Jun 21, 2017

HELLO, OLD FRIEND.

Much like the swallows to Capistrano, the stitchy bug has returned to the spinster.

Dinner with my guild sisters and the trip to House of Stitches was filled with love, laughter, and (I'm mortified to confess) no less than four ugly cries right there in front of God and everybody.

It all started when we walked in and Miss Linda and Miss Nancy and Miss Cherry handed me my kit for Red Velvet Cake and I discovered that it had been paid for by an angel.  Then, as I was checking out, I handed over what I thought was a gift certificate from another angel, but it turns out that there were TWO gift certificates in the envelope from TWO angels.

Oey...puddles and puddles of tears.  My guild sisters were kind enough to pat me gently while I wept, and I kept having to run to the bathroom to try to get it together.

I never did.  Last night after Miss Charlene dropped me off and I had crawled into the Happy Chair with the heating pad and Tylenol and my meds, I cried and cried and cried over the overwhelming love and kindness that has surrounded me these last many months.

You know that expression "The kindness of strangers?"  Well, I somehow think it should be modified to say something about the fact that once a kindness is given, the person giving it is no longer a stranger. They are now your family.

And I am blessed, gobsmacked, and humbled to count as my family the most lovely, kind, generous, decent, and wonderful people on this crazy planet of ours.  Thank you, dear friends.  As long as I live, I will never figure out how I got so incredibly lucky to count myself part of this community.

Many of you have commented on my sister's absence from my life, but rather than mourn it, I think I'm going to start saying a silent prayer of gratitude that she was the one that taught me to stitch.  I do miss her terribly, but her gift to me was opening this door to all of you, so for that I am very very thankful.

So on to the goodies.  It's 10:30 in the morning here in Hoosierville, and I have read the paper, had my coffee, and taken my meds.  Know what I'm going to do today?

I'm going to stitch.

Right there in the Happy Chair with my jammies on and Stewey in his little box on the back of the couch for company.

Here's the haul from last night:

This is the linen and threads for Red Velvet Cake.  Now I just need to find the chart!

I think this is what I'm going to play with today as a reminder to do just that:

And once I get my groove back, I thought this might be wonderful.  The threads are Weeks Dye Werks Julian and the linen is Picture Thus Plus Fog.

So that's the Futzingday report, my dearies.  Now it's time...to...stitch!

33 comments:

  1. Coni, what a lovely post. I can let you in on the"secret" of how you are so "lucky" to be part of this community: you shared yourself and your life and your home and Stewey and your story, all in your inimitable writing style. You have provided so much to others, I only hope you realize that. Enjoy stitching today!!

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    1. I second that emotion, and add that gratitude is a terrific attitude! Happy stitching!
      xoxoxo,
      Meg in Maryland

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  2. I am always inspired by your wonderful ability to keep on keeping on. Enjoy your stitchy day. Say hi to Stewey from me.

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  3. Happy Futzingday! Fill your cup with rest and the joy of stitching.

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  4. I'm in love with with that fabric and thread for Red Velvet Cake!!!!! I hope you have a lovely, relaxing day stitching. I think I'm going to start a new project also. Prayers.

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  5. Oh Coni! I am so very happy for you and to hear all this loving kindness surrounding you just when you need it most! Thank you, God! Love, hugs & Prayers, Cathryn ♥

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  6. What a fabulous haul you came home with, Coni! You have given to many and now it is your turn to receive. Enjoy your Futzing Day in the Happy Chair.

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  7. So glad you enjoyed your time out with the gals. Those red velvet colors are yummy! Have a great day in the happy chair stitching. I will be doing the same. We are at another heat wave warning day here.

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  8. Coni, I may not comment on your blog, but I so often think of you and wish you well at the new place. My prayers are with you.

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  9. Just love the latest Ink Circles...Whew when that challenge gets completed. No surprise that you are a magnet for love-filled gestures.. you share so much of your gallant self and inspire others to persevere and pay
    forward....You are loved and there is reward in that for us, as well.....Enjoy that happy chair stitching today.

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  10. We're all looking forward to stitch progress pics!

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  11. Thinking of you...stay well and have a good rest stitching. xx

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  12. Coni, we are the ones blessed. Your humor, candidness and openness is so refreshing. I know I can't wait to one day meet you in person for a great big hug and lots of stitchy time, laughter and talking! Love your new haul!

