July 31 Block

After funerals, bats, and root canals, July has finally taken a turn for the better here at the end.  Grandpa slept soundly, read the Sunday papers, and has had two delightful meals in the dining room today with new friends.... Mary

July 30 Block

The Eagle has landed!  Grandpa is safely here and loves his new apartment.... Mary

July 29 Block

Last week at our WSQG (World's Smallest Quilt Guild) meeting, my dear, dear friend, JK, gave me permission, during this very hectic time, to have a quilt block that is just one piece of fabric.  Tonight I'm taking her up on that permission.... Mary

July 28 Block

We programmed Grandpa's new phone tonight with all the numbers from my cell phone.  There are even three large, lighted quick dial buttons on the front that we put initial stickers on for his three kids:  R, B, and K, so they are at his fingertips.  Tomorrow we hang pictures, and on Saturday Grandpa arrives at his new apartment.... Mary

July 27 Block

We put the together the table and chairs for Grandpa's balcony.  Thankfully no one was injured, and the furniture is unscathed.  But most importantly, the amazingly comfy LazyBoy lift chair was delivered.   I'm betting Grandpa has a lot of fun playing with the controls.... Mary

July 26 Block

Grandpa's apartment is really starting to look wonderful.  Anne and I take a piece of furniture over each evening after work.  Today is was the desk, too big for Anne's apartment but perfect for Grandpa to spread out with his work.  We should be able to get him here this weekend.... Mary

July 25 Block

Beaded fabric!  How fun is that?  Mary

July 24 Block

Things continue to look up, so let's hope for a good week.... Mary

July 23 Block

Grandpa is doing better today.  Let's hope the trend continues so we can get him to Madison soon.... Mary

July 22 Block

Yikes!  Mary

July 21 Block

Growing old is not for sissies.... Mary

July 20 Block

Poor Eileen had a tooth worked on today, and it's really hurting her, poor bubby.... Mary

July 19 Block

Forgive me if I'm repeating myself, after all it's been six months with a very intense couple of weeks just recently.  Grandpa's favorite color is lavender.  He says he doesn't know what color that is; he just really likes the word....  Mary

July 18 Block

Trying to imagine cool, fresh, green breezes with temperatures in the 70s not the hot, muggy, humid 100 degree heat index we have.... Mary

July 17 Block

An intense weekend, and then I get to go to the dentist tomorrow afternoon.  At least it's just routine cleaning.  Hopefully they won't find anything that needs fixing.... Mary

July 16 Block

We found a great apartment for Grandpa today, now all we have to do is convince him that it's the place for him. 

I did decide to rice stitch the second side on yesterday's block.  I really like the way it turned out.... Mary

July 15 Block

Rick, the girls, and I are going to tour a senior retirement apartment for Grandpa tomorrow.  Madison is halfway between Rick's brother in the Chicago area and his sister in St. Paul, MN.  Madison also has a wonderful VA hospital along with the UW Hospital Clinics.  Last Monday I toured the retirement community, but the big guns are coming in tomorrow with cameras, clipboard, and measuring tape.

I don't have time to rice stitch the other side of tonight's block, and as I look at it I'm not positive that I will stitch the other side as well.  Good to sleep on it and decide tomorrow.  You can still see my disappearing pen line to mark the half inch seam allowance.  I'm leaving a full half inch around the blocks because they will be handled and stitched on and beaded.  I don't want to have fraying quarter inch allowances as I keep working on the quilt....  Mary

July 14 Block

Long, late meeting today, but at least no one yelled.  And I have tomorrow off.... M

July 13 Block

Slept badly last night, had people yelling at each other in a meeting this afternoon.  I'm done.  I'm going to bed.... Mary

July 12 Block

I'm not sure I actually accomplished anything at work today, but at least I was there and tried.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll be a little more productive.... Mary

July 11 Block

My brain is pretty much a blank at this point.  At least no nocturnal flying visitors last night.  Hope they don't expect much from me at work tomorrow....  Mary

July 10 Block

Farewells, funerals, and now battling bats in the middle of the night.... Mary

July 9 Block

A "We Love You" block from the grandkids....  Mary

July 8 Block

Everyone is tired and sad, but happy to see so many old friends saying farewell to Grandma Fitz....  Mary

July 7 Block

Grandma's funeral is tomorrow.... Mary

July 6 Block

Rick's mother, Kate, whose favorite color we now all know is green, passed away this morning.  May angels speed her on her way and may perpetual light shine upon her.... Mary

July 5 Block

I just wrapped birthday presents for our friends' little girl, Duanduan, over in China.  It's her first birthday, so Anne picked out stacking cups, stacking ring donuts, and sippy cups.  Her birthday isn't until July 16, but we need to get the package off via a flat rate Express Mail box.  What a great invention!  Happy almost birthday, Duanduan.... Mary

July 4 Block

For a happy Independence Day, a red, white & blue Fourth of July pinwheel!  Mary

July 3 Block

A festive square to brighten the day and our spirits.... Mary

July 2 Block

A soft cool green for Grandma's favorite color.... Mary

July 1 Block

We had a heat index of 107 today with 90% humidity.  I consider air conditioning in cars to be a necessity in most locales.  In offices, you can't really have fans blowing papers all over the place.  But at home I hate having the house closed up.  We have to spend all winter shut up inside.  When there are birds singing and leaves rustling and rain falling, I want the windows wide open.  Even I gladly turned on the air conditioning today.

JK and I took a WSQG* field trip close to home today and with the AC on high in car.  We went to Stitchers' Crossing, still the home town favorite, and then out to Waunakee to Mill House Quilts, a very close second.  It was just so nice to spend the afternoon together talking about art and quilts and color and fabrics.... Mary

* World's Smallest Quilt Guild