Vistors and Life Changes

Okay, here we are getting ready to welcome June, picnics, allergies, vacations, and kids everywhere on their bikes.

I think I remember April, or was it March??? Honestly, it's all sort of a blur. LOL.

May will be a month that I remember very clearly for a very long time. Our dear son, Mathew and his girlfriend, Merla came to visit the weekend of the 17th. To say that Gene and I were thrilled would be an understatement!

They arrived early on Friday and we spent most of the day just catching up, and grabbing a quick meal at a local diner. It's been eight months since we were last in Utah. And with Mathew settling nicely into home ownership, taking care of all of his pets, and working long and rotating shifts, he doesn't have a lot of free time. It keeps him out of trouble, though.

Saturday we stopped over at the Longmont Farmer's Market, then headed to the Pearl Street Mall and Boulder's Farmer's Market. The weather was just beautiful and was a perfect day for a long, leisurely stroll. There were a number of 'street performers' and other goings on.



This little gal stood so still that you couldn't even see her breathing.


We especially enjoyed this couple. The 'gypsy' music, her work with the accordion, and their great costumes.


We decided to top off of stroll with a stop at Starbucks for a Frappaccino. Then grabbed a couple of tomato plants and some fresh bread before heading home.

Sunday we went to breakfast at Lucille's Creole Café. Again, perfect weather for sitting out on the patio, enjoying an order of beignets and Bloody Mary's, while waiting for their famous Eggs Benedict and Pain Perdu to arrive. After breakfast we headed over to the fairgrounds to see the car show. Mathew has a love of Mustangs and there were plenty to be found that day.

At about 2PM we bid them farewell. It was sad to see them go! I finally understood how my mom felt at the end of our visits.


After a month fighting the upper respiratory infection that I picked up in Lincoln, and starting a second round of antibiotics, I returned to the doctor complaining of chest, breast, and lung pain on my left side. Then after blood tests, chest x-rays and a CT Scan, I was referred to a Pulmonologist. The final diagnosis????? Forty years of smoking a pack a day has just about ruined my lungs! Like no one saw that coming. Luckily, I found out before the effects were completely irreversible - a happy accident, of sorts.

To those of you who have never smoked, you probably either knew and understood the dangers, or are beyond being able to fathom why someone would smoke. Those of you who have quit or are still smoking are probably fully aware of how demanding, expensive and truly dangerous the addiction is. But let me tell you, when you see the damage to your lungs, and discover that your airflow is at 65%, it really drives home the reality of your mistake in judgment!

Even more sad and pathetic is the fact that quitting is still incredibly difficult. Knowing full well the consequences of not quitting doesn't really help with kicking the habit or easing the addiction. I find that the medications are helping, and I'm hopeful that I will be completely quit by the time I return in 2 weeks for my follow up appointment. And while the damage to my lungs might improve a little, the best I can hope for is to stop the progression of damage. Getting back into the gym and watching my diet will also go a long way to improving and maintaining my lung health.

According to my Pulmonologist, most of us can live quite comfortably with a lung capacity/air flow of 65%-80% because we're not running marathons or bicycle couriers in San Francisco. But when that number drops below 65%, your mortality rate jumps drastically. At 50%-35% you're looking at oxygen tanks and just a few short years of agonizing pain before you don't have to worry about doing anything AT ALL!

Long story short - this was my wake up call and I have chosen to live! I also chose to share this bit of shame with you in case you too have had your wake up call and are struggling, or if you are experiencing similar breathing issues and have not yet had your happy accident of discovery.


Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

CQI Retreat 2013

Yesterday we began taking sign ups/registration for this year's retreat. I was surprised and happy to see that there were 12 attendees signed up on the first day. And 2 that I know of waiting in the wings. Of course, there are the 'regulars' but also a number of new attendees, which makes me very happy. I have no doubt that we will have all 22 spaces filled before the deadline of June 1st.

I'm hosting the retreat this year, here in Longmont. We're working with a local hotel chain for a block of rooms at a great discount, and I will have the pleasure of hosting a few of the International visitors at my home. There is still a lot to do with regard to activities and such but for this group, and these retreats, it's mostly about friends gathering and enjoying the 'girl time' with needle and thread.

One of the activities that we all look forward to is the gift exchange/swap (fka Chinese Auction). You never know what you'll end up with, or what will be 'stolen' from you. But everyone knows that they will leave with something made or given in friendship and love.

Here are a few of the gifts that I've made over the years. A crazy quilted penguin that Debbie Q. took home and a dress form pincushion that Lauri took home.


A whimsical little box made from a cigar box and stuffed to bursting with goodies.


These are some friendship gifts (bookmarks and matchbook needle cases) that I made for each of the women attending a retreat. This type of gifty was very common before retreat attendance reached 20+ attendees. At that time we decided it made more sense to offer goody bags to each attendee with items donated by some long-time retreat goers, donations from Etsy vendors and local businesses. Although there are still those who can't resist bringing something special just because!


