Ramblings From the Heart.

Peach Blossoms!

I’ve been watching these buds through the window at Sharolyn’s since I came to visit on Tuesday evening a week ago.  I peeked at them again on Saturday night when we gathered for a small family dinner, just my dad, my nephew Spencer and his wife McKinna in attendance – others were busy, or caring for a sick baby and no one wanted to be the cause of gifting Sharolyn with any germs due to yesterday’s procedure.

I checked in on the blossoms again un Sunday evening – but yesterday was so busy I didn’t look again until this morning as I was gathering my things to leave.

They are open!  FULLY!

How can you NOT smile at such beauty!

I think there must be a reason why flowers are so often given when there is an illness, a loss – they honestly do remind us how precious life is, how much beauty it holds and how fragile it can be – and how quickly the blossoms pass.

Pear tree in the front yard – already going to leaf!

I am heading home tomorrow – today is the last day,  and my heart is so full of so many things.  Missing Mark, seeing how his children are doing, how Sharolyn is coping – and yet still feeling just a bit on the outside of things as the sibling, not part of the immediate family.

Signs of teenage strength!

My 16 year old niece Ashley is a constant reminder of all of the good things that Mark was.  She is missing him terribly, afraid for her mom – so much upheaval in her young life, yet she is STRONG!  

I also love that she may be “just a bit” like her Auntie Bonnie as the bathroom mirror was covered with encouraging phrases she had written there to keep herself feeling positive about her life ahead.

Today will be a good day even if it’s hard.

Well said, sweet girl!

And patience bears beautiful fruit!

There is something to be said about picking your own breakfast in the morning, isn’t there?

My view as I type.

I’m part way in between Gilbert and Sun Lakes – I decided to pull off and type this post from the comfort of a Mc D’s so that when I arrive back at my Dad’s I can give him my full attention and make the most of this day.  

I don’t want to have to say “Wait a minute while I finish this…” I want to be present.  I have answered emails, composed my thoughts and feelings on leaving, and have made up my mind that this last day “Will be a good day, even if it is hard.”

The port surgery went fine yesterday.  We rested, relaxed, laughed and talked and made some plans for the future.  

Chemo starts Friday and will be a period of about 5 months – so I am hoping by fall that I will be able to bring Sharolyn out to Virginia and share my space with her.  She is great at decorating and organizing and I would love to distract her with a bit of southern comfort, charm, and autumn color. 

I’d like Dad to perhaps come out in the summer and get him away from the AZ heat – not that it isn’t hot and humid in the south, but the Blue Ridge Mountains are something he hasn’t seen in the summer.

The hardest part is feeling a whole country away – west coast to east coast – but we will deal and make the best of it and see each other when we can.

Some stitching happened – but not much.

I have a feeling that there may be some movie watching today and perhaps I’ll get another block together.  I have to admit though, it really isn’t my priority right now.

Isn’t it funny how perspectives and priorities change at different times in our lives?

There is a lot to be looking forward to as I go home.  The windows at the Quiltville Post Office and Quiltville Inn will start being installed in the next couple of weeks – ALL OF THEM.  

We decided to bite the bullet and replace the old windows NOW rather than later.  They will pay for themselves with the energy they will save.  It won’t interrupt any retreaters if we do it before.  

Further into the money pit we go – but with great reason and great results.

The two fireplaces in the Quilting Quarters have had new gas logs installed since I eft for Japan – with thermostats and remotes!  

No one will have to get on their hands and knees to adjust the flame up or down, turning off the pilot lights in the process.  One click of a button – flame up!  Flame down!  

I am so excited – I can’t wait to get my hands on the clickers myself and give them a go. (That was the best Happy Birthday to Me I could ask for!)

Bit by bit the drywall ceiling in the Post Office has been cut away so we can start the repair from the water damage.  The new roof sealing will happen as the weather warms up.

The electrical is being fine tuned – the consensus is to put the garage on its own meter freeing up the breaker box for more power to the Quilting Quarters.

I’m a bit freaked out that so much has to happen in just over a year – time is flying but it seems like we are finally getting some progress on some things.

Of course there is still copious amounts of painting to do and I will be found brush in hand as soon as windows are done – touching up window frames and sills, door frames and jambs and wherever else is needed.

Bathroom remodeling still to happen -

So yes.  I’m ready to go home.  Tomorrow.

But I’m sending this off now because I’ve got one more day to spend with my dad!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Life is funny this way.

What you put out there comes back to you!

Which direction are your thoughts leaving you today?

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends!