BIFFLE - Best Friends For Like Ever

Biffle's are one of life's blessings.  Most of us have a lots of friends, even a few good friends.  A few of us have a Biffle.  I am blessed with two Biffles!  Closer than sisters - all the good parts of sisterhood with none of the bad.


These two were not childhood friends or even high school friends.  Fate brought them to me at different times in different ways.  We are biffle's because of who we are as adults - not because of who we were as children.  We're different, but we have so much in common.  


We laugh a lot - at ourselves and at each other.  We can talk or sometimes be quiet.  We've taken short trips and some very long trips together.  I went to Italy with one biffle - the trip of a lifetime - all good.  We've spent time in the mountains, at the beach, in Arizona - the Grand Canyon, Texas and even Las Vegas of all places.  I travel some with my husband, children and grandchildren - travel a lot with my brother.  He and I took a "Road Trip" last year - over 9,000 miles.  Great times - I hope for many more.  As good as they are, nothing is quite like time with my Biffles.

The three of us spent a few days in Charleston, SC last week.  Perfect weather, great hotel - Historic Embassy Suites - unbelievably good food.  If you are ever in the beautiful city of Charleston - don't miss eating at Amen and at Jestine's.  I don't have enough good words to describe the food.  Before you leave stop in Market Street Sweets - it's worth stopping to smell the candy - as if you can resist sampling some.  Our room looked out on a beautiful square decorated for Christmas - was it just for us?   Couldn't have been any better.


Distance doesn't matter, nor does time apart.  We talk a lot sometimes - or we don't for a while.  The connection stays the same.  They are family - chosen family.   I thank God for them.

Missy - Amazing Grace

Rachelle Davene Eckenrode Hollars died today - went to be with the Lord.  No matter how much we believe - our hearts still feel that Missy left us too soon.  Forty two years is not nearly enough.  I believe that God created us to love this life He gave us.  I think Missy loved life.  My belief is that it's okay  - better than okay to love this life and want to live it to the fullest and be with our loved ones for a long, long time.  Missy was Ken's niece.  My nephew, Dale, died at 23.  When one dies so young it leaves a bigger hole in the family.  It alters the future of all in the family - changes everything.  We wonder how life would have been different - better - if they could have stayed with us longer.  

Thank God for Missy's life - for her beautiful smile and her wonderful life.  I can't think of Missy without thinking of her laugh.  Missy enjoyed life - she had fun - she loved and was loved.

Missy's sons and husband will miss her more than words can ever tell.  Their lives are changed forever.  She made them better by loving them so much.  Her family has another hole in it - with God's help and our faith maybe that hole will become a scar and we can remember Missy with pain but also with the joy she left us.

Amazing Grace is what a family needs when one leaves so soon.  I pray that God gives that to each one - especially to her husband, sons and her father.

A Few Days on the Outer Banks

We just got home from a few days on the Outer Banks of North Carolina...a most amazing place.
We've been there many times, but not in several years.  Lots of changes - many of them not for the better.  The only place that still seems like a small village is Ocracoke.  No fast food, no chain stores.  Bicycles and golf carts are the favored transportation.  Life is slower, quieter, calmer - I think better.  The ocean water was warm, the wild ponies were beautiful, people were friendly, weather was great.  Life is good. 


Dinner at The Dunes in Nags Head was perfect - not one thing could have been better.
Breakfast the next morning in Nags Head - this one is worth checking out if you're ever in the area...Lisa's Pizza...yes, breakfast at a Pizza joint.  Best breakfast I've had in years!  I complimented the food to the waiter and he told us their chef is going to culinary school!  Beautiful, delicious breakfast, great service in a little pizza restaurant!


We stopped at "The World's Largest Gun Store" in Mackey's Landing.  Mackey's Landing Firearms - out in the middle of nowhere.  Of course Ken bought a gun - who could resist when there were thousands to choose from.  Another reason not to travel on the interstates - more interesting places to see.


