Quiltingboard Forums - Not new but never introduced myself

I've been here since last fall but haven't introduced myself because my life is changing so drastically right now.

I started sewing at the age of 5 by making my dollies quilts out of scraps from my mother's quilt scrap bag. My mother was a professional quiltmaker so of course I learned to quilt early at the frame of a neighbor. LOL Mom was always working on a quilt she was being paid to make the neighbor was just making quilts for all her grandkids in her garage.

I've been sewing for 51 years and quilting for 50! I have also designed costumes for 6 different plays that were done locally here in Spokane, Washington. I have made 100s of quilts and used to own my own long arm quilting business. My business was sold after my third back surgery went bad!

I didn't marry a wonderful man...I married an abusive man 32 years ago and now with the help of a woman's shelter I am trying to get out of the abusive relationship but it's a very hard thing to do. I made a commitment before God for better or worse and I have tried to live up to that commitment but since he lost his job in 2003 he has become much more abusive and now I am not allowed to leave the house...literally!

This summer I will be leaving and moving half way across the USA. I won't have any family or friends where I am going but then I don't have friends here in Spokane either. My husband has made sure of that. My daughter and Grandson will have to stay here in Spokane for awhile but I hope they will be able to move too someday. I have chosen Michigan for my new home. I will be selling lots of my stash and quilt tops before I go. I will have to start a new stash when I get there but I can do it. The only thing I can take with me is my special mattress for my back, my Siamese cats, my wheelchair, and a few treasures I can bare to part with. The rest will be sold in my eBay business and the money squirreled away to help with the transition to Michigan.

I could use prayers that I get out of this nightmare alive if you have a prayer circle or list. In the mean time I will keep watching and visiting here on the board just to keep my spirits up.