Mourning, A Birthday, Anniversary, and Blogging Anniversary

I will admit I have been in an uber funk for the past few weeks.  I am sure we all have times in our lives that life feels like it has gotten  so out of hand, that it takes lots of prayers to just slog through the day---one foot in front of the other.  I won't blame it on the weather, but that has not helped either.  Sorry if this post starts kind of whiney, complaining but it does get better if you keep reading!

I posted that DH grandmother passed away around the end of January here.  That was tough, but a couple of days later we found out some really disturbing news about the grandsons which knocked me off my feet.  I just want to thank those of you I asked for lots of prayers they have helped immensely. 

January 26 DH and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary and lets just say we didn't feel a whole lot like celebrating.  My 2nd blog anniversary came (I was considering doing a giveaway)-- and went, as well as Valentine's Day.  We were told that the grandson's great grandfather on his father's side passed away, he was a sweet old man who helped care for the boys when they were babies, and a few days later the boy's great uncle joined his father.

My birthday was on Thursday,  February 26.  Thursday morning the tears started rolling and they just would not stop.  Mourning for those which we just so recently lost, some that chose to leave, and the loss of innocence.  I decided that I was mourning so many things all at once and I  just wanted a break.  Yep that attitude lasted for about 2 hours and I thought OMG it could be so much worse.  Get up, do a little housework, thank the Lord for all the good things and move on!   I folded laundry, did the dishes, put a bit of makeup on and I felt a ton better.  While doing the dishes--

I thought about a sermon I heard years ago about a woman and child that  saw a tornado heading their way while they were out in the fields.  Their house was torn apart before their eyes, everything was gone the woman thought, their protection.  The woman took the child and they were laying in a ditch waiting for the storm to pass over them, and a cellar door fell across the ditch over them.  The mother clung to the handle of the door with all of her might, waiting out the storm, in a ditch, under and old cellar door.  When the storm was over and the mother was crying about all they had lost child said, "Mommy it will all be alright, just think about all the people who did not have the cellar door!"  The way I always think about it is that there are always people around who have it so much more difficult than my measly little problems. 

OK again sorry for the pity party...had to go there so I could get here!

I saw this bundle on a blog the other day and loved the texty low volume bundle.

The bundle was from Stash Fabrics.    They have some great modern fabrics to add to your stash and as of this morning they were having a year end clearance sale with up to 75% off. 

Now if you order fabric online there are some sites that you either register or check out as a guest.  While a lot of people do not want to register (including me), for a few I do.  What is great about it is that you get some special sales opportunities, and Birthday discounts!  Come on 10-25% off, some with one item, some with whole orders! 

Shabby Fabrics had this lovely fabric from Lecien called Durham one was from the Quilt Revival line, and the other was from the 2014 line.  I saw the red stripe and decided I wanted to do the snapshot quilt but use that fabric so I purchased some.  I also love it when they send you a little gift with purchase.  Isn't that black floral gorgeous?

I also saw this bundle called crazy for red which was by Minick and Simpson for Moda fabrics.  Sixteen fat quarters was just too good to pass up.  

Now I would not recommend retail therapy to remedy the funk, but I will say that seeing the beautiful fabrics made me smile, and the prices were fabulous! 

I also ordered an azalea which will actually grow in our zone from Wayside Gardens.  I also have 2-3 more coupons for my birthday which I have to use if I want by the end of March.

Did you make it this far? 

Anyway to celebrate my highs, lows, Blog anniversary, and birthday and just because-- I would like to have a small give away.

1.  Leave a comment make sure that I have a way to reach you with an e-mail address on this post..
2.  For a 2nd entry be a follower and leave a comment on how you follow on this post. 

That gives you an opportunity for 2 entries.   To anyone throughout the world!

This giveaway is open from February 28, 2015 to Midnight, March 6, 2015 and I will choose a winner randomly using my great scientific method.  Can't tell yet, it is a secret.

Oh what will you win?  

A $25.00 gift certificate to The Fat Quarter Shop. 

Thanks for sticking by me through this post which is light on pictures and heavy on drama. 

*I have no affiliation to any shops mentioned in this post other than they are just a couple of my favorite.