Delaine Gately Quilt Lady

Wow we have snow

2012-01-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

Last week foot steps in the sand this week snow

neighbor playing with his big snow toy

While I was walking in the snow taking pictures Jerry was snuggled up taking his morning nap, I thought it would be fun to get my feet really cold and jump in with him but my sweet guy was sleeping so sound I could not do it. I guess I am getting soft in my old age I have the ideas but no energy to follow through. I think I will go bake something, we canned 4 qrts and 12 pints of apple sauce yesterday we had stored the apples in the cold trailer, it worked real well we just did not have the time when they were ready. We gave Karol a lug I wonder if she is playing in the snow or canning what do you think?

Lots to tell about our travels

2012-01-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Flights were very bumpy both ways I am not a happy flyer I used to be but the last few flights have left me whizie and wobbly for days but once we landed I was better. Honolulu is like going to the fair people everywhere, we were so tired from the flight we could not stay awake for the new years eve fireworks and I was really looking forwards to them, oh well just my luck. I was sick twice on Oahu so I did not go to Pearl Harbor or the Iinterpretive center with the family, I had already experienced them so it was okay, once we got to Kauai we had wonderful facilities and the water was wonderful. Our two little grand-daughters Kayla and Katie went with us they were dolls. The only thing that really bugged me was not having access to the web and no cribbage I did not realize how much I would miss cribbage, so I will be getting a WiFi something or other soon funny how we get used to those little emails from friends and family. Everyone has cell phones and those little things in their ears and it is something I am going to try to over come. Cribbage is just a game not my life, I am trying to over come I think, I can I think I can..

Hawaiian quilting class with Carol Kamaile a very talented lady at Merritt Waikiki

A young Banion Tree

Our beach in Kauai

Snorkel Beauty how fun even for old broads

It is winter in the Islands and even so the flowers were wonderful the hibiscus oh they were so big and colorful. One thing they do have is chickens everywhere, hundreds of them and many many crowing roosters; as long as we kept the sliders shut the crowing was not to bad. In the morning breakfast on the deck was quite noisy those roosters were very busy fellows.

Christmas is almost here

2011-12-23T23:03:00.000-08:00

Not completed needs beading and all the butterflies are not attached they are waiting for me to bead them I need quiet down time to finish this project.

We had our family gathering last Sunday it was wonderful having almost everyone here twenty-two and growing... The food was wonderful but we had way too much, my children have taken to bringing their own containers with them so they can have some of the left overs this works out real well and they always leave enough for us old folks. Christmas eve we go to Karol's and brunch will be here Christmas morning. I make eggs Benedict, Jerry will do waffles and we will have stick-buns and sausages and fruit the last Christmas meal before we diet. After all that excitement we have to get packing for our trip to the Islands for two weeks of fun in the sun. I have my wall piece quilted and ready to bead which s what I do on vacation. So I'll not be on the web for two weeks, Ernie our son will house sit or should I say cat sit, I hope they get along Lilly is the kind of cat when someone is around she disappears especially when the kids are here; Ernie may never see her she is such a spooky cat, jumps out of her skin at the tiniest noise. I have been scratched several times when she has heard something and jumped out of my lap leaving scratch marks on my legs, she really flies. So for now have a Happy Christmas I am going to bed before mid-night. Well I am going to try.

For Jeff -- some of the clan --but not all of them

2011-12-10T23:50:00.000-08:00

NEW QUILT MADE FOR MY NUMBER TWO SON

2011-12-10T01:13:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS ERNIE I HAVE NOT BLOCKED IT

MONDAY QUILTERS HAVE BEEN MEETING FOR 16YEARS * WE HAVE FUN

2011-12-10T01:05:00.000-08:00

THIS IS OUR PATTY

WE ALL MADE HER A SQUARE

THIS GROUP OF LADIES ARE THE BEST THERE IS SO MUCH SHARING OF INFORMATION AND SKILLS YOU KNOW THE TRICKS OF THE TRADE, NOT TO MENTION THE FUN AND LAUGHTER THIS DAY WE WERE CELEBRATING PATTY'S EIGHTY-SIXTH6 BIRTHDAY SHE BROUGHT THE PARTY TO US. WHAT A GAL.

SECOND THANKSGIVING WITH TWO TURKEYS

2011-12-10T00:54:00.000-08:00

CAN YOU IMAGINE TWO DAYS AFTER THANKSGIVING AND THERE ARE NO FRESH TWENTY POUND TURKEYS AVAILABLE AT ANY OF OUR LOCAL STORES THE ONLY ONES AVAIL WERE TWELVE POUNDS OR LESS SO WE GOT TWO TWELVE POUND WE THEN PUT THEM BACK TO BACK IN THE ROASTER AND IT WORKED, OUR SECOND THANKSGIVING ON SUNDAY WAS A SUCCESS

Thanksgiving Day 2011

2011-11-25T01:35:00.000-08:00

A table set for royal quests

Joel did the honors

Laura supervised everthing to a T

Elizabeth Jerry and Delaine

Host and Hostess with the mostes

Lorretta Sam and Melissa, we missed Ethel Lorretta and Ethel had become friends over the years they could really chit chat. It was a very good day at the Arnolds

The turkey did not think so

The talk at the Kitsap guild went very well

2011-11-16T23:56:00.000-08:00

The guild is a wonderful group of ladies and gents, they are very productive and have many avenues for their members to do charity work the library is extensive and they are very friendly. It was a pleasure visiting them and they were very attentive and friendly....Oh and by the way if you love fabric beautiful fabrics of many types drop into the local quilt shop, Heirloom Quilts; oh my gosh what a selection of wonderful colors and prints a ventral candy store for a quilters eye...Well done ladies well done. Of course I dropped a bundle and I have already started a new quilt from my booty a special one for one of my deer hunting sons...

Well my quilts are packed and ready to tavel

2011-11-13T22:46:00.000-08:00

We are going to the Kitsap Quilters the 15th and I get to share my collection with kindred spirits what a great life I have. I will be showing thirty quilts and then for fun I will show some of my own creations...Then on Saturday the 19th we will be at the Gig Harbor History Museum for a short talk at 1pm if you are in town please drop by. After my talk I will be selling raffle tickets for the Gig Harbor Quilters Guild they have made the most beautiful quilt this year and I plan one winning this one for sure...Well I am not lucky so your chances are really good to win so come on down and buy a ticket you know it only takes one to win, but I will sell you as many as you want. I hope to see many friends Saturday until then Be Happy. The picture above is my last finished quilt I call it "Sunset on the Hood" It has a green velvet binding and a row of beads on the botton. The picture does not do it justice.

THE MIRACLE OF BIRTH

2011-11-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

I was there when he was born C-section delivery, I was the first to see him and the first to hold him, he was a beautiful ten pound boy his mother was so happy he was finally there, she had a rough time what with a frank breach and trying to pass a kidney stone at the same time she was exhausted, but her voice sang when she saw him she reached for him we rested him on her chest so that she could touch him, but there was to much going on and she needed to be closed up. I held the honor of showing him to our waiting little family we all touched and greeted him. He came into a loving family, we all stood by him as he grew, we all loved him because to us he was very special he was our Jamers.We all thanked God for his good health and strong cry--Later I held him up to the Lord and dedicated him to the world praying that he would be of strong spirit and grow to be a man of integrity. That was twenty-nine years ago and today was his birthday he is a strong young man looking to the future ready to begin a new life and I am proud of him. Happy Birthday James

Well the Museum Quilt Show has opened WOW

2011-10-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

It is a great show with so much to see and enjoy, yes there are several of my quilts but the variety is wonderful. I charged my phone but did not charge my camera and wouldn't you know it was dead, so my pictures will have to follow later. Oh and by the way the Westsound Quilt Guild's show opens tomorrow at the fairgrounds in Silverdale, this is a dedicated group of quilters who each year put on one of the best Shows around. I will be there tomorrow all day, I hope to see you all there. This "Quilt-a-holic" is planning on getting her quilt fix this week and I am planning on enjoying every minute of it.

Gig Harbor Museum's new show opens Oct 22nd Artistry of Quilts

2011-10-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

I encourage everyone to attend it will be very interesting to see quilting and the artestry of the makers from the early 1800's to today's contemporary art quilts. Come one, come all it is going to be a really great show...yes I do have a couple of quilts in it. One I would like to share with you, it is very special to me. My grand daughter Katie Darville age seven made her first quilt without any direction. It was after she came for a visit. She always shops for fabric for her dolls when she visits, but this time when she got home she made a quilt; then called me very excited because she had to tell me about her first quilt. I could not wait to see it and it is a work of art. I loved it so I purchased a shadow box picture frame and framed it...That is when Daddy claimed it. Well one can not disagree with Daddy so the quilt hangs in their living room but I was able to pursuade them to let me show it at the Museum...It is fun to watch peoples faces when they see it for the first time...So do come to the show you will not be dissappointed.

I remember the October moon

2011-10-05T01:11:00.000-07:00

October came so fast, now the nights are getting so dark, each evening the dark creeps in a bit earlier. Those lovely sunsets are slipping into night before I am ready to sit down and enjoy them. The rain has put out all the wild fires so the air is clear and the red skies are gone. While pondering the dark evenings I remembered the October moon and how spectacular it can be. The Harvest Moon speaks to my soul some how it seems to be calling me to dance. How many know what I mean? I will be looking for it to light the nights sky, because it speaks to my prim evil soul, I love watching it rise. I wrote this poem about the moon I hope you all enjoy it. I have to admit somewhere deep inside there is a mystical call for me to dance; yes that glorious golden moon somehow stirs me to want to dance naked in its glow. Imagine that, how many know what I am talking about? How many actually did dance naked in the moon light?
.
The Moon

I stand alone in the dark
The evenings chill pierces my bones
I wait for the moon’s healing light

As a golden glow softens the night sky

Silhouettes of trees announce the moon

Its golden orb rises lighting the night sky

The night’s dark mystery broken by its glow

From the beginning of memory

The moons beauty like a surprise

Comes into view wondrous and new

The mysterious glow inspires dark tales

Stories told by fires light

Tales of mysterious people

Legends of the evil lurking in the night

The mystical moon inspires both dark and light

Tales of fear and moon struck lovers

Poets tell of love by golden moon light

The heart speaks of love and nighttime delights

The beauty of the moon stirs sweet memories

I watch its golden glow, as it settles my soul

I found love under the moons gossamer glow

Hidden in my heart sweet memories stir my blood

Memories that warms the dark of lonely nights

Tonight I rest in the moons healing light

I seek its glow to refresh my aging soul

I remember our dance so long ago

We danced under the moons golden light

We fell in love under its spell

It rained all day today I keep looking for the sun

2011-10-04T01:04:00.000-07:00

Seems like Fall/winter dropped in suddenly and is planning on staying, this is the first year I am already looking forwards to going south, I stayed in all day we canned plums and I made another batch of apple butter. The pears are picked but they are not ready to can, they are beautiful this year so big but so far not ready. Canning is something I look forwards to it is one of those seasonal duty's that prepare you for the coming winter. I love to have my jars all lined up on the counter I leave them there for a turn so I can enjoy them when I finally do put them away I always set them up in my pantry like little soldier's on review. Jerry brought home a flat of strawberries, the Green Store had them on sale, so tomorrow I will do strawberry jam. I like to give our canned treasures in a basket at Christmas to family and friends we also do Carmel corn by the bucket.
What am I doing thinking about Christmas already, I really do start early because of all our grand children I have a special Armour that I collect gifts in all year long; I call it Grandma's mystery closet. It always peaks the children's curiosity.
Our youngest Katie turned 8 this last week end and I realized we are almost out of little ones the years fly by so fast. Our oldest grand-daughter is in the hospital with major complications in her pregnancy(please send healing prays for Toby and Baby Payton their lives are in danger the baby is not due until Dec 17th) For now the Baby is doing fine but Mom is not doing good at all; the water has broken and she is bleeding heavily I fear for her and the baby. Toby is the grand-daughter who just ten months ago was in a horrific auto accident. Her pelvis was broken in 3 places and ribs broken they had to use the jaws of life to get her out of the car. They did not think she would survive. Now here she is again struggling for her life.
There is always some thing going on in a family as large as ours; I had no idea I would have so many grandchildren it gets bumpy at times but the joys are always with us I love them all so very much and wish I could make their lives better but they have to grow on their own, learn by their own mistakes and grow strong.
We did it, there were times when I did not think I would survive but I did and with the lesson, I grew stronger and now I am the wise "old" matriarch of my family and I am so proud of all of them.
Tomorrow after the strawberries I will get back to my quilting I have to get my Civil war quilt finished and some crafting done for the Northwest Crafters show. I am also giving two lectures this Oct/Nov on my quilts it is always so much fun I love to talk about my quilts and tell their stories.

APWQ meeting today

2011-10-02T00:13:00.000-07:00

This years show was wonderful, being a part of it is a real honor. If you were not able to attend you missed the best show in the west--Having a show every year is a big job nothing gets done without good stronge leadership we are in the process of getting the board together we still need some key poeple to keep this wonderful show up and running. So I am calling all intersted parties come join the fun, and what an honor
to be a part of this APWQ Quilts show, and just think next year could be even better.

THE APNQ QUILT SHOW WAS WONDERFUL

2011-10-01T01:33:00.000-07:00

So many women and people to talk to, it was incredible, there were some snafus but they were little compared to the beauty and the impact of see such beautiful quilts, there were so many different kinds exquisitely shown the venue was great the three days I spent there were exhausting but I would not trade a minute. No I did not win a ribbon but I did get to go to the party and that is a big deal in our quilt world.
The women I met and talked to were so nice, we really are a sisterhood with a few good men. I felt like I was part of something wonderful. I feel we all did.
Congratulations to Elizabeth and Peggy you did a great job, with the help of so many volunteers and a hard working board it turned out great. Thank you all so much, next year is not so far away so if you are at all interested in joining the board, do let someone know we will need you.

Home from camping

2011-10-01T01:31:00.000-07:00

We camped on at the mouth of the Sekiu river on the furthest most tip of
Washington on the Straits of Juan De Fuca brrrrr it is cold in the shadows but the sun was out everyday and we had such a wonderful time My Son lives there and I played cribbage with him and my grandson we walked on the beach and talked we eat, fresh crab and salmon lots of conversation and to top it off my Niece and her husband came up Yahoo it was so nice to see them...When we are up there agate hunting is my favorite thing to do and I went every day the agates were few and far between but I did get some really nice ones, they are all polished up and in my jar of memories of Sekiu I love to look at them and for me they are like diamonds, they are one of my special treasures.. along with my family and grandchildren. I am a happy woman..

