughing at me as I made it, but he later admitted that it was perfect for her, even the print.
One of the great things about this apron is that when my Grandma H moved she packed a box of sewing stuff for me. One of the things in that box was the trim on this apron. The trim smells like my Grandma. It was nice to think of her as I was sewing!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Esmeralda's Prophecy
Yesterday I went to House on the Rock with Andy and Kary (my Brother and his girlfriend). There are many little machines to put your money into and one was the fortune teller Esmeralda (like the movie Big). I asked her if I would find a job soon and she said:
"There is very little I can tell you, because you are so good. You have a great gentleness, and pure moral principles, a merciful affectionate and constant heart, slightly melancholy. Inventive genius of mechanical arts, are independent and have little patience with conventional ways of living. Lover of music, very changeable in opinion. After middle age you will inherit a fortune, which you will have to defend in court.
I predict that you will have great success in life, in general, very small changes in your daily routine are necessary to bring you to the top of the ladder."
Hmm, I hope I find that ladder soon...
"There is very little I can tell you, because you are so good. You have a great gentleness, and pure moral principles, a merciful affectionate and constant heart, slightly melancholy. Inventive genius of mechanical arts, are independent and have little patience with conventional ways of living. Lover of music, very changeable in opinion. After middle age you will inherit a fortune, which you will have to defend in court.
I predict that you will have great success in life, in general, very small changes in your daily routine are necessary to bring you to the top of the ladder."
Hmm, I hope I find that ladder soon...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Music Therapy
I was having a bad day and since listening to music is on my list of things to do to take care of myself I decided to again look through Youtube for the songs I was thinking of. Worked like a charm.
The first song is Pocketful of Sunshine and it is one that a client was drawn to. After listening to it I see why.
The next few are by Enya and have always been my power music. They fill me with the energy to go forward.
It also helps to think that perhaps there is something bigger and better out there waiting for me. Patience is getting hard.
The first song is Pocketful of Sunshine and it is one that a client was drawn to. After listening to it I see why.
The next few are by Enya and have always been my power music. They fill me with the energy to go forward.
It also helps to think that perhaps there is something bigger and better out there waiting for me. Patience is getting hard.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I AM
I was looking for "The Lord is My Light."
But, also found this which was powerful to me.
Added: I just wanted to add a little update onto why I was looking for these songs. It is now the end of May and everything has been resolved so it feels good to finally share a little of what was going on.
In December my Uncle Ernie passed away from a heart attack. It was very unexpected and we were all in shock. This cemented in my Grandma's heart that it was time to move home (to IL). A month after listing their house my Grandma found a lump in her breast and further testing showed that it was in fact breast cancer. I found this out the same week that the final draft of my thesis was due. My Mom and Aunt flew out to AZ to be with her. We found out that she was to have the surgery the next week to have the lump removed. On a positive note, the day after they found out that the lump was cancerous my Grandparents got an offer on their house and they immediately accepted.
While my mom was down there I expressed concern to her over how similar this situation was to the one a few years earlier where we lost two aunts and my Grandma and Grandpa on my Dad's side in such a short time. It included my Aunt passing away from an unexpected heart attack and my Grandparents moving in with my parents. My Mom acknowledged that she had also seen the similarities and that she had been afraid to mention it. We were all scared we were losing Grandma.
That Sunday I had my Grandma on my mind and as I was getting ready for church was singing "The Lord is My Light." When I got into church I decided to talk the priest and I asked for a special prayer to be said. When I sat down to service I realized that the same song I was singing was the song that we were singing in church. It was also part of the word for the day. It just helped to remind me to trust in the Lord as he will provide.
My Grandma had the surgery the next Thursday. I kept myself busy with a party on Friday night at the place where I volunteer and then a get together with friends the next night (Fondue, yum!). On Monday we got word that the cancer was all out and she would not need radiation or chemo. My Mom and Aunt found a way to have my grandparents sign their closing papers early and they flew out two weeks after the surgery.
They are currently living with my parents, but have found a condo to buy. My Grandma is doing better in most ways, but still is in a lot of pain. I defended my thesis the day before my Grandparents moved to IL and I left on a short vacation the day after they moved. I've now submitted my final corrected version (three copies on fancy resume paper) and am just waiting for my diploma to be mailed.
