The past few weeks have been very fragmented in my world. I am pulled in many, many directions, much of it is good, some just challenging, but then, that is life. As I endeavor to flow with it all, be in it, feel, savor, etc, there is a struggle. I am so analytical and do way too much examining of every detail to the point that I make myself emotionally fragile with what if's, why's and, if only's, leading me to my frequent un-friend, DOUBT. All of this is about as annoying as Blogger NOT letting me download photos of all the fun and beautiful things happening.
During all this time, many of the challenges are on LM, too. His life has barely been his own, and it has been almost impossible for us to eke out time together. Amidst it all, though, he has the magic touch. I'm apt to be found in a state of exhaustion, hip screaming, head pounding, and he will walk by me, take the back of his hand and very gently nudge my cheek, all the while looking at me saying, "I know, we will make time for each other, and just look, as crazy as it is, we are together." He is such a gift. All my life, I can remember my Dad giving my Mum the same little touch on the cheek. Interesting, that now, as I continue to mourn Dad's absence, this little nudge from LM gives me such comfort and ease.
On Saturday, I had a lovely afternoon with dearest friend, Sue. We celebrated her birthday and had a great time visiting re-sale and antique shops in Brewster and Orleans.
The quilt is progressing well and should be to the professional quilter within 2 weeks. I'm just awaiting arrival of the border fabric. The process has been such fun and come together very quickly considering all the other demands I have right now....carving some time each day to sew is very soothing.
Kristi's mother is in the hospital, and we have been quite concerned about them both. Hopefully, she will be home today. LM has been on-top of things. We saw Kristi yesterday and she is very stressed and that is sad as she really cannot express those emotions.
When I can post some photos, there will be some fun stuff here!
Happy week to everyone....
Monday, June 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Gotta Blame Something (Edited 6/2/10)
Blogger took away some of my photos .....they're back again, for now anyway!
Here it is....my nemesis....only problem is, I keep feeding this beast to make it grow. We are searching for someone to come and take it away - sooner, rather than later. Not excluding the fact that I could choose not to do anymore yard work, this brush pile is largely responsible for my hip issues....and now, since this photo was taken last week, the pile has grown considerably.....fortunately, I used a little restraint, and the hip is fairly quiet!
Our Memorial Day weekend kicked off a bit early on Friday when Alison brought baby Teddy to visit my office at lunch time. We walked across the street to the lovely playground and had great fun exploring new territory.
First, the swings....a little too confining for this busy boy.
After a bit of wriggling, he was out of the swing and over to the slide...currently his favorite.
With Mum's assistance he was soon repeatedly sailing down.
Just out of reach but in a few months it'll be his.
Once again, MUCH TOO CONFINING! Cute little fish ride, though.
Alison looks down from the top of a "boat."
Back to Nana's office, we had a picnic lunch at my desk, and with barely a blink of an eye, Teddy found a spare phone I had tucked back in a bookcase...he was pretty upset that no one answered.
One of the planters at LM's....there will soon be morning glories on the old trellis in the background
Herbs at the back door
The new quilt project is off to a good start, and some of the fabrics were washed bright and early on Saturday. They looked so pretty on the line. Since then, they've been ironed and cut into pieces. Sewing begins tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Ms G had a lovely weekend with both her people in residence, the bed to hog for three nights, many chipmunks scurrying around, bacon for breakfast on Sunday, and lots of attention. This unladylike pose is a frequent scene whenever LM is near. Shameless, that girl! It does melt his heart and attract lots of attention. She's no fool.
Her man finally coaxed her into a more appropriate position!
Post-bacon on Sunday morning, she soaks up some rays by the kitchen door. I do believe that may be a jade plant leaf she's been playing with.
Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. We did a lot of fun things - twice we went to the beach in the early evening and stayed through sunset while LM fished, we used the new grille with great success, and took time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. It was so touching to observe that all the War Memorials in town had been lovingly neatened and adorned with geraniums this past week.
Here it is....my nemesis....only problem is, I keep feeding this beast to make it grow. We are searching for someone to come and take it away - sooner, rather than later. Not excluding the fact that I could choose not to do anymore yard work, this brush pile is largely responsible for my hip issues....and now, since this photo was taken last week, the pile has grown considerably.....fortunately, I used a little restraint, and the hip is fairly quiet!
Our Memorial Day weekend kicked off a bit early on Friday when Alison brought baby Teddy to visit my office at lunch time. We walked across the street to the lovely playground and had great fun exploring new territory.First, the swings....a little too confining for this busy boy.