Speaking to your soul

2011-09-30T02:42:00.000-07:00

How does one do that? The process is so simple and yet so many do not know how to access their own inner being, their "soul" so to speak. It starts with finding a place where you can sit and let your mind wander and that is just what it does at first. They call it monkey mind and we all have it; your mind runs a muck bouncing off one thought after another. It takes time to learn how to control the monkey mind. time to open your soul to self. Once you put that monkey away and allow your true feelings and thoughts to come out the magic happens. Yes I am talking about the magic again, we all have access to it, yet so many never understand the wonder of meditation and what it does to self, how it strengthens you and stabilizes your well- being. Through meditation we find our inner most feelings and needs and we are able to get them into prospective. We grow and become better able to handle the slings and arrows of life, and we are able to set our goals and be positive about who we are.
Now there is a danger here, if you are so insecure and you do not love yourself you could drag yourself down and slip into a pity party from which you tell yourself you are not good enough. That is self in flicking doubt and it will just drag you down further. Just stop it, when those negative thoughts come in speak out loud "Stop it" claim victory over self doubt push it out of your thoughts, Say it out loud; I am a worthy person and "I will succeed" "I will be okay" "I will get stronger", say it out loud if necessary. Stand in front of the mirror and say it until you know in your heart, you are okay. Once you have over come the dragon you will be able to control the monkey mind and begin the healing process with in. One must cleanse self and go into meditation loving self. The key is to remember is, you are okay and worthy of respect.
I found getting the monkey mind under control gets easier each time I seek the quiet space. I listen to the birds and I try to count how many I hear; soon the monkey is gone and my mind slips into a healing mode.
The quiet and the soft breeze sooths my soul and I drift into a mystical state of consciousness and that is where I find my inner soul speaking to me. I can not really explain it but those quiet times strengthens me and do wonders for my well being. I am a better person because of the silence I find in those quiet times. I grow stronger and I hear my inner voice speak to me. The quiet opens up my heart and I hear "my still small voice speak to me" I hear Gods whisper and I know he guides my every step.

Family and friends are really the frosting of life

2011-09-21T02:30:00.000-07:00

I have lived in Gig Harbor for forty five years, for some, that is a Life time, yet it seems like just yesterday when I drove from California to Gig Harbor with my car packed with children and pets and the wonder of it all. Crossing the old narrows bridge was a thrill, we stepped into a new world from the bustle of California suburbs to the quiet woods of the Harbor. There was one flashing red stop light in the Harbor and no one sold corn tortas. We were a taco loving family and no taco's or burrito well I could not believe it; so the search was on. I worked it out with my sister and she mailed them to us until I was able to find a dealer, I had to learn to make my own salsa and I made it by the quart. My children now laugh about it and they call our first summer here the Burrito Summer. When I found the farm and the "very small and old house" I knew it was right. I dug in and said this was where I wanted to raise our children, their father laughed and could not figure why I wanted it, but he did buy it for me. I had found my house on a Hill; it had a 1/4 miles dirt road down to pavement and the bus, we were isolated and I loved it. Alone on our hill, no neighbor children, no neighbors at all the only children that came to play were invited, it was great. My children grew strong and healthy, we had a horse, a pony and two steers, rabbits and our dogs. My broken heart from leaving my family slowly healed and we established our home in Gig Harbor. This September we will celebrate forty years in this house, "our new home " we built it right next door to the very little original old farm house so by selling the old farm house we had neighbors. Highway 16 was not there and getting out off Goodnough Dr to go to church on Sunday evenings was a nightmare the old two lane Hwy 16 was always bumper to bumper on Fridays and Sunday evenings kind of like it is now. Gig Harbor has changed a lot and my family has grown, we have had so many happy years spent on my Hill, and so many changes.

I confess I pretend I am still on this hill by ourselves, when I look out the window in the morning and see the Olympic mountains my heart still flutters with joy, I love this property I am so happy I was able to raise my children on our hill and I will be here until the end.

1985 Jerry moved in and this place finally became a home he loves it as much as I do. It was a sad house that needed care, he made it into a home warm, and full of love. Moving or down sizing is out of the question, it would be a nightmare, Jerry and I are collectors of stuff the house and it's five bedrooms are full and Jerry has a two story barn; no we are here to stay. I suspect it will in the end look like one of those old homesteads over grown with rambles and I will be stumbling around the yard chasing gophers in my robe and Jerry will be in the house watching the television asleep. Just a couple of old lovers waiting for God.

The change in the weather has really hit me

2011-09-19T01:56:00.000-07:00

My goodness I was just getting into summer and bang it is cold and damp again, what happened to our lovely September Indian summer, September is usually my favorite month because of the cool evenings and bright sunny days. This has been a dreary year when it comes to the weather seemed like it was only summer for three weeks and now it is cold and wet. I am not ready for the cold weather, No, the year has been different from my prospective I looked at my Flowers and some never even got going and others that usually do not did well my tomatoes were small and distorted shapes the apples are doing really good and my pears are wonderful and I usually do not get any to speak of. It has been a different year weather wise, has anyone else noticed this change or am I the only one. I have gotten out my knee high stockings because my feet are getting cold so I guess the shorts will soon be stuck away until we go south, I am already looking forwards to doing just that. My daughter's cancer scare has resolved she did have some but it was contanined to one area, so it will be every four months check up for her from now on she has that soft fair skin of her paternal Grandmother and so she is vonerable to skin cancer. So dear friends what ever you do , get checked regularly it is very important.

2011 Sikiu Camp out

2011-09-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

We camped on at the mouth of the Sekiu River on the furthest most tip of
Washington on the Straits of Juan De Fuca burr it is cold in the shadows but the sun was out everyday and we had such a wonderful time My Son lives there and I played cribbage with him and my grandson we walked on the beach and talked we eat, fresh crab and salmon lots of conversation and to top it off my Niece and her husband came up Yahoo it was so nice to see them...When we are up there agate hunting is my favorite thing to do and I went every day the agates were few and far between but I did get some really nice ones, they are all polished up and in my jar of memories of Sekiu. I love to look at them and for me they are like diamonds, they are one of my special treasures, along with my family and grandchildren. I am a happy woman

The mouth of the Sekiu River, the tide is in

James--Steven & Jerry--Our Gang - Priscilla and Jim with us

We had such a wonderful time in Sekiu with my Son and his Son James

After glow from the Pacific West quilt Show in Tacoma--Wow

2011-08-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

Wow is all I can say it was a wonderful show, the quilts were exquisite the best I have ever seen, but the best part was working with and meeting so many wonderful people, you see volunteers made the show, as a Association member we were the glue that made it work, being the first one in Tacoma there were some bumps they were little compared to the beauty and greatness of the show, it was the best. Elizabeth Spanning deserves a hand for doing so much to make it all happen she was the whip, the glue the support for all of us who did our best to fill all the spots that needed covering, she deserves a yahoo from all of us. My Dragon Vest made it to the show but no ribbon the winners were over the top I feel special just having mine stand with the winners I feel like a winner. Congratulations to all the winners and all that stood with them the judges had a big job there were so many who should have had a ribbon but not enough catagories, just being in the show made you feel like a winner, yahoo to everyone who helpped to make it a great show. Thank you to all who helpped to make it happen. Happiness is getting to know Lynn I hope we stay connected

No matter how hard you try - know there is always someone to put you down

2011-08-04T00:04:00.000-07:00

The important thing is how you handle it, I mean the slings and arrows aimed at your ego, the put downs and general rudeness towards you, it could even be ignoring you they are all aimed at you and they all hurt...I usually ignore the little digs or put downs but today they went straight to my core. I had two today.
The first one just made me mad, I was ready to cut the ties walk away but I reasoned to not do anything and just wait, Acouple of weeks ago told my granddaughter to just walk away when someone is trying to pick a fight, nothing is worth the energy lost in conflict, just turn away. Believe me it is not easy but in the long run it is the best and only thing to do.
I basiclly got over the first one and bang again broadsided by direct and general rudeness, I could not believe it. It was a true insult, I could have made an issue of it but my heart said no;" when things go wrong do not go with them " Old saying of mine so I walked away. It takes time to get over a direct insult, this is something I will have to work on. It made me both mad and ready to fight so I just walked away, seathing and it was not easy walking away from a situation I did practice what I preach. For me it will take sometime for me to forget but I do forgive both parties.
My soul is the only thing I can not control, wouldn't it be nice if everybody loved and cared about you and your needs. Yes, wouldn't it be lovely.

Association of Pacific West Quilters 2011 Quilt Show is coming Yahoo

2011-08-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Yes everybody the really big show is coming this August 25th, 26th 27th and 28th--Thats right in Tacoma Washington so mark your calenders and call up your friends - come have some fun with other quilters. If you volunteer for some floor time or other helping hand your entry fee is free so get crack-en we are going to have A REALLY GREAT SHOW THIS YEAR , you do not want to miss it. Go to our Web Site APWQ and sign up for a great time and fellowship, also check out the Saturday mini classes they are going to be great little bits of insight and techniques to take home and try.....See you there.

Camping with some of our gang

2011-07-28T01:38:00.000-07:00

Sam's first cribbage game

Hailey talking to Mom and Katie

Wyatts set and lit his first fire

When do we eat?

Do we get seconds

Everybody loved the Uno games and cribbage. scooter races on the hill
Lets see there was Karol, Donald, Kayla, Katie, Debra, Sherm, Laura. Melissa, Sam, Elizabeth, Kate, Ernie, Wyatt, Hailey, Jerry and the G-Mom Delaine they were not there at the same time but most were. The food was great even the upside down pie before the coons got to it it is a long story one we will remember for many a year. We took hikes and walked the beach, I of course was always looking for agates not a very good beach for them but I did find four nice size ones, I missed a lot of goings on because I was always looking down. It was too cold and damp for swimming, but we were lucky it only rained on us once for about ten minutes not enough to worry about.

Camping has been a family tradition it is harder each year getting everybody together what with the younger ones out of school and working to get tuition, and the new jobs in general we were lucky this year to have so many join us.

Leader of the pack

We actually got some sunshine

The best that you can be

2011-07-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Just pondering life again and I wondered just how many actually get up and commit to being the best that they could be each day? How many actually think about their action first, and commit to not letting anyone ruin their day? Sounds easy but you know the drill the first person that walks into your day has a sour attitude and it sets the pace for the whole day; why not beat them to the punch and commit to being happy and productive despite the reality of our lives. What a different world it would be the sour puss is cut off at the get go with a "good morning, what a wonderful day it is" and a big smile. Try not to smile back it is not easy smiles are contagious and it has been proven that it takes less muscle power to smile than to frown.
When I was going through my divorce I would walk to the mirror every morning and say " I will be happy " even if I had to grinch my teeth to say it, and there were days when there were tears. I willed myself to be happy and it worked, happiness came to me. It took time but I was ready for it, and when I look back to those dark days I know that being positive changed the direction of my life. We are in control of our little space in this world we make our own destiny. My favorite saying is "When things go wrong don't go with them", and it is just that simple.

Stand up to the dark side and bring light into the room, we can not change 'the' world but we can change where we stand that is our world; by being positive and supportive of others we can make a difference.. Look around and see who is having a bad day and go and encourage them, maybe just a wink will turn their day around, a pat on the shoulder, or a simple "ata girl or boy'. Nothing is more up lifting than to have someone, say you did a good job; or "your really know how to do that well". Simple positive gestures are free gifts we can give to others and then the magic happens it come back to you, three fold. Sounds to easy, well try it for a month and see for yourself it is one of the truisms in life. And it is free to all who wish to improve their days.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

Independence Day

I raised my children to be independent and they are free thinking individuals, strong and standing on their own.

I am a very fortunate woman because all my children love each other. Some how I was able to instill in them tolerance and patients and an unbreakable bond to each other, that also includes me. That does not mean we are all perfect, quite the contrary we are diverse and very opinionated, strong willed and stubborn, but when it comes to family we over look the little things; and hold on to the important thing “family love and respect”. We are passing on the heritage handed down to us from my parents and grandparents we are a family and that includes all of us...

We understand and have learned that demanding to be right, and demanding an apology, is a selfish act, one that makes the demander small in character. Why do some never forgive little errors in judgment and always remembering every word the offender said, all the while ignoring their own mean remarks? Why do some use words as a tool to hurt and divide members of their family? Why do some families isolate one member to make another happy or to win anothers love?

The whole thing is cruel and torturous treatment to all concerned. A family is a sum of its members; each member needs to work to keep sacred the bonds of love and respect. That bond of love holds us together.

Today we celebrate the American family; our ancestors came together and established a nation of states. Each state is different, all are individuals each keeping their individuality but all working together to make one nation under God. We are the strongest nation in the world. We are a beacon to those who have been held down and betrayed by their leaders, they seek to be free like the

United States

; they want their independence and freedom. Together we are united as a nation; that is our strength.

Wow, could that be the same for a family? Of course it is.

Is it that simple? Is that the key, United States, United Nations, United Families, there I go again finding another truism, a truth, right out of God’s word and it applies to the whole world. As a Nation, we stand United and as a family we stand together united in love and respect, by choice we are united so enjoy this day, Our Independence Day.

Have a wonderful 4^th of July

So much has happened--question is it really summer?

2011-06-25T00:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was spectacular today glum. The garden seems to be in suspended state of no growth too cold to grow then it is hot for a day, makes me think about our forefathers trying to eek out a living without Costco. Those hardy people survived and built this wonderful country on faith and hard work. Our young people have no concept of what it was like to start out with nothing and build a future. So many expect a hand out. They have been taught to be mediocre and the values of stick-to-it ness and the goal of a winning spirit have been watered down in a mind set of "you are okay even if you do not try hard" as long as you turn something is you pass. Standards have been lowered to help the low achievers feel good about them selves and the high achievers are not inspired to achieve because there is no advantage, no challenge. I attended a graduation that was so watered down to make everybody feel good about graduation and yes it was a big deal; so many graduated in name only. The speeches were about good looking girls and tattoos and friends. High achievement was not glorified it was ignored. The Staff adviser's speech was about her finally graduating after 10 years and she spoke in Spanish most of the time. I was not impressed. The crowd was ruckus and loud they did have a lot to celebrate, because most of those kids probably would have dropped out if the standards had not been lowered to accommodate their low achievements. Was this all about State and Federal funds, teachers Unions and head counts, to keep them in school so the district gets money at any cost; I wonder.
There were high achievers noted on the program, but no recognition, I for one noticed the stars next to their names and I say well done, be proud of your achievement and go out and change the world for the better. The future is theirs to build they have the heritage of generations of hardworking people with the grit to succeed. You few will make the world a better place to live be proud of your achievement's; shine bright in a dark world, be the stars you were meant to be. Today is the first day of your future make it bright.

