2010 Quilting Goals

I am big on goals. I love to set them and when I actually meet one I am thrilled. I probably hit my goals more than 50% of the time, but ya know, if you do not set a goal, you will NEVER meet it!! I will be sharing some of my life goals over the next few posts, but I wanted to start with my quilting goals. All the others will be complied into one post....my quilting goals make a list unmatched by any other goals. Some of these you may remember from my 2009 quilting goals. That's ok....I got TONS of quilting done in 2009!!!

The top of the list for 2010 is to finish the Pink and Brown. This is a queen sized quilt and is about 50% hand quilted. It has been the project I always set aside in order to finish another. This year is it's year. I believe this is 3 years in the making.

Number 2 on the list is the Hidden Star. The goal is to have this pieced and hand quilted by June 22nd. It is my son's quilt....12 years in the making.I want to finish the hand applique on the border of the Underground Railroad Sampler this coming year. I think this quilt is at least 3 years in the making.Now all of the above have been on my goal lists in the past, even on my 2008 goal list. This is their year. ALL else will wait until they are done. Not necessarily the quilting on the sampler, but at least the top finished.

New to the list....The Pine Ridge quilt. I want to have this pieced and quilted by fall. It will be ready for the hoop as the Hidden Star comes out. This is the state it is in right now....barely started. I guess, not barely....only 12 more trees and borders to add.

I also want to get the 9-patch blocks that Linda and I swapped put together. I will be able to get the 4 yards of fabric I need in May, so I should be able to start putting it together as soon as the Pine Ridge gets ready for the hoop.....see how I am planning things in an order???
I always have that Masterpiece in the forethought of my thinking. I am so frustrated with the applique....so tiny....but I hope to pick this up again at some point in 2010. No pressure, but to at least finish this first block and go on to the easier ones....I chose the hardest one first!
So there are my goals. I am certain there will be other projects added, but these are the ones I really want to meet.
Now that all my Christmas projects are finished, I can put the Pink and Brown in the hoop where it will stay until it is finished.
Don't forget to make some goals for 2010!!!! You will be surprised how having them will spur you on!
Be Blessed!!!
Bren

I Almost Puked

A phone conversation with my mom.....

Mom: Did you do a new blog today?

Me: No. I probably won't do one until after Christmas.

Mom: Well could you at least do something for me?

Me: What?

Mom: Could you get that thing off of there????

Me: What thing?

Mom: That new ugly brown thing you have on there now. I almost puked looking at it.

Me: You mean the new background?

Mom: Yes. It is gross. You need to get rid of it.

Me: *laughing*

Mom: I tried to see if there was anyway I could change that on my computer so I wouldn't have to look at it.

Me: laughing even harder....Sure, Mom. I will work on that.

Mom: Good. Try and brighten that up. Jeez, that is ugly!

How's this one, Mom????? Better?

A Weeks Worth

Another week gone. 2010 is so close you can almost see it!! I have lots of new quilting goals for 2010, but we'll talk about that later. I need to keep my feet in 09 for another couple of weeks! I did get my final miniature done for the season.
It still needs a binding (I think I will go with the gold) but other than that it is finished. It will be my "grab gift" for my family gift exchange. It has a special touch....
The backing fabric belonged to my Grandma Grace...my mom's mother. I got a 3 yard piece after she died back in 91. I use it sparingly. I know who ever gets it will like that it has a piece of Grandma in it. I always wondered her plans for that fabric. I thought to make a quilt with it, but felt to "spread it around" would be better.

The week was full. The mailman brought a goodie package. Winona sent my birthday and Christmas gifts all in one package.This gorgeous "Harvest" table runner. I loved it when I saw her creating it on her blog! It is full of wonderful hand quilting and I just run my hand over it again and again. As a quilter, to get a hand quilted item is pretty special!She made me a cute apron, pot holder and wash cloth for Christmas. Of course I opened it!!! I could not wait til Christmas!!
Her sewing skills are phenomenal!

I also had some grandma time with TJ and Emerson. They spent the night Friday night. It was a nice time. Emerson loves the tree. She is very gentle and when she touches something she says, "pretty" or "good girl". Her vocabulary is really growing!TJ spent the time playing Legos with Zach and we all watched G-Force together Friday night. TJ wanted to use my camera to take some pictures, so I told him he could. Most of them turned out like this....
But he did manage to capture this one too.....
I sure enjoyed my time with them. Rachel had went to her brother's college graduation and Bud was working. Bud picked them up Saturday and took Zach with to spend the night at TJ's house. He is still there. Needless to say, it has been peaceful here!

The kids worked a puzzle this week. 500 pieces and they really enjoyed it.I read a book...it has been a long time since I read a fiction book. This was historical fiction....my absolute favorite. It did not disappoint!
Today, I finally got some gifts wrapped. Not all, but some. Sweetheart helped....he wrapped one to my 4, but slow and steady wins the race. His packages did look nicer than mine ;)
Now there is a new week to look forward to. One in which we will begin our winter break (no homeschool til January) and we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I pray as you celebrate your own holiday this coming week you will remember it's true meaning and the incredible Gift that was given to you those many years ago.

