DRUNK DRIVING

In less than 8 weeks, my church family has been involved in two severe drunk driving incidents. On August 1, John Carr was struck and killed by a drunk driver during the cycling portion of a triathlon. Seven weeks and a day later, Angie Tedder was hit head on by a drunk driver. The driver has died, but Angie is in the hospital. The news is reporting her condition as critical. She's suffered multiple broken bones, including compound fractures of the knees and elbows, both femurs, her pelvis, and other injuries. It's been less than 36 hours since the accident and she's already had 2 surgeries.

Why?? Why do people think it's okay to drink and drive? Why do they think they can just do as they please? Sin is sin. There will ALWAYS be consequences. In the last 8 weeks, 4 children lost their daddy, 2 of them just in elementary school. A wife lost her husband. A husband has to see his wife severely hurt. A family is hurting because their loved one choose to drink and drive and has now died. Is it worth it? All the pain and suffering and heartache you cause? Is ALCOHOL really worth it?

~QB29

Pray for Angie Tedder

If you could pray for Angie Tedder today I would appreciate it. She is a lady from my church. Last night, while she was heading home after the evening service, another vehicle crossed the center line and hit her head-on. Two other vehicles were also involved in the accident, sending Angie, the driver, and two others to the hospital. Her husband was in the vehicle behind her, but was not involved in the accident.

Here is the latest update: Please keep praying for Angie Tedder - broken pelvis, femur, ankle, shattered kneecap, broken arm, many other injuries including cuts and bruises. She had surgery last night, but I'm not sure why. The news media is reporting her condition as "serious". Our local NBC affiliate has listed her condition as critical as of late this morning.

The news is also reporting that the driver of the vehicle that caused the accident by crossing the center line was taken to the hospital in critical condition. His name is Kenneth Carter. Pray for him/his family also. The police are saying that alcohol was involved :-(. He has since died.

There is no word on the two others that were sent to the hospital, so I'm assuming their injuries were minor.

~QB29

riding the rails 9 patch quilt

~QB29

9-11

I will never forget. For my generation, 8 years ago today was our Pearl Harbor, our Nov. 22, 1963. It is a day that was engraved on my brain.

Eight years ago today I was a carefree college junior. Fall semester had started the previous week, but I was home still, packing for my study abroad. I was to leave on the 13th for 3 months in Mexico to further my Spanish studies.

I had worked the night before, the 5pm to 1am shift, at Kroger's, as I had done all summer long. I had only three things planned for that day. I had a haircut scheduled, my last night of work, and a quick trip to my mom's school to visit her classroom. I slept in a little, knowing it would probably be my last chance to do so for awhile. After waking, I made a bowl of cereal and sat down in the family room to watch TV while I ate.

The show "Live with Regis and Kelly" was what came on when I turned on the TV. I saw an image of the Twin Towers, one of them on fire. At first I wondered, "what new movie are they discussing?" After several seconds I realized that the scene was too eerily for a movie. It was too quiet. The screen shot was still. There was no panning like there would be in a movie. I began to pay attention to the TV. Suddenly the second plane hit the towers, and that's when I realized this was live, it was real, it wasn't a promo for an upcoming movie. I hurriedly finished my breakfast and got dressed. By then I had some semblance of knowledge of what was occurring.

I left for my mom's school. She needed the digital camera and had left it at home, so I was taking it to her. As I drove, I listened to the radio. I don't remember which station. It didn't matter. They all had it on. As I drove, one of the towers collapsed. I cried the rest of the way there.

At her school, I signed in at the office, where the staff was gathered around a radio or little TV. I went upstairs to my mom's room, tears streaking me face, wheezing. When I got up there, she became all worried about me. I had just gotten over a case of pneumonia, had asthma, and was getting ready to leave the country. She thought I was sick again, too sick to go on my trip. I tried getting out to her that we had been attacked, but finally managed to say, "You'd be having trouble breathing too if you cried all the way here and then ran up to the third floor." At that, she dragged me out to the hallway, and I was able to tell her we'd been attacked. At first she didn't believe me, but then realized that I had to be telling the truth. She got the TV on her floor and turned it on for her students.

It was a long and sad day. I remember still getting my haircut. Both the stylist and I watched TV the entire time. I worked that night. It was even worse than working Thanksgiving or Christmas. Everyone came in, preparing for the worst. No one knew what tomorrow would bring, and all were stocking up just in case. There were even rumors that the gas supply would be cut off and/or gas would be over $5.00 in the morning.

At some point I received word that my trip was postponed. They were able to reschedule us for 6 days later. Getting on the plane and flying didn't terrify me a bit. Being out of the country when a war started was my fear, but I went anyway.

Life changed for me that morning. I can't put it into words, but my life changed. In an instant I was different. I was still me, but my understanding was different. My view of life was different. I grew up.

I am proud to be an American. I am proud to support my country. I am proud to support those who defend me, who fight for me, who protect me.

To quote Lee Greenwood's song, "God Bless the USA"

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

~QB29

Coming Soon to a mail box probably not near you...

Here are my BOM blocks. I was behind and am late getting the August block in. It is the oriental xquisite block. The September block is the churn dash. The floral Jacob's Ladder are the "thank you" blocks we send to the organizers of the swap.


I'm not too sure how much sewing I'll get in this weekend. I'm suppose to be babysitting Bubby and Bubba starting this afternoon, but my sister called and said both are home sick from daycare. So, one of the benefits of being an Aunt is being able to say, "No, not coming, they need their momma!" We'll see if my mom and I can get them tomorrow for the rest of the long weekend. School work's also picking up and my first homeworks are due next week, so I do need to dedicate some time to them. If I sew any, hopefully I'll get to post.

Have a great weekend!
~QB29

FQ Giveaway

My friend Linda is having a series of giveaways. Last week she gave away a UC bag & fabric. This week it's 7 FQ. Check it out!

~QB29

Pay It Forward

A while back, Jill had a Pay-It-Forward on her blog. I was one of the lucky winners!. She gave me my wallet over the weekend. Now, I have to Pay it Forward. I will make a gift for the first 3 bloggers who leave me a comment on this blog and wish to participate. Once you receive my gift, you need to make the same promise on your blog and get 3 bloggers to send a homemade gift to. You do have to have a blog to participate. It’s a nice way to spread the love!

~QB29