Sunday, June 14, 2009

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jog...

I'm home! After 4 days of travel/fun to see my sister, Jill (in Wausau), and me Mum and BFF's Janer and Cindy (in Eau Claire), I am back home!!! Much as I love seeing my family/friends, it is good to be home!



I have much to share...a ton of photos, exciting things...will probably do this in a few different posts...don't want you to get all tired out!


I consider this to be the most important thing that occurred while I was on vacation...I've been thinking of donating baby quilts and/or coverlets to the neo-natal unit in a hospital close by, but wanted to do it on my own...not through a guild. I have procrastinated and not talked with anyone. Then, one day, me Mum was talking about the stocking caps she knits for the newborns at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire (I was born there) and I asked her to talk with her volunteer leader about what I wanted to do. She did and set up a meeting for us. On Friday, I met with Jaci, who was immensely pleased to meet me and to hear what I had to offer. I took my mini-quilt to show as an example of my work...and Jaci kept it! ~grin~ So, that's cool, hey?

What happened next, though, took my breath away...she asked me if I would be willing to sew kimono/bonnet sets for the stillborns. I tried really hard to not burst into tears, and said, "yes, I would love to." How sad. But. How gratifying. I'm not sure if the kimono/bonnet sets will be used as burial gowns, or just to put on the babies so their families are able to hold them and say their goodbyes. Jaci will find out what exactly is needed, the sizing, etc. and will send me a packet. I am so excited to be able to use my skills in this way, I just cannot even begin to explain. Apparently, this is a much-needed service that no one is providing...I will be honored. Once again, I am reminded of how God leads us in the direction He has planned for us.


I got to spend a few hours with some fantastic dogs...Collies! Allegra's breeder has been a very good friend of mine since Allegra came to live with me...but I don't see Cindy often. While in Eau Claire, I took time to visit her. Janer went with...and I think she might have been a bit overwhelmed with all the dogs...but, we had a GREAT time! 2 puppies, several adults. I didn't get photos of all the adult girls, but here are some of the photos that I did get during our time there...

Janer and I visited The Calico Shoppe...you guessed it, a quilt shop. ohman...so glad I had just a limited amount of money to spend. I saw so many fabrics I've not seen before! Picked up a few patterns for future gift-giving ideas and this charm pack...

Okay, this is taking a long time. Will continue later...and just wait til you see what I got in the mail!!! woohoo!!!!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a great time on your vacation! The pictures were great! Thanks for sharing. Joyce

Anonymous said...

The pics came out good, esp. of the puppies...so cute...if you could have shown a pic of the whole herd of them around me, overwhelmed would be a good word, but an enjoyable overwhelm! Thanks for putting the kitty in there too! Our time was so short, but always so worthwhile!
Love,
Janer

dexmangoldens said...

Sounds and looks like you had a good time. I hope you feel very special to make the kimono/bonnet sets. I wonder if all the hospitals do that?
The collies look so cute! Is one related to Allegra--the eighth picture? It is good to see friends and family but always nice to be in your own place again.

Jacque. said...

Jua...the 1st photo is Regis...not sure if he's related to Allegra, but he's from the TriCounty line, as is her father...that might be a son or nephew of his. Chrissy, in the 4th & 6th photos, is related to Allegra (note the curly coat). She is Pooka's daughter, who is Ani's daughter, who is Allegra's Mom. The pups are total outcrosses.

JoJo said...

What beautiful puppies. I would have had a very hard time resisting one of those darlings.

How nice that you were asked to do the kimono's and caps for the babies. The parents of those babies may never meet you but I know they'll appreciate seeing their babies dressed with love.
JoJo