Spring Solstice 08

It's almost spring -- it rained all day yesterday and that might be our rain for a while. It's almost like being in San Francisco today. The air is clean and crisp and it's cool. It had been hot and dry and I was wondering if we would ever get a change. Living in WTex we usually have 2 seasons -- Hot & Hotter.

My back went out a few days ago and the day was dreary so I spent it all day in bed. I got some books from the library with the intent to read but I mostly played on the computer!!! God Bless wireless!!!

I have been focusing all my energy on hand quilting. Yesterday I got books that I ordered from "The ThimbleLady" in Australia. She has developed a method of quilting where 1. it is painfree -- and 2 uses a longer needle. I watched her cd and tried to practice for a while. Sitting up is painful so I mostly watched the video. I really liked what I saw and the little practice that I did. Up to now my hands are sore from pricking them and her method is "painfree" -- I don't know how this will go over with the quilt guild that I joined in February. They are traditionalist. That's okay, I should know both methods right!!!

Mom gave me a drunkards path quilt top that I want to put up in the floor frame. Little by little I am taking over the entire house. I use the dining room table for cutting and have the presser there, have my Sewing room where I keep my sewing machine and most of my sewing stuff, the living room with boxes of fabric that don't fit in the sewing room and now the bedroom with the quilt frame!!! My loving husband hasn't said anything but I can see his brow hit the top of his forehead everytime I bring something else in.

I have a cattle dog, Pepper, and thought she needed a companion. I begged and pleaded for a tiny chiwawa for years!!! On 6-6-6 he brought home a black puppy about 4 mo old that had been abandoned at the gun range. He says the dog came up to him looking pitiful and he gave him some water. The dog jumped up into the back of his car and wouldn't get off!!! He brought it home with the intention of taking it to the pound -- and called to tell me. I snuck off from work and came home to see. He was a beautiful solid black labradour mix, skinny and pitiful looking, no telling how long he had been out there. He was in the cage and had to be coaxed out for me to take a good look at him. He ate as if he hadn't eaten in days and once he got some energy wanted to hump my other dog, my leg and anything that moved!!! I convinced Him to let us keep it a few days to see how he would behave once he got his strength back. I had so much fun having a puppy!!! Of course, pepper being the spoiled dog that she was, was jealous from the start. Poor puppy cowering to her shrill barking!!! But he seemed caged trained and didn't mind spending time in it. He didn't cry at night and went right to bed. I didn't bring him in the house for the first few months that we had him. He was terribly afraid of the garden hose as if he had been abused with it!!! A lab that is afraid of water!!! Well, it came fall and then winter and little by little as it got colder, I let him in the house. One night we had a thunder storm and he started crying as if he was going to die. I let him in that night for the first time. Then after that, as soon as the lights were out, he would bark or cry until I got up and let him in. I spent the night on the couch those first few nights and it wasn't long before I decided that he wasn't going to tear anything up if I left him alone. I was having problems at work and it was awful not getting any sleep. Anyway, I got my wish for a chiwawa!!! He is an 80+ lb dog that loves to sit on my lap and acts like a big baby. Pepper is still jealous of him and I guess she thinks he is a black cow the way she likes to herd him around the yard.

We went through several weeks of dog training trying to get him to calm down when there are other dogs around. At his size we can't just drag him away. It didn't do any good. He just doesn't like other dogs around him. He tolerates Pepper but if he's in a mood, he bowls her over with his big head like she is a play ball. They don't really fight, but they can cause a lot of noise!!! Like I mentioned before, the house if full and not a place for them to start their ruckus!!!

Anyway, I got Riffed in September '07 and had a nervous breakdown by the time I got my walking papers. I was under so much pressure that I just burst!!! I couldn't eat, couldn't think, couldn't sleep and crap was coming from all over and all I could do was cry. I got hospitalized twice and am just now getting to the point where I can be calm when the phone rings. Now, this thing with my back has to come and lay me back down. It sucks getting old :) I always wanted "free" time to do the things I want to do and now I have time and no money. I can't even afford to go to the doctor to see what's up with my back. No insurance. My passion for quilting and I can't sit cause it hurts!!! I hope that it's just the coming of spring that is making me feel this pain. I have had it before but this time I seriously think something is broke!!! I can't be in bed forever!!!

Once I get better I can see what "new door" open for me. It can't just end here...