JUST HANGING OUT

Ahhh - a nice and warm piece of metal on my belly and the hot sunshine on my back. Life is good and the bugs are plentiful.

Shoot! She saw me.

Jeez!  Can't a lizard catch some rays
in peace?  Well, I guess I'll find
a new place to hang out!

Another Block of the Month & Peace On Earth Quilt

Just started (well, into Month 3) of a BOM from The Quilt Shop on Main in Jasper, GA.  This is using Moda's French General Rouenneries Deux fabric. 

I could have opted to make this quilt in cream, blue and yellow.  Since my eye always goes first to anything blue and yellow I was excited to make it.  However, when I saw this fabric I liked the combinations so I stepped out of my comfort zone and went with the French General.  Hmmmm  . . . maybe more to that decision than I originally thought!

Also finished the quilt using Moda's Peace on Earth fabric line.  First time I ever used a fabric layer cake pattern and it was fun (I won't go into how I read the instructions, but did not follow the  fabric placement chart and had to rip all of the quilt apart and start over - seriously, I will not mention that at all.  I also won't mention that I couldn't figure out why the pattern was coming through or the red half square triangles at the bottom were not there and that it was a non-quilter friend, who glancing at the placement chart pointed out my error in about two seconds after the top was 99.9% done.  No I won't mention how I felt about that at all!).  I purchased the book and fabric while still living in Milwaukee.  Been in Georgia now for two years so I figure I had it around four years.  Pictures are terrible, but you get the idea!

You can't really see the pattern too well from these pictures anyway, but, beleive me, it is there!

I will be starting the Block of the Month - Women of Courage quilt soon.  But, besides that I will NOT BE PURCHASING ANY OTHER QUILT MATERIAL OR PROJECTS UNTIL I FINISH ALL THAT I HAVE STASHED AWAY.

Yeah, right.

HAPPINESS

The other night I was watching the first Sex in the City movie.  There was a scene when all four main characters are sitting at a table talking about happiness.  Samantha is in an unhappy relationship, Miranda's separated from her husband, Carrie just got jilted at the altar and Charlotte is in a very good, happy marriage.  Samantha (and the following may not be exact quotes) makes the comment along the line of "who's happy all the time, every day anyway?"  Charlotte - always the optimist - answers, "I am."  The other three look at her in amazement and she continues, "Not all the time, all day.  But everyday I find something to be happy about."

My blogging and Facebook friend, Tracy, started writing on Facebook "500 Days of Happiness."  Every day she writes about something that makes her happy.  Tracy, who I can't wait to meet someday and has a wicked sense of humor, suffers from severe fibromyalgia.  There are days she cannot get out of bed.  There was a time she passed off her daily happiness writing to a friend for a few weeks as her health just could not let her see any happiness.  But she bounded back and kept writing.  She is now almost finished with the 500 days, having less than 60 days to go.  She has recently written about how  much this project of finding happiness has changed her life.  To see the joy in life, even if it is just for a fleeting moment, has had a profound impact on her.  She wasn't sure if she could do it for 500 days, but she is almost there.

Another friend, Kate, has kept a gratitude journal for years.  She has notebooks and notebooks filled.  Each evening before bed she writes five  things she was grateful for that day.  There have been days where she has struggled to find those five things and other days when she felt she could have filled pages of things to be grateful for.  But for over ten years, Kate has faithfully written in her gratitude journals.  Even if all she felt thankful for was a cup of coffee and a hot shower.  Amazing.

I think gratitude and happiness go pretty much hand in hand.  At least for me they do.  I have learned that happiness is always lurking, just waiting to be found.  And, like Tracy and Kate have discovered, it is very often found in nature.  For me, most of the happiness I encounter is in nature.

I am fortunate that I do not have a debilitating illness and I know I do not have it in me to faithfully keep a gratitude journal or write about happiness for 500 days, but I do know that I can find happiness at least once a day.  In all honesty, most days I feel a lot of happiness.

