My friend Bessie

A bit ago I posted some pictures of a most amazing quilt my friend Bessie made and I was given the honor of quilting.       Bessie called today.   Her brother, and the last of her siblings died Monday.   He had a number of medical issues.  He had spoken with Bessie Sunday night, had watched football all day, and was looking forward to a trip to the docs chauffeured by Bessie on Monday.    He died peacefully in his sleep. 

Bessie is sad, but OK.   Her brother had also lost a leg.   We both can picture him now dancing in heaven, with his wife that went ahead a few years ago.   we know he is in a better place  .. It is just always sad for those who remain here and miss those who have gone ahead.    those of us who have to pick up the pieces,  make everything work out,  and continue on.

Please say a prayer for Bessie and the remaining family.   for peace.     Thank you.    

Painting!!

We had a baby shower for daughter Cindy this past Sunday.   It was a GREAT time.  But, before i get to the actual baby shower pics and details, I wanted to share a project that Darling David and I worked on together.

I was at Joann's a few weeks ago.  One of my favorite parts of any shopping event is checking out the Clearance section.  It is now long past any great deals in the Christmas department,  but one never knows what one will find.  Well.  There on the wall,  hanging.  ORNAMENTS.   The little wooden ones you paint for yourself.    I enjoyed doing these years ago.  BUT WHAT IS THIS?  The ornaments are baby carriages and baby rattles.  Oh YES.   These will make GREAT shower favors.   I needed 80.  There were 81 hanging there.   I left one behind as it appeared defective.

Well,  Darling David gave the ornaments the first pass with a coat of bright pink.    I got the detail work.   Some of the trim work was done in white paint,  some in black paint,  and ALL of the fine detailed lines were done with a fine point black Sharpie marker.    We then replaced the red ribbon hangers with pink ones and DONE.

I enjoy painting.   It is a goal of mine to get back to some landscapes, etc.   There never seems to be enough time.  So many other MUST do projects going.    THIS i totally enjoyed.    







  

SOMETHING SPECIAL

I have a good friend.  Her name is Bessie.   Bessie brought this AMAZING quilt top to my studio for ME to quilt.      Immediately this face with no features SPOKE to me.     I think she represents ALL women.  To me, she is dancing with EXTREME JOY.   She is CELEBRATING LIFE!!    She reminds me that no matter what, we NEED to find the JOY in our lives, and CELEBRATE it as well.   

Bessie's friend picked the quilt up from my studio today.   I hated to see my dancing lady leave.   I have never enjoyed quilting a quilt more than I enjoyed this quilt.    Bessie called when the quilt was back at her home.   Yes, she is very pleased with the way it turned out.    

THIS is why I quilt.   THIS is what I enjoy doing.   This brings me EXTREME JOY,  so I am going to CELEBRATE and perhaps do a bit of a dance of my own. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

You know.  I used to be a dreaded bill collector.    For Firestone in Ohio, and then here in Flint for a big, bad, dreaded collection agency.   It was the only job i could get here.  it was how i paid my bills and took care of my family.   So. i DO understand.

HOWEVER.  these auto dialers and automatic calls are DRIVING ME NUTS.    There is NO ONE to say.. YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER to.   there is NO opt out button.

I have a fairly common last name.    My husband has a common first name.  THE PHONE IS IN MY NAME.     WHY are they CALLING ME?  ok.  i understand.  You do what you need to do.  BUT GIVE ME A PERSON on the other end of the phone for heaven's sakes.  

and a note to anyone who has problems right now.  TALK to those you OWE money to.    DO SOMETHING.  do NOT let other innocent persons have to listen to YOUR collection calls.  

yes .. there is caller id.  but WE DON'T HAVE IT.   WE HAVE downsized ALL our "stuff".. and caller id is an "extra".. DUH.    We did that so WE can pay OUR bills.   ye gads.   HAPPY HOLIDAYS.     

there.  THAT is the image of the "Men folk" stressing over CHRISTMAS i wanted to get to you all.