My Horn is not loud enough!

2011-05-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Yes it is the Round-a-bout again I enter with all my defencive senses on alert, the Round-a-bout is a fearsome place to enter. Yesterday a little old lady, probably about my age came down the Borgen Hill and sped through my lane like she owned it; no slowing down, no looking, just clenching the wheel and looking straight ahead, she never saw me, and she never even acknowledged my horn. All I could do is slam on my breaks and lean on the horn, which I now know is not loud enough. I want one of those truck air horns; remember those. well from what I have heard they are now illegal but to my way of thinking they are necessary for Round-a-bout survival. When the Round-a-bout was installed I wrote this verse, it seems weak compared to the way I feel now. I know my life is in danger each time I enter the Round-a-bout.

My Life Has Been So Sweet

My body has aged, yet my mind is alert
I remember my youth
Back then, I was always in a hurry.
The smallest things were monumental
Issues were oh so important
Now with twelve grandchildren
A new peace guides my thoughts and wisdom comes slowly
I have learned the lesson of patients
I have truly became a woman at peace
That is until they installed those Round-a-bouts
Now I must confess my aggressions have returned
Each time I enter the Round-a-bout
I am no longer a sweet Grandmother
No one will leave me behind.
As I grip the wheel
My aggressive soul starts to boil
I‘ll fight for my slot in the Round-a-bout
The speed limit, surely they jest
How dare they honk at me?
Did he give me the? Oh dear yes he did
Why he tried to cut me off
Now my knuckles are white as I changes lanes
I straighten my shoulders and hold my head high
I move with careful intention and a new found aggression
Do not cut me off
It has become my creed
Now with my hands on the wheel I am super-charged
I am feeling alive and skilled at the wheel
Yes, my aggressions have come back
I have over come my fear there is no more hesitation
I can conquer them all
The Borgen Round-a-bout taught me how

Why is it so hard to love?

2011-05-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

Being a mother is a lifetime job. No matter how old your children are they need our love. and the reassurence that they are loved.

What I do not understand is why is it so hard to love and remain in love with your mate. I will never understand how people stop loving, why does someone put their previous love down when not to long before they were in love and wanted nothing more than to be with that person.

I believe in commitment, making a commitment to another to love and to Cherish, what is it that makes that so hard? We are all so different yet I see so many new lovers jump into marriage have children then jump out just as fast. That would be okay if they did not have children, but most do and then the children are split between mother and dad and grandparents are shunned...It is a mess of heart break. The mother puts down the father cutting him with words that the child hears and soon the child feels confused as to where their loyalties should lie. Fathers do the same thing, somehow justifying their decision to break up the marriage because of the other bad parent. These selfish parents are only hurting their children by teaching them, that self is the only one to be concerned with. The commitment to jointly raise the children in a loving environment goes out with the wash.

The responsibility of a parent is to teach the child loyalty and moral codes to live by; they are to foster love and consideration and give protection from hurt. Yet these selfish parents push that responsibility aside to full fill their own needs. It breaks my heart to see this and now to have to watch it again in my own family. Young parents do not see the pain their children go through but the grandparents have to watch, and in many cases they will loose the precious time they could have spent with their grandchild or children. It all becomes a game of wills; it depends on which side of the family they are on are whether they will be ousted or not. The "Me generation" takes it toll again. The legacy of family must not be broken.

Courtesy is the key to any relationship, if that one factor would prevail families could get through bad situations with dignity. I know that sometimes in the fury of love we have blinders on as to the faults of the other person. Compatability is not just made in the bed, it is a day to day task keeping balance and one day you wake up and look at that person next to you and you feel you do not know them, and you have to get out; fine that happens but do it with digity and keep courtesy as the rule of engagement.

Remember marriage brings families together, and we are all connected so tread easy. When there is a divorce the children remain family to everyone. they are because of their parents. Now because the parents decide to slit, the children should not have to suffer because they remain related to all. So why is it so hard to be courteous to all concerned.

Grandparents do not care who is right or wrong they only are concerned about the children because they have seen more of life and with age comes an understanding a wisdom so to speak about the urgencies of youth, they understand and see the big picture( a picture they did not see when they were young) they see the pain that is caused by divorce and they wish for love to prevale, if not love at least courtesy.

So here we go again, how much pain depends on the parents, will they have the dignaty and play fair teaching their children that even thou they must split they still respect each others place in the lives of their children. Will they make some scrafices to facilitate the transision for the childrens sake above and beyond their own needs, will there be respect?

Time will tell, the teenage years are close and hand and the emotional termoil the children will go through will happen; the reassuring hands of both parents are required to hold them steady; they must work as a team for the childrens sake.

Did we as grandparents teach our children about the legacy of family; did we teach honor and respect for others, you see they are our legancy we gave them tools of survivel in this world of turmoil. Did we do our job so our children can do theirs with courtesy and respect.

Still raining raining raining and rining

2011-05-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

We actually had some sun this morning just a teaser, not enough to warm the little seeds that are sitting frozen in the ground waiting to burst forth. I suspect they will mildew before they germinate. I keep going out and watching for them to break ground but alas no seedlings it has been over twelve days and according to directions they should be up by now. I would love to be a gardener, but the pain is too much for me so I have resigned to pot gardening which can be very satisfying when the sun shines but this year is a worry. Our trees are blooming and I found only one bumble bee and a couple of flies not very good for pollination where have all the bees gone? I feel like getting some Que-tips and going out and trying to be mother nature, somewhere in my oh so shaky memory I heard something about doing just that, whether it is a old wives tale or not I am willing to try if there is a chance it will work, of course only the low flowers will get any attention, I am really quite short.
I have been working a lot in the sewing room, not feeling great these days and staying in seems to be the agenda of choice. I have finished one top, and I'm working on another, plus a wall hanging so I am trying to keep busy, I have finished my Clementine doll, (The Hancock Challenge)Jerry made her Herring box shoes and she looks pretty good, hopeefully she will travel well, she seems a little large but she is under the 20' required so she should be accepted. Hopefully she will be honored to tour I do not expect a ribbon but it would be nice to have her travel so others can see her. Well enough for today.
I hope you are all well. Please make a comment when you visit my blog it is so much fun reading them Be Happy

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

A beautiful day, we had a brunch and egg hunt it was fun having the kids running about they are getting so big. I tried a new way to do the eggs for eggs Benedict I cracked them into a baking dish had the oven at 450 and slowly added boiling water to the egg. pricked each yoke and covered them, then put them in the oven and baked for just short of 20min it worked great I was able to poach 24 eggs all at once. I did use two baking dish's but it worked and all the eggs were eaten.....I am hoping to have pictures from my kids to post. Karol and her girls made a bunny cake and that was real good. All in all it was a great day but the old guy and I fell into our chairs when they left and napped the rest of the day. Having all the kids and thier kids makes me feel old. So Happy Easter everybody Be Happy

2011 Easter is coming who has the bunny?

2011-04-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

Life is too short to have to put up with pain, dang the FMS has fired up again, I could get upset but I learned long ago it did no good. In fact it can make it worse so I grin and bare it so to speak, The thing that galls me the most is it is time to rut around the garden and my body feels like I was run over by a truck. So I will put on my overalls, knee pads and drag myself around the yard because the ground is ready and the weeds come out real easy this time of year so out I will go tomorrow. The Ebson salts are ready and waiting for that hot bath after. Simple things give so much pleasure, a hug, a wink, a hot bath and someone to love you what more do I need, nothing really I have everything I need...Healthy husband, children and a safe home. My healthy husband went to see the Doctors this week and he has now completed his sixth year cancer free, yahoo I was reading my poems I wrote while we were going through that unknown world of cancer, we were both so afraid, all the news was bad and they did not give us much hope for recovery. Now we celebrate his six years of good health. God has blessed us, and we are so thankful. I get shivers when I think of what could have happened, we were saved from that; still there is no guarantee we just trust God and do the best we can with the life we have left. Getting older is not for sissy's I look around the house and see so much that should be done and now that I am older I figure oh well and move onto another project. I could not have done that a few years ago, age does change ones attitude about the little things that used to bother me, like my windows with a cataract I can not see the dirt so I let them go. Down in my heart I know they are dirty but I really do not care enough to clean them. Maybe the fairies will come by and clean them, then again maybe not.
Well Easter is coming and the kids most of them are coming for brunch, I will do eggs Benedict and sausage and the kids will do the rest. The little children are getting older and this may be our last Easter with a hunt. I can remember when my grand-daughter Anna who is now thirty, seeing her running with her basket she ran around in circles and the other kids found the eggs, she was so cute. Jerry used to hold her on his lap and she would sing to him, making up the words as she went, a dear memory to hold on to. Is that not what life is about? making good memories, to warm the heart. We have so many good memories to hold dear and my pictures are so much fun to go through. I have a lot, I love taking pictures, and I have five boxes of photos, and I love each one so much because they are of my family and family is what I believe in...In the late 70's I thought I had lost my family, but I was wrong and my family has grown we now fill the house.
This Easter will not be the same without Ethel she was so dear to all of us, and she really loved to eat, slowly she ate so slow but she could really pack the food in, she was only 4'10'. At times she could eat Jerry under the table she would just smile and keep on eating I do not know how she did it. The way that little munchkin ate she should of had a weight problem, but not her she could probably wear one of the dresses she made in high school, what a special gal. There are times when I go to the phone and then I catch myself and I remember she has gone. I do miss her chit chat she loved people and she wanted to know everything about you. We were so lucky to have her.

The sky fell

2011-04-13T00:48:00.000-07:00

Life is funny you think all is well and then you get blindsided when you least expect it. I am doing fine but the bump in the road hurt. One thing for sure I will not bog down I will keep going and hope the weather clears if not I will wear a black rain coat and boots but I will keep going there are too many good things in my life, one bump does not make a crisis, it is just a bump, one bump that I can not fix, so I move on.

Have you ever tried to make something and it just does not go right, I am doing a Challenge "A Doll" so far I have made six hands and none work so tomorrow I start again, it is those itty bitty fingers, I get three right and two wrong or four right and one wrong I am beginning to settle for mittens at this rate I may call her Fickle Finger Jane.

I just realized the cut off date for the APNQ's quilt show in Tacoma is April 28Th if I am going to show I have to sign up this week. So if anyone of you are interested go to the Web:APNQ.org and sign up

Now you locals; the Gig Harbor Library has a show for the full month of April. It is a great little show the Monday Quilters do this every spring they set a challenge and this years was to depict a Movie, you can not believe the creative skills in that little group the quilts are wonderful so drop by you will not be sorry.

insights

2011-04-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

Life is a mystery and a surprise, each day brings a new experience some good or sometimes bad. When our hearts are broken, and we feel the sting of lose. We make a choice even when the sadness is seemingly unbearable we choose. We are truly in charge of our destiny; even when the sadness is over whelming; the weight of grief is the worst it throws your chemical balance off and depression can set in. The sad truth is some never get over their grief, they carry it around their necks like a badge of honor, they slip into a deep hole of depression...and the hole gets deeper and deeper until they can not escape. Once anchored in self pity; recovery becomes overwhelming...but not impossible.

What is it that makes that difference? why are some people so resilient? True they seem to stride through life never showing their scars always ready to start over they seem unafraid of life or is it death that makes the difference? What we have learned and what we accept, our belief system, that is what makes the difference. When you have faith, a core belief that there is more beyond this life, when you have that belief you are not afraid to go on. You carry the sadness but you go on because you know we are eternal and our walk is only temporary. What our life experience will be is a mystery, sometimes it is very rough on the soul, and other times the joy is beyond belief it is all temporary life keeps changing yet it is never the end.

A POEM FOR ETHEL

2011-03-26T14:09:00.001-07:00

Ethel

Norwegian you know

Blue eyes always shining

Always dressed with a smile

She was smart as a whip

Strong willed and strong bones

She was one of five beauties

Some say she was a runt

It is true she was small but her spirit was tall

Duane was smitten the first time he saw her

He knew she was the one

A smart guy that one

She was honest and loyal to those she loved

Her word was her creed

Once you met Ethel a friend you would always be

Ethel was moxie she always dressed to a tee

What a great friend she was to me

True friends never really leave

They are forever tucked away in our hearts

Ethel was part of our story

She was a ray of sunshine a treasure to each one of us

Ethel’s memory will walk with us each day

A friend forever

2011-03-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

We were gone for two weeks and there is so much I want to write about. I used over 700 minutes on my cell phone because of a medical emergency here in Washington, my dearest friend Ethel Johnson fell and had a massive heart attack, actually we do not really know what came first, it was a horrific week. My daughters stood in for me and they were wonderful staying the night and rotating coverage so someone was with her and helping her in her final walk, the stress and her heart would not allow for recovery and she passed Monday morning the 7th. A bright shiny star has stepped into heaven, she will be missed by all who knew her. Even in her weakened state she still smiled right up to the end, she was a special friend and everyone who knew her is saddened by her loss. We are making plans for her service this coming Saturday.

Family and friends are our treasures here on earth, they bring so much into our lives making hard times not so bad because they are there to support and comfort us...They enrich our lives,

I have lost several good friends quite a few actually but having known them was so special I thank God I had them as long as I did. How empty life would be without friends and a loving family...There is so much unhappiness out there, values are distorted, loyalty and honesty is hard to come by but when you have a true friend the world changes for the better. I hear those who lament about not having children or grandchildren and I say adopt some there are people out there that are lonely and would love to have you as a friend, when we first moved up here from California we had no family we found another couple who also shared our dilemma they had no family here so we got together and shared some of the best Holidays ever, those first Christmases in Washington were wonderful and I carry the memories to this day. There is so much to gain by sharing your time and self with someone who is alone. Yes, it is another one of my truisms that "when you reach out to someone, you get so much more than you can ever give", it is one of Gods blessings and we have opportunities around us everyday, It just takes a smile, an invite and gift of self and love grows. Friendship begins with a smile and Ethel really knew how to smile she was so dear to me and my family we will miss her because she was one of ours she was family, and she loved us that was her gift to us...I will talk about this more later Please let me know what you think about this blog, share your thoughts please leave a comment.

