A Year in Review 2014 Edition

2014 was another event filled year! I looked over my pictures and had some laughs and some tears considering all that had happened this year. It started off with silly hats and glasses.

 

 

 

I started Bonnie Hunters Mystery, even went to a few sew-a-long's to work on it. Alas, it remains a UFO and will be added to the list for this year! I really like my bright color scheme, I definitely will finish this.

 

In January, I spent a few days with my dear quilting friends on the Outer Banks. My job keeps my from sewing with them very often, though I treasure those days when I can, and this retreat every year.

 

 

 

Each one of them is dear to me. <3 <3 <3
 

In February I was sewing hearts at sew-a-thons and holed up in my cave. 

 

 

The Tidewater Quilters had a table at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show, so I spent a few hours there selling raffle tickets. 

March brought TQG Spring Fling where I worked on a Spanish Mosaic, that happily is finished!

 

In May, I earned my Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Old Dominion University and in June we celebrated my graduation, my daughter's college and high school graduation with a big backyard party with lots of family and friends. Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see our dear friend Byron who succumbed just two weeks after this picture, to a savage cancer that took him in 6 months from diagnosis to death.

 

In July I headed to a women's retreat where we laughed and sang and made art. I sculpted some fine naked ladies out of clay, and made a rocking magic wand!

 

I started a Wooly Lady applique class....this was our first block. This is a UFO that is waiting for winter evenings by the fire to be finished.

 I sewed with friends in shops, at retreats, at sew-a-thons, at churches, wherever there was a nook for us to gather. We laughed and shared stories, of sewing, and life and loves lost and loves retained. We bemoaned our collective fabric addiction and acknowledged that finishing is only part of the journey of quilting. We sewed mysteries, and challenges, and baby quilts and painted mermaids.

 

 More TQG activities....selling raffle tickets again at our show in June, spending a Saturday sewing with some girl scouts (I am an old Girl Scout)
 

I sent another child off to college and thanked God for reasonable tuition at our state schools!

I started getting used to life with no full time kids at home, and took to my sewing room where I obsessively stitched leaves for several weeks...get it leaves... leaving.

 

 I travelled to Malawi Africa for a second time, on a medical mission focused on maternal child health. I was thankful for the opportunity and met so many wonderful people in a country that is just so poor in material goods, yet rich in spirit.

We heard stories of how our last training had helped, how babies were saved with the techniques we taught. My heart was full!

 In October, I was humbled to receive the Medical Diplomat Award in the non-Physician category for my work in Malawi, from our sponsoring organization, Physicians For Peace.

 

 

The holiday season brought gatherings of friends, a quick trip to New York to see the festive city and the Rockette's for the first time! 

 

I travelled home for many Eagles games and experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

 I started the "Jet" series.....inspired by my daughter's Chiweenie. 

 

At the end of the year, I am most glad that I have this handsome, kind, loving man to call my partner in life, no matter where our adventures may take us. From the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan to Annie's Lodge in Zomba, Malawi he is ever present and enthusiastic. He supports all of my activities and is just my best friend. I am a lucky girl.