BERT ???? - 2011

May the Creator shelter you in his hand. May the last embrace of the mother welcome you home. Fly high, little one.

Update to Challenge of the Day

Both cards have been misplaced. She has created a third one. All is well.

Challenge of the Day

Today, my mom, who is suffering from Alzheimer's, faced a challenge and did pretty good. She wanted to send a card to my grandson for his upcoming high school graduation. This, in itself, was a big step. She spent a long time in her room, searching for just the right thing. When she was done, she signed the card and brought it to me for my "approval." It was a Christmas card. When I asked her if she was sure that she wanted to send this card, and pointed out that it was more directed for a holiday greeting than a graduation, she thought about it for a while and said she did. So, okay. That was her choice and my grandson would be okay with it, knowing she was sending her best wishes. Later, she came back and asked me to help her find a different card. Upon consideration, she had changed her mind about the card and was again looking through the hundreds of cards she has stockpiled away during the years. We finally found one that was "right" for the occasion and she beamed with happiness. It was a picture of a beautiful sailboat and blank inside. She could write her own short message. Mission accomplished.

Oh, Well

It is snowing. Again. That, plus freezing rain. So I'm indoors, you know. Again.

As long as there has been snow and ice outside, my orthopedic surgeon has made me keep my broken ankle/leg in safer places. The bones have healed, but my leg is not strong, yet. For the last couple of days, there has been a tiny path that I could follow from door to car. I was free! I had a pedicure...went grocery shopping...checked the mail at the post office...made it to the pharmacy. Small stuff, but it seemed like an incredible luxury. Now, I'm back inside, no driving, no freedom, for a while. Until this batch of slippery, slid-ey stuff...or the next...or the next...is gone.

This is the very first year I've ever gotten cabin fever and it stinks. Who would think I could get so very frustrated at chilling out with my leg elevated? Thank goodness I got my little Nook color for Christmas!

Spring for a Day

It is 60 degrees outside! Spring is here, but just for one day. The four feet of snow on the deck is slowly melting. Drips off the roof are as thick as a heavy rainstorm. It is wonderful! Even if it does get cold and snow again, the promise of spring is enough to recharge my spirits. For the last two mornings, a cardinal has been singing under my bedroom window. I spotted a robin. All is well.

I'm Just a Valentine Curmudgeon

$472.25. According to one web site, this is what the AVERAGE person spends on Valentine's Day. I cannot believe that a pseudo-holiday merits this much attention or expenditure.

Some of you may think that I'm not romantic if I think spending so much is foolish. Think again. My DH and I have been together more than 45 years and are still very much in love. We don't seem to need a mandated day to give each other commercial cards, flowers, and other gifts to cement our relationship. Doing something nice for one another on an everyday basis -- not just once a year when the calendar says it is the right day -- seems to work very well indeed. Which would you prefer: 1 day or 365?

I wonder what someone else is spending to make up for the $944.50 we are not?

Stash, Stash, Stash

I confess. I have a ton of quilting "stash." Another ton of weaving stash. Knitting yarns. Threads. Buttons. Silks. Enough to last for several lifetimes. I keep giving it away, and more seems to appear. I don't buy new (or used, for that matter) stash. I put things on Craigslist, Ebay, Freecycle... There must be stash gremlins hiding things in another dimension and as soon as I rid myself of a bunch of totes full, those totes are full again. In the last year, I've given away more than 50 huge Rubbermaid totes (the ones that measure about 22" x 16" x 15") FULL of stash. I've even given away the containers so that they could not mysteriously refill...but I am STILL finding myself with a ton of stuff that I no longer want or need. I'm making things as quickly as I can. Giving them away to all who will use them. Ah, well, back to stitching and off the computer.