Notes from the Patch

Transcending

I ran across this video by best selling author Kelly Corrigan this morning and wanted to share. Prepare to laugh and cry.

 

After too many weeks of what feels like non stop work, I gave myself the day off. Problem is, now my "To Do" list far exceeds my three day weekend. Better get crack'n.

Have a good one everyone!

Encourage one another,

 

My Garden of Eden

Our beautiful Eden roses are just beginning to bloom.

They are so big and heavy that they remind me of huge pink grape clusters drooping under their own weight.

Although they bloom off and on all spring and summer they are never as gorgeous as they are right now during this first bloom.  I look forward to them all winter and every morning as I pull out of the driveway I glance over to the brick wall that runs between us and our neighbors to check their progress.

I got up an hour early this morning to finish reading Heaven is Here by blogger Stephanie Neilson.

Reading Stephanie's blog after her accident helped me so much during the time I was caring for Jeff and preparing myself to live the remainder of my life here on earth without him. I know so many of you are going through tough times and I want to recommend this book to you as a source of hope and inspiration.

Stephanie writes about her life after a plane crash where she was burned over eighty percent of her body and how her faith, family and community helped pull her through some unbelievably horrific times. She reminds us that it's what's in our hearts that really matters and urges us to be kinder and more compassionate to one another. 

I love that.

In this crazy, busy world, it's our love and compassion and our connection to one another that really matters. With a positive attitude, our faith in God, and the love and support of our family and friends, we can do anything. It is possible to once again find joy through our pain and sorrow.

Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends!

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

Random Ramblings

Phew. I'm back. (deep breath).

I love being busy but these last few weeks have been a little much even for me. I've missed you!

Let's catch up a bit shall we?

:: Some of the fun gifts I found at the LA Gift Show last week have started to arrive. I'll show you some here later. I love having more room in our bigger store to do more displays...one of my favorite jobs.

:: Speaking of displays...I never showed you this...

...it's the flannel dress that Beverly made for us. Sadly it doesn't look like we're having a winter this year. Yesterday it was seventy five degrees in LA when I was there for the Craft and Hobby Show. Crazy!

:: Several of you have been asking how I'm doing drinking the Glowing Green Smoothie so now that I've been drinking it for just over three weeks I thought it was time for a progress report.

First let me say that I started it in early January because after months of poor eating habits I was feeling tired and sluggish. I was no longer enjoying foods that I used to love and I was just feeling a need for a dietary change and a total detox. I drink 25 to 30 ounces every morning and although weight loss was not my primary motivation for starting the program I have lost about five pounds.  What's really weird is drinking the smoothie has totally taken away all cravings for caffeine and sweets and I feel a definite surge of energy after I finish my morning drink. I was a daily triple latte drinker for years and haven't wanted coffee since starting the program. I can't say that I've noticed an improvement in my hair, nails or skin  and certainly haven't had anyone tell me I look better, but I do feel better. Much, much better!

You know it's strange, but when you start your day off by getting 100% of your dietary fiber and daily requirements of fruits and vegetables you just want to continue to eat right throughout the day. I've even thought about starting an exercise program again. Just a thought at this point but who knows!

Will I continue? You bet. I really enjoy drinking that nasty looking green juice and love the boost of energy and sense of well being it gives me.

Do me a favor, will you? If you have tried the Glowing Green Smoothie (and I've heard from many of you that have) would you take a moment to comment to this blog post so others can read about your experience? Whatever your experience, I think sharing can help encourage others.

:: Bill and I met with our travel agent today to book plane fares for Europe at the end of May. We've been saving our air miles for two years and are really looking forward to getting to go again. Somebody pinch me! I'm one lucky and excited girl!

:: I've been putting the finishing touches on a email newsletter where we'll be announcing some fun special events and classes coming up at Strawberry Patches. If you'd like to stay up to date with what we're doing go here and sign up for the newsletter.

:: So are you all doing something special for Super Bowl? I hope to be sewing. I got another one of my crazy ideas that I want to try. If it turns out you know I'll be a sharing.

Until then...

Encourage one another,

Just a quick note

It's been a busy couple of weeks around here with a trip to Los Angeles to the gift show, hosting a bus load of traveling quilters, vending at this weekends quilt show (Strawberry Patches is open today from 11-4), and back to the south land tomorrow for the big CHA craft show. I'm looking forward to February and hopefully a little more normal pace. 

If you're local and have a few extra hours in your Sunday I recommend that you treat yourselves with a trip to the fairgrounds. Our local guild has put on a great show with some inspiring quilts and awesome vendors. They are there from 10:00 to 5:00. Then stop by Strawberry Patches to redeem your quilt show coupon of 20% off on any one cut yardage purchase.  

