Summer Hiatus

Well, not only is today Father's Day, but it is the first day of summer.  Out here on the west coast, it's hot and it's dry.  I don't like hot, and I don't like dry, but I can do nothing about either, nor can I move elsewhere, so guess I'll just continue to put up with what it is.

And speaking of what it is, 'it' is not at all good, but I'm trying to accept that this is God's will as an answer to the dilemma about dealing with my dad.  I may have mentioned that he has some dementia, but has largely been able to live on his own and take care of his general daily needs.  I have been taking care of his finances keeping him fully informed as well as keeping tabs on his medical events.

Unfortunately, he has chosen to not listen to the only two people (my sister and I) who actually care about his personal welfare and making sure his assets, what little he has, were protected in the event he needed long-term care.  We did not feel the need for him to be under conservatorship as he was trying to stay within his limitations and those who have never spent 24/7 time with him would not necessarily recognize him as being anything other than a little forgetful and he can be quite hostile to authority and any attempt to remove ANY control from his life.  He did recognize/self-justify that he needed the assistance I have given though by saying "I could do it, I just hate paperwork.".  A couple weeks ago, without telling me or consulting me or my sister, he put his house up for sale and it sold in two days.  He has already moved all his belongings out, and moved them into the home of his ex-wife (to whom he was married when he and my mom met and who divorced him in 1956) and their oldest daughter.  To date, he has given them a very large sum towards their debt.  When I found that out, I got upset with him and emotionally lost my cool.  In that conversation I said something I perhaps should not have, and in his dementia-mind, he took it as a (financial) threat and I believe that is the basis for his current actions of not calling and not letting me know what's going on or has been done already.  He will likely use the entire proceeds from the house sale to pay more of their debt yet it will not be enough, and he will have no resources beyond his SSI for his own care.  And, after giving them this money, he says he will still be paying her rent/helping with the monthly expenses.  He thinks she's going to (re)marry him. 

I will be driving north towards the end of this week.  I am not looking forward to many aspects of it, especially those dealing with this situation and the confrontations that are likely to ensue.  The brother who stopped speaking with me at my mom's death, is still spreading lies and false accusations. Another brother, the one who "claims" the treadle machine I brought here for safe-keeping has decided he wants that taken to an uncle's in the home town.  I could argue with him about it that my dad did give it to me, but I know my mom 'promised' it to this brother, even though it was not hers to promise.  But that's how my mom did things.  Within the family dynamic is a LOT of distrust, bitterness, resentment, frustration, lies and half-truths, and rejection.  I'm personally fighting some of those old feelings that have again cropped up after having put them to rest as I grew in Christ.  God's word says to 'train up a child in the way he should go and he will not depart from it'.  There's a grain in that which could mean that however a child is raised, is how he will be in his life...we learned all these sins quite well as children, and only the Lord can give us the strength to 'put off' the things of evil and 'put on' righteousness, love and kindness.  My siblings do not share the faith in Christ that I have.

While I'm gone, since my dad's house is no longer available, I will be staying at my Aunt Irene's and will have less time on the computer.  That's not a bad thing really.  She and I will be going to quilt camp July 8 - 12, and I'm really hoping it will not be as hot as last year, but that's looking doubtful.  By the time I get to my Oregon destination, it's projected to be 100°F.  I will be in Oregon possibly through the 8th of August.  But then, I will be home.  Once and for all, and if what I expect to happens does, without responsibilities beyond my own to myself, my husband and my son.  I just hope I don't go through another extended bout of depression and grief as I did during these last four months at home.

Should things go the way I'm expecting they will (not by my choice) with my dad, my helping him will be rejected and changed to someone else, and my frequent trips will come to a stop.  This is not the route I would have chosen for my dad, but it does answer prayer.  When I've been gone, I've constantly worried that he could fall and be injured where he can't get to the phone or that he would die only to be found by my sister when she goes to his place on the weekends, which would be really awful for her even moreso than anyone else.  He no longer calls me, and I have not been able to reach him yet today to wish him a happy Father's Day though I had sent a card early in the week.

All of that to say, I'm taking a break from my blogs until I return and then get 'caught up' and rested.  If I really have an urge or notable event, I may slip a short (when have I ever done short?) post in, but if not, I pray everyone remains safe throughout the summer, and may your summer be blessed.  And if you're a prayer warrior, I would be ever so grateful for your prayers, especially those needed to behave and speak in a way that honors God and reflects Christ to my unregenerate family.
 

