Those Three Little Words....

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
~ Anthony J. D'Angelo

Have you ever had a little ditty or theme stuck in you thoughts?  Thanks to my DD#1 and one of her blogs from last week I have had the same three words stuck on repeat.  She was talking about her first sewing experience in decades years - a little reusable bag.  She had used a plastic shopping bag as the pattern and as she cut out the fabric, the bag shifted causing one handle to be wider than the other.  She referred to the smaller handle as "its special fin".  Well, as I'm sure many of you know, that is a reference to Nemo in the movie, Finding Nemo.  What do I think of when anything is mentioned about that movie?  I think of Dory saying "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming........".  And those three little words having been stuck swimming through my thoughts on and off for several days!  Thanks, Megan!!  LOL!  It could be something worse, I'm sure :D

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PHOTO FACT OF THE DAY

High In The Sky

Almost a year ago, Jonathan Trappe, of Raleigh, North Carolina, went on a trip across the English Channel.  His mode of transportation was anything but normal.  Trappe was strapped into a chair and suspended from a cluster of helium-filled balloons.  He left Kent, England at 5:00 AM, and four hours later began to cut away the balloons and float back to earth, landing in a cabbage field in France.  In addition to the balloons and a chair, his equipment list included an aircraft transponder, oxygen system, aircraft radios, emergency locator beacon, in-flight satellite tracking and a radio tracker.  "It was an exceptional, quiet, peaceful experience" he says of the trip.  "It's about dreams and enjoying an adventure".  Trappe said a number of safety precautions were in place before he set off.  What a way to travel and fulfilling your dreams!

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A BEE BLOCK

Yesterday I worked on and finished a block for one of the June hostesses of Let's Bee Together....

Carolyn sent out an assortment of fabrics to make a block of our own selection.  I didn't even bother looking up a pattern this time and just started making HST.  I think this ended up to be a rather pleasing block.  Carolyn also said we had to stitch our name or initials and our state somewhere on the block.....

I elected to stitch my name.  I used two strands of DMC floss #934 and backstitched the letters.  I should have used a tiny stitch instead of a french knot for the dot above the i's as I think they turned out a bit large.  I hope Carolyn likes this block.

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SPRING HAS SPRUNG

I did get some work done on my June mini quilt but will probably show that you tomorrow.  Instead I thought I would share a couple of photos from my yard......

This is one of the hydrangeas in my side yard.  It's just starting to show its color but I love how it's going to be a multi color bloom.

And this bright pink is my all time favorite.

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TODAY'S GOAL

Today I hope to finish my June mini quilt.

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GIVEAWAYS

Country Fragrance is celebrating her one year in blogland with a giveaway.  Not sure exactly what Sharm is giving away but she says there will be 5 winners.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31.

The Plaid Scotty is having a giveaway.  Kaelin is giving away a DS Quilts bundle, a Sherbet Pips FQ bundle, and a Bright Hopes Pencil Case.  This giveaway will end Monday, May 30, at midnight.

Crafty Sewing & Quilting is having a giveaway.  Marcia is giving away two $20.00 off certificates for her Machine Quilting Services on a Lap Size Quilt or larger.  The winners will be drawn on Wednesday, June 1, at 6:00 pm.

Pink Pincushion is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of Scrap-Basket Sensations.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, June 1.

Quilty Pleasures (Quilt Maker Blog) is having a giveaway.  You could win an assortment of Sulk threads.  This giveaway ends Tuesday, May 31, at midnight.

You can still enter my giveaway, My Birthday Celebration Giveaway!  Here's your chance to win eight 1/2 yard cuts of some very pretty material.  This giveaway ends Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm.

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FINAL THOUGHT

 Other than those three little words swimming through my mind, I keep thinking about those folks being affected by all of those nasty tornadoes.  There has been so much death and destruction this year caused by Mother Nature.  Looking at the pictures on the news and seeing the total ruin of so many lives is just beyond my imagination.  My heart goes out to everybody who has lost family members and friends and to those who have lost everything but their lives.  I hope you will join me and take a few moments throughout your day to send up a prayer or two for those who are suffering - it's the least I can do.

I believe in prayer. It's the best way we have to draw strength from heaven.
~Josephine Baker

A Little About Me

"When life goes to pieces - Try quilting"
                                                            ~author unknown

And that's exactly what I did!  You will see why this quote fits me further in this posting.

We had to go grocery shopping last night - yuck!  One of my least favorite chores, which is odd since I enjoy going to the local Farmer's Market every Saturday morning. 

Here is my picture of the day:

This is what's left of my hydrangea blossom but I don't mind since green in my favorite color!

