Theo Goes Camping

Obviously, Theo loves camping, and the new quilt is the perfect venue.

  Love that perfect brick red nose!

 

Happy Valentine's Day

Love  for so many people, things, and, of course, cats, truly make my world go round, and I hope in yours, too.


I know I've been absent a lot here - a combination of Blogger's whims, severe allergies, and trying to process the fact that my dear brother remains hospitalized in a very compromised state.  I want to be there, but just cannot and it is tearing at my soul. I am trying to be as supportive as possible to his wonderful wife, Karen, and to find comfort in the fact that he does not appear to be suffering.  We wish we had an answer to why he is suffering many seizures and spending most of the time in a delusional state. 

A certain very special valentine visited my house while I was at work yesterday and left little gifts and cards in many unusual places, so that I would find them throughout the evening.  The first one was found when I opened the refrigerator to prepare dinner. He is truly the most loving and dear man, and I am honored to love him, always.

Anne's Quilt

Anne's quilt 2011  -  This was daughter, Anne's, Christmas gift.  Another extravaganza in blue and some beautiful Kaffe Fassett fabrics. 

 

Thanks, David for taking these great photos and then modeling the quilt for us! 

Theo has done quite of bit of quilt quality control and he is, here, quite indignant as "his" quilt had been removed to be photographed. I bet you have it back by now, cute one.  I love your haunch feathers!

Back.......

Contrast

Label.....I loved making this quilt so much.....many more to be done.

Laughter into Tears

Saturday we were invited to a house warming for Kristi's friend, Lisa, so there were gifts to be wrapped before we left.  As I began to open a package of tissue and arrange the gifts in a pretty bag, our favorite helper appeared out of the blue. We'd thought we could quietly get the job done without the help of our tape/ribbon and plastic loving girl as she was napping. Not to be.....she suddenly began circling my feet to assess the best approach.  She spotted some curly ribbons in my hand and they were too much to resist.  I confess to enticing her, and she did her little squirrel act on her hind feet as she batted the ribbon. 

When I got back to the job at hand, she decided to circle around and get on the counter via the dining room table....pardon the mess, we were in a hurry.

As I worked with the tissue, she quickly snagged the ribbon and tried to get away but her "boyfriend" caught up with her and tried some unsuccessful distractions.

She was shooed away from one side so came back another way....very clever, Ms G!

Then LM was laughing so hard he just let her be and have her fun.....he joined right in!

I loved that the refrigerator gallery has a nice picture of Kristi and her friend, Lisa, front and center.

LM gives instructions on how to be naughty!!

Now we see the "coach" in action!......

We came home from the fun party to find the tearful news that Marty is home but he is not doing well.  His wife, Karen, had written an update e-mail to let us know the latest status. Marty unable to be alone for any amount of time. He is very confused, emotional and quite weak.  There is still no answer on what has happened to cause all the brain malfunctions.  Later this week there will be appointments with various specialists but Karen will have to have a caregiver with Marty at all times.  All the siblings are trying to stay strong, support each other and thinking positive thoughts for Marty and his family.
Yesterday, as we waited the interminable wait for the Super Bowl kick-off time (it all seemed so hollow and foolish), I called Marty and was able to speak with him briefly. He knew who I was but it set off a storm of emotion as we tried to talk, his voice unidentifiable to me, and both of us sobbing. He was going over and over how much he loves every member of our family.  Beautiful and heartbreaking, as it seems, he is in a tortured state.
What can one do from so far away??  I feel so compelled to help, yet, I cannot be there right now, and I have to go on with my own life.  I wish I knew a way to make all their lives a little lighter right now.  It will come to me if I listen to my intuition but the deafening sound of my tears is in the way.

PS.....While at the party Saturday, we were entertained by a funny/sweet dog, Cleo, and you can bet that we were fully inspected and sniffed when we returned home, especially our shoes!  Comic relief.

Super Cat

GO PATS!!

How to Cope with Winter

My godson, Jaxson, has found the perfect way to deal with cold winter nights.  He knows how to live, and his dear Mom, Sue, makes life very comfy for the dear boy!

Happy weekend. We are preparing to take Kristi to a house warming party today and gearing up for the Super Bowl tomorrow.  Neither of us are real sports fanatics but we are a bit caught up in the excitement of the Pats/Giants game.

Ms G is cuddled in her nest on LM's bed, enjoying the sun.

Marty is home from the hospital but not in the best condition.  Day to day, as we wait to hear his progress.  Thanks for your continued good thoughts.

Happy weekend!

The Little Gray Helper

We had a very special birthday in our ranks last week. LM turned 75!!  Due to crazy schedules we were not able to be together to celebrate until the weekend....Ms G was really in to the clebration as it involved wrapped boxes, tape, crinkly plastic wrappers, AND twist ties.  Cat heaven! Taking photos was a challenge as she wanted to be right in the middle of the entire process.

The very surprised birthday boy, delightedly opens his new Bose system.  This man loves music, radios and technology, so the perfect gift had been chosen.

 Ms G helping......note LM's clothes drying operation on the kitchen chandelier!  Lovely, but efficient, as the heat rises from just below.

 "I want those plastic wrappers on the remotes....you can have the remotes."

 Admiring her portrait on the birthday card......

 Ahhhhhhhhhh.   A lot of music was enjoyed as we worked through the birthday weekend, and sent healing thoughts to Marty.

Wonderful news this morning that Marty made significant progress yesterday.He is now cognizant of where he is.  Today they will attempt to do another MRI to see what caused this episode.  He remains in the hospital as he is very weak.  WHEW, and thank you all for the kindness of your prayers, thoughts and caring.