FABULOUS DAY...In more ways than one

First off today is my babies Birthday, she turned 11 today.
She wanted to use the passes we bought last fall & go to Adventure Island, so we did after breakfast.

The first ride was 'Cat In The Hat' were we met an adorable young girl, all by herself, named Ella. Ella's Dad was sitting out by the Seussousel with two of her younger sisters. So we invited her to ride with us, see Ella is 10 and the same height as Sahara.
They became fast friends and we learned Ella is from England, completely evident by her adorable accent. They really didn't want to part ways when the ride was over. We passed Ella, her Dad & two sisters when getting on the Seussosel, Ella brought her sister who was about 4 on with us, while Dad took care of the baby (about 18 months). The two of them plotted their next ride so they could spend time together again, but that ride was closed temporarily. We didn't see Ella so we assumed she went back by her Dad and we took photo's with the characters

When we were finished the Train was running again so we got in line, well who was up ahead of us but little Ella. She came back in the line (20 people back) so she & Sahara could ride together. I had a chance to find out more about her during our wait in line, she is the middle child of 7, her father is remarried & they live about 5 hours west of London. Her Step mother was back were they were staying with the rest of the kids and they only have 4 days left of their vacation. I asked if she had an email address so she & Sahara could keep in touch but she didn't and I didn't have a pen to give her ours at the time. However the two of them plotted their next move & figured we could meet up at Lost Continent as they had just arrived too & that was the next area.
The Train Engineer sang Happy Birthday Seuss Style to Sahara.

At the end of the ride her father was waiting with her sisters & I introduced myself while my hubby took a photo for another Mom with her kids. In the meantime he told Ella her sister wanted to go back on the 'Round About' & I saw their faces drop.

By the time I got a pen from the lady in the candy store & wrote our address down they had walked away. We went back towards the Carousel & Flying Fish ride looking for them but no luck. So we headed to the Lost Continent hoping we would bump into them again....The rest of the day we looked while heading around the park & even went back to Seuss Land before leaving the park tonight, no luck.

So how do you find a 10 yr. old girl who lives in another country when all you know is her first name, her father's first name & some general information?

Valentines Day...Romance & Sweet NUTHIN'

Happy Valentines Day!!!

We aren't real big on 'Valentines Day' here, oh sure we love each other but I figure if you don't show that on a daily basis
one day isn't going to make up for the other 364 now is it?!

We did exchange cards, as usual I gave him a few more than he gave me. :-) I WIN AGAIN! just kidding.

My card from him was Maxine & her dog (there better not be a hidden joke there honey!)
It says "It's Valentines Day & My Hearts all a flutter....... "
inside "STUPID COFFEE"
Which is kinda funny because I am trying to get him to give up coffee altogether.

I did get to have Sushi for dinner!!! Is there anything more romantic than sushi & sashimi? NOPE!
Oh & more firelogs (its a bit chilly here tonight) so there is a fire in the fireplace & I hear LOST starting.
Have to list a private auction & get a good spot on the couch.


Blessing 2 U Valentine Friends!


BONUS No teeth broke today just some sore gums still!!!

So things have to start turning...right?!!!!!!!

Lynn, at church said to me, after the year you have had, things have to get better, then she caught herself & realized it was only February 10th!

It sure does seem like it has been a full year of trials & tribulations already! I really don't even want to think about each one again so I keep looking forward to the day ahead of me.

Yesterday was another one of those days, the check I wrote to the dentist last week ( Wednesday, on the first tooth I broke January 13th) put our checking account in the red. So I transferred money from my C.M. account to cover any more checks until I could get in with a check from our eldest son.

As the kids & I are heading out the door I grab a 'fruit & nut' bar for lunch, mind you these are the real thing not those junk filled ones you buy at the grocery stores. I take a bite heading for the door & thought I hit a really hard nut (except I grabbed pumpkin so it shouldn't be that hard). Then I thought okay well maybe that odd feeling next to the tooth that had the root canal January 24th is just a piece of nut or seed that got wedged between the tooth & gum..

this has nothing to do with the story but I thought a sunny photo of a flower from Sebring is better than a photo of my tooth!

BUUUUUUTTTTT NNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The tooth has cracked in half, the half that is inside near the roof, thankfully it is still in place so I push it back together & call my hubby to tell him I am going to have to call the dentist after making this deposit. GASP!
I called Dr. Chris but of course they are out to lunch for an hour. So I will not eat or drink anything for the next hour!

When they returned from lunch I called again & was told to be there in 30 minutes, no problem I look like a bum because I was going to finish some projects & a little yardwork before the impending Thunderstorms that were forecast.
Trying to be as 'delicate' as possible Dr. Chris gave me the 'possible' treatments for the possible options..before I opened my mouth.
1 the break is close to the surface of my gum & they can rebuild the portion that broke & put a crown on it.
2 the break is too far below the gum & bone making oral surgery & a post implant the only option.