Hydrangeas are native to eastern and southern Asia.  They can be either evergreen or deciduous and are produce flowers from early spring to late autumn.  In Japan the hydrangea is treasured not only for its beauty of flower and foliage, but is also used as an herb, certain forms have long been popular to create a sweet herbal tea.  Today the potted hydrangea is almost a symbol in France of Mother's Day.  Tea? - I don't think I would put it in my cup, but in my yard or in a pot - most definitely!

Today I thought I would share with you what it is like living with ALS.  ALS? What's that?  ALS is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,  also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.  It is a motor neuron disease that is not completely understood.  ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord. A common first symptom is a painless weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg, which occurs in more than half of all cases. Other early symptoms include speech, swallowing, or walking difficulty.

Here are some facts about ALS

~ALS is not contagious
 
~It is estimated that ALS is responsible for nearly two deaths per hundred thousand population annually. More people die every year of ALS than of Huntington's disease or multiple sclerosis and it occurs two-thirds as frequently as multiple sclerosis.
 
~Although the life expectancy of an ALS patient averages about two to five years from the time of diagnosis, this disease is variable and many people live with quality for five years and more. More than half of all patients live more than three years after diagnosis.  About twenty percent of people with ALS live five years or more and up to ten percent will survive more than ten years and five percent will live 20 years. There are people in whom ALS has stopped progressing and a small number of people in whom the symptoms of ALS reversed.
 
~ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries. ALS can strike anyone.
 
 
I was diagnosed with ALS in 2001.  Luckily, my disease is progressing very slowly and I'm quickly approaching the 5 percent who will live 20 years (more if I have my way).  I'm very lucky!  ALS has caused weakness in my legs causing me to use a walker around the house and a power chair when going out and about town.  My arms are somewhat affected, but mostly has limited my ability to lift heavy objects or to do large repetitive movement - like washing windows (darn) as an example. 
 
How has ALS changed my life? 
     I believe it has actually made my life better.  It makes me slow down and enjoy the world around me.  I am much more forgiving of others.  It has brought our family closer together.  My husband and I have taken trips we probably would have put off and we enjoy each day we have to share.  

 
What do you miss doing since your diagnosis?
     I do miss being able to walk on the beach or to hike in the mountains.  Many of the state parks are wheel chair friendly and have accessible walkways.  In Yosemite, you can actually make it to the base of Bridal Veil Falls on a beautiful wood walkway.  I don't miss driving - believe it or not.  With the internet, I'm able to purchase just about everything I need and can waste plenty of time 'window shopping' online.  If I do have some place to go, we have a handicap equipped van that I can roll right into the passenger seat, lock in and away we go.

 
Is there anything good that has come from having ALS?
     I have met some remarkable people through our ALS support group that I probably would never would have had the pleasure to meet.  Unfortunately, we have lost some of our members to this disease but it is a wonderful group.  I'm sure anyone just joining the group would think we all have a rather morbid sense of humor, but you learn to laugh at your shortcomings - or you end up crying.  I believe my dear, sweet husband and I have become closer through all of this.  We have been married over 35 years and we cherish the time we have together.  My husband makes sure that I have almost everything I need to make my life easier.  I don't think that I would have made it this far without the never ending support and love of my hubby!  Another good thing is that I decided to take up quilting - and I am thoroughly enjoying that!

The two of us last year

 
 
Do you have any questions for me about ALS?  Please ask - I am more than willing to answer or at least find out the answer for you.
 
 
We are having our 7th annual Walk To Defeat ALS on October 2, 2010 here in Bakersfield.  You can check out my team, Linda's D'Feeters - you can even join my team, become a virtual walker, or make a donation (no amount is too small)!  This Walk raises money for our support group, provides us with a wonderful case worker, helps with our loan pool, and helps fund research. 
 
Here is a picture of my Walk team from last year.
 
 

We are a happy group, pups and all!

I hope I haven't bored you with this posting.  I just thought I would let you get to know me a little better.  I'm not looking for your sympathy - I am very happy with my life and try to enjoy each day that comes my way. 

So after all of this somberness I will leave you with something that really made me laugh:

You just gotta love Maxine!

FINAL THOUGHTS

I read a depressing thought yesterday - it's now only 114 days until Christmas.  Doesn't almost 4 months sound so much better.  Time to get those gifts made, purchased and wrapped.  Time to start nagging the family members for their 'wish list' - they do so love the weekly reminders of the November 1 deadline that I set - lol!  So now that you have that little thought in your minds, off to tackle Thursday and all you have/had planned!