News, big and small (block of the month news at the very bottom of the post)
The Ferrier family welcomed a new member on March 31st. Nicole Lynn arrived by c-section at about 7:45 am, weighing 9lbs 6 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. Of course, we think she is perfect in every way. Daddy (my oldest son, Nathan), big brother Alex and Mommy Amanda give baby Nicole the warm welcome she deserves.
Kent and I were thrilled to make it to the hospital just in time to greet our new granddaughter.
Kent’s usually the one taking the pictures, it’s about time we caught him in front of the camera. I was really happy that she decided to arrive before my trip to Oklahoma, but it was super hard to hand her back to her mom and other grandma while I was off doing what I do!
I must admit, I was more than a little nervous about making my first teaching trip after the accident. I’ve been so sedentary, healing, that I was not sure I’d have the stamina to make it through three lectures and four day-long workshops. Luckily everyone was very understanding about letting me hide out in my hotel room, resting, between jobs. I’m so grateful to all the wonderful quilters who did the heavy lifting for me. Lugging big suitcases and boxes of class supplies are part of the job, and a part that I don’t easily foist onto others.
It was, in the end, very good for me to be back in the classroom. I love to teach. Being with quilters fills me with energy and inspiration. It’s nice to know that even when I’m not at my tip top shape I can still offer a good and fun class. Knowing that sure helps in the dark times when life is handing out lemons.
While not a requirement, it’s handy to have a light box for my Hand Applique by Machine technique class. I’ve seen all sorts of them, store bought and home made. But I almost fell over laughing when Mary demonstrated her “laptop lightbox”. I’m always impressed by how resourceful quilters can be.
I also need to thank Lerlene Nevaril, president of the Bartlesville, OK quilt guild. My last day of classes fell on my birthday, and Lerlene surprised me with a perfect cake: white cake and frosting and red roses! It was totally unexpected and left me speechless (really!).
This week I have been playing grandma. I’m off to Holland, Mi to help out my daughter in law and cuddle my grandchildren. Alex is nearly three, and he just keeps getting more spectacular. Watching him play takes me right back to when his daddy was little. Can you see the tiger that he’s chasing? Me either, but Alex kept me safe all afternoon, hot on the tail of that mean tiger. He insisted that I sit on the hill at the back of the yard while he chased and chastised that pesky tiger. And just often enough, he would run up the hill to me, to give me a reassuring hug, and to let me know that he’d keep keep that mean tiger away. My heart is full.
Baby sister Nicole just gets more beautiful every day. She’s a good natured baby, nursing well and beginning to stretch out the time between meals. Looks like she’s going to be a red head! I always wanted a red headed child, but it doesn’t run on either side of our family trees. Amanda brought red hair with her, and I’m thrilled to see it. It’s been a bit of a challenge, jumping straight from teaching to grandma-ing, but we’ve all been taking naps when the kids sleep. Naps are underappreciated, I’m thinking about allowing time for one in my classes.
I was really happy to have my cast removed at four weeks after the accident, but not at all happy to find out that my use of the hand was still just as restricted. The brace is so much nicer, especially the part about being able to remove it for showers. But the doc reminded me that the bone was still healing, not healed. No lifting more than a soup can, no yard work (very frustrating as spring is arriving and my gardens are calling to me), still no scissors.
I’ve just had my eight week check up and I’m still in the brace for six more weeks. I am not a happy camper. But I’m trying hard to follow doctor’s orders and keep my mood up. I’m sorry to say that the start of the next block of the month project is going to be delayed until May 15th. I have it started, but no where near ready to post. I’m trying to get back on track, but I’m afraid to say, my applique train was really derailed. Don’t you just hate when real life gets in the way of your quilting?
April 16th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
How wonderful for you Beth!! A girl for you to have tea parties and pink dresses finally. Miss seeing and chatting with you. We need to reconnect. God bless you with complete recovery and NO ARTHRITIS!!!
April 16th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Absolutely hate it when life gets in the way but there is always a reason for it.
