Thank you and update

I truly appreciate each and every expression of sympathy from you, my readers. It's a difficult time still. We allowed time for out-of-state family members to travel and be here for my father's funeral, so held a one day viewing on 2/16 and a simple graveside service on 2/17. The day of the funeral was bitterly cold. After the funeral, family met at Dad's house. Had it been left to my brother, there would have been no gathering at all. Originally, I'd planned to have the gathering at my home but following my father's passing, I was exhausted emotionally as well as physically and just couldn't pull together enough energy to clean the house for company. That probably sounds strange, but I've had to let so much of my own housekeeping go because of more important matters like caring for and being with my father in his last days. Plus I have tons of paper work and some of his personal effects cluttering up living areas. My brother and his wife were staying in Dad's house once they arrived and having cleared out most of the house on their last visit, there was plenty of space in good order. My SIL assured me it would be no problem but stressed I should keep it simple. I purchased refreshments which they only had to set out. There were only 8 of us who came back to the house, not some big crowd. My brother and, to some extent his wife, were cold to my husband and me. We put it off to Thom taking things hard and wanting to be alone.

Things went downhill from there until on Tuesday when my brother and I went to the attorney to discuss final matters. On the way home, my brother insulted me which was the last straw. I am grieving for my father and my brother has been highly critical of me. I could say a whole lot more about the matter but the total of his behavior, lies, and greed has been disturbing my peace for days now. So I'm going to insert a few quotes here which will pretty much tell you where my thinking is.

To sum up, I am hurt and terribly disappointed in Thom. Dad's house is now in both our names and I suspect that once it is sold and Thom has gotten all he can, I may not hear from him again. This should come as no surprise despite his recent protests and proclamations that he loves me. He has never been good about trying to stay in touch. Once my usefulness is over, I suspect as far as he is concerned so is our relationship.

Now if you've hung in there through all my complaining, I can tell you that I had previously put together enough pieces of one of the color schemes I was exploring for a Valentine's kit that I have now gotten it all together and will be posting it this week. It's called Wine & Roses and is pretty traditional. I'd also wanted to do a kit in lavender and pinks but that will have to come later. Come back tomorrow for the kit.

Hugs,
SherryD

A little future freebie news & tag

Hi everyone, Hope you are doing well. Temps dropped here from near 70's to single digits and as cold front moved in I got bad fibro flare-up (hence the owl pic which was really meant for lupus). Doing better now and finishing up removing and storing all holiday stuff.

The free kit, Ladybug Winter from Wicked Creationz Scraps inspired me to make above tag. Hey, if it's going to be freezing, why not some snow? Of course, easy for me to say since I can stay in. Wanted to let you know that my blog friend, Stacey, and I are collaborating on ideas for some new freebies. I know she will add a fresh perspective and I'm now looking over some swatches she furnished. I think while we're playing with ideas for themes that I'll start by using one of the swatches to make some any occassion papers for you. Here is the swatch I'll be doing that with.

It would be fun if anyone who would like to would make a little something to share using these colors. You could then send us a link to check out and pick up your freebie to go along with the papers. Any takers? I'll add a post to the FB PU freebie group I'm in once I have something up here to offer and see if we can get some participation. What to call it? How does Friendship Jewels sound? More later.