10 Sept 2008

Thank You.

I just want to sincerely thank everyone for all of their kind thoughts regarding Mum's passing. It has been a month today, and though it is a difficult thing to deal with, there have been some good days.

We gave her a very fitting send off, with some 'lighter' moments, and I am sure that she would have loved it. When we saw Priscilla, Queen of the Desert last year, we all wore a feather boa, so we wore them to the funeral, mine was special, as it was the one that Mum wore. We also had a song from Priscilla, Color My World, during which we let go green and purple balloons. My three sisters, brother, Dad and I were pall bearers, even though it was a difficult thing to do, we were able to draw strength from one another and showed a sense of unity between us all.
At the viewing two of my sisters placed a dollar coin in Mums hands and proclaimed that Mum was right to play the pokies (slot machines) in heaven, it was wonderful to be able to have these lighter moments, there are a few others, but I will savour those.

I wasn't sure about going to the viewing, but I am so so glad that I did, Mum looked absolutely beautiful and so at peace.
My Dad is doing okay, he struggles when he goes to the shops in his small town, as so many people stop him to ask how he is etc, he says that when he can answer them without breaking down, he'll know that he is doing well. He and Mum were planning a trip to Queensland, to visit relations, and Dad is still going to go, he flies out next Wednesday for two weeks. It will be wonderful for him, and we will see him there as we are going to be there for holidays at the same time.

Onto some stitching news.
Suzanne had a blogaversary draw in July, and I was one of the lucky winners. I received a chart by Cherished Stitches called A Sentimental Thimble Case and a lovely note. I am looking forward to stitching this, Thank You so much Suzanne.
I also thought that it was about time that I posted a wip picture so here is my CdC, over half way now,

Some time ago, in a moment of weakness, LOL I made a small start on Miribilia's Lady of the Mist. She is stitched in green and is embellished with purple beads. I have decided to dedicate her to Mum and I have been mostly stitching on her since Mum's passing. Her skirt is HUGE, there are huge amounts of beading to be done but she will be beautiful and she is in Mum's favourite color, GREEN.

My long service leave from my job finished at the end of July, and my employer is now saying that I have failed to report for duty. They have given me until the 6th of October to report for duty, about five hours away, or they will terminated my employment status. It was initially 1st of September, but they have given me an extra month due to what I have recently been through, how nice of them (heavily sarcastic). We have the union helping us with some strategies at the moment, so we will see what happens.

Well must go now, thanks again for all of the wonderful support.

21 comments:

Kathy A. said...

Glad to hear you are holding up dear. Keep it GREEN!!!!

Anonymous said...

Your CdC is looking fantastic! Well done.

I look forward to seeing your Green lady :)

Karoline said...

Cirque is looking lovely. I hope you can get your job situation resolved

Anonymous said...

It's nice to see a post from you but sorry that your work are being so "jobsworthy" about your long service leave. Hope it all turns out OK.

Nicole & Phil said...

I have been away for awhile,
I was so sorry to hear about your mum. Big Hugs to your family and I hope your Dad is getting by!
x

mainely stitching said...

You sound like you're doing really remarkably well. I do hope your work issues can be cleared up without any further stress. You take care, and remember how much we care about you!

Leeland said...

Hi Joanne.
I'm so sorry to read the last posts here. I had no idea, so self-centered was I...
I'm so sorry and touched by your dear mother's death -and your family's grief.
Yet, the love shared in your family, and this green project you're making for your mum are great things to do in memory of her.
This lovely picture of these little girls holding hands is a perfect choice too.
Take care,
Lili

Pumpkin said...

So glad to see you posting again Joanne :o) Your mother's funeral sounds like it was quite the send off and very fitting for her and for you. I shouldn't read these things when I'm emotional. LOL! I hope your dad will heal eventually but I just cannot imagine what it would be like.

Your CDC is really coming along but I am VERY interested to see your Lady of the Mist since you changed her colors :o)

Have you been on disability or a leave of absence from work? I'm dealing with my own problems with employment and can certainly sympathize :oS

Lynn said...

It's so good to see you back Joanne! I'm just so sorry to hear that your employer is giving you such a hard time. I hope it all works out. It's good to hear your Dad is getting out and about.

Your CdC is looking fantastic! You just gave me a nudge to get stitching on mine again. I look forward to seeing your Mirabilia piece.It will be a lovely tribute to your Mum.

Beatrice said...

I'm glad to see you are back Joanne.
Your CdC is looking wonderful and I can't wait to see your "Green" Lady of the mist.I love Green too.
Take care!

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, your post brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful tribute to your Mum - those little gestures at the funeral really touched me. I can only begin to imagine what your Dad and you are going through ... hopefully the cliches are correct, that time helps to heal the wounds {hugs}.

Hope you get your employment issues sorted out soon, that's a stress you certainly don't need right now! Enjoy your holiday :)

Unknown said...

I came across your blog while on a break from studying. Your work is lovely...I think it's wonderful you're dedicating Lady of the Mist to your Mum. Very touching...

Cheers~

Hazel said...

Your cdc looks lovely. Can't wait to see your mira. x

Anonymous said...

Dear Jo, I've just returned to blogging after an absence to read about your Mum's passing. All I can say is just take things a day at a time. My sincerest condolences and lots of {hugs.
Pokua

Jane said...

Joanne, I hope you work out things with your job and your employer learns to have a heart.

Sounds like you gave your Mother a wonderful send off. Hold on to those memories of her.

Just as requested - I bought those threads at a shop near where I live. Not at Yarragon I'm afraid. Still drop by there and have a look at Candleberry Country if you get the chance (also Annabelle's is another lovely shop), it will be well worth it. Cascade House (the threads I got) have a list of retailers on their website where you can buy their threads. Let me know if you need the link. Take care.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I've been remiss in keeping up with blogs and I missed the original post.

My prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time.

I'm sure you dad's trip will help. My father-in-law came down here for a couple of weeks after his wife passed. I think it was good to see some different "walls" while he grieved. Hope you dad has a good trip.

Erica said...

Thanks for your kind words on my stitching! It means a lot to me.
I am so sorry for everything you are going through. Hang in there. You will get through it.

samplerlover said...

I am so sorry to hear of your Mums passing. I lost my Mum just on 12 months ago and I know that its hard. She is constantly in my thoughts and I always feel that she is around me.
I found that doing my beloved samplers helped me enormously and the one that I was doing at the time is very special to me.
I am currently doing one which I am going to change with my Mums name on it as my memorial to her.
Your Miribilia Lady sounds like it is the ideal project and I look forward to seeing it. Also your CdeC is looking lovely - Take care - Sandra.

Anonymous said...

Regarding your comment on my blog ...

Yes, Bruce does need his own scarf. Maybe next bit of leftover sock yarn will go into making Bruce warm. Thanks for the idea.

Anonymous said...

In response to your sock question:

I do the same number of rows as I have stitches.

So, if my sock is 56 stitches I do 56 rows before the heel. If it's 64 stitches, 64 rows, etc...

This general makes a sock that comes up to just before my calf. That's the length I like best.

Then for the foot I knit until my littlest toe is covered and then start my toe decreases.

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions.

Alison said...

Thank you for visiting my Squirrel blog! It was lovely to read your post. I am so very sorry that you lost your mum earlier this year. Take it easy and look after yourself! Take care, Alison xxx

An Aussie girl who loves to cross stitch