David

I try not to post sad family news to my blogs but I just can't help it this time. You see, my cousin is dying. He had a very rough life being a kid of the 1960s and 70s. He's been terminal for several years owing this to his previous lifestyle. He recently had an operation on his intestines and was readmitted this past weekend with an infection around the staples used to suture him. When they opened him up, they noticed not only the infection but that his intestines were reversed. This makes me think that something went terribly wrong with the surgery, but I only learned about this through "second hand news". And my source learned from his daughter who is absolutely devastated at the thought of losing her daddy. (she's 18). 

I am sad that my cousin is dying. I am sad that I cannot be there to say goodbye. I am sad for my uncle and the one brother who have not yet gone to visit him (in spite of their differences and/or falling out they SHOULD go). I know the my uncle and the cousin will regret not seeing David one last time. I know they will regret not saying goodbye. I only pray that God places it upon their hearts to go to the hospital before it's too late.

I would like you to meet my cousin David:

Langlois Family Reunion 2001 - Saint Johns, MI

I may not have known him very well, but what I do know from meeting him the few times I did in recent years is that he really is a kind-hearted person. And he really has made an effort to change his life and live to the best of his abilities.

My mom, aunts, and uncle did go to visit with him this evening. As he's in ICU they have limits on visitation times to allow the patients to rest. The way I see it, the patient may need rest, but they need the love from their families too. Anyway, they got there around 7pm and the nurse came in before the end of visiting hours (which was 7:30pm) and asked them to leave. My cousin told the nurse "I haven't seen these people in 5 years since my sister died" and began to cry. I think his sister has been gone only 2 or 3 years because she passed rather unexpectedly after I moved to FL and I came here in 2006. Well, my mom, aunts, and uncle were allowed to remain until visiting hours ended. My mom and he were really close growing up (they are also close in age, so that played a big part in it) and even though they are aunt and nephew I truly believe they were good friends too. I am so glad she was able to go and say goodbye.

When he does finally cross over, he will be rejoined with his mother and sister as well as grandma and grandpa. Love you cuz! And when you do arrive, please give them all a great big hug from me. (((HUGS)))

*Updated 7/12/10: Found out that my cousin is being released to his home under hospice soon. Hospital is putting a feeding tube in as well. Happy news that he will be home and a bit more comfortable surrounded by family and loved ones! 

**Updates 2/4/11: I spent some time with David over the Holidays and he was doing remarkably well! Much better than the doctors anticipated. I found out recently that he is being taken off of Hospice care, although he will continue to have a visiting nurse to assist with his cath bags. God is great!!!

Someone say "Fruit"?

A Rose is a Rose

Fun with Flowers

Gizmo

Gizmo was one of two cats I rescued (for lack of  a better term) back in 1993. He was a cute fella and I really loved being around him. At the time, my then husband and I had 3 cats and really no room for more (small 2 bedroom apartment in San Diego). While I was in the Navy and stationed at Naval Air Station North Island, I heard a bunch of mewing coming from somewhere in the hangar near the hangar bay doors. Well, it just happened that a mama kitty left her brood inside the half-wall where the doors opened into. Several of us wound up with one kitten each after rescuing them from that nightmare. So, Gizmo came home to be with me and Pete and Lucy, Emerald and Mignon.

Me and Giz in 1995

It wasn't long after that when we received Buster (aka Miss Buster T Kitty or "the combustion chamber"). She was found in some wooded area in North County while some co-workers were camping. They said "Hey, Brit will take it in!" and the rest is history!

Me holding Buster (L) and Gizmo (R) in 1993

Buster passed away in 2002 having lived 9 long and stink-filled years (hence "combustion chamber". Gizmo, I have no idea what happened to him. After Pete and I split he took Giz and Lucy. I got Emerald, Buster and Mignon. I think he gave them away when he left California in 1997.

*All pictures are scanned from photos in my albums. They were taken on a point-and-shoot 35mm, probably a Canon.

Giveaway received and Progress

Sylvia informed me yesterday that she has indeed received the package I sent. Here is a picture of her winnings:

The biscornu is something I made up. On one side there are 4 flags and "Land of the free" written around the center. On the flip side there are the letters A-R-M-Y (in honor of her husband) and "Home of the brave" written around the center. Congrats again to winning my recent giveaway, Sylvia! I am so happy you are enjoying the package!!!


My next giveaway will be sometime in the Fall, around the time of my blog-o-versary. Stay tuned…

And now the rest of the story…

(Don’t you just love Paul Harvey’s little stories?!)


Paulette’s daughter graciously created a little freebie chart for the 4th of July holiday and I decided to start stitching it up last evening. Here is where I am so far:

I am using 28ct Opulescent White Cashel Linen, DMC Floss #820, 902, and Ecru. So far it is turning out nicely! Thanks so much, Breanna, for the lovely chart!!!

Happy 4th of July

Well, here it is another holiday weekend in the USA. This weekend we celebrate the birth of our Nation ~ our Independence from the Mother Country. Our ancestors fought valiantly for our freedoms. And as fitting as it may (or may not) be, I have finished stitching the Posey Collection’s Civil War. Here is a picture of my finish:

OK, so the Civil War was about 100 years after our Independence, but it’s still patriotic and somewhat fitting to the weekend, LOL!!


I also received a RAK from Suzanne! She was so sweet to send me the Siamese Cats collection. If you remember, Kathy was giving away cats and dogs charts and this was one of them. Well, Kathy contacted me to let me know one of her readers had a copy she no longer needed and voila:

Thank you so much, Suzanne, for your random act of kindness. I know that I will have fun stitching up these charts over the next few years!!!


On the Thesis front, I have 2 completed chapters, 2 to finish (not much left) and the Conclusion to write all by the end of July. On top of that, I will be working the last 2-3 weeks of the month. The real question is, “Will she or will she not make time to stitch?”


Have a safe Holiday weekend to all of my US readers!!!