It's All Good...Until It Isn't

I have been intending to get caught up here...lots of photos of finished projects and things going on to talk about.  And, lately, the coronavirus pandemic.  But, of course, I have not taken the time.  Until now.  When I have some news to share that is not so good.

In my previous post, I was ecstatic with the news of my son's cancer-free status.  After a full year of treatment including chemotherapy and surgeries, he was pronounced free of cancer.  

A short 4 months later, Matthew had an MRI.  Just, you know, to keep an eye on things.  Well.  Yup, the cancer is back...metastatic colon cancer.  We knew there was a high probability (65%), but we hoped he would be the exception to that rule.  He has spots on his liver...not large, but there, nonetheless.  A plan was agreed upon...Matthew would forego chemotherapy until fall (he will have periodic checks to keep an eye on growth/spread).  He wants a summer to drive his Mustang and ride his Harley.  I don't blame him...he had no summer last year, what with chemo and surgery and work.  And, it would be foolish for him to start chemo now and play around with his immune system with the virus running rampant.  

Matthew is a paramedic, so he is already way too exposed to the dangers of this novel coronavirus.  He will continue to work...to quote the man himself, "...I need to do for which I was created and that is to help others....'  

My son is strong and courageous.  As he said to me,  "It is what it is, Mom."  






"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

It's All Good!

Well, here we are nearing the end of summer.  I, for one, will be happy for the temperatures to cool down a bit.  It is a fact that dry heat is much easier to live with than high temperatures with high humidity.  But, 99 degrees is still darn hot.  And, we have had a rather long spell of those darn hot days.  YAY...sweatshirt season is almost upon us.  I have always loved fall, but in Wisconsin, winter followed too closely behind.  Here, there's not so much winter.  So, I am definitely looking forward to the next several months.  

It is all good.  Truly!

My son, Matthew, had a PET scan last week.  He is completely cancer free!!!  Two surgeries and chemotherapy did it for him.  We are all thankful beyond belief!  We do know that this cancer sometimes recurs, but for now...smiles all around!

After saying that, nothing sounds very exciting.  So, I'm gonna leave you with those happy thoughts.

More to come...




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Time Moves On...

Matt still has cancer.  

He is about 2/3 done with his chemotherapy regimen.  He is doing okay, though okay is a relative term when you are dealing with cancer.  He has a few upcoming appointments that may (probably) 
result in more surgery and chemotherapy in the near future.  

In the meantime, I did visit my sons in Wisconsin in February.  
While there, I decided that I really needed to make Matthew a quilt.  So, I did.  Once I got home, that is.  Here it is...  

Those faint curved lines are shadows of clotheslines. 

Quilt Pattern:  Pixelated Heart

(a free pattern from Robert Kaufman Co.) 

Quilting pattern:  Red Hot

Size:  67.5 x 81 inches (before laundering)

That is all I have for now.  But, I do have tons of photos and little bits and pieces of other news to share.  One of these days.

XO

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Hey Mom...I have cancer.

How do I even breathe after hearing that? 

What do I say? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Matthew is my firstborn.  Since I first laid eyes on him and held him close, I have thought that the sun rises and sets on him.  He is special in a way no one else could be.   

Matthew is just 44 years old...and Matthew has stage 4 colon cancer.    

Cancer is so very scary.  But.  I am keeping positive thoughts.  I pray for him.  I worry and cry for him, though.  

I am travelling to Wisconsin to spend time (11 days!) with my sons.  I know...it is not the best time of the year to be in Wisconsin.  But, I need to be there.  

                 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Happy New Year!

Here it is, January 7 and I am already writing a post!!

And, I already have a finish to show you!  In January of 2017, I joined a quiltalong on Instagram (my IG name is kelonie).  Following "Tula Pink's City Sampler 100 Modern City Blocks" book, we (a gazillion of us) made 2 blocks per week for 50 weeks.  I must tell you that I was rather impressed with myself...that I did all of them!!  But, once they were made, I put them away and didn't take them out again until after Christmas of 2018...an entire year later!  I was determined to finish it before the end of the year, but I came down with a nasty, horrible and miserable cold that delayed my working on it.  But, it is done now!!!  

