Back in March, I had written a post called "And then there were four".  It was in tribute to one of my brothers that had passed away much too young.  I can't believe I am writing another tribute again so soon and just couldn't bring myself to entitle it " And then there were three".  It just didn't seem right.  But yes, now there are just three of us left.  My sweet and VERY brave sister died yesterday after a 12 year bout with cancer.  She was 47.

High School Graduation - 1982

We had hoped to visit her the week after Thanksgiving but things had moved too progressively.  She went into hospice on Thursday.  Her husband called us Saturday afternoon.  Within an hour, Dear Hubby and I had packed our bags and were on the road to Battle Creek, Michigan . . . a 12 hour drive.  We took turns driving through the night and arrived at hospice at 9:30 yesterday morning.  She died at 11:30.  We had made it in time to hold her hand and to tell her we loved her.

We are still in Battle Creek.  Hard to believe that just a week ago I was in sunny south Florida.  Tomorrow we make the long trek back to South Carolina, Wednesday to North Carolina for a viewing, Thanksgiving at the in-laws and the funeral in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Friday.

I can't believe that I have lost two siblings in one year - two YOUNGER siblings.  

Dave on the left and Cheryl in the middle at her college graduation.

I don't have many pictures of her on the external hard drive that I brought with me.  

She was a very cute little girl.

She is in the middle front with David on the left.  Me in the back row with the WHE (worst haircut ever!)  FiberGuy hadn't been born yet and SeabeeBoy is the one on the right.

The picture below is of Cheryl moving into the college dorm.  For any of you that know me personally, yes, it does look very much like me (maybe 20 years ago).  Although she was 6 years younger, sometimes we were mistaken for twins which really irritated her!

She leaves behind her husband, Dale, who happens to be one of Dear Hubby's best friends from junior and senior high school (that one was hard to explain at their high school reunion!) and two teenagers who are very remarkable people.

Blessings, Cathi

View from my window . . or W. Palm Beach . . . . .

I have been so busy with getting ready for this show that I haven't had much time for blogging.  After a 10 hour drive on Tuesday, I made it safely to southern Florida. I stayed at a cousin's house in Plantation on Tuesday night.  I do have a picture of us but she would KILL me if I put it on here.

Wednesday was spent setting up the booth.  Trying to fit a double booth into a single space is more tiring than  setting up a double booth!  I visited with some other vendors (that I consider friends).  We only see each other at certain shows so in-between schlepping boxes and displays and sweating in this southern sun, we try to visit catch up.  We would go to dinner to do that but we are all too tired.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of the view from my window which is actually a sliding door going out on to the balcony overlooking a courtyard. 

The show runs today (Thursday) through Saturday at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach.  Open 10am to 6pm each day.  I got a quick peek at the quilts that are showing.  Just fabulous!  Maybe I can get some pictures but hopefully I will be too busy!!


Blessings, Cathi