I just watched the funeral for Senator Ted Kennedy. I learned so much about the man and about how we can all continue to do what is right through personal mistakes, tragedy and adversity.
This quote came up in the interviews following:
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Just check me in . . .
I stopped quilting for others in March of this year - had too many family things going on. Since, I have been called by several customers with requests that I have politely turned down and given the names of other quilts in the area who are good friends and do beautiful work. Yesterday, I had a previous customer call me in tears - yes, I am a sucker for tears. But, I had been thinking of starting again on a limited basis anyway.
I am not sure the family issues will ever be totally quiet, but my parents have adjusted somewhat to being elderly and sick - or else I have adjusted to the fact that I can't make them younger and well again no matter what their requests of me might be. And, I can't move to Missoula which is 200 miles away. Now - having an apartment in Missoula where I could just go and sew - that might work? No way - banish that thought!
So - I am starting to take in quilts again. I have a lady bringing (hope the tears are over) three this afternoon. I am kind of excited again about it. I am going to order a quilt top from eBay and cut it into 4 pieces - so must find the right one. I am then going to quilt it at 4 price levels so customers can see what they pay for before I end up doing custom for E2E prices just because I think it "needs it". And - I am going to do two with a busy back and machine starts and stops and two with a plain back and buried threads - so they can see - and be prepared - to pay the difference. I should piece my own, but I think I can find one on eBay - or do you know of any available for a good price?
I think this might just work. I will see how it goes with my return customer and the ones I kept (several very close friends). Then I may officially hang out my shingle again.
We are planning to do some traveling this fall and winter - so I am going to have to be careful and try to get tough when there are tears.
I am not sure the family issues will ever be totally quiet, but my parents have adjusted somewhat to being elderly and sick - or else I have adjusted to the fact that I can't make them younger and well again no matter what their requests of me might be. And, I can't move to Missoula which is 200 miles away. Now - having an apartment in Missoula where I could just go and sew - that might work? No way - banish that thought!
So - I am starting to take in quilts again. I have a lady bringing (hope the tears are over) three this afternoon. I am kind of excited again about it. I am going to order a quilt top from eBay and cut it into 4 pieces - so must find the right one. I am then going to quilt it at 4 price levels so customers can see what they pay for before I end up doing custom for E2E prices just because I think it "needs it". And - I am going to do two with a busy back and machine starts and stops and two with a plain back and buried threads - so they can see - and be prepared - to pay the difference. I should piece my own, but I think I can find one on eBay - or do you know of any available for a good price?
I think this might just work. I will see how it goes with my return customer and the ones I kept (several very close friends). Then I may officially hang out my shingle again.
We are planning to do some traveling this fall and winter - so I am going to have to be careful and try to get tough when there are tears.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Firsts . . .
This is a list from FB - but being as I am not doing much with FB and I love these kind of things, I thought I would do it here. Try it yourself if you like and let me know so I can read yours as well.
1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Roger
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? NO!
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? home-made dandelion wine - yuk
4. What was your FIRST job? babysitting
5. What was your FIRST car? a new Black with red interior, Chevy II - cute car
6. Who was the FIRST person to text/IM you today? I don't do text or IM
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Weston - it is his birthday
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Archer
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Home to Montana from New York City
10. Who was your FIRST best friend? Diana
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? Diana
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Bob
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Make the bed and take a shower
15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? probably the Lennon Sisters at the State Fair - would that be considered a concert?
16. FIRST tattoo? none
17. FIRST piercing? ears at 20
18. FIRST foreign country you went to? Canada
19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? not a clue
20. When was your FIRST detention? never did get that
21. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? more physics
22. Did you marry the FIRST person to ask for your hand in marriage? yes - shouldn't have
23. What was the FIRST sport that you were involved in? bowling
24. What were the FIRST lessons you ever took? piano
25. What is the FIRST thing you do when you get home? get into my "comfy" clothes
26. When/Where was your FIRST kiss? 5th grade - end of the school year -
27. Who do you think will be the FIRST person to post this next? who knows
1. Who was your FIRST prom date? Roger
2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love? NO!
3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink? home-made dandelion wine - yuk
4. What was your FIRST job? babysitting
5. What was your FIRST car? a new Black with red interior, Chevy II - cute car
6. Who was the FIRST person to text/IM you today? I don't do text or IM
7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning? Weston - it is his birthday
8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher? Mrs. Archer
9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane? Home to Montana from New York City
10. Who was your FIRST best friend? Diana
11. Where was your FIRST sleep over? Diana
12. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today? Bob
14. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning? Make the bed and take a shower
15. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to? probably the Lennon Sisters at the State Fair - would that be considered a concert?
