The Spice of Life

Since last Tuesday's surgery, life has been about numerous things to keep me occupied, and be grateful for... 

First of all, cards of well wishes! Goodness! So many of them, some even from people I don't know! Neighbors brought flowers, and bread, and an Iowa friend sent me books. 

Two cards came from members of the Des Moines chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild. What a surprise! On the envelope of one was written: "So many well wishes and prayers from DSMMQG, we needed two cards!" Oh my friends... I am so touched. Thank you.

And if that wasn't enough, our daughter sent an envelope of notes from her family. These two "cards," from grandsons Tay (age 3-1/2) and Aesa (age 2-1/2) are so darned sweet. Mom asked each of them what they wanted to say to Nana, and then wrote their words beside their drawings. Such sweet sentiments, but Aesa's concern for me is a suggestion, "Some soup, maybe?" Yes my sweet boy, soup may help.

Easter Sunday was lovely. We spent part of the morning on parking lot duty at church. I thought you'd like to see the latest in parking lot attendant fashion. There's nothing so trendy as a darling aqua-and-navy dress/sweater set, accessorized with a neon-green vest!

On the church reception table, along with the morning's snacks, was this Easter egg tree. Those smocked eggs were made by me many years ago. They're one of the few hand craft items I saved in our move, and was glad to see them put to use.

Over the weekend, my Aussie friend, Lindi emailed to tell me I won the Jolly Jabber's fq bundle giveaway. I'm so grateful to Lindi for thinking to tell me! I haven't been so good lately about keeping up with blog-reading due to being a bit distracted. The fabs are on their way, and they sure look great. Thank you FatQuarterShop!

I'm making steady progress on this wall hanging of foundation paper-pieced Palm Tree blocks. After arranging the pieced blocks on my design wall, I took a picture. It's nice to see it in color and black-and-white, the latter being a good way to check value placement - the dark and light contrast that affects the visual impact of a quilt.

Saturday I straight-lined quilted along the edges of each FFP block to stabilize the piece.

Then, I marked lines with a red Frixion pen, and started big-stitch quilting using green #8 perle cotton. 

This hand quilting is taking longer than machine quilting, and my fingers are sore from tugging on the needle, even though I'm using a gripper to pull the needle through.

Tonight is our Central Florida MQG meeting. We have so many activities going! And this is the meeting where we're explaining changes in the Modern Quilt Guild, and asking people who've been attending since last November to make a commitment to join - AKA pay dues! With those monies, we expect that by July our chapter will officially join the national MQG. 

In exciting and relieving news, today I received the surgery pathology report indicating that my breast cancer was confined to the tumor that was removed last week. There's no cancer in my lymph nodes! I'm cancer-free! Thank you, all my praying friends, and praise God!

Tomorrow I begin the "insurance" part of keeping myself free from breast cancer - radiation. First, a savi catheter is being inserted in the lumpectomy cavity. (I'll utter a little "Yikes!" I think.) Then, a couple days later, a visit to a radiation specialist will make sure the catheter is positioned correctly, and a radiation treatment "map"/plan will be created. Then, we're expecting radiation treatments to begin next Monday - twice a day at intervals of six to eight hours apart, for five days. Prayers are still appreciated. I'm holding on.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 16:8 (NIV)

Linda