Message received

2011-02-22T23:16:00.000-08:00

I received this message with instructions to pass it on to eight people so I am sharing it with you.

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us."

Do you believe this verse? I believe for it to really work each one of us has to take it to heart and believe that we are Gods special gift to the world. Each one of us has gifts some more than others, those gifts are to share, they are our gifts to the world around us. Once we are no longer afraid to be who God made us, you will find a new freedom a new capacity to love, because we accept and love ourselves. I call this another truism, one of the simple truths about faith and the Lord's hand on our life... So the question is are you comfortable in your skin or do you spend you free thoughts sending negative messages to your physic slowly convincing your minds eye you are not good enough etc etc etc...There is no better time than now to turn that negative energy around and build your own self esteem. God has given us the power to change so use it, turn that negative boat around and seek a new direction seek self love the ripple effect will amaze you.

Yahoo for Kandace Carnahan

2011-02-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

Photo by: Robin Pederson

Kandace has a wonderful eye and ability to put life into her quilts, I have admired her work for sometime, so when her quilt came up for auction at last years Quilt Festival for Breast cancer. I was the lucky bidder. The quilt has so much meaning because it represents celebrating passing the five-year mark. My husband had just accomplished that feat and it means a great deal to me...As I looked at the quilt I realized its message would be lost hanging in my house, I felt it represented joy and success and really needed to be shared; so I asked Susan Carter if she could arrange to have it hang in her Mammogram department at Gig Harbor's new Multicare facility, she jumped at the chance. She had also admired the quilt and felt it was a great idea. The powers that be at Multicare also loved the quilt but did not have the funds to frame it, to hang it properly, it had to be framed. Susan stepped in and voluntarily paid the price to have it framed; believe me it was a hefty amount. Once framed it looked wonderful . Seeing the quilt framed Multicare really loved it and felt that hanging it in the Oncology department would be a better venue because "sadly" it would be seen by more people. So that is the story of how Kandace's "quilt of joy" became a part of the Multicare's Oncology department. It hangs alone on a beautiful leather wall and really looks great. So Koodo's to Kandace and Susan for making a beautiful and encouraging statement about surviving cancer. More and more people are doing it and the joy one feels when that invisible line is crossed, words can not describe.

There will be a story about the quilt in Multicares newsletter so our Kandiae will soon become famous, well anyway she is as far as I am concerned, don't you agree?

A couple more purses

2011-02-12T23:51:00.000-08:00

These are two more I made with my new machine it is a lot of fun, however they may become very spendy, I have already broken 11 needles--They say (the sales person)I will get better with practice, they do not know me.

Grand-daughter under my roof

2011-02-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

What a joy to have one of my 10 grand-daughters staying with us. Hailey is 9 going on 30 she is at times so grown up and other times just a little girl. She wants to learn everything, and she knows what she wants from her visit with us..."Peace and quiet", you see she has a high energy brother, and her life is full of commitments, her time is never her own, so when she is here she rests and futzes around with her favorite doll and watches Musicals. this time it is Oklahoma and she does not get dressed until noon or after, she is perfectly happy doing nothing...We love her and would like her to do more with us but, alas we also know she needs this down time. We have great conversations about science and her school studies.

Oh to be a little girl again, I was spoiled and disciplined, oops I forgot about my fathers wrath, oh my I would not like it when my father was upset with me. Oh yes I remember, I was a willful child, I got into a lot of trouble--My mother and father worked as a team, I did not get away with much, actually I do not think I got away with anything. Raising their child was foremost in their minds, it was a job they did in earnest; I am a better person because of their sacrifice. Look at me now a sweet old lady who is compulsive with additive tendency's and for some reason needs to write. My parents had a job to do, I loved and respected them for their integrity and determination; and the constant and unfailing love they "both" gave me. I have a fine husband and family, we have five children and twelve grandchildren. I thank my parents they led the way by example, they taught me the value of family. I was a lucky little girl.

I have a new toy

2011-02-06T23:39:00.000-08:00

My new toy is a Baby-lock Embellisher it is fun and makes my toying around much faster, it was made for wool, well if you know me, I have to do it different and so I tried it with silk and a underline of warm and natural. it seems to work only time will tell if the two purses I made will hold up under handling and movement. I just can not pass up a really good deal and this machine was half price and well, I was lead astray. I think I will have a great deal of satisfaction making and remaking material etc etc etc!

It was a really wet and dark day today, I spent my time cleaning out my closets, mainly because I went shopping and bought some new duds and my new strategy is, if I buy something I have to get rid of three of the same, well it did not take any time for me to fill five bags for Good Will, both Jerry and I had a lot of outfits we courted in oh so long ago, and out they went. I wonder how long it will take for my color coded shirts and pants to get mixed up. For now I know what I have to wear, I still have a lot of slips pretty ones in lovely colors, they remain even if I do not wear them much , they are just too pretty to discard and besides you may see one or two of them in a art project some time down the road. Now if I could just get the rest of the house in order I could sew every day and night....Jerry really likes a clean uncluttered house; at times it is just the way he likes it, but not as often as it used to be it seems creativity has taken over......Funny how doing mundane jobs help settle your spirit, when I have something on my mind a project helps to clear the air , with my first marriage I used to take out my frustrations weeding I weeded like crazy, I pretended I was pulling his hair and there were very few weeds in my garden; now mine is a happy garden with many weeds. I find mindless work allows your heart to settle and it is often a time to pray and seek insight into what is burdening your heart today was one of those day; the Lord and I got a lot accomplished, it was a good day.

I have a new machine to play with

2011-02-06T23:14:00.000-08:00

This one is a real play thing it is a Baby Lock Embellishing-machine, strictly a play thing no threading the needles, they do not thread, it was designed for wool; of course I have already experimented on silk and warm and natural, it seems to work, I will have to play with it to see if using it holds up on a purse. I am testing to see if it will with stand the movement and handeling, time will tell. The machine is great very simple so easy to use it is like a toy. As you who know me I just can not use plain material I have to embellish it some way and this machine is going to make it so much easier I made two purses last night the pictures do not do them justice.

How Beautiful this land we live in

2011-02-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

We not only had sunshine but the sunsets this past week have been wonderful.

When they speak of "God's country" They have to be talking about the Pacific Northwest, Wow is the right statement to describe our evening sky. The sunny days have also been wonderful. It has been a little too cold to bare much skin to soak up those rays, I tried and yes it was way too cold, and the UV rays were hostel; did you know that not using sunglasses to protect your eyes can be a precursor to cataracts, I do now and I will try to do better, but oh my I love the sun. Being a California girl does have it's draw backs. Cataracts and brown/liver spots really do age you, so they tell me, so on with my sunscreen and glasses as we celebrate what little bits of sun we get.

The saying "grow old along with me, the best is yet to be" well I am not so sure. This week two dear ladies, quilting sisters are going through hard times. One Judy, has lost her husband in a fatal skiing accident, one of those freak events that no one can explain; he was doing what he loved best, a family day in the snow and suddenly he was gone. My heart goes out to her and their family she has a lonely walk ahead. She is a trooper, from what I hear she is holding up well under the circumstances and you can be sure her quilting friends will circle around her this coming year and help her in her widows walk, many of us are already there...

Then my dear friend and quilting sister Lynne, is struggling with heart trouble, they were to do a simple stint procedure's and it did not go well, now they are going to do surgery. They say we women have heart trouble more than men, and more women die then men because they are under/missed diagnosed...well I say ladies if you have symptoms do something about them, do not ignore them we are valuable to our families they need us so do not pooho the signs get checked. Lynne is a tiny little gal not over weight and always so careful about her health, now she is in God's hands and the surgeons are making plans. Please remember both of them in your prayers.

I also did a night in the hospital this week and I would not recommend it to anyone, I am doing follow up tests so enough said for now....Anyway what I am trying to say is life is a gift we do not know how much time we will have, or what will happen tomorrow so savor the time you have and love those around you. Nothing is worth the energy lost in conflict, I learned that lesson the hard way and believe me it is so true, loving and caring for each other is so much easier then stressing over the little things. We just do not know what tomorrow will bring. Remember to say I love you and give hugs....they are medicine for the soul . So hugs everyone, I love you.

Spring is just around the corner

2011-01-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

My I get so excited when I see the little points of green pushing their way out of this cold winter ground, the tulips and daff's are still alive, despite the grey squirls. Those fat grey squirls are so much fun to watch, but I know they are tilling my flower garden for bulbs , I give them sunflower seeds which we buy by the hundred pound bags, but they love the bulbs. I usually plant more each fall but not last year I was way too busy quilting to do yard work. This year will be different I love my flower beds and they really missed me this year. Gardening is like quilting each plant is a piece of my out door quilt. I love color and texture and it goes where ever I go, so even in the yard texture and design are always at play. Being a quilt-a-holic is a full time job.

Another quilt

2011-01-20T20:08:00.000-08:00

This one was found as a to 84x84 top several years ago.

A friend and two of her friends quilted it they had it four years almost finished. Because of the death of her husband it was put aside and I kept forgetting about it but here it is and I think it is a great quilt circa 1890 - 1910 possibly earlier. great cadet blue I washed it and it came out wonderfully fluffy and fresh one spot did not however it is much lighter. I will continue to work on it. Thank you ladies.

Pacific Northwest Beauty

2011-01-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

Living on my hill:

A cold crisp morning

A sunset to warm your heart

Beginning and ending of a winters day

Life in the Pacific Northwest

My latest creations plus

2011-01-17T23:47:00.000-08:00

This is my grand-daughter Anna and her quilt, I had just finished it and she scarfed it up and took it home I did not have time to get a good photo of it, but hey look at what a beauty she is.

I'm having trouble I have an article from Kim Wulfert in this post I do not know how it got there so along with my two quilts you get the article in blue free..........

Monday, November 8, 2010

Another Closet Poet Quilter
Delaine sent her poem "Into My Journal" in response to my post yesterday. She writes- "Kim, writing has opened my heart to myself, I did not start writing until I was very ill with Chronic Fatigue, I attended a writing for healing group and the doors opened and I feel it was the beginning of my returning to a normal life."
Into My Journal
As I open my journal, I step into a secluded windowless cabin.
I shut the door and the world falls away
Light from the outside shines through tiny cracks

I belong to a Monday quilting group we have been meeting for sixteen years, and once a year we have a challenge. This year it was make a quilt depicting a favorite movie, I worked on a theme for almost three months finally I got one, now it is finished and we will turn them in the end of march, there will be silly prizes and great fun seeing every ones creations, then the quilts will hang in our local library for a month, lets see if you can guess it.

This year I have made a resolution

2011-01-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

2011 New Years Resolution

I have just turned another decade on my speedometer of life; to me it was a big one. Now I feel there are some decisions I should be making, you see so many of my peers are down sizing. I have thought about it but to no real consequence, I am not ready, I should be, but no I love all of my treasures. I keep giving things to my children and grand children and I still have what some would consider “too much” That is a fact. I am trying to get things in order, tagged and sorted getting rid of the odd things but for me everything is of use. “Someday” I will have a great garage sale, hopefully I will be there to enjoy it, but if not I believe, my children will have a great time going through it all.
One might say I am a hoarder of sorts; yes, I am getting close to that invisible line of collector verse hoarder; one of the problems is the big house, you have no idea how many big closets there are in this place. Nevertheless, I must confess they are getting full, so this years resolution is to clean out as much as I can with out going into depression. Maybe I can make some money God knows I have a treasure of treasures here none of it is junk, just very nice pieces that I could not pass up because of the good prices. Therefore, that is the goal of 2011, clear out the excesses and rearranges the keepers. Yes, I believe I can do that I am ready.
Wait a minute, what about the hunt oh my I do love the hunt shall I forsake that also, no I can not do that it is one of my favorite pastimes haunting the antique and thrift stores, why they even know me by name. I guess the redeeming quality would be that word of words “moderation”, yes that is it I will not give it up but I will practice a new set of rules, rules of moderation. I will practice saying, “walk away a a, walk away” and see how that goes before I make any hard fast plans of giving it up. There they are my 2011 New Years resolutions. I can live with that.

Did God do it?

2011-01-12T12:03:00.000-08:00

So many times I walk through a situation and wonder how it would be if God did not have his hand on my life. The day to day walk is sometimes over whelming and other times it seems so mundane and meaningless. Most acquaintances do not even know I am a believer. I do not wear a shield or praise God with every breath yet I know His hand is on my every move. He is there to guide me and hold me safe. I am not invincible my faith does not make me safe from life's stings or injury or even death. The world we live in is racked with heart break and dangers we face some type of threat everyday.
To drive on the freeway is one simple example, it is just as safe as going into a war zone, five thousand pound vehicles and the unbelievably large trucks are flying past at break neck speeds, cutting you off and seemingly aiming at you personally, claiming your space. Just thinking about it is a fearsome thought, experiencing those near misses time after time is something we take for granted. People are killed or maimed daily and we do not even think about it. We jump in our cars, stomp on the accelerator and merge into into the danger zone without a thought of the dreadful dangers or the horrific statistics. I like so many have to go through the Borgen round-about to get anywhere, what an adventure that is.
I say a prayer every time I start the engine; you see I have an aggressively determined personality and I tend to drive with a grit to my spirit that may surprise you. My personality is not naturally submissive, especially when I get behind the wheel so by reminding myself that God is with me tempers my aggressions. That is just one example one way I live with my faith, it is a daily experience I share with My Lord, no matter what comes my way I know His hand is on my life. There is an old song, In the Garden, that says "He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own" I love that song and it says exactly what my faith means to me. I feel He is with me in every thing I do, no matter what befalls my life I know that my Redeemer Liveth...
I want that song sang at my funeral as my last good bye, because it is what I believe.
My goodness this sounds like a sermon, anyway watching what has happened in Arizona reminds me of how safe I feel with God as my co-pilot. He is with me no matter what danger comes my way, we have a future together here and on the other side...
I am not afraid of one man's "crazy hatred" hate is all around us we experience it daily. I am disturbed by the negative insults that are being dropped here and there to make political points, they are not necessary and have nothing to do with this incident.
Enough said, life is a moment by moment experience we just never know what is ahead for us or the ones we love; so take on an extra protection and invite God to walk with you it is really quite easy.

