It's been more than a year since I have posted. Facebook has been my mode of connection with people. A lot has happened in the past year. The biggest change is that my oldest sister and best friend, Linda has had her cancer become active again. Linda is 11 years older than me and we are alike in so many ways. Let me back up a bit and give you her story: I wrote this for "Linda's story" on Caring Bridge, it's told from my point of view: My dates might not be exact but here is the gist of the story. Back in 1995 Linda was diagnosed with lung cancer and part of her lung was removed. 2 years after that a spot was found on her pelvic bone. Radiation was how it was treated and 15 great years ensued! Linda had her first hip replaced and recovered well from that. A second hip replacement was done in May, 2011. By January of 2012 the hip replacement was becoming painful and walking was extremely difficult for her. A revision was planned and Dr. Hartman found that her pelvic bone was disinegrating and the hip replacement wasn't attached to that bone anymore. Dr. Hartman sent her to Mayo Clinic for further evaluation.It was discovered that Linda had radiation induced sarcoma and chemotherapy began. Late in February, Linda began a regimen of adriamyacin every 3 weeks. After 2 treatments scans showed that the tumors had shrunk immensely. 6 doses of adriamycin were given with great results. No more than 6 doses can be given because the drug attacks the heart and a heart attack could occur. With her last set of scans, Dr. Schwartz (oncologist) sent her to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion as to how to proceed. On July 17, I took Linda down to Mayo and we spoke with Dr. Marx. He agreed with Dr. Schwartz that a single agent chemo was best and that gemzar was effective and had minimal side effects. On August 3, I took Linda for her first dose of gemzar. It went well but I noticed her being weaker on the trip home than the trip to the clinic. I had to use the wheelchair to get her into the house instead of her using her walker (she is non weight bearing on the right leg since January). I got her settled and asked if she wanted me to stay until her daugther Becca showed up. She told me she was just going to sleep and to go home. At 6pm Becca called me. Linda had gone to the bathroom and yelled to Becca to come help her. She couldn't get off the toilet herself. Linda also said to call Aunt Jane for help. While waiting for Jane, Becca asked Linda to help support her and she couldn't. Her left side was weak. Then Linda had a "seizure-like" episode. Jane and Becca called 911 and she was transported to Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. At the emergency room, a neurologist sent her for an CT scan of her head. The results showed bleeding and swelling in the brain as well as a tumor on the right frontal lobe. She was put into the neuro ICU and we went home for the night. Saturday, August 4th, Dr. Seng (oncologist on call) said that the results showed blood in the mass and that's what caused her seizure-like episode. The cancer had metastasized to her brain. Sunday, August 5th, Dr. Dyste, neurosurgeon, told Linda that after consulting with an oncologist and internist that surgery was very viable. The reason why surgery was a good option is because the previous cancer has been contained for months! This was scary but good news. Tuesday, August 7th Linda had a brain MRI at 6:30am and brain surgery at 8:30am. Dr. Dyste was very pleased with the results and said within 7 days we should see improvement on her left side. Biopsy results will be Thurs or Friday. Wednesday, August 8th a cat scan was done to show if there was any bleeding in the brain and there wasn't. Linda was transferred from ICU to the regular neuro floor. She needs healing now and time to recover. Today, 10/12/12 we found out that Linda will be going to Our Lady of Peace hospice. It's a place where cancer patients who have no more treatment offered to them can go to live out their final days free of charge. I have been Linda's "rock" through the past 10 months and I am so thankful that God put me back in Mn so that I am here for her. She is the oldest of 5 and I am the youngest but we are soooooooooo alike. There's a lot more to this story but for now please keep our family in your prayers. My daughter gets married in 2 weeks and I just want Linda to hang on until after this happy time is over. Selfish? Maybe, but I think it's a small thing to ask God for. I also ask that God allow me to be with Linda at the final hours of her life. We've been through a lot of this journey together and I want to finish it with her. Please pray for us.