I don't know which was the cheaper option but he saved the remainder of the tooth & I have a temp. crown on it now.
It was below the gum line & bone but not far enough to make the tooth a total loss.

So another week of 'temp partial botox', or as they call it novocaine, and I was told my dental is already been maxed by the previous 2 visits so this will be entirely out of my pocket....$1200.
more sunshine & cheer from Sebring (subliminal messaging)lol

It would seem the dog's surgery in January wasn't too expensive after my dental work the last 4 weeks. Time to really get my stitching projects finished & listed for sale!!!

Speaking of sales the highlight of my day yesterday was waking up to a Sale Notice from Etsy! My first Pattern Booklet Sold!!
To a fellow ESTYian & blogger Rachael, she was also one of the first strangers to ever comment on my blog!
The only other comments were from my friend Betty.

Thank you Rachael & please stop by her blog or etsy site to check out the adorable items she knits over the pond!

Oh & of course after being under Tornado Watches all day & night we got rain but not a single rumble or bolt of lightening!
So here is a snapshot of one that I caught last year.

The tree you see is our one of our Oaks in the back corner of our yard.

So in closing I am off to the shop for 1/2 the day, then will take care of Jan's Corgi's down the street if her hubby goes golfing & then home to 'create'!

Blessings 2 U Friends
may your teeth remain strong & whole!!!!

So I am watching the Westminster Dog Show & who do I see?

MARY....DR. MAC ...Dr. Mary McDaniel,

My VET!!! You could have knocked me over with a feather! I was watching the terrier group when in the ring on the side is what looks to be Mary McDaniel, my DVM.

Now normally I wouldn't be shocked because I know she travels all over showing her Glen of Imaal Terriers.
She apparently won Best of Breedas she was in the Terrier Group Ring
with Ch Finnabair Rocket's Red Glare
What shocked me is that I was at the office a couple of weeks ago when she did surgery on Casper to remove his kidney stones and she didn't say a word to me.

We have run into each other, outside the 'office', throughout the last 10 yrs at the Imperial Polk County Dog Shows & she even asked me once if I would be at the Eukanuba Dog Show in Tampa a few years ago.
She KNOWS how much I love dogs & other animals!!! She didn't tell me....not a hint from any of the girls either

Here is the conundrum I know she won Best of Breed but not the Terrier Group.....
do I call her on her cell & congratulate her tonight or tomorrow when things have calmed down?

CONGRATULATIONS MARY on your well deserved WIN!!!

Pattern Booklet Finally Printed & Listed on Etsy

Well I finally finished my pattern booklet! It is so hard to believe I started it 4 months ago. Now I have to confess I didn't work on it daily or even weekly...I sketched images as they came to me, something I saw (like the cover image) or something I love (Boston Baby).

I kept the images I drew, smudges and all, scanned them in & darkened them up so they showed up more clearly when printed.
Some have a phrase, word or saying on them others are simple designs that can be enhanced to fit your personal preferences.
There are 10 drawings that can be enlarged or reversed for Rug Hooking, Punchneedle or Needle Punch, Wool Applique Penny Rugs, Folk Art Painting, Primitive Stitching, ATC's, Collage or anything you can dream up!

This is the cover of the booklet

This is one of the designs hooked up into a Rocking Chair Pad for a New Mother


Okay time to go to sleep, it has been a long day!

and yet another Dentist visit is over

This afternoon I went for my 'original' appointment, remember the one where I broke off the back bottom molar on the 17th of January, but had to have a root canal done on another tooth that started hurting on the 22nd.

This time he used two full syringes of novocaine since one wore off 1/2 way through the root canal.
First the impression, then after a LOT of drill whirring and whirring I had to rinse & have another mold taken. Then something about he had to drill down below the gum to prep the tooth for a crown & another mold I have a temporary crown on that tooth. The jaw is sore & the novocaine is finally wearing off. The jaw is sore and so far no pain except for the tender gum area around that tooth or if I bite down while trying to chew. Thankfully I had a couple pain pills left, I took a 1/2 right afterwards & a full one when I could feel my bottom lip again.

Providing I don't have any more pain I won't have to return for 3 weeks when the permanent crown will be in & I have to have the root canal checked & of course an actual cleaning. Then there is the matter of the other temp. crown that has been on for 3 or more years...it will need some work since it has a tiny hole in it & I could feel pain when they were drying the molar off today. I didn't dare say anything since I didn't want to have to deal with another root canal just yet!

Okay off to try & draw those patterns and let the dogs out again......I feel like Carleton the Doorman somedays...Let dogs out, let dogs in, let dogs out, let dogs in, let dogs out....well you get the picture.

