As we look forward to a new year beginning I just wanted to say a heartfelt goodbye to the old one. This year has been hard for our little family. Back in March my husband became very ill. He's been in and out of the hospital this entire year. Good thing is that it's not cancer but the only way to fix him is to get an organ transplant. We're quite fortunate to be a member of an outstanding HMO that is taking tremendously great care of us. We've done all the tests to get on the transplant list and now just have to wait until he's sick enough to be next in line. In the meantime we're hopeful that we finally understand what it takes to keep him stable and out of the hospital.
On a business front it's turned out that 2016 has been fantastic. I've increased my longarm quilting business (The Quilted Lemon) and hope to keep it going even more. It's been so wonderful to have a way to earn money that doesn't take me away from the house for long periods of time. And earlier in the year I was so happy to have two of my quilts accepted into QuiltCon 2016 in Pasadena, CA. There were also two client quilts in the show as well. It turns out that one of them will be featured in the MQG's new upcoming book. Woo-whoo!!!
Personal quilt projects have taken a back seat this year but I hope to make more time for them next year.
Our three dogs, Fearghus, Fiona and Frankie, aka The F-troop, are our constant canine companions. They have given us so much comfort and pleasure even though sometimes they are troublemakers, as are most terriers. Fiona now has a total of ten (TEN!!!) rat kills to her credit. This last one was twice the size of the normal roof rats that she gets. I'm determined to get a picture of her with some chalked rat stencils on her side just like an old fighter jet. LOL
2016 has taught us the true meaning of friendship and family. We've been blessed to have so many family members showing us tons of love and support and hugs, don't forget those all important hugs. And we've been so happy with the friends who spend time with us whether it's a simple lunch date or a phone call. It has meant the world to us. We have some incredible neighbors as well who have helped with the dogs when the going gets tough. If nothing else we have been shown how blessed we are.
We're looking forward to 2017! Happy New Years!!!
(Picture taken by my cousin, Bob Coan, at my Aunt Geri's wedding in 2012 ... still a favorite picture of Steve and I.)
