Away from home!

 I have been missing in action.  And that also means not sewing. So sad!

I needed to take another trip to see my step father in Canada. His renter was asked to leave. And the living area she used was a mess: literally. So after a long drive and overnight emergency visit to the hospital with him, I stayed over a week to help clean up, organize packing the materials, and keeping an eye on him. 

He lost progress from his rehab due to another issue with blood clots in his bladder and a couple of overnights in the hospital.. Ugh. But after a few days recovery, things began working and the house resumed to its original state after packing and rug cleaning. 

Things settled down and he began to gain strength due to his caregivers. So much better than when I started.

I also had the opportunity to visit my mom and spend some time with her. They just removed the Covid test before each visit. Yeah. But I did need to wear a mask.  

Then after the 10 day visit, I had a quilt retreat!  It was a much needed trip in beautiful weather. 

So what have I been working on:  Yes, many things at the same time.

9 patch quilt: 4 rows completed and more pieces

Chandalier quilt with my quarter square triangles ( about 15 blocks left to add border to it)

Merry, merry snowmen

And a new little project: lazer cut wall hanging from Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts: 

And then on Saturday of Memorial Day, we received the call that our daughter in law was called to get her kidney/pancreas transplant. Hooray! She has been waiting since August. So we awaited 2 days while the surgery kept getting postponed and then it happened on Monday. 

So as planned I made arrangements to fly to Louisiana and help with the house and the boys and all the menagerie of animals. Because on top of her surgery, my son was due to start his new job since he had been waiting since April.  Government agencies to not move quickly. 

So she came home on Saturday and was so glad to be in her own bed and around her family. After 12 hours she struggled with nausea. And just like that she went into shock and needed to return to the hospital ( an hour away). 

The pancreas needed to be removed in surgery and then the kidney although still implanted did not improve her levels. So 2 major surgeries in a week and still hoping the new kidney kicks in. Things leveled off and she returns twice weekly for check ups and dialysis every couple of days. They did a biopsy of the new kidney.  It should be working. HMMMM. 

The boys and I have done many projects, read lots of books, and take care of their pets and along with the 4 kittens . I am adapting to 20 degree warmer weather and air conditioning as well. We practice skate boarding in the mornings when it is cooler as I hold them and they balance around a vacant walking track. 

And after 3 weeks I brought the boys up north to my home for the next month as their Mom recovers.  What an event to have them fly in 2 stages back to Milwaukee. They were nervous and excited and did very well. I was so worried in Atlanta changing planes but it all worked out. 

They are enjoying our weather and we are swimming and playing on playgrounds, reading, and more.  So much love and so much fun. 

And today I FINALLY sat at my sewing machine.  What a wonder! 

Hope all is well with you.