Comforting Quilters

 " I just finished taking an evening class at Stanford. The last lecture was on the mind-body connection--the relationship between stress and disease.  The speaker (head of psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends.  At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.

 Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality “girlfriend time" helps us to create more serotonin--a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being.  Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. They rarely sit down with a buddy and talk about how they feel about certain things or how their personal lives are going.  Jobs? Yes.   Sports? Yes.  Cars? Yes. Fishing, hunting, golf?  Yes.  But their feelings?--rarely.  Women do it all of the time. We share from our souls with our sisters, and evidently that is very good for our health.  He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym.

 There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged--not true.  In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!  So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health!  We are indeed very, very lucky.   Sooooo let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends. Evidently it's very good for our health

Next time you're feeling left out, lonely, bored or just need a buddy, stop by and pay us a visit!  We'll cure those woes in no time!

Let's Help our Neighbor!

Ran into this website while reading a few posts at my personal blog and thought you may have an interest in sending a quilt block for this cause. Please visit the Rainbow Around the Block website and help those in Tennessee who have lost their homes.

Blessings!

Busy Day today at my house! I've been blessed with a Fabulous bunch of fabric that is in need of washing, ironing and color sorting! The washing has been a task in itself, but this week will be ironing and sorting week at my house!

If there is anyone who would like to volunteer an hour or two next week, give me a jingle! I'll welcome you help!

Stay cool everyone, the heat index hit 111 degrees at 11:00 AM this morning. A good afternoon for quilting inside where it's nice and cool.

See ya and don't forget to purchase your raffle tickets!

In Honor of Memorial Day, please remember to thank a Veteran.  You'd be surprised how many you know!

Olivia Culpepper was an amazing little girl, but even more remarkable is her mother, Cindy, who has braved this illness right along with her beautiful daughter. She has recently posted a journal entry at caringbridge.org and I thought I would share it with you this morning.

Please keep the Culpepper family in your prayers as they struggle with the loss and rejoice in the knowledge that Olivia is once again "Painting Rainbows!"

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 9:56 PM, CDT

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16 (KJV)


We have certainly felt your prayers and outpouring of love. We have not lost Olivia; we know precisely where she resides. She never once felt sorry for herself, and she lived every day to it's fullest potential. She was loved tenderly and taught me more in 7 years than any elder ever could. We have all been so very blessed.

Not sure what's going on with CB, I've lost this post 4 times. So sorry for the lack of updates; I've simply been swamped with tasks and decisions, and haven't been near a 'puter and had little sleep over the past 14 days. Some of the family is having a very hard time. Please keep my big kids, and Olivia's little friends and fellow warriors, in your prayers today. It is very hard on these kids when one of their own goes to heaven. Momma is OK; Olivia is sorely missed, but we will play together again soon.



We would be honored for all who are able to join us in
A Celebration of Life, Olivia Style



We intend to host a very kid-friendly service. Olivia loved bright colors, especially Aqua! Please, dress for your comfort with these ideas in mind. She would've liked that.


She never really liked cut flowers, only the ones which needed planting and care. In lieu of flowers, we'd ask all those who are interested bring a DVD, Lego set, craft kit or similar activity for donation to The Children's Hospital in Macon. And donations to your favorite charity are always gratefully appreciated. 

I would like to say a special thanks to the organizations who've helped us so much over the past 4 years. You have made what could have been a hard road so much more bearable:

The Ronald McDonald House of Macon, Atlanta, and Houston
Jay's Hope
The JoAnna McAfee Childhood Cancer Foundation
The National Childrens Cancer Society
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation
Henderson Baptist Church
And all of Olivia's friends, family, and followers, I hope I've not left anyone out.

We will never know exactly what started this past episode; the Doc's best guess is a lingering viral infection that was stripping her bone marrow, allowing her WBC's to fall dangerously. Which allowed a bacteria to enter her lungs and/or eye and then into her blood stream. Her battered immune system was unable to fight a battle on two fronts. This caused septic shock, which means her blood pressure bottomed out, which further shocked her bone marrow and organs, including her brain; she lost the ability to clot blood properly and blood vessels in her head became more fragile. she had a slowly-growing brain bleed or 'had a stroke'. She had very confusing symptoms, but it was unmistakable on the CT. Our Olivia would not have wanted to live like that. Surprisingly, she was not relapsing, her bone marrow was recovering but not quite fast enough. I've prayed for hope or peace. I have both. I never said goodbye; only "I'll see you in a little while". I would not be surprised if she is sassing the Lord upstairs right now. Maybe she will paint a rainbow.


See ya later, alligator. Momma C.

Our first quilt has been delivered to sweet Olivia along with an ICU Survival kit and many prayers. Her condition has become grave and major decisions as to her treatment affecting her ability to survive are needing our prayers now more than ever. Please keep Olivia and her family in prayers today as they make choices that may not come easy.


You can visit her website at:


for updates on her condition, share your thoughts or find information to donate to her fund to assist in her medical costs.

You can now follow our blog! Simply click the Network Blogger on the right hand side and you will receive posts and news on the latest happenings of Comforting Quilter's.

Email Julie if you need assistance or would like to make a donation

Comforting Quilter's continues our Quilt Raffle through the months of May and June, so don't feel like you've missed out if you haven't purchased your ticket yet. We will be out and about selling tickets around the area, particularly at the Byron Market on Saturday's at the City Park.

Look for our booth as we will be there with the quilt and other fun things to help you enjoy your morning at the market!

June 5th is a Special Day in Byron, and we'll be in the park selling food, penney candy and raffle tickets.

Tickets prices are

$ 1.00 Each
$ 5.00 for Six (6) Tickets
$10.00 for Twelve (12) Tickets

Feel free to contact any CQ Volunteer to purchase your tickets, but you can always give the President, Julie Love, a jingle. Call her at 478-978-0842.

Many thanks for all the Support the Byron Residents have provided to our new organization. These funds will help purchase needed items such as batting, thread, needles, cutting blades and other essential items to help provide a bit of comfort to those in need.

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