Raining Cats, Dogs, Pigs, Sheep, Horses...

Well of course it pours buckets as soon as my open house starts....Where is Twinkle?
She just called & is coming this afternoon (oh goodie more rain LOL)

Yesterdays Mystery shopper (leaving after her spree)


Guess who this is and win a gift! LOL
Jean is not allowed to play since she was here when the Mystery Shopper was leaving...sorry


My dyeing buddy Susan also came by after the Open House to visit, we hadn't seen each other since before
Grandma passed away. She is going to school & working full time to become a Physicians Assistant!
I admire her, I could not do all that right now!

NO training today, lummox that I am was spraying a small wasp nest in the arched entry outside the front door and
while I tried to scramble inside before they came after me I slid on the entry tiles & of course broke my fall with my left elbow & knee. Even with icing they are knots & I am sure will be beautiful colors just in time for the Fourth of July.

I also talked to my dil last night to see if she was ready....not yet!


Here is Tyler's before & after pictures...he got all his hairs cut Tuesday.




He decided he needs to get a job so a shorter cut might be the ticket.

Blessings 2 U Friends

Time off from training to clean yippee

Today and tomorrow there will be no 'Personal Training' as I have to clean & set up for my open house sale.

Time to share some of the things I have enjoyed over the years and to decrease my inventory.
One would think it was me giving birth in the next few weeks but I guess I am going through
Grandmother 'nesting' right now.

Last night I listed this new Punchneedle Treasures Box


This is the second item I listed for PRHG's 'HOT FUN in the Summertime' Launch on Ebay

I also placed the Semper Fi Marine Fund Rug right here on my blog you can email me through my comment on any post if your interested in purchasing a rug to help the Injured Warriors Fund.

Maybe I will post a few items here as a 'ONLINE OPEN HOUSE' tomorrow. :-)

Blessings 2 U Friends

My personal trainer & I worked out today

Let me start by saying I used to be in better shape, not great but better
Not only before I gave birth to 4 kids but a year ago ...
a year ago I walked (hills mind you not rolling but steep) 4 miles a day just for exercise
But things came along...like work and the FLORIDA HEAT so I put walking at the bottom of the to do list.

Well last Thursday I met with my personal trainer for the first time in a year...
PHEW let me be the first to say I am seriously out of shape again.
He put me through my paces and according to my heart rate monitor I burned off 500 calories which was good because I ate those and then some while camping last weekend.

So today we met again and again he put me through my paces but I got to take a water break right now so I decided to cool off & blog for a moment.

A vistor we had at camp on Saturday afternoon



This is the first Raccoon I have seen in Florida
Here are a few photos of the storm we drove (or tried to drive) through on the way home Sunday afternoon...

Can you see the grey in the distance?

We had to slow down from 55 to 25 here
Can you see the oncoming traffic ?

Look again they are closer now

Finally a spot to pull over in the right turn lane as we stopped two lawn chairs came flying by from GOD only knows where..
reminded me of the Wizard of Oz.

Can you see the green in the middle of the median?

Then as we came into town this was over our area

No we didn't beat it

I had to stand in the rain with a blanket directly Larry back up into the driveway...

Okay my break is up back to 'work'.

Blessings 2 U Friends

Crocagators,The Skunk Ape , Black Bears & The Florida Panthers

What do these creatures have in common? I have yet to see one in the wild.
We decided to check out of the campgrounds a little early today as poor Sahara is still not feeling up to snuff & now Tyler has a sore throat. She only woke up once last night after taking two NyQuil, I would be dead until morning. But she woke up coughing 4 hours later.
The mosquitoes were atrocious all weekend. I don't know how the group that pulled in late last night are going to handle camping in tents there. The Australian guys had enough and left early this morning after their showers as they too had enough (one night) of camping in a tent there.
So we headed east towards the Everglades & then north up the western edge of Big Cypress National Preserve hoping to see a Crocagator, a Florida Panther, a Black Bear, or The Skunk Ape...so far no luck for me...although Tyler swears he saw an Alligator in the canal running alongside the roadway a while back.

The drive is at least quiet & scenic if not for Sahara coughing up a lung. I personally prefer the roads less traveled there is so much more to see this way. Pretty sure I have seen 10 lifetimes of Mac Donald's, Wendy's, Burger King and the bazillion other fast food & gas station signs in my lifetime.
Sure don't want to contemplate what it would have been like to travel these routes before automobiles with air conditioning.
Thank you GOD for those who invented the comforts we would not want to be without these days!

Stopping in Felda for gas at $4.01 a gallon and doggie potty breaks.

Just north of Palmdale (south of Sebring) and we hit the usual afternoon thunderstorms. The dogs & Sahara are sound asleep...at least until we hear a bolt of thunder. :-)

Blessings 2 U Friends

And they're OFF .

We are hitting the road...off to Collier-Seminole State Park for the weekend!

I think we are completely packed but who knows I am only functioning on 4 hours of sleep.

Sahara was awake until 3:40 this morning and of course kept me awake with her, finally I gave her a melatonin.