Have a Blessed Christmas!!!!!

Kyle's Road

Kyle has been so many things in my life. He is the reason I have the depth of faith I have. He was used as a huge area of growth in my patience. He has become a man, who I am proud of. At 23 years old, I was certain I would never have to explain his road to him. You know, that special road his life has taken him to.
The one only select people travel down. The one that all parents pray their unborn baby will never have to go down.
I was wrong. Less than a month ago, while riding in the van, just the two of us, Kyle asked me, "Mom, why can't I be like Bud?"

"What do you mean, Kyle?"

"You, know. Why can't I drive a car, and have a house? Why do I live at home?"

I caught my breath. What do I say here? He deserves to know. I pulled the van over and looked at him.

"Kyle, you know you had lots of seizures when you were little, right?" He nodded. "Well, all those seizures happened in your brain. Your brain could not take all that extra activity. Kind of like when we plug in too many things and the lights go out and we have to go downstairs and flip that switch." He nods again. "Your brain does not have all it's power because of the seizures. Not enough power to drive a car, or live by yourself, But, you have more than enough power to live a good, full life."

"Why did I have seizures?", he asked.

"When you were a baby, and got your shots, there was a problem with one of them and it made you have seizures."

He looks deep in thought. "That is sad."

My heart tugs. Tears sting. "Yes, Kyle, it is sad."

He turns it around for me, as only Kyle can do, and says with a huge smile, "At least I can walk. Some people can't walk, mom"

"Yes, Kyle, and you have a happier life than most people who did not have seizures, and you know LOTS of people can not drive cars."

He smiles and we continue on our trip. He knows now. I feel sad that he knows. His innocence is gone....or so I think.
That same night I can hear him happily playing with his toys in his room....maybe not all his innocence is lost.

A Kyle Post By My Sister and Mom

My favorite moments with Kyle

By Aunt Debbie
Brenda and I took the boys, Kyle and Andrew, shopping at the mall. The boys were about 11 years old and Kyle was very much into Toy Story. He had a small action type figure of his favorite character, Woody. On this particular trip, Kyle had enough of his own money to buy the new talking Woody doll. He had been wanting this for some time and was very excited to make his purchase. Needless to say, it was our first stop. After opening his new toy, we continued on with our shopping. Brenda had to stop at the fabric store (go figure) so the boys and I sat on a bench right outside the store and listened to all that Kyle's new talking Woody had to say. After about 50 pulls of Woody's string, I had had enough so I told the boys to stay on the bench while I walked about 20 feet away to look at something. Keeping a close eye on them, I saw Kyle talking to a stranger, a man in fact. I started walking over to them when I noticed Andrew laughing so hard he was almost on the floor. The man was storming off, looking over his shoulder at Kyle as if he were from outer space or something. As I approached, I asked my son Andrew what was going on. Kyle had stopped this man and said, "I used to have a small Woody but now I have a big Woody....want to hold it?"!!!!!

Another one of my favorites happened while I was on the phone with my sister. She would often call me (as sisters do) when she was frustrated with Kyle....just to vent, get advise or simply to escape for a brief period. Kyle had seizure behaviors that resembled unmedicated ADHD. On this particular day I could tell she was at the end of her rope with Kyle, who must have been about 8 years old. After several interruptions by Kyle, she threw out the ultimate threat, "Kyle, if you don't leave me alone, you are getting a spanking!" I could hear Kyle say something in the back ground, but could not make out the words. Brenda whispered into the phone, in a very frustrated voice, "What the hell is wrong with that child, he is asking what kind of spanking?" I am trying not to bust a gut on the other end of the phone and practically begging her to ask Kyle what he means by this. I remember promising her that it would be worth asking the question. Very hesitantly and very frustrated, she asked, "Kyle, what do mean, what kind of spanking?" His response.... "Is it the spanking of my life, or the one where I can't sit down for a week?" Baadah bing!!! That's our Kyle!

A Favorite Kyle Moment

By Grandma

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES REGARDING KYLE WAS WHEN BRENDA AND HER FAMILY WAS MOVING TO THEIR NEW HOME, AND KYLE STAYED WITH US FOR THE NIGHT. WHEN I PICKED KYLE UP, HIS MOTHER TOLD HIM NOT TO ASK FOR THINGS WHEN WE GO TO THE STORE.....WELL WHEN KYLE AND I WERE AT THE STORE HE SAID "I SURE WOULD LIKE SOME CHOCOLATE MILK. I KNOW MOM SAID NOT TO ASK FOR ANYTHING." HE LOOKED AT ME WITH A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE, AND PLACING THE CHOCOLATE MILK IN THE CART, SAID , "I KNOW YOU WANT ME TO BE HAPPY." YES, KYLE, GRANDMA WANTS YOU TO BE HAPPY....

Thanks Mom and Debbie, for sharing your Kyle moments with us!

(These were copied and pasted from e-mails sent to me. They had several I was unwilling to post....heehee....too much information. On another note, please know that I did not ever give Kyle a spanking where he could not sit down for a week. LOL)

Cookies, Quilts, and Clean Up

We have had a very fun weekend! The kids mixed up the cookie dough to be chilled for cut out cookies. (forgive the out of focus pics)
I made homemade soup for dinner and TJ rolled all those crescent rolls himself. He said "We should make a video on cooking, Grandma, cause we are good cookers."