16. FIRST tattoo? none
17. FIRST piercing? ears at 20
18. FIRST foreign country you went to? Canada
19. FIRST movie you remember seeing? not a clue
20. When was your FIRST detention? never did get that
21. What is something you would learn if you had the chance? more physics
22. Did you marry the FIRST person to ask for your hand in marriage? yes - shouldn't have
23. What was the FIRST sport that you were involved in? bowling
24. What were the FIRST lessons you ever took? piano
25. What is the FIRST thing you do when you get home? get into my "comfy" clothes
26. When/Where was your FIRST kiss? 5th grade - end of the school year -
27. Who do you think will be the FIRST person to post this next? who knows
Friday, August 21, 2009
Too quiet here . . .
The beautiful little smiling face is gone for another year. We loved our time here with Meagan and Roy. Meagan and Weston became such wonderful friends. 
Here are some pictures of their time here together. The first one shows them all bundled up on the couch watching "The Pink Panther" cartoons for the umpteenth million time. We were in the middle of having the entire heating and water system replaced so on the cold mornings (very unusual for August in Montana), we had to start a fire and cuddle up.
One of the things both Meagan and Westn love do to a lot was play in the water. Here is one of the days in the hot tub. They also visited the splash park and a couple swimming pools. They are just like little fish and it is hard to get them out once they are wet.
The highlight of her time here for sure was the horseback riding. She wanted so badly to ride a horse. One of our very best friends offered to help so she spent several hours with her getting started and finally riding. They said she is a natural with the way she stays loose and her love for it. I guess Grandma will have to get a horse and learn more about riding as well. It is something I have always wanted - since 
I was Meagan's age. Maybe it is never too late to have that happy childhood, huh? The last picture shows the pure joy she felt. I guess it was the highlight of our time here as well to see her so happy.
Here are some pictures of their time here together. The first one shows them all bundled up on the couch watching "The Pink Panther" cartoons for the umpteenth million time. We were in the middle of having the entire heating and water system replaced so on the cold mornings (very unusual for August in Montana), we had to start a fire and cuddle up.
One of the things both Meagan and Westn love do to a lot was play in the water. Here is one of the days in the hot tub. They also visited the splash park and a couple swimming pools. They are just like little fish and it is hard to get them out once they are wet.
The highlight of her time here for sure was the horseback riding. She wanted so badly to ride a horse. One of our very best friends offered to help so she spent several hours with her getting started and finally riding. They said she is a natural with the way she stays loose and her love for it. I guess Grandma will have to get a horse and learn more about riding as well. It is something I have always wanted - since 
I was Meagan's age. Maybe it is never too late to have that happy childhood, huh? The last picture shows the pure joy she felt. I guess it was the highlight of our time here as well to see her so happy.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
More on facebook . . .
This is a fun article on Facebook people. Click anywhere in this sentence to go there.
I think I am "The Lurker" on FB. Does one of them fit you? Kind of funny.
In Missoula again - not sure why I don't just get an apartment over here. Both grandkids are with us and we just spent 2 hours in the pool - ready for the day.
I think I am "The Lurker" on FB. Does one of them fit you? Kind of funny.
In Missoula again - not sure why I don't just get an apartment over here. Both grandkids are with us and we just spent 2 hours in the pool - ready for the day.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Just a note . . .
The picture is a cute one of the grandkids waiting for lunch yesterday. I just had to share - we are continuing to have a lot of fun, but I am finding I am "feeling my age" - now if I could only "act my age".I am slowly unhooking from Facebook and wanted to let readers here know. It has become a great way for our family, close and extended, to stay in touch as well as my local quilting art group. It seems to be a repeat of all of the wonderful blogs and discussion boards that I follow for my fiber art and quilting friends who inspire me with their beautiful work. So, I have decided to keep Facebook for mostly family and non-quilting friends. I know that is weird, but I it helps my aging brain to keep things separate. I am also one of those who doesn't like to mix my food up on my plate - and I usually eat all of one thing before going on to another.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wonder-Full Days
We have had so much fun since Roy and Meagan arrived last Wednesday. The first big excitement was that President Obama flew into our airport and had a town hall meeting here. None of us were able to see it "live", but Roy and Rainy (Stan's wife) got up really early to go stand in line for tickets, but didn't get any. We did go out on Friday evening and saw Air Force One parked at our airport. I couldn't believe how emotional it was just to see that big bird there representing our country and known around the world. It was a cool, rainy night as many of ours have been lately.