Encourage one another,

I'm definitely a work in progress (or is that a piece of work?)

Thursday I got up an hour early to make my list. My schedule was tight and it needed to be mapped out perfectly.

• 8:00 -9:00 Standing nail appointment. Arrive ten minutes early so to be finished early
• 9:20 pick up cookies for the bus load of women coming at 11:30
• 9:30 - 9:55 Help finish cleaning the store and prepare for the twenty women coming for Bernina Club
• 10:00 - 11:30 Bernina Club. Stay on time to get them finished up (without rushing them) before the bus gets there.
• 11:30 - 12:30 Host twenty five happy, shopping, traveling quilters on the way to Road to California
• 12:30 - 1:30 Clean up after Bernina Club and forementioned shopping frenzy
• 1:30 - 3:45 Pay bills, post office, bank and all the stuff I do on a daily basis
• 4:00 Standing hair appointment

Doable, tight but doable.

Lets be real here friends. I have this Type A Personality and when things are this tightly scheduled and don't go exactly as planned I've been known to, em... lose it.

Here's how my day went in reality:

• I was ten minutes early for my nails but my manicurist was ten minutes late. I could feel my blood pressure rising as I waited. I politely let her know I was on a tight schedule and bless her heart she made up some for lost time. However as I grabbed my handbag to rush out the door I messed up two blankadeeblank nails and had to have a redo.
• Arrived at the bakery at 9:30 to be told the cookies weren't ready and that I would have to come back in 30 or 40 minutes (By this time I was on that dreaded road to no place good).
• Got to work to prepare for Bernina Club and got a call that one of my employees was ill and couldn't make it.
• Happy customers were beginning to congregate outside and patiently watched as we ignored them and continued to scurry about trying to get everything ready.

By this time my panties were in such a bunch! But then:

• We opened the doors to welcome the most wonderful friends who love our store and their sewing machines. They were all eager to show what they had completed since our last get together. They encouraged one another and celebrated when someone else won the coveted door prize they each had so hoped to win. Many of them had arranged busy schedules and driven long distances to be there (and I was acting like a ditz).
• The bakery delivered my cookie order along with an apologetic slice of cake and an iced tea.
• One of my employees offered to come in to fill in for the sick helper and my staff couldn't have been more wonderful and gracious (unlike their not-so-fearless leader).
• The bus full of quilters were so complimentary and appreciative of our hospitality and couldn't wait to return.

Long story short, the day turned out just fine. Wonderful in fact, despite my crappy attitude. If there is a moral to this story I guess it would be, don't sweat the small stuff. Everything will turn out just fine despite the bumps along the way. It's the people in our lives that makes the journey worthwhile. 

Sometimes I just need a chill pill.

Encourage one another,

 Hey, if you love to make lists you might like Teuxdeux. Just be prepared for the inevitable changes in plans! = ) Happy rainy weekend!

 

 

My name is Suzanne and I iron sheets

Okay. I admit it. I iron my sheets (shocking, I know). Well, not really sheets, but sheet. Top sheet only... and pillowcases. It takes about twenty to thirty minutes and I find the whole process very relaxing and rewarding. So there!

I never used to iron sheets, but then I found this

and thought, hum wonder what it would do to my sheets? Oh. My. Gosh. If you've never slipped your tired body into a bed of freshly starched sheets with just that hint of lavender you haven't lived. It's just that simple. Heavenly.

When I sell a bottle of Best Press to someone for the first time I always feel like I need to give a disclaimer. Caution: Using Best Press can be addicting and may cause an unexplainable urge to iron linen.

Raise your hand if you use Best Press. I know I can't be the only one who's addicted because they make this!

Encourage one another,

Twenty 12

I've been thinking a lot about my word for 2012. You know, the one word that summarizes what I want to work on to better my life in the coming year.

This year my word is simplify.

sim·pli·fy  (smpl-f)

tr.v. sim·pli·fied, sim·pli·fy·ing, sim·pli·fies To make simple or simpler, as:

a. To reduce in complexity or extent.

b. To reduce to fundamental parts.

c. To make easier to understand.

Simplify summarizes what I hope to accomplish in my life perfectly! Let me be clear. I'm not striving for a simple life, there is nothing simple about me - just ask Bill! What I hope to accomplish is to reduce the extraneous things in my life so I can fully enjoy the things that matter to me most.

Here are my plans:

1. This year I will strive to simplify my life by cleaning the clutter from my office, my sewing room and my closets; my life in general. I really want to feel and be more organized!

2. I will strive to list what I hope to accomplish and revel in the satisfaction of crossing off those lines one. by. one.

3. I will document my experiences and share my feelings more regularly here on my blog through words and (better) photos.

