News from afar

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We sent my DS in Iraq a package on the 22nd--it arrived on the 29th! Seven days is not bad at all for halfway around the world. He sent me an e-mail to let me know how much he appreciated everything we sent. My DDIL also called me to tell me he had received the box. It was wonderful to hear from both of them.

I will get to see DDIL and my grandchildren in another 10 days. They will be at the family reunion that DH and I are attending in northwest Arkansas. I can hardly wait! I don't know what is more exciting, seeing my siblings or my DDIL and grandkids. It will be a looooong trip, but well worth it to both of us.

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I have been trying to get some projects finished before we go. I made five of these ornaments from a pattern by Nancy Taylor called "Comfort and Joy." The fabric looks the same on the back, but the 'bead and button soup' is only on the front sides. They look a little lumpy right now, but will even out as the fiberfill settles. I only need to sew on some ribbon to hang them by. They are made with four patches, and I intend them for Christmas use, but in these colors I think they would look good year-round. They look especially Easter-ish to me. I have 36 bird ornaments cut out and ready to stuff in the same colors.

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This wall-hanging is from the 2003 issue of BH&G Holiday Crafts. I used wool pieces from the skirts and jacket that I cut up. It looks off-square but that is just how it is pinned onto the back of my couch. It is about 14" x 18".

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I also have a couple of small kits to take along on the trip--a cross-stitch bookmark that is half-finished, and some templates and hexagons for one flower for a Grandmother's Flower Garden block. I will take the bird ornaments as well if I can get them far enough along to sew the wings on and attach the bead eyes. They are supposed to have strings of seed beads to hang from, but I'm not sure I want to try working with seed beads in a moving car! That will have to wait until we get home, I think.

Copper has become very attached to us, crying when we leave him at home, and following us around from room to room. Although my younger DS and DDIL will be here taking care of him, I worry about our absence being too traumatic. After all, he was a rescue from a shelter, so he has already been abandoned once. I'm sure he will get lots of attention while we're gone, though.

DS and DDIL will also have to take care of my MIL while we are gone--that entails visiting her home every day and bringing her something to eat, and giving her the medicinal patch every day. So far she seems to be okay with our leaving her, so I hope she will give them no problems. Changes in routine tend to upset her. She is looking more frail these days--she is not eating as well as she should. Her appetite has improved but she insists on eating fast food, even though I have bought microwave meals for her. She has an appointment with the neurologist shortly after we return from the trip, and I am anxious about what he will say. I hope that he will see the same changes we have been seeing, because I feel she needs 24 hour supervision. We shall see.

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