Jack Pot!

Today I decided to look in the wicker basket next to the rocker in my room, that I haven't opened for at least 2 years. I was so excited! I forgot I had put so much in it for storage, and found fabrics, laces, ribbons, that I forgot I even had! Yards of fabric!! From broadcloth to ginhams to calicos to Christmas and all in between, there is the most beautiful yard goods. Much of it, I don't remember buying or what it was for. All the time I've run out for muslin because I thought I was out? Tons of it!! I'm set for quite a while. I feel like a kid at Christmas! This cuts down on a couple trips at least to buy more material. WooHoo! I'm saving some bucks here!

Imagine

My niece is 5, and has downs syndrome. She is the most beautiful little girl, and a true blessing to our family.
Now. Imagine another little girl with downs, approaches a stranger and asks for a drink of water. It's plain to this man that this child is truly thirsty. Yet, he turns his back and walks away, all the time looking to the ground. Imagine this same man, comes across a couple whose car has broken down at the side of the road, and the wife comes running toward him, begging him to please help her husband. Again, the man turns. A little boy, just wanting a friend, someone to hang out with for a little while, comes toward the man looking for a return of friendship. The man, once again, turns away a child. You are probably thinking, what kind of heartless person could be this despicable to turn his back on those in need? His elders, children with disabilities, children in need of a gentle hug? How could he be so cruel? Let me add the rest of the story. I know this man. He is my nephew, a marine. This is life in Iraq. What may seem so natural to us here, is not there. No one, not even a child, can be trusted. The little girl with downs? My niece is his sister. When Matt had to turn his back, when he so badly wanted to pick her up and hold her, he broke down and cried. Missing his own sister so badly,to not be able to help her broke his heart. The couple with the broken down car. When a woman dressed in garbs in Iraq comes running toward you, if you order them to stop and they don't you can shoot. She could very well be a suicide bomber. Children, like the little girl and boy, could take their own life along with you. Their parents think nothing of strapping a bomb to their own child. You watch the ground continuously, making sure you aren't going to step on an explosive. Marketplace is a battlefield, as this is where car bombs explode to take out the most people. In Iraq, you don't sleep. When you are not having nightmares, you are on guard because you never know what will happen next. Our soldiers are not fighting war, they are just trying to survive until they can come home. Now that you know the rest of the story, please take a moment to pray for our boys. Pray for our leaders to bring this to a close. Pray for our troops that are in the middle of the biggest culture shock one can imagine. And when they come home, pray they never have to go back.
Blessings to All,
Laurie

Friendship

Yesterday evening, I e-mailed with one of my blog friends, Diane. We discussed the bond created with women from so many different places, and the importance all have taken in our lives.
Until I started my blog, life was getting so routine, and nothing was there to spark my enthusiasm. Then it happened. I began to surf the different blogs by clicking on my interests on my profile. This opened up a whole new world, full of women of such diverse backgrounds, interests, and personalities. Several, including Diane, have become a part of my life. They are like old friends, my extended family. I look forward to their posts, forward to seeing how the day is going for them, their adventures, unique stories, creations, and ways of life. I have been so inspired by them. I laugh with them and cry with them. I rejoice in their victories. I draw inspiration from their faith and love of God. They have changed my life.
So to all you today, God Bless each and every one. You are as important to me as oxygen. You are my comrades, my inspiration, and my glimpse into the world. I love all of you.
If you are reading this, please, sign my guest book. Whether you blog or not, you are important to me. Let me welcome you into my world, as you have welcomed me in yours. Please let me know your blog address if you have one. If you don't, think of starting one, and when you do, come back and let me know! I look forward to your friendship. In the mean time,
Gods Blessings to All of you, My extended family
Laurie

Well, That was short lived!

I'm home. Got half way there and ran into transmission problems, so had to baby the car back home. It looks like it will be next week for my vacation. Oh. The link for my brother is Willow Winds. http://jmwillowwinds.com/

Vacation!

Well I'm off today for my adventure up to my brother's house in Mikado, a little town in the northern lower peninsula. He is a very special person, built a business from doing what he is most passionate about. He teaches Native American skills, and travels all over the United States. He also built a log cabin on his property, back in the forest. The old way, it took him 5 years. I have a link on this blog if you would like to see it, and the other amazing things he does. His canoes are awesome! No modern tools, built the same way natives did. Jay (or Jim to everyone but his sisters, it's our term of endearment!) has been on t.v. many times, has written a book, and has had countless newspaper articles. Check out the site! I'm very proud of him! His wife Cheryl is the bomb! (does anyone say that anymore!?) Her and I love to do our quilting, and with the coffee and conversation flowing, along with her sense of humor, I know it's going to be hard coming back.!
See you on Wednesday night, pictures in hand!!
Blessings,
Laurie

Little Brite-n-Chipper and Andy

I love my pets! Every one is special and precious to me. Aside from Chip my pom, each animal is a rescue. Lucy was a puppy from a litter to our border mix Daisy, adopted from a shelter the day she was to be put down. When I went to have her spayed, the vet called to say she was quite far along in her pregnancy. Being so thin and sickly when we got her, we couldn't even tell she was ready to whelp. Daisy has passed, but we still have Lucy. Bobbie, our border collie, found me. I went to the post office, it was January and the weather was terrible. The dog warden was coming for him, he had been sleeping in the garage there. He too was in terrible shape. When I opened my door, he got in my car. I couldn't turn him away, and he is ours through and through. Then there is Punkin, she is 17. Her mother and the rest of the litter were found in our barn. Punkin was very tiny, so I took her in the house right away. When I went out to get the rest of the litter, they were gone. Sassy, our cockatiel, is also an orphan! When I was at my parents several years ago, the neighbor came over with a box, opened it to reveal this little bird. He had found it in his driveway, and wanted to know if it was ours. I told him no, but if he had no luck finding the owners to let me know. He did, and she is a great little bird. Andy, he's my little lap cat! I was volunteering in our local humane society when this litter arrived. He was such a scrawny mess, and because he isn't the "pick of the litter", no one wanted him. A sphinx mix, Andy isn't the most adorable of cats, but I fell in love! He is more affectionate than any of the dogs. He follows me around, and is always on my lap, shoulder, or riding on my back. So that is our family, and we love them to pieces!

Home from Iraq!

My nephew Matthew arrived home to a fanfare last night, He completed his deployment to Iraq. Just a scrawny thing when he originally left for bootcamp, we made him show off his newly acquired "guns". Welcome home Matt! We love you and we sure missed you!