Link Roundup

• Premier Fabrics Two yards of my choice. Awesome!


• It’s Sew Emma: Debonaire Pattern A gorgeous quilt pattern. Thrilled to pieces I am!


• A Tablerunner Kit She even sent me printed instructions from the blog(s)! And, a book! How awesome is that?!?

Source: bilddagboken.se via Lee Ann on Pinterest

• Bitty Bowl of Pins Tutorial: Part I Pincushion


• Ribbon Tag Blanket Sewing; Quiltinq
  My understanding is that a company has a patent on anything with two or more looped ribbons. So, don’t try selling these things are you could be slapped with a lawsuit by the original maker of these things. The tutorial author verifies this partially at the bottom of her post.
  
  
• Sewing Caddy and Detachable Pincushion Tutorial
  This is really cute and looks functional



• Hancock’s House of Happy blog Cross Stitch!
  There are many free cross stitch patterns on this blog. I’m really loving this: Groovy This: VW van and this: If This Tardis is a Rockin’ Don’t Come a Knockin’!
  
  I used to be an avid fan of cross-stitch. I’ve been thinking about picking it back up again. There is a BIG cross-stitch project that is half done that I haven’t touched since around 1994.


• Backyard Bird Feeder Recyling and Repurposing using soda/water bottle and wooden spoons


• 7 Secrets to Overcoming Fear: {6} Be Willing to Look a Little Silly
  

  And when you realize that (or worse yet, when others point it out) there comes the "feeling silly" part. But there's simply no way around it. We all get our turn at playing the fool.
  
  Here's the secret: We will survive those few moments.
  
  And there will be far more moments when we feel God's pleasure at doing exactly what he made us to do.
  
  That's JOY, my friends.
  
  The secret? Fear and joy can't coexist.
  
  So let's go ahead and accept that sometimes we will look silly, we'll survive anyway, andthe story + the glory that follow will make it all worthwhile.

Five Minute Friday: Ache

I should be doing things like the budget and chores. And, doing some sewing. But, here I am. When I spied today's word, I immediately started writing. There is so much more I could have written; but, five minutes is the limit. And, to be honest, I am glad of this rule.

As a reminder: here are the rules of this writing task. Make note of #1. Please be kind to me as I tried to stick to this rule.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

My heart aches.

I confess that I wish things turned out differently concerning my mother’s situation. I confess that I often wished Mother had died instead of languishing away in a nursing home with a mind still strong. I confess I often cry out to God, “Why?!?” Why did he take Daddy first when he wanted to be there to take care of Mother? So, my heart breaks for her. My heart cries because I wish I can do more for her. I feel guilty. I feel like I have failed her as a daughter. Tears fall down my face.

My heart aches.

My arms are empty. I must be satisfied with the few times I see my young nephews, nieces and cousins and the glimpses of them on the internet in between times. Nonetheless, I grieve. But, I take solace in the arms of God. I convince myself if He really wanted me to have a child, He would have allowed it to happen. But, as it is… I am childless… I feel so alone at times. I have no family to call my own. Tears fall down my face.

My heart aches.

Wordy Wednesday

I Grow Weary ov dis World
I turned around in the office and caught Gracie doing this yesterday morning (2/28). I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a picture. She's being absolutely lazy resting her chin upon the windowsill and gazing out onto the world. My sentiments exactly.

About the House

Due to circumstances we cannot live with, we are walking away from the house. There are just one too many issues that we just cannot deal with. So, we are moving on. I will not be looking for new houses. I need a break from it all. However, Dan will be still looking for a house as he is not giving up.

Once I have recovered from the madness of arranging inspections along with a short road trip this past weekend to see my Mother (her birthday is Tuesday), I think life, including blogging, will return to normal.

Sporadic Postings from Hereon

Source: 320sycamoreblog.com via Lee Ann on Pinterest

This blog will have sporadic postings from hereon as we officially have a signed contract for a house! I want to thank those of you who commented wishing us luck in the house hunting. I really appreciated them!

Now, it is onto the inspections and more. We already have one lined up today for around 2:00pm. If anything major comes (other than the one we know about and investigated), we can still walk away. But honestly, I suspect the house is in pretty good shape -- I will be surprised if anything major does come up in the reports.

I am getting really excited; but, I am also trying to rein myself back because I do not wish to be disappointed should something come up and cause us to walk away from the house. It has been over two years since we first started house hunting. We have gotten disappointed several times. We also took breaks at the end of the years due to the busy holidays.

If this blog is silent, you know why. I will try not to neglect it much as I do love to write and blog.

I will be taking pictures sooner or later. If we should really get this house, there are four major projects we want or need to do to the house. I guess this means there will be new things to blog about if this comes through for us!

Anyway, thank you for your understanding as we hopefully enter this new phase of our lives.