In the Wee Hours

Things have been moving awfully fast around here lately.  There is so much swirling around in my head, I sometimes alternate between all out panic and this little evil laugh that bubbles out.  It's all good...

wide open
exhilarating
hopeful
exciting
frightening
and a little nuts...

but all good.

I've been both off the grid and on but just not on in a way that I'm keeping up with things here.  The other day I came home to a little package in the mail...from Near Philadelphia...This dear woman who I have come to love through this wonderful world of blogness (and through a couple of real-life visits) sent me a mug rug. It has this lovely lady on it drinking her martini (what I sometimes wish is in my coffee mug) and goes perfectly beside my sewing machine.

I finally got a chance to use it the other night when I made it into my quilt room  for a bit. On nights when David is out of town, I tend to see the wee hours of the morning.  I enjoy the quiet and lose track of time.  Sometimes I even get a lot done and this particular night, my friend, Nancy, was right there keeping me company.

Thank you for the mug rug, Nancy, but most of all, thank you for the friendship and the reminder to slow down for a bit and enjoy the moment.

My New Best Friend

My Christmas presents from my family tend to have themes.  A couple of years ago it was yoga gadgets.    Last year was hiking gear and luggage.  For years before, it was quilting books, gadgets...you get the picture.  This year was a Keurig Christmas.  I got the machine, the coffee cups, the little carousel to store the coffee cups - the works.

It is perfection.  One cup at time...because DH doesn't drink coffee.  (Neither does Shelby.)  I can have my coffee anytime without a trip to Starbucks.

I overheard my dad saying to my mom - "does she know these little coffee cup things cost almost $1 each?"  

Oh, Dad...if you only knew how much I spent at Starbucks last year...

And the Gifts Keep Coming

I met my friend for lunch today. You know the friend... the one I wrote the paper for and God showed me how He works?

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As if that wasn't enough thanks...

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Robbie made this for me.

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He MADE this!

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And are you ready for this?

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This wood he used for the top...

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quilted maple.

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Really.

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There's no better gift for someone who makes things with their hands than a gift made by an other's own hands...except for the gift of friendship.

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Christmas Gifts

Gift 1 - a boy loving a new truck


Gift 2 - laughter after a grand home-cooked meal


Gift 3 - a big ol' smile from another boy loving a truck

Gift 4 - Shelby makes a new friend


Gift 5 - Nephews opening a gazillion presents


Gift 6 - a nest of presents and a goofy grin

Gift 7 - a butt shot


Gift 8 - the joy of the wrapping paper pile


Gift 9 - My "little" brother succeeding in frying the turkey and sparing the house...and the yard...and the cars


Gift 10 - "Big brothers"


Gift 11 - a visit from an old friend...and a new one


Gift 12 - THAT look on his face and the smile on hers

Gift 13 - Being able to share with an open heart


Gift 14 - knowing more is to come.

The People Whisperer

Usually Friday is my day off. Today, however, I had to come into work because we have a major deadline next week and I have a lot to do before then. (Most likely, I will be here all weekend.) Before I came in, I had a few errands to run. Whenever possible, especially after a week like this one where I am away from home so much, I take Shelby with me wherever I go. I've taken her everywhere since she was a wee puppy (at 6 pounds, she's still a wee girl). She is very well behaved...usually. (The usually is destroyed whenever she comes into contact with a couple of the guys in my office...then she goes nuts because she loves them.)

This morning as a ran my errands, I noticed something.

Shelby is a people whisperer.

Standing in line at City Hall to pay a bill - she charms all three clerks and all the customers in line..just by calmly observing them as she is tucked in my arm waiting our turn.

Walking up the street with her tucked under my arm, people driving by, wave and smile.

People rushing to work stop to pet her and ask her name and tell her she's beautiful.

The guys painting the lobby in our building stop and smile and say good morning...instead of just trying to hug the wall so I can get to the elevator.

Frowns disappear and turn into smiles.

Laughs bubble out.

Conversations ensue.

People become approachable and warm and friendly.

Their day is brighter.

My day is brighter.

All because a little fur ball calmly whispers to them with those big brown eyes...

All is well.

Spreading Holiday Cheer

A month ago I decided to try and get folks in our building to participate in a holiday drive for Bethesda Center for the Homeless. I sent out a list of items the center needed and as a little extra incentive, assigned points to each item and whoever turned in the most points, won one of my quilts. This quilt...


I didn't get as much response as I had hoped but several folks participated and we took a backseat full of stuff to the center on Saturday morning. The center was full of activity as it was their official holiday drive and fundraiser. It felt good to help out and to see the good work this center does. It is more than a homeless shelter. They have programs to help people get back on their feet again.

It made me think about the time when I lost my job not long after graduate school. What if I had not had family able to help me keep my bills paid? What if I had not had the opportunity to get an education in order to get another job? What if it had been now, when jobs are so scarce?





There, but my the Grace of God, go I.


Thank God for placing like Bethesda Center and the people that devote their lives to the service of others.

Thank God for the reminder of the gifts I have received and for the opportunity to use my talents in order to give back.

Surprises

Yesterday we woke up to find snow and fallen overnight. It wasn't much but any trace of snow around here is reason to get excited. I miss snow. We haven't had a decent snowfall since I moved here 12 years ago.


Shelby was not impressed with the snow.



Yesterday also brought another surprise in the mail. Quiltkeemosabee sent me this little book that I was coveting at retreat a couple of weeks ago. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!



This morning, Dave left to do a couple of errands. When he came back home about 45 minutes later he told me he saw the wildest thing. He talked me into getting in the truck and riding down the to elementary school a a few blocks away. (Keep in mind I'm still in my PJ's and robe.)

Look at the top left corner of the school's can recycling bin. See him?


We're used to seeing hawks around here but they are usually way up in the trees. This guy was at eye level and had been there for at least 45 minutes. He is huge! Much bigger than Shelby! We watched him for 15 minutes or so, wondering why he was still standing there on top of that bin. I was afraid he was stuck in the grate but after a few minutes it was obvious he had his breakfast up there with him. He would move his right foot but not his left...so I was still a bit worried. Finally, he moved his left foot and we knew he could fly away if he wanted.


What would we have done if we discovered he was stuck? Called the local raptor center to come rescue him. I'm not crazy enough to walk up to a hawk!


Beautiful, huh?