So sit down and think of all the quilts you want to make a pattern for so when your arm is well you will have it well planned . You are getting some quality time with grand babies and they do not stay babies for long so enjoy them . We are all anxious as we well should be ,but your health is more important . Take care of you so years down the road you will not have to pay for not taking care of you .
Beckie
April 17th, 2010 at 4:10 am
Came on to see how you were doing! I see you are healing but, not as fast as you would like. Welcome to my world! LOL I was so surprised to see that you have a new family member—-a GIRL! Congratulations to all. Babies and children bring us precious joy to our lives. Hope you are not stressing over the applique block for the website. Take care of yourself,first. I appreciate your talent and Thanks for sharing your designs on your website. : o)
April 17th, 2010 at 9:10 am
Congratulations on your new baby granddaughter! We waited through four grandsons before getting our granddaughter.
Love them all, of course. 
Best wishes for your complete recovery, even if it is taking much longer than you’d like. I think postponing the BOM for an entire month is just a brilliant idea; it will relieve some of the stress you’d otherwise be feeling about posting it “on time”!
April 17th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Congratulations to all, the new member is pretty.
Take care and thanks for sharing your patterns.
April 17th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Congrads on the newest Grandbaby! What an exciting thing. I hope the arm doesn’t prevent you from holding and loving all over her.
April 17th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Congradulations on your new granddaughter she is a doll. Please follow your doctors orders healing well and correctly is not something you can do over. I love your quilting patterns and would like to be sure you heal properly so you’ll continue to enjoy doing what you do.
Colleen
April 18th, 2010 at 1:35 am
so glad you are on the mend but do take care of yourself & obey doctor’s instructions. You don’t want 2 stress about the BOM which is really building up excitement because I am dying to know what your theme will be for the next one. But it is good that you can spend time with your precious grandchildren. Sometimes God just makes sure we get the rest we need one way or another. Thank you so much 4 your beautiful patterns. Just give us a hint what 2 expect in May please. god bless & heal you completely
April 18th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Beth: So happy to hear of your new arrival to the family. How fun!!!
Take care and heal completely…We quilters can wait for the rest. You have done so much for we quilters that a little off time will do us some good also, knowing that you have time for yourself to heal…Although we miss you so much….Linda in N. Dakota
April 18th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Beth, you take care of YOU and don’t worry about the next posting of the BOM. We’re patient and will wait quitely until you are ready. Hope that the arm heals fast and without any problems. Congrats on the new grandchild. What a wonderful family you have and thanks for sharing.
Namaste - Terri at the Drake’s Nest in Ossineke, MI
April 18th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
After being laid up myself I really appreciate your honesty about having to be still. Congratulations on the new grand-daughter. God Bless
April 19th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Glad to see the recovery is moving along and what a great recovery gift a new granddaughter! She and Alex are both precious, enjoy your time with them. It’ll make the recovery go that much faster.
Thanks for the update on the BOM, will put it on the calendar. Now you go rest and play with the grandkids! Oh and a belated Happy Birthday!
April 19th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hi Beth, I was beginning to wonder if day 25 was going to be our last day :-). When I saw the pictures of your beautiful grandchildren, I was just so happy for you. Please take all the time you need to heal and to enjoy your family.
April 20th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Congratulations. Grandchildren make life worthwhile. When I get a little down and depressed I just stop in and hold the new baby and life looks wonderful again. All of your fans will be waiting for the next installment, and glad to have you getting well. You just have to take care of yourself, when you are probably always taking care of others, that’s the way we mothers are.
April 20th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Good to hear you are mending, and I know - not fast enough. Now that nap in your workshop sounds great to me. Remember in school, when the teacher would tell everyone to lay their heads down on their desk and she would then read to us? Ah, my all time favorite time of the day at school.
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:40 pm
What beautiful grandbabies! I’m so glad you could get back to teaching - it’s where you belong!
May 15th, 2010 at 9:45 am
So sorry to read about your accident and long recovery, but so happy for the new granddaughter! Keep an eye on that red-head - they tend to bleed more easily than others, and are synonymous with being “hot-headed”!
She looks like a mild-mannered one to me! I’ll wait patiently for the Block-A-Month. Thanks for letting us know. God bless!!