What normally takes an hour has taken me three hours this morning. I listed my newest piece on Ebay for PRHG'S

'HOT FUN in the Summertime' Launch
Over the next two weeks we will be listing items with a summertime feel or look.
Here is mine



This started as one of our Primitive Class Projects and I had to change up the design a bit
I had these amazing beads in the shape of Watermelon seed stashed away in my drawer for 18 years...
THEY WORK PERFECTLY don't you think?

So the important stuff is packed, coffee, clothes, my next piece (which is almost done) and my newest Issue of Country Home Magazine to finish reading on the way.
Polly is featured on the cover & her home, perfectly clean & beautifully arranged (always so I hear) is inside along with the newest Rug Kit to benefit Semper Fi Injured Marines.

Hope to have some wonderful photos to post later this weekend & check out the above links...expand your mind!

Blessings 2 U Friend

if it ain't one thing it's another

Well even though Casper hasn't left my side he does seem to be feeling better...Otis is a little out of sorts though LOL

Now that I think we can get back to some sort of normal Sahara tells me she has a sore throat last night.
She has been in bed most of the day with 101 degree fever.

In case I forgot "UNCLE, I give up" ...Please GOD enough.

He's Home He's Home Yippee

We were able to pick up Casper from Dr.MacDaniel's this morning.
He came home with two different meds but over all he is looking a lot better!
He has his bright yellow pressure bandage on his IV site, we call it is POWER RANGER
wrist band.
He was spoiled with some steak pieces and banana (his favorite treat)
He wanted to nap on the lanai in the sun after 5 minutes followed me in & is sleeping on my lap right now



As nice & comfortable as he is I have to go finish those two items so I can list them soon.
The damages weren't as bad as my dental bills but none the less $410 is a tank of gas these days. . . for my suburban


Blessings 2 U Friends

We found the problem ...

We found what was causing Casper to be sooooo sick...
He had a Kidney infection due to the small stones which are Sturvite poor baby had sepsis

The ones he had earlier this year were Calcium Oxalate the change in his diet to prevent these caused his urine to go from acidic to alkaline.
He also can go back to his old brand of food and will have to drink distilled water from now on...which might be best for all of them seeing how Calvin has issues with re-occurring bladder infections.

As long as he can keep his food down and the fever stays down he can come home tomorrow with antibiotics.

Back to work finishing things to list to cover this bill.

OH before I forget again....I am selling these fabulous rugs to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

This rug is from Moda Home © and was released in conjuction with Polly Minick & Laurie Simpsons "Everyday Folk Art...Hooked Rugs and Quilts to make" book and the Nantucket Line of Fabrics a few years ago.

A very limited number of these rugs are being offered for sale to benefit the Semper Fi Injured Marines Fund.

Each Rug is exquisitely crafted of 100% Cotton in 3 shades of Blue squares with white stars in each, based on Polly's original White Star Rug.

The rugs are all BRAND new and in their packages and measures 4ft x 2ft the perfect size for in front of your favorite chair, by the porch door, in your American Themed, next to your bathtub or in front of the kitchen sink.
Would go beautifully with a beach themed patio or lanai.
Your also helping a well deserving cause, by helping those who have defended our freedom and returned Home as Wounded Warriors.




You can purchase these directly through me by contacting me or by clicking on my Etsy or Ebay Links.

Blessings 2 U Friend!

Off to the Vet this morning

After waking up worrying and Casper vomiting a little (he didn't eat or drink anything of significance yesterday) at 4:30 this morning. I finally got back to sleep around 6am then awoke at 7am got ready & took him in to Dr. Mac this morning, his temp was still up & he was still lethargic.

She drew blood right away which will be sent off this morning, then took x-rays to make sure there was no bowel obstruction and saw more tiny stones in his bladder & now in his kidney.
I got a urine sample & there is some blood in it so he is staying there over the weekend on antibiotics & fluids to rehydrate him.
It is days like this I wish I would have gotten my degree and had my own practice, but since I didn't there is no one I trust more to care for my animals.

So now to keep busy and not worry until I receive news on his condition, diagnosis & what treatment course we will be taking.

Not to mention get somethings listed & sold to pay this bill....:-)
Anyone want to buy a lightweight craft display booth??? :-)

Blessings 2 U today Friend!

Just one thing after another around here

Woke up to poor Casper not feeling well, he has a slight temp & some type of intestinal bug (Hoping for only 2 4hours)
He wouldn't eat his breakfast and has been sleeping on the couch all day. I have taken him out a couple of times to make sure he potties and got him to eat 1/2 a piece of sliced ham and drink a little water.

In the meantime I am trying to keep busy finishing up a couple of "TO DO" items, like rearrange my crop/art studio room.
I have decided to sell off the display I used for the Craft Shows and set up the room so that I can use it for inventory & storing my wool/foundations/patterns. In the process I am trying to remember to find my black beads to finish a wall hanging I hope to list next week for our PRHG "HOT Fun in the Summertime" Launch and a vintage box to mount my needlepunch bunny onto. Oh yeah and the crib/changing pad sheet for the nursery at church.

Okay back to work...then piano lessons, then the eye doctor (who is a NUT) Hi Dr. Petro! :-)

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe, we are praying for ALL those affected by fires, tornados, floods, earthquakes & the heat.

Blessings 2 U Friend

I am CRUSHED & DEVASTATED...yet happy

Happy because he is finally committing himself....
CRUSHED & DEVASTATED it isn't to me....

I just heard from a 'fairly' reliable source that my hearthrob is getting married this Saturday.

Johnny Depp is tying the knot.....

another dream......gone gone gone


what a world .....what a world.

WHAT DAY IS IT?

Seriously!!! I had to pull up my calendar....what a weekend!!

Saturday morning had to get out of bed bright & early (will tell you the reason later)

Afterwards I had to get ready for an early Brunch Baby Shower, afterwards we had to deliver our gift & set it up.
4-1 Crib/Bed in Cherry (which of course is my favorite wood so brownie points to my DIL)

Then it was off to the new location for CHURCH to help clean & set up for Sundays Installation of our Skydiving Vicar, as Rachael called him...lol

Back to pick up my car from my son & dil's apartment

We then headed home for showers a quick bite to eat & off to the Piano Year End Awards Recital
Finally after o dark thirty we got home had a late bite & off to bed as church services were going to be VERY early as we had to drive farther now!


Sunday awake & out the door before 9am to work the Nursery for the Installation of Pastor Dave.
Afterwards we came home, changed clothes headed off to Lowes to get some items and while there guess what it RAINS, not just a summer rain but BUCKETS of RAIN...You would think we never saw rain before....called home, which mind you is a mile south of the store...nope not a drop, sunny & hot, the lady next to me in the aisle also called her house...no answer which means it isn't raining because her hubby is out doing yard work. LOL she lives a few blocks s.e. of my house.

This probably isn't quite as interesting to some folks but you see it has rained ALL OVER Florida for the last year, with the exception of our HILL in the Highlands. I KID YOU NOT!
Since they finished bulldozing the groves around us & put up more houses August 2006 we have gotten ALOT less rain here on the hilltop.

When we arrived home & went to plant the 3 little bushes & flowers we purchased it was smokey & dark thundering clouds were just south of us (1/2 mile) Smokey was because of the brush fire just across the main road where the clouds were and we hustled, just in case it rained on us, to get those bushes in the ground (the others died from lack of rain at the top of our yard)

Well after almost getting jolted when lightening struck up the hill and surged our power off while trimming the Hibiscus next to the pool pump & stung by a wasp while trimming the palms I gave up & went inside.
Finally we received about 1/8th of an inch of rain WOO HOO!

Yesterday it rained all around us again but nothing on us so we had to water the bushes & plants.

OH yeah why I have been waking up really early lately?
Last night my daughter can hardly keep her eyes open...seems she needs to reset her alarm clock and doesn't know how...'what time is it set for Sahara?' 6AM?!!!!
The alarm goes off and wakes up our oldest Boston, who now wants to go outside & have breakfast!
The thing is NO ONE ELSE hears him when he tries to wake them with his grunting squeeks EXCEPT ME!!!

Harley is the one on the left who naps after breakfast, naps after his mid-morning potty break, naps after his lunch potty break, naps after mid afternoon potty & play break, naps after dinner UGH!

Well that got fixed & I was able to sleep in this morning until 7 am YIPPEE!

Nothing to say

Words seem pointless compared to the majesty of this sunset

More from the Museum

These are the only turtles we saw...

They are kind of eerie don't you think?


Last nights Storm Clouds that never reached us .... yet again!

What is your daily battle with????

Mine is always a multitude of things I should do and things I must do vs things I want to do.

This morning I have spent my time unloading the dishwasher & organizing the family/work calendars.
Trying to reschedule piano & nursery dates due to out of town work commitments.
Making sure we are nearby when the Grandbaby is due.
This is really unusual because we usually NEVER go anywhere!
We are ALWAYS home, even the older two kids just assume we are in town at home, no life!

Here are some more photo's from our 1 day Holiday at the Beach.
We only saw two nests nothing hatched overnight while we were here

My Sunday morning breakfast companions, there were 4 crows

This was a neat museum

The museum guard

Some of the treasures that have been found so far






Finally home to another beautiful sunset from our front door... yes there were storm clouds but we still have not seen rain here in weeks/months?


Blessings 2 U friend

AHHHHH Mini Vacation

We packed up Saturday Morning & headed to Sebastian Inlet State Park to watch the Shuttle Launch



We headed over to the beach afterwards & had it almost completely to ourselves.


It was PERFECT


we even saw some sizeable Crabs too fast to catch for dinner though. :-(



Yes even I (since there was no one around) went swimming...in public....in my bikini!


Here are photos from the last day of the trip home last month...
SUNRISE IN S. Carolina



Crazy Driver


Sunset on the way home from Daytona



I have to note here this sunset was taking from a moving car (about 65mph) with my iphone.


Off to my tub....


Blessings 2 U Friend!