Hang tight… getting personal!

Hard to believe it is the end of February already! It’s been a while since I blogged and there really isn’t a good reason except like everyone else, I’m super busy. I am in the middle of launching my Quilter’s Groove® Heirloom Academy, closing the enrollment period for my membership TRIBE, creating content daily for new classes and the membership.

I did just get back from my first ever 2 week vacation as an adult… and oh my… it was fabulous… highly recommend it. I was however very ready to get back to work… just not the cold weather in Pa.

I don’t get personal too often but thought I would today. For the past 10+ years, I have been suffering with IBS. For those that don’t know what this is… it is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It gets really bad when I am under a lot of stress. Go back 3 years… divorce and a move and then Covid was the cherry on top…. all of that kicked it into high gear. The uncertainty of when I would be able to travel for work again was very difficult. While the thought of traveling and teaching with an IBS flareup was terrifying.

Why did I chose to talk about this now? I realize that there are so many people suffering with this and if you are … you are not alone. I might appear to have my shit together all the time, but just remember we only show people what we want them to see. Appearances can be very deceiving.

Here are 5 women that probably don’t know it.. but they help me stay strong when I don’t feel well and I can’t thank them enough. We all made the trip to Florida together but separate. Love these ladies.

Social media isn’t all bad. While in Naples, I posted a pic on Instagram and my best friend from 7-8 grade was like no way… I’m in Naples… so Jeff and I got together with Karen and her husband. I hadn’t seen her since 9th grade (not doing the math as to how long that is… but its long). We picked up right where we left off. It really made my trip that much better.

We also got to celebrate my love’s birthday while we were there. Remember the picture of the ladies above… well the SO’s were there as well… we were calling ourselves Spring Ford South… as we all belong to SpringFord Country Club in Pa. My brother and sister in law made the trip over from the east coast to join us. What an amazing night.

This past summer (2021) my family lost 2 very special people… my dad’s brother and his sister… within months of each other. Our whole family gathered and it was fantastic to see everyone. My cousin Jen and her fiancé live in Bonita Springs, so when George (my brother) came over, we made a point of getting together with Jen and Steve. Friends and family are everything and I cherish each and everyone of them!

I would love it if you left a comment, just let me know if you enjoyed learning a little more about me personally or if IBS affects you as well. I promise I will get back to quilty stuff soon.

2015 Recap!

 

 

Wow, its already the middle of Jan.  I’m still wondering where 2015 went to… anyone else?  I hope you all had a fabulous holiday and are ready to make 2016 the best year yet.  I know I am.  Let’s do a quick recap of 2015!

A great time at “The Quilt Show”!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An amazing vacation with my handsome husband….

 

Loads of talented students in all of my classes!

My first teaching trip to Houston!  Sorry no pictures in class was too busy….

 

My two worlds collided when my golfing buddies came to my special exhibit at the Pa National Quilt Extravaganza.  Thank you!!

 

The introduction of my new rulers…. the ProPebbles™.

Bethanne Nemesh’s creation using the ProPebbles™.

Thank you Bethanne for testing them out!

 

And of course the best thing…. my oldest son graduated from high school….

 

 

2016 is going to be a banner year!  I can feel it, Can you?

Quilt on, My Friends!

Lisa

A moment to brag……

I am so very proud of all of my kids, but today I am going to call out my middle one…. Noah.  Noah is a junior at Owen J Roberts Highschool.  When Noah was little he had some golf lessons but nothing really consistent.  About 2 years ago, he started to play quite a bit and last year joined the golf team at school.  (PopPop would be so happy) This year Noah made the varsity team and got to play in the PAC 10 Championship this past Monday.   He shot an 81 and missed the cut by 2 strokes.   Jon and I couldn’t be more proud of him.  PCTV filmed a couple holes and here is a short clip.

Quilt on, My friends!

Lisa

 

Graduation Festivites….

are over.  What a week.  The prep, the planning….. what a great time.  Instead of just giving Brandon money for graduation my husband came up with a great idea.  The party goers would determine how much we gifted him.

 

WE all had so much fun….. he made out well.  Now, you will notice that in the fishing area, you could catch a turtle.  Yes, we have turtles in the pond as well as the fish…. my Uncle Tom caught a turtle…. made Brandon $50!

The day would not have been complete without a quilt…. my sister in law Judy made Brandon a t-shirt quilt and I quilted it…..

I had gone through all of our photos (not very dry eyed either)  to put together this framed “through the ages” picture…

 

We still need to fill in the check …..

 

Looking forward to the many more milestones to come!

Quilt on, My Friends!

Lisa

PS, I did put a quilt in this post.  😉

 

Best Eyes have it!

So, to go with the graduation theme this week, Brandon was voted as having the best eyes.  I couldn’t agree more since he got them from me. 😉  I do think his are better though.

What do you think?

ok, I promise next week we will be back to quilt related stuff.

Quilt on, My Friends!

Lisa

Warning: Proud Parent Alert

This post has nothing to do with quilting!

This is it!  Brandon’s last week of high school.  He graduates on Friday, we are so proud.  He will be going to Elizabethtown in the fall.  He will be studying Physical Therapy and playing lacrosse.

Congrats Brandon!  We love you!  It goes so fast…. not sure where the time went.

 

 

Quilt on, My Friends!

Lisa

2014 in the Rearview Mirror

Wow, 2015 already! That’s crazy!  What’s even more so…. my oldest is graduating from high school and starting college this year.  Boy, I feel old.

