Dear Secret Santa,

SSCS 09
Dear Secret Santa,
Where do I start in thanking you for the wonderful parcel I received from you? I feel so spoilt. Every part of it was just lovely. I opened the decorations as soon as I received it and they looked beautiful on my tree which was decorated in red and white this year. The angel took pride of place on the top. I got just a little teary opening the little bag of marzipan. It was something we had on our table every Christmas Eve, sent over from Norway from my father's family. Since he passed away it is something we haven't had. Thank you. The two parcels took pride of place under my tree and I opened them with such anticipation. The first one had the beautiful serviettes and the Tilda stickers. I would of been happy with just those but no there was more..... I could not believe my eyes when not only was there a bag but inside 2 purses to match!! You have put so much work into making them for me and I am looking forward to using them. You chose to remain my Secret Santa but I would love to thank you personally. Please leave me a comment if you read this before Elf Chookyblue is able to give me your email address.
Thank you
xxxxxxxxx

Tell her I sent you.....

Sssh Missie Krissie is having a Christmas giveaway! From Sunday through until Christmas Day she is giving away a piece of handcrafted jewellery each day. I have fallen in love with it especially the 'flower ring' that is the Christmas Day present. I cannot recommend Kris and her creations enough. Not only is she lovely with the cutest boys but her service is exceptional and her work amazing. I am lucky enough to have one of her Jewellery Trees under the Christmas tree, wouldn't it be nice to have something new to put on it!!! Hop on over to http://missiekrissie.blogspot.com/ and have a look! (sorry the link isn't working for some insane reason!!)

Silly Season - Day 11

Actually achieved a little Christmas shopping today so that has made me a little calmer and soothed that 'out of control' feeling just a little!! Tonight I have ordered the last of my sister's family gifts online, so much easier when they are in the UK. To SH's dismay I still had 1 parcel to post to them this year which was slightly !!! expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had an appointment at the hairdressers this morning so after a cut and color am feeling as if I can do anything, really is good for the soul even if only for the fact you have to sit still for an hour and do nothing!
Another parcel in the post today which was ordered a few weeks ago and Peg from Happy In Quilting is to blame. When she showed the colored Osnaberg I just had to have some. I am so pleased with what arrived today, perhaps the only color I am disappointed with is the pale pink which isn't very pale at all. Sure it will find a use though! I purchased this from Freckleberry Farm. Have to admit 3 of these pieces are for Mum so not all mine!

Silly Season - Day 10 (and still a day behind!!)

Hurray no work today and the first day of the school holidays!! After a busy week of school carol services and exam results it is lovely to have no routine to stick to - for the kids anyway. I know that by the middle of January I will be looking forward to it again but for now I will enjoy not having to wash uniforms and make lunches....

Silly Season - Day 9

While we on our holiday in the USA (which I am still to share with you all!!!) we spent a day with an old friend of Mum's and her husband. For dinner they served us up a beautiful dish of 'ribs' which HS fell in love with and all of us enjoyed. Sjane very kindly posted me the recipe but it called for 'liquid smoke', something not readily available here in Australia and especially where we live. We managed to find a company in Melbourne that sells US food products so placed an order which arrived in super quick time. We also ordered the molasses needed for the recipe, a red velvet cakemix and some poptarts - just because!!! Ribs are now on the menu this weekend!!

Silly Season - Day 8

This week we have welcomed 'Henry' to the family! The new love for 'the horsey one'. She has been very unlucky with her last 2 horses just not turning out to be suitable for one reason or another so after a term without a horse (to concentrate on her schoolwork!!) we have found Henry. We have him on trial for the summer holidays and if he works out we will buy him. Up until now we have been able to free lease her horses but it is time for her very own. Fingers crossed he will be everything she wants with no major character flaws. So far he is very sweet natured.

(yes I know I am a day behind - story of my life!!!)

Silly Season - Day 7

This was an exciting parcel to receive but not exactly just for me!!!! A parcel of the new colors from "Country Garden Threads" that are hand dyed here in Australia by Pam, a very lovely lady. They are so nice to use and the colors are just amazing. My favorite (although it is very hard to have favorites) at the moment is 'Kookaburra'. These are actually for www.orangedaisy.com.au where they are available to purchase by the individual skein or in color families. Not all of the new colors are listed yet but they have arrived!!!!

