What a week this one was.  We cleaned/purged the back room and it felt so good.  I was tired, no doubt about that but it was a good tired.  Then with the big sidewalk sale on Saturday I was so elated to see all the years of "put it on the shelf" stuff go away.  

I have had two days off, and have spent them here at home, on the farm, and with the farmer, (yikes).  This time of the year I get a little restless to have the house to myself while Dan goes out to work the fields.  So I have worked at maintaining my sanity and sense of humor the last couple of days.  

The part of these two days that has given me the most pleasure is working on my paper piecing.  I love that you can pick it up at anytime, take it with me where ever I go, BUT it does take time and you must be patient.  However I am at a point where I am starting to see results, where I can say I am a certain percentage done.  Progress is so great.

Now I always say there are no rules, so I feel very lucky to have three really nice baskets with three very different paper pieced projects in them.  I grab the one that I think will make me happy at the time.

This is an interesting process, cutting the fabric, folding, stitching.  It give me lots of time to think, and I relate this all to life.  My life may not be perfect, my quilting may not be perfect, but both make me happy.

I am learning a new trick and you will all get to bear with me.  In my process of becoming the master of my own life I decided that it was time for me to learn to be the master of the website.  Well let's just say that this old dog/new trick thing is pretty true.  I have worked for hours, pushed what I thought to be my final button and poof, it is all gone so many times I had to quit and take a nap before my head exploded.  On that joyful note, I am back to my mission, wish me luck. 

Instead of resolutions I always have intentions, and they are always good.  So here are my intentions for the next  30 days......  I will walk everyday, and I will sew something every day.  There have been too many days interrupted from focus.  So now all of you can help me to stay on task.  

I

May 8th, 2009

What a week this has been.  Finished my three week Granny job with little Justin. This has caused me to reflect a lot about Moms and all they do.  Now I can consider myself to be a retired Mom who only responds when called to action, or when a volunteer position arises.

But I have to say at this point in life the ones who deserve the glory are my daughters.  They are the ones who are changing diapers, burping, wiping messes, functioning on little sleep and they are just at the beginning of this journey.  A journey that won't end for a long time.  There will be days when they will feel invisible, unloved, perhaps overlooked in the scheme of life as so much now is about the babies.  As these children grow they will still be the focus and in the supporting roll is the Mom.   Like the person who holds the ladder, never getting as much praise as the one who fixes the light.

These girls also have jobs, husbands, and parents to spread their attention.  Their first role in life was as our daughters, and they did that outstandingly.  Not to say there was never a challenge, but there was so much pride and joy as there continues to be on a daily basis.   They are hard working, responsible and loyal employees to their jobs.  And those traits carry over into their marriages as well.  They choose wonderful, hardworking men for husbands, who in turn have grown into great Dads for these precious grandchildren of ours.  They help out when they can, knowing that many hands lightens the load.   Our family has been through a lot, but we have traveled it together.

So my darling daughters, now the job comes down to raising loving, thoughtful, respectful children who will continue to go out into the world and make it a better place.  It isn't always easy, but it is worth it.  Follow your heart, let your common sense come through in your decisions.  Know that you won't always be loved for what you do or the parenting choices that you make, but always, always do what you feel is right.  Instinct and intuition will help you along the way.  And of course, I will be there to help if I can.  I love you both so much.

So on this Mother's Day, my heart goes to the Moms who are in active service.  Your rewards come in the grins and giggles of your little ones and the joy and gratitude of your parents.

And to my Mom, many thanks and much appreciation for the years of giving.  It does not go forgotten.  I know that you are still there willing to help at anytime.

Well, this has been an interesting week.  I spent three days with my grandson Justin.  It has been a very long time since I spent that much time with a baby, and I know why children are given to the young people.  He was very good, and of course as sweet as sugar.    Now you may know that there are two boys, Justin is three months old and belongs to Jennifer and Zach, and then there is Collin, who is six months old and belongs to Janelle and Brennan.   They are very fun and growing so quickly.  Makes me feel old.

Our shop hop fabric arrived at the shop this week, and hard to believe that it is just eight weeks away.  So much to do to get ready.  Besides all the fun quilting projects there is a chunk of yard work to do, but with the weather we really only have to deal with that one or two days a week.  Here's to more sunshine so there can be afternoons spent on the deck stitching away.

Hope to see you in the shop soon.

Happy spring and happy quilting.....

Greetings everyone,