Welcoming a new decade

Yup, it's official I have entered my 50's. After almost a week and a half of celebrating I am pooped out but feeling confident and loved as I move into this decade of my life.   I have to say there is no grief, fear or concerns I am loved by a Most High God, I understand as best as I can about the Trinity of my belief and have come to the place where even when things get hard I have a part of me that says He is with me and that He is working in it.

I celebrated with pampering and parties.  Manicure, pedicure, eyebrows a new hairstyle and a new outfit.  There were family dinners, a surprise party, a sleep over and a coffee date.  Gifts of all sizes and love beyond anything I  have ever known...the whole thing ended with a blissful Mothers day and although I had what is now the familiar ache of missing my mom it wrapped up an amazing 12 days of celebrating.


Tomorrow is a sew day and I am excited to take my gift certificates and discounts into the quilt store for a shopping trip.  And I am ready to focus on some new projects and some yard and house reno's we are going to take on.

My dear Matthew will live here through the summer, he has a 1/2 time job so his room and board will be some work for his mamma.

I am excited to be renovating my laundry room and 1 bathroom to start, yard clean up, deck repair and hopefully a wish I've had was to build a small deck in the front yard with some simple landscaping...Oh yes and its time to get the travel trailer ready too.

My health remains a difficult path for me but if I keep going forward it can only hold me back as much as is necessary.  I am hoping to write here more we shall see how that unfolds.

Thank you to all who made me feel so special these past 12 days and everyday really you keep this ol'bird looking forward to the next day and the next adventure.

May God Bless you as abundantly as you bless me
Karen

It's just life...

I wanted today's title to be something like a shout...maybe, ENOUGH or CRANKY or maybe simply I GIVE UP.  Sometimes I try to think about how I'm feeling, trying to compare it to last month or 3 months ago etc and all I can come up with is ick, Ewww, bad, gross.   But is it all that way? Were there not some good days?  I know there have been, there have to be right?  Otherwise how would one remaine sane.

I remember talking to my Doctor a few months back about it...why no remissions this year.  He gently apologized, I love that about him by the way, he reminded me that the past 3 years have been rough.  My moms death, two surgeries not to mention just the usual stuff that occurs in my crazy house.  He gently told me one surgery is bad enough on my body but two have just pushed it to its limit.  I mean I received the flu shot at the end of October and I've never had a reaction like this years.  I was tossed rather unceremoniously into a pit of pain and fatigue that rendered my usually good natured attitude right into the soup of dismay...I'm so sorry to my family who takes the blunt of it, to my friends who may have noticed a decrease in communication.

You see a flare doesn't mean just increased pain and fatigue but also a shutting down of very reactive senses...noises are louder, nerves are tighter, eyes are blurry and sore, scents are jarring pain shoots through my hands with simple tasks and I just plain don't want to put effort into anything.

But as with all things this too shall pass or in my case lessen.  ?right?  Sometimes I wonder, but I do know there are good days coming there always are and this doesn't mean pain free or energy full days it just means that as I get closer to the bottom of my reserves I know without a doubt that's when Christ takes over...I love those times, yup you heard right, in the midst of pain and fatigue I love it when I can just press up against Him, close my eyes and feel His presence in a most profound way...

His promises are what gets me up in the morning, what makes me put one foot in front of the other and put a smiling face on, so I will continue on I will not give up I will find peace and joy in everyday things and I promise to try and be less cranky, less inward looking and to put effort into positive communicating

Busy...busy...busy

My idea of busy is likely quite different than most folks.  October has been a crazy month for me... 2 road trips with overnight stays, thanksgiving, and a returned son moving in. It feels like October just zoomed past.  This week is a bit quieter, Keith works 3 -12 hour shifts Mon-Wed., mid term exams are done for my 2 university kids, our sweet adopted family is in Vancouver for surgery so no scheduled babysitting (although I am quite sure we will spend some time there this week helping Nicole).

I think I am looking forward to November it's kind of like the calm before the Christmas storm, I hope!  So the next three days for me will revolve around resting, laundry and sewing...a few yummy meals are planned ahead making that much easier.  I do have a Dr. Appointment and we are attending a funeral on Thursday, an old high school friend if Keith's and as is usually the case we will be seeing some old friends from our early 20s.

There are a few fun events I may consider attending...girls night at Real Deals for home decor on Wednesday evening and a sale at my favorite yarn shop, Knit2Yarns, in Valleyview on Saturday!

So here's to the last week of October...and sigh the beginning of Winter season.

Wait a minute...

When did this happen?  When did September suddenly arrive?  Nope, I'm not ready at all...I want more heat and beach days, more lounging at the campsite more outdoor evenings with friends. Summer is not as much fun without the constant presence of the sun. This summer has been a bit lacklustre.  I do however have friends who have quite enjoyed the cooler days, and yes it does have its own plus side.  But I feel ripped off...  Ok I know we can still have an amazing warm fall...but as far as trends go I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Oh there are great things I love about fall too...the warm sun even on crisp days, the bounty coming in from the fields, the stunning colors of fall...warm casseroles and soups.  Wearing jeans, hopefully lol, and sweaters...cozy socks and blankets.  I could keep going...I try to find the joy in every season and every day, it has become a part of my self care.  So even though I know summer is passing, there will be another one right around the corner.

Every day has a blessing in it somewhere, reach for it, search for it and enjoy the warmth it brings...look hard for it, it is worth it!

Wait a minute...

When did this happen?  When did September suddenly become 8 days away?  Nope, I'm not ready at all...I want more heat and beach days, more lounging at the campsite more outdoor evenings with friends. Summer is not as much fun without the constant presence of the sun. This summer has been a bit lacklustre.  I do however have friends who have quite enjoyed the cooler days, and yes it does have its own plus side.  But I feel ripped off...  Ok I know we can still have an amazing warm fall...but as far as trends go I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Oh there are great things I love about fall too...the warm sun even on crisp days, the bounty coming in from the fields, the stunning colors of fall...warm casseroles and soups.  Wearing jeans, hopefully lol, and sweaters...cozy socks and blankets.  I could keep going...I try to find the joy in every season and every day, it has become a part of my self care.  So even though I know summer is passing, there will be another one right around the corner.

Every day has a blessing in it somewhere, reach for it, search for it and enjoy the warmth it brings...look hard for it, it is worth it!

Life hits hard

...it always amazes me how life can hit us, usually out of the blue and from what seems like all directions.  I just finished writing a note to my Aunt, my Uncle Hugh has been diagnosed with aggressive lung cancer.  They got the diagnosis on Friday and today, Tuesday he is in hospital with questions about needing hospice.  They haven't even talked to an oncologist yet.  Then 1 1/2 hours away another Uncle is recovering from major surgery including removing his gallbladder, part of his liver and a large part of his colon and is awaiting biopsy results.

For some families uncles are seen at weddings and funerals...but not our family...we were always around family, spent summers together and Christmases...even mixed it up as both my dad and moms family knew each other fairly well, well most of them...my dads family is 12 and moms was 4 kids. It made for a huge number of aunts, uncles and cousins.  Weirdly enough my Uncle Marlin and Aunt Alice(dads sister and brother in law) lived next door to my moms childhood home, my mom babysat for them...so these two uncles specifically knew each other fairly well.

My heart is overwhelmed, memories if my moms illness and death are just constantly whirling around in my head and my empathy for my aunts and cousins is tearing at me because you never know what loosing a parent is like until you face it.

My mind is frantically looking and calling out to God and I know He is wading towards me ever straight, it is I myself that puts the muck around me and as soon as I let it go He will be there with His strong arms and strength to hold me up in the days and months ahead.  While I do not fear death at all,  I fear the pain of that temporary loss and change it daily life that it brings and of watching those around my hurt and grieve.

Tell the Egyptians it was delicious...

...well yesterday was a double treat day we went to babysit Mattias and Rachekl yesterday and it just so happens that Naders whole family is here, his 2 sisters from Egypt and his brother from the East coast...so mattias' Teta(grandma) was busy cooking up a storm and wanted to share some authentic Egyptian cuisine with Meghan and I.  So we had Koshary (mix of rice, lentils, pasta with a tomato vinegar sauce) and Kofta (beef kabobs made with ground beef and spices)... I am sure my dear friend Anne would be so proud of me!  It was very yummy and funnily enough Nader popped his head up the stairs and asked us what we thought of it...he actually said "what can I tell the Egyptians...lol"

It was amazing to hear them all together ... Very loud and excitedly talking in Arabic...a very happy family 💕

Oh Mr. Sun!

Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me...ok enough already I'm feeling all mossy and humid...I want my dry heat back and I want it now! It has been awhile since we have had to undure such a rainy cool July and I am really quite over it.

I want to go swimming and camping and feel the fan blowing warm air on my face...lol.

Megs and I are heading out to Lac Le Jeune today(Wednesday) thru to Saturday then home to repack and off to Shuswap lake for a few nights and I need some sunshine.  We are picking up our favorite little three year old on Friday for a night at Lac le Jeune and while I'm not too sure about a three year old in a wheelchair who needs catheterization 4 times a day...I am glad Meghan will be with me to do the chasing around part.  I am sure it will be fun kids make camping so much better...and we can do it!

The forcast actually as days of sunshine in it so fingers crossed...summer is here!

Happy Birthday Canada

I am lucky to have been born in the Centennial year of our Country's birth.  I always got that question right on my socials exams.  149 years ago this Country became one.  This weekend for me is the kick off to summer, but I really need to move past that now that I no longer have kids in school and I don't work.  It is a lot easier to get camping sites in May and June than it is in July and August.

But having said that I do have 4 trips booked for July and August, and depending on weather and how I am feeling I may add in a few more short trips.  I am so blessed by our trailer, once it is ship shape for the season it is so easy to just hook up and go.

Well almost, I was supposed to take 3 nights away with my hubby this week at a little creek we know up in the Red Lake area, but alas our truck had different ideas and broke down as Keith was filling the propane tanks for the trailer...as I wondered where he was and what was taking so long he was sitting in 33 degree temperatures hoping the darn thing would start...so after a $114.00 tow bill the trip was canceled and an appointment made at the garage.

I was so very disappointed, I am struggling to keep my head above water these days there is just so much going on...I do not like being grumpy and out of sorts but sometimes those dark clouds just take over.  So how do I cheer myself up?  I book another 3 nights at Shuswap lake...yay for us there was an opening so I scooped it up we don't go till Wednesday so that allows me to babysit my sweeties and go to a sewing day then take off for 3 nights.

I am hoping for nice weather...but really all that is necessary is no continuous down pour so I can enjoy some roasted marshmallows and time chilling with my camping mate, Meghan...lol everyone else is working so it will just be two of us this time.

I am looking forward to another warm Thompson\Okanagan summer swimming in the lake and napping in the shade...life just doesn't get much better than that.

Happy Canada day everyone!

So many places

I am thinking of changing to just one blog...that way there will be one place to come talk to me.  I have chosen to move to this blog and close down the other.  So I am hoping new people will find me and join in the fun of sharing lives together

I've been working

I've spent some time sewing lately...I managed to make a table topper for a wedding gift.  Again I forgot to do the finished photo but I do have an almost finished photo...oops never mind...I actually only have a photo of the mistake...I had to rip it apart...well I guess I could show that just for the effect...I did fix the error...can you see it?

Then I made this nifty tv table ironing board for when I need to iron small pieces as I sew...loving it and the fabric!

One of the best weekends ever...

There are a few things in life that will always trump this...wedding days, birth days of my children...vacations with family and hubby, graduations...but I do have to say the few days between March 12-March 15 were absolutely hands down fantastic...

Imagine three full days to sit with some girlfriends, and do your favorite hobby all day long...with meals provided...a snack bar at your finger tips...the biggest decision is what time is appropriate to put on pj's...sigh

Quilt retreat 2015 at Sorrento Center was a awesome experience...I got to know two friends better as we spent 3 days together at a table of 4 sewing, laughing, talking about God in our lives and how he sustains us.  The only thing that would have made it better is if it was a Christian Quilting retreat now that would be amazing!!

I took along a few projects not sure what would inspire me and I got 2 small projects done, 2 block of the month blocks and finished cutting out a flannel quilt project and another easy quilt called cake boxes.  I felt like I could have stayed for weeks...my imagination was flowing as I imagined a sunny beach location quilting Christian retreat that lasted at least 2 weeks so you'd have time to relax on the beach...oh my I think I blacked out for a moment...well it wasn't quite that perfect but I can dream...here are my finished projects and the quilts you will have to wait for...

...this is a block of the month project based on the Underground railroad story, each block represents a code to help the slaves get to freedom, the book tells a story as you make each block so its a mini history lesson too...

...a sewing machine cover...I found this on pinterest and loved the fabric it was from a line from 2010...so I hunted high and low over the Internet to find it and got just enough to do this project with a little left over...I love it!  Bright and cheerful!!

...oh oh, more owls...lol, I got this!bag as a kit from a store in Kelowna while on our anniversary trip last year..it is an awesome bag, great for holding my crafty projects when I'm on the go...

