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I am worried for my friend Joanne. She was so helpful and kind to me during Roger's illness and now she is facing serious problems of her own affecting her husband's health. I can't stop thinking about them and I'm too far away to do much of anything useful. Maine is a long way away. Think good thoughts for my friends if you are so inclined.
I have had a bit of a horrible week here. Last Friday would have been our 27th anniversary. Friday was the culmination of a really awful week. I could feel myself stating to lose it all during the week. I was finally done in by the snow and ice. As I've mentioned here (too often, sorry)-I live up here on a hill. A rather big hill in the best of weather. Throw in a little ice and, putting it mildly, we're screwed. The addition of 4-wheel drive does nothing in the face of a couple of inches of solid ice frozen over a fairly deep crust of slush. Couldn't find anyone to come and help and Bob had many important meetings and a company dinner thing during the week. He just closed his eyes and kept going over the ice which made it even slicker. James tried to come and help but his car actually got stuck sideways in the drive with the bumper over the Belgium Block. Then, while attempting to remove the inch-thick coating of ice on my Explorer, without my realizing it, the plastic end came off the scraper and the metal part scratched my windows and left a scratch in the hood of my pretty car. There was so much of this ice covering the already deep snow that it looked like the glaze on a donut outside. Ice EVERYWHERE! I never made it out of the house one day after last Monday until yesterday. I'm the last one to get hysterical about the weather and I usually don't even mind being snowed in but this last couple of weeks have really done me in. It just brought to light all the things that Roger and James used to do to make life function smoothly around here. Strangely enough, there are a number of people in town who do plowing but once that ice set and crusted and got driven over, nothing but chemicals and higher temps was going to move it. A good friend of ours worked for the Town for 35+ years and recently retired. He was the guy who plowed the roads around here. Naturally, after 35 years he could plow on a dime and was very good at his job. They have a new plow guy and I'm sure in time he will get the hang of it...that is if a mob carrying flaming torches doesn't get him first. All over town people are going crazy because he has done the worst job of plowing you could imagine. The road I live on is good and wide-wider than most around the village. He has turned it into a one and a half lane mess. I see the same thing all over. Around the Library is a pretty big mess as well. Oh Lord, this just seems to be the winter of our discontent...sorry Mr. Shakespeare.
Yesterday we went to the annual Super Bowl fiesta at Joe & Jeri's house. Lots of people came this year since the temps went up to 46 and it was a spectacular day. More please! Anyway, I just go for the goodies. One of the ladies makes cream puffs. Forget all the other food. I just wait for dessert and the cream puffs. Although I did have a glass or two of a nice red....Oh, and maybe a couple of snacky things...alright, maybe more than a couple....and some shrimp...and a smidge of pulled pork...yes, that's right, a smidgen. That is if a smidgen were a very large spoonful on a nice roll....urp!
I did manage to do some sewing and took the advice of Gypsy Quilter on framing the crosses. It does look nice-thanks a bunch for the idea. I've got about 12 blocks done. More pics to come. I've really strayed from the original concept of making a quilt that looks like the one V, of Bumble Beans made. That's still something I want to do because I covet that quilt so much.
BIL Bob is leaving for 2 weeks+ on a cruise so I'll be hanging around here getting used to life in a new way. I used to think it would be good to be the Queen. Not so much now. I'm having dinner with James & Dani & Lucy later this week and with other friends next weekend. I'll get used to it...eventually.
Stay warm..
10 comments:
There isn't much worse than a layer of ice over everything. About the only thing you can do is wait for it to melt. At least you have quilt blocks to work on! I think the crosses look very pretty with the white borders.
I hope you get some sun and warmer temps soon.
Just remember everything you are feeling is completely normal and actually it is wonderful that you are open to sharing your challenges with all of us!
Every single anniversary is a reminder of then and now.... as is every challenge to you...physically and emotionally.
Your quilt blocks are lovely and full of cheer. You don't need to have them be like anyone else's they should be what you need now for where you are at. The cross is a crossroad, the path of the four directions, the compass points for finding our way, as well as the spiritual significance of giving to others. You will find your path, your way, your compass points and directions...one crossroad after another.
You are an amazing woman, Dee.It was just time to cry uncle and no fair and make a big scratch in the surface of things as they were. And it never ever seems fair. Too soon, too much all at once. But it will get better!!! ((((warm hugs for Deeeeee))))
Dee, I hear you! winter has been rough for you, let alone the crappy ice... All is healthy though to have your feelings... I love your scrappy blocks! and I really like your crosses! I am happy that they are becoming the quilt YOU would make. That is the way it should be...
hugs!
Dee, it would be tough enough to lose your best friend and lover. But throw in the holidays, a miserable winter, an anniversary and just the life crap, it would be overwhelming for even the most stalwart. So hop a plane and come to Palm Springs for a week or so. Seriously. I'll take good care of you. (No cream puffs though...)
As I'm reading your words, it seems that I'm hearing my sweet Aunt Bett whisper "Bless your heart." She used to say that often...and especially when a person would share her woes...and Aunt Bett really didn't know what else to say, yet she wanted to bring comfort and love to the situation.
Those words always brought warmth to me...and others.
"Bless your heart, Dee." Love and hugs from frigid ND.
There is NOTHING I hate more than Winter ice over lumpy snow. The first year we had Riley, I fell so many times. I had to go out but I was getting beat up so badly. My husband also takes care of all the snow related stuff around here and I try and keep the driveway clear of ice by chipping away on sunny days.
Since we are so alike: when we know we can't go someplace, we want to go someplace. Try reverse psychology. Telling yourself how lucky you are to be up on that icy hill, not needing to go anywhere.
And then get someone to come spread salt and sand or calcium cloride which is safe for lawns and plants.
I guess you don't have a garage?
Loving the crosses with the borders. And whatever that is with the American Jane in 15 minutes. I'll have to have a closer look.
Your good thoughts are working--we are having a good day.
I really adore your cross blocks and love the fabric scraps you used for the 15 minute ones....
Un saluto affettuoso dall'Italia...
Ciao! ;)
I hope many more warm(er) sunny days come your way soon. And I hope the weather improves too. Your blocks are so cheery: they're like little rays of sunlight.
Life has piled on at every level. My heart goes out to you. The spirit of our beloved lives within, and all around us - and it can help us live out each day if we look for the good in life (as best we can). It seems you are focusing on negative, which can make the days longer. This winter sucks, but imagine if you had to be out working in it, instead of staying within a warm room pursuing your hobby. Let up on others, and you may find that you become more free and comfortable within your heart as well. Blessings.
Anita S.
These 15 min play blocks are looking great! I love them and the modernness that they present.
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