Silly Season - Day 6

Very tired tonight so not much to say just showing you my latest purchases!!! with the assistance of Peter!!!
The 'Happy Villages' book from Amazon. I've wanted this for ages and with the exchange rate good thought now was the time.
Two patterns I ordered at the AQM from 'My Favorite Things', some very cute reindeer and a Christmas quilt with a painted panel, just a little different.
Also ordered at the AQM, a gorgeous book 'Not quite white', a book of Patchwork Home Decor from Julie McKenzie of Material Possessions. I also got another 2 of her patterns, Oriental Girls cushions and a very clever 'Stitchers on the go' bag.
I always love the patterns from Hatched and Patched. Mum has had the Christmas book for a while but I wanted my own copy. Of course I couldn't stop at one thing!! I also picked up two patterns for table runners.
My Moda sampler box from the Fat Quarter Shop, they gave me a $5.00 voucher so I had to spend it!! Can't wait to start playing with it.

Think I am going to be very busy in 2010!!!!

Silly Season - Day 5

Well this is what I am heading off to the Boarding house with this morning. Bribery and corruption is worth a try if it means peace and quiet with so many tired girls, fresh from finishing exams and looking forward to heading home to their families on Thursday. These are little 'chocolate plum puds' which are super super easy!! The base is a Chocolate Royal biscuit (a biscuit base,chocolate coated marshmallow biscuit) with melted white chocolate drizzled on the top and then I used an icing pen to put the holly and ivy on top. In the past I have cut up red and green cherries (very sticky and fiddly) and last year I managed to get some 'sprinkles' in the shape of ivy leaves and holly berries, again quite fiddly but a great result. These are not the best I've ever made (oh thats a loose term, not a whole lot of making required!!)but as they are going to forever starving boarders I wasn't too upset. I will also take a pile of dvds in the hope there is something there that interests them and keeps them occupied tonight!!

Just realised this is a terrible photo - sorry!

Silly Season - Day 4

My SSCS parcel arrived safe and sound today all the way from Norway which makes me very happy. Most people may not know that I am actually half Norwegian . Dad was from Norway and came to Australia in the 60's so it is a country close to my heart even though I haven't spent a lot of time there. I opened my decoration while still being able to keep my Santa's identity secret. Look at it , 2 beautiful felted hearts and an angel, even better in the colors I've decided to have as my Christmas theme this year. I plan to decorate on Sunday (better late than never) so look forward to putting them up then.
I'm on duty in the boarding house tomorrow so plan on making a Christmas treat for them. Photos in the morning if a/ they work okay and b/ I actually find the time to do them!!!

Silly Season - Day 3

Saturday was one of the local agricultural shows. It is where we have our home ground for our Pony Club so we run the Pony Club ring in the horse events and try and support it and keep it going. Compared to the past it is such a small little show but so quaint and has a personality all of its own. The horse events are still very well attended and apart from a fleece competition the next biggest thing is the 'Dog Competitions'!!!!! For the 2nd year we took Jimmy ( I was very reluctant but 'the horsey one' convinced me she could control him!! ). He came home with 3 ribbons, a 1st for The Best Large Pet Dog, a 1st for The Longest Ears, and for the 2nd year in a row a 2nd ribbon for the Most Obedient Dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No he wasn't the only one in that class and maybe just maybe the human food (including cheese) that 'the horsey one' was feeding him kept him still. His father is very proud of his puppy!!! but I am still not convinced!!!

This evening I have made some decisions which I feel better for doing but feel so guilty. I have to learn to slow down and learn to say NO occasionally if I am going to struggle for time. I have a tendency to try and please everyone else and don't always look after myself. Life is busy but I have been putting ridiculous pressures on myself to do everything. I am hoping the person I am letting down this weekend understands.

Silly Season Day 2

I had a list of parcels I was expecting in the mail, what with Christmas shopping I'd done online (I love it!)and parcels from my purchases at the AQM but when I arrived home from work the other day there was a parcel waiting on my doorstep that I didn't recognise. When I opened it , what a surprise! A blogging friend had purchased this little Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine and I commented on how many memories it brought back from my childhood.( I loved Holly Hobbie and had lots of Holly Hobbie things which unfortunately are all gone, along with my ABBA socks, pillowcase etc, sorry I digress!!!) She sent me the machine to have a special place in my home. Thank you so much, it will be treasured. The blogging 'friends' I have met are the most generous and thoughtful people, I really feel very blessed.

