Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The good, the bad and the ugly

An update is more than in order. The good - I went to a terrific holiday party last night and had a wonderful time with 29 other stitchers. We had good food, good friendship and celebrated the joy of being together with an ornament exchange and a fun Chinese auction. The bad - the ornament that I had stitched, but not finished for my secret exchange partner was destroyed in a fire on November 16th. The good - neither of us was hurt. The bad - the house was severely damaged by fire, water and smoke. It will take upwards of 6 months for us to get back into our home. It was not completely destroyed (brick walls and roof still intact) but it's ugly. Ugly includes the destruction of all of my stitching stash and finished pieces except for one bag I grabbed from the living room and a bellpull I stitched in 2004 that I was particularly fond of. There may be some soot damage at the top - but I'll keep it anyway. The good - we found a terrific rental right next door, so are parking our cars in our own driveway and the mail can continue to come to our mailbox and we can keep an eye on the work at the house. Some days it seems surreal, other days.....it is what it is. More good - our son and his wife will be able to spend Christmas with us and that's really important. And now for the final ugly - it's a sad ugly. You all know that I do taxes for a living and also do estate settlement and help my older clients who can't take care of their financial matters. One of my sweet widowers, who is 88 and just 8 years a widower has fallen gravely ill. Today I am making arrangements for hospice care for him. I am sad that he is alone and ill and I am praying that I can find a good place for him to spend his last days in dignity and peace. If you are so inclined, please say a prayer for Lambert. Everything else is just stuff. Linda

9 comments:

  1. Linda, I am so sorry to read you last most of your home to a fire.... So sorry ....

    I pray your elderly friend will find comfort soon.... You are a wonderful person to be there for him!!!

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  2. So very sorry about your home, stash and elder friend, glad you and fam are all ok. Plz know many of us are sending you piles and piles of daily strength. I know you'll enjoy the holidays w/your fam, no matter where you spend them:)

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  3. So sorry to read your news. Sending many prayers and good thoughts your way for you, your family and your dear friend.

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  4. So sorry to hear about your home...so glad you and your husband got out without injury! Praying for both you and your friend during this holiday season!

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  5. It must be so difficult for you to have lost so much, but yes, it is important that you and your husband are okay.

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  6. Oh Linda! I am so sorry for these series of troubles coming your way. What a terrible thing to lose your home to a fire, and while you and your husband may be safe and sound, it's still painful to acknowledge the loss of your things, even if they can be replaced. :-( Hang in there!

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  7. How awful to lose so much in a fire. At least you and hubby are safe. You must enter lots of giveaways next year to build the stash back up!

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  8. Oh, Linda, you know my thoughts and prayers are with you... I still can't imagine dealing with all you've dealt with over the past month. Sending warm hugs and the sincere hope that next year will be brighter...

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  9. Brighter Days ahead !!! Keep your chin up & your stitching fingers moving !!!! Hugs

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