We bought a small motor home recently and this was our first trip.  No problems - we really enjoyed the trip.  We had campers for years - our last one was pretty large which was nice at the time.  This one is easier in every way.  Just get in and go.  Our boys grew up camping at the beach every summer - lots of fun.


Driving home we decided to take a new route through the countryside.  We saw some beautiful farms on Highway 264 - huge farms - looked liked thousand acre fields of corn - even some cotton fields.  I didn't know we had farms that large in NC.  Some of the farmhouses looked to be several generations old and very well kept.  A beautiful area - and such friendly people.  We ate dinner in Belhaven where a gentleman asked "Are ya comin' or goin'?" - wanted to know all about our trip.


On this same highway, a black bear crossed the road in front of us, then stopped and watched us pass by.  Lots of wildlife.  


Somewhere near Kitty Hawk we saw "Kite Skiers" - I guess that's what they're called.  Water skiers pulled by kites.  Looked like lots of fun.  I wonder if they can control the direction they go of if they just go where the kite takes them?


We went to see "The Lost Colony" in Manteo.  We didn't enjoy it as much as we expected.  This is its 74th year so lots of people must really like it.  I am glad we went - guess I just expected something different. 


We drove to Duck - never again - the traffic was hard to believe.  Duck is about as different from Ocracoke as it possibly can be.  Lots of shopping, restaurants, huge houses, traffic - if that's what you're looking for. 


A wonderful trip - and great to be home.  First trip I remember with no pictures!  I forgot my camera.

Quilting Retreat

A quilting retreat with four other obsessed quilters!  Tuesday through Friday last week in Maggie Valley.  I only knew one of the ladies - Jean.  I had met Nancy a couple of times and had never met the other two.  They are from Texas - Nancy's sister, Sallie and her friend Mary Ellen.  We had so much fun!  I find it hard not to have fun with quilters!  


We stayed at SUMMIT SEW AND QUILT RETREAT CENTER.  This house is set up for quilting - the only thing we had to take was our sewing machine, fabric and thread!  Everything else is there - even an Accuquilt Go fabric cutter and a light box.  Hundreds of quilting books - a design wall and much more.  Everything we needed.  Quilt shops close by.  If you need a perfect place to get away and relax check out:  http://summitquiltretreat.com/


Mary Ellen made a key lime pie that was indescribably delicious.  Nancy made strawberry pies that were just as good.  We had pie for breakfast Friday before coming home.  


Jean let me drive home so of course we took a little side trip.  Penland and Burnsville.  There are a couple of quilt shops in Burnsville that we needed to check out.

Check this off my Bucket List

I really can't believe I made this.  It has been on my Bucket List for a while...and now it is finished.  Well - almost finished - I just have to put the binding on it.  Look closely - some of these pieces are 1/2 inch wide.


Picking out the twenty different fabrics was one of the most difficult parts!  The fascination in doing something like this is the pushing myself to learn and do something new - and the feeling of accomplishment when it is done.  


What should be next on my list??

Donkeys, Tulips = Spring??

I want to be outside in the yard and garden and I also want to be inside sewing, knitting and quilting.  Have you figured out how to do both?  Story of my life - want to do it all!


Little Man is staying with us for a few days.  It is so much fun to see the world through a two year old's eyes.  We will play ball, feed cookies to the donkeys - he will ride his "Harley" - and check out all Papa's tractors - all kinds of fun things.  His two "big cousins" will be here - they have so much fun together.  He plays hard and sleeps good.



Our two miniature donkeys, Gracie and Stormy were very agreeable to having their picture taken yesterday.  Aren't they just the cutest things?  They eat cookies out of Little Man's hands.  He loves the outdoor life. 


Tulips are in bloom in my yard.  Hosta is peeking out.  Does this mean it really is spring?  Or is that just wishful thinking?

Fallingwater

I have long been fascinated by Frank Lloyd Wright and his unbelievable architecture. I have visited several of his houses and Taliesin in Scottsdale, Arizona. What a stubborn man he must have been - to design and build buildings that were said to be impossible to build. He was so far ahead of the times he lived in - so far removed from the thinking of those around him.