Blessings 2 U Friends

Tornados .....it is spring in the south

While we didn't have any storms here there are some in 7 states just north of us.
My hubby & his 2 sisters, father & step mother were debating (with input from the other 5 siblings) about starting their drive south after Uncle Bob's funeral yesterday.

PRAISE GOD that my DH didn't think leaving after such an emotionally exhausting day was such a good thing.
They would have been driving through those storms last night, instead they are planning on departing this morning sometime.

However the latest update is that it is snowing now and won't be letting up anytime soon.
Dad (who has the vehicle and is staying in Wi with another sister) saw the snow & went back to bed.

So far 44 are reported dead in 4 states as over 80 tornados were reported, pray for their families & everyone who has been affected by the storms & those who will be helping them today. This storm front is moving eastward across our nation & threatens numerous states today.

As for our area it is going to be 80 after the fog burns off. I am so looking forward to my Dentist appt. this afternoon (NOT) in the meantime I will be drawing out 8 patterns on backing, these will be kitted up for the shop to take to The State Fair & sell in Cracker Country. I hope to do some wool dying today so I can take that into the shop Friday and I want to finish my Pattern book so I can get it listed.

Blessings 2 U Friends

So what commercial was your favorite?

Unlike years past I wasn't GLUED to the television during the Superbowl Commercials...
we had a group of dear friends over and I spent most of the game & commercials talking with them.
I did catch a few....Superbowl Ads
My favorites were The Budweiser Horses, The E*Trade Baby & Bridgestone's Ad with Alice Cooper.
Even after checking out the ones I missed on line tonight those were still my favorites.
Although the Chris Kattan cameo was cute!
Well off to bed have to head into the shop tomorrow....

Blessings 2 U Friend

Wow already been a week

I can't believe a week ago I was in Sebring hooking! The weekend wasn't nearly long enough & the week after just FLEW by.
We had a wonderful time! All the ladies at my table were 'virgins' at a camp and one was a 'virgin hooker'! I can't say I accomplished a whole lot as I was so enthralled with what all the attendee's were doing! We started the morning with breakfast together & then went back to clean up a little before class. Hooked & chatted until Noon then down to the restaurant for lunch, complete with dessert.....YUM. Back up to class which on Saturday we skipped part of the afternoon to enjoy the fresh air & sunshine poolside (we hooked there too) which was a delight seeing as how the air conditioning stopped working!
Sunday was bittersweet as we parted ways after a late lunch & a little while hooking & finalizing orders for supplies needed to finish our projects.
I am waiting for the others to forward pictures as my digital camera is MIA.
Yesterday I spent doing inventory & today was cleaning & getting ready for tomorrow mornings crop. My youngest has been a real help with the cleaning. Dad had to leave after work to drive north, picking up his father & getting to Atlanta tonight. His sisters (2 of them ) will join them in the drive to N.E. Illinois for their Uncles funeral, Monday & Tuesday.
So I am in charge of the SUPERBOWL PARTY this year! This means NO bleacher seating for the sofa & no extravagant dishes, I am not even sure if we can figure out how to hook up the projector so it is life size.....
We will see :-)
Hoping your weekend is enjoyable & relaxing!
Blessings 2 U friend

~*I have been tagged!*~ These drugs must be good I didn't even feel it!

There I was just sitting back watching "CHUCK", finishing a snippet bag for one of my Snippet & Tool Stools, which needs to get packed in my suitcase with the others so I can get my clothes in there, when my phone 'dings', which means I have an email.

I put my stitching down to check the mail & I find out I have been TAGGED?!?!??!?

Tagged by my dear friend Betty, who I am learning is a little bit of a stinker sometimes!

Being old I have no idea what the rules are of 'cyber blog tag' I have to research Betty's Blog "primitivebettys" to figure out what I have to do now.

LOL I have to tell you 5 things about myself (gee I guess if you read my blog you would know way more than 5 things about me) and tag five more friends...gee do I have 5 friends?

Okay Okay I will play along, thankfully we have the eldest sons DVR and I can watch the end of CHUCK when I am done!!!

1. I love old things, not antiques, although I do like them too, but old things that most people would throw away...like these old glass bottles I found while hiking through Old Mill Creek when I was 18 they were buried 1/2 way in the mud near what was left of an old farm foundation. They are on my display ledge in my kitchen with lots of other old things I have found or been given.