Silly Season Day 1

Well the 1st of December so the silly season has officially begun!!! This is when I begin to panic. Up until now I can kid myself that it doesn't matter that I'm not organised! One thing was ticked off the list last week when my SSCS parcel hit the post office. Can't wait to see if my partner likes it and to see where the one I receive comes from.
Look at the great mail that arrived yesterday, anyone would think I had all the time in the world to just sit around and read!!!!
Just realised I could do a whole weeks posts on the mail I have received in the last week (lots of it quilty!) , mmmm not a bad idea, stay tuned!

A very expensive weekend!!

Well I was up nice and early on Saturday for Mum's and my big weekend in Melbourne and on the road to pick up Mum on time!!! Major achievement for me!! Unfortunately the trip went a little pear shaped when I hit a 'hare'! I had no choice , it ran out at me and I had no opportunity to slow down or swerve. I am surprised at how much damage it caused. I am insured but there is still an excess to pay and the inconvenience of getting the work done. I was able to continue to Mum's but we decided to play it safe and take her little car instead, not a major problem but it was very hot and each time we put the air con on the little green machine began to chug!!! For some reason it also didn't like climbing hills or going over a very large bridge!!! Think it is some years since it had travelled this far from home!!
We had a lovely day at the AQM. It was a real novelty not working at a stand this year and amazing just how much more you saw. Mum and I were filled with inspiration by the time we left late in the afternoon. We managed to put in a few orders for patterns which I will show as they arrive and we did do some damage at the Moda fabric stand. We fell in love with the 'Rural Jardin' range and bought the charm squares, jelly rolls and layer cakes of this. I also bought a fat quarter set of 'Simple abundance'. I can't wait to play with these fabrics. I also picked up some fat quarter packs of 'Suzani' (not Moda but I am sorry I have had a mental blank and can't remember the brand). I also received a free Quilter's Diary which has been earmarked for all my projects and swap details etc next year!!
Mum and I headed to Lygon St for dinner where we enjoyed a yummy Italian meal. We didn't break tradition and walked off our dinner by visiting the Borders bookshop and browsing. Yes I did manage to buy a few books but only a few. We finished off the evening with dessert and coffee at San Churro (spanish donuts served with pots of melted spanish chocolate).
Before heading home Sunday we experienced a first, a visit to the new Costco!!! For all my American friends this may not sound exciting but it is the first one in Victoria and unlike anything else we have. It was SO much fun!!! They really do sell everything. We managed to fill a trolley and I think save the amount we paid to become a member. I managed to also get some Christmas shopping done so a great achievement.
We have a special Birthday celebration on Sunday, can anyone point me in the direction of a great 'Red Velvet' cake recipe?????

An uncoordinated first!!!!

Well tonight I played my first cricket game!! The horsey one plays women's cricket each Friday night and unfortunately some of her team mates have a lot to learn about commitment!! The only way they were able to play tonight was with another Mum and I taking to the field. I batted and am proud to say I didn't get out , okay I will confess I only faced 3 balls and I am so sure I was going to hit it but for some insane reason the bat and ball didn't connect!!! I then bowled , underarm and one bowl was so so bad that in trying to slog it the girl swung around and hit her own wicket.I was happy to take the glory!!!!!
I am quite excited tonight, got an early morning planned as Mum and I head to Melbourne to the Australian Quilt Market trade show. I wonder who and what I will see there????

Beautiful work! and confusing blog!!