After a bit of wriggling, he was out of the swing and over to the slide...currently his favorite.
With Mum's assistance he was soon repeatedly sailing down.
Just out of reach but in a few months it'll be his.
Once again, MUCH TOO CONFINING! Cute little fish ride, though.
Alison looks down from the top of a "boat."
Back to Nana's office, we had a picnic lunch at my desk, and with barely a blink of an eye, Teddy found a spare phone I had tucked back in a bookcase...he was pretty upset that no one answered.
One of the planters at LM's....there will soon be morning glories on the old trellis in the background
Herbs at the back door
The new quilt project is off to a good start, and some of the fabrics were washed bright and early on Saturday. They looked so pretty on the line. Since then, they've been ironed and cut into pieces. Sewing begins tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Ms G had a lovely weekend with both her people in residence, the bed to hog for three nights, many chipmunks scurrying around, bacon for breakfast on Sunday, and lots of attention. This unladylike pose is a frequent scene whenever LM is near. Shameless, that girl! It does melt his heart and attract lots of attention. She's no fool.
Her man finally coaxed her into a more appropriate position!
Post-bacon on Sunday morning, she soaks up some rays by the kitchen door. I do believe that may be a jade plant leaf she's been playing with.
Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend. We did a lot of fun things - twice we went to the beach in the early evening and stayed through sunset while LM fished, we used the new grille with great success, and took time to reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. It was so touching to observe that all the War Memorials in town had been lovingly neatened and adorned with geraniums this past week.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Launch
The beautiful peony is from my sister-in-law, Trish's spectacular garden. Enjoy!Yes, we are ready to launch Memorial Day weekend here....my partner in workday crime, Nancy, and I are trying to convince the powers that be that they promised us today would be a 1/2 day of work, but we have been unsuccessful so far. Oh well, it will all be tempered by the fact that in 15 minutes, I will be leaving the office for awhile to go play on the playground across the street with Teddy and his Mom. Pictures to come on the weekend!
My hip is doing well, and the plan to relax with LM and Ms G is still firmly in place. We plan to christen our nice new grille this weekend.
Tomorrow is the 68th anniversary for my late Mum and Dad. How lovingly they always talked about that special day....marriage at St. Andrew's church in Hanover, followed by a reception at the North River Club in Pembroke. Mum wore lavender and carried pansies. Dad was dashing in a handsome suit. I still have the beautiful hat and veil which Mum wore that day. It may come out for a loving look and quiet moment of remembrance.
Hope everyone will have a lovely weekend....
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
From the Dervish
Lest I make you all as crazy as I am right now, I just wanted to say it is 81 degrees here on beautiful Cape Cod today. What a glorious day and, here's a little more news.
My hip has improved slightly, and I am looking forward to the quiet weekend LM and I promised each other last Sunday. Already "stuff"is encroaching, but we are trying to hold fast.
Dear daughter, Sara, continues her recovery from surgery last week. Post-surgical symptoms are not always fun but she is coping. The upset digestive system goes with the territory.
Tonight, LM is cooking dinner for 80+ people....scrod, baked potatoes, veggie, salad and rolls! It will be a yummy night at the Cape Cod Salties! Alas, I have opted to stay home and continue to rest my hip.
Design and fabric acquisition continues for my latest quilt project. Color really works on my senses and the more I handle the fabric, the more inspired I become. A lovely and healing thing.
A lot of love goes out always to my daughter and family in FL, especially today as they mourn the loss of son-in-law, David's father, David Sr. He passed peacefully last night after a battle with lung and kidney cancer.
From summery Chatham, I wish you peace and love.
My hip has improved slightly, and I am looking forward to the quiet weekend LM and I promised each other last Sunday. Already "stuff"is encroaching, but we are trying to hold fast.
Dear daughter, Sara, continues her recovery from surgery last week. Post-surgical symptoms are not always fun but she is coping. The upset digestive system goes with the territory.
Tonight, LM is cooking dinner for 80+ people....scrod, baked potatoes, veggie, salad and rolls! It will be a yummy night at the Cape Cod Salties! Alas, I have opted to stay home and continue to rest my hip.
Design and fabric acquisition continues for my latest quilt project. Color really works on my senses and the more I handle the fabric, the more inspired I become. A lovely and healing thing.
A lot of love goes out always to my daughter and family in FL, especially today as they mourn the loss of son-in-law, David's father, David Sr. He passed peacefully last night after a battle with lung and kidney cancer.