Sure I wish some things in my life were different, but even if I had what I think I want, it may not make me happy.  I have so much to be grateful for as it is:  a supportive and wonderful family, fabulous friends, a lovely home, the money to pay bills every month ( with a little left over), silly dogs with their unconditional love, great neighbors, a part time job I enjoy, et certera, et certera, et certera.  I am blessed.  (Oh, did I mention that pension check the first of every month?)    Even is my darkest times where I struggled to get out of bed each day (and thank goodness those times are far and few between) I found happiness each day.  A goofy dog antic, a bird at the feeder, a butterfly at a flower, a thunderstorm, that cup of coffee and a hot shower, chocolate chip cookies, a quilt block that actually turns out. 

So, I agree with Charlotte.  Every day there is happiness to be found.  I hope you find your daily dose.  Just look out the window or do something nice for yourself.  Savor the moment.  It's there.

Monday Night Musings - A Love Story

Almost eighteen years ago I walked into an AA meeting on a Friday night.  It was my first week of sobriety and I was oh, so fragile.  This was a "singles" meeting and I was married, but it was a few blocks from my house so I went anyway.  It would become my AA home meeting for the next five years.  And, I met Kate and I met Scott.  The two people who kept me going those first few years of sobriety.  I can't say enough about either one of them.


This post is about Scott, but let me say a quick word about Kate.  Kate and Scott were and still are very close friends.    I am blessed to say that Kate and I are still friends.  She has been a constant, stable friend and support for me and I love her.  Scott and I have lost touch, but I still hear about him via Kate.


Scott is a delight.  At the time I met him he had quite a few years of sobriety under his belt.  He was fun and he was insightful.  I loved his sense of humor.  One of the very best New Year's Eves I have ever spent was with Scott at an AA club.  By this time I was single, as was he, and we decided to live it up.  We put on our best threads and danced the night away.  The man can dance!  And, I must say of all of the people at that club on that New Year's Eve, we shone the brightest!  It was a fun, fun night and a wonderful memory.


Scott's path led him to become a minister in the church of Science of the Mind.  He and his wife, Lisa (also a minister) have a very successful church in the greater Milwaukee area.  But, I am getting ahead of myself.


Very simply - one Monday night about ten years ago Scott had been pondering some issues.  He sat at his computer, wrote his thoughts and sent them in email form to several people.  This is the beginning of what was to become the Monday Night Musings.  For approximately three years these musings would continue.  I was fortunate enough to receive them.  I passed them on to friends and family and so did other recipients and eventually Scott's musings had an audience of hundreds. 


The musings were spiritually based, about Scott's journey through life and his journey with God.  
To describe them I would say they came from his heart and were . . . hmmm, folksy, spiritually intended not quite sermons.  Scott mused about everything and anything and the part God plays in everything and anything.  He brought forth his good and bad sides - his humanism - wrapped up in current life events and events from his past.  The musings were funny, they were sad, they were insightful and full of wisdom.  Sometimes they were corny. (One even tells about how he learned to dance.)  But, they were always great.


Scott met Lisa, his life changed, he got busier and the musings stopped.  We all begged him to continue, but it was time for him to move on. 

Last week I came home from work and there was a package in the mail from Milwaukee.  I opened it up and there was a book.  Suburban Mysticism - A Love Story.  Scott's musings finally put into a book!  Kate had sent it to me as a surprise.  I was thrilled.  I laughed and cried thinking about it and how one of Scott's dreams - of writing a book - had come to fruition.  Scott reworked many of the musings just a little, organized them and put them together in a book form.  YEA!  I called Kate to thank her and she said she had purchased several at a book kick off and knew I would want one.  Boy, she was right.  And, Scott autographed it!  Lucky me!

 

Reading the musings again - one or two every few days - reminds me of how much I miss Scott, how much the musings meant to me at the time they were written and how much they still enrich my life.  And, they remind me of how much I have stepped away from working on my spiritual side, of my relationship with God.  This book has been  the kick in the pants (so to say) and has me thinking of what I need to do to improve my relationship with my higher power.

It is always rewarding to see a friend follow their heart and have success.  Scott has had a very interesting life and he shares it with us in his book.  As far as I can tell he is happy, he has found the love of his life and he is living his true calling.  What more can any of us ask for?

Scott may not know it, but there is an old friend of his now in Georgia jumping up and down and saying, "I knew you could do it!"  I wish him every happiness and joy and I hope he keeps writing.  I am so proud of him.  And, if I could say one thing to him, it would be (and I quote):

Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die*

                                                                                                           

 (You had to have been there!)

To learn more about the book (with a much better explanation of it) go to: 

 http://www.amazon.com/Suburban-Mysticism-A-Love-Story/dp/0615606563

To learn more about Scott and Lisa's church go to: http://www.rsgm.net/

* Song lyrics by Wild Cherry

Remembering Veteran's on Memorial Day

I've been doing some research on my family history over the last few years.  My dear Aunt Virginia, who died last December, was really the family historian.  I have always been interested in my family trees and Aunt Virginia share a considerable amount of her work with me years ago - long before the internet and various genealogy search engines.  I have tons of handwritten note cards I copied from her notes in the late 1970.

While I did a small amount of research the past couple of years via Ancestry.Com, there is still much to do.

One thing I find interesting is the proud history my family has in serving our country.  I am awed and thankful for these men.  I am sure I have more "southern" ancestors who fought for the Confederacy, I haven't had a chance to research them.  That will all come.  And, while I could not find evidence of any women who served in the armed forces, there were two women who became widows and children who lost their fathers due to their husbands/fathers sacrifice. 

But, here is what I know thus far:

John Sloan (Maternal Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather) - Killed in the Revolutionary War.  Rank of Caption.  There is a brick monument recognizing the battle he was killed at and near his grave at Ramsour's Mill, NC.  Fortunately for the rest of us, he was married with children before he died.  Otherwise, I wouldn't be here! 

"During the Revolutionary War Capt. John Sloan received orders to report with thirteen other men to Ramsour'sMill in Lincoln County. On Sunday morning June 18, 1780, he along with Davidson, Sharpe, Falls and Houston joined other troops from the Catawba Valley. The Tories outnumbered them three to one, but a retreat would encourage the Tories. They decided to march throughout the night and surprise the Tories at daylight. At the end of the fierce fighting, some with swords, about 70 men were lost by the Patriots, including George and Andrew Davidson and Capt John Sloan. A simple marker designates the graves of those who fell in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill on June 20, 1780. Six Whig captains, including Capt. John Sloan, were buried at the site in Lincoln County. "

Friderich (Fredrick) Schleifer (Paternal Great, Great Grandfather) - U.S. Army - Civil War - His discharge papers state that he was with Captain William H. Baldwin's Company "B" First Regiment of Engineers, New York and served from April 15, 1862 and was discharged June 13, 1865.  He was born in Germany (actually Prussia at that time), immigrated to the United States  sometime during the first nine years of his life and served in the Army.  Considering he was born in April 2, 1841 - he did a lot in a short period of time!

William York (Maternal Great, Great Uncle) - Army of the Confederacy - Civil War - Killed at the battle of Baker's Creek, Mississippi, May 16, 1863, 5th Missouri Infantry, Field and Staff Company "15."  I sincerely hope he wasn't killed by my Great, Great Grandpa Schleifer!

Verlon John Schleifer (Father) - U.S. Army (Medic) - World War II
(Miss you, Daddy)

Uncle Glenn and Dad

Glenn Ewald Schleifer (Paternal Uncle) U. S. Navy - World War II

Marlon Banerian (Brother-in-Law) - U.S. Army Reserves

Michael William McDonough (former brother-in-law, father of my nephew, Patrick) - U.S. Army - Viet Nam

William Luebbe (ex-husband) - Lance Corporal U.S. Marines - Viet Nam, two tours of  duty, Honorable Discharge July 16, 1973.