This is Janet (sitting next to Connie) holding a pincushion made by Gerry Krueger. I was lucky enough to bring a pink pincushion home one year. The box has a crazy quilted inlay that Janet made. This little darling resides in my studio. Janet has created a number of these types of boxes and they are gorgeous!


Cathy with a crazy quilt she took home. And a lovely crazy quilted bear made by Lauri.


Bears have sort of become Lauri's trademark. Here are a couple of the other bears she's made. I took the pink bear home the first year of our retreats and the other went to Helen in 2011.


Lauri even made a special bear after the 2010 retreat just for Hideko, and included the names of that year's attendees.


Here are a few more of the gifts given and received in the gift exchange/swap... These are some beautiful glass buttons and Kerry is holding a crazy quilted pillow.


Juli is holding a refurbished vintage rocking chair pincushion and here is a teacup pincushion made by Lauri.


These are a couple of the items made by Connie.


And a gift she received.


Sadly, I do not have a photo of the crazy quilt that Cathy gave last year. It was to die for! I also cannot seem to find the photos of the most beautiful tea cozy and needle cases that our members have made. I don't leave your lovely work out on purpose. Besides, to try and include it all would be over-whelming. LOL.

For those of you who might be thinking about joining us this year but either don't have the time, the supplies, or the courage to make something to give, it is perfectly acceptable to purchase something. Some of the purchased items at past retreats have ranged from glass buttons, to OTT lights, baskets containing assorted crazy quilting fabrics, threads, beads, charms, etc., a nice pair of scissors, pretty fabrics and silk ribbon, etc. In fact, I received a wonderful, vintage sewing box from Gerry Krueger last year. I love it and have it prominently displayed in my studio.

The whole point is just to give something that you would be THRILLED to receive yourself. Something that conveys your friendship to the women that you might only know from the Internet but have come to consider you sisters.

This is the project that I'm working on as my swap gift. And for once, I meant to take an unclear photo. I don't want anyone to be able to guess what it is. I will tell you that it is not a bear!



Well, I'm off to do some stitching and planning for the retreat. Thanks for joining me today and please be sure to check back from time to time for updates and information about what else we have planned for this year, and possibly a few more, little snippets of what we've done in the past.


Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

Trip to Lincoln

I recently spent 10 days in Lincoln, Nebraska caring for my nieces while my brother and sister-in-law went to Hawaii. My brother is finishing up his Endodontics training and had to give a presentation there. Must be tough, huh?

Normally, they would have brought the girls here but they are still in school this time of year. I was so surprised at how much they had grown and matured since I saw them last. I also didn't fully appreciate what it takes to keep up with three active little girls - I tip my hat to my sister-in-law!

I'm also very thankful that she took the time to prepare schedule, complete with driving directions for me. Otherwise, I would have been completely lost. LOL. The girls go to different schools (one in middle school, two in elementary), they play volleyball at various locations, are on swim team, and do gymnastics. Throw in birthday parties for friends, and 'play dates', homework, and meals and well, let's just say I was exhausted by the end of the trip and more that a bit tired of being in the car!



I have to admit that I was also very impressed by the fact that the girls are so self sufficient. They get up to their own alarms in the morning, get their own breakfast, and are ready to head out the door on time. They come home from school, do their homework, gather their things for activities and get to bed on time without prompting. They remembered to feed and water their pets, including cleaning the litter box for Colby, and Alyssa was a great little helper with anything else that needed to be addressed.

(Left to Right: Alyssa, Emily, Sydney)


I picked up a nasty cold while I was there and discovered that the girls would also make great nurses. Alyssa brought me NiteQuil, Sydney turned down my bed for me, and Emily thanked me for taking her cold away and making her feel better. I miss them already!


Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry

May Day - Snow???

I just love living in Colorado. We had near 80 degree weather on Monday and then 6 inches of snow on Wednesday - THE FIRST OF MAY! Luckily it didn't stick to the sidewalks or streets but it did make for some pretty slippery driving when the wet streets froze up.



Today we have sunshine and the snow will probably be gone by Saturday.

We also got a little visitor, just trying to stay out of the cold and wait out the storm. Look in the upper right hand corner.


Let me get a little closer....


Ahhhh, there he is. Isn't he (or she) cute????


And so tiny, too. Only about 2 or 2 1/2 inches long. We get bats catching a nap on the front porch fairly regularly.


And before you shutter and run you should know that bats are fairly shy and they love to eat bugs. Especially, mosquitoes. They are also a protected species in Colorado.

On another note we had Fritz back into the vet on Tuesday to get his blood sugars checked - again - and his numbers are between the 130's and 160's, which is excellent!!!! He has no signs of cataracts (thank goodness), and he was able to jump up on the bench at the end of the bed for the first time in a couple of months. Today was a good day.



Well, I best go get my day started. Today is going to be a perfect day for staying inside, working on blocks, and watching the snow melt! I wish you a lazy day, too.

Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry