Memory Quilts

A little over 2 years ago, I started sewing on my grandmother's sewing machine. I started with little things and it grew into piecing quilts. I was asked a little over a year ago to make a memory quilt for someone. A memory quilt can be anything from baby blankets, bibs and favorite sleepers, to be made into a quilt so those favorite pieces aren't just stored away in a tote somewhere, or a memory quilt can be made from a loved one's clothing that has passed away. You can take that quilt and wrap in it and feel their love surrounding you. The very first quilt I ever made was for a very precious little girl whose police officer Dad was killed in the line of duty. Every piece of the following picture was made from his clothing (T-shirts, dress shirts, shorts and BDU pants):

The piece in the middle that looks like a vest is actually pockets from a pair of shorts. It is covering one of his shirts from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. The following picture is what it looks like when it's opened:

After making a quilt for her, I started on one for her Mom. I wanted this one to be made of his clothing, but more "quilt like" in it's pattern. So, anyone looking at it would not realize at first that it was made from his clothing, however, she would know exactly what piece was made from which favorite shirt, shorts and even his pillowcase. It took 6 months to complete this piece as several of the pieces are 1 inch blocks that sewn together make the stars and borders around the large star in the center:

The only material on this quilt that is not his clothing is the dark blue around the edges. Everything else is his clothing. His number was 22-16, so there are 16 stars surrounding the large center star. Total on the piece are 21 stars. I couldn't fit in 22 stars, so I stitched the 22nd star at the top of the quilt (you can't see this in the picture).

Making this quilt was a very emotional experience, but I'm so thankful that the family let me be a part of this.

I am now working on my 3rd quilt, which means that I need to quit writing on my blog and start sewing!

The Caveside Manor Chronicles

I've changed the name of my blog to the Caveside Manor Chronicles. The story begins a LONG time ago when I was in highschool. I met what would later be my husband at my first place of employment, Marengo Cave. I was hired to be a tour guide through a very famous cavern in Southern Indiana. I loved caves and spelunking and all the guides would go spelunking after the tourists left for the day. Fast forward several years to when my husband and I were looking for property to build our home. We found 22 acres with a one-room log cabin, that was used for a hunting cabin. We fell in love with that 22 acres of nothing but hill and forest. But the deciding factor to buy was the cave located on the property. The cave has been mapped at 447 feet and is known by two names "Thundering Hole" or more commonly "Blue River Double Sinks". We bought the property and 2 years later, built our home. Every home has to have a name, right? Since the builders were afraid that they would dig into the cave while building our basement, I came up with the name "Caveside Manor." We have people come every year wanting to go through the cave. To enter the cave though, you have to repel 60 feet to the bottom of the cave. I have been in the cave, but haven't went all the way through it. At the bottom of the 60 feet opening, there is a beautiful drapery formation that is about 20-30 feet tall. It's absolutely amazing. The cave then has a 15 feet long crawl that's only about 1 foot wide. Once you dare to squeeze through that, the cave opens into huge rooms that one can't describe with words. So, that's how the name of this blog was born. We love our wooded hillside and the blessings of the sunrise that come over the hill, thus the picture behind the title!

In Your Face-Book Part 2

Wonder of all wonders, I am somehow mysteriously back in the good graces of Facebook. I lost almost 400 friends last week when the Facebook powers-that-be decided that I had a "fake" Facebook page and that I'd never, ever, ever be allowed on Facebook again, ever. They told me that my violation was so severe that I was not to even think about appealing their decision, as their decision was final. That was their final answer, so to speak. Well, it's a good thing I don't follow rules! I did appeal that decision (a tiny bit of begging ensued) and I waited...and waited...and finally after going through a week of withdrawal while rocking in a corner in the fetal position, I discovered that they reinstated my account yesterday. I thought I would jump up and down, scream from the rooftops and do the Snoopy-happy dance, but I surprised myself. I checked a few notifications, read a smidgeon of posts, posted that I was back online and then made my way over to my new found blog. There is the update of the Facebook drama. You can now read my posts on Facebook, that is limited to 420 characters, or make your way to my blog each week, where I'm certainly not fake and doubt that anyone will ever question that again. You can grab your cup of coffee, read my posts here, hopefully have a laugh or two, be inspired or entertained. Leave me a comment or become a follower. I may not post everyday, but I'm sure when I do, it will be true, not fake, from the heart and most certainly it will be more than 420 characters in length.... May you have a most blessed day!

Are You Smarter than a Kindergartener?

6 year olds are just plain funny. They are funny when they mean to be, and they are funny when they aren't meant to be. Papa visited us last night while Ireland, the 6 year old, was doing her homework. (Yes, I said homework; two pages of subtracting and cutting/pasting). When she was almost finished, she got up and walked over to Papa. "Papa" she says, "will you help me with my homework?" Papa quips, "Well, I'm kind of dumb." Ireland responds, "Well, I know you're dumb Papa, but just do the best you can."

In Your Face-book

So, what made me create a blog? Facebook did. I've been an avid fan of Facebook from the moment I started updating my post 3 years ago (all thanks to Ginnie W!). I posted scripture verses, blessings, funny things my kids said or did, uploaded pictures of vacations or snow days, and of course, posted mundane things that no one really cares about except for me. Facebook helped me stay in contact with my highschool friends, college friends, and my Police Academy friends located throughout the State of Indiana. All this came crashing down last Wednesday. I logged on to Facebook as normal and received a message that Facebook had disabled my account. The reason for the disabling? They had determined I had a fake Facebook page! Their note told me that due to the severity of my violation, I would no longer be allowed to have an account on Facebook and forget even trying to appeal it. Their decision was final. What??? How did they determine my FB page was fake? It was as real as real can get. I finally was able to find a link to where I could appeal their decision. It's been almost a week since the appeal and there has been no response. I've scrambled around trying to find email addresses for the many hundred people I am friends with, to write a note to them explaining the situation. I received so many texts and emails from people asking what had happened to me or if I had defriended them (I'm feeling the love!) and I have assured everyone that there was no defriending on my part! So, stay tuned for the saga of the so-called Fake Facebook page... I'll keep you "posted..."

Today is my Birthday

Oh, my blessed life! Today is my 38th Birthday. My only request was to get to sleep in, and that was thwarted by phone calls and texts coming in, wishing me a happy birthday. Although no extra sleep was found, I was very happy and blessed to wake up to feeling the love of my family and friends! My Mom texted me much later in the morning, she even wrote in her text that she waited, in case I wanted to sleep in. (Thank you Momma!) She reminded me, as she does every year, that when I was born, I weighed 10lbs and 8oz and that my older sisters exlaimed they wanted a baby, not a half grown toddler! She also mentioned that I had a head full of beautiful black hair. Good thing that I've turned into a natural blond later in life (cough cough). I began the day with a plate full of cinammon rolls (a birthday tradition, and yes, the plate was literally full - it's my birthday, I can eat as many as I want...) a cup of coffee and my Bible Study. It is a beautiful day outside on this April 10th and I plan to spend this day with my beautiful daughters and handsome husband who bless me with happiness every day. Thank you God for all the blessings in my life!