Kiva (Paying it forward)

A few months ago my friend, Lori, mentioned Kiva in an email. I didn't know anything about Kiva so I decided to check out their website:

www.kiva.com

In a nutshell, Kiva works with banks all over the world and gives loans to people (usually in third world countries) who cannot get conventional loans. The amount of the loans vary, but we can "give" in increments of $25.00.

For example, Alba in Peru is asking for a loan of $650 to purchase a new loom for the blankets she weaves and sells at the local market. She works with a "Kiva" bank and is approved. Then her profile and picture is placed on the Kiva website and people all over the world can donate money to fund her loan. I decide to loan her $25.00 (with a $3.75 handling charge for Kiva's expenses) When her loan is fully funded, she has repayment plan and I will eventually be paid back my $25.00, usually in monthly installments, which goes into my "account." The premise is that I will take that money and reinvest it in another person. While my $25.00 is not tax deductible as it is paid back, the $3.75 is. Of course, you can pull out of Kiva and get your money back. This is all explained much better on the website.

I started working with Kiva in January and I've made six Kiva loans to men and woman all over the globe. And, several of them have started paying me back. I am finding it very rewarding to see how my small loan of $25.00 can have an impact all over the world and really make a difference to one person and their family.

What amazes me is how many people world-wide give to Kiva. When a loan is made, you can see how many others have donated. While some choose to remain anonymous, many have their pictures on the website with their location and maybe a small description of why they donate to Kiva. I find it interesting to see who else is lending to a particular person and where they are from. So many of my fellow "lenders" have made loans to 30, 40, 50 or more people.

I don't have a lot of money, but this year forward I am making a very conscientious effort to donate to charities I feel strongly about.  While I donate to several different charitable organizations, Kiva is definitely the front runner.  Check it out and see how you, too, can make a difference.

On the Fence (Quilts, that is!)

I love pictures of quilts displayed in nature.  Before I started washing my quilts as part of spring cleaning, I threw some over the fence in my yard.  I love the results!

I had to get a picture of my bottle tree!

Little four patch quilt

Elizabeth's Sampler quilt

My purple (Farrow Fields) quilt

Underground Railroad quilt

Underground Railroad quilt, shot from the slope.

Dogwood Trees

To continue on my "springtime in the South" thoughts,

 the dogwood has been in bloom. 

These pictures were all taken when you first enter my subdivision.

 Dogwood here in northern Georgia borders on the treeline and woods. 

While you can plant it where ever you wish, the wild dogwood likes other trees around it. 

And, when it blooms, the delicate flowers look like lace against the

other trees that have not yet or just started to bud out. 

The flowers are so pretty and delicate.

 It's my favorite.  Enjoy the pictures.

Springtime in the South

My mother, who was raised in southern Missouri, spent over 60 years in Wisconsin after marrying my father.  However, she always yearned for the South.  She hated winter (a trait I received from her) and I am sure she would have be diagnosed with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) if it was recognized as an illness back then.

Bradford pear trees in bloom across
the road from the entrance to my subdivision.

Many years we drove to Missouri over Easter break to visit my uncles and their families.  What a treat for me!  I always had fun and enjoyed my aunts, uncles and cousins.  The yummy food my aunts made was awesome and my uncles had great stories for me.  But, the weather!  It seemed it was always warm and flowers blooming - a welcome respite from Wisconsin where snow was likely to still be on the ground!

Once they retired my parents began to travel.  Most springs my mother insisted on traveling "down south" saying there was no place as pretty as the South in springtime.  My father was happy go, too.  They had retired happily to lake life in northern Wisconsin and I think Dad would get pretty tired of the long winter as well!

Every time I leave or enter my subdivsion in
the spring, these tress are showing off!

