Life. Interrupted.

I don't post much about my personal life. Typically there isn't much to post. My husband and I lead a pretty quiet, calm and good life. I have thought a lot about whether or not to post anything about this. . . Because I have been absent from reading and commenting on blogs and posting here, I am going to post a bit of what has been happening over the past couple of weeks.

I posted last week when I announced winners to my 1 year anniversary that I unexpectedly had to travel. . . Quite honestly, I couldn't have imagined having to make a trip back to MN for this reason. . . On 1/2 my nephew was killed in a car accident. He was on his way to work. It was a devastating phone call for me. I was in high school when Shawn was born. He lived just miles from our house. We spent SO much time together. He was 'my' boy. :) We went through a LOT together over the years. There was the time he dove into a lake in MN. . . flew back to AZ and I met him at urgent care. . . I ended up spending several days at Barrow's Neurological Institute as he had broken his neck! The doctor there was amazed. He had flown half way across the country with not just broken but shattered C4 and C5. . . (I think that is right, it was the lower part of the neck). The amazement was that the doctor said there was no reason why he shouldn't be paralyzed. He was a risk taker. . . a thrill seeker. . .  a rebel. He had literally broken pretty much every bone in his body. Motorcycle accidents caused many of his broken bones. With all of this, who would have thought that, on a Friday morning, his life would be cut short driving to work. No one. He was really getting himself together. He had started a job with the railroad. He was a conductor and loved it. I had spoken to him on New Years day. I am so happy I got the chance to tell him how very proud I was of him. When a loved on dies unexpectedly, having regrets of lost opportunities to share with them the pride and love you feel really sux. There was much more we could have said, but at least I got the chance to tell him how proud I was and that won't be a regret I struggle with in the coming years.

So I got back home this past Saturday night. I spent Sunday getting my house 'in order.' Grocery shopping, cooking for lunches for the week, all those mundane things that felt so good to be doing. Then on Monday, I got hit hard with the body ache, respiratory type flu. . . I don't get sick. EVER. Quite honestly, I don't remember the last time I was really sick. I spent two days in bed. Mainly because I couldn't get up! I am happy to report that I feel MUCH better. Today, it is back to sewing :) And because of this nasty bug, I did not get the fabric from my giveaway mailed out until yesterday. Sorry ladies, you should get your fabric on Friday (yes, tomorrow!).

Before the crud hit on Monday, I got the bottom half of my sister's quilt sewn together. I was not going to post this before it was done but this post needs pictures and some good news. This is where I am. I need to add the borders and binding. I am hoping for a Friday finish :) Barring any unforeseen interruptions, this is totally doable.

I'm going to admit, the borders have me a little bit concerned. I'm not sure how I am going to get them quilted without puckers. . . The easiest solution would be straight line stitching but I really think it will look best with a border the same width as the sashing and quilted with the same candy ribbon design. . . Going to have to just put my big girl panties on and do this. . . 

I'll post more details of the quilting process and putting the blocks together QAYG in my finish post. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos along the way :( I think I can give you a good short description and provide the link again to the tutorial I used.

I'm off to vacuum and then finish this up. I'm thinking I will use the yellow I used for the sashing/border for the binding. . . what do you think? I have a pale green that will work. . . I have white flannel (but it does not match the white in the blocks). . . I have yellow flannel that matches the sashing. That could be an option as well. If you have any thoughts, or a different idea, I'd love to hear it!

Until next time, keep on quilting!