Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Country Girl Modern Winner!! and the design wall, and a new scrappy purse

 I am making some blocks for the Rainbow Challenge.  This blogger is really a fun scrapper, using every color of the rainbow!  I am making a few blocks along this year, just to enjoy the fun.  Please see her blog at:  http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/
Is anyone interested in making string purses?  Of course, you can make any color you want...I just wanted to know if there is enough interest in a tutorial.  This one took about 90 minutes to make.  Fun and fast!!


JO at Jo's Country Junction had the most wonderful giveaway this past week, and the prize is their BRAND NEW BOOK, Country Girl Modern. If you click on the title, you will go right to Jo's blog, and be able to purchase this book for yourself!!   By random number selection, Teresa in Music City, who blogs at http://aquiltandaprayer.blogspot.com/ won the book!  Congratulations, Teresa!!  I will be sending you an e-mail notifying you, and Jo will send you your book!!



*******************Nurse's notes*********************************


I have had the privilege of taking care of the oldest of the old patients this past week.  One lady was 109 years old!!  The oldest patient I have ever taken care of by far.  She was in great shape, but she was blind, so she needed just the slightest bit of help with meals and activities of daily living.  She asked me to get her in the hall so she could walk, and used the side rail for walking up and down the hall.  Her advice to me for longevity and health??  Don't smoke!!  Stay Active!!  And don't get FAT!! Very sternly I was told all of this... She was so darling, I loved her on sight!  She went back to her assisted living, where she is apparently just happy as a clam.

I had a 98 year old lady yesterday.  She was also blind, but other than that, in wonderful shape too. Maybe eyes just don't last that long! She walked four times in the hall yesterday, and she was most interesting.  She said she could sense changes in the air when people or objects where near, and knew just how to zig and zag without running into anything, even though she could not see.  She always knew when we came into the room, etc.   All her other senses were heightened, due to her failed sight.  Very interesting!!  Have you had any experience with this??  I would love to know!!  Her big wish was to not miss the Maverick's game on TV, so she could listen to it.  She too was not fat, never smoked, and she was very active.  THERE IS SOME WISDOM HERE FOR ME!!!  SELF,  PAY ATTENTION!

She would trace my hand each time I came in, carefully touching my skin and tracing my nails.  I felt that she "saw" me more clearly than a lot of sighted people!!

I love my nursing job...really want to savor these moments of connection and shared wisdom.


**********************************************************************


Have a great day, everyone!!

Julie

27 comments:

paulette said...

Words to live by for sure! Thanks for a little glimpse into your nursing life! I always enjoy it!

Sandy said...

Apparently we humans are capable of autolocation - I believe that's what its called - like what bats do. I listened to a very interesting podcast featuring a young man who had lost his vision, who learned to "see" this way. I bet that's what your lady is doing.

Tired Teacher said...

A String Bag tutorial would be great.

Your patients are wise women.

Linda said...

Yes, please, to a String bag tutorial. Our neighbour's mother died back in December. She was 105 years old, also blind due to macular degeneration but otherwise(until a fall) pretty healthy and living in a flat in a retirement village. She had help from our neighbours of course. Her secret? Hard work, good wide ranging diet, an evening drink of sherry. Her taste in food was still really extensive, including roll mop herrings and bowls of mussels which her son prepared for her.

AnnieO said...

Love your nursing stories! I'm deaf in one ear so I tend to rely on watching faces so I catch all the words, but do have to wear glasses too, lol! My MIL is 96 and has macular degeneration which is slowly taking her sight.
Great blocks and purse too!

Donna Keating said...

Yoir nursing stories are a nice bonus with your quilting ones. Thanks for the inspiration.

Donna Keating said...

Yoir nursing stories are a nice bonus with your quilting ones. Thanks for the inspiration.

Donna Keating said...

Your nursing stories are a nice bonus with your quilting ones. Thanks for the inspiration.

Donna Keating said...

Your nursing stories are a nice bonus with your quilting ones. Thanks for the inspiration.

Kyle said...

As always,, like everyone else, I love hearing your nursing stories. And, of course, seeing what you're working on.

KaHolly said...

Hey, Teresa! Congratulations! Love your rainbow blocks, Julie. Connie's flower blocks ran through my mind just the other day, too, but I didn't act on the thought like you did! So, now you have pretty blocks, and I dont! Have a happy week!

Janet O. said...

You are the queen of scrappy beauty! Love to see what you can create out of random pieces. : )
You also have the best stories from your nursing experience! Thanks for sharing them.

Leeanne said...

You get to meet some of the sweetest people in your job, sounds like the first lady must have given the second lady the same good advice! Lovely blocks and yes your bag is very groovie!

Chantal said...

Love your blocks Julie. Love the nurse stories too. My grandmother passed away in '72. She was 98 and she said the same thing. Stay active, stay slim. She never mentioned cigarette because " a lady who respects herself wouldn't do such a thing" and I've heard that comment for almost everything like smoking, cursing, wearing short skirts, big earrings and of course, having shoes with no socks on!! LOL. She was borne in 1874; she knew what a "lady" was like. Sweet memories. Anyway, yes I would love a tutorial please. Thank you! :D

Lori said...

Wow! What a privilege to meet these two ladies!
Love your blocks- fun, bright and scrappy!

Flickenstichlerin said...

Dear Julie,
what a neat story. My Grandmother is 99 years old. Is very thin, does not smoke and works in the garden until she passes out. She still reads a lot, had an eye operation, received new hearing aids and new teeth.
Good to go for the next few years.
Greetings,
Sylvia

Susan said...

Seems that you are having a great time with the color blocks.....

String purse looks like a fun and fast project.........

Quilting in the forest said...

A tutorial would be great!!

Anonymous said...

I hope you will do a string bag tutorial! Something simple would be great!

Linda O said...

What precious ladies with great wisdom! Love your new blocks too!

Rina Mason said...

I would love to see a string bag tutorial. Your nursing stories always warm my heart. As someone who has spent most of my life in and out of hospitals I think nurses are the backbone of the medical community and without them the patients would be in real trouble. It's always so nice to hear a nurses view of their interactions with the patients.

Missy Shay said...

What sweet ladies! I love your string bag, it is very pretty!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Terrific post (and advice from your ladies).

I vote "yes" to the tutorial . . .

Karen said...

The rainbow blocks have a spring look. Nice clear pastel colors.

Tami C said...

I'd love to make a string purse, so yes String Bag tutorial would be great.

Quilter Kathy said...

Congrats to Teresa! So interesting to hear about your blind patients. They seem fearless to me!

Diane said...

I just love your nursing stories. You do such a good job telling them. Thanks for sharing!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...