Wright's most famous and most amazing building is Fallingwater in Pennsylvania. It is canitlevered over a waterfall and creek- in a quiet, secluded and wooded area. Pretty amazing to see a house that was built in 1936 that still looks modern and ahead of the times.

I sometimes wonder how many gifted and creative people have let the expectations of those around them keep them from being what they are meant to be. For most of us it is easier to just fit in - do what's expected. Thank goodness for the ones who have the courage to be creative and imaginative.

Beautiful weather - what's not to love about springtime? Well - maybe the pollen! Everyone I know has allergies - 'specially this time of year. Garden is growing - flowers are blooming - it's a beautiful day.

Auction Sale

...went to an auction sale yesterday. Sort of sad. The man who owned the house and all the "stuff" was there - it must be hard to see your lifetime of belongings sold to the highest bidder. I went because there were some handmade quilts sold. I didn't buy one - I really just wanted to see them. There were a few people there who seemed to appreciate the artistry of the quilts.

In this economy - with so many people unemployed and so many facing financial difficulty. there are still people with money to spend. One man spent several thousand dollars on coins - one woman spent several hun

dred on a couple of RJR items. A very distinguished gentleman paid $2,100 for a Colt Python...guess he really wanted it.

I did buy a stained glass mirror - just couldn't resist. It is beautiful and the price I paid is less than I would pay for the materials to make it.

Little Man is spending the night with us. We had so much fun playing outside - feeding the donkeys. He loves riding his "Harley". Are boys born with the need for speed? He loves pushing the turbo button to go fast. He also loves riding it down to the shop or somewhere - then deciding he doesn't want to ride it back.

Is spring here? Mid 80's today - felt more like summer.

Beginnings and Endings...

I'll never be much of a blogger - it's been a month since my last post!  Am I too busy, or just not disciplined enough to post frequent blogs?  Don't know.  I enjoy it when I do get here.  And I really enjoy a few other blogs.  One of my favorites is pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com.  Some people really can do it all!

March is sometimes hard for me.  I need to remind myself of the good "March things" - my dad's birthday is in March, two nephews were born in March, my brother got married in March, we plant early vegetables in March.  The hard memories:  my mom died in March, my 23 year old nephew, Dale died in March.  I have great memories of both of them - but they left too soon and I still miss them.

My life has been crazy busy lately.  And whose fault might that be?  So many things I love doing with my time - it is hard to choose.  The picture is a stained glass I made - I love Irises - they just look like Spring.  One of my pet peeves is hearing someone say, "I don't have time to do that".  Seems to me that we each have the same number of hours in each day.  Some things are necessary, but a large part of our time is spent on things we choose.  I guess we all know people who choose to do not much of anything.  Funny thing is - they're usually the ones who say they don't have time when asked to do something.  I've found that time has gotten much more precious as I get older.  None of us have an endless supply of time.  Enough of that!

Radishes are growing in the garden - broccoli, spinach carrots and cabbage are planted.  Gracie and Stormy (our miniature donkeys) are enjoying the warmer weather, Bo the Beagle is happy, Little Man rode his "Harley" this weekend and Grandsons One and Two were here!  Life is Good!

Time with the Boys

I know why I could never have a blog with thousands of followers...I don't want to update a blog every day - only when I feel like it.  Blogging started as a way to document my travels with pictures and memories.  So I guess it is more for me than for anyone else.  Just a way to put into words the day to day life I live.

Little Man and his mommy and daddy and Oldest Grandson went with us for supper at K&W in Clemmons last night.  Little Man LOVES okra - it's fun to watch him eat.  'Course he loves eating most things.  He came home with us to spend the night.  Such a great feeling having a little boy sleeping over - as well as a not so little boy.  A two year old and two teenage grandsons...works out really well.