911 10th Anniversary

I cannot believe it has been 10 years since the terrorist attack on the USA. Today, as a parent of a firefighter, I am even more in tune with that day. Firefighters, police, and paramedics all rushed into the terror of the Twin Towers as they were collapsing. I cannot even imagine the fear that these men and women felt when doing their job at a level that I hope they NEVER have to experience ever again in their careers.

As the mother of a firefighter, I say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the job you do. I remember where I was that day. Do you?

Wedding Quilt

My niece and goddaughter got married to the love of her life on Saturday, June 18th, 29 years to the day that I married the love of MY life! Steve and I were thrilled when Jackie and Greg chose their date and we now share an anniversary!

Jackie grew up in MN and is a huge Twins/Vikings fan. Greg grew up in WI and is a huge Brewers/Packers fan! There is a lot of fun in their house when it comes to sports, although the Twins/Brewers only play each other once a summer. My sister and I decided to make them a tshirt quilt that depicts this division! LOL I had to scour 2nd hand stores for more Twins/Vikes shirts (not hard to find in MN) and Packers/Brewers shirts (CHALLENGING) in order to make it work! Here is the final product!!!

Here are Jackie and Greg after the rehearsal and opening their gift! They LOVED it and I know it will get a lot of use/love! It's always a thril when the quilt/gift is appreciated!
And here is a pic of Jackie and Greg after cutting their cake. They were a beautiful couple and the day was perfect! I hope they enjoy many happy years together...just like Steve and I have!

Mini Messenger

This pattern came to me in the May/June McCall's Quilting magazine. The designer is Darci Wright. It's just an adorable way to tote your Ipad/Kindle or any other small electronic device. It can go across the chest so there's no falling off of your shoulder, making it a great purse for a shopping trip too!!! There's plenty of room for a small wallet as well. This is the one I made for myself.
Isn't it nice and springy?

I also made one for the caretaker of our condo building! Kathy saw the one above and fell in love with it! I was sneaky and asked her what her favorite colors were. She said purple and she always loves earthy tones. YEP...I found fabric for one! This is the inside. I added a pocket for the cell phone but if I do it again, I'd move it up higher on the back. I wanted to conceal the one seam into the base of the holder not realizing how deep it would be. Oh well...live and learn!

Cute? I think so!

I hope she likes it!

Water damage...

Well, this is one time I'm glad this happened in a condo and not in a single family home! Our homeowner's association will pay for the damage...which started with dripping water last night...a slow drip but dripping nonetheless! This morning the adventure of where it was coming from began! It started out with this small hole cut into our soffit...this told the men that a plumber needed to be called. Later in the afternoon, the plumber shows up and decides he needs to make the original hole bigger in order to see better. That didn't work so well so he had to make a HUGE hole above the microwave. (this is an interior wall) He's still not 100% sure about where the source of this water is...

He has made a big mess so far though...

He decides to make a smaller hole over to the left and now he's convinced that the drip is between hole #2 (in this picture) and hole #3. Hopefully, tomorrow he comes and replaces a large portion of the pipe and puts in a new one. More demolition to follow!!!

Our temps here in MN were sub-zero to barely above zero so I stayed inside and quilted!! I bought this fabric the last time I was in CA to visit my friend Laurie. I appliqued the hearts and finally put it together! I figured it was perfect for Valentine's Day! Here's a close-up of some of the hearts and the border fabric. I think I like it!!! Tomorrow...a backing for it!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Big City girl

I am a big city girl. I grew up in Rochester, Mn which was a medium sized town. Since then...St. Paul, Apple Valley MN, Burnsville MN, Overland Park KS and now Minneapolis MN. I love love love big cities! Chicago is a place near and dear to my heart as well...did I say I love love love big cities???!!!!!!!

There is always so much to do. Concerts, great restaurants, shopping, public transportation, and so much more. Plus...in a large city you always have the suburbs to explore. You can also find peace and tranquility as well!