Now that I live in northern Georgia I have to agree with Mom.  My daffodils  and grape hyacinths are in full bloom and have been for a while as well as other spring bulb plants.  People have been out doing yard work for a couple of weeks.  The trees are starting to bloom. 

It's the trees I love.  For the next couple of months the crab apple, pear, red buds, dogwoods, etc., will be giving us a display that is hard to beat.

And, my mother was right.  There is no place as  pretty!

I have to add a few pictures of the pond which borders
one side of my subdivision.  This was taken around
7:30am, with the steam coming off the water.

Looking over the pond

View you see as you enter my subdivision (on right).  The
water is on both sides of the street.  This "pond" wasn't
here when I bought the house.  They changed the road
and flooded the swampy land and 
a creek that runs behind my house also empties into it.
  Quite a surprise when
I arrived a month after purchasing the house!

Autograph Quilt Part II



David - a man of few words! 

I have over half of my "autograph" pieces signed and returned to me. I am waiting to create the finished blocks until I have almost all of them. I have four pieces still waiting to be returned, two to be mailed out this week and hope to have 25 or 26 signed blocks. If I need additional blocks to complete the total quilt pattern I will write quotes about friendships on the blocks I need to finish.

I tried to block out the last names of my friends.  Lori is a
Unitarian Universalist  minister and the
flaming chalice is a symbol of the religion

This quilt is so much fun. Every time I see an envelope in my mailbox I get excited.

I've known Shelley a LONG TIME!  LOL
She also married my cousin, Bob.

While some people just sign their names (which is perfectly fine), other's draw or write "friendship" sayings or other things. It's a hoot!

Kind of hard to read in this photo, but Terri tells the story of
an interview question I asked her when she applied for a position
in the department I worked in.  I asked her how organized she was.
Her reply was  "You should see my sock drawer!" 
She was hired and we've been friends ever since - over 19 years!

A great friendship quote from Martha!

Yet Another Block of the Month - Batik Quilt

I do get hooked on quilting Blocks of the Month (BOMs).  I love them because you get your fabric and block pattern, spend a few hours putting it together and forget about it for another month. 

My latest BOM will be using bright batik prints with a black fabric background.  I saw the first block this when I was at The Quilt Store on Main Street in Jasper, GA last October.  It is offered with a white or black background.  Martha was with me and we both commented on what a beautiful, vibrant quilt would be made from these fabrics and we both agreed the black background was the way to go.  A week later I went back to sign up and get my first block. 

I got my first four month's done.  I love them and can't wait to see what the fabrics will be next month! 

Kathy, owner of The Quilt Store on Main, opened her shop about a year and a half ago.  She offers not only fabrics and notions (the usual), but long-arm quilting services, too.  Her shop while small, is growing.  I think she will need more space before too long.  I am taking a paper piecing class there in March and hope to take many classes from her.

It is nice to finally have a "home" quilt shop again.

The Art of Giving - Financially

I'm not one to volunteer much, although I would like to.  I guess I have good intentions, but following through on them is another matter.  I don't belong to a church anymore although if I had to put myself in a religious peg hole it would be Unitarian Universalist.  So, I don't volunteer with my church affiliation or with any other group.

I feel bad about this - not volunteering more.  There are wonderful organizations out there that need people to help out.  I'm semi-retired and have the time.  I do make quilts for the  Quilts for Kids program and I volunteer on a couple committee for my subdivision, but that is about it.

I have donated to Goodwill more times than I can count, as well as local shelters (both for humans and animals).  But, that is "stuff" not  cash. 

I have never really given money to organizations, either.  I use to joke that I was so broke I needed additional donations to survive!  I have always been one to pitch in at the work environment when parents were selling pizzas, girl scout cookies, etc., for whatever their child's club was, though.  I was happy to do this.  When I adopted my first dog, Gracie, I joked that Gracie was my child and she was going to sell pizzas for her club  - the Send My Momma to Europe club!  Of course, that never happened!