There have been many happy weeks with everyone together. This last Mothers Day was the first one in about 10 years that we have been able to all be together. There were a lot of tears shed. Grandpa is feeling guilty for having ever moved to AZ while at the same time missing many things about it. When I had my blog open to show my grandma some of my sewing creations my Mom wanted me to show her the videos I found as well. My Grandpa heard it and came running. It was funny.
It's been great reconnection with my grandparents and really feeling their love again. We are all grateful to have this time together and realize that we must cherish each an every opportunity to share in each others company.
But, also found this which was powerful to me.
Added: I just wanted to add a little update onto why I was looking for these songs. It is now the end of May and everything has been resolved so it feels good to finally share a little of what was going on.
In December my Uncle Ernie passed away from a heart attack. It was very unexpected and we were all in shock. This cemented in my Grandma's heart that it was time to move home (to IL). A month after listing their house my Grandma found a lump in her breast and further testing showed that it was in fact breast cancer. I found this out the same week that the final draft of my thesis was due. My Mom and Aunt flew out to AZ to be with her. We found out that she was to have the surgery the next week to have the lump removed. On a positive note, the day after they found out that the lump was cancerous my Grandparents got an offer on their house and they immediately accepted.
While my mom was down there I expressed concern to her over how similar this situation was to the one a few years earlier where we lost two aunts and my Grandma and Grandpa on my Dad's side in such a short time. It included my Aunt passing away from an unexpected heart attack and my Grandparents moving in with my parents. My Mom acknowledged that she had also seen the similarities and that she had been afraid to mention it. We were all scared we were losing Grandma.
That Sunday I had my Grandma on my mind and as I was getting ready for church was singing "The Lord is My Light." When I got into church I decided to talk the priest and I asked for a special prayer to be said. When I sat down to service I realized that the same song I was singing was the song that we were singing in church. It was also part of the word for the day. It just helped to remind me to trust in the Lord as he will provide.
My Grandma had the surgery the next Thursday. I kept myself busy with a party on Friday night at the place where I volunteer and then a get together with friends the next night (Fondue, yum!). On Monday we got word that the cancer was all out and she would not need radiation or chemo. My Mom and Aunt found a way to have my grandparents sign their closing papers early and they flew out two weeks after the surgery.
They are currently living with my parents, but have found a condo to buy. My Grandma is doing better in most ways, but still is in a lot of pain. I defended my thesis the day before my Grandparents moved to IL and I left on a short vacation the day after they moved. I've now submitted my final corrected version (three copies on fancy resume paper) and am just waiting for my diploma to be mailed.
There have been many happy weeks with everyone together. This last Mothers Day was the first one in about 10 years that we have been able to all be together. There were a lot of tears shed. Grandpa is feeling guilty for having ever moved to AZ while at the same time missing many things about it. When I had my blog open to show my grandma some of my sewing creations my Mom wanted me to show her the videos I found as well. My Grandpa heard it and came running. It was funny.
It's been great reconnection with my grandparents and really feeling their love again. We are all grateful to have this time together and realize that we must cherish each an every opportunity to share in each others company.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
FOs from about October to December
Some things I worked on for an IRL friend and an online friend. I made duplicates of both the greend/flowers and red outfits.
3 Crayon Rolls I did as part of a swap:
Part of the present for my MIL. Oddly, I did not photograph the bag I made to go with it:
And, a crochet hook roll for a swap:
I am sure there was more, but this is all I found stored in photobucket
3 Crayon Rolls I did as part of a swap:
Part of the present for my MIL. Oddly, I did not photograph the bag I made to go with it:
And, a crochet hook roll for a swap:
I am sure there was more, but this is all I found stored in photobucket
Monday, January 7, 2008
Guinness Man
It's official, he is a Guinness Man
Guinness Hat
Guinness Tee
Guinness PJS
Guinness Tray
Guinness Glass (guess they are still in the box)
Guinness Bottle Oppener (but, um, he got cans)
and of course a Guinness to drink
(All presents from my Mom and Brother)
(and remind me to tidy up before we take pictures next time!)
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