The question was "What is your passion"

2011-01-04T12:24:00.000-08:00

In 1976 I started quilting to fill a void in my life, I had a job that was tedious and thankless, there was nothing to show for all the work I did no product, no finished piece to hold, once it was completed it was gone we moved on to another job.
Therefore, I started quilting to give me that feeling of satisfaction of creating something beautiful, to hold, something I created that was the original motive. Let us say I have gone far beyond that goal, I have found my Art, and I call it spontaneous combustion or construction. When an idea comes, I jump in and work on it to the end, I may do an all-night er or a couple, but I am compulsive, I must complete it. I spend hours just looking at it, adjusting it, picking just the right piece, ripping out, re-arranging I become totally absorbed in the process. Quilting has become my passion, that is why my family calls me the Quilt Lady--oh and I collect antique quilts, I have a few to fuel my obsession.
The truth be known I am compulsive and I have many passions, Quilting is number one of many.

Wow 2010 was great 2011 is a new year full of hope

2011-01-03T23:26:00.000-08:00

I have trouble with it being 2011, seems like it was just yesterday and we were preparing for the Y2K's pending disaster, that never happened. Now it has been ten years and doom has not arrived in my life. 2010 has been one of the best years I have ever had. I'm sure some of our unemployed fellow citizens feel that it is dooms day. To have your home in jeopardy and not know where your family is going to live must be the worst experience a family could go through, excluding death.
Facing death always takes first place in the heart break category. The death of a loved one is final, there is no second chance, no wait a minute, we are not ready, death rules. With out faith it must be the blackest place on earth, because even with faith the pain of loss is so heavy on the soul, it is like an elephant on your chest, you suddenly understand what heart ache is, your heart actually hurts. I speak from experience and it is a hard walk, but it is a walk all of us must go through in life. It would be nice if we are the only one who dies in our life time, but it does not work that way. Everyone, well just about everyone has the capacity to love, we are wired that way by God. We are to love one another, that is the most important commandant if we do nothing else we must love and the more you love the harder it is to loss your love. There is a good chance you will loss a loved one in our life. It is part of our walk we will all experience it, how we handle it is our measure of faith. Faith some call it "The conscienceness of God" I call it faith, it gives life meaning, and the assurance that there is more to our existence then just a life on earth, we are here to love and share our faith with each other. When we walk in faith the sting of death will not break us, we will go on because we know there is life after death and the loved ones we have lost are now with God and they wait for us. We will all be together in God's house forever. That belief that faith has carried me through my grief and I have found a peace with in my grief.
As the years fly by and my family draws near for the Christmas season, I visualize the ones I loved so dearly standing with us as we join hands and thank God for the last year and ask for his protection in the coming year. I find I have been a better person for having loved, even with the pain of loss I would not have missed their love and the experience of knowing and loving them. The time we were together made my life sweeter, and I thank God for that time. No one can ever replace my mother, but the memory of her love for me will sustain me until we meet again, and I know I will meet her and the many others I had the privilege to know and love, yes I will be with them again.
So friends love each other in this new year, 2011, hold on to your faith. If you do not have faith seek the truths of the Bible let God speak to your heart, he will guide you to "that peace that passes all understanding" it is a real peace and it comes with faith. So be happy and have a very Happy 2011

Christmas Day is coming to an End

2010-12-25T19:16:00.000-08:00

Wonderful times with loved ones, yet the fatigue is creeping into my body I am so tired and for us it is not over my sister is coming over to visit she is up from California. I think she came to dry out I do hope I can stay awake tomorrow. I for one will be glad to get my house back in order it will not be until after my sister leaves. It really should be the other way, clean house then see my sister but alas there is no time.... Oh well she has known me for seventy years maybe she will understand.
This has been a busy year, we visited four of our childrens homes and had two parties here and now a house guest no wonder I am tired, but what fun we had I loved every miniute of it until today it is finally getting to me. Christmas is my favorate time of year I love the lights, music, packages and surprises and I love being with my gang and watching the children and their excitment over openning their pachages. and all the surprises of the season Our last batch of young ones are growing so fast and getting so big I have a granddaughter who is only ten and she is almost as tall as I am, I bet by August she will pass me up, I am fast becoming the family runt. I might add a round runt with all the good foods this little girl is swelling up, golly I wonder why?
I am looking forwards to some cozy nights by the fire and at least two naps a day and I am sure Jerry and I will recover. So from us Merry Christmas everyone remember love and hugs are also gifts and they are free.

Remembering Christmas1979'

2010-12-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas of 1979 I had filed for divorce I was living alone in this big house, I could not afford to heat it, so I froze. My children had scattered all my dreams of family were destroyed. My life motto had been "Grow old along with me for the best is yet to be" I had made a cross stitch of that verse in 1959 it still hangs by my phone. My life was in shambles, and if some one had told me how large and wonderful my family would become I would not have believed them.

Sunday was "Our" family gathering and there were twenty-one family members here and the house was full of chatter and laughter; the food was more than any of us could eat, we were missing four of our loved ones. Later two dear friends joined us, and the music started what a lovely day, it was a wonderful day... God has truly bless this house, it was built in 1971 our Church family all came and blessed it, next year it will be forty years old and I hope to have a reeducation party.

I guess the point of all this is, no matter what you are going thru it is only temporary, trust in God's promises and know that His hand is guiding your life even during the hard times. The trials that come our way are opportunities to learn and grow, I am a better woman having gone thru the hard times, I am stronger and I know His hand is on my shoulder no matter what comes my way. So hold tight to your love ones this Christmas season, make it a Holy celebration of joy and love.

We can not change the past, we have today to make the future a time of warm memories, God Bless everybody. I am a happy woman it is hard to believe how my life has changed since that lonely Christmas of 1979 I thought it was the end, it was just the beginning of a better life, a bump in my road, that was only temporary God has truly blessed this house. I found an honest man, my Jerry he restored my faith in marriage and family and our family came together bigger and better than I could ever imagine. If you end up alone, look around there are other lonely people out there, seek them out and make their Christmas a happy one, "because you are with them". Christmas is not about gifts it about sharing and celebrating Christ birthday have a happy one. Mine has just begun each young family has invited us to their house for a holidasy dinner, I had better uncover that treadmill it maybe a chubby Christmas Be Happy

BROKEN CIRCLE

The family circle is broken
Life changes never be the same again
We scamper to close the breach
All the plans of the past are lost
Starting over is painful it must begin
Find a new road re-evaluate
It takes time to heal old wounds
Seek a new understanding to fill the hole
Build a new circle of love
Join those who remain with the new
All must pull together to close the gap
Opening to change is the key
Love is the glue – Patients the mortar
Understanding pulls it together
Slowly a new circle forms
This one will be stronger
Love, patients, forgiveness
Consideration and courtesy must rule
The old and new come together
The broken circle melts away
As a new family circle forms
The breach closes with love

The Red Hat Ladies

2010-12-16T00:14:00.000-08:00

I am a Red Hatter, I belong to a group of delightful ladies all full of fun and giggles and today was our Christmas luncheon. Yvonne hosted the party at her home and it was decked out from the front door to the back every nook had eye candy of some sort..Yvonne has traveled extensively and she has the most wonderful collection of beautiful treasures. To top it off the ladies were all deck out in reds and purple making the afternoon a visual delight.
Getting to know these dear ladies is an adventure each one has a story to tell; stories that cover the last ninety years give or take twenty. The longer we meet, the more each one is willing to share their life experience, there are twenty women and their experiences for such a small group are incredible. The rules of our meetings require we laugh and have fun, believe me getting this group together is a party. I love to hear them laugh it is infectious, we have a couple with health issues yet they are right in the middle of the fun. Red Hatters are about fun and fellowship and our group has to be the best, love you ladies....Merry Christmas Ladies

Another WWII vet and dear friend dies

2010-12-12T22:34:00.000-08:00

My cousins husband died, what a beautiful man Gordon was he came back from the war and fell in love with Pat and they lived the good life, loving and working together they raised a wonderful family of boys. His passing started me thinking about the circle of life:
Our lives fly by so fast it is hard to savor the days we spent with loved ones. I realized we are not just ordinary women. We come from a family of women who were exceptional and they taught us how to love and be proud they gave us a dignity that not everyone had the privilege to receive. We had wonderful parents but it was our mothers and their influence that shaped our lives.
It is amazing how fast life changes, we start out as little girls at our mothers apron strings content to play with our dolls and making mud pies, as we grew our mothers took charge of our education, they taught us the meaning of being a young lady and they taught us how to be a woman... They taught decorum and manners, how to stand up straight, and to understand the ways of the world... Our mother's prepared us for womanhood in their gentle way with out really telling us anything, they taught how to keep a clean house and tend the garden, to do your nails and hair to take pride in our appearance. Cooking was an important lesson they prepared us to be wives and mothers, to live upright lives and the importance of honesty and integrity and most of all they gave us love and taught us how to love and the importance of loyalty. They stood by as our lives began and we always felt safe and loved because of them. My mother has been gone almost forty years and yet, I feel my mother’s presence; her spirit is always with me.
We have changed from being those little girls growing up with our mothers, and how fortunate we were to come from such lovely ladies they were good gentle people. They got us thru those awkward teenage years and then the courting began and the young hopefuls came a calling.
For Pat it was Gordon; a handsome young man, just back from a long and terrible war and he was ready to settle down and saw her and fell in love, he was a lovyal and loving husband for over sixty years.
As young brides, our lives really changed; we were in love and thought we knew it all that is when the real lessons in life began. We were in charge of our own destiny so with our young men we walked into the future. Those first years of marriage were fun and trying; then the babies came. Our mothers circled around and stood ready to help with lessons and stories of their time with newborn babes.
Once the babies came, life went in to warp speed those busy years went by so fast, there were difficulties, with each one a new lesson learned. We became stronger woman who could manage anything that came our way. We became the teachers. Our children grew so fast, they leaned on us to answer their questions, and they needed us to teach them, they needed our guidance. It is funny how short that time really was. Our children leaped into life, it was not long, they became young adults, and one by one, they left home…
About that time our parents passed. No longer children we became the older generation. The tools to raise our children came from our strong upbringing and our guidance made our children strong and able to stand on their own two feet. We taught them to be independent and self-sufficient we became our mothers.
Time passed so fast, they call it the empty nest syndrome it is just another bump in our road and we changed again this time we rekindle our love and started a new life as empty Nester's…
A new happiness would be ours, being a grandparent. Grandchildren are the frosting on our cake of life. oh how wonderful to watch them grow, when our children were young we were so busy we were not able to giggle and play with them like you can with grandchildren, oh my I do love my grand children.
Life settles into a softer slower speed, and we grow into retirement, these years are warm and comfortable with family and friends life is sweet.
Our minds still sharp but our bodies begin to warble and change comes to each of us.
Because of the things, our mothers taught us and what we passed on to our children our walk into old age will not be lonely. Our families will circle around us and we will lean on them. They will stand with us through the remainder of our lives because we taught them how to love and honor family...With Gordon's passing the circle changes yet remains steady this is about the full circle of life we all hold on but the choices are ours the lessons we take to heart shape our lives. Gordon and Pat's lives represent their parents teaching they set a fine example and so did Pat and Gordon they established a wonderful family and Pat will be protected and loved as the circle of life goes on..

ANOTHER GOOD DAY AHEAD

2010-12-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will be the pits, but today is a lazy day of straightening up this house and setting some goals as to what to do next clean house or create? I have a doll almost completed and two wall hangings started, in my minds eye well I have way too much to do so maybe a meditation nap should be first on the agenda. I have our family Christmas card flooting around in my head but nothing to paper as yet, I did buy the stamps so you could say the job is half done.
Something has happened to my get up and go since my birthday, I just wander around the house stirring it up so to speak and leaving a trail of incompletes. Jerry likes order, it seems to be slipping on my end I have good intentions but what can I say my list of do's is getting longer and the done's seems to be incomplete.
Our family does Christmas a little different, we gather as "The Family" at our house before Christmas then the satilite families do their own thing on Christmas Eve and day, Jerry always does a Christmas Morning brunch and who ever wants to come, comes. We sort of float on Christmas Eve and Day and go where invited or where the best meal is Ho Ho. To me that makes it easier on the young families, I feel they need to make their own traditions and we will not always be there.

Circle of Friends

2010-12-02T03:19:00.000-08:00

Today I sat in a room full of women; they were my Quilt Guild friends. I was excited because it was my birthday so I went around the room making a point to speak to each woman, to tell of my birthday and do a bit of chit chatting, I marveled at the diversity of these women as I looked in to their faces and wondered what their story was. I knew many of the women but not all.
It was a festive meeting with a guest speaker who spoke on Woman’s suffrage and the fight to get the right to vote, she told of the long painful struggle that took seventy-eight years and the grit and determination of the suffragists was phenomenal.
As I looked around the room, I realized just how much I admired the women in my guild I can see their determination and tenacity in their faces. Their creative spirit is alive and well they formed a sisterhood that has reached out to around the world, the sisterhood that started hundreds of years ago continue to this day.
I am a quilter and antique quilt collector. Each time I find an unknown maker’s quilt I wonder what was the makers story, was she living in poverty; did she make the quilt to raise money to subsidize her family’s income or did she make it for someone special; did a harsh husband dominated her, did she have to work from sun up to sun down. Did she have children, how many did she bury, how old was she when she died? I question how someone could part with a family heir loam without honoring the maker.
The women in my guild have each made wonderful quilts they are works of art, but their quilts do not tell their stories. You cannot see the cancer survivors, or the widow three times around or the mother of an injured vet or the one who lost her son in an auto accident, the ex-marine cook. No, you do not know which of the women’s husband has cancer or the one with heart disease or the woman who was homeless and lived in her car for a year; you cannot tell who lost her daughter to breast cancer, and the who struggles with an alcoholic husband. You cannot tell which one has acute osteoporosis or the one raising her two grandchildren because of an addicted daughter. The face of the caregiver of an Alzheimer’s parent smiles and her hands dance as she talks; they all come to the quilter’s circle leaving their burdens behind and they come to share their gifts and knowledge and they help each other create quilts of beauty. They make quilts that say I love you, quilts that hug your soul. Today was a wonderful day because I was in the company of great women, ordinary, wonderful women who happen to quilt I belong to a sisterhood of quilters...with a few good men.