Recently, I have regrouped with my finances and took a 13-week seminar on money management.  It has changed my life.  More on that in another blog.  But, it is working - slowly, but it's working.  And, for the first time in my life I am budgeting for charitable giving.   And, you know what?  It feels GREAT.

At this point in my new financial journey I can't give the 10% of my income recommended by the course I took, but the tiny amount I can give makes me feel pretty darn good.  Right now there are two organizations I donate to and every month I feel wonderful when I see money being directly taken out of my account for one organization or I go on the other organization's website to make a decision.

I have also changed my beneficiaries on several retirement accounts I have.  Now, organizations I feel strongly about will get a chunk of change when I pass.  Sorry family members, but I thought long and hard about it.

If you want to explore not-for-profit organizations/charities before donating, I recommend the following website.  It really gives a good, solid report on thousands of organizations:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

Also, I have budgeted small amounts to be given to a couple of causes that my friends are actively involved in.   For years I have admired their dedication through various runs and bike rides.  So, this year when they ask for money for these causes I will happily send a check.  It may be small, but it will help a little.

For 2012 my budget is set and my charities are picked.  It is a fabulous feeling. 

Love

I haven't had the best luck when it comes to love in relationships.

Well, that's not exactly true.  I have been in and have received wonderful, fabulous love.  I have seen stars, been giddy and have truly, deeply loved and have had that love returned to me.  More than once.  So, I really shouldn't complain as there are many people who have never felt this type of all consuming love or if they have, it wasn't reciprocated (been there, too). 

I loved my husband, Bill.  It was a good love, steady and true.  I'd like to think that if he had made some life style changes, similar to what I made during our marriage, we would still be together.  He didn't.  We divorced.  I'm alive.  He's not.  It's sad.  He has been gone for over six years and I still miss him.

I have been loved by men I treated unfairly, much to my sorrow.  I have loved men that didn't deserve my  love and treated me unfairly.  I have been loved and then unloved.  I have been truly loved.

So, I have my experience with love.  Good, bad, nice, sweet - all of it.  And, I'm alone. 

I want love in my life again.  I've stepped back from relationships, retired, moved to a new state, established a good and happy life here, have a great part time job, have friends (both new and old).  I have a good life.  I go out, I do things,  my life is good.  And, I am happy.

But.  And, there is that BUT.  I want love, too. 

A lot of my women friends think I am crazy.  When I posted on FaceBook a wild post of the love I am seeking, several advised me to get another dog.  They were serious.  Hmmmm. . . . sorry, I want a man who stands on 2 legs.  No parrots, either (one friend suggested parrots at least talk more then most men!).

I decided to put it out to the universe.  I writing about the love I yearn for here on my blog and in a journal.  I light candles at night to help send the energy out.  In my journal I wrote specifics - real nitty, gritty stuff.  But, here it is in a nutshell.  I know it may take months or even years (although I hope not), and maybe I am being school girl silly, but I've witnessed good, solid love (my parents, my sister and brother-in-law) and I want it, too.  There is probably too many "I want's" listed below.  But, it's all true.  This is want I want.

I want love. Head over heels, crazy love.  I want to see stars, hear bells and whistles.  I want my heart to pound when he calls me.  I want to go breathless at his kisses.  I want to bore all of my friends when I talk about how great he is.  I want my toes to curl when he kisses me (he can knock my socks off, too).  I want him to feel the same for me.

I want romance.  I want nice dinners at great restaurants, I want breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  I want to cook for him and for him to grill steaks out for me.  I want to cook together.  I want sweet cards and little notes found under my pillow.  I want him to call me "just because."  I want flowers delivered and presented.  I want to send him silly Hallmark cards and find things I know he will like and surprise him.  I want poetry and our favorite song.  I want to slow dance in my kitchen with him and share desserts with him (and for those that know me, I do not share desserts!).

I want crazy, wild sex.  I want sweet and purse sex.  I want him to come over and surprise me because he can't get enough of me.  I want him to look at this 56 year old body and think I am beautiful.

I want reality, too.  I want to talk and share feelings together.  I want laughter and giddiness, but also tears and sharing our feelings, fears and issues together.  I want soul searching conversations and simple "how was your day?" talks.  I want to get pissed off at him, knowing that all will be forgiven.  I want to watch him spit out his tooth paste, cut his toenails and  scratch his butt and still love him.  I want to care for him when he is sick and for him to hand me my Puffs when I have a cold.  I want my neck rubbed and feet rubbed and I want to rub his temples when he has a headache.

I want family stories. I want to get to know his kids and grandkids (if he has them), I want family time with his siblings and mine. Holidays, birthdays, vacations all spent together or alone. It's all good.

I want to grow old with someone.  Develop a history together, build a life.  I want to look back and say that he was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I want him to feel the same.

I want to love and be loved  one more time and let it last until I die.

There it is.  Let it come.

Annual Holiday Letter

Solstice 2011


Dear Family & Friends –

“All is calm, all is bright.” These famous lyrics just about sums up my year, thank goodness!

The beginning of the year found me still in the healing process from events in 2010 and adjusting to my new life in Georgia. One bright day in February I woke up and thought, “Hey, I am a pretty happy woman!” That thought still is true today.

In January I adopted my second dog, Oliver. Found wandering my subdivision on a cold night between Christmas and New Year’s, Oliver was dirty and thin, but had a bright spirit. He joined Sam and me and they quickly became best doggie friends. Oliver (the brown dog in the photos) is around 4 years old and I’m pretty sure a pure bred Shih Tzu, but he might have a little mix of something else thrown in Oliver and Sam keep me entertained 24/7. Sam is smart and active. Oliver . . . well, let’s just say Oliver is pretty laid back!

Spring brought travel and guests. I spent Easter in Mesa, AZ visiting with my friend, Nancy and my sister, Linda. One highlight was meeting my second cousin, Nate, a student at Arizona State University. The last time I saw Nate he was about six weeks old. Obviously, he looks a little different! LOL He is a great young man. It was good to see his mom, Kay, too.

March brought Martha for a visit. Unfortunately, it rained her whole visit, but we had a good time despite the weather. April brought my friend, David, down for a week. David got a kick out of the “southern accent.” I was so happy to show him my new “digs.” In May my friend, Kate, came for a few days. We didn’t have much time, but enjoyed shopping in Blue Ridge and great conversation. So, a lot of sightseeing was packed in these visits! And, when each friend left my house felt very, very quiet.

In June I started working for the Sequoyah Regional Library System at the local branch as a Research Assistant. It is a fabulous part time job for me. I love working in a library, enjoy the patrons and my co-workers are great. I average 15-18 hours a week and the money has really come in handy. I am so fortunate to have this job. I love going to work!

Martha came down again in October. This time the weather cooperated and we enjoyed some hikes and the beautiful fall scenery in the mountains. I discovered some beautiful roads and areas to explore. She also gave me a book on hiking trails in northern Georgia so I expect her to visit again this spring and we will put the book to good use.

Thanksgiving brought Sally here for nine days. Amy joined us and a great Thanksgiving was spent with Suzanne, Marlon and Paul. I loved having them here. We had fun cooking and talking, and talking and talking. A couple of weeks later, gal pal, Miki, stopped in for a few hours while she was here at a work related meeting. Trying to catch up on a year is always difficult in such a short time and I hope next year when Miki comes down we have more time.

I am having fun doing activities with several MeetUp groups. We went horseback riding twice this year, something I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. I am considering some lessons this spring. My monthly women’s book discussion group has led to some wonderful friendships. I just joined another women’s group via MeetUp, where once a month we meet at a restaurant in the greater Atlanta area. Another way to meet people and learn the area. I am also on my subdivision’s pool and grounds committee. I am fortunate to live in a subdivision with so many great neighbors. I love living here in my subdivision, town and state. Moving to Georgia was the best decision I ever made.

