Hello! I know it’s been a very long time since you heard anything from me. I know it might be a surprise to everyone that I have been filling my days with work and crochet. 🙂 How about you all? I haven’t heard from some of you for a while either. My next big thing is a yarn installation that I’ve been working on since June 2019 and it’s part of Lindsborg’s Celebration of Spring day, called Lindsborg in Bloom. This year it’s on Saturday, April 24, 2021. I have already embellished the lime green bike in the window of the Good Merchant store. And weather permitting, I will finish up on Friday before the event. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

I didn’t share this photo yesterday on my post. But I did share it on Facebook and Instagram. I need to explain why my brothers were wearing these checked dresses. My Mama was a seamstress and sewed lots of things in her lifetime. She sewed for all her immediate family. She made all of our clothes (except the boys jeans). My brothers shirts and our dresses were made all by our Mama.

Anyway, back to the story of why my brothers were wearing dresses. My Mama decided that she wanted to make dresses for her three nieces that lived in California at the time. She found out their dress sizes and needed models for them. I bet it was Dean’s idea to have their picture taken in them. He looks the orneriest. 🙂 What do you think? I would love to see a picture of my cousins in these dresses some day. Kathy, Jeanine, and Roxanne; where’s your photo? I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday.

I couldn’t go another day without telling you about my brothers.  My family was a very close family growing up. Notice the shirts that they were wearing? My Mom made them of course. We only had each other to play with as my Mom was a stay at home mom and my Dad was always working to provide for all of us. I remember fighting a lot, but also I remember love. As I remember my Mom taught all of us to do the cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, laundry and sewing. My brothers were no exception. We had our chores to do and we had to do those every day as part of a family that was just something that you did. After we did our chores we could play and have fun. I’m sure she was relieved to have us all out of the house and we could play for hours outside. My brothers taught my sister and I to play in the mud, make mud pies, and make roads for our toy cars. As we all got older my Dad started working on motorcycles and he built us a couple of motorcycles so that we could all have them to ride. My brothers showed my sister and I how to ride them and how to drive an old pickup with the gear shift on the column. I remember sitting on my oldest brothers’ lap steering and shifting, while he was working the brake and clutch. My Mom always said that whatever one wouldn’t think of the other ones would. They got into some trouble but they were always looking out for their little sisters.

As they started dating. My sister and I were ruthless to the girls they dated. But the best girls all stayed and they each married one by one and left the house. My sister and I were sad when they left but life does go on. All of my sister-in-laws are the best because they take care of our brothers like we would take care of them.

Of course our Mom made our dresses and I do believe I was wearing crocheted gloves. Ha! Ha!

As we got older and started dating my Dad didn’t have to worry too much, because he always had my brothers to make sure that our dates would behave themselves. They ran a lot of them off by just hanging around as they would arrive. I’m not sure what they said to them as they waited for us to get ready, but I’m sure it was something to scare them off. They were always quick to tease us but always there to protect us too. My middle brother told me way after I got married that if my date and I would have turned our car around we would have run right into him.

My oldest brother Tom was a diesel mechanic who worked for a trash hauling company here in Wichita and serviced all of their trucks. (He is now retired) He is married and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren.

My middle brother Dean was a Machinist Lead and worked for an aircraft company here in Wichita. He supervised machinist that made aircraft parts that were made out of steel, aluminum, brass and bronze. These are only a few of the materials that he turned on a lathe.  He and his wife have 5 children 13 grandchildren, 1 on the way and a 3 great grandchildren. (Dean passed away in December 2010) I miss him so!

My third brother Terry is a farmer and also works part time as a bus driver and maintenance for the schools in Madison, Kansas. (he is semi-retired) Terry is married and has 4 children. 7 grandchildren and 1 on the way.

I am very proud of all of them and I know they have learned to work on all kinds of equipment and I believe they could probably fix anything and they learned all of these things by hanging out with my Mom and Dad.

 

 

I love you Tommy, Deanie, and Terry.

*This was from a post that I wrote on February 2010 when I was the blogger for Leisure Arts website called Crochet Soiree (which is no longer). I hope everyone enjoys looking at these photos from the past with me. Happy Wednesday!