2010-11-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

Today was my day; I celebrated my 70th birthday with my family. A couple were missing Steven, Ernie, Lisa, Hailey, Anna, James,Toby and Wyatt they were sorely missed the circle is never complete without all the ones I love, all the ones I call mine.
What a wonderful life I have had, the lessons were worth the sadness that came with them yet the joy that followed, well I would never have missed the joy.
Jerry my love brought stability to my life he is such a gentle loving man my family grew with him and so did my capacity to love he brought so much to my world.
Tonight I Savior the day, My day, whether I have another matters not to me. My life experience is over flowing with good memories and today was one of the best.
Thank you for the Ferry ride, the aquarium and dinner at Elliott’s and a great Ferry ride home. To top it off , there was time with the little girls; Kayla had her first Cribbage lesson as Sister Katie watched; the tradition continues. The gifts were so special I am truly blessed I am so filled with love and happy thoughts I think I might bust.
Thank you all for a wonderful day I will always remember

I think it might be icy

2010-11-21T22:43:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder the posted speed limits are for fair weather driving, not for snowy or icy conditions...We were crossing the Narrows bridge coming home from a lovely dinner with our Son and his family 6:30pm and it had been snowing, but it seemed to have stopped , however I said, "I think it might be icy" and my sweetheart said "nah, I do not think so" as I looked across to the other bridge I see a truck going the wrong way and a car sitting sideways on the bridge, wow I do believe it was icy. It was not long and the aide cars were racing to the scene. I always say a prayer for anyone I see in trouble and ask for protection each time I drive anywhere. I feel our highways are a war zone and the careless driving I witness is obscene. Last year there were over 30,000 people killed and 2.5 million injuries on our highways, the countless families impacted in loss of income and loved ones lost is beyond comprehension. it is just shameful. We get the daily count of war injuries and deaths but the highways deaths are just accepted as a daily happening and are not even news worthy. Oh I guess I should not say too much because the powers that be do get into it during the holidays with DWI updates. Ask anyone who has lost a loved one to a drunk driver and see if they feel enough is being done, I am one of those and I say no.
Just three months ago one of my ten my granddaughters was in a horrific accident, she is lucky to be alive, her pelvic was broken in three places, three vertebrae. broken several ribs plus her front teeth either broken or knocked out, neck and shoulder injuries; thank God she has a hard head, they had to use the jaws of life to get her out, she does not remember the accident but vows never to Tx or use the phone while driving she thinks maybe, well we will never know for sure.
I had a premnision that one of my granddaughters would be in a accident so for three months before her accident I prayed daily for their protection. What if I had not been praying would she be here today, I believe God had a hand in her survival, and I believe in the power of prayer.
So what am I saying? well be careful this Holiday season, drive with caution and do not forget God has his hand on you and your love ones lives. He hears our prayers, so keep in touch and have a safe Christmas and invite Christ to your celebrations.

The snow is falling

2010-11-21T22:17:00.000-08:00

I just finished telling Jerry I think it is icy, as we fly over the Narrows bridge going to Gig Harbor, and he says no not really, then I look across to the other bridge going to Tacoma and see a truck facing the wrong way and a car sideways on the bridge, yep I think it was icy. We got home safe and sound, but we did see the aid cars racing to the bridge. Each time I see a car in trouble I say a prayer for the people in the car and hope that it never happens to me and mine. We have already had a near death accident in the family and one is too many. so everyone be safe and drive the safe speed limit not the posted one, those posted speed limits are for fair weather not what we will be experiencing in the coming months so please be careful. Have you ever checked the stats on just how many fatalities there are on our highways not to mention the injuries and the cost of these accidents it is a real eye opener. I ask for God's protection everytime I take the wheel it is a war zone on our roads and no one seems to care about these fatalieies and the families

A Rainy Dark Foggy Stay at Home Day

2010-11-15T02:23:00.000-08:00

Doing some cleaning here and there, not too much I could give Jerry the wrong impression. He might expect me to clean house on a regular basis, well he should know there is no chance of that happening. My cleaning, like my quilting is a spontaneous event, and there is no telling when or what I will do.
As I look thru the house, I see so many nooks and crannies stuffed with good things, these treasures are far too good to throw away, so I tuck them here and there my new problem is I have collected more than I can tuck away. It is time to clean house, a time to get rid of some of my treasures. The real question is, can I?
At this point I am not sure, everything I drug home was valuable to me, not just junk but special bits and pieces I found at a great price and just too good to pass up. That is the key “too good to pass up” I have seen those shows about the hoarders, could that be me? I wonder. Have I crossed a line, gone pasted the place of no return; scary thought, very scary, I justify my collecting because I keep it in order but does that reduce the compulsion factor? I know I am a compulsive person this fact is becoming very real to me, the truth is there is something out of balance about my behavior. I am a quilt alcoholic and that is scary. So recognizing it is the first step to recovery, well I recognize I am compulsive and I understand it is time to do something about it so am I on the road to recovery? Right, I Have my doubts, but for now I am willing to try…I will let you know in six months………….Nov 10th 2010

Quilters Spirit

2010-11-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

Kim is a quilt collector, writer, PHD and just down right a great gal, she has my poem on her website -----Quilters Spirit----She is well worth checking out, her research is fascinating and she really knows her quilts, so check out her web site and blog

The seasons change

2010-10-21T00:14:00.000-07:00

Would it not be nice to loose all the fat and wrinkles in the fall and emerge in the spring lean and beautiful. The trees this fall are beautiful and then the winds of winter will blow all the bugs and leaves away and a quiet time of cold wet days will come and in the dark of winter the trees stand silent and bare; all the while their roots are storing up the nutriments to burst forth new fresh green growth. the bulbs are hiding preparing for spring's call. I guess the question is will I be ready for another spring? Will the winters cold days cause me to rest and rejuvenate? I hope so I have been so busy this summer that I hardly had time to enjoy the warm but damp weather. Was it really summer? it passed so fast it feels like I somehow missed it.

What started me thinking about trees and such? Well I just spent two hours looking through some old pictures, who was that slim woman with the bum, is it possible that was me? I wonder . Would it be possible that I could change, could I spring forth? Could I make the winter work for me, could I be like the trees and I could emerge a slimmer woman in the spring? I wonder.

Hugs and Love

2010-10-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

Today was Katie's Birthday she is my youngest grand-daughter, Katie turned seven and has lost her first tooth. She felt so grown up riding her new bike, however her older sister Kayla was terribly distressed watching her receive all the attention. She so wanted to play with sisters new toys but little sister said no, Kayla is only two years older so the new Barbie with hot tub and and all the extras were very tempting. I reminded her of all the gifts she had received on her birthday but to no avail. She slipped back into a spot where she could observe her sister and every time Katie put her gifts aside to play with the cousins, she would silently move on the new toys and fall into a state of fascination; then little sister would return and push her away. This went on all afternoon I felt so sorry for her pain, she just could not enjoy her sister's joy at being seven. Her green eyed monster was very visible. Watching young children interact has always been one of my favorite things to do, the emotional turmoil they go through establishing their territory, their place in their little society is so fragile. Little hearts are broken, as their emotions surface and tempers flair and jealouslies rise. Then Mom calls them in to have cake and ice cream and all is forgotten in a second, they sit around the table laughing and talking. It is amazing and wonderful. These trials and tribulations have gone on for centuries and most grow up finding a balancing between the silly and important things, most grow wiser and find that it was not that bad after all. Unfortunately not all children are raised in happy secure homes. Brothers and sisters either become best of friends or they become strangers never allowing understanding and love come between them...
Jealiously can gripe the heart and never goes away if one haven't expierenced love and learned how to be understanding...
Raising my three children was nothing short of total cayous at times I thought I would go crazy, as I look back I realize I loved every minute of it. They had their problems finding their way, as all of us did; but they love each other they are truly best friends.
Now I have problem, I find I am jealous when they plan a sibling week-end and I am not invited. It was hard knowing they were all laughing and having a great time together and I wasn't there. So all in all I guess a little jealousy creeps into all our lives no matter how old we are. My children learned to love each other and isn't that what we as parents strive to achive.
A childs broken heart heals when they are loved and they learn to accept disappointment, I guess this is all about family love; my parents loved me and taught me how to love, and their parents taught them; the circle of love will not be broken as long as we love each other...Hugs and love heal our wounds and a little cake and ice cream helps.

Whirl Wind week end is history

2010-09-20T00:46:00.000-07:00

What a lovely time I had, first there was Artist Open Studio Tour this was my first year and it turned out to be such fun. My Husband Jerry and our three daughters all pitched in and helped to make it a great memory. So many nice people came to visit "my studio" well actually it is just my sewing room but they all seemed to really enjoy the tour and it was wonderful having so many people validate my eclectic quilting skills what a bust to ones ego. I had a great time showing off my work and meeting so many nice people, having our girls there was just the frosting on the cake.
Then Saturday night they auctioned off the Herons at a Gala dinner even thou I was so tired from the Open Studio Tour we closed the tour at 5:00 and dashed to the auction by 5:30 it was so exciting watching the Heron go on the block, even with the economy down they made over 30k on the auction, my Heron went for $1300.00 which was good there were a few that went over, one went for $3200. it was such a good cause, it would have been great to have them all go that high but alas you takes what comes your way and everyone had a great time. They had a live band and dancing but I was far too tired to shake a leg I was lucky I had Jerry to drag me home by 1:30am to rise again to another day of Open studio and special time with the girls. So all the preparations and work of planning the week-end, it is now over and life will go back to normal, the truth be known I am so ready for some quiet down time. Naps sound so appealing I am going to set my sights to mastering the afternoon nap with my love, that just plane sounds wonderful at this time in my life so for now Be Happy

Seasons change

2010-09-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

The flowers are blooming out and it will not be long and we will be looking at the fall leaves instead, but while they are here I am going to enjoy them. September always brings the beautiful sunsets oh how I love to look out our windows and watch the sun set in a golden sky I feel this is the best time of year the air is cool and crisp and the sun throws long shadows across our little bit of heaven. I love this time of year, my mind wanders to baking, apple pies, bread and pot roast I find I want to clean the windows to let more sunshine in and cleaning the light fixtures the glass on them seems so necessary there is nothing like a shiny chandlier catching the fall beams of light as they dance across the room. Our house faces the southwest and we get the evenning sun so nice on those long winter afternoons, there is a stand of trees growing just south of the house and they will eventually block the winter sunsets but for now they are in their splender and I will work on getting my love to trim those trees before they get too large. This week he was on the barn roof nailing down the roof flashing at the ridge of the roof oh my I was so worried about him up there he was doing fine, but his feet were tangeling up in the rope he had strung from the otherside of the barn to where he was working,. I know he used to climb telephone poles but we are older and dancing around on the barn roof is not where he should be.

I have to admit he looked really good in his jeans with that tool belt on way up there so high working like the old days, he was mighty handsome to this old girls eyes, I love that man and I felt a lot better when he was finally on the ground. So goes the exciting life we live here on our little bit of heaven. The barn roof is fixed and we settle in for long evenings by the fire, winter is coming on fast ans summer seems to have rushed by without us...

Oops I lost half of my blog info here is an update

2010-09-14T23:18:00.000-07:00

First of all I lost my Heron picture so I had to retrieve him and the info lost, please click on him and see the larger version he is so beutiful. He will be auctioned off this coming Saturday night Sept 18th at the Gala auction to benefit art in the schools. I hope he makes a bundle for the kids, I am so proud to be part of this worthy project, the goal entails putting together teams of artist who will go into the schools to teach art, the understanding and appreciation as well as doing hands on projects with the kids. The goal is to help young people find their creative spirits, to give them hands on experience in various mediums and to help them understand color and what it means to create art.

I call my Heron "Gig Harbor's Peacock" because he is made with recycled glitzy fabrics from my stash of wonderful vintage clothes the fabrics and colors are from days gone bye when ladies dressed for all special occasions to the "T' so to speak. He is all ready to find a new home where he can be displayed and enjoyed for years to come. I promised Jerry I would not bid on him, I have been known to bid on my creations, I can not help it there are just those special ones I can not let go of, but not this time a promise is a promise and I will keep this one, it will be hard but I will do it. So wish us luck and that he finds a wonderful new home. where he will be loved for years to come.

2010-08-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

Getting the blog ready for open studio just practicing, trying to get some pictures but having trouble so this is trial and error

Numbers -- This is for Larkin

2010-08-25T00:40:00.000-07:00

I feel number one is the most relevant, I’ll explain, you see when your not number one to yourself you are not whole and can not truly be creative from your soul. Until you know yourself and accept who you are, you are bending with whatever wind comes your way. Accept where you are now and find comfort within. By being number one to self, you can find peace and be comfortable alone. If one has not found that singular self there will always be someone or something that rules you. Sadly for so many they give their all but never seem to hit the mark, they give, and give and only find frustration in the gesture, no real joy or satisfaction. Once you are aware, so to speak about who you are and are truly happy in your own skin you find a peace that allows you to be effective in everything you do. . Yes, we have the power to change but many are incapable because of destructive self-criticisms that warp their center. We all wish for different circumstances in life, we all have had heart break and at times felt shame, loneliness or despair, those who understand these incidences were just happenings, “not who they are” those are the “ # one’s” they understand they are not the crisis and are free and move on. They take the bumps and move on with an inner knowledge there is something better ahead.
Therefore, number one is most important number to self...

I am not forgetting God he of course is the true number one but he is so far beyond the simple explanation I will not go there.

APWQ Synposium in Olympia

2010-08-16T13:18:00.000-07:00

WARNING do not stop by "Shipwreck Beads" before going anywhere, it could be a costly mistake, and never go back on the return trip OMG I now have a really big collection of beads.

