Word Up 2018

I do like doing Word Up,  

where one choses a word to focus on for the year.

I haven't noticed that many people doing it this year.  Maybe the fad is waning.  I promised myself I would get this post written in January - so seeing that this is the last day of January....I better get this post done.

My word for this year is:

Drum roll please.

  (Oh Word up is not that exciting?  Okay cancel the drum roll.)

 Surrender

This has been something that I try to do - give God my life and do his will. There have been a lot of changes these past two years - I've grown used to the way things are.  After Bruce asked me to marry him, and I said I would, I started thinking about what a great change this would make in my life. (Change can be scary.)

Right then the DJ said something about "Surrender to God".  I knew right then this is my Word for the year. 

I'm going to surrender to God this new adventure in life.  And each aspect of this adventure - from preparing for the wedding, dealing with relatives, to adjusting to another person's ways, finances, chores etc. etc. 

Of course when you surrender to God - you are trusting God to take care of you, and that He will work all things together for good.    

A final thought on Surrender

Happy Stitching,

Linda

Well Life Has Been Quite Something Lately

I know I haven't been blogging, it's because I've been working overtime and trying my best to get caught up at work.  I've been behind for over a year and just recently I've gotten a new boss.  He made some big changes and now my work load has decreased.  

I used to have 20 stacks of papers - each 8 to 10 inches high. 

I've been so overworked that I have no energy for sewing at night, even looking at blogs is too overwhelming.  

And I decided that I should make room for the new man in my life.  Actually I should make room for him in my house! (hahaha)  Once we are married he will move in with me.  He has a house, but I have a house with a nice backyard and a pool.  Hmmm....do you think he's marrying me for my pool?  

So - I did a lot of clearing out after Mark passed but I still had tons of his stuff in the closets, the drawers, under the bed.  Actually everywhere.  I would like Bruce to be comfortable so I've been cleaning all that out.  Imagine moving in and there were still the husband's shoes on the bed. (Yikes!)

And that dear friends is why no sewing has taken place over here. 

I do want to point out that even though I have met Bruce and yes I love being with him, I still greatly miss Mark.  It's possible to still love Mark and still grieve and also love Bruce. Things didn't magically turn to rainbows and sunshine and my grief end when I met Bruce.  I have my moments of crying as well as my moments of joy.  

One of the hardest recently, was packing Mark's things that meant the most to me.  Like the shirt he wore to Sturgis

and we shared a bottle of KICKASS Wine.

With a name and picture like that we had to try it.

  We were talking to some people and he kept pouring a little more and a little more into my glass while I wasn't looking.  I didn't notice until I was a tipsy - and then I confronted him.  They all got a good laugh out of that. (Me too.) Sealing all of Mark stuff into that box was like sealing him up.  I was reduced to sobbing.  

It's hard to switch gears - I had a life all planned out with Mark.  That plan was just to spend time with him.  (Granted it was not a complex plan  - but still "The Plan".)  Now the plan is to spend time with someone else.  Sometimes it boggles my mind.  

Now about that wedding.  No - I'm not looking forward to it.  I want to marry Bruce - but not have a wedding.  I don't really like to being the center of attention.  I don't like planning parties.  

So far all I have is a dress. It's a backyard wedding with only family.  So it shouldn't be too hard.  I better get busy!

Here's my funny for the day.

Linda

My very BIG News!

I have some happy news.

Bruce asked me to take a day trip to the beach with him. Oh it was so beautiful!

We enjoyed the pier and the waves.

And then he wrote in the sand - I wasn't paying much attention (it was windy and my hair was whipping in my face.  Note to self: bring ponytail holders to the beach) - and THEN he got down on one knee and PROPOSED!

He had written Will you marry me?  I only saw the one word - marry.  

 I was in total shock and couldn't even think for a few minutes.  I couldn't even understand that word "marry".  When I finally processed it - and I said yes.

 (Yeah - because I'm totally in love with this guy.  He has so much fun in life - just joking and getting others to laugh.  It shows that he loves God by his words and actions. That is super important to me.  And of course there are a hundred other things - and I rather like that bod of his.  Wink, Wink.)  