I had used all Anna Maria Horner fabrics on the blocks, and the sashing is Grunge Basics by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics in Stone.  The pattern I chose from the book is called Sliding Scale, is sized at 80x93, and uses 70 blocks.  I made my quilt top to measure 72x84 and used only 54 blocks.  I guess I have enough to make another quilt, hey?  Anyway.  Here are a few photos...

You likely won't see this for another year (or so), because it joins a long list of quilt tops waiting to be quilted.

I have a big project that I'll be starting one of these days...the Bakers Dozen quilt by Jen Kingwell.  I'll also be using Anna Maria Horner fabrics for that one.  Very excited about this, but also a bit nervous, as her patterns can be somewhat challenging.

In the meantime, I have already begun another quilt top...a bright floral patchwork one.    

Have a great week!

Shaking My Head...

Here it is, the last day of this year...and I am still wondering where September went!!!  Oh dear me.  Time certainly never stands still.

So.  This post contains a lot of photos...you may wish to sit back and relax with a cup of coffee/hot chocolate. 

First of all, me Mum is holding her own. We are very happy with the care she receives at the nursing home.  She still recognizes us and sometimes still gives 'the look', but it is difficult to converse with her for any length of time.  She is often living in a world all her own.  But, she seems content...doesn't throw things or shout out in anger, she doesn't fight the assistance she receives from the nursing staff, she eats well and is getting good sleep.  She is 88 years old.  I miss her so much...she is here, yet she is not.  I still often half wait for her evening phone call.  But, it doesn't come.  So much has changed since her stroke in May.  The hip fracture (with surgery/anesthesia) did not help at all.  She is not aware of the passing of time, yet it is very important to me that one of us visits her every day.    

Christmas Eve 2018

As for the Stitch kitty.  He is now 8 months old and growing fast!  I had a bit of a problem with him biting...more than just the normal kitty 'I wanna nibble on you' biting.  I reached out to a cat behaviorist (no, not Jackson Galaxy) and worked hard at doing what was recommended.  It definitely worked, as Stitch is more mellow and not so reactive.  Carole (cat behaviorist) did tell me that he would calm down as he got older, and he has.  whew.  I mean, there were so many sweet moments but then he would bite me...unprovoked.  Not nibbles, either.  Bites that hurt, though he never broke the skin.  Anyway.  We keep a pretty strict schedule with plenty of playtime.  I also started clicker training, which is fun!  A few of my dogs were clicker trained and I am surprised at how well he is responding!!  He is very smart, but he is a cat, so I wasn't sure how it would go.  

Here are a few photos...

Loves to watch me brush my teeth and wash my face.

He still does this...throws his front legs up over his head.

Not one to dress my animals in clothes, but for a free nail trim?
Heck, yeah!  I made the chef's hat and red scarf for him.  

He loves to snuggle.

  

I now have magnetic catches on all of my cupboard doors!!!

There.  That should be enough Stitch photos to satisfy you!  He amuses me greatly!

As far as my sewing and other crafting goes, I have not done too much in these last few months.  And, though I made some Christmas gifts, I neglected to take photos of them!  duh.

But, here is what I have done (and photographed) since September...

Cloth napkins.

Quilt top for sister Julie.

2 X 4 quilt I was working on in my last post.

Finally putting these blocks together that I made last year...
the City Sampler Modern Quilt Blocks.

I am still working on the Vintage Postcard stitchery I showed in my last (?) post.  And, I am working on a counted cross stitch that is looking like this...

I guess that is pretty much it.  I have a bad cold, so won't be doing anything exciting to welcome in the new year.  Not that I normally do, anyway.  Just so ya know.

Wishing a Happy and Healthy New Year to you all!  
Jacque.




"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Where Did September Go?

I feel like I've been busy, but I don't have much to show for it.

