Remembering Mom

In honor of Mother's Day

I am forgoing the Skinny Sunday post until next week.

This is the first Mother's Day without my sweet Mom.

I am sad but I know she is always with me...

and I smile knowing she is dancing with the angels...

celebrating this day with her dear Mom  again.

Sadly, I don't have a picture of my maternal grandmother...

but above is my Mom (r) with my Dad's mother...my "Babcia".

Daddy was 25 when he lost his father...

my grandmother remarried...this is her wedding picture.

I have no idea the 'year'...but I'm guessing it's somewhere

between 1945-1948...mom would have been in her late twenties.

She was Always a Beauty!

Mom and me...my jr. high graduation 1969.

We were the 'platform' girls!

Enter the '70s!

Two stylin' chicks!

From the time I was 5yrs old...

my parents made the trek from NH to FL for their yearly vacation...

sometimes twice a year!

In 1983 they invited the Spouse and I to join them....

little did we know two years later...

Bob and I would make Florida our home.

Mom was blessed with almost 94 years on this earth.
Thank you for sharing a few of them with me.

Happy Mothers Day!

Always......

Dearest Friends.....

Many of you have been following my blog for quite some time now...

Some of you are new....

I adore every one of you. 

You have been there for the 'Spouse' and me...

 sharing happy times...

crazy times....silly times...

and some pretty rough times....

over the last year and a half.

At the end of my last post...I asked for your prayers.

You sent them.

I felt them.

They wrapped around me like a soft and cuddly quilt.

They have warmed my aching heart.

You may have guessed...

this is the difficult post I have not really wanted to write...

but I must.

It's not about quilting this time around.

This time it's about

Family...

It's about my

Dearest Mom.

Her struggles are over.

Yes dear friends...

She is reunited with the love of her life....

Above is a picture of my dearest parents when they

first came to Florida just a little over 6 years ago.

Truly Love Birds.

Mom joined Dad early Friday morning, Sept.6th.

He'd been waiting four long years for his bride to return.

I am happy in knowing at last...

she is pain free....clear of mind....

Safe in my Daddy's arms again.

I chose today to post this blog.

It would have been Mom's 94th birthday.

Thru it all....she Always smiled....

And she had style...

She found my sunglasses on one of our drives...

they became hers....

Always....

Not too long ago...Bob found these glasses below

She Loved them! 

Last year for Valentines day I made her the wallhanging at the top of this page. I gave her that along with a silk scarf in pinks and purples I had hand dyed just for her.

She thought it would make a great

Hair Bow

Such the Fashionista!

(I just love this picture)

Always.....

I almost fell over one day when I visited...

and found Mom had gotten a 'mani'....

She thought she was pretty snazzy!

And of course...

you see her holding her Favorite snack...

She loved her chocolate....

Oh that Smile....

Always....

And  next to chocolate...

she loved her Bob....and me

This was taken at her "Senior Prom"....

And of course you know...

She loved her

Pink

Last March was her last hospital stay...

even then....Smiles....

(I'll tell you a little secret...WHY Mom was smiling so bright...I told her I would send this picture to her 'special friend' - Mark Lipinski - he was in the hospital about the same time for his kidney transplant. Mentioning Marks name...Always brought a smile!)

Home from the hospital...in time for Easter....

a beautiful basket from our dear friend Sandie.

Shortly after this picture...Hospice was called in.

Mom was getting weaker...losing weight...and random pain began.

For a while she rallied....

She gained back a few pounds...

She almost 

Always

wanted her chocolate...

We had several good weeks...

But I felt her disappearing...

little by little.

There were good days...

and bad.

She was always happy to see me and Bob...

but the one person again who could really make her smile...

was Mark. He even sent her short videos telling her "HI"

That sweet sweet man took time from his own struggles after his surgery

and gave precious priceless minutes to Mom.

I will always be grateful to him for making her smile.

Always....

I am so very grateful for the wonderful caregivers at her assisted living...

they treated her with love...and in the end...were there for her last moments.

She told them all that she "loved" them...

The end came suddenly...

unexpectedly...

...but it was peaceful.

I am grateful for that.

I didn't make it in time for her last moments, and that will haunt me...

but I know she was thinking of me...I know I was loved as well.

Mom had quite a following 'here'...and thru my pages on FB.

She loved when I read her the comments from friends...

Of course she didn't understand the whole 'virtual' world...

but I believe

she knew she was

LOVED by so many.

And she loved her music...

just a few lines from one of her favorites by Irving Berlin...

(with a little 'tweek' from me)

We'll be loving you....

Always...

With a love that's true...

