Updates

Yes I've been remiss keeping up with the blog.  There's been a lot happening.  My Mother -In-Law took a fall last May and has been in bad shape since, passed away last Tuesday.  My husband was as prepared as you can be for your Mom to leave this world but the really good news was that his boss kept him stateside during the past few weeks so at least he was home.  
It was a sad week and yet she had no quality of life left and lived a good long life.

I haven't been sewing much lately either.  My left arm, shoulder and neck started bothering me in May and has gotten progressively worse.  I finally got in to see my hand doctor and found out I have a multitude of problems including arthritis (who doesn't at our age???), trigger finger, carpel tunnel (knew I had that), tennis elbow and an impinged rotator cuff.  Finished one round of steroids and am getting the EMG (nerve test) in two weeks.  

It's time for us to turn a page in our lives but we are just taking some time to "be" right now.  I'll try to blog more and keep up with your blogs more regularly.  In the meantime, stay well and be happy!

Exercise IS Good for you...

Seamus and I were on our morning constitutional when we discovered an unadvertised yard sale down the hill.  Good stuff---especially the quilt we got for $10:

 But wait....did I mention?

I got TWO matching quilts...

All this proves that exercise IS good for you...and your quilt collection.

I also picked up a blanket chest for another $10.  More on that later...

Autumn settles in Pennsylvania

Seamus and I are enjoying long walks during this early autumn.   I've been doing a lot of inventory and office work and the jaunts in the parks balance the hours hunched over the computer.  Here are some of our views:

Life in these here parts...

Fall is here in our little city and the flowers are giving their last hurrah.  It has become cooler earlier than normal but no one is complaining about that.  I know I haven't been posting but I've been busy with dogs, mothers, etc.  Never a dull moment here...

Speaking of dogs, Rudy has moved into his forever home and he is very happy!  He loves his forever Dog-Mommy and enjoying playing with her children and her grandchildren.  It's like he is getting a happy puppyhood later in life...

Rudy takes one of Barb's grandson for a walk :)  Barb reports that he is gentle with the little guy and even getting along with the three cats who live at his new home!

The last few weeks, Seamus reminded me of a Victorian woman who had "taken to her bed." He sulked, lived in his crate and was generally anti-social.  It isn't that he doesn't like Rudy, it was just bad timing for both dogs. I am sure they will be best of friends now that they aren't competing for "Mom."

After we left Rudy at his new home, Seamus was a new dog.  Going for long walks with me again, playing, playing and playing...and even getting into some mischief!  Here he is caught in the middle of a garden bed (he was sniffing for some kind of animal there).  I hope to keep up with the blog a little bit better now that we are experiencing Autumn.  Summer here is meant to be lived outdoors and enjoying all the wonders of nature and ...we have done that.  Until family and friends come for the plants they want, I'm leaving the garden for the bees...

  I'm ready to get back to sewing and working on our next project.  Have a wonderful day!

Fall Purge...about a month early...

I don't do a big Spring Clean but always feel inspired in the autumn.  In the spring, I'm more consumed with opening the garden and planning the summer.  It consumes me after being cooped up in the house.  This year even more so than others because our winter was so long.  I couldn't wait to be outside and digging...

My friend Beth and I are both doing ongoing cleaning and organizing.  We spent so much time working on our Civil War program that we tended to let things stack up.  Trying to start a new project in clutter is like trying to write a new story on a page full of doodles.

 I'm also an emotional cleaner.  Losing Teddy and then fostering Rudy plus all the problems my Mother In Law is undergoing is a big catalyst too.  I worry about my husband during this time plus he is working in some not so safe areas.

The great (early) Autumn Purge began a a few weeks ago.  My house looks awful as I have clutter everywhere trying to do determine where to send things...stuff litters every flat surface and has for weeks.  I've taken one truck load to Good Will, two car-fulls of furniture to my son and wife (thankfully they've moved into a new big apartment and actually NEED things), and thrown out what I can.  This week I'm tackling the sewing room and hopefully part of the attic or basement (depending on the heat).  

When this is done, I'll still need to do inventory but hopefully it will be easier in my streamlined home.  Well I'm off to the mines er, sewing room to pull things out and reorganize.  Have a wonderful day!

Updates...

Big Dog, Little Dog

Good news for Rudy!  We found a fantastic home for him (just in case)!  Our friend Barb and her family met him this week and fell in love with him.  I know he will be loved, well cared for and be a great companion to Barb and her family.  We are all now in limbo...awaiting to see the status of my Mother In Law (Rudy belonged to her).  It seems unlikely that she will ever be able to return home, she is very weak and very confused.  It is the sad part of this situation.

Before all this happened, I was working on some stashbuster quilts.  I used the Missouri Star Company's tutorial for the Double Slice Quilt pattern to use up some of my Christmas scraps.  I hope to baste that tomorrow and quilt it this week.  Photos to follow. Earlier this year, my scrapbuster pattern of chosie was the D9P:

Here is a photo of my cousin's baby on the quilt I made for her (Disappearing 9 patch).  Isn't Sofie adorable?  

Rudy...Groomed

Rudy likes living with us...a LOT.  We go for walks, we visit my mother, we have a routine.  I would love to keep him but Seamus' nose is still out of joint.  Today Rudy is meeting a friend.   We are still not sure Rudy's Mom-person is coming home from the nursing home so it is good for him to meet some new people.  My mother is in love with him too==but her dog needs to learn he isn't a rabbit to be hunted or a toy to be played with...(yes, poor Rudy).

Why we love butterfly bushes...

Rudy

It wasn't even two weeks after Teddy passed when I got a call from my husband (stationed overseas).  His sisters had called him and requested we take his Mom's dog, Rudy until she is stronger or safer conditions are arranged for her.  

He is an older male poodle, possibly poodle mix.  He doesn't shed.  Despite that he has been somewhat neglected, he is a happy boy.  He LOVES kids, walks, and being a lap dog.  Yesterday I had him groomed (not above photo) and today he sees the vet.  We don't even know how old he is.

If MIL can't go home, we will find a good home for him.  It's a tough transition for both of them.  Seamus is mourning Teddy and hasn't taken well to another dog coming into the house and poor Rudy is missing his home and owner.  I'll keep you updated...