Reminiscing & Kindness

This is a quilt less post.

When we lived in Michigan, I had a part time job in the schools. 

I was a teaching assistant working in PPI Kingergarten. 

For 2 years, I worked with a young girl named Martha. 

Martha was severely handicapped.

Inclusion was a relatively new concept in the school system. 

Her mom, Mary, somehow managed to remain pleasant while advocating for Miss Martha with countless teachers, therapists and counselors. 

In trying times of parenting, I would think of Mary and realize how small my worries were. 

Martha's spirit was unbreakable. 

She had a personality that was a kick!

Although she couldn't communicate like we do, she always made sure I knew what she was feeling. 

And she loved being a part of the classroom. 

She delighted in the other kids, especially the boys. 

She didn't love some of the therapies, but she never held a grudge. 

I always knew she was happy to see me. 

After working with her for 2 years, she moved away. 

I saw her once or twice after that, when she would come to A2 for appointments. 

I remember one visit at my house in particular. 

She was watching Eli, our labrador retriever. 

Eventually, we lost touch. 

I often wondered what ever happened to her.

A few years back, I found her on Facebook. 

I've been following her journey, and she's quite remarkable. 

She's riding therapy horses, going to dances and weddings. 

And, she has a business making animal treats!

'Shoot for the Moon Animal Treats'

How perfect is that name?

Anyway, I commented on a post about peanut butter treats.

Mary sent me a message, offering to send treats for Frannie. 

She wrote me a lovely note, telling me how important my work with Martha was to them. 

It warmed my heart. 

But that's Mary, positive & caring. 

And, she sent a package of delicious treats for Frannie. 

Needless to say, Frannie loves them. 

(cheesymoons@gmail.com if you want to get some for a special pooch)

I'm not sure why I'm feeling so compelled to write about this.

Perhaps it's because I want to acknowledge these special people. 

Maybe it's because I'm overwhelmed by the kindness. 

Or both. 

Probably both. 

I learned a lot from Martha & Mary. 

I'm proud to have been a small part of her journey. 

And I'm grateful for what they taught me. 

A perfect example of the kindness we need in this world. 

Collaborating

I'm done collaborating for now. 

Here's my efforts all ready to mail off to Gaily. 

53 blocks, I got carried away and made too many. 

Of course I did. 

Here's what it looked like on my design wall. 

This quilt is going to huge. 

Gail will add hers to the pot and then we'll go from there. 

She will assemble it and I will quilt it. 

We're having some serious basement work next week. 

I'm glad these will be out of the house for that fiasco.

The dust will be monumental. 

I'm figuring out how to protect my precious stash. 

And my machines. 

We need to move. 

Last night we went downtown to Festa Italiano.

It was a beautiful night. 

Primetime Horns were playing.

This was the band at John & Jenns wedding. 

The lead singer was Jimmys gym teacher. 

They're very good. 

Twas fun. 

Be kind!

Inktense Pencils

Well, I've started yet another crazy thing. 

Im going to try my hand at painting fabric with Inktense pencils. 

I've got the zany idea of graffiti quilting on PFD fabric and then inking it. 

Tonight I made a sample piece. 

You can't tell the color by looking at the pencil. 

It needs the fixative to come to life. 

So, I spent the evening learning the colors. 

This took me 2+ hours. 

I also have Inktense Blocks. 

I suppose I'll have to make a sample piece with those, too. 

I need to get a life!

Here's the SLOW progress I've made on my collaboration quilt. 

The shoo fly blocks are easy to piece, but those 54/40s are a bear.

It's worth it, tho.

The quilt has great movement. 

Little Grace Vanderwahl won Americas Got Talent. 

She's only 12. 

She's very talented, and if Lincoln Bridge couldn't win, then I'm glad it was Grace. 

I worked at Francis House today. 

One of the residents, Harriet, is turning 100 tomorrow. 

She's been with us a long time. 

I hope to get up there again to wish her a beautiful day. 

I'm rambling, must be time for bed. 

Be kind....

34 Years

9/11 is kinda a crappy anniversary day - celebrating feels wrong after the WTC tragedy. 

Today marks 34 years of Murray & me. 

(he snapped this last week at the Daughtry concert)

Murray is kind and generous. 

I'm a lucky girl. 

We're just laying low today. 

Golf this morning and it's the start of football season.

He has now taken his spot in his chair with the remote at his side. 

My cup runneth over.  (read sarcasm)

It's also grandparents day. 

And it's our first anniversary as grandparents. 

Speaking of my favorite little person...

Yesterday, we had a couple of hours with our Nugget. 

She changed so much in 2 weeks!

(still teensy teeny tiny but she LOVES to eat)

She looks noticeably bigger and is blabbering on and on now. 

Quite a change from the serious, quiet peanut she was 2 weeks ago. 

I think it's the babysitter situation bringing her out of her shell.

The sitter has a 1 1/2 YO granddaughter named Ava. 

She sounds adorable, and clearly It agrees with Nugget. 

I can't explain what happens to my heart when I'm with her. 

Labor Day golf in Binghamton was fun. 

We went to the Colonial after golf for dinner. 

It's always fun to be with Jimmy. 

He's so entertaining. 

Not too much studio time cause of nice weather & lack of motivation. 

I've worked a bit more on my collaboration with Gail.

Here's what that looks like. 

Im about halfway done with my portion of the piecing. 

I thought I was going to hate the piecing, but it's a nice departure from my norm. 

I think I'll make another of this pattern, only scrappier, for one of the guest rooms. 

I think that's all I've got for now. 

Be kind!

Labor Day Weekend Quilts

I've been working on this since returning from FL. 

I have had lots of distractions, so I've not gotten very far. 

And peakies & spikes are tedious. 

I decided I needed some instant gratification.

So I made myself a table runner today. 

It's nice, but I still am blue missing Avy. 

I had hoped for a visit with her this weekend. 

Looks like it's not happening. 

Soon I will be cheered up, tho. 

Murray & I are going to the fair tonight. 

And tomorrow to Binghamton to see Baby Boy. 

We are going to play golf at Bing CC. 

Well, they will play. 

I will ride along and enjoy the sights. 

Be Kind...