May 26, 2014

Marvelous Monday Update 5/26/14


FAMILY
Since my last post about my Dad, he has started treatment for the cancer. He will need to go to radiation treatments every day for 30 days and chemotherapy one day a week. The prognosis is not good... The doctors have said he has months to a year, maybe a bit longer. Hence, we have been scrambling to get his and Mom's affairs in order. It's been very stressful on everyone in the immediate family. Treatments seem to be reducing the size of the tumor and he's not in as much pain, so we're considering that a good sign.  I'd like thank everyone for their good wishes and prayers.

We celebrated Mother's Day at my brother's house with a cookout.  My brother did the grilling on a wood burning grill he built.  The food had a delicious smoky flavor. Mmmmm!

Two attempts at hunting yielded a nice bag huge bag of morels that we all split.  The BF and I grilled ours.  Yummo!


Despite not feeling the best, My Dad posed for some photos with his grandson.

Very rarely does my Dad smile in photos.  He either has the goofy look (as in the photo above) or the unemotional look.  Below is Grandson imitating Grandpa:


It'd been a long time since all of us kids had a photo taken with Mom, so I had my niece take a few.  Here's one of the better ones:

As you can see in the photos, the men in my family are big fans of tshirts. lol

STITCHY STUFF
Since my Dad's diagnosis, I haven't had time to stitch much. I do have a bit of progress on both JG and Petal Pincushion, though.

On JG, I almost have the third corner ornament finished.



I finished another section of Petal Pincushion. I've started the second to last section. Then I get to attempt assembly. In doing a trial run, Christina has run into an error with the instructions.  She's contacted JCS and received a response:  They're working on contacting the Italian designer to get a correct translation.



FREEBIE FUN
I recently came across a cute, fun summer freebie from Keepsake Stitches.  It's called Honey Pincushion.  The front has a beehive surrounded with floral accents.  The back has the same floral accents and space for personalizing your initials and date.




GIVEAWAY
If you haven't heard, Snowflower Diaries is hosting a very nice giveway. Hop on over and check it out.




Until next time,

27 comments:

Gillie said...

Sendings hugs to you all, Meari. What great photos of a lovely day.

Berly said...

I am so sorry about your dad, Meari. My prayers are with you & your family. Enjoy your time with him & do everything you want to!! Your stitching is beautiful, as always!

CatsnCorgis said...

Meari,

I'm keeping your You, your Dad and your family in my thoughts.

I'm still in love with the Japanese Garden!

Sally

Mouse said...

Great memories you made there and glad that your dad isn't in as much pain ((hugs))to you all .
well done on the stitching progress that you have managed to sneak in :) love mouse xxxx

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear the news about your Dad Meari

Hope you can spend as much time with him as possible.
Sending positive thoughts and cyberhugs (((((((())))))))

Denise
In Sunny Saudi Arabia

Vickie said...

I am so glad you are cherishing family time. Wonderful pictures. I am praying for your dad.

Anne said...

Sending you and your dad lots of prayers and positive thoughts. Have him drink loads of juiced veggies and fruits. I believe that it will help his health! Great photos of your family and beautiful stitching. I can imagine that stitching isn't something you can concentrate on right now. Many hugs...Anne

Penny said...

So sorry about your dad, Meari. I will remember you and your family in my prayers. Wonderful family pictures! You've gotten some lovely stitching done.

Irene said...

Pleased your Dad's tumor is reducing in size and that he is in less pain. I hope the good news will continue. You have a lovely family.

Faith... said...

Glad to know that your Dad is not suffering from to much pain and I am praying that the treatments will shrink the tumors.

Great family pictures! Your Mom looks too cute and your sister looks just like you.

Beautiful stitching as always.

Jennifer M said...

Meari thinking of you and your family. As others have stated, spend all the time you want while he's still with you. Keeping you all in prayer as well.

Carol said...

Oh, Meari, I'm so sorry to read about your dad's prognosis. I know you'll be treasuring each and every moment with him... Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love the photos of your family, especially the one of your mom and all the kids :)

I hope your stitching time helps relieve some of the anxiety you must be feeling these days... sending a hug your way!

cucki said...

You are all in my prayers dear..
Sending you love and hugs x

Kay said...

Meari, My heart goes out to you and your family. After just going through what you are going through I have to say it was a year that was beyond difficult but it also gave us new memories that we created as well. Once we knew that my FIL was terminal we spent so much time with my FIL and had many good times and enjoyed every day that we had with him. Our household is so very thankful for all those wonderful days we had, just wish we would have had more. Take each day as it comes and enjoy every minute you can with your dad. Lovely photos from mothers day! I hope you have a good week and as always beautiful stitching

Anonymous said...

Meari -

sorry to hear about your dad, will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers! Glad that you had a great mothers day. Your stitching looks great!

Marge

Sharon said...

Oh Meari, big hugs to you. I went through knowing my dad's time was "counted" and it's awful. You start thinking "I wonder if this is the last time we'll all be......" It's like having a pendulum hanging over your head. I'm glad your family was able to get together and have a great Memorial Day!!! Great family pics! You're looking skinny, girlfriend!
:)
As always, your stitching is gorgeous!
Sending prayers your way......

Cricket-bug Corner said...

Glad that you had a good weekend with family. Even when one is not sick - time is so short. You are in my thoughts.

Dani - tkdchick said...

JG is stunning!

Anonymous said...

Meari, remembering you and in your family in my prayers.

Lovely stitching.

Marl

Pam in IL said...

Beautiful stitching and the Honey Pincushion is adorable.

So sorry to hear your dad's prognosis. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hope Always!

Mylene said...

Sending good thoughts for your Dad.
Great family pictures!

Anonymous said...

Meari,

My thoughts and prayers are still with you and your family. I hope that your dad does not have to suffer too much with his treatments.

Your morels look really delicious and the wood burning fire pit sounds awesome.

Tara

Rachel S-H said...

Keeping your family in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

Lovely family pictures. Sending prayers for your Dads continuous improvement. Nice stitching progress.

Mare

valerie said...

I'm so sorry your dad's prognosis isn't better. I hope that the treatment helps him and he isn't in too much pain or discomfort. I am sending good thoughts. Looks like you all had a great bbq and awesome progress on your wips.

Anonymous said...

Meari, you're almost as MIA as I am, LOL. I'm glad to hear that your dad's tumor was decreasing as of Memorial Day. The cookout looks like it was a great time. Good tips for not buying new stash....but I've already failed. Of course, I failed before I read your tips, so I'm not sure that counts as a fail. :) I succumbed to the new Lindy Mouse from Just Nan for Silver Needle last night...

Which is actually kind of sad, seeing as I just "mostly finished" arranging my new craft room and I have way too much stash. The one thing left on my to-do list for that room is to sort my charts again into "stitch next", "stitch immediately", "stitch someday" and "never gonna stitch it" piles.

Karin in CA

Akila said...

I am very glad to hear about your dad's treatment and progress.

Amazing that you are able to stitch amidst the stress. But it probably is a good change for you. Great progress on both :)