Hi Cuties, update on my quilt. I’ve been busy every day with Mum till after lunchtime then I come home and sew 1 or 2 designs depending on how much time I have. The picture is not in any order, as I’ve still got lots to do.

Chris, I always read the others comments either before or after I comment. I didn’t know what happened to you with your hair and I was so relieved when I got down to the last ( or first really) Caroline’s comment. I was so relieved you weren’t sick and lost your hair ( love you sha!) that I had to laugh. I have had more than one thought of doing the very same thing to myself! Remember when Mason was about 5 or 6 and I cut my own hair so short? I didn’t cut with the clippers though. It was winter and the worse part I remember was getting to the hospital following Avery’s ambulance. The walkway was a wide space and the wind just blew through my hair on end! I thought I’d freeze before I got inside. Ashley on the other hand, said it was the best haircut I ever had! I must have had some doozies!-lol- I haven’t been to the beauty shop in almost 2 years. I don’t even color anymore and I did that at home. You should see Ashley’s hair now. She is not as careful to get out and had her hair color done red. It really surprised me that I liked it.
Now know that I really understand about your dealing with mum. Been there so I know. Bless you and her.
The quilt will be gorgeous and is like you say a lifesaver. Quilting is mine too. I would be completely insane if I didn’t have a craft. Our Covid numbers here MIGHT be a little better and I am so ready to get out. Haven’t eaten a meal out in almost 2 years! I am so tired of trying to think of what to cook next.
The kids are going to love living in their new home. It’s so modern it reminds me of the place in a Julia Roberts movie-lol- the one she’s a battered wife and fakes her own death. Can’t think of the name. Anyway, house was gorgeous and by the water.
The hair will grow out and nothing you do to it, will ever take away the beauty you have, inside or out. Shine on! This is your moment!!!

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by pennifold 04 Oct 2021

Oh! Toogie, you're a sweetheart. I can't wait to get to the hairdressers on Monday and neither can Mum. She keeps asking me when it is. Time means nothing to her.

We have an appointment with the Geriatrician on the telephone at 11.00 this morning (Tuesday 5th October), just to see how she is since our last telephone conversation. We were meant to meet face to face, but we are in lockdown till next Monday. Can't wait for some sort of normality to return. I know what you guys in America have gone through and we of course are nowhere near your numbers.

So happy that you have your quilts to keep busy too and I pray you and your family are doing ok. Love Chris

Beautiful quilt and I know they take so much time. Also a beautiful modern home using wood, brick, metal work. I love it. It is going to be beautiful when it is all complete and I know you are ready to have your space again. Thoughts are with you and your mom.

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by pennifold 04 Oct 2021

Thanks so much Patti. I'm looking forward to getting our home back to normal. Love Chris

Chris, your quilt is coming along beautifully!
House looks great, especially love the kitchen, light and airy.

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by pennifold 29 Sep 2021

Hi Mary, thanks and yes, the kitchen is full of light. It makes everything cheery and free flowing. Love Chris

Your quilt is amazing. With all you have had to deal with for the last year you sound positive and very organized. The house is quite a work of art! I am glad you have some time to yourself. My sister is doing OK but the progression continues. I have nothing on my calendar this week so I am meeting a friend for back yard cocktails! Oh and your hair, I am finding hats are the answer! Sending love and hugs, Suzanna

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by pennifold 29 Sep 2021

Hi Suz, I've actually bought a wig, it should be arriving this week! Trev loves it short, but I am just not comfortable with it looking like this! I'll keep your sister in my prayers too, it's such a debilitating disease. Have fun on your outing, we are all looking forward to the 11th October down here in Australia. Love Chris

Looking great both the quilt and the home. I can't believe they will be moving in a few weeks. Your house will feel quite when they are gone. Pleased to hear you have some help with your mother. My sister is in a nursing home. I rang her a few weeks ago and kept getting no answer. I rang the office the next day and they put me through to her nurse. She told me she sometimes forgets how to answer the phone. I can see the signs of her going like our older sister and it worries me that I may end up the same. Hugs

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by pennifold 04 Oct 2021

Sorry Shirley, I must have gone past your post to me. I am sorry to see your sister is in a similar situation as my Mum. I know they are always finding new ways of treating this disease and I'm sure I read somewhere recently they have invented a test to find out if you are a candidate for Alzheimer's. I often think that, would I want to know or not?
The house is looking wonderful and things are moving along really fast now. All the toilets, bath and shower heads, taps etc. are in. They still have to do the internal lining of the garage and put on the front door, then finish off the decks front and back. Once that is done, Amy has a friend who is a concreter and he is doing the driveway and front etc. Amy is not a flowery person and doesn't
want to plant flowers, but mainly shrubs and greenery etc. Love Chris

You've definitely got your hands full. The quilt is looking stunning. Congratulations on your determination and persistence in the presence of chaos around you. Won't your house feel empty that first week after they move home?

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by pennifold 28 Sep 2021

Hi Betsey, thanks for the comments re the quilt. Yes, our home will feel quiet, once the girls vacate my sewing room particularly! Love Chris

Beautiful Quilt!! Going to be Stunning Home!!!

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Thanks so much Sonja, love Chris

Your quilt is a show stopper! What striking beauty it is.

