Before and After...

There is a time for everything,

 and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build

Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 (NIV)

This year has definitely been a season of change for me.  A time of uprooting, tearing down and building up and of healing as well.  So many things are happening one right after another (or on top of one another) that it's been difficult at times to keep up with them.  I've been praying.  A lot.

Last week, I spent a few days packing up my sewing room.  Now that we've sold our house, we have the fun task of clearing it out.  Fortunately, neither my husband or I are pack rats.  We don't have a lot of knick knacks or extra furniture.  However, you'd never guess that was the case while boxing up my quilting stuff!  I took pictures before I started taking everything apart.  I've loved my sewing space and hope to create something similar in the new house.

It is shocking how much those cabinets and bookshelves can hold.  It took 33 boxes to pack everything up!  My sister joked that it wouldn't take 33 boxes to pack her entire house.  I gave away so much fabric and other stuff when I renovated this room, I can't imagine how many boxes it would have taken if I hadn't!  My happy cheerful room doesn't look so happy or cheerful with all those boxes stacked up...

I truly hope the new owners get as much enjoyment out of this space as I have.  I've especially loved sitting in the window seat and looking out the window.

This should be the view out of my new sewing room.  The sun rises on the other side of the lake so I'll get to see the sunrise since I'm usually up before then.

However, they've just poured the foundation on our new home, so it will be quite a while before I see a sunrise over that lake.

My husband found this hummingbird in our garage today.  He exhausted himself trying to find his way out and my husband had to carry him outside. He rested in his hand for a couple of minutes - long enough for him to take pictures - then he flew away.

When you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Jeremiah 29:12 (NLT)

I'm Swooning...

After 14 years in the same house, my husband and I recently decided to start over and build a new house.  So the last couple of months have been non-stop busy with packing, trying to get the house ready to show and a temporary move.  We officially listed the house last week and are so grateful that it's already sold.  We had 3 showings and 3 offers over this past weekend.

All of this has left me with little time to sew recently.  My mom and I had been working on a Swoon quilt to use as a raffle for my niece's school.  I'll confess I only sewed one block and helped with a few others.  My mom did the bulk of the work.  Now that the top is done, I'll be quilting it.  FYI - The fabric in this quilt is Miss Kate by Bonnie & Camille.

Our 4 cats are not handling the move very well.  Of course, they've lived in the same house since they were all kittens so this is a huge transition for them.  I think the vet down here (whom I'm becoming very familiar with) is going to hate to see us go.  I'm sure I've already paid for his summer vacation and am working on his winter one!  In fact, yet another of our cats has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and has to have radiation treatment.  That's 2 cats within 2 months.  You'd think the condition is contagious, but it's not.  Jack goes in for treatment on Monday and she'll continue to be radioactive for another couple of weeks after that.

Jack

Sam has developed acne yet again and her kidney values have gone up.  However, I think she's adjusting the best of all them.  While the others hide when people come over, she's always out and ready to interact with them.

Sam

Moses is and always has been completely neurotic.  She hides under the covers all day and only comes out at night.  However, she loves to explore my dad's garage and is slowly cleaning out the cobwebs from every nook and cranny.

Moses

David was a terrified wreck for the first couple of weeks and hid under the bed most of the time.  He's now growing more comfortable with everyone and his surroundings.

David

Our new house won't be finished until November, so they've got enough time to really settle in before I move them again.  Hopefully they'll handle this 2nd (and last) move better than the first!

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)