W.I.P. Wednesday - Putting The Pedal To The Metal

You know how I don't make lists?  Yeh well, as Dr Phil would say - "How's that working for you?"  Lately - not very well.  SO - I made a list!  All the commitments I have made for showcases and blog hops and life in general had to come out in to the open and be revealed.  And once they were, I prioritised and literally put my pedal to the metal!

Some of the things on my list are as follows:

* Kate Spain Aussie Charm Swap - organised and I have managed to fill all 56 spots!  All the lovely peeps who have signed up have been extremely organised and are getting along fabulously.

* Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap - I have received my recipient with relevant information.  I've spent some time stalking their social media and have a semi-plan in place for what I will be making.

* Perfectly Pretty Picnic Showcase - Ummmm, haven't decided nor started.  I have three weeks to sort that out.

* I See Red Showcase - I think I may just put the Vintage Modern quilt in to that one.  Is it red enough?  That is the question.  Must follow that one up.

* Pink, Pearl & Gold Showcase - I have the fabric.  I have a semi-plan.  I haven't started.

* Collaborate For A Cause - I have the fabric.  I have a semi-plan.  I haven't started.

(Seeing a pattern here??)

And lastly:

* Modern Medallion Quilt Along - Well, I think you can say I'm on the ball with this one!

Oh.  Em.  Gee.  I got the medallion and first border sorted yesterday - after a little swearing and a two hour lunch break, the curves all came together beautifully.  Then today, I got my geese on.  80 wonky geese - tick.

As I mentioned the other day, Crystal over at Two Little Aussie Birds is releasing this beautiful pattern and running a fab quilt along for everyone!  Beginning first week of June.  So keep your eyes peeled for all the details.  I will be hosting one of the weeks, so needed to get myself moving to be organised.  Tick.

So, that's my list.  Let's see how far I get with it!  And just because we all love pretty pictures, I took this today in the midst of my geese-athon.  Flying geese - literally.

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced - You can too!

And Little White Dove

I need Dr Phil - Part Two

Last week I sort of went somewhere I didn't really plan on going.....but now that I have, I guess I have to continue...

Addiction, in my opinion, is genetic.  It doesn't have to be the same kind of addiction, for instance - just because I'm addicted to buying fabric - it doesn't mean my children will be addicted to fabric!  But I really think that if there is a long line of family members, through the generations, whom have struggled with an addiction, then you are going to be more likely to struggle with one too?  I could be wrong - but as I said - my opinion.

I didn't know my paternal grandparents, so I can't say that I know if they battled any kind of addiction.  I do know that my paternal grandmother was a kind and generous woman, whom my own Mother loved dearly.  My grandfather apparently was a different story.  Don't get me wrong - I think he may have been a nice enough man, but not someone who would make you all warm and fuzzy?  And the couple of stories I have heard about him from my Mum (I don't think I've ever heard my Dad speak of him?), do not make for a glowing report.  But you know when you just get that feeling?  The feeling that things just weren't "right"?  That's the feeling I get.

The line of addiction has unfortunately filtered down to my generation.  I may joke about my addiction to buying fabrics, but the other kinds in our family are not really a laughing matter.  This is why I was so upset the other week whilst watching Dr Phil.  It's like watching your own family, your own story.  A wide-screen HD view of your life.  And at times, I feel helpless.  Both of my siblings (whom I love dearly and do not want to tarnish their reputations) have battled on and off with varying addictions over the years.  And I have generally sat back and watched them flush their sanity down the toilet.

A couple of months ago, I was on the phone to my sister.  We got to talking about some of her struggles, and I was rather candid.  If I was given just one wish, from anyone - genie or not - it would be that my beautiful, artistic, whimsical and vivacious sister, could be given the opportunity (and take it) to get some really spot on help to battle her struggles and overcome them.  My wish is for her three beautiful daughters to see the amazing woman that she can be.  The woman who was so care-free, and so happy.  Instead, my nieces only know the battle-weary woman.  The one who sits and drinks coffee all day and does not enter the public arena.  She is a mere shadow of herself.  Unfortunately it is not only addictions she has battled, but mental illness also.

The phone conversation was wonderful.  We both cried.  Lots.  But I was wanting to convey to her that these beautiful, amazing children of hers deserved to know their Mother.  And she deserved to be known by them.  And if I had to ring Dr Phil for an intervention - by God - I would!

Although the threat of Dr Phil was almost laughable, it got the wheels turning.  And I'm hoping (and praying) that in the very near future - the help that is needed will be available and taken.

What about my brother?  Well, that really is another story.  One for yet another day.

I need Dr Phil - Part one....

**  I started writing this post two weeks ago....but it was all too hard, so I'm trying again today....

c/o sodahead.com

Not for me....well, I guess it is in a round about way for me.  I was watching yet another amazing Intervention on Dr Phil today, and I stood there crying and feeling the torture this poor family was going through, watching their family member literally killing themselves in front of their own eyes.  And there was nothing they could do about it.  Enter: Dr Phil.

Addiction is a nasty, evil and soul-killing thing.  It drains people, drains the people around them.  And unfortunately, too many members of my family have been afflicted with this evil, and I'm just about at my wit's end...

It all started with my Dad (well, I'm guessing his Dad, or his Dad's Dad, or someone prior to my Dad started it all?), who discovered the "joys" of gambling many many years ago.  Gambling pretty much ruined his life, not to mention his family's lives, which I guess in turn, means mine?  I don't see my life that way, i.e. ruined, but it was certainly altered.

Gambling led my family from a humungous house on the Gold Coast, a successful family plumbing business and what I would have considered, a pretty regular and happy family life, to smaller homes and businesses and a fairly dysfunctional family life.  Until we eventually had to sell everything and rent a house from a family friend.  The inevitable happened, and my parents divorced and we then lived in a caravan park for a couple of years.  This all happened in a matter of approximately seven years.  So it was a pretty swift fall from grace.  Some relief came in the form of my Step Dad and his job offer in Melbourne, so off we went.  But the damage had already been done, and I did not see or hear from my Father for the following 13 years.  I am however, pleased to say, he re-entered my life eight years ago, and we have a pretty good relationship.  I accept that he had/has a disease, and he is now a reasonably elderly man - so bygones are now bygones.

To say I have "issues" with and around gambling, would be a huge understatement!  I made it perfectly clear to my darling husband not long after we met, that the one thing that would be a deal-breaker, was gambling.  He and I now have an agreement that he is "allowed" (typing that sounds SO wrong) to gamble Melbourne Cup Day.  And it's a bit of family entertainment - the kids pick horses and put a dollar on them.  Win, win.

Needless to say - this first addiction was the first of many to emerge in my family, and I believe was the catalyst to all that would eventuate.....