Friday, April 17, 2009

A Flood Is Just A Flood...

Until it's at Your Place!
My heart is heavy knowing that "it's just stuff". No one was hurt, no one died. Yet, I am in tears and feel like someone just stomped on my chest. It's so stupid, it's just stuff.... but some stuff I couldn't even take pictures of...
GP's Pokemon quilt from when he was a little boy and showed the first signs of interest in anything other than himself. It was such a great big ass flag that he was coming out of his silence. Some of his little clothes....from way, way back... nothing that will ever fit him again, nothing that I would ever even think I could part with...some things that only a freakin flood would bother to take from me. It's just stuff! But I'm so sad. I think they're growing pains. Maybe it's a sign that it's all behind me now...who knows....it's just stuff. I just get a little emotional because I have been working for years on getting rid of "things" and hold on only to things that matter to me. All "stuff" is not the same.
Here are some pictures of the stuff that was "oh crap, now that sucks!", but that didn't make me cry... just be happy knowing it wasn't your stash!
Here are just the first few drawers of fabric that were dumped. Yes, these were all chock-full'o quilt shop fabrics!Now some of the contents: that's actualy one of my husbands shirts that I just loved and had it stashed among my stash because I just loved the fabric. Isn't that the most wonderful homespun ever? Hey, he wouldn't miss one little shirt!And then...the flannel slaughter has begun. Just some of my flannel losses.... the colors have bled and the most are dead....oh well....
And here is a lesson to be learned...never leave for tomorrow what you can complete today! Look at what happened to my pumpkin swap blocks, my Lost socks blocks and my new little dress blocks.... now this really sucks! And lastly, I will solve the Mystery Quilt mystery since I will no longer be gifting it....here it is, my pieced top, with all the points matched to Sandy standards...it was my biggest and most challenging quilt to date. Now it's slimy and smelly!Oh well, time to put it all in plastic bags and haul it off. Then I'll just start shopping to rebuild my stash. Poor me, LOL!
Stay dry! B=)

21 comments:

andsewon said...

Oh Brenda I am so so sorry. Has to be so very hard and gut wrenching to let go of those precious memories. Can not some of it be saved by washing some how?
Yes we all need to learn things are things but still hurts to lose dear to our hearts things.
I would be happy to help you with some new blocks...let me know sizes and I will get to stitch'n!!!
Hugs,
Lola

strawberrycream39 said...

Oh no Brenda, that is terrible! We love our fabrics and get attached to them, so of course you're upset!! Especially your son's quilt. :-( I'm glad you're looking on the bright side about stash re-building. How about washing some of the fabrics with vinegar? Isn't that supposed to help? {hugs} xo Jen

Sheri Howard said...

Brenda, I am saddened about your loss. Our city was flooded when the local dam broke. I know how you feel about your stuff...it may be stuff, but it is still your very own stuff. I will post a note on my blog, we bloggers will help restore your stash!!!

antique quilter said...

you can save that fabric
it can be washed and it will be fine, I know there is a product out there for washing
contact
she lives in Concord NH
Pat Cummings ,here is her website
http://www.quiltersmuse.com/
she can help you
Kathie

Carrie P. said...

Oh Brenda, how awful for you. So many beautiful memories ruined. Are you sure there is not some way to wash them? I hope there is some way to salvage all your beautiful pieces.

trash said...

Oh Brenda! I had no idea. I am so sorry for all that you have lost, that they are just 'things' must be very difficult to cling to right now. I hope you find your way to a place where you can let it all go and just enjoy the memories.

~*~ said...

That stinks! I'd be so frustrated! mom taught me how to wash some of the fabrics so that whatever was bled onto them would lift off! Call her! How'd it happen? it hasn't been raining up there (weather channel told me so!).

Anonymous said...

Oh Brenda! So sorry to hear about all your memories and stash getting ruined! There has to be a way to salvage them. I will look around for something you can use to wash it, if I find anything I will let you know.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

So sorry to hear about this...I know it's "just stuff"...but it's more than that...it's stuff that you chose to have near you because of a hobby you love and for that reason it's a bit more than "just stuff"...and the feeling of loss will be more than if it was "just stuff".

Like everyone before me has said...is there no was it could be washed... :o(

suz said...

I didn't realize there was flooding in Nashua (I live in Manchester). It's so awful to lose fabric like this - but definitely check Pat Cummings out - I remember someone in my Guild mentioning her when there were floods in Manchester. Good luck - hope you can salvage somethings.

Melanie said...

Tea Dye it!!!! It's never wasted-- character I say. I was working on a quilt when we had a housefire---Water with ashes stained the piece. I threw it in a corner-- hurt for 8 months and decided it was my quilt defining my strength during that time. I completed it and bring it out occaisionally for display. My heart and prayers are with you.

Susan said...

Hi Brenda, I heard of your flood and feel so sorry for all the loss but here is a link to a way to clean your fabric. It may be worth a try.

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2009/03/because-you-asked-so-sweetly.html

lej619 said...

OGM! I am soooo glad no one was hurt. So sarry about the fabric,though!
Please do try what the otheres had sugested!!! before you get ride of all that fabric. hey even if it is colored differently now you could cut it up for rag rugs. you would never even see the "bad" spots.!!
heck you probable even could sale it,might not make a profit on it? but it would go to a good home.
just a thought.
HUGS
lori
lori

wonderwoman said...

i am soo sorry - such an awful thing to happen - especially to things that have such memories.am sending lots of hugs.
xxxx

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

Brenda,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss... sometimes our things really are a big part of our memories. I hope their is some way to salvage some of your most precious items and please know you are loved and in our thoughts.
Hugs, Carrie

Dorothy said...

Oh Brenda, that is terrible. The hardest to deal with is those things that can't be replaced. I'm truly sorry.

Candace said...

Hi Brenda, I came over from Carrie's blog - I am so sorry about the flood and your ruined fabric. I'm glad, though, that you can keep somewhat positive about it! My best to you in sorting through and cleaning up!

Anonymous said...

Here from Carrie's blog to give words of encouragement and support. I'm guessing that some of that can be salvaged...don't toss just yet....as so many of us bloggers out there to help you get through... take a day at a time, and breath.

Julie said...

I am so sorry about this! I have been away for awhile and am really behind on blogs. So sorry I couldn't offer my sympathy on a more timely basis.

Fiber Babble said...

I know that time has passed and you're working on recovering and moving on, but I didn't want you to think I was ignoring your plight. No matter how large or small the loss, it's a life-changing event and I'm sorry that you're having to deal with it.

Wendy said...

Oooh I've been 'away' for awhile, and am soooo sorry to hear about your flood...hope you're all ok, so sorry about all your fabrics and blocks...hope you can save some! Thinking of you! x