February 19, 2012

A Secret Revealed...

Today, I'll share a secret with you. Some of you know, but perhaps most of you do not, that I write my daily blog posts late at night the day before they appear on my blog. Sometimes, but rarely, I'll write them and schedule them to appear on a certain day, but usually it's just the night before.

I write them as though I'm writing them the day of the post, but now you know. I cheat...except for today.

Today - Sunday - I've spent on the road in my Explorer. I've left Handsome, Tag, hearth and home to go to Wisconsin to be with Mom Grace. She's been quite ill, and those of us who love her are concerned. Out of respect for her privacy, I will not go into detail, but I felt compelled to travel back into cold weather and possibly snow, rather than wait until summer, when we'd planned to go back again.

I left home at 7:30 this morning and drove over 800 miles to Nashville, TN. As I write this (7:42 pm central time - an hour earlier than home), I'm in my pj's with my laptop on my...er...lap...exhausted. It seemed that there was heavy traffic all bloody day for every. single. mile. I drove! The photo above was mostly stopped traffic in Atlanta. (There was an accident about 2 miles ahead.) Grrr!

I got to do the stop and go traffic two more times, but mostly there was just lots of humanity on the road...on a Sunday! What the...? I had expected an easy day of driving and found something quite different.

I'll drive the rest of the way to Wisconsin today, and hope to arrive early enough to get to the hospital for visiting hours. Mom said she wants me to stay at her home, so I'll accept her gracious offer. About 600 miles to go and I'll be with her.

For now, I'm tired, cold and a bit weepy (I know. Just like a little kid.) I already ate a little something hot and will close this note to you with a few notes of thanks...

Thank you, my Quilt shop Coffee friends - Kathy, Nora, Betty, Brenda and Flo (Faye wasn't there yesterday, or I know she would have helped, too!). I saw you on Saturday, a bit completely frazzled because I had things that I needed to finish for the quilt show next week. You took my quilt submissions for the show. You added a sleeve to the one quilt that needed one (because I did it wrong), delivered them to Joan today because I wouldn't be home to do it, and took a huge load off my shoulders. I love all of you and thank you again from the bottom of my heart for caring for me.

Thank you, Farmer's Wife QAL girlfriends for taking care of each other by answering questions and helping solve problems while I am unable to do so.

Thank you, Handsome, for understanding that I had to go - and for supporting my decision to drive. Oh, yes...and for caring for Tag while I'm away. I won't say more. You already know.

Thank you to my own mum and my beautiful sister, Diana for calling me on and off throughout the day to break up the tedium with stories and news.

Thank you to all my friends, near and far, for adding your prayers to mine that Grace will be alright.

I'll close for tonight before I get further "soppy".  I will tell you that I brought those scrappy plates with me so I can continue to stitch centers on the blocks once I settled in in Wisconsin. That way, I'll have some crafty posts while I'm away from home. More tomorrow. I have to turn off my brain and my lights now.
DonnaAcornSignature

21 comments:

  1. Good night, sweet Donna!! Sleep well and drive super careful tomorrow!! And a big hug for Grace when you see her!! Kris

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  2. take care and be safe, dear Donna. I'll keep you in my prayers. xo

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  3. Take care and take care of your friend. Hugs Mary

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  4. Safe travel
    God's blessings be with you.

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  5. Take good care Donna and safe travel ...sending lots of good thoughts and prayers.

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  6. Thinking of you and your Mom Donna. Be safe on the roads.
    Sending good thought and prayers your way.

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  7. Oh Donna , take care. I have prayed for your safe travel, and of course still for Grace. You will be happy to know that we have the mildest winter going on here in Wisconsin that I have ever experienced. And I am 42. No snow til later this week.♥

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  8. Hi Donna, I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. Please be safe because the weather is weird out there. You have snow where you don't really expect it. Be careful and know we are sending our prayers with you. Hugs from Your Missouri Friend.

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  9. Safe travels Deece. I know this is going to be a hard trip.
    Love ya.

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  10. Be safe and Godspeed, dear Donna! You and your mom and family are in my prayers.

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  11. My gosh Donna, Wisconsin is an hour away from me. I wish you well.

    Saw Pat Mesker this weekend. We're expected to "get it together" soon. Need any help let me know. Safe travels.
    Mary Fioretti

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  12. May your travels be safe and your heart be comforted with all of the prayers and well wishes from family and friends. Prayers continue...
    Handsome and Tag will be just fine. Your quilting ladies are friends helping out because they love you. You are surrounded by love and hugs.

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  13. Stay safe...sending wishes for an smooth trip and a good reunion with your mom...hope all is OK with both of you. Hugs Susan

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  14. Hugs Donna. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Safe travels.

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  15. Oh Donna, I hope you had a good sleep and a good drive today. Traffic can certainly make a simple enough drive a terrible headache!
    I wish you all the best for your visit and my thoughts and prayers are with you and Grace - take care and a big hug from Jillayne.

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  16. Safe travels my friend and please take care.

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  17. Safe travels my friend, give your Mum a hug and I will add her to my prayers.

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  18. Dear Donna, I'm thinking of you as you drive home to your mother. Praying for healing and recovery for Grace. Hang in there.

    xo
    Claudia

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  19. Awww, honey...I hate to think of you sitting all alone in a motel room, by yourself.

    I sure hope today's driving is easier for you. It just started SNOWING here a few minutes ago, so PLEASE be careful?

    You're always welcome to stop in Ohio & stay here if the weather becomes an issue.

    ~~Safe Travel Mercies~~
    Hugs,
    Rett

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  20. Dee, I am just getting caught up, reading all the posts I missed....travel safe and I'm saying my prayers that everything is good...I am going to scroll up and read the news, you have such a huge heart and such love for Mom Grace to travel so far!
    Love you and miss you,
    Mags
    xxxx

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna