Thursday, February 07, 2008

A new little start... and grievous news too

I came to the conclusion today that my current projects, excluding gifts and exchanges, are all really large. But I have a large pile of other projects that I just know won't take me long to stitch... but they keep getting pushed to the side. I decided today that I want to have a small to medium sized project from that pile worked into my rather loose rotation now. I am starting with this one, that has been staring at me, all kitted up, in the front of a clear Rubbermaid drawer in my stash for close to two years now...

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs - I am stitching it with all of the called for fibers on the called for R&R Reproductions 35 ct Marva's Blend linen.... and it sure is a quick start! I think I made a good decision today.

Thank you Judith! I received this lovely RAK from her today - Drawn Thread's English Garden Pocket! I saw this on her blog a while back and complimented her work. Judith said she would send it to me when she could... what a treat to receive it today. I just love it. How kind of her.

And I did say I had grievous news. I am absolutely reeling with sadness and grief. Last night, a colleague of mine was murdered by her patient! This is really hitting me hard. I heard this as Breaking News on TV last night, and had to wait for the name to be released this morning to see if I knew her... and I did. We did not work in the same building. She worked in another clinic in the same city, but I sent many of my struggling parents to her as she ran a fantastic Parenting Skills Group. This is devastating. I stopped doing home based treatment a few years ago. But such a risk as this exists anywhere...

Stitched on today: Finished a gift, and started Be Kind and True



***Edited to add: The newstation article link keeps changing and is not very good - but the local paper did a lovely article on Dihrui here

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Carol, what terrible news! I feel so bad for you! Hearing it on the news (in a way) and not knowing until the morning. Whew. So sorry.
Something like this happened to a classmate of mine (high school) many years ago. Michelle use to sit next to me on the school bus and was a smart girl. Tragedies like this seem to touch way too many people.

Erin said...

I've been itching for a small start (and finish!) too...I keep pouring over my freebie files, waiting for something to jump out at me.

I'm so sorry about your friend. As you know, my husband works in the same field - right down to the in-home sessions - and I often wonder what might happen. Thankfully, he's a big guy and works mostly with younger children...but he has had his share of client-inflicted bumps and bruises.

Kendra said...

So sorry about the death of your friend/colleague. How very sad for everyone involved.

There was a somewhat similar situation near here about a year or so ago...a social worker was taking an infant to a home visit with his mother (she didn't have custody), and the mother and her boyfriend beat the social worker, took the baby, and fled the area. Fortunately they caught the couple and got the baby back...but the social worker didn't survive. I believe they've now changed the home visit rules in KY because of that social worker.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I am so, so sorry for your loss and loss in such a senseless act of violence. My prayers are with you and the families. (((((((((HUG)))))))
Blessings,
Julie

Anonymous said...

It's really sad for your colleague ... :-(( And very scary too ...

Rowyn said...

Hope you are holding up OK. It is always devastating to lose a work colleague, but especially traumatic in such horrific circumstances.

Your new start is coming along well.

mainely stitching said...

That's terrifying news, Carol, as well as very, very sad. My heart goes out to her family, and to the patients who needed her.

Your new start is lovely. :)

lena-lou said...

I would be so shocked too if I found out a collegue had been murdered. How very sad and distressing for her poor family !!

Nicki said...

{{{{hugs}}}} Carol. What a terrible thing to happen and what a shock to find out like that. I'm so sorry.

Carmen said...

sad news Carol,,the world is so violent sometimes.

Marika said...

Oh, I´m really sorry to hear what happened to your friend ! You are surely going through some tough thoughts. Hugs !

Anonymous said...

What terrible news about your colleague. I'm so sorry to hear about this, it must have been a dreadful shock.

Your new start is lovely, I'm on a real Blackbird Designs kick at the minute myself :)

Missy said...

Still lurking and reading. So sorry to read about your colleague. What a shock. I literally sucked in my breath when I read that. Big hugs to you.

: )

Carol R said...

Sorry to hear the awful news about your friend/colleague - what a dreadful world we live in.

Nice start to Kind and True.

Sally said...

What a lovely start on Be Kind and True. I love this one.

I am so sorry to hear your colleague. What a terrible thing to happen.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Sorry for the sad news. I'm glad you've got something smaller on the go!

Anonymous said...

How tragic. My thoughts are with your colleague's family. What a tragedy.

I have that Drawn Thread chartpack in my stash - if you start it, I know I'm going to be tempted to pull mine out and start.

You've made a nice start on the Blackbird Designs piece.

Wendy said...

What a terrible tragedy to happen, and by a patient too. My heart goes out to both of these families, and to you as I'm sure you feel a terrible blow to your own sense of security. My sister treats in her own home and possible problem clients have always been a concern.

Meanwhile I'm so glad you started a lovely smaller work. BB Designs are great!

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol, what awful tragic news, and frightening too I bet. Hugs to you.

Karoline said...

I'm sorry to hear about your colleague Carol, it brings back how I felt when an ex-colleague of mine was murdered.
I've also put a slot in my rotation for smaller pieces to give me some instant gratification :)

Stephanie said...

Oh Carol what horrendous news. It is sometimes such a depraved world we live in - especially when someone like your colleague was clearly there to help people. This has really saddened me.

Cathy said...

Carol, I'm so sorry. That must be awful, especially when you are in the same profession. I'll pray for your colleague's family, and the family of the murderer, that they find some peace in all this.

Katrina said...

Carol, so sorry about your friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love the new start, I am a huge bbd fan.

Michelle said...

How terrible to hear about your colleague. Just shocking. Big hugs to you and my prayers go out to the family. I love your new start though - no wonder it's been calling to you!

Mindi said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your colleague.

You made a great choice with your new start. Its definitely a good idea to have a nice variety of WIPS, from small to large.

staci said...

How terrible and what a shock! I will keep her family in my thoughts and prayers. Take care Carol, {{hugs}}

Paula said...

Thats just awful about your colleague. Very scary.

Edgar said...

What terrible news, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and her family. How senseless and such a waste!!


Kind and True is a lovely piece and it is a great start!!

((((HUGS))))

edgar

valerie said...

Carol, sorry to hear about your colleague. Always awful to hear what happens to those that are just trying to help another. Hang in there! Beautiful new start...you're another of those lightening fast stitchers!

DaisyGirl said...

Carol,
I'm so sorry to hear about your friends death, how horrible to deal with. I hope you can have a good weekend!
Donna

Julie said...

Oh my goodness- I'm so sorry about your colleague. That is so very sad.

Lynn said...

I am so sorry Carol to hear the horrifying news about your colleague. I can only imagine how upsetting this is for you. A violent death such as this is so senseless.
I'll keep her family and friends such as you in my prayers.

Desi said...

I am so sorry. I pray that you can find some solace in your stitching and the love around you.

Anonymous said...

OH Carol,what a bad news about your friend.Unbelievebel that this is happen.
my prayers are with you and the families.

Sharon said...

Carol, how horrible! I am so sorry to hear this. It is so scary when it hits so close with people that you know and love. {{{hugs}}}

Mylene said...

Carol, i am sorry to hear of this sad news. Hugs.

Michelle (Mollylanguedoc) said...

Carol, I am so sorry to hear this! Sending prayers to you and the families!

Carla said...

What a horrible news Carol! I'm so sorry.
You made a great start on Be Kind an True!

Beatrice said...

I am so sorry for your loss! My prayers are with you and the family of your friend!

Lelia said...

Awww, so sorry to read about your friend. Hard to understand why this stuff goes on. Just sad to know there are good people out there reaching out to assist others to such a tragic end.