What a Whirlwind Time it is

Hi To All,

Can I tell you how happy I am? I could not be any happier, I smile a lot now, I am learning, I am experiencing so much. School started this past Monday, I am going to school to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. I thought the first day, Oh Dear Lord what have I done, it was such a fast paced class, so much information being handed out and homework, oh my. I start and end each class with an exam. Now I think I am already in the swing of it, I have read ahead and done the worksheets and homework. I have read the next days chapters and know what to expect. I give my first presentation next week and then we go do hands on clinical work. They have two facilities they use and I am all excited. I was always a hands on type of girl for learning anything. So ladies life is very fast paced, I will have three hours of homework each night, I love it, can you tell?

Larry and I have gone to a Maple Sugaring and enjoyed walking in the woods and enjoying nature.

I got to go to a rodeo practice on Sunday, what fun, I entered five pictures into competition and am having the time of my life. Larry and I are enjoying our time together.

My sister Nancy was in town for four days to celebrate my brother Paul turning 50. Wow is he getting old. It was really nice to gather for a fun family event.

The best news of all is today is St. Patty's Day and I had a new nephew born this morning. (My oldest brother Jimmy who passed aways daughter), My Sister Dotty (not sister in law because we love her so much) well their daughter Robyn and her husband Terry now have a beautiful baby boy who shall be called James Daniel O'Leary. All are doing well. I am so proud happy for them. I know Jimmy will be watching over them all.

My Love to All!

Rested and Happy

I am alive and well. Life is so good. I am rested and happy. I have started my new philosophy on life and that is to live each day to its fullest. I spent yesterday out taking photos. What fun it was. I allowed myself four hours to just drive around, look at life, stop at my leisure and become one with myself. You ought to try it some time. The inner feeling of peace and calming experience can be so rejuvenating. I have manged to also start and finish two books, who knew one could read a book from start to finish in such a short time. Now it is time for me to hit the real books. I have three tests to get thru to make sure I am really ready for the tougher stuff coming my way.

I am proud of Larry who put on a one man show at the Stoughton Library last night. He did a forty minute slide show presentation with music and comments throughout it all about his trip to Quebec. He answered many questions in the end and had them all eager to travel there to see for themselves how pretty a place it is. I myself cannot wait to go back there with him in May.

Travel again, hum that is what was missing from our lives, free time, down time. We have many trips planned so far for this year. It only reinforces that we are sole mates and enjoy each others company. We are not one of those couples whose kids grow up and leave and they sit at home together wondering what to talk about or how to interact with each other and find out they have nothing in common. This week end is Maple Sugaring Time at Brookwood Farms, you bet we will be there capturing it all.

As you may notice I am happier than ever and oh so content.

Alas ladies my sewing machine is banished to the basement for now. In the next two months I will not have the time to do any sewing by machine. I do have some hand projects at the ready when I start having withdrawal symptoms. I have even found my long lost project; a scarf I had started way back in the days of Fabric Place opening, I may get to finish it yet. I will get back to sewing and quilting it is in my blood and will resurface, besides I have at least five kits waiting for me to start, let alone projects left to be quilted. Do not think that quilting is over for me. At this time though it is taking back seat for a short while.

Stop to smell the flowers, to listen to life, to follow your heart.

Starting a New life

Hey,

Wow what a month February has been for me. I want to let you all know the store is officially closed, emptied, keys turned in, over and done. The website is also shut off along with my old email address.

I need to say a big "Thank You" to Georgette and Bill for helping in moving things out quickly and never hesitating to come to my rescue when I asked for help.

A very special Thank You to Cara and Tim who did a lot of driving; running up and down stairs; going back and forth from the store to my house, without there hard work and support I could not have done it, they worked so hard and did not stop until we were all done. They helped push me along and kept me focused and moving forward. I don't think I tell them enough how much I love them both.

To Frank and Bob who worked very hard making sure the store was completely empty. They helped by taking a lot of it home with them too. I hope there wives were OK with it all. The took down, dismantled and kept things moving forward. They also did the driving and delivering of the last items in the end. They were there in the beginning to help me get set up and were there at our sides to help me shut down too. Larry and I are very blessed to have such good friends in our lives.

Larry and I could not have done it without every ones help. Today is the start of a new life for us both. To be home today has been great, I got to do some house cleaning today and I have a complete home cooked meal in the oven. I must say it sure smells good too. I even got to turn on the television and watch some of my shows I had taped. Who knew, to sit during the day and just relax and take life slow.

As I have said before, Life is short, live life it to its fullest, shoot for the moon, expand your horizons, Treat each day as if it were your last. Live, Love and Laugh out Loud each and every day, for every day is a gift!

Quilters' Compass Website

Hello One and All,

What a busy two weeks it has been.

The shop is almost empty and I am almost free and clear to move forward. It is a good thing for me. I feel and know this is the right thing for me to do right now.

I want you all to know that I am shutting down the Quilters' Compass website today. I will no longer have my old email address either. Those who know me will know where I live and how to reach me.

I have to say it again, it has been a pleasure to know you all. You have all touched my heart in so many ways. I know I will continue seeing and or hearing from you in the future.

I am all signed up to start my classes in March. I cannot imagine me having to study again after all these years. I just love a new challenge.

Be happy for Larry and I, we have so much to look forward to in our future.

If I were a Cat...

Good Morning,

If I were a cat I would be curled up asleep and purring loudly.