So that is it for now...hopefully I'll be more regular here now that I have the photo thing worked out!

TTFN...

Sweet baby boys

We are having a baby shower this weekend for a new baby boy...I've been wanting for a long time to start making my own gifts so I started pinning on Pinterest.  Then shopping for fabric...then decided on what to make...

I must say it is very satisfying to make gifts that turn out and you are proud of.

I decided on a bib, 2 bandana drool bibs and a bow tie.  My absolute favorite is the bow tie I think I might start making more so I have them in stock for the future.  Here is a photo for your viewing pleasure...

Oh and I'm happy to make more if anyone is interested in purchasing.

sweet baby Jacob...modelling his bandana bib.

Draft overload

...
so funny I thought I should write a quick crafty post so I checked out when I had written last...July?? What...so I checked my post list...I have 3 posts sitting in drafts that never got posted!  Very strange, they are all very outdated so I shall start fresh.

I've been actually very busy sewing, so much so that I've forgotten to take pics of everything, but I do have a few...

this was  Christmas card wall hanging...donated to an animal rescue

These two are part of a block of the month group I'm following online...they are super cute and fun

This is the almost completed block of the month from my weekly quilt club from last year...it just needs the final quilting...I am sending it out so it can have a pretty design quilted on

This one has a terrible it looks much nicer in person...this one is also going to be sent out for quilting...now if I could just find the card for the person to call...sheesh my brain...

Summer stitching...

I have quite a bit of hand sewing I need to work on this summer...so while away camping I was able to catch up on a bit of that.  I still have a lot to do thankfully I have lots of camping booked for August.

My fibro has been flaring and while it is really hard to do housework while exhausted and in pain I am managing to get some sewing in so I though I'd share some pics...

3 of these are my hand stitching projects...

I am making this lap quilt for a friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer...I hope it will lift her spirits...

loving it so far!

Oh yes I was in Pentiction this past week and checked out their little quilt store and picked up a few projects while there...love the vintage Santas

This beautiful piece of fabric is going to make a market bag...love the owls!

And these little bundles are going to go together with some other fabric I have in these colors for a scrappy quilt...

Oh I am so excited wish I could bring my machine with me when I camp...I might just figure out a way to do that yet...lol...

a little bit of this and that

I have been up to something...lol, well it's the same something as before.  That is the thing when you are doing block of the month projects, there is something new to show each month but nothing finished yet.  Although I have been making cards and have been quite happy with the results of late.  It helps that it usually means friend time as well as I am very blessed to have a few awesome friends who also love card making.

So here are some of the latest pics...

This is a wonky star block for Quilt alongs project.

This is my most awesome washi tape dispenser...so excited an easy way to use my tapes and I got it for a great price online...love those deals.

So I shall keep sewing and crafting until next time!

really I've been crafting

Wow looking at my last post and seeing a Christmas project is humbling....and a bit embarrassing I have actually been fairly busy sewing, in between 2 colds and an inflamed muscle over my scapula.  I have two block of the month projects on the go and am loving them...let me see if I have any pics on my laptop to share...be right back

this is the first block of 9 it is a huge applique project

this is all 9 blocks!

Part one of a mystery quilt from quilt along club

block 2

block 3...

Plus I have pieces cut out for a child quilt and need to make some coasters for my new end tables and a remote caddy for my new lazy boy chair...

handmade with love...

This year our Christmas isn't it's usual bustling busy time...this year it is busy but for another reason.  My mom was diagnosed with end stage lung cancer at the end of November and is very ill.  We are trying chemotherapy to shrink the tumor in order to give us a bit more time but we are still uncertain as to wether it will work or not.  So I have spent the better part of early December on the road and in Armstrong/Vernon.

I am so thankful that crafting for the most part is portable and I have been able to get a few projects done...very therapeutic during this time of grief.  I have only 1 project complete and 4 others awaiting the final binding stitching...so here is the 1st one...made for my mom

humming along...

Things have been humming along in my sewing room this past week.  I have quite a bit on the go...2 wall hangings and a table runner, as well as my mystery project to finish off.

I had a great outing to Katja's Quilt Shop where I bought another Christmas panel and finishing fabric for my other projects.

I have been throwing in some paper crafting and prep crafting for our church's annual Christmas dinner.

Thought I'd throw in a few sneak peaks...

will be a table runner...

not the best lighting but had fun using my new embossing tool

love the clothespin!

I absolutely love this card...my favorite one I've made so far.

So stay tuned for some finished pics...hopefully soon!