For example...when I left MN for KS, I missed the great quilt stores. BUT...I did find a couple that I liked a lot. One of them was in Lawrence, KS called Sarah's. She had fabric along with a lot of other stuff. Lawrence is home to the KU Jayhawks which we became fans of. I miss KS!!!

I love Mpls though too! We have great restaurants nearby and walk everywhere. Steve walks to work and we got rid of a car! Rush hour traffic doesn't exist for us anymore! YEP...it's a BONUS!!! What I do miss about urban living: a house, a deck, a yard, and not sharing walls with people. Nothing in life is perfect...but my life is!!!

Special Quilt...

Our favorite bartender at Old Chicago in Roseville, MN is moving to Atlanta to be near her sister and her sister's family. Jess has such a warm and welcoming heart and we are truly going to miss her. When we got the news I told Steve, I'm going to make her a quilt! Jess LOVES Spiderman so I ordered some Spiderman fabric for the backing! Here is the backing with a large WoW fabric for signatures! That is Jess!
I used Old Chicago World Beer Tour tshirts from Steve's and my supply to make the top...the border fabric is beer mugs/steins on black background...PERFECT!!!
Jess and I with her quilt!
This is Jess opening her quilt...stupid blogger uploads the pics in the reverse order of choosing them! SO...you saw the gifting in reverse order!
Jess is gonna miss us and the feeling is mutual! GOOD LUCK JESS!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to anyone and everyone who reads this blog! I hope that 2011 brings your family good health and happines!

Crockpot Blog

This is a wonderful blog. If you haven't visited Stephanie's blog, RUN over there now! She has it set up to be very user friendly and her search engine is fabulous. Her 2nd book is out now and I just received it yesterday via UPS. I also was given her first book for Christmas as well.

If you are a working person and want hot, healthy, and delicious meals waiting for you when you get home from work...these cookbooks and/or the blog are for you! I even bought 2 of my kids crockpots and the first book for Christmas. I sure hope they use them!

Here is our family pic from Christmas this year. We had a great time and were able to see both sides of our family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

Some pictures from St. Louis weekend

We managed to get through PJ's mom's funeral. Sarah and PJ were exhausted but we salvaged the weekend and had fun at the St. Louis Blues hockey game on Saturday night! Here are Steve and I in the box.
3 of the kids...Dan, Joe, and Sarah...Kevin had to work and didn't make it. ;-(
Post game spirits...I hate whiskey and these 3 made me go "ICK"! LOL
Dan and PJ being silly with the menu!
Love this pic of Sarah and PJ!!!
Now it's time to finish up loose ends for Christmas. I hope the weather holds out so my kids can make it to MN!!!

Please keep my daughter Sarah's boyfriend PJ and his family in your prayers. His mom passed away yesterday morning of advanced colon cancer. It was found only about 4 weeks ago and she was hospitalized the day before thanksgiving for severe dehydration. On Friday night this past week, Sarah called and said that the cancer was everywhere and there was nothing they could do and that she had maybe 6 weeks to life. Diane (PJ's mom) went home on Saturday. Sunday morning she was unresponsive and taken back to the hospital. She died around 11:30 am yesterday.

We had plans for the 2 families to meet this weekend in St. Louis at the Blues hockey game. PJ still wants those plans to take place, as he said to me this morning, "I want to keep life normal and it'll be a good distraction.". I changed my flight to Wed. so I am there for the wake and funeral (Wed/Thurs). This was a shock and went very quickly. We know what it's like to lose our mom and my heart is heavy for the Hubert family right now.

Please keep them in your prayers

Miracles happen...

The miracle that is unfolding in Chile is amazing. It's God at his finest!! I just loved it when this man came out and handed out rocks from the mine and hugged/high 5'd other miners who were there watching. The emotions of the loved ones being reunited does not get old either!!!



The hope for future mine collapses has made huge strides with this experience!!! Also, a huge kudos to the men/women who are involved in the rescue...5 people had to go down there in that small tube to help the rescue effort.

