Knapsack Quilts

Something To Think About

2011-06-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

May was a great travel month for me. Had the opportunity to visit all of the older neices and all of the baby nephews and neice. You will see more of that in the following days this week.

But something for you the think about. Careen, Dillon, and I did a little road trip as part of our adventures. Outside of Kansas City, Missouri we saw this sign: Cinderalla Moble Home Country Club. Don't have a picture - should have but done.

Just found it so funny and wanted to share.

Ready for the Weekend

2010-10-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

I have been sick for two weeks. Tired all the time. And this week is Thimbles. Thanks goodness this week is Thimbles. I need sewing time, laughing with friends and the general out of controlness (I don't think that is even a word but it should be) that happens during Thimbles.
My blocks for the exchange I am doing with the girls - Becky, Kristie, Gretchen, Karin - are not cut out. I don't think they will get done tonight. Cause I think I am going to bed. I need to be ready for tomorrow. How many hours till Saturday morning? Once it is here it will fly by.

Tribute to a Friend

2010-04-16T12:21:00.000-07:00

Occasionally our lives are touch by very special people. Last week I attended the funeral of a friend from my life like that.

Nancy is someone that I became introduced to at church over 15 years ago. I think we crossed paths first at a church choir made up of several congregations. Over the years my contact with her has continued and she became a friend. Don't misunderstand, I was never one of her "buddies" but feel lucky for her friendship.

About six and half years ago, when I was having surgery for cancer and radiation treatments she shared of herself in the way only she could. Several years before my cancer diagnosis she had breast cancer. Even though it was a different cancer than mine, she share of her experiences that help me during my treatment. In Nancy was someone who understood without my having to express what I was going though. She understood how radiation treatments affect you and offered encouragement. Mostly I received a strength from her to face this head on.

When her cancer return about a year or so later, I continued to learn and feel her encouragement. As I was around I learned about dealing with the return of cancer with grace, courage, and humor. She always ask about others and truly cared, even in the end when she was in so much pain. You felt better seeing her smile. A smile that will be missed.

If my cancer were to return, how would I deal? Don't know, but maybe with that same hope, forthrightness, and humor.

Binding

2009-11-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

As I prepare to go visit the parents for Thanksgiving I have been trying to get projects ready to take. Now I love going to the farm and I love those two people I am going to visit very much. But I have to have something to do with my hands while I am there.

So I have been making a boat load of binding. I think that I have about five quilts ready for binding and will take probably three with me. I am only going to be there three days, way more that I need but heaven forbid that I run out of things to do while we watch news 24 hours a day.

Wish me luck! Maybe I really can get three done while I am gone.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2009-08-08T18:03:00.000-07:00

My favorite book in the whole world is a children's book called, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.

Well, two weeks ago on Monday I had one of those days. Actually several of you have commented on your blogs that you had bad days as well. I have a two week string of those days. Not everyday but enough. People at work yelling a me about something they have to do, my only involvement was that I was to go to person. Cubicle mates instant messaging me about my cough from allergy. They are sure that I am putting their health in danger and I need to use hand sanitiser. I haven't figured that out yet.

Then flat tires and fender benders. Well, you get the picture.

NO SEWING. I have to do my taxes. My life is out of control.

Hopefully after spending the morning in my room for some quiet, alone time things will be better.

For those of you who guess out my day from the pictures, he is the second from the left. Rt to lt they are Roy, Dee, Al, Norman, and Ruth. We were celebrating Uncle Al's birthday. I really do have a great family.

Back to my taxes. I am going to finish them so that they are not hanging over me. Right after I go the Emma's blog to watch the video of Evelyn and laugh again.

The Knapp Family

2009-07-22T16:42:00.000-07:00

I know you are still waiting for the treasures from my trip to Ohio. But I wanted to share a picture (well actually two) from my trip to OK by way of KS in May. The first picture is of my dad and his brothers and sisters. Can you guess which one he is? (Well, my family can't tell you for a week. Cause I want to see if any of you can guess.)

This next picture is of everyone that was there. We were celebrating my Uncle Al's 80th birthday.

As you can tell I did not set down on the ground cause I could not get up from there. We had lots of fun seeing everyone. We don't connect often enough anymore.

Vacation

2009-06-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that this week is almost over. I have spent the last week with my sister Cassie in Ohio. (Not one of those places on my top ten lists of places to go. But her family live here.) The week has gone by so fast.

We have sewed and done day trips and just fun all around. On Tuesday we went to Longaberger. Wednesday to Kirtland (historical stuff). Friday to a couple of quilt shops. I have bought so much stuff that she is going to have to ship so of it to me. It won't fit in my suitcase. You will have to wait until I get home to see the few pictures that I have taken.

