Grandad

Not long before we left for the States my Grandfather had a fall at the nursing home and broke his hip, had surgery in the nearest town and had been transferred back to our little town to recover. He was a cheeky brat, giving the nurses at the local hospital all the cheek he could muster, but he just wasn't himself after the fall. While we were away the family didn't tell us too much about Grandad except that he wasn't too well, wasn't getting out of bed still, not a good sign I knew, as my Nan (not his wife) had done the same thing the year before. So I knew he should be running around the hospital by now, it had been four months! Nan was chasing me round the Nursing home after four months yelling at me, so I knew the news was not going to be too good when we returned.
I went saw Grandad after coming home, in between a migraine needle or two. He was terrible, worse than I thought. He was only whispering occaisionally. Not eating at all. This was bad. Very bad. The family from the coast had arrived. Crap. Grandads room was full, I said to mum, "well if he wasn't going to die tonight, he's going to think he is with all those people in there!!" When we left the hospital that night, I was last to leave, as I turned in the hallway, I looked back and waved to him, and he smiled and waved back to me. I will never forget that smile. He didn't die that night, but that was the last time I saw him conscious & he did pass away two nights later on the 25th May, 2011.

On a happier note, Grandad needed a wake to celebrate his wonderful long life. So after his beautiful funeral service, we celebrated his life at my place. Well of course I needed a new table runner for the dinner table!!

Lucky I had four half made table runners on the go, as I didn't have five minutes free time to make one from scratch. All this one needed was a bind sewn on, and there you go, a bright happy table runner made from a Verna honey bun. I'm sure Grandad would have appreciated it, lol.

Rest in peace Grandad, you will be missed by many. xx

A few hours in the garden.

Well if I'm going to be in the garden, I need to look the part!

I got these quite a few weeks ago at the local nursery. I had been eyeing (spell check??) them off for a while, but just couldn't justify paying $95 for bits of rubber that you wear in the garden! Can you tell I am not a gardener??

Anyway, while surfing Facebook, my second hobby apart from sewing, I noticed that same Nursery had them reduced to $49. Well, that, I could come at. There is alot of rubber in them after all, and they are Laura Ashley ;-)

Now I must clarify why I, someone who is not a keen gardener, has headed out to the yard. Below is a plant, please do not ask me what it is as I have no idea, but I do believe it is drought resistant, that a couple of our friends gave me when my Nan passed away recently as a memory plant.

I had to go to the Nursery to buy a pot for the mystery plant above, so got creative and bought some Pansies (as the tag said) and planted around the other plants we have around the pool. (No idea what they are either, but they too are hardy) Notice how the pots match, phew, I like things to be all matchy.
Down here you will notice the original reason for heading out today. Yes it was Nan. When Nan was still with us, she would always talk about the after life. Now, this is a touchy subject with some, but Nan truly believed in the afterlife, as I do. Over the last few months she would always said to me, "Karri, when I die, plant a yellow rose, and everytime it blooms, it will be me saying hello, and letting you know I am there."

So my cousin and I decided to buy one each, and put them by the pool, with a little memory plaque. (We put them by the pool as Nan was chosen to swim in the Olympic team many many years ago and sadly couldn't go. But she loved the pool.)

So that was my few hours in the garden for the summer...now I just have to remember to water them!

R.I.P Nan xxx

What a month...this is my Nan & I in July this year, about a month after I brought her over from Perth to NSW to have her closer to me while she was in a Nursing Home. She was 90 in April in this year.She took some settling in, but we had some good times. On Monday 27th September, we had our usual Strawberry tarts from my bakery for morning tea. She loved her sweets :-) But on Wednesday, she was admitted to hospital with Pneumonia, and I sat at her bedside holding her hand. Sadly she passed away on Thursday 30th September. So quick, so sudden.

So, I have been busy planning Nans funeral, her wake, and all the drama that usually goes with that. All the fun stuff. It's been a busy few months. I kind of don't know where I am at now. I don't need to go to the Nursing home for two hours a day anymore, and eat pies and cakes with nan. I guess I am free to sew now, to do my bookwork, to blog, to do housework or to do whatever. I should be happy, but...

Anyway...

Finally here are the photos of my finished quilt-a-long quilt. It has been back from the quilter for quite a while now, and is actually in its new home in Perth already. I had to take these photos on the windiest day so the fence photo is not the best, but as the quilt is quite huge, it was the best way to get the full effect. It was on its way to the post office when I realised I hadn't photographed it, so had to make do with windy day photos :-(

I chose to use up the left over squares as the bind, as I had quite a few left, and just couldn't stand to waste them. So the bind was made up of alternated two and half inch white and coloured squares. Quite nice up against the white borders actually.

The backing was made up of three large strips of a co-ordinating fabric from the same range, with a smaller strip of white in between. I know, an expensive backing, but as the quilt was going to a treasured family member, I didn't mind so much. I do love the backs to match.

I just love how Lee (my quilting friend) has chosen to quilt this quilt for me. Simple, yet effective.

Simple Womans Daybook Day 5

Monday 22nd February 2010

I missed last week as I was around the country side without alot of Internet access!

Outside my window....its a gorgeous hot day with a slight breeze. Great day to be outside!

I am thinking.....I feel great for going to the gym this morning and burning lots of calories.

I am thankful for.....all my good friends.

From the kitchen....I made some cookies and discovered they are about 135calories each!! Very bad, none for me. I best try and make them low fat next time.

I am wearing.....a dress Martha made for herslef & gave to me to finish. It isnt finished, but as my hubby works nights, he is asleep, and all my clean clothes are in the bedroom. (Had a shower after he went to bed)

I am creating....nothing at the moment, but I think I might make something this afternoon.

I am going...to cooking classes with the girls tonight. Hope its a healthy dish....I am trying to be extra good.

I am reading....a fitness book called, "Turn Fat into Muscle", an exciting read ;-)

I am hoping.....to go to the gym every morning this week.

I am hearing....the washing machine beep that its ready to be hung out.

On my mind....is the next six weeks away :-(

Around the house.....are lots of jobs I should be doing, fold clothes, vacuum floor etc etc

Noticing that.....there is washing on the line that needs to be folded also. I am so bogged with washing & folding, argh.

Pondering these words....."No excuses"

One of my favourite things.....is spending the day at home pottering when all the kids are at school.

A few plans for the rest of the week.....bookwork, pedicure & manicure, packing.

Here is a picture I am sharing.....

This is where we went last week. We travelled to Wagga Wagga in NSW to the Military Training Barracks, Kapooka, to watch our elest son Jarad march out. It was the proudest day for us. had the best time, and yes, we cried a few proud tears.

A new niece!

I wanted to mention that I became an Aunty for the 15th time this morning. I was lucky enough to be a support person for my sister-in-law, and so got to witness the birth of little Abbie Grace. Here is a photo of me and my niece. Mind you, its not the best photo as it was taken at about 10am this morning, after being in the labour ward since 1.30am...hence the no sleep dark eyes!