This is so ironic. I ran across this story in my memories on Facebook. I was just talking to Tim, my friend this morning about another friend of mine who is paralyzed from the chest down. This story reminds me of my friend who is paralyzed! No matter how I am feeling when I stop by to see him, my challenges seem so small. He always seems to encourage me, even though I’m sure he doesn’t even know it. 🙂 I hope everyone of you are able to spread some encouragement along your travels today. Please read on.

“Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.

His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation..

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ‘Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

“Today is a gift. That is why it is called The Present.”

The origin of this letter is unknown, but please pass it on.

Share it with friends and tag them so the cycle continues … Do not keep this letter … You could change a life too!”

I found this quote a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. I forget to mention yesterday that I will get to see Joshua next Friday for the first time in 2 years. I can’t tell you how excited I am about that. Anyway, get the tissues ready.

“A mother is her son’s home base. You are home to him. When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble a little farther and then come back.

When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile. When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you 20 times in a row, because you’re the only one who will listen that many times. When he plays a sport (in Joshua’s case a dramatic play), he will search for your face in the stands.

When he is sick, he will call you. When he really messes up, he will call you.

When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious.

Even when he grows up and has a new person in his life and gets a new home you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun. (I had to remind myself of this over and over when he moved to New York 9 years ago)

Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.”

My friend of 50 years asked me to go to Connecticut with her this Friday. We will be gone for a week and a half.

If you are wondering? Yes, this has been in the planning stages since the first part of the year. My friend is a very talented artist who loves all things fiber. She weaves, knits, crochets, hooks, embroiders, sews, etc. etc. the list goes on and on.

Anyway, she has done two yarn installations in Westville, Connecticut and her creations hung on and in trees during their ArtWalk. This is a quote from an interview with my friend; “I wanted to make something that makes people slow down and smile.”

Well….I hope people will slow down and smile again when they see the creative things that she has come up with for this year’s ArtWalk.

An over 6 foot long gecko lizard hanging from a 2-story building and decorated trees and bicycles are some of things that will be covered with yarn. Surely these pieces of art will make people slow down and smile! I am helping her by crocheting flowers and will help her crochet pieces to cover the bicycles once we get there. While she’s driving I will be crocheting as many flowers as I can. 🙂

I can hardly wait to start this adventure with my dear friend, Lisa. How’s your week going?

 

 

 

 

When your Dad and I got married I knew I wanted to have a child. So three months later when I found out that I was pregnant I was so happy. I can tell you this; I loved every minute of carrying you for nine months and 2 weeks. Even though I was to the point that I thought I was going to be pregnant for the rest of my life, I still enjoyed it. In the 70’s when you were born the doctors didn’t do sonograms unless there was a problem with the pregnancy. Since I was not having any problems my doctor chose not to do a sonogram. So I didn’t know whether you were going to be a boy or a girl. Your Dad convinced me that we should have a boy first so that’s what we were hoping for.

But when you arrived and I found out that you were a girl; I was secretly very happy. (That’s you on the left and your cousin Jarred on the right.) I always thought it would be fun to have a mini-me running around.

I thought I would share some photos of you growing up. I can’t believe all of the studio pictures that I had taken. You were unbelievable when it came to taking pictures. On our way to the studio you would be crying and as soon as the lights came on and the camera started flashing you would just smile.

In one of your pictures you may see a tear in her eye but you still had a smile on your face. How could I resist buying the pictures when you were so cute?

You loved your cousin Jarred who was born the day after you and your Aunt Jackie and I both had the same doctor and we were in the same hospital room. You grew up just like brother and sister and fought just like it too. 🙂

You were always such a social butterfly and you always loved playing with your cousins

neighbors, and friends.

And I’m happy to say that you still are a social butterfly and you never seem to meet a stranger.

Sorry about not having more pictures of you as a young teenager. I must’ve been too busy with working and Joshua. Oh speaking of Joshua, when John and I were trying to tell you that you were going to have a little brother or sister. We were both so afraid that you would be upset. I still remember when we told you. We were leaving Cholita’s Mexican Restaurant and I turned and said what if I were to tell you that I’m going to have a baby. And you said, “Mommy, I’ve always wanted a brother or sister.”

I was so happy and you were the best big sister; helping to take care of Joshua even going as far as to stay up with him when he was sick. We would take turns rocking him when he didn’t feel well.

