on their own....

You cannot live your kid's life for them. You can give them the best upbringing you possibly can and then when they are on their own, you just have to hope that all is well.
It's so hard to love them so much and want to be there for them, but you just can't be.
They grow up and have to fend for themselves.
I can pray, at least.
Other than that, a very boring day. We sorted through our bills, files, etc. in preparation for starting our taxes. Taxes are boring, but you gotta do 'em.

sometimes...

Sometimes people just piss you off.
Sometimes some people can be inconsiderate and just plain mean.

'nuf said on that subject, I guess

quilting

Today I had all my family home and it's a good day for "nesting". It's 2.7 degrees out and not a day to wander around in the world, I think.
So, what is a girl to do? Quilting!
I am back to working on Dear Jane quilt blocks, exchanging with Marilyn and Kathy from my Thursday quilt group.
I blew it and got very discouraged with my first group of 3 blocks, L4. L4, you are my nemesis. But, with Kathy's help, I think I now have it tackled. I have to paper piece small sections and then paper piece them into the entire paper pieced block.
Sounds complex, but I think it will save me and keep me accurate.
These little buggers are sure challenging.
I'm falling behind, though. Kathy is a quilting fiend and she is very very fast. So, I must find time to work.
It's good to make time to sew and quilt, I have not been doing much of that lately and have been favoring being on line on yahoo answers. YA is addictive and I don't know if I really am resolving the world's problems by being there. I can never really solve the world's problems, can I? Though, I am a firm believer in the "one person can make a difference" thing. If we all sit back and do nothing, then we are part of the problem. I need to be part of the solution.
But, there are quilts to be made and I need to be at peace.

I am haunted by the music that accompanies the photos of the Boscawen Veteran's Cemetery. Why? They are beautiful songs, to be sure, but I can't stop thinking them.
I couldn't sleep last night....

I can't seem to post the links here for future reference.
Oh well.

Sadness surrounds me today, but I shall get past it.

Haiti

Today's email inbox inclued several requests for money for Haiti. I've given 5 times already to various organizations.
I'm wondering how to deal with the continual requests. We are not rich. I want to help and have helped. It's gotten down to personal appeals from friends and family now. It's hard to hurt feelings.
I just wonder. I wonder what others are doing and how they handle this stuff? $5.00 to each one of them as you can't spend hundreds on each? Or, just ignore them and consider that you have already donated several times already?
Or, start my own fundraiser and tell them about it and see if they will donate to mine? That could be interesting.

what makes and artist famous

I just saw someone on Twitter make glowing remarks about a famous painting. I must say that I looked at the link/photo and was unimpressed. Heck, my stuff is better than that.
I've sold 3 paintings so far. Wonder what it takes to get people to notice?
I've not figured it out yet for sure.
I'm not giving up, but I would just love to know what these famous people did to get noticed.

a day in the life

well, today i decided it would be fun to write in all lower case. not sure why but it seems like an interesting way. two cats are by my side, silent and stoic. they enjoy the desk lamp as the light bulb throws off a bit of heat, i guess?
daughter seems to be surviving college for now. will meet her this afternoon briefly, to give her more stuff to bring back to school. trying to think of a special present from mom that will make her smile and think of home or at least be comforted. nothing much comes to mind.
ah, thoughts leap ahead to feb.8th where i am sharing coffee hour at church with two other unknown people. one must arrive early, make coffee, put out snacks and be there to clean up afterwards. have never worked in this kitchen before, do not know where a thing is and have to feed probably 100 - 160 people, depending on the attendance that day. could be "interesting".
today, i will make one batch of cookies or brownies to freeze, so i can get started.
by the way, i do not like typing in lower case.

Monday, a new beginning

I actually like Mondays. Some people just don't get that it represents a clean slate. It is a fresh start. Jamie is now delivered at school. Mark on his way to NYC and Jeff leaving shortly for college and then working this evening.
Nothing to stand in my way. Time to deal with weight watchers.
Make a plan, stick with it. Eat healthy. There is no one to distract me during the week from this objective. There is also no one to keep me from exercising and getting certain things accomplished that I want to do, like sewing, when I am by myself.
I can be my own best friend, though at times it is a lonely thing.
I keep busy, I have activities.
Today is art class morning, always a happy day. : )

they do grow up

We brought our youngest, Jamie, to college and left her today. It's a big, bad world out there and I know she is scared. It's going to take awhile to make new friends for her, but she can do it.
Up in the middle of the night, sour stomach. Could be the college food I ingested at noontime? Hope her stomach is not acting up like mine, that would truly suck.

The sad part about buying a computer printer that you want to print art type of prints on is that you can't try before you buy to see the quality of print.
Just making an observation.

validation

Today's presidential approval rating showed that 55% disapprove. Finally people are getting it. I find myself wondering what took so long.
I find myself also wondering what is taking the remaining 45% as long as this to understand.
I worry. I really worry about that 45%, are they blind sheep? I guess so.

moving along...

Today I have made plans to hold a Home of the Brave Quilt project workshop in Henniker NH at Quilted Threads. How convenient that this quilt shop is right in the same town that Jamie will be going to college in. Kills two birds with one stone. I'll be getting a workshop done, meeting people and accomplishing a good thing and then will take her to dinner all in one day.
It feels good to be making plans and getting things accomplished.
I think, including this evening, that about 4 quilts will go out this week.
I am fast approaching that light at the end of the tunnel and perhaps I might actually be caught up at some point in time.
I couldn't do it with the help of so many caring people. They are wonderful.

Being a cat

What a nice life Grover and Salem have. They are in a climate controlled environment. Usually as I type on the computer, one of them cuddles on my lap. Grover cuddles during my breakfast and they have nice, soft beds. Food is presented each day, with regularity, they do nothing to get this. They are caressed and cooed to and loved throughout the day.
Ah, to be a cat.
No responsibilities, loving care, nice home with great windows that get sun at various times of day to languish in, treats each day, no one speaks a harsh word.
Sounds good to me?
Let's all think like a cat today. I'm ready for my nap and maybe if I am lucky someone will rub my neck?

Today is day 1

I have no idea what to blog about. So, will just chat with myself.
Today is the anniversary of my mother's death. 4 years ago today. What a shock that was, she suddenly dropped dead and it ripped the rug out from under me. She was my best friend.
It was 4 months and 6 days after my dad died. At least we anticipated that he was going to die, though it was very difficult.
I never got to day goodbye to her.
Goodbye mom. I miss you. I love you.