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Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Right Place, Right Time

I happened to be at my local pharmacy yesterday, a bit pressed for time to get to Chattanooga for daughter's doctor appointment.  I left something in my truck so I had to run outside to retrieve.  While out there I noticed someone in the car next to me taking my picture.  Now I know I am great looking (kidding) and am on defense most of the time because of the respirator.  Well this time, I turned to face my foe, ready with an explanation.  To my surprise it was a beautiful young woman. Before I could say anything she asked why the mask, as many often do so I explained.  She then told me why she asked 'why'.  She has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.  This beautiful, full of life newlywed is now faced with chemo, radiation, and surgery.  It seemed   The interesting part is that I went through the same thing 20 years ago.  Young, newlywed facing cervical cancer  and endometriosis. Luckily, all cancer was removed with surgery but I lost the ability to have a baby with my new husband.  It was a sad, dark time.  It took time, a long time, but my life mended and we moved on.  I think I was there yesterday because this beautiful lady needed a verbal hug and to let her know her life would not end here.  As a matter of fact it can start by being a poster child for the cancer and to be there to encourage others when you are able.  It also teaches you to allow others to help you through this troubling time.  By allowing other to help you - you have helped them feel valuable again.

The moral of this story is one you see in memes everyday.  Everyone is fighting some kind of battle whether you see it or not.   Count your blessings, one by one.  Write one blessing down everyday.  EVERYDAY!

Slow down and smell the roses.  You never know when you will be in the right place at the right time, for somebody.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Father's Day around the corner

So I made it to beautiful Wonderful Western North Carolina today around noon after having left Cleveland TN at 6:15 am.  I made a couple of pit stops.  One at Hyderhangout's NEW location in McCaysVille GA.  Hyderhangout Quilt Depot since it's hours correspond with the running of the local train.  It is so so cool.  I came on over via Hwy 64/74/19/23/40/19.  It was a beautiful scenic trip that takes to long that going by way of Knoxville and construction and heavy nightmare traffic.  Unless it's winter icy, I will not travel the Interstate 40 way again.  It's actually just a hair shorter if you can just drive and not stop and take pictures or shop which is what I did this morning.  I found a nice quilt shop Quilters Quarters in Waynesville NC.  Easy access off 19/23 off and on again in a breeze.

I hate to say this is really not a pleasure trip as my mom has not been feeling well and  a trip to the doctor is in order for tomorrow.  Normally I would be in bed but something hit me as I sat at this table.  This table that I did homework at and ate gravy and biscuits,with fresh cantelope.  A table where we ate hot biscuits and fresh honey right after my dad robbed the bees; one where I couldn't leave until I ate my eggplant - yech.  I still see my dad sitting in his place that since his death  is now occupied by my mom. remembering how the three of us children and parents fit so nicely around this table.  This table that now somehow seems smaller but no less comfortable.  I didn't want to go to bed.  So I cut out some quilt pieces and sat until I could put into words how my heart feels.  So much of this home is just like it was when my dad died 39 years ago.  I think of it now, I suppose as Father's Day approaches.  His 51 year old face frozen in my mind and heart.  My older sis, brother, and myself have passed his age.   All with a bit of terror I might add, how could we do that?  It just seemed wrong.  I still feel his presence because as the baby, I still remember his  presence so well.




I suppose it is time for lights out - 1:30 am.  the farmers will be up shortly to start milking.  I am going to crawl into the bed that served me well as a teen.  Hopefully tomorrow - I throw some pic's up here.   Night for now from Leicester NC   I believe this is God's country so I shall rest well.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Soft Toy Drive To Benefit Children in Foster Care

This is something near and dear to my heart as a lot of you know my big brother, my hero, and his loving wife, have been foster parents to many children; infants to teenagers about to be on their own. So when I came across the Soft Toy Drive Benefit at Sew Mama Sew.com, I had to jump on that wagon.  I have made two to send in and I hope you will consider making one as well. #6WeeksOfSofties

To make this adorable 3-eyed beauty, you can click this link for the Embroidery Garden, one of my favorite embroidery websites.  This little guy is free,
If you love this tiny, irresistible bunny, you can go to Urban Threads.  I get all my FSL here and I love their up-beat embroidery pattern as well as their Spoonflower fabrics. He/She's a freebie too!

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Right Thing

Doing the right thing may not be easy, of course it certainly is not as Satan is a pretty good planner, but at the end of the day, your heart is not weighed down with the chains of guilt, remorse, regret, woe, and you are not doubled over with the sadness.   
Brenda Walsh Ministries
Doing the Right Thing: God wants us to obey Him and do His will, regardless of the consequences. And the truth is, doing the right thing is not always easy. Sometimes as Christians we have the false expectation that if we are doing what God wants us to do - than everything will be easy in our lives! But that could not be further from the truth. Jesus set a wonderful example for all of us to follow, for when He was here on earth, He was ridiculed, made fun of, spied on, and lied about - but He kept doing the will of “His Father!” There will be times when we are doing what we “know” God wants us to do, and yet we will suffer rejection, persecution, and hardship. Just because we are “uncomfortable,” or we don’t like being tormented for something we don’t deserve, should not deter us for even a moment from doing God’s will. Jesus warned us that there would be troublesome times in John 16:33 where He says,“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We need not worry or fear when we are “doing the right thing,” because God will stand by our side - even in the midst of our toughest trial! Text: 1 Peter 3:17, Psalm 27:1, Proverbs 2:8

Sunday, March 1, 2015

March is National Craft Month!

March is National Craft Month so let's get on with and be creative.  I am going to make February and hopefully March quilt block today for my 'In the Beginning' quilt.  I subscribe to The Quilt Pattern Magazine.  It's an online magazine only.  I love it.  Not very expensive, full of ideas and great people. It is my only paid subscription, this is my 2nd year.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Homeschool Resource

I received an email today from a homeschool resource I rarely use.  Not because I don't care for it, but with limited funds, I'm selective who and what I pay for, otherwise I'd be broke and my inbox would be so full I'd never complete a class of instruction.  Anyway, enjoy this resource from the Language Arts Gurus and the Ladies of Analytical Grammar.

Go to the movies!
I found a great list at The Internet Movie Database of movies based on classic literature.  These are all highly rated.

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls050543383/
There is nothing wrong with using a movie to help teach a book.  If you have a particular difficult piece of literature, it might be a good idea to watch a quality movie version first.  I did that for Pillars of the Earth.  When I read the book after watching the miniseries, the actors from the screen "acted" the book out in my head; it was great!  

You can also watch the movie after reading the book, too.  Movies are almost never completely accurate to the book.  It can be a great discussion to talk about what was changed or left out, and how that changed the experience of the story.

Friday, January 2, 2015

January 2. 2015 already.  I look back and see all the gaps I should have filled in with tidbits of information or bites of advice.  Missed opportunities to help someone in need even if it were just a texted hug.
I may not do any better this new year of 2015 but I am going to give it my best shot.  I will start by posting a link to an article written about me, 'the masked lady', by students at the local university.  A university you may or may not have heard of - Lee University in Cleveland TN.
  
I am always open to questions and if I don't have the answer, I have friends all over the world with tenfold the experience in our illness to call upon their knowledge as resource.
Humans Of Cleveland