I enjoy seeing the progress on your house. The open staircase style seems popular nowadays and sure lend a feeling of space to a room. I put a closed staircase in my house because if I dropped anything...which I am prone to do...I'd have to go all the way downstairs to pick it up. Maybe carry things in a basket would solve that problem.

3 comments

by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Hi Penny, thanks for commenting on my quilt. Yes, everything in new homes these days is so modern. It’s going to be fantastic once finished.
We can’t wait to get out of lockdown and go to the movies and have people in one another’s homes. 11th October can’t come soon enough. Love Chris

by graceandham 27 Sep 2021

Hi Penny. I've thought about finding a Boy Scout to rig up a pulley system for hauling things up (and down) the stairs, so I can focus on my knee and cane and balance. What do you think?

by pennyhal2 29 Sep 2021

There could be a few problems with a pulley system. You'd probably would need a basket of sorts to put the things in. Will you be strong enough to pull the basket with what ever is in it up to the top of the stairs? Once it is at the top of the stairs, how would you lift the item/basket over the top of the staircase's railing? You could anchor the top of the pulley to the ceiling to solve that problem, but you would be careful not to put anything too heavy in it. If you install a pulley system, you'd want to be sure that that it doesn't damage the bannister.

It sounds like you will need a lchair lift eventually. If possible, installing one now rather than later may be the better solution. It would reduce the risk of falling down the stairs if you lose your balance walking on the stairs.

Oh your quilt is looking wonderful - I just love the blues!!! The house is amazing - I know they will be so happy to move in and enjoy it!! The stairs are so modern. I hope that is a banister in the design picture - I hate heights so it would be scary to me without a banister - lol.... I bet your hair is adorable!!! Hugs to you and yours! Laura

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Yes the bannister is on the brick wall. Thanks for commenting on my quilt.
Ha ha ha, my hair looks like I’ve put my finger in an electric power point!!! Love Chris

Oh my! With all that is going on in your life, It's a wonder you can make any progress on the quilt. But even if you manage to get just 1 block done, you are making progress. I'm so glad you are still able to make lots of good memories with your Mum. They are and will continue to be treasures to remember. I'm so happy to see pictures of the new house. What an incredible work of art they are creating. And with all they have to do, those 3 weeks will fly by.

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Thanks Karen, yes it’s what life is all about - making memories.
I’m so happy for them all. Today all the tap ware and shower heads etc are going in. These next few weeks will be finalising all the paintwork, polishing the floorboards and then getting all the furniture in.
We are all looking forward to freedom day on the 11th October - The day after my birthday, so we will be able to celebrate it that week. Life is slowly getting back to normal.
NSW still have hundreds of Covid cases, but Queensland have none! Love Chris

The house is looking great! So glad things are progressing for them. Love the work on the quilt. I can't wait to see it put together! Tonya

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Thanks Tonya, yes the house is looking gorgeous. I can’t wait to see it all finished, both the house and quilt. Love Chris

Your quilt is looking good! Steve and Amy's house is really coming along. Loved your hair story too!

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Hi Kim, thanks. My hair looks so weird. Trev loves it. A couple of weeks till mum and I can get into the hairdressers. I got a message yesterday letting me know it’s been booked for Monday 11th. That is “Freedom”!day here in NSW, of course I won’t need it ha ha ha!!! Love Chris

Hi Chris.... Your quilt is beautiful and coming along...Your daughters house is so wonderful Soon you will get your house back and in order. Happy you found someone to help with Mum too. even a few days for an hour gives you a break to do something else. IT is hard to take care of parents with everything else going on around you. Glad mum is doing Ok and getting out to shop and walk with you. Take care of you too.. That is important also. HUGS

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Hi Suz, thanks for your kind comments. Yes, it’s great we have things moving along now. We love going grocery shopping, but I’ve got to cook for her at night on Tuesday, Thursday and the weekend. Once we are out of lockdown she will be able to come to our place for a BBQ on the weekend. I’m looking after myself, don’t worry. Love Chris

Chris I have been wondering how your mother is and the progress of the house and your quilt. Now I know. Your quilt is looking amazing and Im sure that you have had many hours watching your machine stitch out and create the work in progress. I hope all goes well with the house for your daughter and family and the dates are kept to. My closet Cutie friend hopes her family will be able to move into their new home next month but as they have been with her for just over 2 years she is looking forwards too to having her home back.

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by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

Oh! my goodness, 2 years!!!!! I don't think we could have dealt with that and during Covid, she deserves a medal!!
Yes, it's sad with Mum, as I watched my Dad go through the same thing, but Mum is progressing faster than Dad. My sister's partner who only died in July had Vascular Dementia, we are awaiting a prognosis for Mum as yet.
Thanks for the kind comments re my quilt, it's been a lifesaver for me.
As we are still in lockdown, I got sick of my hair and got Trevor's clippers and put it through my hair, unfortunately I forgot how short those blades are and cut my fringe off! It's about half an inch! So I had to get Amy to tidy up the rest of it to match. I look like a punk with spiky hair he he he! Love Chris

by asterixsew 27 Sep 2021

Love your hair story but as your in lockdown hopefully not too many will see it, hope it grows quickly

by pennifold 27 Sep 2021

ME TOO!