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Monday, July 17, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


It's that time of year when baseball and sports collecting takes over my life for a few weeks.  I will be unplugged from my blog as I help hubby with his hobby.  I enjoy this time of year, too.  It's a way to step off the treadmill of every day into something a little different.  See you in a few weeks.
Happy Quilting!

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Sunday---Precious Promises


May the Lord bless your and take care of you;
May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;
May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26, Good News Bible

Friday, July 14, 2017

Friday---In Memory


It all began with hurricane Ivan, in 2004.  My hubby being a firefighter, a Chief at the time, volunteered to go to the area and help with recovery.  His area of work was in Lower Alabama and one of his first stops was in Andalusia, Alabama.  There he met Collace and Trudie.  They were a couple in their 70's.  His team helped at their home and then the entire FEMA group was housed at their church for the time their work was needed in Andalusia.  But, something happened during that time in Andalusia--a bonding, a friendship, a special relationship that the Lord formed.  Hubby came home from that trip with many stories, but the one that has had a lasting effect on our lives was the meeting of Collace and Trudie.

There was a connection right from the start.  Collace was a Mason, so is my hubby.  Collace was suffering from Post-Polio Syndrome, so am I.  So they had many things to talk about from the very beginning.  Soon our relationship was long-distance by phone.  We talked frequently and would compared notes on health, catch up on family and our day to day lives.  They made a trip to St. Louis with a tour group, but they didn't tour the sites.  We met and had a picnic lunch in one of our pretty city parks.  It was at that visit that I gave her a throw quilt I had made.  Very Victorian, with laces, buttons, ribbons--just a pretty little quilt I thought a Southern Lady would enjoy---and she did.

Sadly, Collace passed away a few years later--he had many complications with his Post-Polio condition.  Trudie, Bill and I keep our relationship going.  For a good year, I made sure she had a card or letter in her mail box every day.  They had no children and I just wanted to be there for her, but we were so many miles away, the mail was the only thing I could think of to do.

A few years after Collace's passing we were able to go to Andalusia for a wonderful visit with Trudie.  We enjoyed her community, friends and Bill was able to attend a Masonic meeting there.  It was a great vacation.   We continued to talk and text.  Trudie was traveling and enjoying life, we were busy with our first grand child.  But, we continued to keep in touch.

Trudie decided to have a knee replacement on June 6, 2017.  She was a little scared, but excited at the same time.  She was always very positive.  I texted her and talked with her on June 15.  She was doing great, everything was going well.  On July 4th I sent her a little text, with Happy July 4th wishes.  The text went undelivered.  Then I re-texted on July 8, still undelivered.  And then the news arrived.  Trudie was doing great as I thought, but developed blood clots on June 20.  She was rushed to the hospital and they removed the worst of them.  She was laughing and talking with nurses and friends then she just stopped talking and passed away quietly and peacefully.

Trudie was a kind, sweet, loving lady of faith.  I miss her everyday.  Everyone we meet has an effect on lives, some everlasting, some fleeting.  Trudie's effect was everlasting.   She was 88 years young, her positive outlook on life and her faith is something that made her younger than her years.  I was so blessed to have met such a wonderful person.  I thank the Lord for my friend.

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Sunday---Precious Promises


May the Lord bless you and take care of you;
May the Lord be kind and gracious to you;
May the Lord look on you with favor and give you peace.
Numbers 6: 24-26, Good News Bible

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Monday, July 3, 2017

Monday---Moment of Thought


Moment of thought---Handwork.  Things have piled up on me.  Or I should say, I planned it that way.  We have a trip to Chicago and a long working week ahead of us at the end of July.  I love this time, but I always take a project or two--in this case four---along in case there are a few lulls in the day.  All of my quilts are minis and easy to get out and put away on a moments notice.  A couple will be in my Woodland Series and a couple are projects that have been around and need to be completed.  Hope you are enjoying your summer and Happy Quilting!

Sunday, July 2, 2017

51 Years Ago


July 2, 1966 was one of the hottest days on record in St. Louis, Missouri.  At 2:00 p.m., in the church were I was raised, Bill and I were getting married.  Everything about the wedding was perfect--no wedding disasters.  We were living in the moment, no thoughts about were we would be 51 years later.
Last year we celebrated our 50th with friends and family at a local wine garden. It was a lovely time to remember our beginnings and enjoy the company of those who have been an important part of our life together.


Through the years we have changed--He has less hair, I have real gray, and we both have a few more pounds.  Beyond the physical changes we have a deeper affection and appreciation for each other.  We truly love each other more today than, we did yesterday and less than we will tomorrow.  That's what marriage is all about--something we didn't know in 1966, but so glad we stayed with it to find out.

Sunday---Precious Promises


Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.
I Corinthians 13: 4-7, Good News Bible