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!