Sometimes Time Gets Away From You

Hi Everyone!

IHSW was a total bust. On that Friday evening, very late at night, at around 1130pm, a very good friend of mine called to tell me that his mother had suddenly passed away. I spent the following 16 hours making sure he was handling things as best he could, reminiscing and just being there for him. I was sad. His mother was younger than most moms of friends my age and it all seemed surreal. Not to mention, she was the cool mom I wished I had when I was in my early 20's. She listened to me. She allowed me to spend endless hours and sometimes nights in her home. She was a confidant. She was a wonderful person and it saddens me that my friend had both his parents pass away within four months of each other. Both much too young. I was too sad and distracted that weekend to stitch or be super social but I was lucky to spend the rest of the long weekend in the company of a friend and his super pup. Dogs have a way of being the best therapy you need. They are happy to see you. They want to run and play. They sense that you're sad and want to lick all the makeup off your face to give you kisses and cheer you up. Sometimes, you let them because in the end it does make you both happy. I wish I could have a pup of my own but I'm happy to be close to this pup by association.

Obviously stitch group didn't happen but I was able to get some stitches in and finish the top third of Jane. Here are some photos. I tried pressing that crease but it really doesn't want to come out! I know that the stretching during the framing process will fix that though so I am not too worried about it right now.

Jane in full view:

Close up of top third:

Close up of the birds and the funky planter. This part is my favorite in the top third section:

Since the news of my friend's mom, time has been a blur. I've been keeping busy to not dwell and be sad and I've upped the socialness although this creates issues with the condition of my apartment. The projects are not getting done and neither is any stitching! I've gone out to dinners. I took a short class with Jeannette Douglas who is a complete and total doll. I was even sitting at the same table with Ann of Gloriana and didn't even realize it because I am completely oblivious sometimes. Oopsie! I celebrated a friend's birthday. I participated in the Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt and had so much fun and walked my fanny all over Chinatown and North Beach in the midst of a parade in the search for clues. I watched the Oscars. I looked for and tried on many eyeglass frames. It's been busy. I kind of wish things would quiet down so I am hoping to keep this coming weekend pretty free to catch up on tons of responsibility stuff.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Until next time...