I spent the weekend at my sister's house (my mother's) and we emptied out the two storage areas under the eaves. O boy, what a day. Dust and much coughing and sneezing were a constant. But we got it all hauled out.....and bagged up most of the junk for garbage day. I did find some material for my stash (hope it doesn't have dry rot), some family info I need to slot into my genealogy work, and some keepsakes I will enjoy.

I also brought home the "hodgepodge blocks" that my mother started sewing back in the early 50's I bet.


I know most if not all were pieced on a treadle machine. Then things get wonky. She and my sister zigzagged (modern machine) the plates onto backing fabric......in a manner I wouldn't have done.....but that's how it is. At some point in all these years, my mother decided that this quilt was for my brother. So of course she died leaving it a UFO. I told my brother I would finish it for him, so I had to get some fabric for sashes, border and backing. That all falls in line with me not buying fabric to start a project, doesn't it??!! I think so. So I stopped at Joann's on the way home and found the backing, and this morning I ordered the rest.

What is wrong with me......as if I don't have enough UFO's of my own, I take on one of someone else's!!!!! But that's OK, it feels like the right thing to do. I will show you when I am done.

Becky

I've been tagged.....

My friend Amy at "Not Always with Thread" tagged me. She has the neatest
stuff on her blog....check her out.

Anyway, here are the rules.

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store
your pictures on your computer
.2) Select the 4th picture in the
folder.3) Explain the picture.
4) Tag 4 people to do the same.

Here is that particular photo for me.....

This is a pic of my oldest granddaughter, Aubree. She was spending the night with us and she
had just had her bath and her hair was still wet. This was before she lost all of her baby fat. She's all slender now. This was taken in the summer/fall of 2007 when she was 16/17 months old. Makes me just want to squeeze her!! :)

My tags are
Cole at Bozic Family
Mary at MaryQuilts
Shirl at Shirlsrosecottage
Eileen at My Quilting Porch

Waiting for the borders.....

I have completed the blocks for the black, white & red quilt and have it all joined together. I need to put the borders on......hopefully that will happen tomorrow.

You might remember that I had cut this out to hand piece while we were on our cruise in October.....cruise was cancelled when my mother died. Wouldn't you know it.....this evening Rick is sitting here beside me while I am finishing up and he is booking a replacement cruise for Feb. 6. So I'm going to have to head down to the stash tomorrow and figure out something else to do for handwork. Actually, I think I may already have a two color quilt started that will be just perfect. I need to make sure that I have enough stuff cut out....it's been so long since I started it I can't remember if I cut it all out or not! Jeepers.

I went out today to run errands. It was the first time I was out of these 4 walls since before New Year's!!! I went to the post office to mail out a big box of baby yarn to a gal that spearheads a project making baby things for an Indian Reservation. Got THAT pile moved out of the house! Then I went to the bank, took a leisurely stroll through Bed, Bath & Beyond and found a few things I "needed". I got my hair cut and then I went to the grocery store. By the time I got home I was totally exhausted.

I rested a little and I just had to finish up the rows of this top.
Here is a pic without the borders.....



Each of the blocks was 18"
Here's one of the blocks close up.



I plan on hand quilting it......but how???? Any ideas? Or just do the 1/4" thingy. I appreciate your ideas.

Oh my goodness........

Rick came home this evening with a story I almost can't believe.......but it is true and my heart hurts so much.

Rick has a buddy at a different plant from where he works that he likes very much. Ralph has worked with Rick on different projects and he is just a good reliable guy. A few years back....2 or 3......Ralph's wife passed away after a long, protracted 10 year battle with cancer. It was very sad, a daughter in high school, son in junior high....just terrible.

Later, Ralph cautiously began a relationship with Sherri and they have enjoyed each other's company greatly....riding motorcycles, going to Vegas, the beach, etc. Well, today Ralph was working in Rick's plant and he stopped in with a story too tragic to believe.

Over the holidays, Sherri began experiencing abdominal pain. She was found to have colon cancer. She is 48 years old. They did a resection, hysterectomy, etc. and all was sent to the lab. When Ralph and Sherry went for the report, the doctor reported that the cancer had "burst" and was all over her internal parts. There will be 6 months of extremely agressive chemo, and at some point in the six months they will open her up and pour hot chemo into her abominal cavity. I just can't imagine what this gal is up against, but whatever it is it doesn't sound good.

Ralph has asked for prayers, and that is where you, my friends, come in. The prayer needs are so numerous I don't know where to begin.....but you know what you would be needing in a similar situation. I am not sure that she is a believer, so we can start there and then just ask God to hold her and rock her in His precious arms. Ralph is just torn up and I can't imagine what he is going through, but he feels that God sent her to him because he would know what to do for her. Ralph will need strength and comfort, and to be able to hang on to hope in an apparently hopeless situation.

I will keep you posted when I hear more as time goes on.
God bless them both, and God bless you for including them in your prayers

Happy New Year!

I actually stayed up past midnite!! (Thanks to an afternoon nap.) We had a little bubbly to welcome the New Year and we reflected on the year past.

2008 was a "mixed year", we decided. There were tremendous blessings.....which should always be remembered and treasured first in a recap of this sort. Some of the highlights...

~We thought back over the big milestones the granddaughters made in development. Libby and Aubree are jabbering all over the place.....as all little girls do. Libby was walking like a champ yesterday, changing directions, going in circles, and walking the length of our hall. Her splints are making a big difference...even when she doesn't have them on! Mia is just ready to launch...look out when she does!

~We remembered the joy of getting another grandchild....our little (yeah, right) Joe! He's brought us all kinds of smiles already in his 6 months of being here.

~Rick discovered NASCAR (after 10 years of giving me grief for being a fan). We traveled to 4 races....since he likes it now :)

~ We traveled to New Orleans and enjoyed the sights, sounds, smells and flavors of this delightful city......we hope rebuilding and regeneration of the positive kind can continue.

~I got to go on the road with Rick for some of his work trips. We always have fun after he finishes his work days and look forward to doing some more in the coming year.

~We experienced all kinds of blessings from God. Rick's job was not included in the massive layoff at his plant, we are warm in the winter, cool in the summer, not wanting for any of our needs and enjoying wonderful times of Praise, Worship, Learning and Fellowship through the activities at our church.

The list could go on and on.

All was not rosy, of course. There were times of great sorrow and angst. That is the way life works, isn't it? We suffered great loss at the death of my mother. We anguished over many friends losing jobs. We observed the lingering devastation of Hurricane Katrina and our hearts and prayers went out to those who lived it and to those who are trying every day to recover some semblance of normalcy.

So, I end this post with words of encouragement for those hard times. The times that we tend to allow to overshadow our blessings.

I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT

Happy New Year, and may you graciously receive all the blessings God has for you in 2009.

Hugs, Becky