Just Because

I have to tell you about a wonderful person that lives in Washington state.

It all started last year when I hosted a give-a-way on my blog to win an antique adaptation rug (you can read about it here).

Well my boys Jonesy and Riley picked the winner.  I must say these boys knew what they were doing when they picked Julie!  (You can read her blog here). 

Julie has now become a "forever friend" even though we have never met in person.  I can't tell you how supportive, friendly, fun, TALENTED, and more she is!   She is definitely a person you want in your life!   I can tell thru her emails she's always there with a smile even when things are bringing her down in her life.  I am so happy to have "met" here!

Which brings me to this.

I received a box in the mail on Saturday.  I was out all day and forgot my husband told me I had a package so it wasn't until Sunday when I found it and opened it!

Julie sent me the most wonderful gift made by her own hands.  The gift is great but the thought behind it is what is so special.  Basically, "just because".  You see she read on blogs recently about the "Pay It Forward"  where you would send gifts to others that signed up.  Well she liked this idea but decided to do her own thing rather than sending randomly to signer-uppers!  She chose me as one of her recipients!  I can't tell you how special it made me feel to receive a gift "just because"!  Along with the sweet letter she sent me she made me two stump dolls and a strawberry - she had asked me my favorite color - "red" - and of course from past posts she knew I liked ticking!

Aren't they wonderful...

I have a tree that is always up in my dining room where I will hang the strawberry and the dolls (after I clean and dust) I will be displaying them on an old child's barnwood rocker with a penny rug.  Wish you could see these in person - her handiwork is perfect!  As I told you before, I have no other words than Thank you for being you Julie! 

I am glad I started a blog - sometimes I think why do I even bother to blog - i have nothing to say, and then I sit back and remember I have met some wonderful people in blogland - which outweighs the negativeness of some others I have known. Also, that meeting these "kindred spirits" thru the blogs and then actually getting to meet some in person is what makes it special! So I'm sure Julie and I will met some day even though she's way on the west coast and I'm at the other end on the East!

Been busy this week - Monday I had to get my car inspected so I dropped it off in the morning and walked to my parents (they live about 1/2 mile from the car place) Decided to spend the morning there waiting for my car so I took some thing to work on - I finally got the backs stitched on these pumpkins - I used a wool that had gotten to thick from overdyeing on the back and just hand stitched that on and stuffed.



I also finished a special order pillow - a sheep - so stitched the back on that and stuffed too - forgot to snap a picture!

Tuesday I went out to 'shop' with Judy of the Cinnamon Stick.  It was fun watching her buy for her shop - she got a lot of fall and Halloween goodies for sure!  While we were having lunch our ice teas and table began to shake and vibrate!  We thought it was someone working across the street on the construction site but nope - it was the "earthquake" that hit Washington, DC/VA area! Wow all the to PA and beyond!  Never felt an earthquake before - weird for sure.   My husband said his desk "swirled" at work and when I got home those wire cubes on the one wall I just put up were about 4-5 inches away from the wall.  Not saying that was it but they were against the wall when I left.  I wonder how the "boys" fared - they say animals sense these things!

Wednesday I went out shopping for some wool - heard about a store that had some cheap - I need wool to hook-thru to make more pillows - I use wool that's not "tight" enough fro hooking and have used up my supply - I used to have more but gave most of it away (kick, kick, kick) but that's okay - I found 3 1/2 yards of a beautiful wool at the Care & Share and also this store that carries wool (Mostly for clothing - not suitable for hooking) i did find some that I can overdye and use.  So now I have 6 yards to play with - should keep me for a day or so -just teasing!

I finished these  mats....

And today they went to live at the Cinnamon Stick - hopefully not for long - hopefully they will find their "forever home" with someone! LOL!

So that was my week - Now they say we have to "batten down the hatches" for Hurricane Irene".  Not sure what we are to expect - they are saying some flooding, maybe losing power, high winds - all a waiting game but it's supposed to be so much worse of course in the coastal areas - so much so they have already had mandatory evacuations in the shore towns and even the casinos in Atlantic City have closed! Wow! Don't think that ever happened before!

Wishing everyone a safe and dry weekend!