Sometimes Life Is Tiring

I am back in the Pacific Northwest, the land I refer to as The Wet Land.  It isn't very wet right now, in fact two days ago, it was in the upper 90s but today is better with overcast skies yet no moisture.  I can do that!

Monday night is when I arrived back here and yet it seems like I've been here without a break.  Two weeks and two days were all I spent at home, and it went by quickly.

On my agenda is still to get my dad in for a "second opinion" as to whether anything can be done regarding his neck/nerve pain from a neck surgery he had in January of 2013.  For the past eight weeks I've been working on getting an appointment with a neurosurgeon at a university hospital in a large town to the north, having been referred to two different ones there by the daughter (an ER nurse there) of my brother's woman-friend.  And only TODAY, after EIGHT weeks, have I found out that the one hasn't been there at all during this time, and the other is leaving and not taking any new patients..."they only just found out".  Aaargghh!!!

So....I looked up on the internet, in a town closer, all neurosurgeons - there are but six and one of those is over 70 years old!  I chose one, he had a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and called and yeppers, they need all the same data FAXed to them as well - no surprise - before they can even schedule an appointment, so back on the phone with my dad's local doctors' offices to get them to do that.  Now, we will see how quickly that really gets done, and how quickly this new doctor reviews and gets back to us so that my dad can get an appointment.  

Yesterday I went with my dad to his eldest daughter's (my step-sister, she's just younger than I) to drop off some stuff he's been wanting to get rid of and that she and her man-friend can use.  I'd not seen her in probably 10 years.  We had to take a ferry across the river and I hadn't done that since I was a kid.  We had a good visit and my dad's driving only frightened me a few times.  He takes country road corners rather fast for my liking and when stopped behind other vehicles creeps to within inches of their bumper, and he does rolling stops at stop signs with jack-rabbit starts to boot. 

Six more days and I will have five days "just for me" while being with my aunt, cousin's wife, her mother and some others as we go to quilt retreat at Suttle Lake.  That's right next to SISTERS and the quilt show there is that weekend!  And there's a wonderful bakery in Sisters, yum! 

July NewFO

One last Sunday post and I'm somewhat caught up on my necessary posts, those where I link up to other sites.  This one is linking up to Cat Patches for the NewFO Challenge.

As I went to quilt camp in July, I was able to get sewing on more than one NewFO.  I'm not giving consideration that I actually cut the fabrics in June.  That was rather necessary given that I was leaving for the wet land on 3 July and quilt camp started on the 10th, and that I'd be taking all my sewing gear as well as suitcases and other paraphernalia needed by myself and Nick, all in one little ol' vehicle.  

Before I show my projects, I have to tell about something I found funny.  I was being very stringent with the amount of stuff I wanted to take to camp: sewing machine, SewEzi table, folding cart, 2 project bins (9x14x7), a bin of supplies, laptop, personal clothing, etc.  The day arrived to go to my aunt's and pick her up, I walked into the house, saw her pile of stuff which was quite substantial I thought until she showed me even more stuff that was going with us.  I think she recognized my surprise at the amount of 'stuff' because she said I would be even more amazed at the amount of stuff some of the others bring!  It was truly a learning experience.  My stuff was sufficient, perhaps more than sufficient!  But all of the stuff filled my Highlander to the gills leaving very little room to see through the rear-view mirror, and that with the seats folded down!

Now to July's NewFO projects:

Bow Tie blocks.  I started these as leaders / enders but am excited about them and will likely do them more quickly.  

These are the current remaining "T" sets from my main project: Tesselating Ts.  As I only need 13 more sets to finish the last row, I apparently over-planned or maybe thought I'd make it bigger, or make two...I really don't remember my original plan, but ended up following the pattern.

These will at some point become a third quilt.  These are the bonus half-square triangle squares made from the intersecting light/dark "Ts" that otherwise would have gone to the trash bin.  As you can see, once trimmed, I can easily get a 1 3/4" square from each piece set...and they're already sewn on that bias, and that's the best part!

And at last, the main July NewFO project.  Since I don't have my regular design wall, these are taped to my dining room wall.  Some of the rows may be switched around, and four rows were sewn together at camp for benefit of show & share, one of which I've already removed and I'm thinking I'll separate the other three in order to get a better placement.  It still needs one more row to have all required rows done.

