Winter's Last Hurrah?

Woke up to this today:

Now let's hope that's the end of it!  My crocus are ready to bloom, the tulips are up and the iris are close behind.  Good-bye winter!

Saying Goodbye

After a hard fought battle, my brother-in-law, Dale, is finally at peace. He and my sister were high school sweethearts. He played football with Bud in high school, so we have known and loved Dale for most of our lives. He was the epitome of kindness. Our families enjoyed many good times together, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, celebrating, and working. Our kids grew up together even after both families moved away from our hometown.

We are so grateful that the benefit we held on Feb.19th was so successful. It allowed Kath to stay home and take care of Dale the past six weeks. We are also so very impressed with the care given by Hospice. I hope none of you are ever in the situation to need Hospice, but if you are do not hesitate to use their services. They were fantastic.

Dale put up a good fight against esophageal cancer, having surgery, radiation, chemo and more chemo. He went from a robust 285lbs. to about 150lbs. He never lost his sense of humor even at the end he was teasing Kath. But God had other plans for him. We will miss Dale every day, but we are comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering.

A Letter to Cancer
by Linda Ellis, © 2003
(With a few changes made by me)

I have tried to teach my children
not to detest, insult, berate,
but I cannot follow my own advice
when I am so filled with hate.


You are slowly stealing my brother-in-law
and though some say this is God’s will,
those words will never stop me
from despising you, still.

Yes, I hate you, cancer
like I’ve hated nothing before,
I’ve cried so much, my eyes are dry
for tears…there are no more.

If only I could fight you,
my anger alone could win the bout;
I would crush you down to ashes
until “surrender!” you would shout.

And if you were a mighty tree,
I would destroy you limb by limb
until you swore to put an end to
all the pain you’re causing him.

What gives you the right? What gives you the power?
Just who do you think you are?
You have no feelings or compassion
for all the many lives you scar.

If I were a scientist, I’d focus
on finding the key to your demise;
just like those cowards on 9-11,
you attack with heartless surprise.

You personify evil;
you are wicked and cruel.
You thrive on others’ sorrow…
like cars run on fuel.

You are forever my enemy,
my nemeses, my foe,
but before you take my best friend,
there’s something you should know…

He hasn’t relinquished his dignity;
his inner strength shall persevere
and you’ll never have the satisfaction
of realizing his fear.

Because if you had a face,
he would look you straight in the eye
and say to you what he’s said to me…
that he’s not afraid to die.

You may have chosen his last day
and though he may be near it,
your power has its limitations
because you’ll never break his spirit!

Evening of Fun!

What better way to spend an evening than to see your grandson performing at school?  Payton's class had a wax museum featuring famous Americans.  Payton was Buffalo Bill. (Well, minus the mustache and goatee I made him which got wet getting a drink of water!)

Lucky for Payton that Grandpa kept that suede fringed jacket!

After the wax museum the fourth graders sang All American songs.

A trip to McDonald's for ice cream was in order after the performance, but the camera batteries had run out by then.  And a good time was had by all!

Sunday Clara stopped by to see us.  Tasha and Kyle happened to be with her! :)

Grandpa taught her how to eat cheese balls.

Yum! Yum!

A Little Retirement Party

I got out the drink glasses,

a few bottles of champagne, wine, and apple pie...

invited some good friends and colleagues...

.(sorry, I missed the other side of the room and the men in the sunroom!)

 and one retiring friend.....

and you get a little party to celebrate!  

Congratulations on your retirement Phyllis......I'm going to miss you. :(

Blues

No, not "the blues", but Bonnie Blues by Marcus Fabrics, which is what I used for my newest table runner.

I've had a couple of charm packs of this sitting around and when I decided I needed something to go with my snowman decorations last weekend, I pulled them out.

I love all the different shades of blue alongside the white.

I backed it in navy and put white binding on it to pull out the white. Wow! The photo certainly shows my mistakes.  Remember that I am just learning to do meandering!

I like the way it looks on the table and it ties in with the snowman theme.

Another finish!