Always...

Not for just an hour...

Not for just a day...

Not for just a year...

but

Always....

Blanche Kaffel Zdon

Sept. 18, 1919 ~ Sept. 6, 2013

Rest in peace and joy my precious Angel.

Love you 

Always....

(Dear Friends...I hope this explains my lack of responding to so many of your comments over the last few blog hops....I read every special word...you always kept my spirits up...even when you didn't know I needed it...please know now that it will be awhile til I'm back 'in the swing' of blogging....mid October is my plan....til then...thank you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers.

Always....

Lynn & Bob

The Thimblemouse & Spouse

Happy Easter...Again

Earlier today I had posted Easter Greetings.

That was before we visited with Mom.

Will you look at those smiles?

Of course Mom was happy we were joining her for lunch...

and she was a real trooper smiling for the camera...

when what she REALLY wanted to do...

was DIG into that Amazing Easter Basket made by our dear friend Sandie! 

Thank you Sandie for always thinking of Mom!

Yes...

We are truly BLESSED!

Wishing you all a very Joyous Easter!

Lynn & Bob

The Thimblemouse and Spouse

Creative Mojo...Let's Try This Again

On Wednesday, March 27th the simply Mah-velous

Nessa Reifsnyder 

will continue her Guest Hosting gig for the oh so amazing

Mark Lipinski.

Check out Mark's blog

to see just who...

that sweetheart Nessa

will be chatting with.

And yes...that would be

Moi...

in the line-up....

trying it again!

Two weeks ago I was scheduled for my radio debut...

when life happened...

 and my sweet gal took another

 unplanned trip to the ER,

ending up with a little extended stay at Hotel D'Hospital.

But here she is just three days ago...

Home again, Home again, Jiggity Jig...

The twinkle in her eye?

I tried for days....

*days*...

to get a smile...

and finally said the magic words...

"Let's take a picture to send to Mark..."

Voila!

Thanks Nessa...for giving me another chance!

For those of you following Captain Cupcake's medical journey...

Mark has made it thru his kidney transplant surgery TODAY with flying colors.

Congrats Mark! 

We wish you a speedy recovery.

Blessings to his miraculous friend,

Mary

who donated one of her kidneys to Mark.

There are Angels among us.

One is named Mary!

Our Hero!

Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

Time to Par-TAY!!! Blog Hop Party and Give-Away

There's a Party going on now thru March 14th
and.....

You are Invited!

Down here in Floreeeedah land, there's not much snow for sledding....

...in fact, there's none...

(thank you Mother Nature)

....but I swear it's been cold enough lately that we've seriously thought about digging out our skates...

....Yes, I'll admit it...I'm a wimpette...born and raised in New England you'd think it wouldn't bother me...but my oh my...let it drop below 60 degrees and I just shiver and shake...
...out come the flannel jammies...

When we heard Michele over at Quilting Gallery was hosting another one of her simply Fabulous parties...
(we were hoping it was a pajama party...oh well, maybe next time)

"Beat the Winter Blues"...

...the KiDees pleaded and begged me to let them be in charge of the of the party post...

they said they could get things really warmed up...

(they can be quite conniving convincing at times...)

Before I lose total control here - let me just say
Thank YOU
for joining the festivities.
If it's your first time here
(and oh how I  love newbies),
I hope you'll come back again after the party because I am really enjoying this virtual 'diary'...
I like sharing what's happening in our little corner of the quilting world...
sharing with you things that I've made or are in the works...
as well as little stories that I hope will make you smile.

I love to talk about my sweet lovin' Spouse...

(clownin' for the camera)

& of course, my favorite Pink Girl...
my 93yr old Mom...

This year I decided to make the most out of every day...
...I've been having a blast challenging myself  to write more
  tutorials ...
....joining in more Blog Hops
(check the sidebar on the left for some sure to be fun ones  you won't want to miss)
and stretching my brain...some days more then others *wink*
Plus getting to know you thru your comments and such...
you give me more then I can ever return...
....new friendships are blossoming...
I'm one lucky gal!

Ok...the KiDees are mewin' and hissin' and starting to give me evil "cat eyes"...
I guess it's time I let them take over....
so Break out the catnip...
Pour yourself a bowl of cream...
Let the ParTay begin!

Take it away, Mia!

Mia?
Psssst...you're on...wake up!

(oh yes sweet Mia...Mama's got big ears...she heard...maybe this is a job for someone more adult)
Willy?

Mom wrote a blog about 'her' - it was really about US. She has been promising to show you "who's who"....thank the kitty Gods..she finally did it...
(*whew* I thought for nanosecond I was going to have to do it myself.)
From a previous Blog Hop
"It's All About Me"
HERE WE ARE! 

The KiDees - Revealed

And guess what?
This party post is just the beginning...
we've been asking Mom for one more favor...

Marvin can be sooooo dramatic!

But it worked!

MeOwZa!
We're getting our Own Page!

That's right...starting on Monday
(unless of course we're out cattin' around)
we'll start sharin' the load - givin' Mom a little more quiltin' time.
Each Monday one of us KiDees will bring you the Mews!
(We really wanted our own blog...Mom just LOL at that one.)
It's a start.

I guess that's all for the party...
we know you're anxious to hop on to the next one...
Oh wait...there's something going on...

Of course!
How could we forget?
We found the Purrrrrfect thing for our Give-Away

The Kitty Chronicle!
MeOwHaHa
Anyone on the planet could be a winner of this 7/8yd piece of great fabric from Timeless Treasures
(why 7/8? We were trying not to cut thru kitties heads....meOuch)
Simply tell us in the comments below  - because inquiring feline minds what to know:
1) How many blogs do you actively follow?
2) What makes YOU click the "follow" button?

Deadline to leave your comment for a chance at the prize is midnight March 14th. Sometimes later we'll let Mr.Randomness pick a winner.
It could be you...as long as YOU have a way we can make contact.
If you comment as Anonymous - or you're a 'no-reply' blogger....chances are, without an email to find you - we'll let Mr.Random pick again.
(click the link on the left side bar - way back up there near the top - to see if you're "no-reply" blogger)
Added 3/15/13: Congrats to our Winner Pat.V!

Don't forget...there's over 150 more parties going on...be sure to visit to jump back over to the Quilting Gallery and see who's next on the Party List!
Thanks again Michele, for another Blog Hoppin Good Time!
Party Hardy!
Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<

Happy 2013 and Remembering 2012

Sending New Year Blessings to all my amazing friends out here in blogland!

I've just finished looking back at 2012 through the wonders of pictures - I can't believe I've taken so many - I'm really not a camera clicker...but I've done my fair share this past year.

Here are some of my favorite moments and memories...

Deanna with her Funky Chicken

This is Deanna. We began as Facebook Friends when I commented on a quilt she had made. I used to be a big 'gamer' and a mutual gaming friend (who is really the sister of a friend of a friend I have actually met, -can you follow that? - haha) commented on Deanna's picture of  a wonderful quilt she'd made with Black and Whites and Lime Greens - I had to say something!

After that comment - Deanna and I began a friendship that was just meant to be. We've never met face to face but we are kindred 'sisters'. I made this chicken quilt in January as a surprise for her birthday. There's a whole other story behind the 'chickens' - and maybe one day I'll share it. I no longer play games - there's just NO time - but I am so very glad I found Deanna that day...it was fate and I know we will somehow, some way span the miles between Florida and Idaho for a long over due sisterly Hug!

I've met lots of wonderful quilters on Facebook and am thrilled to be a member of "Inspired Workroom" there...a group organized and led by Linda Lum DeBono. Linda posts fun 'challenges'. I made two small wallhangings for my Mom. One was for Valentines Day...I'm sure you can guess which one that is. Another challenge was to use a 'word' or a 'name' (my mom is Blanche), a hexagon, beads and then finish it all up with an embroidery hoop. I really had fun with that one.

My wonderful spouse surprised me for Valentines Day by arranging a visit to our shop from my all time FAVORITE NFL Mascot  - from the Jacksonville Jaguars....

...It's the one and only "Jaxon DeVille"!

I just love that big furry cat! MeOw!

Here's an awesome group of quilters from one of 3 classes I taught last February here in Jacksonville at an annual guild retreat.

We had SEW much fun - we always do.

I've enjoyed teaching each year for the group - though the faces change - the friendships made and the fun times had are so special to me. I wouldn't trade the memories for anything.

Little did I know then that this would be one of my last times to teach for this retreat. All good things must come to an end I suppose, and for the first time in 20 years, the local teachers were not invited. I won't be spending the month of January in a tizzy getting ready for classes - and while it will be nice to have some ME time this month....I'd trade it for 'tizzy' anytime!
On a super side note: the cute blonde in the white blouse..yes, the one in the middle - that's Pat - she did finish her quilt - entered it in the Jacksonville QuiltFest and WON a ribbon! 

For the first time ever, I entered a contest. Aurifil Threads held a fun one on Facebook (yes, I am a Facebook junkie - can't help myself). It really wasn't about the best quilt - tho I really liked mine - it was more about who could get the most votes. I never dreamed I would win...but I did!

