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Bits & Pieces of our
Lives
May 2006
The Interweave Crochet article featuring our Hairpin Lace Looms,
and patterns by Stitch Diva, has hit the stands and orders have been steadily
coming. It's a heady feeling to see your work in a respected magazine!
Whew, April was a whirlwind month. It started off with a surprise that Ed and Sarah had been brewing for three months. They totally surprised me with an unexpected week-long visit from my dear friend from high school days. Living across the country and raising families had prevented our getting together for 17 years. The realization the the person who so reminded me of Terri was indeed her was hard for my stunned brain to process. The schemers topped off their plans with a Conception Party for me!
You see, my birthday lands the day after Christmas, not exactly a day people want to eat cake and party. And so I had a rather deprived childhood when it came to parties, though my parents did make them special by often taking our family ice skating when possible. When Ed turned 50 three years ago he began to devise a plan to surprise me with a 50th party. To make it doable for everyone he thought up the idea of having a party to celebrate my conception fifty years ago. April 1st, what better day to carry out such a plan!
The ruse for getting me to the church was a scheduled band practice. We practice Saturday evenings at the church when a gig is coming up. Usually I get to the church a bit early to rearrange the front pews and set up chairs, but that evening we lingered over a quick bite (though Terri tried to discourage food, claiming she wasn't hungry). I always park near the back entrance but I was taking hangers full of linens I'd washed so decided to park by the front door in order to take the linens straight downstairs. As I grabbed them Terri suggested that since we were late we should take the music gear in first then she'd come back for the linens. Sounded like a plan. Climbing the stairs leading to the sanctuary I pushed open the wooden double doors.
"Surprise!" a chorus of voices engulfed me as I slowly took in all the people
who'd come to celebrate a party. Thunderstruck, the violin case slipped out of
my feeble hand. The slow brain that I have in such situations kicked into gear
and I stood dumbfounded, trying to figure out what was happening. What, a
Conception Party? It was overwhelming and wonderful! Sarah, Justin and Mandy,
along with Mandy's brother & sister, had spent the day decorating and fixing
food. An abundance of good food crowded the tops of three tables, a friend made
tres leche cake which is my favorite. People from my childhood, from the
Portland years when our kids were small, from the library where I'd worked for
years and band members were there. And in the end we did pull out instruments
and jam into the night.
Ed sent Terri & I to the coast for a couple days of beach walking, whale
watching and eating chowder and fries. Somehow it just doesn't seem right that
I'm the one who ended up at the beach when he's the one who's been working so
hard. 
Working from home presents challenges to making time for keeping up with the yardwork. April rains then warm sunshine brought up the grass and weeds in a flurry. The grass has been cut once but desperately needs more and the poor garden spot is overcome with vegetation that needs removing. I really want to get a garden in this year, at least some tomatoes and green beans to can.