Meagan and Weston have become fast friends even though Meagan is almost 6 and Weston is almost 4 - an interesting age difference. Weston is all about anything you can drive and loves the big old John Deere tractor. Meagan loves all of the girly things and she got new boots, a 
hat and a cowgirl shirt and belt to show off - all in her "Portland Style". We are loving every minute of their time here. Weston comes out to visit each day for a while and has stayed over night once.These are "wonder-full" days for sure!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Living life is a full time job . . .
So here it is - the first week of August is gone and I am way behind on my blogging as usual. But it is all about living life - sometimes living this wonderful life takes up all of the time so there is no time left to talk about living it.
The photo - just because I think photos are good in blogs - is from an antique quilt that is at the Museum of the Rockies here in
Bozeman. It is a wonderful museum if you are ever in the area. It is the premier site for dinosaur exhibits, but they also have a nice antique quilt collection. This particular quilt is one I am going to do a little talk on as part of a seminar our Bozeman Quilt Study Group is doing in a couple weeks. It was created about 1860 in Ohio and came to Montana in the early 1900's and was donated by the family to the musem. It is a "rose cross" applique pattern. We have selected 8 quilts to share that evening as well as having a panel with some local experts to answer questions. It is fun studying and putting this together, but has been quite a bit of work for all of us.
The past week I was planning to go to Denver to take in a quilt shop hop with my good friend from there, but life again intervened and I went to Missoula. Dad took a bad turn, has rallied some, but I am glad I went that way.
We are planning to purchase a motorhome this fall and have been studying and looking at quite a few. Everytime we see something that might work, we go wherever we need to see it. We saw two more last evening, but neither of them were quite right for us - at least not yet. Maybe we will not find what we want, but we decided this morning to wait until our Seattle trip next month where we will have a larger inventory at dealers and private sales for our continued searching. And - life is pretty darn full between now an then so we need to get with living it.
And - the biggest news - my son, Roy, from Portland and our granddaughter, Meagan, are coming on Wednesday of this week for 10 days. It is like a dream come true for us all. It is going to be an amazing time. Meagan wants to do lots of things special while she is here - she wants to be sure to show us how well she can swim, she wants to ride a horse ( we have that covered) and she wants Grandma to make her a new skirt - I can do that even if I have to give up sleeping.
It just doesn't get any better than this.
The photo - just because I think photos are good in blogs - is from an antique quilt that is at the Museum of the Rockies here in
Bozeman. It is a wonderful museum if you are ever in the area. It is the premier site for dinosaur exhibits, but they also have a nice antique quilt collection. This particular quilt is one I am going to do a little talk on as part of a seminar our Bozeman Quilt Study Group is doing in a couple weeks. It was created about 1860 in Ohio and came to Montana in the early 1900's and was donated by the family to the musem. It is a "rose cross" applique pattern. We have selected 8 quilts to share that evening as well as having a panel with some local experts to answer questions. It is fun studying and putting this together, but has been quite a bit of work for all of us.The past week I was planning to go to Denver to take in a quilt shop hop with my good friend from there, but life again intervened and I went to Missoula. Dad took a bad turn, has rallied some, but I am glad I went that way.
We are planning to purchase a motorhome this fall and have been studying and looking at quite a few. Everytime we see something that might work, we go wherever we need to see it. We saw two more last evening, but neither of them were quite right for us - at least not yet. Maybe we will not find what we want, but we decided this morning to wait until our Seattle trip next month where we will have a larger inventory at dealers and private sales for our continued searching. And - life is pretty darn full between now an then so we need to get with living it.
And - the biggest news - my son, Roy, from Portland and our granddaughter, Meagan, are coming on Wednesday of this week for 10 days. It is like a dream come true for us all. It is going to be an amazing time. Meagan wants to do lots of things special while she is here - she wants to be sure to show us how well she can swim, she wants to ride a horse ( we have that covered) and she wants Grandma to make her a new skirt - I can do that even if I have to give up sleeping.
It just doesn't get any better than this.
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