I LOVE YOU

I just finished a book that was recommended by my son James. It had a few bad parts so I wouldn't recommend it but I came away with the overwhelming feeling to tell those I love that I love them. I am sure the people that read my blog are the people I love most. I love you.

I love my friends. I thought about listing them but I know I would forget someone. I have special friends that can truly bring me out of a funk when we get together. I always feel better about myself when I am with them. I have friends that have taught me things like how to can fruit, how to sew, how to cook, how to share, how to make the gospel the center of my life.

I love my sister and brothers. I wish we lived closer (my fault) and I wish life weren't so demanding that I could talk to them every day, and I wish we were close enough to talk every day. That love never leaves though. They are forever connected to me and we share so much past. My siblings got the best of the gene-pool and I got the left-overs. They are all talented, smart, beautiful. I love them.

I love my mom. She gave so much so her kids could have so much more. All my life I have wanted to make her proud of me. I want to be a good mom and I wanted her to recognize it. Her impact on my role as a mother has been immeasurable. Until 5 months ago, I still called her on a regular basis with questions. I miss her.

I love my husband. I don't think I ever realized how much I loved him until recently. With the loss of my mom, I have realized how much I need and love him. He is my strength. I don't do so well without him by my side. He is the greatest.

I love my husbands family. He has great parents that raised a great man. They love us and our family. They have taught us so much and have been so patient with us as we have struggled to raise our family.

I love my children. This love is so deep and woven throughout every fiber of my being. I love them so much it hurts. I love them so much that I find myself continually thinking of them and saying little prayers for them. Lord, please bless Amanda as she struggles to raise her little ones with a husband in a demanding grad program. Please bless Sarah with strength during this pregnancy, bless Brad on his school work, in his new marriage. Bless James so far away. Please bless him to know how much I love him over this distance between us. Bless Hannah that she won't be exposed to so many evils in the world. Bless her to be strong. Bless them all to be happy, right where they are in life. Bless them to know what is important and seek after those things. Bless them to know I would do anything within my power to help them and I love them. That love fills my chest until it truly hurts. It aches for them, it swells with pride to the point of pain, it rejoices in their successes and I sometimes wonder how my body holds all the love I have for them. They are my life, they are what I have lived for and what keeps me going. They are the greatest and I want them to know, I LOVE YOU!

I love other things and people too. I love deeply but find it hard to express that love to others. I tend to bury it in the day to day activities that I busy myself with. Just because I don't say it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

What have I been doing???

The beginning of summer I ordered a new couch and rocking chair for the living room. I gave the old (crappy) stuff to Brad and Jessica (hahaha, they got stuck with it). So finally the furniture came it. The one wall got a fresh coat of paint (from green to yellow) the old blinds were removed and new ones put up. We got rid of the carpet Larry hated and got new carpet.

Today, I spent the morning in the basement working on curtains for the windows. I am getting ready to hang them now (should have waited to take the photos). I love the more simple living room. Not as much clutter. I still have a bookshelf to clean off but so far, so good.

Now, on to Tuesday's project. I made this quilted placemat. Scrap fabric but it was easy and actually fun to do. I think I will do a couple of more. Maybe I will choose fabric I actually like or would use. Anyway, I really should get around to working on my Block of the Month squares.

Maybe tomorrow.......


PS For James. Living room with Curtains but nothing on the walls yet

How can I be sad???

I went to Texas over Labor Day Weekend to visit Larry's parents. As always I came home with an exciting project to do. I tried to work on it last Tuesday before Amanda came home from Sarah's but didn't get much done. I wanted to work on it today but ended up washing sheets and grocery shopping, maybe tomorrow. I love my in-laws (I don't think I will call them in-laws because I have been in the family for almost 34 years) and it was a nice relaxing visit. We didn't go outside much so I didn't die in the Texas heat and I am sure (even though they deny it) that they turned their air-conditioner to a reasonable temp because I didn't freeze to death this time (except at Gwen's house). So, Shirley showed me an easy placemat that you quilt as you go. I am so excited to get busy.

Last week, on Wednesday, Amanda and I headed to Boston with her 4 kids. I swore after riding with Bennett as a baby for 12 hours I would never get in a car with kids for a long trip again. But, Amanda needed me and like Superman I had to rescue her. The trip wasn't too bad though. Miles did have a couple of screaming times but I kept shoving food at him and it seemed to help. We spent the night in a stinky hotel (have no fear, they brought us Fabreeze to cover the smell :(. Amanda's new appartment is soooo nice. I love it. Because Casey had unpacked the whole house, had beds made and groceries bought, I didn't have much to do while there but sit around and play with the grandkids. Tough job but someone has to do it. Then I flew home on Saturday. I found a place in Boston with TVs all over the place so I went in and ordered a bowl of Clam Chowder so I could watch the beginning of the BUCKEYE game. Rascal Flatts did a great job on the National Anthem. Then in Baltimore, I had two hours so I found a Mexican place to eat and watch the second half of the game. I was sick from all the food but it was worth it to watch the Buckeyes win. I was surprised at how many Buckeye fans there were in Boston and Baltimore.

So, I made it through Sunday and then today I feel a little blue. I was in Sams Club and felt like I should be talking to someone but no one was there. I came home to mow the lawn and start dinner and I know I fixed way too many ribs for me, Larry and Hannah.

I miss my grandkids. Isn't that picture so cute?

(Oh yeah, and Joey Votto hit a walk-off home run on Saturday night when I got home :)