He is outside with Papa - feeding Gracie and Stormy (our miniature donkeys) one cookie each and checking out all the tractors and farm equipment.  I think they may ride to our neighbors to see the new addition to their "Petting Zoo" - another llama.  Oh...and he is riding his Harley.  He found the Turbo button - couldn't believe how fast that thing goes.  We had to chase him down to slow him down.  How much fun is that?

I'm still working on the Bargello quilt - it is one of those projects that I have to take a break from.  My eyes begin to cross after a couple of hours looking at those tiny little blocks.

I really enjoy looking back at the pictures of our road trips.  Brings back such good memories.  I'm posting a picture I took in Seattle.  When we drove through this area I kept thinking, "Do people live like this by choice?"  The houses are so close - hard to imagine living that close.  Guess I'm just used to having a little space.  The irony is that not far from these cities, there are areas with almost no population.  It's good to realize that not everyone lives like we do - nor does everyone want to live like we do.  Nice to have a choice.

Good Book, Good Bread, Good Week

My one and only niece has a birthday tomorrow.  We seem to have one girl in each generation and all the rest are boys.  I have three brothers, two sons and three grandsons - of course I am sort of partial to boys.  My niece (let's call her Tee) is a wonderful young woman.  She's very intelligent, has always been independent...and she is the author of several books.  Tee was my mom and dad's first grandchild - she was much loved by them.

It's been a busy week.  I worked more than usual - and worked on several projects here.  I'm teaching several knitting and quilting classes at Sew Together.  Lots of fun - such great people.

The picture was taken on our most recent road trip.  It has no reason to be in this post except - I love the picture.  It is Fanning Island in Lake Tahoe.  A private island.  It looks so peaceful, so quiet, so still.

My sister-in-law had hip replacement surgery this week.  Seems almost any body part can be replaced.  A friend just had shoulder replacement surgery.  Wonder why they can't replace a leg or arm??  I guess I think about that since my brother (and traveling buddy) had to have his leg amputated after an accident.  Just wondering...

I found a new yeast bread recipe this week - think I might try it about midnight tonight since it needs to raise 12 to 24 hours!  The unusual part is that it does not have to be kneaded!  Sounds too good to be true.  Guess we'll know tomorrow night.  If you want to check it out - google Jim Lahey bread recipe.  I love bread.  My mom made incredible yeast rolls - really incredible.  And she made them often.  Such good memories.

Grandson 1 is spending the night with us.  We just watched the movie, "Red" - Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Ernest Borgnine - had to be good.  Although it was over the top with gunfire, fist fights and such.

Grandson 2 has strep.  Hope he feels better soon.  And Little Man (grandson 3) and his mommy and daddy spent some time with his Mimi and Grandpa in Raleigh.  I know he had lots of fun.

Since I still haven't found my long lost Ipod, I bought a book on Itunes and listened to it on my computer. I love to read but if I listen to a book I can also knit!  Gives me a feeling of double accomplishment - especially when I'm knitting socks.

I Am a Parrothead

I am many things.  Some I'm proud of, some not so much.  One thing I am and have been for a very long time is a Parrothead!  For those of you who have not been enlightened - that means I love Jimmy Buffett - all things Jimmy Buffett  - all things Margaritaville.  Being a Parrothead is so much more than being a fan of Jimmy Buffett.

If I could just listen to one person's music, I admit it would be Jimmy.  I know I should say one of the wonderful Christian music singers - and I do love a lot of them - and I listen to them.  But Jimmy is the one who speaks to my heart and soul.  He understands me - he sings directly to me.  I know, I know.  Sometimes he is not very nice - sometimes he uses language I don't think he should.  But that smile!  It gets to me every time.  He is HAPPY - he is contagiously happy.

A good friend was going through a really difficult time in her life a few years ago.  We were riding in the car and she was so down - just couldn't see beyond her present situation to a better time.  She was almost in tears.  I just hit the play button and there was Jimmy.  I won't tell you what the song was... she looked at me and said, "Did he really say that?".  Yeah, he really did.  There were tears alright - she laughed until she cried.  That's just the way Jimmy is.

