Sunday 18 April 2010

Best birthday

I had the most wonderful birthday last week. My darling husband had arranged, un be known to me, for me to have the day off work.  He took me out to breakfast and then what a surprise, he gave me this magnificent Bernina 440 sewing machine AND a flex shaft drill. I'd dropped a few hints about the drill after the Creative Soul retreat, but never ever expected the sewing machine. I've longed to own one but thought I'd be waiting awhile.

To top it off he had arranged for me to have a two hour private lesson with Olga Walters, an amazing textile artist. Her work is fabulous and she's a wonderful teacher, if ever you get the chance to take a class with her, I'd certainly recommend it, she's a lovely lady. Another amazing coincidence is her sister is named Ro Bruhn, she lives overseas I think.



This is the wonderful machine.


This is an example of Olga's fabulous work, she very kindly gave me this piece.

After such a fabulous birthday I was brought back to earth with a terrible shock. My father was rushed off to hospital with a suspected heart attack and renal failure. Since my mother passed away last month he's been slowly deteriorating, he refuses to have outside help, including family and it finally reached a peak. He hasn't been taking in anywhere near enough fluid and it led to his kidneys drying out. They also think he may have had a mild heart attack. They are doing tests and think he might be OK. He's eating well which is a good start. They've told him he can't stay on his own anymore so we are in for quite a battle when hopefully he returns home. Only time will tell.


At the other end of the scale, I think I've finished the Princess wall. The Princess actually moved into her new room over the weekend and is very happy.




The finished wall.

I'm intending to have a giveaway next week, I just have to put it together. Should have it posted soon.

35 comments:

girlgonethreadwild said...

Ro, Happy Happy Birthday!!! That is a STELLAR gift, but the best gift of all is that fabulous husband of yours!

I'll keep your dad in my prayers..

please enjoy that sewing machine, it looks awfully beautiful from where I sit (with my own machine on the blinks- haha)!

Truly, I'd love a princess wall of my very own.. *wink*

xo, m. :)

Samantha Marshall said...

Ro, What a marvellous, thoughtful husband you have!! How sweet of hime to organise such delightful treats for you.

I hope your dad has a speedy recovery and all goes well.

The Princess wall is gorgeous!!!

RosieK said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RO!
What a treasure of a husband you have! I have a Bernina too - now 30 years old and still going strong - I wouldn't part with it for the world!!
so sorry to hear about your Dad - it's a difficult time for you and I wish you all the best with whatever lies ahead.

Jan said...

Ro, I hope your Dad will realize he needs help and will accept it with grace. My friends recently had to make their Mom move into assisted living. It was very upsetting for everyone, not the least for the Mom who had to move but now, 2 weeks later, she has admitted that she is enjoying her new place and new friends. I pray that your father will be singing the same tune in whatever new situation he finds himself in. In the meantime, enjoy your wonderful husband and the thoughtful birthday gift you received! Happy Birthday to you!!

Lost Aussie said...

Happy Birthday Ro! Wonderful treats to celebrate your day!
Good prayers for your Dad to recover well and get himself home!

Heather said...

Glad you had such a lovely birthday Ro and you'll love your Bernina. Do hope your Dad will be co-operative about the care he needs and that he makes a good recovery - such a worry for you. The princess wall is lovely and I'm sure your little princess thinks so too. That piece of work is stunning - so much detail in there.

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

WOW what a grand birthday and generous husband! The private lesson is brilliant! Enjoy, enjoy!
My best thoughts for you and your father. My father had the same attitude about not wanting outside help and told us once 'why should I drink water, I'll just rust!' He was fun, warm and wonderful but stubborn...I wish you the best with your Dad!

JP said...

love the birthday gifts - sorry about your dad - loss causes alsorts of problems - take care

Judy Wise said...

Happy Birthday, dear one. You must be very excited now to play with your new toys.

Praying for your father. xo

Julie said...

Happy Birthday Ro and what a wonderful surprise!

I'm so sorry about your Dad. I hope he gets on all right and accepts some help. I have similar worries with my Mum at the moment. Getting old is never easy.

Your Princess wall is amazing. what a great job!

I'm not familiar with Olga Walters work but I shall certainly go and have a look, the piece she gave you is sumptuous.

.Trudi Sissons said...

What a fabulous birthday gift - he must just adore you - beautiful gift plus the lesson AND getting a day off work. How thoughtful!

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh, your birthday sounds as if it was wonderful! And your husband very sweet! Happy Birthday... roxanne

Terri Kahrs said...

Happy, Happy Birthday, Ro! You've got one of the "Good Guys" for sure - your gifts are fabulous and will give you pleasure and creativity for many years to come. He sure knows how to please you! So sorry to hear about your Dad. Will keep you in my prayers. Also, the princess wall is enchanting! I'm sure your grand daughter is dancing with delight! Your beautiful mural has ensured that she'll have sweet dreams for many nights to come!!! Hugs & Smiles, Terri xoxo

Penny said...

Happy belated Birthday. Having had to move my mother, over her dead body was she going into one of 'those places' I hope you find a nice one and you survive the ructions!

lisa_crofts said...

Happy Happy Birthday Ro, the Princess looks amazing I wish I 5 again...so sorry to hear about your Dad I hope everything gets better soon.

Healing Woman said...

The princess wall is to die for..and..does your husband have any brothers available?

Jen Crossley said...

Glad you had a wonderful Birthday Ro you so deserve a wonderful day.Your Steve is one in a million.
cant wait to see what you do with your machine
Jen

Teresa Abajo said...

You sure did have a wonderful birthday! That husband of yours is a keeper for sure :)

sue said...

Well a very happy Birthday to you Ro! That husband of yours is definitely a keeper - what thoughtful gifts! The machine looks amazing - Berninas are so good - I still have my Mums machine and it must be 38 years old by now!
Sorry to hear about your Dad - hope he makes a swift recovery - he must have gotten a fright being rushed off to hospital so maybe he will be a bit more flexible about accepting help now. Good luck.
Oh and enjoy your class!

Jo Wholohan said...

best wishes for your birthday ro, so many wonderful gifts for a deserving lady :))
my thoughts are with your dad xx

lindacreates said...

What a wonderful birthday you had! You deserve it from what I hear. The princess wall is fabulous, I am sure your princess is loving it.

I am sorry to hear about your father.
It is so painful for them when they lose their spouse. I pray that all will be better soon.

Anonymous said...

What a thoughtful man, Steve is. Glad you had a fantastic birthday Ro.
I am very sorry to hear about your dad's health issues. Hopefully he will listen to advice when it is time to leave the hospital.
Your grand daughter must feel really special, sleeping in her princess room.

azirca said...

Happy Birthday Ro! Your day sounds just perfect. Your husband is a treasure, the world needs more folk like him.

So sorry to read about you father, I do hope that he perks up.

Jacky said...

Happy Birthday Ro...how lovely you were spoilt rotten by Steve, you deserve it!
What a FABULOUS sewing machine, I cant wait to see what you get up to with this (and I must check out the link to Olga...dont think my 25 year old Bernina would be up to a class with her though).
You are having a topsy turvy time of...I hope all goes well for you with your father and that you dont have too much of a battle on your hands.
The Princess wall is fabulous...no doubt you have one very happy little Princess grand daughter!

Jacky xox

Lucy said...

Darling Ro, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
What a wonderful & thoughtfull husband you have, and he can cook too!!!!LOLOL
Sewing machine looks FAB!
Princess wall looks BEAUTIFUL!!
Hope your Dad makes a speedy recovery, will keep him in my thoughts.
Hugs Lucy

juliaD said...

Happy Birthday Ro!!!...
Sorry I missed it...I intend to make it up to you when I see you next!..
I am sorry to hear about your Dad, you must be so worried for him.
I love the wall mural such softness and love flowing from it...
...xxx..julia

Elizabeth said...

Happy Birthday to you dear friend and a job well done by Steve!!!! What a start to treat you to such wonderfullness!!! Sos orry to hear of your Dad's illness- you are all in my thoughts and hopefully he will see that he does need some help!!
Happy Birthday Hugs!
Elizabeth

Deborah said...

Happy Birthday! What wonderful surprises! Hope your father gets well soon.

Dot said...

What beautiful presents from your lovely husband. Am sure you will enjoy using the sewing machine. And your class sounds fantastic. The princess wall is perfect and I know you will have made one little girl very happy.
Very sorry to hear about your dad. Will keep you in my thoughts. You have had a difficult time lately with your mum passing. And now your dad being ill.
Thanks for the email about the knitting night this week. I won't be able to make it but hope to come along to one night soon.
Dotxx

Pat said...

Wow, What a wonderful husband and birthday gifts. I have that model Bernina and it is awesome. Enjoy!!

Zorana said...

Happy, happy birthday! I love when husbands get so creative and thoughtful. Wonderful gifts! I'm sure the princess loves her wall, it's a dream come true for a little girl. My best wishes for your dad. It's must be so hard for him...

Anonymous said...

Ro,

I have just used bush flower essences for a similar situation you father finds huimself in.

If he has 'decided", there are bush flowers that may assist.

Mary lin Huskamp said...

What a GREAT Birthday gift and a TERRIFIC husband! So Thoughtful! Was out of town last week so wishing you a Belated Happy Birthday!

Karen Cole said...

Ro,

What a blog post! I have gone through such a range of emotions.

I am sorry to hear about your dad. I know how difficult it must be for all of you. Sadness. Thoughts and prayers coming your way.

Your birthday sounds like a dream that you would not want to wake up from. Joy,love, happiness, presents.

Your mural is amazing.....your etsy must be loaded with shoppers.

We always have to have the good with the bad it would seem. Makes us appreciate things more, doesn't it?

Happy Belated Birthday, Ro.

xo K

Lovey said...

Such a beautiful birthday gift...all of it really! Way to go to your hubby!