Wednesday 11 January 2012

I have a heavy heart

I'm not usually one to share moans and groans on my blog (ok, maybe just a few!) but this I just cant keep inside. So if you're ready for a bit of violin action read on, if not and you think I'm a wimpy bugger then feel free to go off and read some cheery quilty post instead, I wont be offended!

I have been secretly squirrelling away money for my golden ticket to the fq retreat, selling little bits and pieces from the old house that we're no longer needed. I was very proud of myself and my lovely husband offered to give me the remaining money when he gets paid at the end of the month. Wonderful, all I had to do was hope there were still tickets available.

Then this morning we had a delightful walk in the orchard, in the sunshine after pancakes for breakfast, I thought what a wonderful world I lived in.



Then the dog started making funny choking noises, next thing I know we are rushing off to the vets to have a stick removed from the roof of his mouth. It was badly lodged up in the bridge of in mouth and needed sedation to be removed. Thankfully it didn't damage his mouth and silly poor Charlie boy is sleeping it off.

The snag being that my lovely little pot of retreat money is now empty. In fact more than empty, I had to steal some temporarily from the bill account (shhh!). Now I know that as a dog owner I should be prepared for/expect these costs but the truth is moving house just wiped us out and we are going to take a few months to get back on our feet.

I also know that missing a sewing retreat inst the end of the world (and I really shouldn't have cried!) but I had so been looking forward to it after the ups and downs of the last few months. So, if you are feeling charitable, share a word of encouragement with me, either that or tell me to 'buck my ideas up' lol! I'm not in the mood for sewing now today but I'll leave you with my giant star quilt I've started from vintage sheets, it makes me smile.

24 comments:

Amanda said...

Oh poppit! What an awful shame, but I'm pleased you were able to 'fix' Charlie.

I'm not surprised you have a heavy heart, I would too.

Is there any chance of saving up again?

Have a good old sulk about it, I would, then look forward to the next one. Just think if you start saving now, you'll have even more spending money for all those fabrics!!

Sarah said...

Oh no! Damn right I'd have cried too... Daft dog, hope he at least makes up for it in cuddles. I really hope something equally unexpected pops up that fixes things, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Big hugs x

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Time is not up yet. You just never know what the Lord might be doing. Also, you never know what the Lord might have in store for you where ever he has you at that time. Keep your head high and know His Will will come to pass. I am truly sorry you are disappointed.

suzan almond said...

I feel for you - double distress! The trauma of a hurt dog and possibly missing the retreat ! You're fully justified in having a heavy heart !
Maybe you'll be ready to sew tomorrow.
All the best, Suzan.

Canadian Abroad said...

I would have cried too! Absolutely. But keep your chin up because you have no idea what could happen between now and then, there are still spots left on the retreat and we would all love to see you there. Fingers crossed that you have an unexpected windfall and that Charlie has learned not to try and swallow sticks!

mammafairy said...

I am really sorry that you are having to change plans, it is a shame. You never know what is round the corner though, and at least Charlie is ok!

pippablue said...

Sometimes we need a good cry just to get something out of our system. I won't be going to the retreat either as finances are way too tight at the minute! There's always next year, is what I keep telling myself!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

My views on dogs are widely known, as Judith, and you have proved my point!! He needs to go earn his keep now, I don't know what on earth people would pay a dog to do but he owes you BIG TIME!

Sending you big hugs and a boot up the backside for Charlie!

Cindy said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry. At least Charlie is alright and recovering. Having a pup is just wonderful - they bring happiness, comfort and a good laugh. Have a good cry, then go have a cuddle. I'm so sorry, E!

Judith, Belfast said...

LOL! Don't listen to Had! She loves dogs really (like a hole in the head!). So sorry that your hard earned pot of gold is gone! But something might turn up - how about selling a few cushions and bags to friends and neighbours??? Jxo

Mad about Craft said...

Oh! B£&&%*. Life is so unfair sometimes!

Isisjem said...

I really hope you can get an 11th hour solution so you can go. I was one of the people shouting the loudest for the equivalent to the sewing summit and yet I too will be one of the people not going to the FQ retreat. I'm upset about it and some hard decisions had to be made but I'm reliably told this is not going to be a one off event so maybe next year?!

Diane-crewe said...

I think I would have shed a tear as well! Never mind Charlie is OK, you have a lovely home and family...and if you are meant to go then..the retreat will come around again. BIG virtual hug on the way xx

Catherine said...

Oh Emily, what a shame, especially when you had saved for it. But, you never know what might happen between now and then. I hope Charlie is on the mend - and I love your big star quilt: I got mine all sewed last week too

Lisa C in GA. said...

I'm so sorry, and I don't think you are being petulant at all!! I'd have a good cry, too :( When do you have to sign up by? Nothing else you could sell, or a "help please buy" blitz you could send out for your shop? At the rate that your rainbow swaps went flying off the shelves, I think you have a lot of followers who might put you on their "okay, next birthday gift I have to buy for someone, comes from Emily's shop" list, lol. Come what may, I'm glad your puppy is okay (I know it was scary, we had that happen to one of our dogs with a pork chop bone and it was terrifying)...and I have faith that either a solution or something better is waiting for you :)
Lisa

Kelly said...

That is such a shame Emily, I would have had a good cry as well. I hope your luck turns round and you still get to come to the summit.
x

Sarah said...

Oh Emily I would have cried too! I'm still umming and ahhing about the FQ retreat - I may be there next year instead too. Sending you big hugs. Am sure a good night's sleep will make it all seem brighter tomorrow xxx

Cindy said...

I would have cried as well. I'm so glad your dog is better. I love my 2 dogs so much so I would have done the same thing. Keep positive as something might change and you can still go. I would love to fly over and go as well but that isn't in the cards for me.
I'm in the Stash Bee with you. Looking forward to seeing your tree that you make for Sunni!

Katy Cameron said...

Aww, sweetie, I'd have had a toddler tantrum with snottery tears and everything over that one (right enough, I live alone barring the flatmate, so no-one would have seen it ;o) ) Is it worth doing what I did and asking relatives to chip in for ticket costs for birthday pressies etc? Even part way? There are still golden tickets left, so there's always a chance (((((HUGS)))))

Unknown said...

Hope you can get saving again, Saving for me is what are savings?!
Glad your pooch is OK.
and your quilt is fab fab fab!! Kx

Lucy | Charm About You said...

I agree, I would have cried too :( If you did it once, you can do it again, I'm sure you could sell some things and make enough money. Keep up the sewing mojo, that quilt is gorgeous!

Janet said...

Hopefully you'll join us for Friday Night Sew In on the 20th. A wonderful on-line quilt retreat.

Nicky said...

Your dog does owe you Emily!

Can't you could sell your wares to earn a bit? I can testify that they are worth it! I so want to meet you so you have to come along!

Jeanne said...

I think it would be wonderful if some of us quilting women each sent you $10.00 toward your retreat. I'm game for it. Anyone else? There's 23 comments here and if we each sent in $10.00, that'd be $230. Hopefully that would cover the cost. If not, maybe we can go $15.00. I'll do it if others will. I spend money on fabric all the time. I'd love to spend it sending you to a quilting retreat. Jeanne