But, I did get my sewing/craft room cleaned out. I think I was working on it when I last posted.  It's a good feeling to be done.  I donated, gave away, and threw out so much...unbelievable how much one accumulates.  Right?  And, I am trying to make the room safe for Stitch.  He loves pulling pins out of pincushions...not a good thing for him to be doing.  I mostly keep the door shut when I'm not in there.  Otherwise, I need to put so many things away...which proves to be counter-productive.  Setting up and putting away each time I want to get something done.  It will all work out, though.  

I have been working on a 2 x 4 quilt...inspired by this blog post - Film In The Fridge.  A few years ago, I bought a box of assorted Cotton & Steel fat quarters...40 of them, I think.  I have already made two quilt tops with these fabrics (churn dash and plus) and I had more than enough to make these 49 blocks.  One day soon I will get these put together into rows. 

I have also been getting some stitching done on the Vintage Postcard stitchery...

Stitch is doing fine...he will be 6 months old on Tuesday!  I have photos...

Is he too cute?

He often smushes his head into my neck.

Coming out of his hiding place.

Fabrics from Cathy of Pink Petunia Cottage...he loves this blanket.

Mesmerized by the snap hook.

One of his fave things to do...swing these rulers back and forth.

I am talking to him...he was looking at me.

Ya never know where these little mice will be next!

That's about all I have for this Saturday.  


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Okay...so, WOW!

In my last post, I had started on a new quilt...the Choose Your Own Adventure one.  At that time, I only had the first two rounds done.  But, hey...now it is finished!  The quilt top, anyway.  And, I am really liking it (what's new, right?)!!

Here it is...not a great photo because I don't have 72" of space anywhere to lay it out.  I am not a big fan of anything pink, but I think it adds a bit of drama to this quilt top.  What do you think?

And, I finally finished a quilt I started in 2012.  I have an 'almost' birthday twin...Lindy's birthday is the day before mine and she is a few years younger.  We met on the Wool Snippets message board and have been friends for several years.  To the extent that we exchange birthday gifts.  Cuz, why not?  Back in 2012, Lindy gifted me with the fabric collection of Curio by Basic Grey for Moda.  The project sheet that came along with the quilt was the quilt I made.  Back here is when I finished the top and backing.

Here it is now, all quilted and laundered...

The details...

Curio by Basic Grey for Moda

64" square (before laundering)

Quilted by local longarmer PJ 

with Feelin' Groovy pattern.

Love, love, LOVE this quilt!  Thank you so very much, Lindy!

In other news, me Mum is doing better.  Awake more often and eating more.  Still delusional much of the time, though. 

Stitch Kitty is growing by leaps and bounds.  He was neutered a month ago...went through it just fine.  Do I have photos?  Why, of course!

And, the best thing of all happened...my son, Paul, came to visit!!!  Not only that, he surprised me with his visit!  I had no idea he was coming and all of a sudden, there he was.  I cried, of course...it was so great to spend time with him.  It has been a year since my visit to Wisconsin...and it will be another year before I go again...so seeing Paul was wonderful!

Stitch was completely in love with Paul.

Having a heart-to-heart talk with Stitch.

Paul & his Gram had a nice visit.

Yesterday was 3 years without Tag.  That's all I can say.  

I am working on the sewing room.  PURGING!  Feels good to let go of some stuff.  Seriously.  Moved it here from WI and it's been almost 3 years...do I really think I will get it done?  Quite a few things fall into that category.  I am tossing some stuff, donating other stuff...and giving away lots.  Trying to lessen the load, ya know?  I want to do what I want to do, not what others think I should do.  Working toward that end. 

One thing I want to do is to start sewing clothes for myself.  It has been several years since I've done anything like that, so I am looking forward to it.  In fact, I just ordered two patterns that I can use in multiple ways to make multiple pieces!  I am excited about that.

Well, I think that is it for this post.  It is a gorgeous weekend here...and I plan to relax and enjoy it.  


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11