Kathrynn Scheele Grand Slam Contest Entry

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I cannot sing or dance, well I can but most people prefer not to see or hear it. I don’t blame them. So when I needed to make a project for the Grand Slam contest I decided to do what I love doing; sewing and quilting. Here is  the story of the “GRAND SLAM QUILT”.

3 Years ago I was diagnosed with diabetes and in  the last 4 years both my parents died of smoking related illness. Wow, what a wakeup call. Even though I have not smoked in 16 years I still have some damage from living around smokers all my life and from smoking myself; asthma. I decided that I needed to take charge of my health. I joined a “Healthy Living Support Group” with the YMCA. As a group we make short term goals to reach long term goals. Not only have I made several new friends and found that I am not alone in my struggle for a healthy life style but it has helped me stay on track with my goals. The other thing that came into my life was the Healthy Incentives challenges for King County insurance. One year I chose the “colorful choices” , you can see some of the wonderful fruits and vegetables that I make part of my daily diet in the quilt. Another year I chose the exercise path. Some of the activities I chose are also in the quilt. I especially like Betty Boop and Olivia  the pig. They work hard even though it is not what they are used to. This year I chose the Big Back Yard Challenge, this has been my favorite. I have been to many parks that I did not know about, two that are within 10 minutes of my home. The signs on the quilt are some of the codes words from  the parks I visited.

The back of the quilt represents the “Grand Slam Contest” . I like the part on the poster that says; WHO: King County Employees.  I hope all enjoy the quilt as much as I enjoyed making it.

Just so you know, I was able to reduce my diabetes medicine in half and have lost 30 pounds. I have found  the way to get healthy and stay healthy is, of course, to eat better and exercise but neither of those are easy to do if it is a chore. So, I say MAKE IT FUN.