I am terrible at cleaning up as you go. This drives my husband craaaaazy. Tj helped me out a with some dish washing.
After dinner, we got to work on those cookies. It was a blast. They all had such fun!There ya go, Dani!!! You love those red hot cookies. I think it would take a gallon of milk to get those down!!! TJ tells me they are really good, as his eyes are watering down his cheeks!
TJ's tin of cookies are ready to go home with him!

As for the quilts.....I have #8 in the hoop. The most recent finish, is one of my favorites.

I love these spools and they will make a nice wallhanging for a special somebody's sewing area. I free-handed some "thread" in the borders......Does it look like thread??? I know I already showed you this one, but I never got a good pic of it. I just love the texture and I had not even washed it yet. (it is in the dryer now)And another recent finish......No, I am not sick of baskets! I love the folk-art colors here.

All in all, I am happy with what I have accomplished in the short time I had.Two have already been gifted, and the 5 above will be shipped out this week. The one in the hoop (not shown yet) should be done early this week sometime. There is alot of hand quilting to be done on it, but I am so motivated.

Remember how I said I do not clean up as I go in the kitchen? Well, the same can be said for the sewing room!

Notice the toy snakes?? TJ spent some time with me last night!I promise this room will be spotlessly cleaned and organized before dark today!!!

I will be back tomorrow with a post written by my mom....her favorite Kyle moments.

Now I best get this room cleaned up!

A Kyle Post

"Every family needs a Kyle". That is what my sister and I say to anyone who meets Kyle and is taken away by his charm, which is most anyone who meets him. I am the blessed one in our family to get him! If you have never been close to a mentally handicapped person, you are truly missing out! If you are unaware of Kyle's story, you can read it here. Kyle is pretty high functioning, but not high enough to ever live on his own. He has no concept of time...minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months. For example, he may be awaiting his friend who is due here at noon. He will come to me at 10 am and say "only 2 more minutes til Robert gets here." He told me the other day that Christmas was only 2 days away....it was really 2 weeks. If left to himself, he would never take his meds, wear the same clothes for days, never change his sheets, he would have no teeth because he needs to be told to brush them, have a full beard, drink WAY too much Mountain Dew, and eat pizza for EVERY meal. He would, however, shower everyday and keep his room tidy. He keeps his dvd's in perfect order and over the past year he cuts his fingernails without being told. Still, he needs his family. I can not count the times my sister will call me out of the blue and say, "Remember when Kyle......." and we will laugh until we cry! My nephew Andrew is Kyle's biggest fan....he is 2 weeks younger than Kyle and they grew up together, so he was around for alot of Kyle's antics!

Over the next few days, I thought I would record a few of our favorites here, so that some day Charlotte and Zach can carry on the memories of Uncle Kyle.

My personal favorite was from several years ago. We had just moved here and Kyle started to go to a school which housed only mentally/physically handicapped children up to age 21. Kyle was 15 at the time and he LOVED this school. He is very social and because the previous school system wanted to mainstream him, I chose to homeschool him. Anyway, he was on cloud nine at this place and he had joined the choir. A local organization called the "ARC" was having a big fancy charity dinner at an upscale restaurant and Kyle's choir was going to sing for them. We were all going to watch (at $20 a ticket) including my mom and sister. A day or so before the performance, Kyle asked me, "Mom, what does ARC mean?" I told him is stood for "Association of Retarded Citizens" Kyle's eyes got big and he said, "GREAT!!! You mean I am going to sing for a bunch of retards???" I about fell out!!! I had no idea what to say to him and told him, "No, honey, they are an organization who help retarded people." He did not believe me because in his mind who would want to help retarded people. Now you have to understand that Kyle only heard this word used in a negative way. We did not use it in our home and he would hear it out around other kids who used it in a derogatory way, like..."That's so retarded!" Kyle also had no idea he was handicapped, nor were any of the other kids in his school. Everyone in Kyle's world was just fine! He called my sister and told her she may not want to make the long drive to watch him sing as there may be retarded people there. He told her what ARC stood for and she (while holding her laughter at bay) explained to him it would be ok. Kyle felt he had never seen a retarded person before and had no idea what to do if he saw one in the crowd. Aunt Debbie told him, "If you see one, just smile and wave". She is SO naughty! We went to the dinner and Kyle and his choir went up to sing. He was standing tall with all his classmates lined up with him. Right next to him was a young girl in a wheelchair who could barely make a noise. She had on a bib and every so often Kyle would lean over and use that bib to wipe the drool from her mouth. On the other side of him stood a young girl who's arm curled in disfigurement. She looked to Kyle many times for, what appeared to be, reassurance. Still, my son stood tall, singing his heart out, all the while smiling and waving at one, singled out, well dressed, older gentleman in the front row. At one point he caught my sister's gaze and gave her a thumbs up. He had found the retarded person in the room and was handling it just fine!!!
Yes, every family needs a Kyle!