My First Blog

here to start? I've been envious of all the blogs that my daughter is involved with - swaps, trades, gifts, contests, etc - and decided it was time for me to stick my toe into the water. Speaking of my daughter, you should check out her blog http://kitschysuburbia.blogspot.com/, she often shares excellent recipes and is a wonder with nail art. 

Anyway, I've been married to the most wonderful man and my best friend, Greg, for over 35 years! We have raised two daughters, Megan (the above blogger) and Kristen and actually survived to see them grow into two beautiful, respectful, hard working women. We currently have two mini doxies, Weasley and Snickerdoodle. They keep us laughing and provide endless companionship. Megan has blessed us with two darling grandsons, Nate (4) and Mason (1). Unfortunately, both daughters and their families live out of town, so we don't get to see them nearly enough.

I began machine quilting about 8 years ago (self taught) and consider myself an intermediate quilter. This year I have taken classes through http://www.quiltuniversity.com/ and have signed up for another to start on Friday. I have taken classes in machine quilting, hand quilting, and bargello.  As a result of one of the classes, I am practicing hand quilting - a new experience and one I am enjoying.

I have been doing counted cross stitch for about 30 years. Stopped for about ten years but have recently started back up - I had forgotten how totally relaxing it is.  I have sold a couple of my completed cross stitch creations on Ebay since I have no room for them and I'm sure my family is tired of receiving them as gifts.

I also crochet blankets for Project Linus. If you would like more information on this wonderful organization, check out http://projectlinus.org/.  Their mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers". 

I recently have gotten the nail polish bug, thanks to my blogging daughter. I'm now amassing a collection of nail polishes from Zoya, OPI, and China Glaze.  So far my biggest decision is what color to use.  I don't think I will get into the arty side of it. 

I have discovered that I sort of like cooking.  But only if it doesn't involve too many steps in prep work.  I will post some of my favorite recipes at a later time. 

In 2001 I was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). At the beginning, we were devastated and afraid of what the future would bring.  I have been very lucky and have outlived all of the normal prognosis of 3 to 5 years to live after the original diagnosis. It has mostly affected my legs - I use a walker around the house and a power chair when we go out and about. We are members of the local support group and have made several friends that are also going through the rigors of ALS.  If you would like more information on this disease, please visit http://webgla.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=GLA_homepage.  My husband says I have made it this long because I am so stubborn.  I plan to be the longest living patient with ALS!

Now that you know my passions and profile, I hope that you will visit again and possibly become a follower!