Portland, ME

Steve had a more "pleasure than business" meeting in Kennebunkport, ME so we went early. We spent a couple of days in Portland, ME. Here we are at Sebago Brewpub. YUMMY beer! We also took a trolley tour and ended up at Portland Headlight...the most photographed lighthouse on the east coast! GORGEOUS!!!

We went to Kennebunkport where our hotel was only a mile from the George HW Bush family compound. WOW...if the flags are flying, they are home...they were home!

Can't go to Main and NOT have lobster...this is Louie the Lobster...my dinner on Sunday night!

We also sailed one afternoon...it was awesome!!!

If you can go to Maine...do it...you won't regret it!

Kindle Holder

It was supposed to be a sunny day but it clouded up this afternoon. I wanted to touch fabric and reacquaint myself with my sewing machine...yet I didn't want a huge project. I decided to make another kindle holder for myself. I wasn't sure what colors I wanted to use but as soon as I opened up one of my drawers...I saw my focus fabric. The main fabric was a bandana that I received when I did the Susan G Komen race for the cure on Mother's Day this year...which also happened to be my 50th birthday. It is also the first time that I RAN a 5K!!! It was a huge day! Anyway...since October is breast cancer awareness month...it just jumped out at me! Here's a closeup of the strip that runs along the bottom of the front and the side of the back. It says survivor, hope, cure, strong...

On the inside I used one of my pink breast cancer ribbon fabrics.

And finally...here's the back! Didn't it turn out cute? And it's perfect for our trip to Portland, ME this weekend and early next week!

Did you do anything quilty today?

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day here in Minneapolis. Steve and I literally dusted off our bikes and went for a ride! We rode to Uptown and had lunch at Old Chicago. We also started our Oktoberfest mini beer tour! Needless to say, we ate lunch out on the patio...perfect!!!

We headed back home and enjoyed the Minneapolis skyline as our motivation!!!

We worked up a thirst so we decided to stop at Town Hall Brewery and have a beer on their pation...this is the mural on the wall outside.

Here we are...well, the pic shouldn't be upside down but blogger is making me nuts today...flip your monitor and look at how cute we are! LOL

It was a great day!!! I hope you are enjoying your fall weather wherever you are!

I'm here!

I have been busy traveling, taking care of the house in KS that just won't sell, and I managed to do some quilting too!!!

Here my girlfriends and I are on our snorkeling trip!
dinner out
a cold drink after a hot day at the pool!

And here's the tshirt quilt I made for niece's high school graduation! I finished the binding yesterday and hope to deliver it soon!!!

Say a prayer that our house in KS sells quickly! It goes back on the market after spending another $5k on the exterior. People want perfection and it's difficult!! We'll be on the market for one year in about 5 weeks...this is NOT a good time to have to sell a house but it's where we are.

ALOHA!!!

Tomorrow gets nuts around here! My 2 youngest boys and a girlfriend are arriving LATE. We are going to the Twins game Friday night and just hanging out together for the weekend. Also, one of my BFFs from KS arrives with her fam tomorrow (a wedding) and I get to see her...

Then on Saturday my other BFF from KS arrives and Sunday...LOOK OUT OAHU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The island will never be the same after my 2 BFFs and I spend the week there! WOOHOO!!!

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.........

SHHHHHHHHHHH...it's WORLD CUP 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The games have begun...but prayers for Nelson Mendela and his family as they mourn the death of his 13yo great-granddaughter who was killed by a drunk driver last night. Nelson wasn't able to enjoy the fruits of his labor and be at opening ceremonies and the opening game, South Africa vs. Mexico. Such a sad time for South Africa.

Commissioned T-shirt quilt

I was asked to make a tshirt quilt for a HS graduation gift. I just LOVE making my unique tshirt quilts...much less one from my former HS!!! It was a joy to make and the recipient LOVED it! I'm still waiting for pics of her with the quilt but the email I received said it was amazing!!!

It was fun! One more to go...for my niece's HS graduation!!!