Vacation Moments II

In my previous Vacation Moments post, I showed how my car's mileage reached the 100,000 mile point.  This year on our trip, I managed to put 3,061.4 miles on the car.  I think that's a new vacation record, at least for travel to the north.  And wouldn't you know, Nick and I both hoped for some rain while in the wet land, but all 26 days were clear, except for a sprinkle when we drove to the coast.  This morning a friend posted on the social network that she woke up to wet pavement, it's all in the timing of God's hands.

I'll let photos with comments reflect this Vacation Moments II edition.

The formation and position of the clouds rather makes this look like a volcano erupting.  Assuredly it was not, but some time in its past it has and likely in its future it will again.

Our only real road construction delay.  Thankfully it was brief, only about 10 minutes of stop plus subsequent slowness as the truckers up and beyond what is shown in the photo got started again, uphill at that.

Prior to a road construction stoppage, we had seen other ribbons of this beautiful lavender highway.  At a stop, it became evident that it was the rebar set in place prior to being covered with concrete roadway.

My dad with the gladioli that grew in front of their window this year.  They said they did no special treatment of the soil, just dug the bulbs from where they were the year before and replanted at this location, without letting them sit out and rest during the time they normally would have.  This particular glad rose above my dad's head by about another 6" and he's about 5'8" these days.

Prior to quilt camp, my aunt Irene had been gifted this unique (I want one!) ironing table that clamps to the long folding tables and that leg you see, folded down.  The first night we placed it between us with one iron and it was great!  After that, she moved it over to her left so she could have room to get out a little easier and I used her folding Omnigrid cutting mat/ironing pad (she bought me one of my own for my birthday after quilt camp).  Both items are wonderful in a class setting.

At Black Butte Ranch there was a small outdoor show the day before the Sisters show.  I took several pix of the scenery including these geese hanging out at the edge of the lake and only one of a feathered star quilt.

This is my cousin-in-law's niece displaying what I believe she said to be her third quilt.  Should I mention that she's only 14?  It's lovely and I really like the pink, black and white combo.

Now we'll see a few quilts from the Sisters show.  I didn't do very well at getting the details on the makers, so if anyone sees something of theirs, shout out your info.  Same goes if you don't want it displayed here, let me know and I'll remove it.  I've always loved horses and we owned horses when I still lived at home and can remember our horses doing this.  In fact, somewhere I have a picture of Prince and Kate in a similar pose.  It just dawned on me, our horses names back in the late '60s reflect the current British #1 couple: "Prince" and Kate  :)  I loved those horses!

This especially caught my eye.  I love the basic 2-color aspect and of course the 3-D appearance of the 'blocks'.

I also found this to be very appealing and well-done though it's not something I would be inclined to do.  Loved it just the same.  The photo doesn't do it justice, at least not on my monitor.  the colors were quite vivid  against the solid black background.

This is only two of somewhere around 18-20 quilts of the same pattern.  It was a challenge by a group from I believe Prineville, and also, if I remember right it was a mystery but I could be confusing it with another group.  I'm always amazed at how different the same pattern can look just by changing fabric colors and value placements.

Oh, and didn't I say I loved horses?

And this is just oh so sweet, love, love, love.

My cousin-in-law in with one of her quilt camp projects.  A machine-appliqued quail table runner for her grandma.

My aunt Irene with a block from a kit that her son and wife (cousin-in-law in previous pic) gave to her after housing them for several weeks while some work was being done at their own home.  My aunt had not done triangles like this before even though she's been quilting for years/decades.  She was quite frustrated for awhile but finally got the hang of it and was happy.

We visited the Suttle Lake lodge (we stayed at the Methodist church camp nearby) prior to leaving the area.  In a word "Wow"!  It has some beautiful wood carving inside all around as well.  This picture shows the massive wooden entry doors that are stunningly beautiful.  Apologies for the slightly fuzzy picture.

And that does it for Vacation Moments II.  I'll compose another set or two in the days ahead.  Thank you for joining me as I review my memories from the past month.

Vacation Moments

Quilt camp has come and gone.  Had a nice time sewing and sewing and eating...three squares a day! The camp fed us quite well.  And it's already the 13th day of our vacation, the time is flying by.

This is what my car did enroute to Suttle Lake Methodist Quilt Camp (no, I'm not Methodist, but that's where the quilt camp was because most others in the group are Methodists):

photos taken pulled over at side of road :)

My Highlander reached 100,000 miles.  It's a 2006.  I really like this vehicle.

