Philippians 4:11...I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content

Well, I'm still working on that but I am in a new state!  Well, new to me, that is!  Tony bought a house in Virginia and I arrived here February 5th!  I only saw it in pictures until the day we drove up the driveway!  He did a great job finding this house!  Great location, a yard that the Scotties absolutely love (I can hardly get them to come in the house!), beautiful hardwood floors that Tony refinished before I got here, an already remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, great space, and wonderful neighbors!  Since it's been a while, let me give you a brief run-down of my time away from you over these past several months:

Tony decided to retire the end of May 2011 with his official date of August 31 2011, just short of 21 years in the Army! June, July, August were stressful months for me as he was searching for a new job and we were preparing to move with no idea where we were going.  In August Tony got a job (after only 2 interviews!) and we made the decision for me to move in with my parents due to my mom's declining health.  My dad needed some help and we needed time to figure out housing for us.  I blogged about this here and here.  September was an especially difficult month.  Tony had already moved to a one bedroom apartment in Virginia and started his new job September 6th.  My mom died September 13th. You can read what I wrote here and here.  October through January was taking care of my dad, and having good times with my sister!  Here, here, and here. And now, finally, I am back with my husband in our new (to us!) home in Virginia!  I am still living out of a suitcase though, as our household goods are, keep your fingers crossed, arriving by March 12.  Since I don't have all my stuff, I am working on some hand-piecing projects that I can't show you yet.  I can tell you this: one has 4543 pieces in it, if I counted right!

When we lived in San Antonio, Tony and I were able to go the Houston quilt show.  Wonderful times there! Here in Virginia they have the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival!  Luckily for me, it was this past weekend.  Tony and I had a wonderul time and the quilts were amazing!  I took so many pictures!  You should have seen some of the hand quilting!  Such tiny stitches, such precision!  Here's just one example of the hand stitching:

There were quilts that brought tears to my eyes (unfortunately I didn't get pictures of those because I was so overwhelmed), quilts that made me laugh out loud (the expression in his eyes is priceless!)

and quilts that made me stand there in awe.  Can you believe this one came in third?!

It was a cold and very windy day, but we stopped by the beach 15 minutes from our home!
Aye, just a wee bit windy!

I think Tony and I will be very happy in our new state! 

LaDonna