Then as history repeats itself you also had always wanted to have a child and when you got married and announced you were pregnant, we were all very happy. Even though you knew the pregnancy was high risk due to your high blood pressure. You went to a high risk doctor for your checkups and tried to do everything he told you to do, but your body had other plans and the doctor put you in the hospital. I remember driving to the hospital after work and helping you to shower and wash your hair every day. I would tuck you in to bed and then cried all the way home. I just remember I was so frightened that I might lose you. Then I remember getting a call from you on Saturday morning on that Labor Day weekend in 2002 your vital signs and the baby’s vital signs were telling the doctor that you needed to deliver some time that weekend. I remember staying at the hospital from Saturday-Monday when they finally took the baby Caesarean.

And even though Megan was very tiny at 3 lbs. 3 oz. she didn’t have to stay in the hospital too awfully long.

As long as I live I will never forget the question Megan asked you just not too long ago. “Mommy how long have you and Gran Gran been friends?” And I love how you answered her; “since I was born.” I think that is so true, because we pretty much grew up together. I hope you have a wonderful birthday today and always. I’ve loved every single minute of the years even through the ups and downs and don’t ever forget that I will always love you!

This is a copy of a post from February 27, 2015. I so miss writing on here, but can’t seem to find the time to pick it back up. When I read this post from 2015, I loved it so much that I thought it would be a good read for all of you again. I hope everyone is having a good year and try not to stress so much! LOL

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with a raised glass of water. Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’…She fooled them all… “How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile. Answers called out ranged from 8 ozs. to 20 ozs. She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an Ambulance. In each case it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “and that’s the way it is with stress. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won’t be able to carry on.” “As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden – holding stress longer and better each time practiced. So, as early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night, pick them up tomorrow.

1 * Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can’t push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY

20 *Save the earth…..It’s the only planet with chocolate!* I THINK!!!!

Today someone asked me if I liked you. I laughed, and I said, “Ha! That’s funny!! I absolutely LOVE them!! They are caring, crazy as heck, sweet, beautiful, they are reading this blog post right now and I love them!!” Be the kind of person that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says~~ “Oh Crap, They Are up!”

One of my dear friends, Linda sent the above items in an email. I liked it so much I had to share it with all of you. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I know I am planning on it and hopefully will have some crocheted things to share. This was my way of trying to de-stress.  🙂

I just wanted to stop by to let everyone know that I’m still alive and kicking. John and I are two of the many vendors at the first annual arts and crafts show at St. Jude’s Catholic School today from 9-3. The school is located next to the church at 3030 N. Amidon in Wichita, Kansas.

I have lots of children and baby hats for girls and boys. I also have a variety of adults hats as well as scarves.

I also have a few one of a kind items. If you make it by the booth ask me about them. Ok? Love you all and I hope to get back to blogging real soon. I have a lot to tell you. I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Saturday and weekend.

I have heard this saying a lot lately and I remember my Mom telling me that she was a little worried about this same thing.

I had thought about it and had seen other families as they went through the process of losing both of their parents.

Sometimes I noticed that the families would just drift apart.

And I wondered how this would affect our family as well.

So I took notice when our brother Dean passed away it was very hard to watch both of my parents grieve for their son. We still tried to gather around our parents to soothe all of our grief.

Then less than a year later our Daddy passed away and we all rallied around our Mom to soothe her grief.

When Mom became ill with Alzheimer’s, we once again rallied for our Mom.

All the time I kept wondering how her passing would affect our family closeness and I remembered what she had said to me about how she worried that her children would lose touch with each other when she was gone. Through all of this I love the way that Jackie has been the one to make sure that we all stay in touch. By either a phone call to each of us or by organizing an impromptu breakfast because Terry was going to be in town.

I appreciate Jackie’s ability to gather everyone together and I love her for that.

Mark and Jackie graciously welcomed us into their home one Sunday in May and Jackie cooked up a wonderful breakfast and we all gathered and visited and had a good day.

This last week  my brother Terry and his wife Cathy were going to be in Wichita and I was on vacation so I had them over for an impromptu lunch.  Unlike Jackie I didn’t have any luck gathering any of the other siblings, but I had a much needed one on one visit with Terry and Cathy. Anyway, I was wondering about other people’s family dynamics after their parents pass away. Do you struggle with keeping the family together or is it easy for you?