I've been to some of his concerts.  Hard to describe what that was like.  He doesn't just perform...he brings the crowd to life.  Parrotheads are a wild and crazy bunch of people.  All ages, all types.  Only one thing in common - Jimmy.  My younger son is a Parakeet (that's a younger Parrothead).   I'm hoping to make Parakeets out of my grandsons.

He has done it his way.  For 40 years, he has done his music his way - and continues to do it. It is more than his music - he takes me away - not sure where - but it's a really nice trip every time.

Jimmy fell off the stage last week during a concert in Australia!  No, I don't think he had too many Margaritas - I think it was just an unfortunate accident.  I understand he had a head injury, but is out of the hospital and doing well now.  Sure hope the head injury doesn't change him.  I may not agree with a lot of things about him - but I do think more of us should be willing to "do it our way" - whatever that way is.

Listen to some of Jimmy's music - it just might make you happy! 

Elvis in Concert

I have always loved Elvis.  My Aunt G was a huge Elvis fan when I was a child.  Of course I thought it was funny that an "old lady" loved Elvis - she was probably in her forties!  Then I became a teenager and I still loved Elvis.

My friends loved the Beatles - they were okay but I just loved Elvis.  What a voice - not to mention those looks - that hair - those swivel hips.  I think I had all his "records", then his 8 track tapes - cassettes and cd's.  I even have some on my ipod - which is another story.  I lost my ipod.  How in the world do you keep up with something that darn small?  It could be hiding just about anywhere.  Been gone quite a while now.  Any ideas where it might be?  We have a 1950's Jukebox - and though it is hard to believe - Elvis sounds better on that than on the cd's.

Mr. H and I went to an Elvis concert in Greensboro April 21, 1977, just a few months before he died - Elvis died, not Mr. H.  Absolutely amazing. The picture above was taken at that concert.  The building was packed - almost 18,000. He was mesmerizing - seemed like every person there was totally focused on him.  It was obvious that he was not in good shape - he had just been released from the hospital.  He was still the King and he gave an amazing performance.  Hearing him sing "How Great Thou Art" brought tears to lots of eyes.  I'm so glad that we paid way too much for the tickets and went to see him.

Elvis was truly gifted - and millions loved him and his music.  There is a video of his daughter, Lisa Marie, singing with him - "In the Ghetto" and "Don't Cry Daddy".  You should watch it.

Another time I'll tell you about my all time favorite - even more than Elvis.  But today I'm remembering the King - maybe because his birthday is in January.  

Past Came Calling Today

I talked with someone today ... someone from long ago ... let's call this person "Past".  Memories came flooding back.  Past was part of my life when I was a teenager... Past and I have not talked since then.  Our lives have been busy,  marriage, children, work, deaths of loved ones.  One would think that so much has happened that the past would seem distant.  Yet, when we talked it seemed like only yesterday - all those memories of who we were.

Strange to realize that I am still that same person - older, not much wiser, but still so much the same.  I used to think at some point in life I would "become" who I was meant to be.   Not gonna happen.  Who I was is who I am and who I will always be.  Imagine that.

The people and events in our past are part of who we are.  Past helped me remember that today.
It feels good to remember things we haven't thought about in such a long time.  Happy times... fun times... even the hard times.  The way we were... the way we are.






 

I Do Like a Challenge!

Why do you think I'm making this quilt?  I sometimes ask myself.  It is a bargello.

Squares are one inch - some smaller - some just a tiny bit larger.  Cut one inch strips of fabric - twenty different fabrics.  Sew the one inch strips together and then cut the sewn together strips into one inch strips and have fun arranging them and sewing them back together.  I do like a challenge - and this definitely qualifies as a challenge.  One more to check off my "bucket list" ...when it is finished.

My subconscious may be rebelling since I seem to have lost the pattern after starting the quilt.  My stubborn streak won out - I bought another pattern book!

I admit to being very competitive - just can't stand the thought of not knowing how to do something.

