Tough days.....

These last few days have been tough ones.  My friend, Roberta, is hiking a "trail to meet God face-to-face". She's been battling leukemia for a little over a year. I don't understand why God wants to take her...she is one of those people who lights the way to Him.  I have learned so much about faith and mothering from her.  She has five children-her youngest is only 10. 

On Tuesday, my best friends mother in law died suddenly. She was 76-that's younger than my father-in-law and just a little older than my parents and my mother-in-law. My dad's health is not good. My father-in-law is going to have surgery this week for an aortic aneurysm. I'm not ready to lose any of them. Sometimes, I feel paralyzed by that thought.

I believe in heaven. Why doesn't that comfort me?

She's growing up....

The Girl is out on her first date tonight. It's homecoming. Thankfully, it is a group date, but nonetheless, it is a date with a boy. YIKES!!!  He seems to be a very nice boy...good manners...looked her dad and I in the eyes, shook our hands, etc. He brought flowers over to her this afternoon....she hadn't wanted a corsage, but he wanted to do something. Awww, how sweet(I know you're all saying that).

Anyway, here they are....check the shoes...she can't wear heels and I guess he thought he'd join her in wearing Converse.....he spray painted his to match...yes, he is man enough to wear pink shoes!!! I think I'm gonna like this boy!

Disillusioned....

#1 I tried the Phiten titanium necklace--it did nothing for me. 

#2 Extreme Makeover-Home Edition is in my town.  I indirectly know the family.  They are a very nice family-the children are sweet and polite and oh, so, cute. Their old house was not demolished, it was moved and will be donated to another local family. Those are good things.

Unfortunately, the house that is being built is two times bigger than the old house. I don't think they have any yard left. The house, a two story, looks very out of place as it is surrounded by small ramblers (or ranch-depending on where you live).  My husband works for the company that is donating the electrical supplies-they are getting 100 recessed lights!!! I wonder if the family will be able to pay the heat and utilities on such a big home....and those lights use ALOT of electricity.

On a happier note, my shoulder is getting better and I have been able to sew again.YAY!!! I still have a long way to go, but at least I am on the mend.

Hmmm, would you try it?

I am still battling shoulder pain and now it has migrated to my shoulder blade and neck. I was out shopping for new gym shoes with The Boy and saw Phiten Titanium necklaces. They are apparently worn by athletes to balance things out and ease pain.

I did a little research, and there doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence, but they do seem to work for some people. They cost around $25, which I'd much rather spend on more quilty stuff (and possible a new transmission for The Girl's car).

Would you try it?

Random Thoughts....

> I participated in my first quilting class this past weekend....I was very disappointed!  The class was called "Magical Miniatures". The photo in the catalog was a mini block next to a dime.  What we made were 3inch blocks....that's not miniature in my book.  I did learn a few tricks, so that was good.

>I am crooked. Yep, I went to physical therapy today for my shoulder and the PT told me I was crooked-my hips go one way and my shoulders go the other.  We are working on straightening me out.

>I love my labels.  Wife, mom, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, friend and now teacher.  Couldn't begin to pick a favorite. Teacher is new and frightening--I am co-teaching my daughters 11th grade religion class. YIKES!!!

>I didn't realize how big a part of my life quilting had become until I couldn't do it. Filling the void is hard.

>Did anyone watch Sister Wives Sunday night on TLC? Makes me think how nice it would be to go back to the time when extended families were closer in proximity--sometimes the help of a "sister wife" would be nice. I am not sure, however, if I could live with my parents......

I've come a long way, baby.....

Since I can't sew because of my shoulder, I reorganized my sewing room. I came across this:

This is what got me started quilting.  Each little hexagon measures a very uneven 1 1/4 inches. I hand pieced these....my seams are less than a quarter of an inch and my stitches are HUGE!!!!  Not knowing any better, I sewed this baby up like I was making a pillow case and then started to hand quilt.

 It's hard to see, but my stitches are TINY, barely catching one thread of the backing in some spots, and knots all over the place....I even dragged my thread over the top of the backing !!!  Yep, I've learned alot over the last 20+ years.

Back in the Swing of Things....finally

Wow! I can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged.  The kids started their third week of school today and I finally feel like I am back into my "school" routine....can't say that for The Boy. He really hates getting up in the morning.....it's too bad that school administrators don't heed the research that says teens sleep/wake schedules are different than adults.....teens really are night owls.  I guess I could homeschool and beat the system that way, but I don't think I would make a very good teacher for him.

I've been battling shoulder pain and haven't done much in the quilting department.  I am able to work for a few minutes and then my shoulder starts to hurt. Two years ago I was told I had bursitis and went through physical therapy. I haven't been pain free since then.....perhaps, if I actually did what I was supposed to do CONSISTENTLY, I would be in better shape.  I am trying hard not to overuse the shoulder and have started doing the exercises again.  I don't think there is life without quilting, so I will be good!

The Girl has her first date! YIKES! She met this boy over the summer while working on a play and he asked her to go to homecoming with her.  I'm not sure if I should laugh and be happy for her or cry for myself.  Right now, I'm very excited for her.  Let's hope that feeling holds.....