Tuesday, July 28, 2009

This is for my kids..........

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now,
a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.


I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You nee d to be able to throw something back sometimes.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about .I just did

www.coyotequilts.com

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Whirlwind trip to NY

Good evening all!! Well, I have finally found a few minutes to be able to post some of the pictures that I have downloaded already. The wedding was at Emerson Park in Auburn. I'm not sure if Julie realized it or not, but my side of the family lived and worked in and around Auburn most of their lives. My mother worked in a local shoe factory that closed long before I was born.

Here Julie is getting ready for the big day, discussing what needs to be done when, while her sister Kelly and friend Bethany look on.





Jim and Julie were married in the evening and here she is getting a picture with 'the girls'. They were so proud to be able to be in their Mom and Dad's wedding and were sooooo good.

Ella and Maddi were so proud to walk down the isle in front of Mom with their brother Tanner. They each had baskets of rose petal to 'throw' on the walkway. Afterward Maddi came up to me and said, "Gramma, I still have some left, Ella threw hers all away!" What a hoot.





Here the beautiful bride is walking down the isle with her Dad. It was just about here that Julie started crying. I didn't cry until later.








Here is Jim waiting patiently for Julie. This moment has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait.















HITCHED!!!!




Julie had a memorial of her Grandmother Wager just outside the receptions doors. I was not aware of it until about half way through the reception. Now, this is when I started to cry.

Just knowing that she wanted to have her Grandmother be a part of her wedding when she has been gone from this earth since 1986 touched my heart.




Now it's time to get 'the girls' home and to bed. It is getting late, but how do you get 2 girls that want to party to leave?? Well, they decided that they should have a photo shoot on the way to the car.


They told Pa what pictures to take and posed themselves at different places. Best exit ever thought of! The first is going down the stairs on the first leg of going home.

The next stop was at a sign in the side yard to lean against just so.

The final shot was when Gramma met up with them at the car. We were all pooped, but were in great spirits. Now we are off to our next adventure.


These are just a few pictures I was able to get with my camera. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures that Kelly and the photographer took.

We had 4 days taking care of 'the girls' while Mom and Dad did their honeymoon in Hawaii. Just like Mom and Dad we had a vacation too. We went to an Alpaca Farm, the Lolly Pop Farm and of course swim lessons!! I'll be back to bore you with more pictures when time permits.

Jim, Julie, Tanner, Ella and Maddi------- I love you guys!!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Almost at the end

of our visit. It sure has been filled with going to and fro. Last week it was about the wedding. The wedding was in Auburn, the dress was in Groton, the girls hair was done in Groton, and the tuxes were in Cortland. That was some running that was done. The wedding was good, of course there were some things that didn't go as planned, but the marriage license is signed and they are married. The next week is about the girls. So far we have had fun at an Alpaca farm and visiting different places. The Alpaca farm was lots of fun. There were 5 of us that went to see the Alpacas. My sister and her husband had never been to an Alpaca farm so we dragged them along with us. We fed the Alpacas and Llamas and learned lots of 'stuff' about them. At first it was kinda' scary feeding them, but they eat just like a horse. You have to keep your hand flat and they just pick up what you have laying in your hand and chow down. We were even able to get up close and pet a new born cria. He was only 3 days old and didn't have a name yet. Boy, was he ever cute!!! We also were able to see the chickens, peacock, rabbits and of course the 'barn cat'! Tomorrow it is off to the Lollypop Farm to a petting zoo! As soon as I am able to down load my pictures and bore you with them........

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

www.coyotequilts.com

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Today IS THE day!!!!

Good morning all! Today is THE day for Julie to get married. It is wet and cold here right now. I sure hope it doesn't rain like it is predicted to..... At least it is under cover even though it is outside. Pictures will follow after the deed is done and I get back to Arizona.

Happy Quilting!
Sharon
www.coyotequilts.com

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Busy Life


Yippee!! I spent a grand afternoon with Lynne and she received her birthday surpise. Here is the picture.... I really like this pattern and am making one for myself, but it is going to be in browns instead of greens. I am putting different borders and blocks than in this one.

It's only 4 days until we climb aboard the plane for our trip to NY and it's only a week until Julie and Jim get married. I just hope it stops raining out there so we don't all get water logged.

I have been slowly getting things together that I needed for the trip. I bought my outfit a couple weeks ago and I got my nails done yesterday. I forgot how much I really like having fancy nails!!!

Now, I just need to find a job so I can afford to keep them. My job taking care of Judy ended on June 18th when she was moved to a group home. After Carl's visit to the hospital we decided that we needed to be able to do a few more things and go see family more than we were able to do with Judy here. I am going to go back into Hospice nursing, which I love. I know one outfit that has offered me a job without an interview, but am not sure if I want to go there. It is a new outfit and I'm not sure if I really want to be involved with the 'ground breaking' work that is needed to get a Hospice up and running. The other side of the coin is that I know most of the nurses that work there and that is why I have been offered a job. I'll make that decision when we get back from NY.