I love making quilts.I just have an aversion to ever making the same quilt pattern twice...so on to new and bigger projects. The new Janome Horizon sewing machine I got for Christmas sure makes it easier and so much more fun. I will be teaching a quilt class at Sew Together in February and March.  It's a great pattern...that I haven't done before so we will be learning together.  I really enjoy working part time at Sew Together - don't know if I enjoy teaching knitting or quilting more.  Our customers are wonderful and I've seen so many people that I haven't seen in years.

Little Man spent Sunday night with us.  His mommy says he always takes long naps the day after spending time with us.  He must be worn out from all that playing.  He is two years old and so full of energy and fun.

I cooked "dinner" for all of us Sunday.  Funny...it is dinner on Sunday but it's lunch the rest of the week.  Sitting around the table for a meal with family is one of my favorite things.

My biffle (best friend for life) who now lives in Georgia called tonight.  We talk quite often and usually for an hour or so at a time.  Some friends are just so much more than friends.  She works part time in a book store so we always have books and quilts to talk about.  She is reading a new book by Karen White - set in Georgia - I may have to read it.

Life is good.

Life is good.

Family Pizza Night

Pizza Night with sons, daughter in law and all three grandsons.  Pretty special.  It's about so much more than pizza!

I continue to be amazed and so pleased at how much our two teenage grandsons enjoy playing with Little Man, who is two.  They love spending time with him.  And of course, he loves the "big boys".  I think he was born with an extra dose of "boy".  He is just all boy all the time, but such a sweet, loving little boy full of hugs and kisses.

My biffle (best friend for life) in Georgia has a beautiful new granddaughter - three weeks old already.  We had a long chat this morning - she is loving having Mommy and baby living with her while the Daddy is away for work.  What a special time...

Kids finally went back to school today - two hour delay.  School has been cancelled all week because of snow.  There will be a make up day tomorrow (Saturday) - then NO school on Monday.  ???  This snow is not melting.

Family time - it's a good thing.

Alphabet Quilt for Little Man

Snow, ice, cold. No school yesterday and today - no school tomorrow.  The boys are happy.

A very good day to be in the house - knitting, quilting, cooking.

Perry, Dale and Tristan ate with us - their favorite meal - salmon patties, gravy, creamed potatoes, green beans and biscuits.  Mmm, mmm good.  Perry was out all night putting salt on the roads so Dale and Tristan spent the night with us.

Auburn won the college football championship game last night!  Go Auburn.

I finished the Alphabet quilt Becky and I made for Jeremiah.  I love my new Janome Horizon Sewing machine - it makes everything easier.              

Next project - a bargello quilt - might be quite a challenge.  I will be teaching a Day and Night Quilt class at Sew Together next month.  It is an Eleanor Burns pattern - looks like fun.

Grandsons, Granddog and Maybe Snow...

Our oldest grandson (14) and our youngest (2) are both sleeping at Nana's and Papa's house tonight. How special is that? The middle one was here with us for a while earlier tonight. Little Man just loves his big cousins and they dote on him.

The loft bed that Ken build for our younger son, Josh, had to be rescued from the attic this week.  Josh used it about 25 years ago;  Dale and Tristan used it a few years ago.  Now is is Little Man's turn.  He loves it - all his toys can live under the bed.  Of course he can't seep in it yet - it's way too high.  What fun to have the same bed his daddy had a few years ago.

Our two donkeys, Gracie and Stormy - both female - are two of Little Man's favorite things. He loves to feed them cookies. No, Stormy was not named after my brother who shares the same name. She was actually named Stormy when we got her. Little Man loves all things outdoors - the barn, the donkeys, the tractors and especially riding the Gator.

Much too cold today. Snow and ice in the forecast for tomorrow. I'm ready for spring!

We had another visitor for part of the day. Granddog Baxter spent the afternoon. He doesn't snore as much as Bodacious - our beagle.  He does beg for food quite a bit.

Snow or no snow?  School or no school?  Dale's last words before bed were, "Don't wake me if school is closed."  I always wanted to wake up early when school was closed so I could enjoy the whole day.

A really good day.

