To My Dear Husband

 You  have been gone 8 years today...Finally, I am getting a grip and starting to live the life you told me about, when you were leaving.  Letting go of  yesterday to make a different today, is a tough haul.  But,  you told me to just go sew, and I am doing that.

You were the string to my  kite.  Surprisingly, you still are..I am grateful.  You told me that I was too old to raise children, but I did it anyway.  God and you....gave me the strength.

Here is my new garden.  Friends and family help me tend it.

I am celebrating survival by messing around with my Marcia Derse fabric..

You remember that times when I was sad and blue.....you told me to just buy fabric...(Ha Ha Ha) Just kidding.....Today it came..a blessing from you....My fabric collecting heart beats quickly.

My Charlotte family remembered today with prayers that touched my heart....

The rest of the world's strangers,  kept going without missing a beat!! An odd life.

You live inside me now.  Last night I went to a lecture here.  I  so wanted to share  ideas with  you.

The housekeeper from the Congo told me awhile back that my job was to be joyful and grateful and that God took care of the rest.  Everytime I see her, I smile.

I never dreamed that I would ever feel again that we walk together....It took 8 years. Now you, in peace are with me again.

Once again, I publish my journal, for all the world to see.  I feel loved.

ps.  Someone put  my machine in my car trunk  so I will be ready for Sit and Sew tomorrow.  My lunch is packed, my sewing ready.  So excited, post Covid to see everyone again...xoxoxo

The European Family Quilting Connection

Cousin Ann came and Cousin Ann went.
She brought a piece of my man with her...and then she took him back.
We had a great time at Mary Jo's and at Sew Much Fun.
Laughs at Olive Garden...and just a wonderful time.
Off she has gone now to California to run 21 miles in a marathon???
I was hoping it was to different quilting stores...but my guess it is thru the streets of Monterrey.
Cousin Ann is our Muldoon quilting connection in London!

Then there is our Aunt Geraldine...our Muldoon quilting connection in the French Alps.
Here we have her bed quilt all hand done with tiny buttons to secure the lot.
Lovely Geraldine.

With asthmatic bronchitis upon my plate...I am struggling, once again, to see the light.
OF COURSE that would be translated into new fabric.
On our Tuesday travels, I just had to have a piece or two of Tula Pink's
new kitty cat line:

In deference to my slowly healing shoulder and the patience not to use the rotary cutter,
I splurged on a few of the lovely precut charm packs.

 Impulse shopping clears the mind...as well...always...

As we all know, fabric shopping is exhausting...
so, I treated myself and my bronchitis and joints to a nice
sleep- in after the buses , a lunch out, a nap..
Then came the work of back and forth emails with 3 different teachers for the 6th grader's classes...Out of the blue he is failing 2 classes.
Old Grandma is on it.!!
The children here are in top notch schools with top notch teachers to help out.
I am taking him in at 7 am for tutoring...then 7:15 bus for the other two.
Then ...guess what???
A NAP for Grandma...shoulder has me back sleeping in the recliner..
It is all OK!
No one, just no one could believe how happy new fabric can make a person.

The Pre-Op party at my "joint"

Tonight,  my widow's group got together for my pre-op party at my house...

Really...any excuse for a party...pot luck..party at my "joint"..ha!!

So fun. Eleven people came with yummy food and laughs.

Flavored waters  shown here...Emily helped me out...

Although, I did notice that most wanted vino and not water.

Stephanie came to help with the cleaning and the kids...

But, Evan was the real hero!!  He helped so much.

Every one loved Evan.

I covered everything that looked messy ...with my quilts.. such the lazy one!!
Here is a  result of  my stress buying ...I love these fabrics so much that I doubt I will be ever able to use them.

I think it is now time for bed...16 year old Pumpkin is so tired from the party that no matter how loud I shouted, she just could not open those eyes for a picture!!!!

A big thanks for all the support and emails from you ...my dear friends.

36 hours and hopefully, the new knee will be installed.

I might just really be able to do this without my dear man....with a little help from my friends.
Ok, a lot of help from my friends.