But tomorrow I have to go back to the hot, Atlanta. And Monday back to work. Oh, well how do you think I can retire. I am ready to not work - but how to support my habit. That is the big questions.

Peace for Me

2009-06-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have that place that makes you happy to be there? Somewhere that you long for when it has been to long since you were there. This is that place for me. When I turn the corner and head west this is what I see. I'm always looking for the silo, what else can I see. This is a mile away.

Then it gets closer. Only a half a mile to go. What can I tell now? All the buildings look the same. I can see a long way.

Then finally I am there. Home! No matter where I live or how old I become this will always be home.

This house on this farm has always been a part of my life. My grandparents built it in the early 1940's and my dad lives there now. Until I was almost 11 there was a house across the road that we lived in and my dad moved back there when I was 18. It has changed a little over the years and the buildings around it have change, but it still brings that sense of security and belonging. I have spend summers hauling hay with my father and grandfather. It allows you to be a part of this great connection to the gift of beauty and calmness.

A Little Behind

2009-02-21T18:53:00.000-08:00

Today at Thimbles, my quilting friends were giving me a hard time about needing to update my blog. I have decided that since I have not blogged since August, it would be okay to post pictures from Christmas. Christmas pictures in February, not that late.

Christmas Eve - hanging stockings.

Christmas Dinner

Everyone was hungry

Notice Emma still in her jammies - all Christmas Day

A noisy gift from Aunt Cindi

A suitcase full of cookie makings for Laurel

When are you making some?

Another gift for Evelyn

Can you tell she is sure loved a lot?

The Prete Family

Hey NaNa, Mommy's not paying

attention - if this mine too?

Evelyn making friends with Chip with

Uncle Lawrence's support

Emma on her new phone under Dad's quilt.

John and Lawrence bonding

Kent's Christmas Present

Love this quilt

Evelyn driving her shopping cart - keep out of her way

Evelyn and Aunt Laurel after Church

A treat after Church.

Thanks Aunt Laurel

Sad Happenings

2008-08-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

As the last week or so has unfolded it has been sad. The company that let me go in March has closed it's door. For me the worst part has been scrambling to find new health insurance, because with the doors closed and their insurance gone mine goes away as well.

But the real sadness I feel is for those people that I know that are still working them. When you work in accounting you usually know just how bad things are, so they have seen this coming. But you are still not prepared. The owner of the company is 73 and this is his life's work. He can't really start over. I am feeling very sad for all of them tonight.

I joked with them in March when they let me go that I was the lucky one. It looks like that has proven true, but I am still very sad for each of them as they try to figure out how to start putting their lives back together.

Memory (blog version)

2008-07-15T07:47:00.000-07:00

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Happy Birthday America!!!

2008-07-04T13:55:00.000-07:00

Everyone has been telling me that they are tired of reading about the plan ride. So I guess that means a new post is way past due. Today seems like the perfect time.

I hope that as you are celebrating the 4th of July with your fireworks, food, and fun you will take a minute to contemplate what we are celebrating today. Just think 232 years ago very brave men signed our Declaration of Independence. Their lives were never the same and they started in motion the events that make our lives very blessed. I too often take for granted the freedom and opportunities that I have by being born and living in America.

So take a moment to think about what was done then and how we are blessed to be Americans.

The Big Plane Ride

2008-05-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I rushed out of work to catch a plane to Columbus for Lawrence's gradation. Just a quick little hop. Well, that was how it was suppose to be. It was on one of those planes that you feel like you are on a long sausage and I was stuffed in the very last row. I thought there was a lot on noise but didn't think to much about it. But everyone in the back was talking about the vibration. The pilot must have felt something and ask the flight attendant about if her feet were vibrating. Guess so.

At this point the pilot comes on the intercom and makes a comment about the vibration that many are feeling is one of the engines vibrating. They are going to shut the engine down and land at the closest airport with one engine. So we landed in Cincinnati where we can see fire trucks with flashing red lights going with us down the runway on both sides. ( I was sitting across the isle for an air traffic controller from Columbus who say that is considered a level 2 emergency).

We then changed planes and come onto Columbus arriving about an hour and 15 minutes late.

More excitement that I wanted at 11 pm on a Friday night.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-05-29T17:12:00.000-07:00

Several of my friend have commented that it has been a long time since I have posted. Is two months really a long time? So much going on and not a enough time is my reason. Hope that will fly.

I don't have the posting of pictures with the words in the right place figured out yet so you will get it whatever order it come.

The handsome couple.