A few weeks ago Mum's embroidery guild held the exhibition they have every 2 years. I really wasn't sure I would make it and each time I tried I got called into work but on the Sunday morning I jumped in the car and just went. Mum was so surprised, she didn't expect to see me! There was the most amazing work on display. If blogger was behaving I would pop a note next to each piece but I can't!!! The first photo is of the Gum San chinese heritage centre where the exhibition was held in the Great Hall. It was the perfect place, lots of room and light and so welcoming. The next few photos are of some quilts made by members of the patchwork group. The embroidered fairy pillow is a Brenda Ryan design and available through www.orangedaisy.com.au !(may as well put a plug in!!) The next 2 photos are Robyn Allen-waters designs (and also available through Orange Daisy) made into lids for wooden boxes. The next bag is much smaller than it appears. It would only be about 5" wide and exquisite and perfect piecing. This was something I loved. The next quilt was something I hadn't seen before, it was a chenille and very effective the way they had done it and of course I am rather fond of cats!!! I loved this Santa that had been made. It's coat was all embroidered and he was very regal. This jacket was my absolute favorite thing, it was pieced and embroidered and I can just imagine it being worn with both an evening skirt or with jeans. I am trying to convince Mum that if I ever lose the weight I'd like to that it would be the motherly thing to create a similar jacket for me!!! One of Mum's friends Elsie does beautiful work and created this picture book for one of her grandchildren. All of the illustrations are embroidered and the amount of satin stitch is amazing ( my least favorite embroidery stitch!!). It will be a treasure to be passed down through the generations. The last 2 photos are some of Mum's work, her Noahs Ark quilt made from Lynette Andersons free BOM and a little pincushion set which now resides at my house!!It was a lovely and inspiring exhibition.
Now to the confusing blog comment in the title, give me strength! but blogger is playing up so much for me at the moment!! I had someone tell me early this week I was coming up as 'no reply'- I think I've fixed that now , and now tonight the photos didn't load as they are normally do so I hope this publishes okay!!!! Technology and I are only friends when it is working!

Running out of time!!!

Well I have a choice today - stitch or post!!!! and I'm afraid I am going to finish my stitching. I am starting to get panicky about getting my SSCS finished on time. I did survive my shift last night but I am not functioning on all cylinders today, I need more sleep than I got last night. There were no major problems but plenty of minor ones, lots of tlc to be dished out!! and yes I did need my chocolate, thank goodness I had prepared!

I have just realised that not all comments are coming through to my emails??? Does anyone have any suggestions as to why or how to fix it??? I generally don't go back to my posts to read the comments so I apologise if you have commented recently and I haven't replied.

Off to work!

For many reasons the planned post for yesterday just didn't happen and the planned one for today won't either. Couldn't not post at all though so thought I would drop in and say Hi before I head off to work! My kids go to a private school which has both boarding and day students. I work in the girls boarding house every 2nd weekend doing a 24 hour shift from 9am Sat till 9am Sun. I generally enjoy it but must admit find the evenings and nights hard and am hoping to only do the day shift next year. For whatever reason very few girls have gone home this weekend so I have about 40 teenage girls (some in the middle of exams) to look after. It is to be a beautiful day which is when I turn off the tv and 'encourage' them to get some fresh air - exactly what I would do with my own kids!!!! I have packed 'everything but the kitchen sink' to take - a basket of ironing, my knitting, stitching and a huge bag of magazines and newspapers. I've also snuck in some chocolate in case I'm driven to needing it!!! As the time for posting SSCS is rushing towards me I am hoping to achieve quite a lot of stitching! Wish me luck! At home SH is off to tennis, HS baseball and the horsey one is at a horse show.......never a dull moment.

My favorite mug!

I think this speaks for itself!!!

Memories!

Did anyone else watch the show 6.30pm on channel 10 on Sunday night 'Electric Dreams'????? Gosh it brought back memories. Its a new series where a British family is taken back to 1970 and over a period of 6 weeks are fast-forwarded through the ensuing 3 decades and its respective technological advances ( I took this from the tv guide - no way I could explain it so simply!!!) On Sunday they made their way through the 70's and I have to admit there were many laughs and cringes from SH and I (particularly some of the wallpaper - it looked awfully familiar) as we were transported back to our youth. Next week is the 80's - when I was a teenager - so I can't wait! Don't think the kids could quite believe what they were seeing and HS is keen to get Grandpa to bring up his slides for a slideshow at Christmas!

Was also happy last night as 'Private Practice' made a return, a show I really enjoy.

Doesn't time fly???

We celebrated another Birthday yesterday when HS turned 18. I don't quite know where the time has gone , seems like only yesterday he was born! He has grown into a wonderful young man with a wicked sense of humor. As there was no school today due to the Melbourne Cup race meet he had a group of friends over for dinner and to stay the night. It was very loud!!!!! and the amount of food and soft drink they consumed was amazing. 18 brings with it a lot of new responsibilities. He is now legally allowed to drink, vote and drive. It will still be a few weeks until he is ready to get his licence (after exams!!) Not sure that I feel old enough or ready to have an 18 year old!