NICE?   SIGH .. yup. time for MY NAP.  giggle.....

Christmas stress???

well I think THIS says it ALL.

Ladies?   are you 'done" with the Christmas preparations?      I am VERY CLOSE.

the house is decorated.   tree up.   gifts purchased.  wrapped. and NUMEROUS boxes mailed to out of state recipients.  GOOD.  done is GOOD.

I am still working on a SPECIAL project.  One that has been on my 'to do" list for NUMEROUS years.  It is in PROGRESS and i REALLY THINK it will get TA DONE this year.  We shall see.

Left to do....?  

well.. Monday is DOCTOR day.   first. at 9am a "blood check"   this a regular routine for Darling David.  pt/inr.  It checks his coagulation level.    that plastic heart valve and the way his blood fluxes thru it.  AH.  FLUX CAPACITOR.  in shades of  Back to the future.  whatever.  have to have the JUST RIGHT level.  OFTEN it is NOT "just right"..  but usually AOK.   GOOD.    At eleven, he sees the psychologist for "THE test".   this is GOOD and SCARY at the same time.  My darling has been a tad(?) off for SEVERAL years.  FINALLY the doc, nurses, receptionists, etc etc at the VA have NOTICED.  well HALLELULIA.   so.  THE TEST will be "administered"..   then,  "after the test" the shrink will probably call me in for a "reality check"  THIS will be interesting.  won't it?  giggle.

NOW the rest of the week.  BAKE.  i LOVE to bake COOKIES but my SPECIALITY is KOLACHKY.  oh YEAH.  home made polish/slovak pastries.  LOTS of WORK.  my back will ACHE.  but it is SO GOOD.  the TRADITIONS you know.   GOOD.  so two days BAKING.  

THEN.   CLEAN the HOUSE.  well it is NOT all THAT bad.  we already did the SCRUB A RAMA.  so tidy up. dust.  vacumn. oh.  the guest room.  well THAT will take a day.  WHY does the guest room always end up the DUMP zone?  ok. 

but EASY PEASY.   for us WOMEN folk.   YES.  LOTS TO GET DONE.    but AHHH.   close.

see how Darling DAvid is "coping" with the "work left to be done"?  i LOVE IT.   yes.  LIFE IS GOOD.

TONIGHT we are going to go out to DINNER with OTHERS.   yes. we ARE.    i know.  this HERMIT is getting OUT OF THE HOUSE.  at NIGHT yet.    

and EVERYBODY SIT DOWWWWN.     we are then going to drive and look at CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.     whoo hoooo.  well OF COURSE someone else is driving.  we can't see at night.   but THIS is so NEATO to me.   to GO LOOK AT THE LIGHTS.    I am now reverting back to my CHILDHOOD.   ohhh.. ahhh.  the LIGHTS.  we DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT anymore.  we CAN'T SEE.  so THIS is a GIFT.  

and the SAME children are giving us ANOTHER gift.  on Christmas eve.  WE ARE going to 11pm services at FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of FLINT.  the OLLLD church.  DOWNTOWN.  WHOO HOO.   the church will be decorated with evergreen vines and white lights.  They have a HUMONGOUS CHOIR.  and there will be SINGING of CHRISTMAS CAROLS.  a LOT of em.    and at the end.  we will light candles "off each other"  ROWS AND ROWS of PEOPLE lighting THE LIGHT from EACH OTHERS CANDLES.  the GIFT.     and to have CHILDREN WITH ME.   oh THAT is the MOST PRECIOUS OF GIFTS.  

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO COME?     it is THE BOMB.   HONEST.

so.. i am NEARLY ready.    as you can tell DAVID is NOT over stressing about ANY of the "preps"  
LITTLE does HE KNOW i have a "list of STUFF" FOR HIM to GO GET next week.   rolls.   chips.  pop.  etc.  but EASY for him.

HE IS definitely NOT STRESSED.  nor are "the kids".  giggle...