Block #21 For Kristen C.

I thought long and hard about what I would write in this post. These are the hardest; the people who know you the best are always the hardest to write about. It’s all either way too personal to put online or there are just way too many funny stories to pick from. That could be why it took me until block #21 to pluck up the courage and dedicate one to Kristen. I have known Kristen for a little over 10 years, but sometimes it feels like I have known her my whole life.

We met in a church home team and now we live less than 5 minutes from each other. Or as Kristen would put it “A brisk 10 minute walk”. Kristen is special to me because she brings light and laughter into my life. We might not agree on movies and the proper applications of hot glue but we have fun. And we have known each other long enough now that we end up retelling the same funny stories at get togethers.

Last year I ended up in the ER and then went straight from there to the OR for an emergency surgery. Once I got home the next day, I texted a few friends just to let them know what happened. Within 5 minutes of getting my text Kristen was knocking on my door. I have never felt more loved than I did in that moment.

Date Made: January 21, 2015  
Block #21
Days on Project: 21
Blocks Made: 24

For Kristen C.

Block #20 For Gary N.

Yesterday’s bird was dedicated to Gary S.. So it is only fitting that the other half of “The Garys” get a bird today. Kinda like “The Andys” from “Hot Fuzz”.

Gary N. was a calming force in my crazy world. He was my project manager for several projects and had the unique ability to quell the biggest project storms. He always has a smile on his face, even when faced with difficult people and situations.

He is even keeled and cool as a cucumber. Where as I am…uh…not.  That is probably why we got along so well, we were opposites from each other, but in such a way that we complimented each other.  I miss working with him; I miss the stability I got from him and the other Gary. And now that I am a project manager, I have a much greater appreciation for how difficult his job was, especially when dealing with punks like me.

Thoughts On This Block:

I made it to 20! So, 21 days and its a habit, right? The 23 actually includes three test blocks which I am sure will be converted into real blocks one night when I am too tired to sew. Probably tomorrow…

Date Made: January 13, 2015  
Block #20
Days on Project: 20
Blocks Made: 23

For Gary N.

Block #19 For Gary S.

This bird is dedicated to Gary S. He was my boss for a few years and the one of the best bosses I have ever had. (I know I may have some other “bosses” reading this – don’t be mad – I liked you too). I guess he gets a bird because I had lunch with him today and the nostalgia is kicking in. We worked together in a pretty high stress environment and he was always there to help me out of a jam or give some good advice. He sat right across from my other favorite Gary, Gary N. – “The Garys” -Whenever I needed one of them, I would just call out “Hey Gary” and they would both answer, which was good as I usually needed both of them.

Gary S. built a great team; he is very good at that. Don’t get me wrong, I work at a good company now with a lot of good people, but occasionally I miss my old crew of Gary, Gary, and Hank. We were a great team, but we have all moved on now to bigger an better things.

Thoughts on this block:

Work is getting busy, as it does. And, it’s a holiday for us. But while sewing, I keep thinking, I should be working. While working, I keep thinking I would rather be sewing. My boss would say, “It’s a holiday, it will be there in the morning”. So I am trying to not think about work while writing this blog and failing miserably. Heck – I even dedicated it to a former co-worker.

In other news, I dropped my velocity iron and scratched the crap out of my new hardwood floors. Maybe I should be working instead…

Date Made: January 19, 2015  
Block #19
Days on Project: 19
Blocks Made: 23

For Gary S.

For Carey C.

This bird is dedicated to Carey C. Carey is my good friend and married to Bird #17. We met Carey and Matt in a church small group many years ago. There were four couples in our home team and at one point, over the span of less than two years, three of them had babies. There must have been something in Kristen’s brownies.

All of us have moved on to different churches and life has gone on, but we still remain close friends with Matt and Carey. And now we live 5 minutes from them! It is so nice to be able to go out to dinner with neither of us needing to drive for 30 minutes. It’s also nice to have our friends nearby to help out when life gets stupid. (Which it did, several times, last year).

Date Made: January 18, 2015  
Block #18
Days on Project: 18
Blocks Made: 22

For Carey C.

For Matt Ca.

This one is dedicated to our good friend Matt Ca. Why “Ca” and not “C”? I have two Matt C’s on my list! How is that possible?

Matt is a law enforcement officer in our community and one of the best, stand up guys I know. He is the very best example of a dedicated servant in both his job and his faith. He also has the best insights on topics and a fresh, objective, perspective on things. Even on politics, which is pretty hard to do. He makes you think and challenges you.