A bouquet with a difference!

I celebrated my Birthday yesterday. ( I truly believe we should always celebrate Birthdays, each one we have is a gift, not everyone is so lucky) Imagine my anticipation when a large parcel arrived in the mail from a very special friend and her family. Inside was this 'cookie bouquet'! What a wonderful present and SO yummy!!! I'm rationing myself to a flower a day! The other thing I love about it is that it is a 'disposable' present. I once read an article that suggested unless it was a special gift that 'disposable' presents were best , candles, soaps etc, things that could be used and enjoyed but that wouldn't need a permanent home found for them. This made such a lot of sense that I try to remember it when possible.

BOO!!! hoo!

Halloween isn't generally celebrated here in Australia although it is starting to creep in a little. I love it! Any excuse for fun and candy!! While in the States I bought fabric to make a Halloween quilt ready for next year. I prepared last night after being caught by trick'n'treaters last year. I had a pumpkin bucket full of candy near the door. Did we have a single visitor? No, not a one!!! HS and his friends have assured me they are more than happy to help me out!!

Spring has finally arrived or has it????

As you have all probably worked out I am 'time poor' at the moment and struggling for some 'me' time to do the things I love - blog, read blogs and craft among the most important! I took this photo a week ago of a beautiful bunch of lavender SH brought in from our garden which put a real smile on my face. It and the warmer weather with the sun actually out was good for the soul and assured me that yes Spring had finally decided to arrive!!! Roll on a week and it has been lovely weather if not in fact a bit too warm for some (I'm not complaining , I found winter cold, wet and grey this year).

The 'horsey' one plays women's cricket on a Friday night so off we went yesterday afternoon, set up the chairs in the shade, the girls tucked into the refreshing watermelon, got the game started and it began to hail. No rain just hail the size of peas which got bigger and bigger until without exaggeration they were the size of large grapes (I'd love to say they were golf ball size but they weren't!!). They intensified and continued for about 15 /20 minutes. The oval we were on was on the bottom of a hill and they were rolling down at us and also hitting us and hurting as they landed. The thunder and lightning began then so the executive decision was made to call the game off. It also began to rain heavily so by the time we got home we needed a change of dry clothes. It was such a bizarre storm !

I've got mail!!!

While wading through the huge pile of mail that had come for us while we were away I was very excited to find a parcel for me and even more excited when I realised it was from the 'Washcloth swap # 2' that I signed up for with Jodie on http://jellywares.blogspot.com/ .It was a lovely very achievable swap (very important when time is precious!!) a handmade washcloth and a packet of seeds for our spring gardens. I received a beautiful parcel from Carol at http://thepatchcraft.blogspot.com/ .It was wrapped in fabric (what a great idea and one I may use myself) with a gorgeous tie of little pink pom poms, inside was 2 washcloths - a pink one with a butterfly design (that I have used myself for others - I am so happy to have one of my own!!) and a blue one with a star design, there was also 2 packets of seeds which I am going to enjoy, I have just the right spot to put them, some Impatiens and some Gypsophila. Thank you so much Carol , it is perfect.

My apologies for not blogging about it straight away but it has taken me this long to work out how to get photos from my new camera to the computer, slow I know , think the grey matter is still on holidays!!!

Back to the real world with a thud!!!

Where has the last week gone? This time last week we were still in Santa Monica enjoying our last day, breakfast, lunch and drinks on the hotel's veranda overlooking the beach! Now we are home and have hit the ground running. The 'horsey' one didn't have much time to acclimatise before heading off to camp on Friday for 8 days. It is a proper camp, they sleep in bivies / under tarps, cook for themselves, dig their own toilets and carry all their own gear. They do some hiking, biking, and surfing so some fun. I cannot believe she was looking forward to it - obviously those genes are not from my side of the family!!!! HS was back to school on Friday, not overly happy about it, think he would be happy to be on holidays permanently!! Saturday saw me return to work at the boarding house, luckily the girls were all on their best behaviour although the alarms went off at 1am - grrr - I need my sleep!!! SH was back to tennis Saturday and HS baseball so the summer sport season has well and truly started. SH and I are back to our proper jobs this morning so guess that means the holiday is well and truly over. We are still to fully unpack and this evening will be opening the huge mound of mail that arrived while we were away. We came home to a 'dead' washing machine - not what we needed with the amount of washing we have but we will deal with that tonight too along with a trip to the laundromat!! There has been crafting since I've been home but its a secret so no photos yet!! Hopefully in the next day or two will be posts about the trip as I sort through the 1200 photos we took!!

