How Quickly Life Can Change!

I just returned home from being with dear friends and am
thinking how quickly life can change.

Earlier this evening their car blew up in their garage.  They
had been having problems with it over heating and had an
appointment to have it worked on in the morning.  Faye
had just returned home and was speaking with her husband
on the phone when she smelled something burning.  
Following the smell she discovered the smell was coming
from the garage and that her car was on fire.

We are very blessed to live only about 1/4 mile from the
fire station and their response was very quick.  Kent
actually caught up with them as he was coming home from
work.  He was only about 2 miles away.

Fortunately the fire was contained to the garage, but the
smoke penetrated the entire house and will have to be
professionally cleaned.  The smoke and heat was  so
strong that it literally melted the aluminum siding above
the garage.   The fireman indicated that had they been
3-5 minutes later the whole house would have gone
up in flames.

We are all so thankful for the quick response of fire
fighters, police and paramedics.  Also for ward
members who showed up prepared to help in any
way they could.

I am so grateful Faye and Kent are safe.  The
garage can be rebuilt and the house refurbished.  The
next few days and even weeks aren't going to be
easy, but they will have the support of loved ones
and friends.  And the most important thing of all is
that they are safe and uninjured---truly a blessing!

How quickly life can change. 

Nola

Now I Can Share!

For the past couple of months I have been working on
seasonal hot pads for my daughter's birthday. A couple
were shared earlier, but now that we have celebrated
her birthday, I can share a picture of all eight.

Checking them out!  She tells me they are too cute
to use!  I tell her that's what they are for---to use.
She thinks she may find a special spot in her kitchen
to hang them.

They were really fun to do and I'm so glad she liked them.

I may just have to make myself a set sometime!

Nola

To Do Or Not To Do----

----That is the question! 

While once again sorting through my old file for things to add
to my business history, I ran across some cross stitch fabric,
patterns and floss plus a couple of stamped cross stitch kits
that I had purchased eons ago with every intention of stitching
them.

But, alas they were never done.  I decided that I didn't really
enjoy cross stitching.  Sadly enough, I taught my mother and
she became a master cross stitcher.  As her talents and abilities
increased she designed many of her own projects which,
we as her family, proudly display in our homes now.  So
now my decision is do I make myself stitch these long
neglected projects or do I give them to someone whom I
know would enjoy stitching them?

I also found this stamped cross stitch kit.  It is 16 x 14
inches and includes the embroidery floss..  The date on
it is 1991.

I always loved this and I think somewhere there may be
a companion stitchery. My question is:  Do I open it
up and do it or is it too outdated?  How long is it
going to take me?  What about all my other projects
waiting to be started or completed?

Do I have enough time in this life time to do all the
projects I have purchased over the years and never
started or completed.  I dread my family having to sort
through everything when I am gone and find all these
"treasures" that I never did. 

I ask myself, how hard can this be?  But that isn't
really the problem.  It's do I really want to do it?

Surely I am not the only one with this dilemma of
unfinished purchased projects boxed away and
rediscovering them years later only to wonder what
to do with them???

Guess I will just have to think about it for awhile.

Nola

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...Wednesday, February 23,2011

Outside my window...It is a beautiful, bright clear day.  The

sky is totally clear of clouds and the sun reflecting on the snow

makes everything seem even brighter!  The temperature

is nearing 40F.  It's hard to think that come Friday we are

going to get another big snowstorm.  So, we'll just have

to enjoy this beautiful day!

I am thinking...How quickly the years have passed.  It is

hard to believe my daughter will be 32 on Sunday.

 

I am thankful for...Young men in our neighborhood who

have taken it upon themselves to shovel sidewalks and

driveways as a service project when we get a snowstorm.
They are the best!

A thought I am sharing..."The qualities that make us all
different--are the qualities that make us all special."

From the kitchen...Nothing right now.  Should be thinking

about something for dinner.  Maybe Taco Soup!

I am wearing...Levi's, t-shirt and 3/4 length jacket.

I am creating... A file on my business I had years ago. 