From summery Chatham, I wish you peace and love.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Oh, my Achin' Hip
Yesterday afternoon, as we drove to Brewster to have lunch with LM's sister, her friend, Irene, and LM's daughter, Kristi, I pitched a plan and plea to LM that we allow next weekend to be completely unscheduled. There seems to be a pattern with us that we let life happen, and "we" get what is left. I'm continuously amazed at how reasonable LM is in responding. He agreed, that we need to make "we" time happen, and make the preservation of our love tantamount. Yeah...I really got so conditioned to VERY unreasonable men in my life. LM is a treasure.
I am exhausted....cooking, errands, cleaning, wash, and heavy gardening, have my right hip screaming, with great pain and difficulty walking.
Over the past two months, my main project has been to heal this hip issue and it had been very successful until I did myself in last Friday morning. One crazy move and I was back to square one. I decided to scrub a large area of my bathroom floor by using a scrubby under my foot. Sounds weird, I know, but it worked like magic and up came the large sticky area caused by hairspray. I had already tried using my floor mop with the scrubby edge, to no avail. This was a desperate measure. The circular motion and heavy pressure with my leg did me in, but the floor is now gleaming and no longer sticky! Add to this hip insult, I hauled some heavy containers of garden brush to the huge pile in the back garden. Sitting on a large ice pack is about all I can do now.
We had a beautiful day Saturday and I was out and about early, first, I finally gave in and attacked the very invasive English ivy around the base of the house with "killer"....hate to use that stuff. It seems to be working. I also used it on some stumps and old climbing roses. After cleaning up, I was off to do needed clothes shopping, plan a new quilt project and buy fabric, (pics later), and go to the nursery for plants, plus, food shopping. Four planters and some window boxes are now adorning LM's garden. I also took a leap and added the huge basil plant to the herb pot Jason made for me on mother's day. I hope it is not too early to put it out. We also acquired a HUGE patio tomato plant, thistle (for the finches) and hummingbird feeders, as both birds were spotted in the garden this weekend. I collapsed at 10 pm Sat night, barely able to move, and only got some painfully restless sleep.
Now I am sitting here, in deep pain, debating the sagacity of going to work this morning. It is so frustrating to be so limited. Only physically, I say, as my creativity is flowing and there is so much happiness abounding. This too, shall pass!
A quick Ms G report....she did have a lot of chipmunks and a little mouse to watch scurrying across the terrace this weekend, and was up to her usual bedhog antics. Yesterday was not happy for her as she is company phobic. The second everyone left, she was out and about but I had to come home.
A sunny good morning and happy week to everyone!
I am exhausted....cooking, errands, cleaning, wash, and heavy gardening, have my right hip screaming, with great pain and difficulty walking.
Over the past two months, my main project has been to heal this hip issue and it had been very successful until I did myself in last Friday morning. One crazy move and I was back to square one. I decided to scrub a large area of my bathroom floor by using a scrubby under my foot. Sounds weird, I know, but it worked like magic and up came the large sticky area caused by hairspray. I had already tried using my floor mop with the scrubby edge, to no avail. This was a desperate measure. The circular motion and heavy pressure with my leg did me in, but the floor is now gleaming and no longer sticky! Add to this hip insult, I hauled some heavy containers of garden brush to the huge pile in the back garden. Sitting on a large ice pack is about all I can do now.
We had a beautiful day Saturday and I was out and about early, first, I finally gave in and attacked the very invasive English ivy around the base of the house with "killer"....hate to use that stuff. It seems to be working. I also used it on some stumps and old climbing roses. After cleaning up, I was off to do needed clothes shopping, plan a new quilt project and buy fabric, (pics later), and go to the nursery for plants, plus, food shopping. Four planters and some window boxes are now adorning LM's garden. I also took a leap and added the huge basil plant to the herb pot Jason made for me on mother's day. I hope it is not too early to put it out. We also acquired a HUGE patio tomato plant, thistle (for the finches) and hummingbird feeders, as both birds were spotted in the garden this weekend. I collapsed at 10 pm Sat night, barely able to move, and only got some painfully restless sleep.
Now I am sitting here, in deep pain, debating the sagacity of going to work this morning. It is so frustrating to be so limited. Only physically, I say, as my creativity is flowing and there is so much happiness abounding. This too, shall pass!
