

I’ve been busy………..I finished quilting Janice’s Oriental BQ – that makes the third quilt in a row for Janice – she’s definitely my Customer of the Month if not the year! And of course I let the first two get away without any pictures. Since I see her a lot I’ll try to remedy that.
Last night I participated in my area’s Relay for Life. I logged a lot of miles around the park walking path. It was very moving so see all of the luminaries. My Ref was there as a cancer survivor – February will make 20 years cancer free! He had sqaumous cell in his lower lip and lost his entire lower lip and part of the tissue below that. Please WEAR SUNSCREEN!! I was proud to have raised $200 thanks to my TTT friends and every time I passed one of their luminaries I said a prayer for that family.
Rascal continues to improve and is almost back to being his old self. We will see Dr. Shuler again this week – I need to know if he can stay on the steroids long-term and what side effects there might be. It is so good to have my happy buddy back.
I’ve spent the day resting – long night. I did make a great pasta sauce using fresh tomatoes, peppers, and onions from our garden. Then I made a baked pasta casserole with bowtie pasta and mild Italian sausage. I’ve got four dinners in the freezer and another batch waiting for the Ref to get home from his ballgames.

Congrats on finishing the relay!
By: Corky on June 28, 2008
at 10:54 pm
I’m glad the relay was not only a success but so meaningful at the same time, Karen. Even more so when it comes from personal experience. Also, it sounds like good cookin’ at your house!
By: Judy Heyward on June 28, 2008
at 11:10 pm
Love the quilting! My DH had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from his back, earlier this year. It was a mole that had been there awhile, but all of a sudden turned funky looking. Our local doc said all the margins were clear, with no need for follow up, but DH has another place I’m concerned about, and I think he needs to see a dermotologist for a thorough screening. I’m not comfortable with no follow up at all. This has been part of my stress these last few months.
By: AllenQuilts on June 29, 2008
at 5:36 pm
Oh, and I’m sure hoping Rascal gets better…
By: AllenQuilts on June 29, 2008
at 5:37 pm
Randi – please do the follow up. The Ref first had a place on his lip that wouldn’t heal – like a continual chapped lip. When they cut that out they had to go so deep it took 27 stitches. We had had biopsies previously but that time it came back cancerous. Nothing else was done but the dr. then told us that squamous cell can send out little feeder roots. By the time the cancer showed up again externally it had invaded his entire lower lip and the tissue below that. He had to had Mohs surgery eight times and then radiation. Two weeks after the Mohs surgery he had reconstructive surgery which gave him some semblance of a lower lip. Then eight weeks of radiation. But it’s now been almost 20 years and no reoccurence.
Rascal is feeling much better and we are hopeful the progress will continue. Thanks.
By: KK on June 29, 2008
at 8:08 pm
What a beautiful quilt! I have never seen that pattern before… Just lovely!
Happy stitchings!
By: Myra on June 29, 2008
at 11:11 pm
Karen – WOW! Thank you once again for a beautiful quilting job! Your pix are great, but the Oriental BQ is even more gorgeous “in person”! I can’t wait to get the binding on it so that it can hang in my newly painted living room. Also…thx for doing the relay and for your comments about the individuals that were being represented by your efforts.
By: janice on July 1, 2008
at 6:44 pm