Matt – thanks for keeping Facebook interesting for me, it’s time to go back to Sylvia’s!

Date Made: January 16, 2015  
Block #17
Days on Project: 17
Blocks Made: 21

For Matt Ca.

Block #16 For My Mother-In-Law

This block is for my mother-in-law. She is retiring this year, and I am amazed that she has worked for as long as she has. She looks a good 10-15 years younger than she actually is, and has more energy than me. I hope my husband ages as well as his mom has, because I know I am lost cause. Ha!

My mother-in-law is also the perfect house guest. When she comes down for a visit she is here to chill out. She is happy to get out and do things but she is just as happy to hang out at the house and watch TV. You have no idea how amazing it is when you have worked a 10 hour day and you know there is no need to plan a fun exciting evening when you get home. The only complaint I have, is that she never stays very long. Maybe its because she holds to the old adage: “Both fish and houseguests go bad after about 3 days…”

Date Made: January 11, 2015  
Block #16
Days on Project: 16
Blocks Made: 20

For My Mother-In-Law

Block #15 for Rita R.

This block is for Rita R. She is my best friend’s wife (See Block #13) and I credit her for turning someone who was my little brother into my big brother. I remember a time when I thought of Mickey as my kid brother. I was the older, wiser one… (Yeah, I know I’m full of it)

But now, honestly, he is a big brother to me. I am constantly going to him for advice whether it’s about cars, houses, or work, he’s my first call. I don’t always listen.

But this is about Rita… Rita is pretty awesome and extremely smart, I loaned her a sewing machine and she taught herself to sew and made curtains for her whole house. I can’t even do that.

But mostly, I am in awe of how much the two of them juggle, both working full time and still managing to find quality time with their kids everyday. Rita is a great mom I want to be that kind of parent one day. I have been blessed with so many examples of exemplary parents in my life. When it’s my turn, I hope I have learned something along the way.

Date Made: January 12, 2015  
Block #15
Days on Project: 15
Blocks Made: 20

For Rita R.

Block #14 For My Husband

This one is for the hubs. His birthday is coming up so I let him pick his colors. This one is, hands down, my favorite bird. The picture does not do it justice.

My husband and I have been married for a long time, and throughout our entire marriage he has had to put up with my time consuming and wallet emptying hobby. He has been a real trooper. He takes great pride in using terms like “fussy cut” appropriately and loves to wear his “She Quilts, I Cook” t-shirt. One year for valentines day he remembered that I said I wanted a light box so he went down to the quilt shop and the ladies helped him pick it out for me and even gave him my discount. He puts up with countless trips to quilt shops and only really complains when they don’t have a comfy chair for him to sit in.

He is as good to everyone else as he is to me. In our old neighborhood, there was not one person who didn’t now his name. He rescued dogs from storm drains, helped people with their yard work, and walked our neighbors’ dogs when she wasn’t feeling well. Everyone loves him, including me.

Date Made: January 4, 2015  **
Block #14
Days on Project: 14
Blocks Made: 20 **

** I’m coming clean about my pre-made blocks. Turns out, I can’t actually sew for an hour everyday. Most of the magic happens on the weekends.

For My Husband

Block #13 For Mickey

So… I am writing this post before the bird is even done, it is sitting here beside me in pieces. But before  I start into stories about this very special person. Let me just say… these birds are not in order of the importance of people in my life. Just be patient, you will get a bird. I promise.

Mickey is my best friend (apart from my husband who, let me point out, also doesn’t have a bird yet). I met Mickey in college when we were in a sociology class together and got sorted into the same group activity. He loves to tell the story of how I stereotyped him as a “thug” because of his long hair and baggy pants.  After hanging out with him at school, I realized he was a pretty good guy and that “thug” and I became good friends, then best friends, and now we are family. I don’t really want to say “he is the closet thing I have to a brother” because that really isn’t right. He is my brother. I love him and his family as much as I love my family and my life would be seriously boring without him. I couldn’t tell you very many stories about him without risking self incrimination. So I will just leave you with this very short sweet one:

I am not really sure how to say this in a politically correct way, but Mickey and I are two different ethnicities. As his kids are growing up, they are starting to realize that Aunt Paula and Uncle Jason don’t exactly look like the rest of the family. One day, his daughter asked his wife “Mommy, are Uncle Jason and Aunt Paula from Daddy’s side of the family”….Yup.

January 13, 2015
Block #13
Days on Project: 13
Blocks Made: 13

For Mickey