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  13. What a lovely surprise! And I see you are taking Ink Circles Circe plunge. I love your color choices. Enjoy your stitchy time!

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  14. So glad you had a wonderful day! Enjoy the new stash!

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  15. I am thrilled that you have some "stitchy angels" out there looking out for you; so thankful. Love your beautiful fabric and threads. Look forward to seeing your progress. Enjoy your stitching.........

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  16. Hope you had a wonderful stitchy day. I am looking forward to seeing the Ink Circles. Beautiful color.
    Take it easy!

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  17. I lost my mom approximately one year and I totally get what you are saying about your sister. I am an only child, both of my parents had several siblings. I feel as if I have been thrown off into the deep end of the ocean, family doesn't contact me on a regular basis and I am just right down lonely. I have found that my SILs are my true friends as well as two or three other people. You can't choose your family, and that may be why the friends you have are more like family, you chose them. Keep your chin up because really that is all we can do. I think of you daily and can not even imagine or pretend to understand what you are going through.

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  18. I'm so happy you got out and were surrounded by angels. Soon you'll have enough Ink Circle pieces to have a circular ink wall ( a very little attempt at humor). I know you had started Oscar's Courage and Bee's Knees ..............if only I could remember what I had for breakfast. I hope this was good day for you as well and that you got some R&R.

    Sandra in Texas

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  19. Glad you are starting to feel better. Love your new purchases.

    Jennifer

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  20. I have to agree with Evelyn: you shared so very much of yourself though this wonderful blog, Coni, and we couldn't help but fall in love with you!
    As for your tears last night, I am so happy you have such amazing friends! Everyone knows that tears are the very words our hearts cannot express. There is sacredness in tears.
    Please settle into the Happy Chair and stitch! That's exactly what you need!
    I'm going to try that myself, right away!

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  21. So very glad that your day was all you hoped and more, and that you were able to feel good enough to attend...I love your new stitchy stash, and can't wait to see your progress on Red Velvet Cake (love that name)! Don't do too much crying, we want you to stay hydrated :) Hugs

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  22. Evelyn said it best - we all have come to love you and the words you give us amuse, inspire and encourage all of us, so THANK YOU. Take care and don't forget the fluids!! Phoeey it doesn't seem to want to publish this from Google, so I will send it Anonymously Beth

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  23. I've been out of the country and unable to comment, although I read your blog whenever I was able. I have been cheering you on in spirit and keeping you in my prayers. You've done remarkably well with your move. I admire your organization and your gumption. You always amaze me. Take care of yourself. I'm so glad you're stitching!

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  24. I too agree with Evelyn. I only recently discovered your blogs and now I look every morning (in England) to see what happened yesterday! You are so resilient and so honest. Plus I knit and crochet rather than sew but I do appreciate new projects and yarn and the pleasure of a Happy Chair. When I have time to spare, I'm reading all your older blogs. They would make a great book. Keep going Coni, lots of love x

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  25. Evelyn said it well. I am like Gail, as I am in England and knit but I eagerly anticipate your daily words. They, and therefore you, have become very important to me. I also have a lot of "enforced" rest. Enjoy your stitching, I am planning on doing something with a couple of sticks and string. Hugs xx

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  26. I am so happy that you were able to go out. I'm drooling over the Red Velvet colours. Friends are one of God's greatest gifts to us and I am so happy that you are surrounded by them both in person and on your blog. Hugs and happy stitching.

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  27. I love your new projects. Just as well you've got the super duper new magnifying glasses.

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  28. There is goodness in this world and you have brought it out in so many people.

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  29. Thank you for that inspiring story. It is great to read that there is still love and kindness in this world since I seem to work with so many trolls. Nice stash haul. Very pretty fabric and floss choices.

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  30. As long as I have known and loved you, dear Coni, you have always been loving and warm and giving (as well as very stubbornly humble). It comes as no surprise to me that your ever-growing family delights and shares in the generosity and warmth you inherited from your parents. Take a breather from organizing and enjoy the stitching. I always look forward to your craft.

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  31. You deserve every hug, smile and gift sent your way.

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