A quick Ms G report....she did have a lot of chipmunks and a little mouse to watch scurrying across the terrace this weekend, and was up to her usual bedhog antics. Yesterday was not happy for her as she is company phobic. The second everyone left, she was out and about but I had to come home.
A sunny good morning and happy week to everyone!
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Bedhog
She leads two lives....sun worshipper by day, bedhog by night!
A very exhausted bedhog!
Love the stretched out front paws.....
Now, for a little comic relief....these days, I spend every weekend with my love, LM, and HIS cat that used to be my cat, Ms G, also known as The Bedhog in these parts. I often wake in the night wondering why I am hanging off the edge of the bed, only to look over and see that LM now has gray ears growing out of his knees! Amazing....if only I could catch that scene on camera, it would truly make this post more hilarious; thus, we will make due with these photos, taken by LM last Sunday morning as we enjoyed leisurely tea (moi) and coffee in the very sunny kitchen. Take note here that she is totally exhausted. Maintaining a horizontal position across the bed all night, and morphing into a bedhog is hard work. So we silly humans allow all this and spend some sweet sunny moments just admiring her beauty, and in awe of her abilities.
Ms G is the subject of LM's almost complete adoration; there is a tad for me, I am sure, but it makes me very happy that he loves this sweet gray bedhog, even if I have to white knuckle myself to the bed, lest I wake up as I hit the floor. It does insure that LM and I are cuddled closely, and we do love that always. Thanks little, I mean big, bedhog.
PS. Ms G had a HUGE adventure on Sunday evening. I'd no sooner gotten home, unpacked all my stuff....I call it the gypsy show....when LM called to relate what had just happened. He was in the living room when Ms G came racing by him, turned around quickly and ran back to the kitchen, all the while letting out some huge howls, growls, and hisses and throwing herself at the darkened back (glass!) door repeatedly. LM, never having "owned"(or should I say purloined) a cat before was quite taken aback by the huge noises emanating from this small cat. She set off the motion lights to reveal a brown tabby cat sitting on HER back step looking right in. The audacity! I do believe it is the first time in her 9 years that she has ever come close to seeing another cat. It is just amazing that she knew there was another cat out there. Her restlessness went on long after the terrified tabby left the scene, and each night she has been patrolling the perimeters keeping a close watch. Whew, big doin's at Chez LM and Ms G!
A very exhausted bedhog!
Love the stretched out front paws.....
Now, for a little comic relief....these days, I spend every weekend with my love, LM, and HIS cat that used to be my cat, Ms G, also known as The Bedhog in these parts. I often wake in the night wondering why I am hanging off the edge of the bed, only to look over and see that LM now has gray ears growing out of his knees! Amazing....if only I could catch that scene on camera, it would truly make this post more hilarious; thus, we will make due with these photos, taken by LM last Sunday morning as we enjoyed leisurely tea (moi) and coffee in the very sunny kitchen. Take note here that she is totally exhausted. Maintaining a horizontal position across the bed all night, and morphing into a bedhog is hard work. So we silly humans allow all this and spend some sweet sunny moments just admiring her beauty, and in awe of her abilities.Ms G is the subject of LM's almost complete adoration; there is a tad for me, I am sure, but it makes me very happy that he loves this sweet gray bedhog, even if I have to white knuckle myself to the bed, lest I wake up as I hit the floor. It does insure that LM and I are cuddled closely, and we do love that always. Thanks little, I mean big, bedhog.
PS. Ms G had a HUGE adventure on Sunday evening. I'd no sooner gotten home, unpacked all my stuff....I call it the gypsy show....when LM called to relate what had just happened. He was in the living room when Ms G came racing by him, turned around quickly and ran back to the kitchen, all the while letting out some huge howls, growls, and hisses and throwing herself at the darkened back (glass!) door repeatedly. LM, never having "owned"(or should I say purloined) a cat before was quite taken aback by the huge noises emanating from this small cat. She set off the motion lights to reveal a brown tabby cat sitting on HER back step looking right in. The audacity! I do believe it is the first time in her 9 years that she has ever come close to seeing another cat. It is just amazing that she knew there was another cat out there. Her restlessness went on long after the terrified tabby left the scene, and each night she has been patrolling the perimeters keeping a close watch. Whew, big doin's at Chez LM and Ms G!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wrapped in Love
The day to present the quilt arrived beautifully. Sue and I made a plan to meet and arrive at Diann's new home together. The others were already there having a tour of the house, and our carefully orchestrated moment began when Sue presented Diann with a box of Kleenex. I said a few carefully veiled words about why I was there. After all, this is a very insular group of women, and it was out of the norm for me to suddenly appear. Diann and her partner, another Sue, know me from past social events, but on this day, I could see a bit of bewilderment about my presence.
Next Dorna and Sue (2) presented the package......
Diann's face says it all......
The very special handdrawn label, signed by all the members of Project DQ.
Diann opens the card containing messages from all of us, and beautiful calligraphy done by Linda.
Here they are, the most joyful, loving group of women........L to R Sue, Dorna, Debra, Diann, Jerre, Sharon, Sue, Linda
Such a happy moment......I am honored to stand with these gifted women.
Jerre presented Diann and Sue with a lovely golden tipped pine to grace their new home.
The afterglow as we all laughed about the big deception.
Sue and I hold the quilt up for one more picture.
Diann enveloped in her gift. She's going to bring it to the hospital when she has her inversion therapy treatments!
Trying to find the words to express the effect this project had on my life is almost impossible but I will try.
I remember exactly where I was the night Sue called me and asked me to teach her circle of friends to make a quilt for Diann. I was driving to LM's on a Friday evening, deep darkness in my soul, and totally exhausted with hiding the grief and the very deep pain which gripped my body and soul. We finished the conversation as I sat in the driveway at LM's. I remember before the call feeling like there was no way I was going to be able to do anything but fall in to LM's arms and sob all weekend. What wonderful man wants to deal with that, I kept asking myself?
By the time we finished talking about a quilt for Diann, to heal and comfort her, I felt so energized and excited and could not wait to get into the house and start planning!
It took about a month after that to schedule our first strategy meeting, and in that time, I struggled with whether or not I had the ability to go through with it all, but once I was amidst the loving energy of these women, I was carried along, and so uplifted. Over the course of the two months or so, I began to feel my body and heart open up, I went to a chiropractor to begin the process of pain relief, then came a series of deep tissue massages, a facial, some counseling, and then meditation classes. Through that time, I felt pain leave my body and lightness and joy return to my spirit. Everything looks different now. I had closed my body and mind in on themselves, and Project DQ, gave me back my life, and the chance to share in something so very special.
THANK YOU, Sue, Jerre, Linda, Sharon, Debra, Dorna, and to Diann and Sue, please know that every stitch in that quilt was taken with love, fun,and healing, all you have given to so many!
Next Dorna and Sue (2) presented the package......
Diann's face says it all......
The very special handdrawn label, signed by all the members of Project DQ.
Diann opens the card containing messages from all of us, and beautiful calligraphy done by Linda.
Here they are, the most joyful, loving group of women........L to R Sue, Dorna, Debra, Diann, Jerre, Sharon, Sue, Linda
Such a happy moment......I am honored to stand with these gifted women.
Jerre presented Diann and Sue with a lovely golden tipped pine to grace their new home.
The afterglow as we all laughed about the big deception.
Sue and I hold the quilt up for one more picture.
Diann enveloped in her gift. She's going to bring it to the hospital when she has her inversion therapy treatments!
Trying to find the words to express the effect this project had on my life is almost impossible but I will try.I remember exactly where I was the night Sue called me and asked me to teach her circle of friends to make a quilt for Diann. I was driving to LM's on a Friday evening, deep darkness in my soul, and totally exhausted with hiding the grief and the very deep pain which gripped my body and soul. We finished the conversation as I sat in the driveway at LM's. I remember before the call feeling like there was no way I was going to be able to do anything but fall in to LM's arms and sob all weekend. What wonderful man wants to deal with that, I kept asking myself?
By the time we finished talking about a quilt for Diann, to heal and comfort her, I felt so energized and excited and could not wait to get into the house and start planning!
It took about a month after that to schedule our first strategy meeting, and in that time, I struggled with whether or not I had the ability to go through with it all, but once I was amidst the loving energy of these women, I was carried along, and so uplifted. Over the course of the two months or so, I began to feel my body and heart open up, I went to a chiropractor to begin the process of pain relief, then came a series of deep tissue massages, a facial, some counseling, and then meditation classes. Through that time, I felt pain leave my body and lightness and joy return to my spirit. Everything looks different now. I had closed my body and mind in on themselves, and Project DQ, gave me back my life, and the chance to share in something so very special.
THANK YOU, Sue, Jerre, Linda, Sharon, Debra, Dorna, and to Diann and Sue, please know that every stitch in that quilt was taken with love, fun,and healing, all you have given to so many!
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