4. I will simplify my life by remembering that people are more important than things. That holidays aren't just about elaborate decorations and shopping lists but about spending quiet time with the people I love.

5. I want to eat simple, healthy foods (not necessarily those pictured here - sorry Peggy) and continue to strive to eat a sugar free diet.

6. I want to take more long walks on the beach and capture the simple beauty in nature through the lens of my camera.

7. I want to sip and savor this life to its fullest and share it with people I love.

8. I want to simplify my life by unplugging more often from computers, iphones, ipads, televisions and radios. In this crazy busy world I want to find quiet moments to reflect.

So, for me tonight there will be no crowded parties and fancy gowns. I will simply surround myself in the comfort of good friends and the man I love and toast to a bright and promising New Year.  

Cheers!

Encourage one another,

One more thing. I couldn't let this year go by without thanking you all for gathering here and encouraging me through your comments. As corny as it may sound, my life has been forever changed because of this blog. Your coming here means so much to me. Thank you! xo 

   

Doing theTurkey Trot

Monday night as I stopped by Von's to pick up lattes for Tuesday morning I couldn't believe my eyes. There before me was a grocery store,  two  days before Thanksgiving, with no crowds and no lines.

I took it as a sign. The Turkey Gods were smiling down on me and I was seizing the moment.

I made a mad dash for the fresh turkeys and found the perfect twelve pounder - just right for the two of us.

I made a pass by Jimmy Dean then grabbed two Granny Smiths on the way to Mrs Cubbison.

Before my latte order was brewed I'd gathered and juggled everything I needed to complete my Thanksgiving Day menu. (I felt a little like Rachael Ray when she opens the frig and has to pile everything in her arms for an entire meal before walking to the counter).

No more wondering when I'd find time to grocery shop for the big day. I just had. In less than ten minutes. Without a shopping cart!

So we're good to go. No fuss no muss. Thanksgiving will be simple this year, but with the past two weeks we've had, simple is just what the doctor ordered.

Bring it.

We have so much to be thankful for this year: good health, new body parts that work and a loving family and wonderful friends who call, pray, send e cards and ask how we're doing.

We're doing just fine.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Encourage one another,

 

Today's Tutorial Tuesday has been postponed due to flooding

Today was one of those days.

You know the kind. The ones where you wonder why you're doing this and not walking on the beach looking for seaglass while sipping peppermint lattes.

Today I raised my voice to the nice gas man who I have waited for for three chilly weeks to come turn on the stores gas just to be told that he wasn't authorized to turn on both of my meters. That I'd need to call again and wait again for him to come back again so I could heat my ever loving store.

Today I vented to the shopping centers property manager about some "issues" I've been having.

Today I missed lunch because I accidentally left my ham sandwich in the car and by the time I discovered it the mayo was beginning to bubble. 

So today I couldn't wait to get my sweet recuperating husband fed and bedded down so I could get my PJ's on and snuggle into my favorite chair and watch the Real Housewives while working on my Tutorial Tuesday post.

Just as I started to edit my photos the phone rang. It was Annette calling from Strawberry Patches were she was teaching a class and noticed water rushing from under the baseboards of the wall that joins the fish store next door to ours. She thought I should come down and help man the buckets.

(For those of you who keep track of these things you'll know that it was one year ago this week that our old store was flooded from a burst pipe in our neighbors suite).

So after two hours of mopping up water I'm sorry to announce there will be no Tutorial Tuesday post. Instead I'd like to show you one of the bright spots of my Monday.

Her mommy and auntie were at Strawberry Patches on Saturday buying FOE for headbands and had so much fun making them they were back today for a mini fashion show and more supplies.

This, sweet readers is exactly why I put up with service people who tick me off, shoplifters and neighbors with leaky pipes.

This is what makes it all worthwhile!

 

 Encourage one another,

The three stages of caregiving

Anxiety

Empathy

You're driving me bonkers!

Last night I was awakened by a loud noise and as I rolled over to investigate I realized my patient was gone. Bill and his walker were no where to be found.

In the darkness I searched the bedroom and adjoining bath.

No Bill.

Then I walked down the hall  to "his" bathroom. 

There he was, on. the. floor!

What the heck.

He said he couldn't sleep and tripped on the way to the bathroom.

We have this deal. You don't get up without me being there to assist you. (My husband has never been all that great at doing what I say).

After a bit of struggling we got him up and back to bed. He's fine except for that bruise on his ego.

                                  ********************

Nathan will be admitted today to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University for open heart surgery on Thursday. He has a wonderful doctor there and I know he will do just great. For Cherene's sake however, I hope Nathan follows directions better than his PaPa Bill.

If you'd like to send Nathan Zingg a get well card you can do so by going here.

Thanks guys. You're the best!

Encourage one another,

 AKA Nurse Ratched