Winter Solstice will be spent having bunion removal surgery on my left foot. Not exactly the way I want to spend one of my favorite days. It is elective surgery, but one that has to be done. I expect to be in a “boot” for around four weeks and will miss two weeks of work.

Peace and gratitude are two words that come to mind when I think of 2011. So much gratitude. I hope your year was filled with the same. May the returning light of this most holy time of the year bring you peace and gratitude now and throughout the New Year.

Autograph Quilt

Moving from my life long home of Milwaukee in 2010, I left a lot of friends behind.  But, some of my friends had already moved from Milwaukee long before me and over the years I have made friends in other states and countries, as well.

No matter where they are or where I am, I miss my friends.  I've made some great friends here in Georgia and I do not mean to sound like I am slighting them, but lately I've been missing people not only in Wisconsin, but all over.  Anne in Ireland, Beth in Florida, Nancy in Arizona, Nikki in California, Sally, Becky and Miki in Michigan. 

So, I decided to make an autograph quilt.  These quilts were probably originally made for people in pioneer days who left family to travel by covered wagon to the western states.  Love ones would sign scraps of fabric and these pieces would be put together and made into a quilt for the families leaving.  Chances were that you would never see these loved ones again and maybe never have any further communication with them.  These quilts were treasured as a way to remember family and friends.

Historically, another way autograph quilts were used was for fund raising.  Community groups would solicit famous people for their autographs and make autograph quilts to be raffled off to fund the building of schools or libraries.

Well, my quilt won't be that noble.  I just feel it would be a nice way to have my friends around me!

I went online to find an autograph quilt pattern and did find one I like.  It is a "star" pattern.  I decided on a black and white quilt.  The stars will either be black floral on a white background or white floral on a black background.  I might do a red inner border to make it pop.  The sample shows an inner border  with half square triangles as the outer border alternating the two floral fabrics.  It was also important to find fabric that I liked, but was not too flowery for the men who will be signing it!  I will make sure they get the darker fabric (see sample below).

I just started sending out quilt squares to my friends far and wide.  Along with  the squares are special quilt pens and a letter explaining the concept.  Hopefully, they will embrace the idea and honor me with their signatures, words, drawings or whatever they want to put on the little piece of material.  Many friends will not receive their square until after the holidays.  I don't want anything to get lost in the holiday mail frenzy or set aside by a friend who is too busy to sit down and complete their part of the project.

I was able to have my friend, Miki, sign a square when she was here a few weeks ago. I quickly sewed it into the first block!  One down, twenty-four more to go (more or less).  Several of my church ladies are meeting soon, so a bunch of squares were sent to Joanne and she will make sure they are signed and returned. 

Miki wishes me peace, love and happiness

This will be one of my many winter quilt projects.  I'm so looking forward to seeing what my friends write on the squares!  But, no matter what they write, I know that this will be the  best and most cherished quilt I will ever make.

Fall Visitors

In October my gal pal, Martha, came to visit.  This time the weather cooperated and we spent a lot of time outside.  Did some hiking, saw some waterfalls and just had a very nice visit.  Martha bought me a book on the hiking trails of north Georgia.  It's a hint!  Hopefully, she will be back down in spring and we will put the book to good use!


Martha & me.

 November brought Sally.  Returning from Puerto Rico where she had been caring for her mother for six months, she spent the first couple days resting.  That's OK - I had to work and I came home to wonderful meals!  Amy joined us on Tuesday and we all spent Thanksgiving with my sister, brother-in-law and nephew. 

Amy, me and Sally, Thanksgiving 2011

The following weekend brought Miki for a 4-hour visit.  Miki was down for a work related conference and she stopped in for a much too short visit.  Hopefully, next year she will stay a little longer!

I love having visitors and it's always sad when they leave.  My house seems empty and for a day or two I tend to wander around aimlessly. 

Not sure who will show up in 2011, but all my friends are more than welcome!  Come on down!