getting it together....

so happy to have a day today to work on my own stuff...doing some metal, maybe some fiber, and get my paperwork together....fun day, maybe.

What I was going to say at Capril's celebration...

Every once in a while, you cross paths with a new person and you know immediately that you have met a spirit whose soul connects with your own. That's the way Capril was for me. You might not think we'd have much in common, based on our backgrounds. I knew that I liked her the minute I met her. Lucky me to have found a kindred spirit along my path! Capril and I shared creative interests, a love of reading and similar values. We spent most Tuesday nights together, after sewing at Tanner’s. We’d get something to eat, drink some tea, usually one called, Mambo and we’d talk and talk and talk and laugh. Then we would do our book search. We’d decide what books we would be getting that week, and trade books we’d read before. We’d discuss our likes, dislikes and our opinions. These were our common threads.
My friend, Capril, was a woman of incredible knowledge and patience, especially for those who do not like to follow rules, use patterns and are cut and measure impaired. One of whom is me. I like to make the rules and order everyone else to follow them, but I don't want to be on the receiving end of them very often. To Capril’s advice, I listened. When you are listening to someone as wise as she, you don’t have a choice.

Her death has created an unimaginable void in my life.
But, I still hear her voice and will forever remember the kindness, compassion and love that she shared. I will remember how she saw people through the eyes of her heart, never judged a book by its cover and how she freely and willingly gave of herself. I will remember how she stitched together a family of friends who get together on Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays. And now, the members of this community are all helping each other keep from falling apart at the seams. I will remember how she taught my daughter to love sewing, and how intently the eyes of all the children watched her when she taught them.
Most of all, I will remember our times together, because they were a gift in my life. I have been blessed by her love and friendship and will be forever grateful that we had the opportunity to stitch a story of friendship.

saying goodbye...

Saturday was the Homegoing service and celebration for my friend Capril. Her family did a wonderful job of arranging the events. I must admit that I found the service to be very dramatic at times and there was a moment or two during the eulogy that I found to be really funny. I dared not to make eye contact with Lauren (a friend of Capril's that I had heard much about, but not met before) or I would have burst out in laughter. I think that Capril's spirit would have been laughing too...
The celebration after the service was a lovely party. The warmth and love of her family made it extra special and I felt like an honored guest amidst the many people there. Each table had centerpieces made of books from Capril's library and guests were able to take some when they left. Lisa and I spent Thursday afternoon stacking the books and tying them with fabric bows. We had first crack at the books, and I went away with a few of them. I will be honored to have them as part of my own collection.
I wrote something to say at the celebration, but didn't get a chance to read it. I passed the text on to Capril's family in case they wanted to read it. I was going to post it here, but the blogger isn't cooperating today.

Happy 2010

It's hard to believe that it is the year 2010! Sounds so sci-fi! I was hoping that the year would start off well, but that was not to be.

My dear friend Capril passed away last Wednesday after after two week battle with pneumonia, complicated by H1N1. Her unexpected death has been very difficult to deal with and so painful. She touched many lives and mine was just one on which she had a profound effect. I miss her terribly.

When I was a child, I could play with anyone. Friends were everywhere and bountiful. As a teen, this continued. In college and the first few years after, it wasn't hard to find other young single people to do stuff with. Then things changed. As I've gotten older, it has become harder to put the time into developing these types of relationships. Family and job responsibilities leave little time for socializing, so when I do, I am selective about who I spend my precious time with. Capril was one of those people who I chose to be with often. From the moment we met, we were kindred spirits. Though from different backgrounds and worlds, we shared the same creative interests, a love of reading and similar values. Her death has created an unimaginable void in my life.

But, I still hear her voice and will forever remember the kindness, compassion and love that she shared. And before I sign off here, I'm going to share a silly thought...one that gives me hope and comfort. If there is a hereafter, and the recently arrived souls there line up in alphabetical order by first name, my friends Capril and Carol will be next to each other, creating a colorful world that embodies the peace, kindness and justice both believed in....

Happy Holidays to all!

Just wanted to take a few minutes and wish anyone who might be reading this, a very holiday season! I've been crazy busy for the last little while, with the paying job...and the one that isn't paying yet...THE BOOK! It is coming closer to publication and I am hoping that the illustrator and I can send it to PRINT in the next few weeks... As soon as it is right, it will go to press! Thank you to my dear friend and sister in my heart, Kathy McKay, for all of the help, and Toni and Cathy C. for looking things over...I so appreciate all of your input! And as for the illustrator, Teri is doing an incredible job, but I will tell you more about that when she gives me permission!
Besides that, I've been making stuff for the holidays! Gifts for loved ones out of silver and glass, cooked items for those who might like some sweets! Chocolate marshmallow lollipops with a variety of additions have been scarfed down by the dozen all around the South Bay! This week, I will be baking amazingly delicious cinnamon rolls to deliver to my neighbors for Christmas breakfast!
(I've got to let you know that I've been sucked into the facebook world, so friend me up there if you want! I'm listed under my full name).
Before I sign off and head downstairs for some hockey watching, I want to let you know how much I've appreciated your friendship and kindness over this past year! Our family has faced challenges in the form of illnesses, death and financial changes over this time, and we are grateful for the support we have received! 2009 has been a humbling year, which has also restored our values and ideals in many ways. Doing what we feel is right along the way has made a huge difference.
Wishing you all health, happiness, creativity and prosperity in the times to come!
I'll be back after the New Year to blog some more!

Who is that old lady, looking at me in the mirror?

My grandmother once said that when she looked in the mirror, she didn't know who that old lady was who was staring back at her. As I age and see myself looking more and more like her, I sometimes think the same thing. The lines on my face. where did they come from? The graying hair-thank goodness there is color for that! (Actually, I no longer know what my hair color is, since I've been doing stuff to it for quite a while). And the lumpier physique, do I really want to think about that?
But I'm happy that I am looking a little bit like her, because she was the best. The most energetic. The most giving. The most loving. The kind of woman who entertained the old people at the nursing homes when she was actually older than they were. The one who cooked us dinner on Friday night and then we grandchildren would fight about who got to sleep over. On Friday night, when we were there, we could watch TV and catch up on all the important Brady Bunch, Partridge family issues...
I was thinking today that she passed on the creative spirit, too. She would make us things with her knotting and crocheting. She made eye glass holders in the shape of animals. She made resin items for paperweights. And man, could she cook. That part didn't get passed on...

Cured

I think.... hopefully the flu outbreak is over in our house! c. had it for a couple of days... she bounced back so quickly!

I've been doing some glass fusing...gonna make some pendants for the holidays! I hope this weekend to pull out some silver and get back to that!

Home with the flu!

i've been home for the last day and a half with a lousy fever and a crappy mood! I am bored, but can't get myself moving enough to accomplish any task that requires a focus.... how sad is that?

Just a little update, that the children's book I'm writing and Teri is illustrating is going forward, full steam ahead at this point! I'll update you with more information as it gets closer, so if you want to reserve a copy or pre-order or donate one to an appropriate cause, then you can! It's going to impact the lives of shildren, and that is the goal....

Back to resting position....

The pink collection

A baby gift from the creative minds at Art and Play design.....

And one more thing!

Did I tell you that I was a winner of a blog contest! Yes, It's true! I won these great books from Settler's Peace, the blog of a very kind and talented artist who I've had the opportunity to do art and play with! Juanita is wonderful and so is her blog, so do take the time to check it out!

One more thing! The card here was made by a different artist, Tammy Gilley, who you can check out here.