Now a great big wow for the APWQ Symposium. Four days on the Olympic College campus in Olympia, days full of quilting and wonderful camaraderie with a great bunch of ladies we had so much fun. We also had great teachers I learned so much, many new techniques and tricks of our trade it was worth every penny. I came home and found it hard to stay in the room with my wonderful husband all because I wanted to be in my studio working on my new skills, fortunately he is a very loving man and understands my compulsion to quilt and create something beautiful. he is a wonder and very patient with his addicted wife. He truly understands me and is always scratching his head in confusion about what I might do next.
What will I do next? After taking three classes I now have three new projects to work on and I want to finish all of them "now" if you know me very well you know I am a bit compulsive so deciding which to do first is hard I really want to get them all finished so I can look at them, touch them and wonder at how they turned out. That is a big part of my quilting experience just looking at my finished piece, maybe mentally even picking it apart using each new piece as a tool to enhance my learning curve to do better work. Taking a quilting holiday is the ticket if you are a quilt-a-holic like I am. Quilts are my passion (aside from Jerry of course) and I am a walking testimonial to my addition and it is so much fun, I am really a happy camper so to speak, I love my life, my family, my friends and my quilts the cats fit in there somewhere. If you ever have a chance to go on retreat or symposium do it, do it for yourself do it for your family you will not be sorry. Thank you. To all the wonderful volunteers who made the trip a success. Oh did I say Jody went with me she is a slave driver, she got me to class every time on time and was always waiting to make sure I was going where I was supposed to. She also drove right to Shipwreck Beads twice, it is all her fault I am now the proud owner of so many beads. Love you Jody you are the best traveling companion a quilter could have.

4th of July

2010-07-06T11:07:00.001-07:00

I love the 4th of July, this year it was cold and damp but the fireworks were wonderful..I had expected it to be far less than last year, because of the economy, but no it was double the show...maybe triple there were great wonderful explosions of dazzling lights and colors. We even had our own show. It was amazing and the food was great, we had a birthday party for our grandson Wyatt, who just turned seven, he was so wound up he was beside himself and at times a handful. Just too much excitement for the boy, he is a big boy and you know he is on your lap when he needs hugs I am barley strong enough to hold him, but to watch him play with his cousins warms my heart. It reminds me of the many 4th Of July Picnics with my family when I was young, our fireworks were not as aerial but we were so thrilled to see them and we lived just a few block from the Fair grounds so we kids would go up on the garage roof and watch the Fair's show. When I think about those times I remember my Mother's Potato salad and her fired chic- hen they were the best, there was also carrot cake and red devil chocolate cake with penuche frosting, and if we were really lucky we would have home made ice cream, and of course watermelon. We did not have hamburgers that often the fried chicken was a favorite and nobody wanted anything else, besides that time of year chicken was was 13 to 20 cents a pound a real deal. We would go to the lake and water ski, bask in the sun and made wonderful memories. We piled into the car, there were no seat beats back then you stayed put because you rear end was jammed into place or there was someone on your lap; no air-conditioning we were all sweaty and the windows were open so every ones hair was blowing around but I never noticed the discomfort we were all so excited to be going to the lake that any discomfort was accepted as part of the journey.
I remember the screen door always slamming, warping the garbage in newspaper because of the flies and them the maggots my mother was at war with the maggots she would put on her bluette gloves and take boiling water out to the cans and scrub them down every week. Living in Sacramento the summers were hot and flies, bugs and mosquito's were rampant you could not go down to the river in the evening because of the mesqueto's, they were so thick you could not breathe without getting some in your mouth.
Then there were the card games bridge, canasta and penocicle sometimes poker those summer days were full of family and friends I ran barefoot and my feet were dirty and there would be sand in my hair and sweat strikes from the dust but I had a ball. There was tall grass everywhere and we would play and roll in it, the vacant lots were always fun, you don't see them much anymore everything is trimmed and groomed the dirt piles are gone and no trespassing signs. Now children walk around with computor games and don't want to get dirty, I used to get so dirty and sweaty and I was happy, as they say "those were the days my friend, we thought they would never end" well they have for me but my memories warm my heart No trespassing was never a issue we were free to go everywhere, old abandoned houses, railroad tracks and lumberyards. roller skating climbing trees, sleeping in the back yard, fear of strangers was not an issue. I could go on and on but the house is a mess and I better get busy anyway the 4th was great I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday and remembered to honor our counties founders for the freedoms they set before us. Take some time this week and look into a history book and remember why our country is was so great. God Bless

4th of July

2010-07-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day

2010-06-21T03:09:00.000-07:00

I love seeing my Jerry with his kids, and the grandchildren he takes on this glow and his voice changes, it becomes softer and he listens to every word. He is so happy in their presence and they all adore him. I am lucky to have been invited into their circle of love, it is a wonderful place to be. Jerry is a father first before all else his children came first, when he was raising them before our marriage his concern for their welfare was the reason I fell in love with him. My children's father was too full of himself to be overly concerned about his children, that was my job. Yes it was my job and it was a job I took very seriously. I could understand Jerry's concern and devotion to his children we spoke the same language, we shared the same concerns, I know I am the same way when my children are around I am mesmerized with their conversations and laughter I love just sitting back and watching them interact with their children.
I remember the first time I saw my son Steven, my first born, I knew him in that moment, I recognized him I knew him and he was mine, I changed from a young woman to a mother that very moment. Raising my three children was my commission, I became a teacher, a care giver I became what ever was needed and when they were ready to step out into the world on their own I had to let go. I raise three independent individuals my role changed and I had to let go, now I do the same thing Jerry does I wait for a call or a visit and I am thrilled when they do call. My heart swells with pride when I watch them, they are my gift to the world and it is a better place because they are here. Mind you they are not perfect they are just good people they are my tribe, they take part of me with them into the future. So whether it is Fathers day or Mothers day we are thrilled to have any excuse what so ever to be with our children. Today was Fathers day and we enjoyed every minute of it, but at the end of the day we hold hands and return refreshed with love and we are happy to be able to return to normal, the house is now quiet, just right for a nap or a good read or maybe some quilting we are refreshed and happy.

June is not busting out all over

2010-06-20T01:11:00.000-07:00

It is cold and wet even the slugs are having trouble getting from puddle to puddle, however they have found every one of my squash. I tuck them here and there around the yard and hope for the best, I have lost all of them this year, my dear friend with a green thumb came by today with a new supply of cukes and zucks, it is too late for any pumpkins to mature but if we get a couple of warm days maybe I will a little crop. My tomatoes are still alive but have stopped growing, they also await the sun. It is funny how our mood changes with the suns arrival. Here in the Pacific NW when the sun shines it is glorious, it takes your breathe away. yet when the sun does not shine there is still beauty but nothing compared to when the sun shines. Today was such a grey day even the cats stayed in and slept all day rather then venture out into the rain.
This morning I watched a little chipmunk scamper about the deck somehow he knew the cats were in and it was safe, I say a prayer for his safety each morning, he is so cute and reckless he may have a short life.
I am recovering from my surgery, and I am getting cabin fever, I have visions of escaping in my new car and driving somewhere, anywhere, but alas I just do not have the energy to do it, so I pick away at my quilting and dream of the wind in my hair and my radio blasting good old rock n roll music as I drive somewhere, anywhere in my new green turtle car.
Oh well tomorrow is Fathers day lets hope we have a dry day, so to all of you have a Happy Fathers day

My Heron finally finished

2010-05-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Well he is finally finished and looking pretty good but you should see the other ones they are great, there will be a public showing May 26 at the Gig Harbor City Center then the birds go their separate ways and will spend time at a specific location in the Harbor, mine will be at the Maritime Inn. The birds then go to the Gig Harbor Yacht Club for the big night the Salmon Chanted Evening Auction Sat Sept 18Th, it is going to be a grand party and auction with all proceeds going to our local schools providing art education and hands on experience for the children in our Community; a really good cause.

I would love to have him standing upright but I can not figure out how to fix him so just tip your heads to left and hold it there and imagine him standing in a pool of clear water full of pretty stones and shells

Will this Peacock fly?

2010-04-24T23:26:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my Heron, a life size Heron who now resides in my dinning room along with a full size Christmas tree. I was juried into the Salmonchanted Harbor fund raiser for Art in the Schools a noble project indeed and my Bird is not the average heron he is to be Gig Harbor's
Peacock. My oh my does he sparkle and I wonder how he will fit into this up scale Art auction. I have enjoyed the process but I have spent so much time just looking at him, and pondering what to do next I think I must get away for a day to re-focus. We turn them in Thursday he will be ready, he is actually almost completed just some adjusting of feathers and doing his eyes; what I planned is not quite working so back to the drawing board. I have to laugh at myself I just do not know where these ideas come from, and if others will like him? that is the question. It seems like will someone like him enough to buy him. Everyone who has seen him just walks around him saying wow, wow; I'm not sure what that means, he is different to say the least. Well for now I am going to bed early, yes tonight it will be before mid night, tomorrow I will do the final touches and off he goes to wait for the big unveiling at Gig Harbors Civic Center all fifteen of the birds will be have their debut there. From there each one is assigned to a local business until the big Auction, mine will be at the Maritime Inn, so mark your calenders for September 18Th and come to the big fund raiser for Art in the schools and bring your wallets I think you will need them...............Jerry says he doesn't want me to buy him back, he just does not fit our decor two months in the dinning room was enough.

Taxes and Sugar Plums

2010-04-11T01:32:00.000-07:00

I have been working on our taxes and, well what can I say, Oh I will be glad when I get this job finished why the delay? you say, well we will have to pay a goodly sum and I like to hold on to our money as long as I can. So tomorrow will be the day.
Why Taxes and sugar plums, our Granddaughter Hailey is staying the night, what a dear little soul she is, she is so willing to help and do what ever I am doing. Her bright eyes taking everything in and what a chit chatter she just talks away telling delightful stories of school and friends. I watched her with her doll and the gentle way she carried it and tucked it in to its bed, you could just see into her minds and know she was treating and caring for a real baby. She even talked softly to her baby as she gently patted its covering, it was such a gossamer moment for me. A pure moment of sugarplum delight.
Grandmothers are blessed to have their grand children around it is a shared blessing because both share a gift of love and understanding; parents sometimes are so busy they miss the special moments, those times when the child flops back on the sofa and tells a story using her arms and bouncing her head in exuberance shares the tale, the comfortable way they fling their bodies totally unaware of their sexuality and feeling safe in that innocence of being a child open to adventure and mystery. Her soul is free from the pain of this world, the cruelty and dangers she may have to face, the reality of growing up and having others hurt and betray you. She will lose that innocence in time and become an adult. She will carry her worries into the future. A future that no longer honors she inner desires to be a mother; that pure and innocent urge to love to be a mother will be tested and she may never get the chance. The young men in her future will not want to marry and carry the responsibility of raising a family. Family structure is breaking the honor of commitment. The dedication of raising children for the future is slipping away, family traditions are neglected, in many cases they are not even being taught in our modern Churches or schools, or in the homes of honorable men and women.
My heart grows heavy thinking about what is ahead for her, these few pure moments I savor will pass they will not be lost, my minds eye I will carry that memory and I will do my best to be there for her and help strengthen her for the future and I hope for more quiet times when we can just do what is natural for two women to share, to be female and share our walk; the old woman and the young walking together sharing their laughter, strengths,and wisdom and their mutual love of one another, that love will hold us together. We will guide each other for the day will come when she sits back watching me, as I talk to myself of memories of the past, she will be the strong and wise one for me I will take her arm for protection. That is why we have family for our walk changes and the time will come for all of us to lean on another younger than ourselves, someone to help us in our final walk.

Natures Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today I hung Easter eggs on my Christmas tree in the dinning room, yes it is still up I will turn on the lights for Easter and I have put prizes in each egg, the Grand children will get to pick one. One will get a twenty dollar bill the others less I think we will have rain. very cold rain so this will fill the gap if we can't have an outside hunt....anyway Jerry hung eggs on our apple tree and the wind and hale did a number on them, mother nature did her own egg hunt. the kids will be disappointed when they find eggs with nothing but a hole in it. I make Baby Back ribs and a large upside down pineapple cake and Jerry is doing a fruit salad, the rest of the meal will come with the kids.......We will all take hands and give thanks for another safe year and remember what Christ gave so freely to us. Hopefully we will have story time telling of Easters past I always like to do that it helps to connect use to our memories. Our young ones will learn the family history and we will all get a glimpse into each heart.
The dinning room will be a little cramped because not only do we have a full size Christmas tree I have the life size Heron standing in a resin pond, I am to decorate him to be auctioned off for Art in the Schools, it is a really big deal one of the Salmon that was made last year sold for $9000 hopefully some generous person will like mine and bid a goodly amount. There were 16 Artist chosen for this years auction and I was one of them, my buddy in crime Jody was also chosen so we are madly designing quilted Heron's, mine of course will be a Long tall Peacock with beads and sequins ,silk and glitz, Jody's will be a little more traditional. The auction is called Salmon Enchanted evening it is a grand affair and a big deal in our little city of Gig Harbor. They have made thousands in the past to support art in the local schools, the information should be on the web soon giving dates and a little artist recognition.
Well it is 12:30 and I said I would be in bed by 12:00 so off I go to dream of bunnies and eggs and how lucky I am to have such a great family to share Easter with. May you all have a lovely sunny Easter

Tears of Hate

2010-03-09T12:24:00.000-08:00

Tears of Hate

Tears and fear run together
Head spins with so many whys
Why so much hate
Who taught the child
Now a man standing with smoking gun
So proud of what he had done
Now an animal on the run
Who paid the bail so he could kill
Tears for the families of the fallen
Weeping for loved ones left alone
Hot tears burn, as new fears fester
Hate feels so natural and right
My God says that is not the way
Love is the healer of broken hearts
Faith is the door to finding new hope
Through prayer I will find my hiding place
True prayer is a powerful weapon for peace,
Yet the pain is so fresh and the blood is not yet dry
Love and hate burns in my heart
Today prayer is not my weapon of choice.

