Thoughts on Recuperating

Greetings dear readers and apologies for

my absence. 

My time for recuperating is quickly ending.
My recollection of arriving here today consists
of the count down of days to surgery. 

Surgery could not have come any sooner.
As the fear of the procedure was surrmounted by
the desire to have the horrific constant pain cease.
And cease it did...instantly.  Pain gone, nausea and
insomnia commenced. The retched nausea is the worst.

Its all finally behind me.  I can now concentrate,
read for more than a few minutes, pin happily
on Pinterest and write the occasional post.

The past weekend was inspiring. 
Last Saturday, I visited the beauty parlor, first time
in nearly 90 days, where whatever you pay is cheaper
than therapy, and later walked (exercise with a
purpose) the Road to California quilt show.

It looks like pillows in rows but it is a quilt.

Modern Quilts

It's a optical illusion.  Such talented quilters.

This one reminded Mr. Lee of Phoebe Buffay's
Gladys and Glynnis paintings (Friends, Season 10,
Episode 6).   

Three of my favorites:

Check out her read frames and the daisy wheels.

This calendar was a top quilt at the 2015  QuiltCon.

And dinner after the show:

El Pescador Mexican Grill

Tasty fixings.  

Happiness All Around

The years are ticking away.

Best Friends.

 

Play is hard work.

Necessary to develop character.

Laugh through the hurt.

That's Holly at the bottom of the pile.

Laughing.

Pinata time.

Learning to move through periods of 

darkness.  Preparing for years of 

standing in line patiently.

That's Jodi patiently reading Holly's birthday cards.
Without Jodi I don't think I could have
survived Holly's pregnancy.  We commuted to
and from work on the train.  Jodi carried
my backpack and walked me to our shuttle bus.
She encouraged and cheered me on.
When you don't think the Lord
is listening look around.

Pumpkin Cottage.

Nothing is better than having those
who love and support you
around you in times of difficulty and joy.

There's nothing you can do
that's more important than
being fulfilled.

                                      Jose Campbell

Relationships to last a lifetime

Last weekend, Mr. Lee and I attended my 30th high school reunion.
Mr. Lee is younger and has NO interest in ever attending
a class reunion. 

Its odd, the reactions I got. 
Whatcha, doing this weekend?
Going to my 30th high school reunion.  Why?

 I have nurtured friendships since
kindergarten. The people I attended school with
were real. We were one of the largest classes at 250
strong.  Tiny.   Deeply rooted from the age of innocence.
Relationships are important and require attention.
Plus Aileen, our maid of honor, and her beau Ed
would be there.  

Friend is someone who knows all about you but
loves you anyway.
                                                 ...Anon

Remember, making gum wrapper chains?

On turning 6

The hostess Princess Holly.

Partners in antics.

Secret weapons with "carnie" tendencies.

Seek joy.

Sugar highs.

Newton: For every action, there is always an equal and opposite reaction.

Triumph. 

Kid designed and Daddy cut props.  Oma and Opa, the cheerleaders.

Games.

A royal cake for a future Queen.

It is good to be 6.  Thank you for celebrating
with us.

Rest in Peace

Over eight years ago, I met and immediately co
connected with a colleague.
She was working on her Masters in Public Administration.
She was from the island of Madeira and Portuguese just like me.

So much in common.
She battled breast cancer like a warrior. 
I asked her to continue fighting until her
precious son graduated from high school.

It was not to be.  She grew tired.
She was weary. 
Ready to be called home.

I will miss her.
Until we meet, again.
Rest in peace my dear sweet friend.

Happy Monday

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, 

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

Then you will be able to test and approve what 

God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thinking of the time when mamas didn't work outside of the home.

vintage colors

We had a splendid weekend. Went out for sushi with 
dear friends on Saturday night.  I don't eat sushi but 
I loved watching our whole party enjoy.  
It is a mama's pleasure to 
have a satisfied family.

On Sunday, our friends barbequed for us.
It was a treat to visit together. Visiting with
their dogs only made me miss having a dog 
more.  

No tracking of time on weekends.

Dreaming of stitching. 

Counting Down

Only 5 more working days left...yes,
I have landed a new job and a new adventure.

 


Divine intervention.

In my joy there is a sad thing.
The hardest thing is leaving those I love behind.
I have been blessed to have been sheltered from 
many a tremendous storm.
Ready, set, and here I go.




Did you make chains like this when you were little?
We used to use Juicy fruit and Double Mint wrappers.
And the zebra stripe gum.  What was that called?

Tonight there is no homework beckoning.
Nothing I should be reading just moments of peace.

Art Saves

Art saves....what a blessing to grow up in a crafty family. 

Whether you think you can,
or you think you can't,
you're right.

{Henry Ford}

For always I have thought I could do anything.

If I worked hard enough and wanted it enough. 

I could make it so.

This year shook me to my core and spun

me into a wave of darkness.

An undertow so strong it felt like I was drowning.

A place I felt my soul could not escape.

Art....the creative energy and the love of God pulled me

out. Family and friends demanding I come to the shore.

Our maid of honor surprised us with a visit yesterday.

Totally unexpected and so sweet.  

I needed to see her face...to hug her.

Such a comfort to have a lifelong friend or two.

We don't have to explain anything we know the long 

and short stories of our shared lives.

Our children, our broken hearts and success stories

all out on the table. 

What a treat to be together.  

The last time Aileen visited our home

was nearly 11 years ago for our wedding. 

Our men get along very well.  

They enjoyed cigars as 

we gardened a bit.  Aileen always prepared..

see the gloves in her hand?

Truly we are family.

Arriving in America

Today marks our arrival to Boston in 1969. 
Soon after we moved to Half Moon Bay, California.
Where we met and fell in love with the Dale family. 
They lived right across Main Street from us.
We didn't speak a word of English, but
I reasoned they had a swing set.
Better yet, we had five kids and they had seven.
I was the baby of our family and
my new bosom friend, Chrisy,
was the baby of her family.

That's my mother and Miss Shirley Dale, Chrisy's ma.
I learned to make chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen of this very
house.  Miss Dale, as my mother always called her not as a formality
but as a sign of deep regard and respect, always had a house full
of children and their friends. We played teacher, bank teller, jacks, and
all kinds of board games. 


These women are both gone now but their resilient nature
and generous hearts are long remembered.

My mother used to say, "I have never gone hungry in America."
It is important to add that we were also blessed with a family of friends.

Being Surrounded by Angels

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.  Mother Teresa

In the end,  all I will recall is the light of God and
the intervention of friends.