It was a thrill!

Even more of a thrill was the Prize!

Look at ALL that thread!

Can you say Happy Girl?

I put together this little collage to send to Aurifil because I wanted them to know how absolutely over the moon I was!

In May the Spouse and I took a road trip to Kansas City for Spring Quilt Market - what a treat!

 Here's Bob waiting in line for the show to open. Isn't he just the cutest? Macho Red White and Blue Hawaiian shirt AND his little PINK Flamingo bag...haha. Ok, the truth...it's my bag...but I couldn't hold it AND the camera. My friend Diane gave me that bag just for Market...and we filled it up...many times over..many!!!

I'd been having a blast on the playground with Victoria Findlay Wolfe's "15 Minutes Play" group and was so excited to finally meet her in person when we hooked up for Fifteen minutes..give or take. Such a sweet and awesome gal! One of these days I really need to finish that color challenge.

We got to meet another one of my quilting 'heros' and it tingled me right to my toes! Dont'cha love this pic? My tootsies are wearing pink...do you recognize the others?

If you follow her on her blog or on Facebook, you've seen her feet many times (she's got this "not so secret" obsession with shoes). 

If you guessed Pat Sloan...you win a chocolate cigar! What a doll! I just love her!

Ricky and Alex were also nice enough to pose for a picture with me...and I love them both...but honestly...not very chatty...either one of them. (just in case you can't tell, they are cardboard cut outs...wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea..LOL)

In June we celebrated a very special birthday

for a very special quilter

who loves PINK

and has a real thing for

Cupcakes...

Actually, come to think of it, I've never seen a picture of him eating a cupcake, but he calls everyone "Cupcake"

I sent out party invitations to some mutual 'Cupcakes' on...yes...Facebook again...my friend Sandie made him a hat....and my friend Diane put together a scrappy B'day card.

There were 18 of us from all over that made cupcake blocks. I had so much fun putting the quilt together - and of course Bob quilted it. The amazing Linda Lum DeBono volunteered to hand deliver it to our very own Captain Cupcake

Mark Lipinski

Here's the quilt

Isn't it fun?

This was one of the most fun projects I did in 2012. Linda was a doll and took videos that she posted on Facebook. Can you imagine...Mark Lipinski speechless?

Are There Words? LOL

I wish there were a way to share those videos here but alas, there is not. Trust me...it was priceless.

The BEST part of this whole 'let's make a surprise quilt' was the absolutely amazing group of gals I got know thru the weeks of planning and plotting. We've even decided to stay 'together' as a group on FB and enjoy staying in touch. We call ourselves "The Cupcake Crew"

Of course, this wouldn't be complete without a few pictures of my favorite gal. I just love the 'shades' - we had gone for a ride, Mom opened the glove box...saw the glasses and just popped them on. I think they are So Her!  

Our "Prom Princess" - so darling!
I think it was Mom's First Prom...
I know it was mine!

This year has seen many changes...one of them being me. I started back to Weight Watchers in July of 2011 and about a year later I finally reached my goal. This isn't the first time but I am hoping I have the determination to make it the last. It's been over 30 years since I reached Lifetime status and back then I was young and foolish...thinking it would be a piece of cake to maintain. Several pieces of cake later...I was back at the beginning. Right now I am enjoying a healthier, thinner me...but I won't kid you...every day is a struggle. Some days are easier...some days, not so much. But for once, I don't mind pictures of myself...in fact sometimes most times I am still totally surprised this is me.
(plus I've gotten rid of my old clothes...so I HAVE to stay this way....and Sandie, bless her heart is always treating me..like these two great shirts)

Last but not least I have to share with you the most wonderful Christmas gift. It was a total surprise. It made me cry. My friend Sandie delivered it to the shop just before Christmas.
Lookie Look!!!
This quilt was made with so much Love!
It's from "The Cupcake Crew"
I believe Deanna was the ringleader in this oh some awesome venture. Can you believe it?
I have never been so touched right to the middle of my heart.
I'm not sure what I've done to earn such a loving and kind gesture, but I do know that I am truly Blessed to call these ladies - and man...my friends.
Thanks so much to Deb, Connie, Nancy, Ruth, Deanna, Sandie, Gail, Kelly, Jaye, Diane, Mary Ann, Marianne, Laura, and yes, even the Captain himself.

Yikes...it's been quite a year but I know the best is yet to come! Bring it On 2013! I'm ready!

Wish you all the best year ever!
May every day bring a smile to your heart.
Happy New Years My Friends
Lynn ~ The Thimblemouse >"<