I am never far away and always looking at and reading the digest each time they arrive here. It just seems that I never take the opportunity to just sit down and scribble a note to everyone. I suppose that the biggest problem is that I would have to get up and leave my sewing machine to come over to the computer, then take the time.
I have been sewing and quilting up a storm here lately. I finished a baby quilt just the day before yesterday and sent it off to its new home yesterday afternoon. I have another quilt just about finished. This one is for my Aunt Mary. When I finish this break I figure I should have it done in about a week. I have 2 more backed and pinned and ready for hand quilting. I also finished a King Size Sunbonnet Sue/Sam earlier in the summer and I machine quilted and stippled it.
Other than the quilting I also found a very dammaged Lane cedar chest at a garage sale for $5.00. So I bought it home and re-did the whole thing. Now it shines and looks brand new. I am waiting for the hardware to arrive from Lane any day now. Fortunately their products have a lifetime guarentee and this poor chest had all the hardware, including the lock and latches destroyed. Health wise I am doing better than I have for more years than I can count! I make myself walk everyday which has helped a great deal. Of course I will alway have serious health issues to work through and I will just keep on pluggin' on those. Jerry (DH) is holding his own. His Altzheimer's disease seem to be at a stand still to me right now. I don't see currently much of any change for the last few months. I of course know this stand still won't last forever.
Oh yeah, I also have been making a bit of progress in getting my sewing studio straightened up. I suppose the fire we had in July pushed me in that direction. I know I haven't said anything yet about the fire. The important thing there is that the damage was mimumial and we all got out safely. DH had a few 3rd degree burns but is mending well. Of course it was a major clean up. Good new all my fabrics were safe and away from the fire area and behind closed cupboard doors that protected them. I am finially past the point where I freak out just thinking about it.
I am so learning to put things in order in my brain and just take things a day at a time. My quilting continues to be a prayerful experience for me, every stitch continues to be a prayer.
This summer has also bought a horrible tragedy to my sister. Those of you who have been here for a longer time may remember that my sister's fiance died only a few weeks before her wedding 3 years ago. Well she is finally to a point where she is moving forward and was planning a move to NC with a friend who lives near Boston. Those plans have now changed. Two weeks ago last Saturday, her friend's ex- boyfriend broke into her home and killed their 6 years old daughter. My sister and her friend have both had their worlds turned upside down to say the least. My sister asked me if it would be possible to make a quilt for the little girls casket but there just wasn't enough time to do it. For all of us it will take a long time to heal. Even in this indirect way, this has had a devastating effect on all of our family and it will take a very long time before my sister and her friend (Deb) and her other children can move forward.
Enough of the sad stuff. My grandchildren are growing like weeds and I love it when they come out to visit. Emily loves to bring me toys and quilts to 'do surgery' on. I always laugh with how serious she is about these projects. Her biggest concern is keeping her little brother away from her treasured quilts.
Well hopefully I will be able to stay unlurked for more than just a little bit. I just wanted to let you all know I am still very much alive and doing better all the time. When I think how far I have come since my last stroke and when every thing was just falling apart, I know, that the support of all of you here helped me to get through the hardest of times.
juliasb