My friend, Janet

I will tell you all about the quilt show tomorrow but tonight I want to tell you about my beautiful friend, Janet. I found out tonight that she is gone. I loved her so much and those of you who know me have heard funny and wonderful stories about her for years. She was sweet and nutty and fun and caring and could be hysterically funny and made us  look forward to coming to work in the morning. So many loved her so much and this is such a huge loss.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Russy, and trust me when I tell you that they were in love from day 1 until the end. We should all be so lucky.
The last time I saw her was at my husband's 50th birthday party and then life fell apart and I never reconnected with many of my old friends. I am so so sad I did not see her in recent years, my fault entirely, and I resolve to see the people I love and have lost contact with in this new year. Thank you, Janet, for making me see that I need to connect again with our friends. Love you.

Guess where I'm going?

Comfortable shoes - check
Backpack for hands-free - check
Pants with pockets - check
Camera - check
Glasses - check
Overnight bag - check

I am off to the World Quilt Show in West Palm Beach this morning. Woohoo! I'm so excited! My friend, Connie, is coming to take care of the girls so no worries there. Gratitude is the name of the game this morning as  I continue to be amazed at my good fortune. I must have done something truly wonderful in a previous life to be so blessed with this one. More anon.

Here's what it looked like at my house all afternoon

and here's where I spent it. Love a rainy day in the studio

So today is another story as I run out the door to Tai Chi and then water aerobics. My affirmation today? I succeed in everything I want to do.  Yes!

Here's how things are looking at my house this morning.

my house with Miss LaToya out front 

Shooting Star tree across the street

Sophie strolling down our street

So grateful for the Florida warmth and sunshine. My peeps up north must be made of sterner stuff than yours truly to live up there. Had to postpone my party this week because we're getting a cold front through on Tuesday - only in the 50's at night! 

I'm off to Our Lady of Perpetual Mimosas . . .

Went to my first meeting of the year with the Florida Keys Quilters today. Such a creative bunch. I won't bore you with ALL of the show and tells but here are a couple. This first one was much more of a sunnier yellow than it looks. Made me want to get out my braid and put something together - maybe for the Wounded Warriors.

This next quilt was adorable - the bodies of all the sealife were yoyos. Got to get hold of that pattern.

And, here are Judy's little therapy doxies. So cute, nestled in a shopping cart. Can't imagine my two behemouths being so good.

Took myself out to the Pilot House for lunch and looked out on the marina. Life is good. This is their version of a Christmas tree - trimming the crab traps!

And last, here is a little window shade I'm making for my friend's shop. Just got the binding on but need to add a sleeve to hang it with. 

That's all I got today.

Happy New Year!

I'm feeling really good about 2014. The past is over and done. Louise Hay tells me, There is only the now moment where I choose my thoughts that create my future. Love that!

Top of my list resolution-wise? and I'm reading from my list verbatim:
1. Let go of my husband. Forget him. Move on. No more obsessing.

So after another bleak holiday season, I have decided that from now on, instead of being choked by the insidious creeping tentacles of self pity, I'm moving on - I really am. I AM.  (Notice I said nothing about forgiveness. I'm not a saint, for chrissake sake. Honestly, you know me better than that!)

So, here is how I stayed in the moment over the holidays. Also gave myself a heck of a paralyzed back and neck but Dr. Lu to the rescue so I'm over that.

This first quilt top is a wonky 9-patch that I started in a guild class last year and is now at the long arm quilter. It's all Bali batiks except for a bit that Mary Ellen "loaned" me.

This quilt is a work in progress. Got three borders on and didn't have enough fabric so emailed Cotton Weeds in Maine with a picture and said do you have any left and please please please can you send it to me? They were able to locate two half yards which came yesterday. Yes! Thank you Cotton Weeds so much - shout out to my girls there!!

In other news, after a warmer and more humid than usual December (now, don't be hating on me), a cold front swept through this morning and it's not going to get out of the sixties all day. Love it! It has been in the 70's at night so this is a treat for sure. Now I'm out the door to walk the girls. ta for now