This was a transitional year for me with work.  I gave up quilting for customers (I miss you all) to focus on my teaching and online business.  It took a while to get in a new groove (only took me 8 months, LOL ) but I am finally there and ready for 2015!  I got to attend Quilt Market for the first time which was a joy and I hope to go next year as well.  Quilt Festival was crazy as usual and the quilts were beyond amazing!  If you have never been, you should try and get there at least once to experience the mayhem.

Hanging with Great Friends at Houston!

My neck seems to be doing much better, acupuncture and chiropractic!  (Just getting back to the chiro)  I can’t stress enough how important it is to take care of your body.  I was young once (don’t feel it anymore)  and felt like I could quilt all day but it takes its toll on your body so be kind to it.  Take frequent breaks and stretch those muscles.

 

My golf game…. hmmm, didn’t improve at all but I will blame that on my neck issues. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.  I did, however, have a lot of fun playing with all my golfing gals and of course the member guest tournaments with my Mom, Kathy and Mel!  Thanks!

Mildred Wood Invitational at Long Cove club!

Looking forward to 2015:

 

I am teaching at numerous shows and have some guild lectures as well.  I am blessed to be able to do what I love.  The best thing about teaching…. the “aha” moments!  The look on a students face when they get it is priceless and I will never tire of it.

I am determined to get rid of my slice on the golf course.  Not sure how I am going to do that but I can feel it…. this is the year.  Too bad Hank Haney doesn’t live near me.  I know he could fix it.  LOL

This sums up my golf game!

Competition quilts…. I will have a new one this year!!  My goal will be to debut it at MQX East.  I guess I better get to it!

Fabrics for my 2015 quilt

This year I am going to strive for Balance!  A balance between work and play.  Sounds easy but I am not  very  good at it so if you have any suggestions, I am all ears!!    Wish me luck.

Happy New Year

Lisa

My father’s passing

My father passed away on Thursday morning, he was with my Mom and to hear her tell it, it was beautiful.  It has only been 2 days but feels like 2 months.  I woke up crying in my sleep at 5 in the morning.  I would like to believe that  he visited me.  My   George, Kirsten and I traveled to Hilton Head yesterday to be with my Mom.  She is an incredibly strong woman and I admire her very much.

It was much more difficult to walk through the door of the house than expected.  It hit me quite hard.  I put my things down and went into their bedroom, grabbed the quilt that I made him and laid down on his side of the bed and cried for a while.  (Lise, you would have been proud of me)

It has been fun remembering all of the good times we had and what a huge impact Dad had on so many people.  He wore so many hats, he was daddy, father,  coach, golf coach, disciplinarian ( of course not for me, because I was so good. 😉  ), mentor, teacher, but the best was when I was truly able to call him Friend.  If you never knew him, you missed out on an incredible man.  Over the past day, I have heard many people say that he never had a bad word to say about anyone.  And that no one can say anything bad about him except that he was a slow golfer.  We know Dad, you are not slow just deliberate.  His love of golf was only exceeded by his love of his family.

The four of us, (it sounds funny saying that) spent last night together, talking, laughing and crying.  Oh yeah, and drinking wine! and lots of it (Yes Kimmy,  it’s okkkkkk)

It’s been a while..

Boy, I think I use that as a title quite a bit.

I wanted to thank all of my blog readers for praying for my Dad.  Unfortunately, the treatments that he underwent did not work and we have run out of options.  It has been a difficult couple of weeks.  My brother, sister and I had the pleasure of going to visit about a week ago.  It was so nice to have the family together.  I don’t know when the last time it was just the 5 of us.  We normally have spouses and children.  My Dad really enjoyed that.  He tires quickly and has lost weight.  He is enjoying the time he has left. I am normally not the emotional one in the family but have found this to be quite difficult.  We are hoping to get back to see him in the beginning of Nov.

I was able to play in Mom’s member guest tournament while I was there, thanks to George who stayed a couple of extra days.  Thanks George!  Even though Mom hadn’t played golf in 3 months, she did quite well.  I, on the other hand,  did not play up to my handicap.

I put together this video before we went to see him and my Mom.  George and I put it together on night.  It was a lot of fun looking through old pictures and realizing how stinking old we are.  : )   Enjoy!

Hilton Head!!

We are here in beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina!  A well needed vacation.   We have brought our 3 boys and two of their friends.  They are having a blast.  What’s on tap for this evening…..they are going parasailing!  Should be a great time.

I played golf today with my Mom.  Shot a 97!  It seems as though that 89 is running away.  Will I ever break 90?  Maybe I need to find the easiest course there is and start there.  😉    Jon and I plan on playing together this week, hopefully with my Dad!  He is currently on his way home from Houston after his first treatment in this trial study.  We are praying that this is the Silver Bullet to whip this thing in the ass and send it packing!

I am looking ahead to when I return home.  I am anxious to finish Plain Jane!  Even though it is just a little sample, I am having a blast!

 

Once I return home,  I am not there for long before I go off to a quilt related adventure.  I will tell you all about it once I return…..

 

On another note,  Hula Hibiscus won a Judge’s Choice at Quilt Odyssey 2011~  The quilts that were posted were absolutely beautiful~  I wish I had taken the time to get to the show as I know that pictures don’t do them justice.

Off to go play….. hope everyone is staying cool!