I Think I Want a Kindle

I love books.  I love bookstores.  And reading books...and keeping books.  Our house is full of books even after donating hundreds of books.  I like the feel of a book in my hands.  Never thought I wanted a Kindle, but I'm changing my mind.  So easy to carry so I always have a book to read.  And...I found out recently that you can put music on a Kindle.  PDF documents can be loaded on it from your computer.  And it will even read the book to me if I'm knitting or quilting.

So maybe I do want a Kindle.  Josh has one - it sure is lighter to carry around than a 500 page book.

The downside?  Finding more time to read.

A very good day.  Wonderful son and daughter in law invited us to dinner.  Played with the sweetest, most fun two year old boy in the world.  He is the only two year old I know who will put himself in "Time Out" when he disobeys!  He has a great mommy and daddy.  It is really special to see our children become parents.

Mmm...should I get a Kindle?

"Unbroken"

Reading a really great book, "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.  Josh and Becky gave it to me for Christmas. It's nice when a son likes the same books I like.  A great book - not an easy book to read.  It hurts to know what some of our servicemen and women endure.  The human spirt and man's faith are amazing.  Can we ever really appreciate what some have given for our freedom?

Freedom to...
Choose.

Do things I love to do.

Do things I should do and even the things I shouldn't do.

Love.  Laugh.  Live.

Our freedom - ensured at great cost by so many.

The cost paid not only by those who lost their lives, but by those who came home broken in body or spirit.  Those who endured and were broken.  And those who remain "Unbroken".  Thank you.

Life is good.

Bucket List

My Bucket List is a work in progress.  Things I really, really want to do.  Do you have a Bucket List?
Sometimes I think I really want to do something until the opportunity comes - then I begin to rethink it.  I guess it is more attractive to me when I think it is impossible!  Truth is - I love life - I am truly blessed.  Maybe I need to look at my Bucket List as more of a "Do I really want to do this?" list.  What could be better than a day like today?

I mailed the Tumbling Blocks quilt to beautiful baby Daniela in Georgia.  A quilt is a gift of much more than cloth, batting and thread.  It's a gift of time, creativity and love.  

I spent the afternoon teaching my Daughter in Law more about quilting.  We spent time together sewing - a very good thing.  Little Man took a nap in "his" room at Nana and Pop Pop's house.  Then he went to see the donkeys - Gracie and Stormy.  A very good day.

A woman I knew years ago came in the shop today.  She is the same - we had a great time of remembering.  She is a knitter.  It is good to remember who we are and who we were.

God is good.  Life is good.

 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

   “I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

   I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

Jeremiah 31:3 

A New Year - 8736 hours - What will we do with them?

8736 hours - it's intriguing to think about what we might do with that much time.  One of my pet peeves is hearing people say, "I don't have time.".  We all have the same amount of time - the same number of hours in each day.  We each choose how we spend our time.  I really do feel that time is a gift we need to use wisely.  Sometimes I'm guilty of having so many things I want to do with my time that I have a hard time choosing.

What are your priorities?  What will you do that will have the most positive impact?  Which will I choose to do that will be most pleasing to God?

Do you know people who don't seem to do anything with their time?  I think they must be very unhappy.

How do we look at our accomplishments?  Our choices?  The results of how we spend our time?

In the past couple of days I have spent time with our three grandsons.  I love them and I truly enjoy spending time with them.  Being a grandparent is an awesome responsibility and an opportunity to influence lives and make memories.  When I'm with them I don't accomplish much else except being with them - and that's the way I think it should be.  I'm guilty of "multi-tasking" many times.  When we multi-task, we're not giving our full attention and our best efforts to anything.  Do you know what it feels like to have someone really focus on you?  Really listen to you?  Care about what you're saying?  It feels good!  I have spent most of my life thinking that the more things I do, the more I accomplish each day, the better person I am.  I still struggle with wanting to do too many things...good things.  My sense of self worth is too dependent on what I can do.  I need to understand that God is where my real self worth comes from - and relax in that.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11 NIV