I was RAKed

RAK picture 1

When I went to California at the end of June, I didn't just see family and friends that I hadn't seen in years. I met a long time

RAK picture 2

stitching friend! We met through a yahoo group. Val and her husband, Charlie, met my Daughter, Rachel and me at DiCicco's one of my favorite restaurants in Fresno, where I was born and raised. Jack and I left Fresno in the winter of 1989. Fresno has become way to unfamiliar for me to live there. I have become accustomed to my relatively small (33,000) Midwest city. Fresno is much, much bigger than that!

Val showed me a couple of tricks for the back of the material. I probably

RAK picture 3 Part that surrounds the jar

should have written them down. For my life I cannot remember what they were. Val also found out I didn't have a needle threader. She told me she would send me one. She did, but she also sent me a black and white scarf, bobbins, beads, beading needles, thread heaven and a hand made jar lid!

On the way home from California, we made a couple of stops so we could see some people that are like family to us. We talked about making one more stop, but when we got there it was the middle of the night, and we didn't want to wake them. Where we did stop was in a town close to Oklahoma City and went to my friend since high school's home. He was very surprised to see me. The other place we stopped was Branson, MO and went to the apartment of some very good trucking friends of ours.
Jack taught the husband how to drive semi. The couple that lives in Branson, put us up in a very nice

RAK picture 4 top of jar lid

RAK picture 5 pretty scarf

hotel. Because they live there, they get deep discounts on lodging. We all sank into those beds and felt very comfortable. I was able to fall asleep after I knew Rachel was back in the room.

Back to the RAK, I was very surprised and I am going to try and start sending out my own RAKs! I know the wonderful feeling I get when I open a package I know is full of stitching yummies! I want to do that too. Not sure how often I can do it, but I want to send something to someone every once in a while.

Please keep me in your prayers as this coming Wednesday, I am having surgery on my left foot for a bunion removal. I am supposed to be in the hospital 24 hour observation then off my foot for 4-6 weeks. That means lots of stitching time for me!

BTW, Val also gave me a kit of a beautiful peacock that I adore! I will post a picture of it next update. It is BEAUTIFUL!!!

Happy stitching everyone!

Catching You Up!

Montage of Danielle and Nick's wedding

Hello Everyone!

The van breaking down in March was sooo maddening! We had to get around via bus, taxi, medical transport, or walking for over two months! The story is a long one in what led up to the van being repaired.

About six weeks before we were to go on the trip, one of Rachel's friends, who claimed to be a mechanic (that was a  lie) said he'd fix the car for $400. When this joker, who didn't

John, Denise, Ethan,
 Maria, and Adriana

work on the van until Jack prodded and then only when Jack was there to help. He didn't know the
simple stuff that a mechanic should know. Yes, he knows alot of mechanics, but that doesn't make you a mechanic. No, we didn't  pay this guy.

When the van was not fixed and we only had a couple weeks before the trip, our neighbor gave Jack the name of his mechanic. Jack called him. He got the van fixed within a week..In the end, Jack found a car on Craigslist that had the proper motor because ultimately that's what was wrong. We had a blown motor.

We were able to go on the trip to California. The trip had its up and downs. There were more ups than downs though. The downs just basically reminded us why we moved away from California.

We had decided to go to California, so we really had a deadline to have the van ready. My niece, who got married via a judge at the court house last fall, wanted a big wedding. That was on June 26. We had also wanted

Framed "Heaven" for Micki

to see our son and his family, my parents, who are now 76 and 84. When we visited John, Denise, and the kids, we took a day and went fishing as a family and had a blast! I also wanted to see my two best friends ever, besides Jack and Jesus! We wanted Rachel to see the ocean and the mountains. Rachel went to the ocean (Monterey, CA) with her cousin, Kayla and Kayla's boyfriend. Also, My great friend, Jeff, and I, took Rachel to Yosemite. She had a blast both places. Rachel and I also went to lunch with Val (from ILCS) and her husband, Charlie. She gave me a beautiful Peacock pattern. I am looking forward to stitching it. Even though I brought my stitching on the vacation, I doubt I stitched more than 10 stitches the entire trip! That's okay though, I was there for getting re-acquainted with my friends and family.

Rachel and me in Yosemite

John and Rachel after swimming

Sarah Acceptance Letter

Unfortunately Sarah couldn't join us because of work. She did receive some wonderful news shortly before we left though!! Sarah, received her letter that she has been accepted into the nursing program! Yay! I am so happy for her! So proud of her!

Since my last post, my health has declined. I have had Degenerative Disc Disease as well as Degenerative Joint Disease for several years. I started having major pain in my lower back and the back of my thighs. Walking is a chore quite often. it just hurts too much. These diseases have been in the neck area of my spine and shots helped ease the discomfort. Now they are in my lower back, which effects my walking. I am also going to have bunion surgery on July 27. The normal complete recovery time for that is about four months. Because of my pre-existing conditions, recovery time could be quite a bit longer. I could also end up in a nursing home at the beginning of recovery.

1-2-3 Purchase

Life's Little Tangles.

Wedding Sampler

Yes, I did do some stitching, but because of the stress of what was going on for the past several weeks before the trip, I lost all desire to stitch. Since we've been back and the stress level is down I am stitching again! :) I have been concentrating mostly on "Psalm 23", but have also stitched on "Life's Little Tangles". The wedding sampler I am stitching for my cousin's son's wedding next summer has received the least amount of attention. When we came back from California, I also placed an order to 1-2-3 Stitch. I need to order a new leather thimble. The thimble I had was eaten by the "mechanic's" puppy. It will need to be next month.

Psalm 23

I'm planning on giving "Psalm 23"  for her birthday. She loves the Chapter. I did frame and give "Heaven" to my great girl friend, Micki. I am stitching "Life's Little Tangles" for my house

I have a feeling these projects will get alot of stitch time after my surgery, when I cannot put ANY weight on my foot for an extended period of time.

Hope everyone is doing great!