Looking Back

On this day...ten years ago, my life as I had known it was changing. I've often said (somewhat jokingly) that I believe in reincarnation because I've lived a life different from my life today. I was in heavy duty training for the "trip of my life". My cousin Alan and I were leaving for Nepal in just a few days for 3 1/2 weeks of trekking in the Himalayas. Romantically, I had fallen hard for my "National Guard buddy" (as Karen once called him). As Dick and I began our relationship...he was flabbergasted that I would choose to go to Southeast Asia...knowing what he knew from his time in Viet Nam. However, not wanting me to go unprepared...he set about accompaining me on "training hikes". On this particularly gorgeous day, 16 Apr 1999, Alan, Don and Karen, Dick and I set out to Stone Mountain in Traphill for a hike across the granite face. Little did I know that Dick was planning to ask me to marry him!! What better place than high atop Stone Mountain! Our destiny became "set in stone". Dick has told his daughter Maggie what he had planned and she was horrified that he didn't have a ring to give me. She insisted on loaning one of her rings to make it official! (Thanks Maggie!!) I can't imagine a more perfect proposal...and I'm so lucky to have had my very dearest "buddies" with me at the time!

"Rows and Furrows" Quilt

As September ended, and October 2008 began...I found myself anxious, worried, stressed, and depressed. It would have been so easy for me to fall back into familiar patterns...turning inward, shutting loved ones out, curling up in the fetal position and sleeping the trouble away. This time...I chose a difference response. I remembered two keys of recovery. The first key was my favorite definition of insanity. "Insanity is: doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results." The second key was a quote I think of often..."When I got busy, I got better." So...I decided the most constructive thing I could do to stay busy was piece together a scrappy quilt top. My friend Dee donated some half square triangle blocks as well as other blocks of light and dark fabrics from her stash. I picked through my stash including "Bob the Builder" fabrics from Bryce's quilt...Laurel Burch pieces from a "Bountiful Blessings" wall hanging...assorted Christmas fabrics left over from my "Christmas Sampler", "Sssssilly Safari" charm squares from Roslin's sweatshirt jacket, a scrap from Mom's skirt hem...and began sewing. I didn't think I would ever finish all those 9 patch blocks!!! But finish them I did! As the top grew in size my excitement grew with it! This quilt was destined to be Jaclyn's from the start. I finally finished piecing the top in February 2009. The Cozy Quilters in Lenoir machine quilted it. I picked it up in March...sewed the binding around the quilt and hand stitched it down to finish! WHEW! Just in time for Jaclyn's birthday last Saturday...April 11. The dark days of October are a fading memory and I find myself grateful for Spring...for this season of awakening and opportunities to start fresh again.

Stepping Outside My Box

Becoming a "blogger" is definitely outside my comfort zone!! While I've longed to give it a try...my fear factor has allowed me to procrastinate. In attempting to live the words Mary Oliver penned in her poem The Journey... "One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began..." I find myself here...today...at the beginning.



There will be postings where I'll share my love of quilting and scrapbooking with you. Occasionally, I'll post favorite recipes. Maybe I'll share my thoughts about life...maybe I won't. I will share pictures as I learn how. Stay tuned for more "Sheree's Scraps".