I wrote that verse last fall when four honorable police were executed, my heart is troubled about the seemingly increase in violence towards our men and women in Blue. It is not just the criminals, it is in off handed remarks about getting a ticket or calling them pigs, attaching the cop who fires his gun. You hear it in the media, as they hint of wrong doing by the policeman during a shooting or riot. They are spit on, harassed verbally and physically. The young thugs taunted them to do something wrong. the gangs and thugs all know their hands are tied, the Men in Blue must hold the line. They are not super humans, they are just like us, to expect them to never show emotion is crule. Yes I know they do not have to do it, but who will have the courage ? Who can constantly be emotionless, who else could hold up under those circumstances? What they are required to put up with is inhuman, We treat then shabbily and expect them to run to our aid and protect us.
The sad thing is it is better for them to be killed in the line of duty than to be injured on the job. They suffer the insult of having problems with treatment, long term care and financial burdens and they are treated like second class citizens. There are support organizations set up to help them but we as citizens are not supporting them, and they can not do enough.
Search your heart and seek ways to help, encourage the injured, reach out to the widows and children of the fallen. Give then your respect and support, do it in what ever way you can no matter how small , a kind jesture, a smile, a wave make sure they know you appreciate them.
They are sons and daughters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters they are part of a family, OUR FAMILY

Am I cured yet?

2010-03-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

It is amazing I had a problem, and needed some reconstructive surgery, I want my money back I have been sick every since, bladder infections and anti-biotiics and now acute colitis caused by the cure OMG and I was looking forwards to the surgery in the brand new hospital.they just built it down the street. The hospital just celebrated its year anniversary and I have been there four times I need to quit this habit. I justs hope I recover from the cure. We will be flying home from Palm Deseert tomorrow morning,lets hope it is an unadventful flight....

Friends are lifes frosting

2010-02-18T11:52:00.000-08:00

I gave a talk recently sharing my antique quilts and their stories to a local Guild, as I talked about a signature quilt I had, detailing how little I knew about the quilt and the many signatures that were on the quilt dated "1899 ladies Aid society bought by R T Fryer for his wife" that was all I knew. A friend was sitting in the back of the room she lit up with great smiles and she was surely hopping in her seat; after my talk she came to me and told how much she loved genealogy and could she please do some checking into this quilt, I have five different ones and she wanted to see what she could find out about the people who made the quilts. All I can say is yahoo she is a wonder. She took the first one and found out where it was made, the year, the families represented on the quilt and the local history of the town and counties around it. there were 273 signatures and many are all relatives of R. T. she took photos of each signature and the one X and started a six month journey into the past. She has finally finished R T's quilt it is all cataloged into a binder three inches thick. She is still working on the other four. The work she has done equals hundreds of hours of work and a passion for genealogy far more fierce than mine for quilts, the glowing smile on her face is so wonderful, you just feel good all over listening to her talk about what she has found and the excitement of the hunt. Friends are so special and when they share a common passion mountains can be moved. The quilt is old and tattered but now with the history that goes with it. A treasured piece of history that I will some day give to the towns Historical society and R T Fryer's family will remain an important piece of history. Thank you so much Sue you are a treasured friend.

Cruising the Ocean Blue

2010-01-25T00:46:00.000-08:00

The vacation of a life time as we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. When Jerry proposed I said no cruise for a honeymoon, this lady gets sea sick and I did not want to spend our honeymoon in the bathroom.....So twenty five years go happily by and a 14 day cruise to the Panama is planned. Jerry has always wanted to go and the Holland America line are really great, so I think it will work with the patch and first aid station right on the ship, you see I checked them out seven years before. We went on a short cruise down the Mexican Riviera and the first aid station did wonders for this sick puppy.
The trip was wonderful the first twelve days the last two were not so fun, we hit the California record storm s three of them and the ship did the rock and roll, slamming and banging for thirty six hours of hell, I was so sick I could not leave the room. It will be a long time before I consider going on cruise again.
Other than my sickness, what a lovely time we had snorkeling in Aruba, taking an eight passenger Tram over and through the rain forest at the top of the trees it was lovely. We also went on a road trip to Mayan ruins outside of Acapulco, however the drive thou the city was amazing, there were people, cars, trucks, buses , taxis, bikes, a mass of people everywhere bumper to bumper all merging and moving along in the most unbelievable congestion possible and yet it all seemed normal to the people everyone was on a mission and they just worked their way through the crowded streets it was amazing to watch. Now I know why so many are up here the crowded conditions are unbelievable.
We had five course meals every night with the most delightful people, I am going to miss those stimulating conversations with John and Betty from England and my cousin Gail and Fred we talked about everything, John was a retired Head Master and so very interested in America.
Now we are home and the house and cats faired well without us, however they both follow me around like sick puppies, walking on my desk and rubbing their wet noses on my cheek up and down my arm and just plain in my face, I hope this faze wears off soon....I did a bit of beading and played bingo, trivia and we eat the most wonderful food. I will be going on a diet once I settle in at home, clothes are a bit tight. The twenty seventh is the actual day of our wedding I am giving a lecture in the morning and we will go out to dinner, nothing fancy just plain ordinary food and a movie. We are so glad to be home.
Once we got home I received the sad news of a dear friends death, Maureen Sorenson was a dear lady and I will miss her sweet smile and soft laugh, she had a lot of hardship and pain in her life yet she was as sweet and dear as if she had been protected all her life, the pains of sadness never tainted her sweet spirit, I will miss her friendship. Family and friends are the sweetness of life what would we do if we never shared their love and lives, how lonely our lives would be. I know as the years go by there will be many more sad good beys, as loved ones fall. Loss is part of our experience how we deal with the pain is our own test of faith and we will all be tested before our lives end. I pray for many friends and the time to watch my family grow. Having a dear friend like Maureen enriched my life, losing her is a deep sadness but I will remember her smile and the friendship she gave me and I thank God she was my dear friend, even for a little while.

2009-12-28T00:19:00.000-08:00

It is funny how fast the holidays fly when you are trying to get everything for everybody and trying to make sure nothing is forgotten, yet there is always that last dash to the store for some special ingredient, oh the holidays I love them. I love having my house full of family and friends the sound of children running around the house and the sweet little voices asking if it is time to open presents. Those last frantic hours were tiring and once the party began in four hours it was over. The good byes and kisses prayers for safety and then silence. I have to admit the last two days I have been in my robe all day, the left overs have kept us fed and movies held our attention between naps. Tomorrow will be different I will get up early and go to town shopping is hard work and I must rest up. New Years will be quiet I will take some sparklers out on the deck while Jerry sleeps and hoop a la the new year in alone as usual, then hop into bed with cold feet and remind my love it is the new New Year. My heart breaks when Jerry takes down the lights, I just hate it when we go back to everyday life. The Christmas tree well that is different
I put it up and I take it down if I please, last year I did not take it down and what a breeze it was getting ready for the festivities. I am still pondering whether to take it down or not, I polished all the crystal ornaments so the tree does sparkle, I will let you know later whether I take it down or not for now it stays and I will light it every night if I please until I am tired of it. So for now cuddle up and keep warm and have a Happy New Year

Christmas coming fast

2009-12-10T11:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas seems to sneak up on you until the 9th then it goes into warp speed, the flu is dropping family members like over ripe apples off a tree. As I write there are 3 down, it is always a worry when the little ones start running 103+ temps and they are so lethargic poor Mommies and Dads .
For the older set we are fairing well, and planning a bash on the 20th for the whole family plus friends, I guess that means we will have to clean house, well at least clear the hall ways, seems I am leaving debris in the halls; Jerry is always neat if he leaves anything it is always neatly folded then piled in odd places, thank goodness he is neat this place would be a disaster if he was not.
For so many the Holidays bring memories of loss, why is it so many family and friends die during the Christmas season, are we just more aware or is this a seasonal curse? I pray for the ones left behind and hope they can let go of the pain and find joy with the family and friends. My theory is if you do not have family here for the Holidays adopt them or let someone adopt you there is too much sadness going around. We all have to pull together to help bring some sunshine into the lives of those alone during this season of lights. Do not take " no " for an answer, if they will not come out, go to them take some special food, talk to them about their grief, share their grief and help them come out their disparaging depression...Yes it takes time and this time of year does not allow much time but there is a magic that happens when you give time to others somehow you find you still have time for yourself. The magic of giving, yes there is a magic and this time of year it is there for you, so try it, find the magic and the promise of love shared. Isn't that what this season is all about. Give love, not pain, there is so much to gain; wow is that poetic or what?
We are all in this thing called" life" together, reach out and start a chain reaction of love.
Look at how much of an impact was made by the thousands who stood with the families of those fallen Officers, something good will come from that "sharing of love and concern" it will change hearts, and change the way we look at those who serve and protect, that negative event will bring a positive reaction, and I want to be part of that action. God bless America.

Getting ready for Christmas

2009-12-06T11:13:00.000-08:00

This season holds much sadness in my heart, we lost four of our finest, shot down in cold blood.
I think about what Christmas will be like for their families from this year on memories of lost loves, the pain of grieving returns with the season. There is always a death of someone close during the holidays it just seems to happen, but this was different these good people were shot down by a man crazed with hate for law and order. The fact they were white justified the hate; there seems to be a deep under current of hate from our fellow black people. I know this is only a few but their numbers seem to be growing, their young are being taught to hate and they know every hip hop song by heart but do not know the Constitution or why America is free and they are not proud to be Americans. God bless them, they do not understand they are blessed to be Americans. I know there are many conservative noble black men and women who are going against the tide of hate and struggle to be heard; they are out numbered by ignorance and hate. We must stand with them and do everything we can to change this evolutionary trend by being involved in our schools and communities and by making sure we are teaching patriotism and love of country. We are Americans first, not Nordic, White or Black Americans we are" AMERICANS" first, our race tells where we came from not where we are.
This will be a sad Christmas for so many; lets each one of us set a goal to help someone in need and to reach out to our neighbors no matter their race. No matter what your religion is the truths Christ taught are as relevant today as they were centuries ago,"Love one another" and may your God and mine Bless this nation. Make it a Merry Christmas season of sharing and love.

2009-10-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

Gig Harbor Quilt Festival is over and we did good, Nan the new Silent Auction Chair pulled it off she made $1,134 more them mine did last year, all in all I think it will be around $24,000.oo by the time all is counted, yahoo for our little team. Working is so much fun and we need more volunteers so keep us in mind when you are wondering what to do with your self next year. Now I am getting ready for my Featured Artist show, a "one woman show" It is a lot of work dragging half of your house into a 20x10 booth deciding what to bring to make it look interesting is a challenge. One never feels succure about showing all your creations to strangers I am always asking family, and friends "what do you think" I'm a bit compulsive in that department, but I know it is my own insecurity that makes me do it and my family and friends understand,
they know who I am and are patient with my compulsion; but strangers well I will just have to think of them as my new friends and try not to worry too much. So for a fun afternoon drop into the Westsound Quilters show in Silverdale at the Fair grounds it should be a great show there will be over 400 quilts we are also featureing a"A Thank You to the troops" display of quilts made just for them and the books are also available, I believe it is going to a great show so come on over. For Now Be Happy

2009-10-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

Well it is Friday Oct 2nd and the Podcast will be up I am so excited to see what it is all about, Matte & Ester would be so surprised that their story is being told on the web and in a podcast. If you want to see it go to Wholelotasingers.wordpress.com Episode 3.

What has been going on in my life, well a lot. my friend Maureen has been in and out of the hospital this last week I spent the night with her Tuesday and the next day she was back in the hospital, why the doctors can not or will not say, she will be going home or somewhere possibly as early as tomorrow, please pray for her comfort and recovery she is a dear lady and I mean "A Lady" and a quilter to boot. I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends and so many kindred spirits

The International Quilt show in Houston will start soon, they have a new show called the Eye of the Quilter it is a photo show, they feel the quilters eye is not just for quilting, a quilter sees beauty everywhere. Isn't that the truth anyway I submitted three pictures and two were picked, or juried to hang in the show. Can you believe that I am so excited to be choosen it is almost like having a quilt in the really big show, well not quite as exciting. Thelma Moyer has a quilt hanging and she is going to the show so she will take pictures of the Eye of the Quilter Show, I can hardly wait to see how they are presented.

Have you seen the Quilting Gallery contest Natures Best Quilt show, go to the web site and vote on your favorite, nd I hope you vote for mine I am in the small quilt catigory the competition is really great so far I have 12 votes and the best one has 147 I think she might wil anyway it is fun hoping around the web and finding new friends so for now Be Happy

2009-09-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

What a surprising day this turned out to be my "color" picture is on the front page of our local newspaper GATELINE.com and to add frosting to the cake there is a second color picture on page 6 it is all about the Gig Harbor Quilt Walk not to be mistaken for the Gig Harbor Quilt Festival they are two different events, the money raised in the GHQW goes to the Gig Harbor Quilt Guild and GHQF donations go to local Breast Cancer Patients...none the less they are great events and they promote the art of quilting and my part is to give a lecture at the Gig Harbor Historical Museum on The History of quilts, their care and preservation. I feel tingles all over and I am afraid and thrilled all at the same time oh and of course nervous and full of inadequate feelings all at once.
Do all stars feel this way? Hee Hee
Anyway they are both worth going to there is so much to do to put on events like these and it is all volunteers from this in this small city, we all
care about each other and the love of quilting holds us together. So come one came all and visit our little town

2009-09-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

Oh ,by the way the quilt behind me is 'Cats on Safari", the quilting is by Kim Stotsenberg, (THATSEWNSEW)I kidding say she must of had a PARTY doing it because it is so fun and whimsical she really out did herself, I wish she were closer, but hey, we have facebook and blogs, there is no reason not to stay connected no matter where you are you can still feel close to friends and family. Yes blogging is fun now I hope somene blogs me. Hello out there I'm waiting--I'm not sure how to access them, but with a little help from my friends and family I'll find them. I'll be looking for your blog. Be Happy Delaine

2009-09-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

I am slowly learning about blog ownership, this is my first attempt and I know the pictures are very big but for the life of me I can's get them smaller. The weather has changed the wind and rain is here hopefully just for a few days, we have had such a wonderful summer so much sunshine my feet even have a tan line. I get sun fever, so I do not sun bath, I just get brown even through my clothes on a sunny day..I get moldy in the rain., or is that moody? Must be the California Girl coming out. oh dear that was a long time ago "Califonia Dreaming" driving with all the windows open and going down to the river to swim, swinging on the old rope into the murky Sacramento River, jumping off bridges. "Those were the Days MyFriend we thought they'd "NEVER" end" those oldies were great for driving in the California sun. The kids today drive with those thumping throbbing boom boxes type music, I know we were loud but never so loud you could hear us coming a quarter mile away. For me it was mostly good clean fun. Wow! Did that really happen to me it was so long ago I feel like I read it somewhere.