Mt. Washington.  Viewed on the way to the camp.

Aunt Irene in front of White Rabbit on Sisters Quilt Show Day, we were very blessed to have found a great parking space right in town (shhhh, don't tell anyone we weren't "locals only" following traffic directions)

I took a lot of pictures at the Sisters Quilt Show on Saturday (7/13) but will wait to post any until I return home in a couple weeks.

This is the early morning sea of people at the quilt show, I haven't names - it's in a public setting.  The main street through town is blocked off from automobile traffic.  There were more people by the time we left in the early afternoon.

A view of Suttle Lake, we drove here and it's probably 1/2 - 1 mile from the group camp building we stayed in.

Nick at Boiler Bay

Today, Nick and I and my parents took a drive to the coast.  We stopped at Boiler Bay briefly.  It was chilly, a little windy though not as bad as it could have been, the ocean had motion with spray coming off some of the waves along the shoreline (not seen in the above pic).  We drove on down and over the bridge in Newport before turning around and heading back.  We stopped in Lincoln City and had a late lunch with a to go order from J's Fish & Chips, coated cod, slaw, curly fries and beverage, and drove to a parking overlook at D-Lake (aka Devil's Lake) where we ate our lunch.  It was nice to visit the coast again.  Nick wanted to stop at PigNPancake, but my dad doesn't do any sit down restaurant action so we'll plan another trip for next week perhaps when my parents won't be with us.  When we were kids, we'd stop at the Pronto Pup stand.  Back then of course, it truly was just a 'stand' no bigger than an outhouse, and didn't look much different from one quite frankly, but the rare occasion we'd stop, we enjoyed them.  For those who don't know, Pronto Pups are like corn dogs on a stick. Panake-like batter dipped wiener that's deep-fried.

The next few days will be visiting family & friends, and transitioning from my parents to my aunts where I'll have internet but it's not as speedy as here, and here isn't as good as home, but all are better than what was at quilt camp, where all I had was 3 yellow bars and lonngg upload times.  Of course, who wants to be on the internet when you have hours and days to sew?

Vacation Thinking Begins

In a little over two weeks, Nick & I leave to head north for our annual vacation in the wet land, though we usually don't get too much wet when we're there.  We'd love it if we did seeing as how little, if any, we ever get during the summer here in the dry land.  However, those who live in the wet land full time would like to have some dry weather.  While wet is good for growing crops, it can also be problematic for crops and grain and hay if received at the wrong time. 

I'm looking forward to my time up there.  Several family members are all over 80 and well, when one reaches that stage of life, we can only pray they'll still be around the next time we arrive for a visit.  The health of one in particular is a little more iffy than the others, but really, even younger ones could pass without warning, so I appreciate every opportunity I have to be able to be around my family - even the cantankerous ones, hehe, and there's always some of those aren't there?  Makes every family interesting :)

Recently I came across a blogger that lives in a house that I lived in during my last two years of high school.   Well actually her daughter does and she and her husband built a new house next to it, so one of my plans, as she emailed back after I made a comment on her blog, is to stop by and introduce myself and try to remember what I can about the place. I'll have to find some photos too. The old farm house was built in the late 1800's.  A Victorian style, but without all the fancy stuff on the outside.  I hope they restore it.  I thought it was really neat at the time, and that was 40+ years ago.  I'm sure it'll look a whole lot smaller to me now than it did then.  And I wonder if anything has been remodeled or restructured on the inside during that time.  She said before they purchased it just a couple years ago that it had sat vacant for two years.

Nick should be in the air right now; their flight was scheduled to depart at 5:05 east coast time, so a little over four hours from now, he should be home.  I've missed that young man!  I'm sure he's tired of traveling and being on the go, but he loves going to the wet land, and will be all rested by the time we leave here on 7/3.  I haven't set a specific return date.  My end-of-a-decade, or is it beginning-a-new-decade, birthday is the end of July and I haven't decided if I want to spend it there or here, but I don't particularly want to be traveling on that day.  Will have to decide eventually, no hurry.

I need to decide what project(s) I want to take with me to quilt camp at Suttle Lake while I'm there.  I'm really looking forward to that since it will also be with my aunt, her daughter-in-law and d-i-l's mom.  It should make it a whole lot of fun :)  I love spending time with my Aunt Irene and family.