Miss Evelyn

Both graduates - Mark & Careen

The week after my last post I got a job. It is a temp to perm position with a company called Southern Business Communication. They provide audio visual equipment and applications to school, government, businesses. So far I am enjoying the work and feel that it is a good environment. Hopefully they will keep me. During April month end I worked lots of hours which I haven't done in a couple of years. We will see how this progresses.

And I have been traveling. The family has been keeping me busy. The end of April I went to Utah for my neice's graduation from BYU. She now has a degree in family history or genealogy. I love this, someone I talk with about what I might find around the corner about those ancestors. While there I stayed with my friends Eric and Claudia Fossum. It was so nice to spend time with them. Just now enough with all of the graduation stuff. I always feel like I am home and content with them. Also, it was my opportunity to meet Mark for the first. But more on that later.

Then two weeks later on Mother's Day weekend Careen and Mark got married in Nauvoo, IL and have their reception in Keokuk, IA. Everyone was there and I got to play with the great niece Evelyn. Careen was a beautiful bride and it was a wonderful experience. There are pictures.

And now this weekend I go to Columbus, OH for my nephew Lawrence's high school graduation. It will be a quick trip because it is month end again.

Not much sewing and not a lot of sleep. But life is good.

Gathering

2008-04-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

Today I was reading an article about gathering. It was specificly about how members of my church - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gather twice a year to received council from our leaders in Utah. The next time that I will be watching and listening and gathering to here this council is this coming weekend.

As he was describing gathering he use hobbies. I think that is very true of quilting. We gather pieces of fabric that we think with look nice together to make a finished quilt. The process is gathering - fabric, patterns, pieces, blocks.

The same is true of our friends. We want to gather them around us. To share fun things with. To support us in times of woe.

I like this term - gathering. I had never thought about it in quite this way. Especially the gathering of friends, where they be family, co-workers, quilting friends, or church friends. They definitely make me a better person.

Changes

2008-04-01T07:05:00.000-07:00

Just like spring is a time of change so can life be. A couple of weeks ago in downtown Atlanta there was a tornado. Changes of going from cool to warm cause turbulent weather. I have always lived in areas where there are tornadoes and have a healthy respect for them. Admittedly if I have to be around them I would prefer at the farm because I can see them coming. Here in the city there are to many buildings, trees, and people, you just can't see well. So when warm meets cold or cold meets warm this happens. If you look on the left by the tall building with the lighted top that is the tornado.

I had been thinking about this and how changes in affect things like our weather when last Monday (the 24th) my manager can into my office and let me go. So now I have new changes in my life. I am one of those people who like ruts but I do not seem destine to have them. Oh well, new opportunities and new adventures. I did have a couple of days last week where I spent the day on the couch, eating ice cream, and watching very bad tv.

I have not sewn much because I feel like I should be working on the resume and making calls and such. But yesterday I did tell myself that I need to do these things on my list and them I could sew. Working on the machine part of sewing on binding for Ruby Slippers and Star Gazing to be ready to hand sew down during General Conference this weekend.

SPRING! ! !

2008-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

Spring has shown up in Georgia. This weekend was so pretty that I had to get in my car and just spend time on the road. (I really miss MaryAnn. Saturday was perfect for a day trip.) The sun is shining, birds are singing. It make me happy.

Since it was such a pretty day on Saturday I hit a couple of quilt shops in my travels. This was during shop hop and I said that I was not going to do any. I bought pieces for a quilt that I have already started and need more variety. This doesn't count as buying fabric does it? It is for a project already started and I can't finish without it. Oh rationalization, isn't it great.

Exercise - A Four Letter Word

2008-02-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

Evercise is a four letter word to me. Once I get to the gym I actually enjoy it. I feel better when I do it. But it is really hard to force myself out the door to the gym. It really is all about habits and this winter exercise has not been a habit. When will I go to the gym and make like a gerbil on the treadmill? Not today - maybe tommorrow - maybe not.

Starting Somewhere

2008-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

This is so out of my comfort zone but my quilting friends are doing blogs. My niece Emma has a great one. So I will try. No pictures to start - haven't figured that out yet. (As well as I can't find my battery charger for my camera.) I tend to write like I talk - which is to just go on and on, so don't expect great writing but hopefully fun.

My quiling friend Karin made a excel spreadsheet with all of her UFO's. Why? Gretchen had started doing a card file with an index card for each project. So that have me thinking. If 2008 is going to be a year to finish UFO's what is my plan? Do I need a plan? I think so. What I have done is make a card of the first 10 projects I want to complete. As I finish one batch of ten I will come up with another. Otherwise to overwhelming I think.