Saturday, December 27, 2008

Christmas 2008



We couldn't really get into the Christmas Spirit this year. My husband said it's because his mom isn't here. I told him we can't use that excuse, because his mom would not want us to. I managed to pull out the Christmas tubs from the shed, but they are still sitting in the back yard, unopened. We promised each other we'll go all out next year.

During 2009, I want to collect stuff to have a Nativity Scene. Last week I watched a PBS show, "California Gold" w/ Huell Howser. The topic was "Nacimientos". OK, I fell in love with the idea, and that is what I'm aiming for, Christmas 2009.

I tried to make handmade gifts this year, for my coworkers and family. I tried, but couldn't quite make the deadline. At least I have a head start for next year's gifts. I still owe my husband a quilt, the one I promised him for our anniversary in September. Maybe I can get it to him for Valentine's Day.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Missing Linda


My mother-in-law passed away October 6, 2008. I miss her. She's been on my mind all day, so I thought I would write a little something about her.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2005. She fought hard for three years. She endured countless rounds of chemo and radiation, a mastectomy, and still more chemo and radiation. She did everything she could possibly do to fight it. It spread to her liver and to her bones. It is still hard to believe how much pain she endured right up until the end.
It's because of her that I started to make quilts. She was always supportive in every new project I started, not just quilting. I love to watch the Martha Stewart Show, and last spring there was a segment on sewing a small purse. I went through my fabric stash and found some small scraps big enough to try out this pattern from the show. I made it, and when Linda came over I showed her. She thought it was just the most clever idea, and she went on and on about how much she liked it, and what a good job I did, etc... I just set it aside and kind of forgot about it. One day the strap broke off of the purse I was using at the time. In a hurry to get to work, I saw that little purse I made and quickly transferred all of my stuff to it. Well Linda saw me with it, and went on and on again about it. Every time she saw me with that dang purse, she would tell me what a good job I did on it.
A week before she passed away, I went over to see her, and I was still using that purse. She was on a heck of a lot of meds, and she was having some trouble speaking, and getting the right words to come out of her mouth. She saw that little purse dangling from my wrist and her eyes lit up and she was still talking about that purse!
We miss her terribly, and are in the middle of planning her Memorial Celebration, to be held one week from today.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Mi Vida Loca





Welcome to my crazy life. In between working and taking care of my husband, two dogs, and cat, I try to find time to quilt, sew, and attempt other crafty projects.