Create and Complete

A few weeks ago I took a sewing class with my co-worker Sarah. There is this wonderful little place called Sew Deluxe. Their tagline is "San Antonio's only alternative sewing lounge." How fantastic is that? They have the machines; you bring your own fabric and thread for a specific class (i.e. project). Sarah and I arrived with our knit fabric and matching thread only knowing we were making a boatneck tunic. In three hours we had a very cute (if I may say so myself) empire waist, cap-sleeve summer dress. The instructor did a great job of going step-by-step and offering variations by skill level. I had never had great success sewing on knit, but this class made it seem easy. [Of course having a professional mess with the tightness of thread to bobbin ratio is always helpful.]

I left the class at about 9:30PM elated and energized. It was so great to create and complete something in one evening. This made me realize just how much I thrive on feeling like I am creating something AND completing it. I love the feeling of job well done, let's move on to something new and different.

I will definitely take another class. What shall be my next project? Only time (and their website) will tell. Sew Deluxe also has some charity events (sewing for a cause) as well as girls' nights out. A hip little spot worth checking out if you are in the area. Let me know, maybe we can sew together!

Two Lovely Ladies

I am incredibly lucky to have such wonderful family. However, when they go I am left bittersweet and sleepless. In the last week and a half two amazing matriarchs in my family died. I just want to share a little snippet about each and then perhaps I will find a deep, dreamless sleep.

Bonnie was 80 and incredibly involved in her West Texas community. As one woman told me after her memorial service, "She ran out of bulletins. It's always good to have more friends than bulletins." In March, Marc and I made the trip to see all my West Texas cousins (and especially her as her time was counted in months, or weeks as it turned out). When I was making our travel plans Bonnie said, "You know it is a really long drive." My reply, "Yup, 5.5 hours, but you're totally worth it."

"Well, I *know* I'm worth it, I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into."

When we arrived we found out she had just had her first day of radiation. She was moving a little slower and definitely sipping her champagne a lot slower, but otherwise still the same wisecracker. Lots of questions and sly comments. A week ago Saturday Bonnie died. She was surrounded by her husband, kids, and grandkids.

My Nena passed this past Saturday. Nena was my grandma in everything but blood. I've been thinking about Nena stories and the one that keeps coming to the front of my mind is that she never learned to drive. Now, that is a feat in any city. However, Nena lived in Houston, TX without car or license. Houston is the capital of sprawl and 10 lane freeways. Even more amazing she didn't take buses and she most definitely did not stay home. She had an impressive network of friends who were constantly checking to see if she needed a ride to the grocery store, picking her up for lunch, taking her out for errands. Decades of living solo and having friends as her main means of transport. I think that is pretty telling of loyalty, stubbornness, and lovability.

I will miss both of them, but the love and joy they added to my life far outweighs the missing.