I just got back from spending time with three of the most important women in my life. They are amazing ladies. They are smart, warm, reliable, loving, giving, supportive and we always there for each other. My sister Susan, my Daughter Cara and I surprised my sister Nancy for her Birthday. It was truly a surprise to her, we whisked her away to be surrounded with female companionship for several days. What a treat for us all. I will cherish those days in Virginia Beach for a long time. I already cannot wait till her visit up here in March.

Back to some real business. I will be clearing out the shop this week. I hope to be almost done by the end of this week end. It is time to end this and really move on. I feel like a new woman, ready to take on the world.

I am off right now to see my wonderful clients. I am looking forward to helping them and making there life easier in any way I can. I have many ideas and will work towards helping them in any way I can.

I am planning on taking my entrance test for school tomorrow and signing up for the next available session to start school. Pat a student again, this ought to be interesting.

As I left Virginia and was flying home I reflected on those who support me, who love me, who encourage me and stand by me. I thank you all and love you all.

I am off to work now.

Have a wonderful day, cherish each moment you have on earth. Take the time to go out of your way and make just one person smile or say a kind word to a special person or even a complete stranger. Do a kind deed, it will make you feel good.

Life is good, I am alive and well and ready to conquer the world.

The End

Morning,

As I sit here in the store on my last day open to the public, I reflect on how I got here. Please bear with me as I travel down this nostalgic road.

It started way back with Ken and Janet brainstorming in their backyard while having a cook out. Running the numbers on whether can it really work or not. Then the name of the store, many decisions were made that day that led Larry and I down a new path.

There was Veronica who pestered me to follow thru on the perfect location for the store. I had said I would call to find out about the location and of course I blew her off. Veronica knew it was perfect and made sure I called and saw it. Veronica was right, I fell in love with it the day I actually did a walk thru. Our thanks to Claudette, too, for her advice.

The days that lead up to our opening were the most hectic I have ever encountered in my entire life. I can still remember everyone telling me, just breathe, remember to breathe, you can do it and we did.

To Ellen who I can clearly remember her saying, I do not sew, I do not make quilts, but I will help in the store. Who eventually learned the art of making quilts and even taught a class. Who had an amazing color sense. I am so proud of you and want to stay close.

To Ian who learned more about fabrics and notions in the fastest crash course he ever had. He worked the register system and entered it all. Ian's friend Dave even got shot-gun volunteered for a brief time. Cara's love and support too.

We enlisted the support of friends, too. Frank Shea and Bob Welch were always there when we called, and we called a lot.

Opening Day, my goodness that was nerve racking, but we all got thru it. My life has had many twists and turns thru these years. Larry and I have lost many loved ones in this short time. Too many in my opinion. We could not have kept going without your support. You all know who you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The ladies who at one time or another and worked this store and those who taught here; if you did not know, let me tell you now how important you were to me.

I know I will continue being with many of you. My friendships will go beyond these walls and we will still get together. I have lunch dates set up with Julia and many others. I am proud there will be off shoots of this store. That some of you who started here and did not know each other have formed a bond that will continue. What a tribute.

Then of course last but not least Larry, my rock, my anchor, my guiding light, with broad shoulders to get me thru anything life tossed at us. There are not enough ways or words to say thank you.

Larry and I will have our week ends and nights free. We will be kept very busy, I am sure of it. We have several trips planned from now until October. To be free to travel again on the spur of the moment will be fun.

I will continue this blog and update it weekly. You can keep in touch with me and follow my new adventures his way. I will be keeping my email address.

As the song title goes, "Thanks For The Memories!"

Tuesday Morning

Good Morning one and all,

What a week this will be. This is our last week open to the public. Saturday the thirty first at four thirty we close our doors to the public and are done. It is sad to see this end. I have meet and made so many people who have become very close to me. I have made new friends, some are more like family members. They are the best part, you love them because you want to, not because they are your relatives. You choose them. You know who you are out there. I will carry you in my heart always. I will also keep in touch, that is my promise, you know I will stay in touch. We already have some off shoots to the groups, some meeting at houses, some at specific places. I will drop in to visit as often as I can.

As I said, I truly cannot imagine closing the doors Saturday afternoon. Larry and I know our hearts will ache, it has been a long wonderful roller coaster ride. I have decided it is time to challenge myself though and this is special time for me.

I have a lot of samples for sale here in the store, come by and buy, check out the wall hangings, table runners and quilts that are now for sale as priced.

This week the store stock is half priced. We have also added that if you purchase five yards of any bolt you can choose a book that we have in stock for free while they last.

I am so proud to say I have two special babies that entered this world yesterday. A beautiful bouncing baby boy Benjamin who I cannot wait to hold and cuddle with and an adorable red head named Molly. They were each born to two special Grandmothers. I am sure they will bring you lots of love and smiles to your lives.

Well folks, I am planning on keeping my email address, so I can keep in touch with anyone who wants to. If you do not have it it is pat@quilterscompass.com. I will also keep this blog going so stay tuned as I will update you all weekly.

I have heard many a rumor that one of us sick, that it is a serious illness. This is so not true. We are closing because I have decided to try something new, for me, to make time for Larry and I. That is it. We are both healthy.

Be happy for Larry and I, life is short, take the time to enjoy life, to travel and to explore and more importantly to love life.

My heart goes out to you all that you may find the inner peace and enjoyment of life as I have.