Unexpected kindness is the best

Recently, a fellow blogger went to Paris for part of her holiday. In her comment section, I mentioned that the one thing I wished I had done while there, but didn't, was buy a piece of art work from one of the artists on the hill near the Scared Heart church. Much to my utter surprise and delight, she bought a little something and sent it to me!

Thank you so very much, Sometimes!

My grandmother would be so proud of me

My friends threw me a not-so-surprise baby shower on Sunday June 17th. And let me tell you, it was a great afternoon!! The reason it wasn't a total surprise was that I knew it was going to happen, on the 17th and at 3pm. I had also provided a list of names/emails of the people I would like to invite, but it didn't mean they would all come. Other than that, I had no idea what was going to happen.

Well, 3pm rolled around and no one had showed up yet. Finally a bit after 3 the first person showed up and after there several more arrived. They brought food, laughter, chatter, gifts and themselves! It was so hard to just sit down and let everyone handle the last minute preparations and what not. But it worked out quite well.

I had school friends, co-workers and my MIL with me on this day.

But the reason I think of my grandmother in all of this is that I sent out thank you cards. I didn't just email everyone my thank yous, or only tell them thank you in person the next time I saw, although I have done that too, but I sent real snail mail cards to every single person who joined in on this special day. Growing up, my dad's mom would always send each of us kids a pack of thank you cards along with the gift she sent us. We were always sure to write her a thank you card, if no one else. But this time around, I felt it very important to let my friends know how much I appreciated their efforts towards me, Mr Siili and Paxlet.

So, I made thank you cards and envelopes. They cards and envelopes aren't anything elaborate, but I totally love them and enjoyed myself making them. Everything I used was something I already had on hand. 

The cards (first picture below) are made with postcard sized (store bought) card stock to which I sewed a same size piece of foam onto the card. I just sewed a rectangle all the way around about one and a half centimeters from the edge. I then used a dot (or two) of double sided tape to secure the handmade paper design on the front (made with cookie cutters I own). On the back of the cards I wrote my thank you.

The envelopes were made with handmade paper (top row) or paper that was decorated by myself. I quickly Googled for DIY envelopes to get an idea of something simple and quick, and the bottom picture is what I came up with.

 

Happy Turkey-day (or stim day 5)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you are able to find many things you are thankful for this year and during this holiday season. I do have many things to be thankful for, but this time of the year has always been a bit bittersweet ever since I moved so far away from my family. The holidays just aren't the same as what they used to be. We don't have Halloween or Thanksgiving here in Finland, but we do have Christmas, even if it isn't celebrated the same as in the USA.

Thanksgiving has been touched with a drop of sorrow since my grandma died in 1990. She was my favorite grandma and only 66 (3 days short of her 67th birthday). My mom's mom died Thanksgiving eve in her sleep. I was 14 years old and all of us grandkids had just spent the summer with her that year. I am thankful for that summer, but I still wish I had more time with her. (Isn't that always the case about the deceased?) My last conversation with my grandma was about how she was thinking of getting her ears pierced! I remember thinking how cool she was for wanting to get them pierced even though she was old. This was also the grandma that "hired" an 18 year old boy/man to take us kids to the pool and hang out with us that summer. My mom never could believe that her mom would hire such a boy (Mormon, sweet and innocent that he was!) to watch after us kids, especially since I WAS 14 and noticing boys. LOL

This year is going to be tinged with more bitter than sweet as it is the first year without my mom. I'm still missing her, a lot!

Right now is feeling much worse because of Thanksgiving, hormones from IVF and stress with finances for our new place we are trying to buy. I haven't been sleeping well or enough the last few nights. I'm fighting off a cold, which I hope doesn't get any worse, because I just can't miss work (but if it comes down to it, I will miss it and that's that). I do have my first appointment with a therapist tomorrow morning. I'm quite nervous about it and I'm also quite sure I'll leave there with puffy eyes. I also have another clinic appointment to see how things are progressing with the hormones. I'm worried that maybe I shouldn't be trying to get pregnant right now with the stress of buying our place, I'm not sure we have enough money and having a kid won't make it any easier. Bleh, I hate feeling so horrible.

To end this post in a slightly more positive note, I'd like to say I'm thankful for each and every person who reads and comments on my blog. I appreciate every single word!! (I know I'm being totally horrible this month about reading and commenting for ICLW. I'm sorry.) I'm also thankful for my husband who puts up with all of my shit (and there is a lot of it). And most of all, I'm just trying to be thankful for everything. It's not always easy, but I've got to keep trying.

What do you think?

Do you see the new image I have at the top?!
My online friend, Anne, over at my blethering blog did a huge favour for me and created this amazing header for my blog. Not only is she talented in creating/making graphics, she quilts, sews, knits and I'm sure much more that I don't know about. I am so thankful for the time she took to make this for me. Thank you, Anne!!

So, tell me: What do you think?

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who has left me a comment. It helps my heart and mind knowing so many people out there are compassionate and kind enough to leave me a message saying they are thinking of me and my family.


I know there are no words to truly express what one wants to convey or what one feels. I understand and know that. Your sympathies and kind words do their duty, as much as it feels like it isn't enough or the right thing.
this type of situation or how one feels.

I myself don't know quite what to say to people when they give their condolences. Except for a heartfelt thank you. So, thank you, from the bottom of my grieving heart. In time, I know all will be less painful. But for now, my family and I grieve.

First ICLW a success

As the title says, this was my first time participating in ICLW and I think it was a success! I started the month with 2 followers and I now have 12. How cool is that? Somones (yes, I typed that correctly) out there actually want to read what I have to say! I've also grown the list of blogs I follow.

It has been very interesting to ready so many different blogs on similar and varying topics. I've learned some new things, shared sorrow and joy with others and all in all, just had a good time. It is great to know and feel that I am not alone in my journey (with hubby) to get pregnant and just live life. There is an amazing community out there.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, read my blog and commented. I've enjoyed it all and can't wait to participate again next month!