Farewell Molly...

It was July 1996 when we brought that little 4 month old puppy home. She chose us when she laid her head on my foot at the animal shelter and sighed. She was a very intelligent dog and demonstrated this throughout her years.

Molly was a Canardly...you can hardly tell what kind of dog she was. Though, we suspected a bit of site hound as she loved the laser.

We shared a lot of memories with Molly. I remember when she decided she didn't like pig ears anymore...one got stuck in her mouth. Oh, she could clean house on those long lasting chewies in about 30 minutes, she loved her people and to be near us and loved going to the ice cream stand in Rockford for doggie ice cream (they put dog biscuits in the cup)...she was also a beggar. If I had something she wanted, she would look at me and I would give her 'the look' and she'd put her head back down. Don't get me wrong, I'd share with her, but it was our little game...a few minutes later she'd be back staring at me.

She was mischievous...the day she taught my sister Yvonne's whippets to jump the baby gate was hilarious, she flipped over in the air for Yvonne for a treat, she would sit there with a look of 'what do I do' when the cats would adore her by rubbing their faces against hers...she was very patient and kind. Well usually, except when guests would come over if she didn't get immediate and heavy attention she would seek the nearest kitty toy and eat it.

She was playful...we'd play 'catch your tongue' or 'keep-away' and she loved her tennis balls or stuffed animals, especially the animals that made sound.

Today we had to say goodbye to Molly, as her body rapidly failed her sharp mind. Her passing was peaceful. Our hearts are filled with an ache earned by years of devotion, love, and companionship. If you are reading this we just hope you will send a warm thought or prayer for Molly and for us to ease our hearts during this difficult time.

Goodbye Molly, we love you, we'll miss you.

Meltage...the joy of sunshine!

Here's what happened after the air-conditioner was removed -- Jazzy (you can't really see her, but she was down in the window), Phoebe, and Tyler all melted.

Feast or Famine...

I'm in one of those stretches at work...you know the kind, feast or famine! I have so many projects at work that my weekend will be split between working, some chores, and I'd love to get some sewing in...but first, I thought I'd spend a moment in my little corner.

I have lots of sewing projects to do as well, some will take creativity on my part such as the Halloween blocks I need to make for a swap (due this month) and Christmas Ornament Swap (this the idea won't leave my brain, so I hope it works as it is original...) and I really need to finish up the donation quilt for my class reunion fund raiser. The problem I have is that the quilt I decided to donate is one that another quilty friend said I was hugely undervaluing. I can't say a quilt I made is worth what she says it's valued at, but it is significantly higher in value than what I thought. So, I'm now thinking about another quilt top I made this year (The St. Paddy's Day Mystery Quilt). Also an intense endeavor with many pieces and parts. Here are some pictures, I ask you please ignore the wrinkles as they are both in UFO state (unfinished objects). I apologize for the lack of quality in the pictures. I already had a picture of the St. Paddy's Day Mystery quilt and I just took pictures (or tried) of the tan/green/purple quilt -- I had some helpers.

Phoebe was underneath and Tyler was on top...you can see him inspecting.

In the tan/green/purple quilt, the purple looks navy in the pictures, but is actually purple. Anyway, I will probably send the St. Paddy's Day Mystery Quilt -- it was still very intense work of art, the dark color is not black but is a dark green, but not as much $ invested into it. What is your opinion? Which one do you think I should hang onto and which one do you think I should donate?

Phil just came by and took out the window air-conditioner...a sure sign of fall. The light is just pouring into the sewing room. The air-conditioner is no taller than 1 foot, I wonder how could it suck up so much light? I am anxiously awaiting the reinstallation of the screen and getting the fresh air, but alas, I've been told "we are taking a break". Tyler is acting like a wild man he's running and jumping and 'talking' -- typical with the anticipation of another window to fight the girls over. Well, I better get started with the weekend.

Pay It Forward

I decided to join in on the Pay It Forward exchange. I signed up at my friend Kimberly's blog: http://kcamouquilts.blogspot.com/

Here's how it works: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join in this the PIF exchange. I will put my best talents into making each gift and within a year's time (365 days, but maybe sooner) I will send you a handmade gift. In exchange. All you have to do is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog and doing the same. It is that simple, you just pay it forward to three more people. I hope you are inspired to join me in this Pay It Forward exchange. Now, I need to figure out what gifts to make. I'm sure there will be fabric involved! :)

Time and Labor Day Weekend...already!

Hi there --

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of cyberland. I'm sitting here trying to type with Tyler snuggling on my lap. Phoebe and Sadie Mae are hanging out and are sleeping next to me in the sunshine, I love to watch kitties sleep. I wish my body could twist and turn the way a cat can...maybe I need another Yoga class.

I remember when a summer would take forever to get through. We'd spend hours working in the garden, playing outside, reading, building forts, swimming at Campau Lake, now it seems I can't keep up with the seasons! Wasn't it March just last week? Here it is, Labor Day weekend already! Seems the older I get, the faster time goes, I suppose it's that way for everyone, but do you remember the days when we would get bored trying to find something to do? I am up to my ears in projects that must get completed and not enough cooperation from Father Time to do them all.

I've been thinking about time lately. My 25th high school class reunion is next month, and as usual, it will be an affair to remember! Sadly, we've lost many classmates and way too soon. Each loss was felt by the whole class, which I believe kind of kept us all a bit more tender to each other. So whether we were all friends or not, we have all at some time or another touched each other’s lives. Celebrate we do, we simply celebrate getting together again. Not one of those 'one night' events either. Nope, we do it throughout a whole weekend and do it well! Read more about this later.

Meanwhile, I hope you will check back. I will be posting about the Pay it Forward project.