I have cleaned carpets and moved things around in the house this past week and then this week all I have done is go running around. Last Saturday Carl & I went to estate/garage sales, Sunday was church, Monday was shoe shopping, Post office run and lunch with Carl, Tuesday was nails and visit Judy, Wednesday was lunch with Lynne, Thursday is going to Janice's to help her figure out her embroidery machines and Friday is a 'need to stay home day'. I wonder how I managed to get my house mostly rearranged, kitchen table cleaned off, kitchen counter cleaned off so we can sit at the bar or table to eat and all of the other sorting and cleaning I have accomplished. We have also managed a walk most every night. Last night we even went out after dark and got an ice cream cone...together!!! It is almost like when we sold the house in Groton and we didn't have any kids at home anymore. I am looking for more fun times together, even the simple things.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon
www.coyotequilts.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Good evening everyone!! I have been trying to get on over here to post happenings, but like always things get in the way..... I also have figured out how to get my pictures where I want them to be! See, even an old lady like me can learn new tricks!!

The biggest news is that Carl goes back to work on light duty starting tomorrow. He isn't able to lift anything over 25 pounds so he will be staying in the office and going to meetings to fill out his time. I finally figured out how to download a photo of him while he was in CCU which started on my phone. This is a couple days after his surgery and was really looking pretty good. He still had lots to tubes hanging around.... This was either April 24th or 25th.

Here he is the first day of our visit from Spencer & his family on the 9th of May. He doesn't look like he had major heart surgery 2 1/2 weeks before this picture, does he?

He still gets tired, but that has been getting better. He is walking all over the place again to get his stamina up. I told him the other day that I was going to have to have major surgery just to be able to keep up with him. Neither one of us realized how slow we were getting. I just thought it was age getting the best of us. He just thought it was his weight and that is why he started on a diet. As of today he has lost about 95 pounds and wants to loose a few more. I am going to have to make up some new patterns and get busy at the sewing machine just so he can have something to cover his bare butt!!!

I have finally gotten my quilting bug back. Just before Carl's surgery I didn't have any ideas or projects going and it has taken some time for me to return to the sewing/quilting room. I finished a project for a friend's birthday and started one for myself. After I am able to give Lynne her present I'll post pics. I don't want to spoil her surprise!!! I even managed to get my sewing room picked up and blocks done for my swaps.

This is the block I made for 3 Sisters Christmas Sampler Swap:


This is for Rebecca and we have swapped several times before so I have to keep coming up with different blocks. While I was looking for fabric for this one I realized I needed to restock my Christmas fabric. What a challenge that will be..... :)




Here are the blocks for the 3 Sisters Tennessee Block swap:

These were sent to Betty H. and Janet H. Eventually I am going to have a king sized quilt made with these blocks. I needed to have several different 5 inch squares of fabric to do this quilt. My dear friends at Quilt In A Day (AKA: QIAD) came through for me. We did a swap of 'nickles' (5 inch square pieces of fabric) and I now have lots and lots of different fabrics to make this a truly scrappy quilt.


This block is a 'Send Along , Sew Along Swap' on QIAD. This one we swap one block with a partner every 2 weeks. My first block went to my pal, Beth, from the Secret Santa we did at Christmas time last year. She loves Asian prints and her favorite colors are red and yellow. I couldn't find the red or yellow fabric I had in mind, but this material really jumped out at me.


The second block I made for this swap is for Jean. She is a newer member of the 'El's Angels' and I have not swapped with her before. This is going to be a treat! I just love getting quilt blocks from around the world.

I suppose I need to get to bed. I get so involved when I am on this computer that time just seems to fly right on by. I am just glad I was able to figure out how to move my pictures and do a little search here and find some interesting features. Keep tuned as I may play some more with my format!!

Happy Quilting,
Sharon

Friday, May 29, 2009

Carl and doings

Good Evening all,

Carl continues to improve each day and the docs are happy with his progress. Today we visited the hospital so he could tell all of the people that helped him while he was there, "Thanks". He wasn't able to see everyone that took care of him, but he did get to see a few. He didn't even know where he was going because the last time he went from room to room and floor to floor he was looking at the ceiling as they wheeled him around in his bed. The floors were quiet because the snow birds have flown home and there are less of them to take care of. This happens every year during the summer. They close down different floors because there isn't enough people there to take care of.

Not much quilting going on just yet. I am in the process of making a couple wallhangings, but I have not pushed myself with it yet. I have also signed up for a couple more blocks to swap in 3 Sisters. They are a bunch of neat quilters. Not a lot of personal stuff going on that site, just swaps. I was going to post the pics I have of the blocks I have already swapped, but I haven't downloaded them from my camera yet. I need some time to do that 'cause I make sure that I put them in the correct folders and label them when I download. That is the only way I am able to keep them organized.

It won't be long now before I am in NY state at my daughters wedding. The days just seem to fly right on by. I received her invite today so I know the date & time LOL....... I did manage to find an outfit to wear, but now I need to get a pair of shoes to match and I want to get my nails done before I fly back. I guess I had better get my buns in gear as I only have a month left to get this stuff done. I sure hope it isn't wet and nasty while I am back there.

Happy Quilting,
Sharon