I've been digging through boxes and files trying to gather
information so I can write a history.  Have found most all
my old catalogs and pictures.  Was so excited to find a file
on "Westream"--a business in Japan who represented me
for several years. Even found a couple of their old
catalogs.

I am going...Shopping with my daughter when Ty wakes

up from his nap. 

I am reading..."A World Away" by Anna Jones

I am hoping...To finish my daughter's birthday present

today or tomorrow.

I am hearing...The washer spinning downstairs, some little

birds out on my patio.

Around the house...Wash waiting to go in the dryer, 

"March" stitchery waiting to be finished.

One of my favorite things..Chinese Food. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Shopping with my daughter today

Start organizing what I have collected on my business

Haircut on Friday

Birthday dinner on Saturday for my daughter

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...
Wasatch Mountain State Park.  We used to picnic
here at the "warm springs" when I was a little girl
before the area was developed and became a state park.
Also went on a lot of deer hunting expeditions with my
dad through these mountains.  He taught me to love
and respect these mountains.  My friends and I
used to pile in our jeep and drive up Pine Creek Canyon
and over to Brighton during the summer.

Well the day has passed and I'm just finishing this up.
Guess it's time to go fix dinner.

Nola

Need A Good Laugh?

 Today while cleaning out some old files, I ran across this
newspaper clipping and got quite a chuckle as I read
through the headlines.  Thought I'd share it:














Hope you get a chuckle from it also.
 

 Nola

WOW! What Can I Say!

Was just on my way to the library to get a book for the
weekend and noticed that the mailman had come.  Ran and
grabbed the mail and I'm so glad I did as there was a
package from  Di and Miss Gracie.  Library had to be put
on hold for a short time as I was so excited to see what was
in the package.  Di had a post with some adorable Valentines
pictured and asked us to pick our very own Valentine and
that something might just happen.  And so I did...And it did!

Received notice that I had won a hand-quilted wall quilt.
Following her blog and seeing all the beautiful things she
makes, I knew I was in for a treat!  AND I was not
disappointed!

Fun, fun Valentine wrapping paper!  Such a shame to rip
it off, but oh well....

Oh my gosh!  I am speechless!  Can you believe
this was what was inside?  This is so awesome!  I
cannot believe Di could or would part with this
wall hanging.  So much work has gone into this!

This close up does not do justice, but I hope you can
see her beautiful pieced blocks and hand quilting and how
perfect her stitches are.  Notice the buttons!

Love the red quilting thread and it shows up so well
on the quilt backing.

For now it is going in a place of honor in my living room.
My mother was a beautiful quilter among other things and
when she passed away, I was given this beautiful  figurine
depicting three generations.  I keep this figurine, picture of
mother, my daughter and myself along with this little
stitchery my daughter made out all the time as a gentle
reminder of the gifts and talents mother passed on and
the love of beautiful things she always encouraged us to
surround ourselves with.  I can just hear her oohing and
aahing over this beautiful pieced and quilted top.

Thanks you so much Di for your generosity.  I will
always think of you when I look at this.  I just can't
believe I am so lucky to have received this.  I know the
many hours you have spent making this and I will
treasure it always.

Thank you!

Nola

Can Spring Be Far Off?

Seems like I've been stuck in the house forever fighting this cold.
So, when the temperature soared to a balmy 56F and the sun
was sending out an invitation to come outside and play, I knew
I had to get out and enjoy this beautiful day by puttering in my
yard.  Have to take advantage of the good days as we are
supposed to get a little snow Wednesday evening into Thursday.

There is nothing like the kiss of the sun on your face.  It lifted
my spirits and put a song in my heart especially while working
on a flower bed and I discovered this bright yellow crocus
reaching out to the sun also.

Had to run grab my camera and take a picture of the first
flower of the season.  This sweet little flower has certainly
lifted my spirits and put a smile on my face.  Just seeing
life coming back gives me energy and the desire to get
busy on projects downstairs before the weather keeps
me outside and away from indoor projects.

Just wish these bright and cheery spring flowers lasted
longer!  But, at least, I have something to look forward to.

Nola