Good morning, October!

My 86 year young mother leaves in the morning after almost a week with us here at the ranch. It’s been a delightful visit, creating a host of memories I will treasure always. I posted a photo-journal of most of our daily events on Facebook. Through this album, I’ve shared with family and friends, and now you! It is such a blessing to have had this time with her.

Although I have a major custom order to finish (thankfully, the completion delay is understood), I have worked on it a bit while she has helped me tremendously by sorting through my trim stash!

That is, once she’s come inside from working on touching up the mural she created back in 1994ish!

Still, I’ve been having an internal fight with myself to not worry about the order, but to focus on Momma, and my time with her.

This is a total reminder… focus on the day…

And, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!

We’re crossing the cattle guard in a little while, heading south for our last outing before Bud takes her home tomorrow! We have errands to run and a fun meeting to attend this morning, then more errands!

I’ll let tomorrow take care of itself…

it usually does!

Momma vs Mother

Since I can remember, I always called my daddy, Daddy. I don’t know why, but since I can remember, I would call the woman who gave birth to me, Mother.

This changed a few years ago.

One day while eating at a restaurant, “Mother” asked me why I didn’t call her “Momma” and I didn’t have a clue. After listening to her, I realized she thought I didn’t feel as close to her as I did Daddy, not with the same loving tenderness as I had for my daddy.

WRONG!

I grew up calling both paternal and maternal grandparents: Papo and Grandmother, not “Granny” or “Mee Maw” or “Oma” or whatever. The “mother” always had a bit more formality than the men. I don’t know why.

Until that day, it had never occurred to me she felt that way. I’m glad she opened up and asked me, and I listened. I’m thankful and blessed for the time since then to call her Momma.

Now and forever, my momma she will be!

Tenth Day of Christmas

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me Ten Lords-a-Leaping. This phrase certainly symbolizes the Ten Commandments. I found a very nice, informative article about the Ten Commandments while searching for a photo or graphic to share. I’m not sure of the proper photo credit, but it was with the article by Indy Bikehiker (John Franklin Hay).

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I looked and looked for a “bed cape” pattern that I liked well enough to sew up for my mother. I only found lovely crocheted or knitted ones, but I had about two yards of fleece I wanted to use. It was in my mind to make something such as a bed cape, but not really for bed. I wanted something she could throw around her shoulders to keep that nasty draft off the back of her neck or hitting her chest as she piddled around the house or relaxed in her recliner.

Without a specific pattern, I began to cut, try on, adjust and cut some more! I hope the following progress pictures will inspire you to simply go for it!

I folded the fabric & started cutting out the neckline, tried it on, then adjusted some more

I then measured/marked around from the neckline for the length, making it a tad longer in the back & cut

The marking isn't rocket science!

With the large scrap piece left over, I cut out a section to go as a lapel

I wanted "points" to be at the bottom front of the shoulder cape

I pinned the straight edge of the "lapel" to the front edges of the cape

I then cut one piece from the left over fabric about 9" x 60" and folded in half lengthwise
and stitched to the neck opening, leaving the ends of the tie "free"
To add a bit more of points, I trimmed the ends of the collar/necktie into points -
like one would do ribbon.
NOTE: The neckline seam is not layer trimmed, or did I stitch it down like "normal" - just left it be!
 

It was never my intention to put a "normal" hem on the cape, but I wanted something,
so I used a decorative stitching all around.

Momma likes it!
(I should have taken a picture when she had the ties tied! Oh well!)

And, it swoops down in the back just enough to make it "dainty" !!!

Try working with some fleece! It's nice to work with!

Happy Mother's Day - 2012

Me growing up was rough on my mother. Looking back, I know I gave her hell at every turn possible in between sprinkles of joy. She’s a tough woman though and got me through it all without too many scars on either one of us! I don’t know where I would be right now if it weren’t for Momma. I am truly blessed.

 

The greatest gift she taught me was giving unconditional love for family. She never said it, she always showed it – and still does. Among many life lessons she taught me, one thing sticks out above all others. I can hear her words now as she told me, “It’s the mother who sets the tone for the day.” No matter how she felt, or what troubles she was experiencing, she always started the day with a happy, “Good Morning” and a hug.

When frustrated with me I could bet money she would say, “Just wait until you have children of your own.” I certainly heard this more than a few times!

Well, God said, “No” to me having children. Instead, I was blessed when He brought two nieces and a step-daughter into my life. Although I wasn’t around each and every morning to start the day, I love them all with an unconditional love.

Thank you, Momma, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me.

Thank you, Sister, for sharing your girls with me throughout their life.

Thank you, Bud, for bringing Amy into my life.

Thank you, Sweet Jesus, for your unconditional love

and the peace it brings to me knowing I’ll someday know the reason for “No”.

Something else on the website where I found this picture is exactly how I feel and want to pass along:

To all the women out there who have ever:
 Read a book, tied a shoe, mended a boo-boo, wiped a nose, dried tears, gave hugs, taught lessons, passed on a tradition, allowed a mistake, picked up the pieces, stood on the sidelines, pushed us ahead, and generally been there for us – be it grandmother, aunt, mother, sister, mentor, co-worker, pastor, cousin, or simply a friend…
 We say happy Mother’s Day to you all!! We couldn’t do it without you. Thanks Mom!!

Hope you have a fabulous Mother’s Day!