So - next up is a wedding.  

Linda

FNwF Update - Pillowcase

Is there anything as relaxing as sewing?

Especially sewing with friends?

Yikes - because I turned the fabric - so that the zebras would be running and playing horizontally across the pillow I was just a little bit short - like three inches.  So silly - but there is no way I could possibly sleep with zebras running the wrong way across my pillow!  

However, what did I have in my stash?  The perfect fabric purchased years ago.  YAY!!

I wanted to make it envelope style so that no dirt would get on my pillow.  And sometimes you can throw something inside - like a journal.

And here is my completed pillowcase.  

And I did have someone ask - why I didn't use Chinese fabric - since that's where I'm going.  It's because I saw this fabric and fell in love with it.  Hahaha

Now let's see what everyone else is up to.

Nicey Linda

Friday Night with Friends.

I don't know why I get so excited about this Friday Night with Friends, but I do. (Thanks Cheryll with Gone Stitchin")

And tonight is the night I'm sewing up my Travel Pillowcase for China.  Oops forgot to take a picture of the fabric.  Okay - well more later.

Happy Stitching,

Linda

In Other Chinese News

Here's something I've been meaning to share - but just never take the time to.

When Serena went to Missionary College - they asked her to go to China so that she could connect with and help teach an girl there named JJ that had accepted Jesus. Their culture is Buddhist.  She had very few ways to learn more about God.

So Serena did and became good friends with JJ.

When Serena came home she said she wanted to go back and see JJ again.  Well, I certainly don't have anything going on in my life - so I said I would go with her.  

In the meanwhile, JJ raised money to go to the same Missionary College, (here in San Francisco) that Serena went to.  It's a six month course. 

And guess what?  We will be in China while JJ in here in SF!  hahaha.

JJ arrived a couple months ago - and stayed a couple days with us before going up to San Francisco.  When she saw my little black sports car she went crazy.  Apparently, they don't have sports cars there.  She said it's everyone's dream to ride in a sports car.  I let Serena take her out.  This car belonged to my husband.  And we had only taken off the top once. 10 years ago.  But for JJ and her enthusiasm we did it again.  It was fun.  

It was so fun having someone that had never been to The States before staying with us.

When she walked into our hometown cafe - she gasped and said "It's just like being in the movies!"

She couldn't order from the menu as she had no idea what things like hash browns or sausage were.  Had never had pancakes.  Oh what fun!

But there's more to the travel story.

When my Middle Daughter heard Serena and I were going she jumped in with "Me too".  Her husband didn't mind so she's going also.

Then my Oldest Daughter said "Wah, Wah, I wana go!"  She just had a baby!  But she and her husband figured it out and felt the baby would be old enough and she's going too!

So my daughters and I will be making a trip this month to China.  Wow I can't believe it's almost time to go.   

We are all making bets on who will get in an argument with who first.  Angela and Rosanna? Me and Rosanna?  Angela and Me?  No one and Serena, as she doesn't fight.   Just kidding we are going to have a blast!  

More on this later,

Happy Globe Trotting Linda 

Things that happened over the Weekend.

Good News.  My quilt is complete!

I didn't think to cut my binding on the bias - hmmm... I can really tell.

It's just for me - so I think I'll leave it. 

 

My poor little puppy Marzipan has a black face - she does not photograph well.  That does not deter her.   Both those dogs like having their pictures taken.  Why?  I don't get it.  I pull out the camera and they run and sit/lay down.  Silly!

And over the weekend I sold the trailer!  

YAY!

I had a lot of calls - and a LOT of offers for less.  But with all those calls I was not coming down on my price.  It SOLD for the asking price.  

The new owner painted it black and wow - what a difference.

Now - on to the next item: my jack hammer.  SOLD!  

This is just not an ordinary household tool and I sure do not need it. 

I also sold that guy a wheel barrel and seven vinyl posts.  (I'm giggling with happiness! So happy to have it gone.)

Now I'm working on selling a two man Auger, compressor, etc, etc. 

What?? This is a sewing blog?  

Well, hopefully soon I can sew up my pillowcase and I'll show that to you.  

See you later,
Linda