Home sweet home!

We arrived home today safe and sound, exhausted but having had an amazing trip! I am sure I will drive you silly with stories and photos over the next few weeks!! (We had a lot of trouble finding access to a computer to report in while we were away - next time I am taking a laptop!!) We are about to eat, shower then sleep so will report in tomorrow!!!!

One sleep to go!!!

Well we are down to the business end of things now and it is only 1 sleep till we fly out on our holiday to the USA. We are all getting excited except unfortunately myself. I am a stress head and until we leave town this afternoon for the motel near the airport I will be trying to do the impossible and be organised - which I am not!! So much still to do today including a trip to the hairdresser which I will enjoy. We have not had the perfect lead up with lots of dramas in the last fortnight. The 'horsey' one hurt her ankle badly, tore tendons etc and ended up on crutches , missing a netball grand final and going to numerous physio appointments. Think she will manage the trip okay but the strapping tape is packed!!! SH was diagnosed with Diabetes , he had a rapid onset of symptoms over a 10 day period (although testing shows he must of been feeling lousy for months) so is on medication. Luckily he has had some improvement already and it shouldn't affect our trip but of course it made our existing travel insurance invalid so lots of wasted hours were spent organising more!! HS had two major pieces of work to finish before we left for his 2 year 12 subjects, made more interesting by the fact that he left for Geography camp on Sunday until this afternoon. The work was completed and handed in although the message came home yesterday that there is a problem with one piece - oh joy!!!! I have to apologise for not posting, reading, commenting and blogging in general properly this last fortnight. My friend Robyn who I manage the retail sales on her internet business www.orangedaisy.com.au has a project in the latest Homespun magazine and very kindly, generously and naively offered 2 free buttons. Never did she imagine the response she would get. I have been eating , sleeping and dreaming buttons and orders for the last 10 days!!!!!!!

We fly out at 10.15am tomorrow. Not sure how often I will post while away, will be back properly in 3 weeks!!! USA here I come!!

My new babies.....

I've said it before but sometimes I am blown away by the generosity of bloggers! Amy from the Calico Cat was trying to find new homes for some of her cat fabric so a parcel of kittens made its way to my place. I am in 'cat' heaven, all shapes, sizes and colors. My mind is full of projects I can use these for. Thank you so much Amy, it is a wonderful parcel .

This is my other new baby! I have finally bought a new camera in time for 'the' trip!!!! (under a week now ). It is compact and basic enough I should be able to manage it okay. A friend has the same one and the quality of the photos is lovely. I was able to get a local store to match a great price I could get online but sadly could only get it in silver not the groovy green I was wanting. To make up for it I bought this cute little red case to protect it!!!

A quilty dilemma!

When SH called in to Mums for a coffee one day last week she sent him home with a parcel, a quilt each for the cats Fred and Peter to take to the cattery next week while we are away. She'd found them in the cupboard and they were 'old' things that might 'just' do for our furry friends!!!! When I opened the parcel over the weekend I found 2 small quilts Mum has made that I think are just gorgeous. She says the attic window one isn't quilted properly and the colors didn't work in the other one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay the question is what do I do? (our household is divided) Do I

send the quilts off to the cattery with Fred and Peter or do I add them to my quilt cupboard to enjoy?????

Butterfly.............

I did warn you a week ago that there was crafty content coming up!!! This is my first facecloth that I've knitted. Hard to see with the variegation in the wool (well actually it's a bamboo cotton) but it has a beautiful butterfly design worked into it. I love that it was quick and easy and fun to knit. I can see many more being made, in fact the next one is on the needles already!!!

A huge day!!

Today we headed off early to the airport as Sharron went home to Hong Kong ready to start school again on Tuesday. There were a lot of tears at the airport as she didn't really want to go home although she was looking forward to seeing her Mum and Dad. It broke my heart seeing her walk through those doors waving goodbye with tears streaming down her face.