What's Under the Needle?

Time flies

Posted by Ruth on 17 February 2013 | 1 Comments
This content belongs to Arbee Designs.

Wasn't it just the other day that I was holding my first born in my arms? Yep, just 30 years ago today, but it seems not so long ago. She is the eldest of my four children and we have experienced many happy times as she grew up, along with some trying times as well.

For her fourth birthday, her grandma bought her, her first sewing machine. It wasn't electric, just one you turn the handle on the wheel - but it was real.

Amanda's first sewing machine

Amanda had lots of fun creating clothes for her dolls and making things. It wasn't long after that when she made her very first quilt. A small wall hanging of a panda bear. She still has it today.

Amanda's panda quilt

In 2001, Amanda left home in Nelson to attend University in Christchurch - a 4 1/2 hour drive away. She lived in the resident's hall. During that year, she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a scary night when the medical center couldn't locate her and called on the police to help, expecting to find her unconscious because of her high sugar level. Fortunately, she was just hanging out with friends, but was soon rushed off to the hospital, spending a night or two adjusting to her new medical condition. On the brighter side, in the same year she meet her husband-to-be.

Amanda and Warwick 2001

Five years later Amanda and Warwick were married.

Amanda 2006

They had already purchased their own home and were living in Christchurch city suburbs. Their plan to move out of the city to a lifestyle farm. They accomplished this in late 2010 and Amanda had delight in raising all sorts of different animals from turkeys, ducks and geese....

Baby Turkey - a poult

ducklings under the heat lamp

....to pigs, lambs and calves.

She was truly the farm girl her grandad would have been proud of. She grew her own vegetables and even made her own sausages.

Amanda's homemade sausages

After almost 30 years she has given me something I'm most proud of, my first grandson - Thomas Blake Anderson.

Thomas Blake Anderson - another precious little grandchild

Born 24 December 2012 - 5 weeks early but doing wonderfully. I told Amanda the other day, you know, it won't be long and he will be 30 years old. Time flies.

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