Funny you should say this Joyce. I really have an energy problem, but do like a good project. I wa feeling so lost after the Camapign, ( Iworked my tail off!) and the Quilt, that I am taking a four week course, out of my Church called "What's Next?" "God's Will For Me?" I was really hoping to combine my passions, with a way to make some $$$$! I've been volunteering, for 18 years? Broke would be a big, big, big, step up for me! As much as I love my new class, it is nothing that I expected. In fact, it is trying to help you find your spiritual gifts, so you can give MORE, in the way of ministery, which equals, free, once again. And around, and around we go!

One interesting thing happened though. I had had a REALLY bad day, couldn't stop crying, hard, over my Dad, not sure why, doesn't matter, I just didn't want to make a fool of myself, in front of these potentially new friends? Well, I pulled my stoic self together, true to form, but I did stay after, to chat with the Pastor, and share a little of what I had been going through? He was so kind & patient, and totally empathetic. I told him that Christmas was a hard time to
'lose' someone because you have Sympathy Cards, mixed in with your Christmas Cards, so kind of weird.

Then he shares with me, "I Lost my Dad "ON" Christmas Day, to Suicide, Yes, it was really rough, and ruined Christmas for me, for quite awhile" (keep in mind, he is a Pastor! So suppose to be a joyful time!) Well, didn't I feel like a fool, what a cry-baby, if you ask & listen, someone has ALWAYS made it through something harder than you have. Always. That was my lesson that night. We'll see what I find this Thursday night!

QUILT-UPDATE!

I received this message from Josie today. It is going to be a little bit different, than we expected, but I am still happy about it. It will be five panels, of four squares each. I guess they have a lot more like that, so they will match. I wish I could tell her, which ones go where, but I have to let go of these reins a little now.

Here is her message. I also asked her to please take pictures, when each one is completed, and she said they will also be posted at www.alzquilt.org

Hi Nancy,

Just wanted to give you an update. I finally met with the woman who is putting together the squares for us yesterday. I love her work and I love her ideas. What she is going to do - since "individual" panels need to be 4 foot by 4 foot - is she will make five 4 by 4s of the 20 squares you sent. She'll also be stitching in the names of the loved ones in the photos. When all is said and done the four four by fours will have the same "look" and when we take the Quilt on tour, those panels will always lay or hang side by side. Best guestimate is that she she'll be done withi everything within about three weeks. Amanda in my office is handling the entire project to ensure that it's done in a timely fashion. It's very exciting and I hope to have another update in about two weeks. I will be on the road most of March and I'd like to bring some of the panels with me when I go to the ASA (American Society on Aging) conference in
Las Vegas in March - but I'll need to check on the progress before then.
As I said .. more in a couple of weeks!

Josie

I wanted to be certain, that they used the "Forget Me Not" Blue & Yellow fabric, that was meant to be, for the original quilt square borders, or wall-hanging, that Sandie (Campingnana) had in mind. This was her reply (Josie's) which I thought was very nice.

"Absolutely, everything you sent is being used. It's really important to me - and to the Foundation - that the integrity of what you all started, is seen clearly in the final product. More in a couple of weeks"

Nite!

I can't wait to see the finished product.

What's your next project Sky?

Sky,

Josie seems like quite a lady. Thank God for people like her and you. You will certainly be making alot of people happy Sky. Thanks for staying on top of it for them.

Jackie

I have "NO CLUE!" Joyce! In fact, I am turning to my Church, for inspiration, motivation, and hopefully, some guidance. Right now, I am trying my darnest to stay out of th 'poor' house. I am pretty 'freaked' about my finances, right now! EKKKK!

Yea, Josie is great. The good news is that if the quilt panels, are only made up of four quit squares, a piece, we only need four more, at a time, to jump onboard! And join the tour. so keep that in mind!