2. I was adopted as a baby & found out when I was 18 when someone said something to my sister, she came home & told me.

3. I have a 1/2 brother that was born 4 -6 yrs after me, around Christmas, that was also given up for adoption.

4. My Birthmother was also adopted around 4 yrs old, so I would love to find out my family history & nationality.

5. I want desperately to own a farm in the Virginia mountains where I can raise endangered breeds of farm animals & have school children visit on field trips to learn about farm life.

hhhhhmmm who to tag, who to tag

1. Rachael

2. Kelley

3. Kim

4. Kimmie

MORE FUN than a barrel of monkeys

Well Monday night my upper pre-molar was throbbing (not the one that broke) I thought maybe I ate something that got in behind the crappy old filling & irritated the nerve. After taking 4 Motrin & not getting any relief by 11pm I took 2 Nyquil gel thingys and at least slept through the night.

Tuesday I called the Dentist & Marte got me in that afternoon, Cheryl took x-rays which showed that tooth as fractured. JOY!
Dr. Chris asked which tooth I wanted fixed Thursday Morning.....well that was a no brainer!!! He sent me home with a RX for antibiotics & pain meds.

This morning Dr. Chris did the root canal (himself) and I get to go back next week for the other tooth. So far so good, I took 1/2 a pain pill before leaving the office & the other half 2 hours later, before lunch. The novocaine is finally almost completely worn off (the second set of injections) so I just took another 1/2 .

Now I am trying to tie up some loose ends in my office, finish packing for the weekend, pass along a few prayer requests & answer a few emails.

Why is it every year between January & March we seem to have 'emergencies' arise?
Usually it is an appliance or vehicle that breaks down & our tax refund is spent before it is filed. . .
This year it seems it will be spent on Veterinary bills & Dental Bills....Now I will be the 'Million dollar wife" since my two visits will total $600 out of our pockets, WHY DO WE HAVE INSURANCE?


Well back to packing!!!

Blessings 2 U Friend

How not to catch the family cold....

Last week my youngest daughter & my husband caught a NASTY cold.
Seeing the big picture & knowing I am finally going to GET AWAY for two days this weekend (a mini vacation for me) I kept them at arms length all week, no mouth kissing only cheek, washed my hands a hundred more times during the day, upped my Vitamin C intake, ate well, drank plenty of water, got 7hrs a night (okay maybe interrupted by dogs barking at the eldest when he came home) sleep.

Saturday morning I leave bright & early for Primitive Rug Hooking Class leaving DH still in bed now watching tv & the kids somewhat asleep. I arrive back home after lunch and the bed is made. Well now isn't that thoughtful?!!!!

After a LONG emotional day and trying to finish some of the to do list before bed (while watching the radar for 2 hours as we were under Tornado Watches & Warnings) I finally crawl in bed at 11:30 and decide to watch SNL's Tracy Morgan tribute. The only skit I remember is "Brian Fellows" with "The Rock" which was pretty funny.
I proceed to fall asleep propped up on the stack of pillows with my glasses on.

At some point the hubby comes in to remove my glasses & ask if I am watching this? No not really I am asleep! I then moved the pillows down so I didn't throw my back out & dozed back off. Waking up about 3 hours later to a sore throat, stuffy nose & the boys still watching television in the living room (right outside my bedroom door). After telling them to GET TO BED & getting a drink of water I climb back in bed realizing why I feel sick......
I HAVE HIS PILLOW & NOT MINE!
My special pillow is lower than his, his is higher 'to prevent snoring' AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
3 hours of breathing in the COLD GERMS that have been on his pillowcase all week long & NOW I HAVE IT!!!!

My nose looks like rudolph, it is runny, I am sneezing constantly, my nose & eyes are itchy & my throat is still sore!!!
I have increased the Vit.C. again, have been rinsing my nose with salt water (trying to flush the germs out) & trying not to rip my nose off my face! At least I found the vaseline to put on it so the 'lotion' tissues don't continue to make it more raw. So now it is a GLOSSY RED NOSE.

They both feel better after 4 days so I am banking on that hoping I will too, even if I don't count yesterday as day 1 that gives me until Thursday, when I have to go to the Dentist for the back molar that broke 1/4 off on Friday.
Thankfully it isn't hurting as there is enough of that silver filling stuff in my mouth to build a small ship!
Where I will get to hear how I need that temp. crown replaced with a permanent one (it's been there about 6yrs and only comes off when I eat something sticky) that the other top molar needs new amalgam since the silver stuff is falling out & that one does hurt occasionally.

NO I am not afraid of the dentist, in fact I LOVE my old dentist, the one in Illinois. I spent most of my childhood in his office NEVER once did I have pain & he pulled out all 4 of my impacted wisdom teeth in his office. Even called me at home to find out how I was later that night (mind you this was back in 1981-82. The dentists here only make your teeth clean & white then they send you off to someone else to make you feel the pain, that way you don't HATE them.
However I am wise to the game & they are still the ones who send you off to the 'pain dentist'!

Wonder if my insurance will cover my old dentist if I fly back to Illinois to have dental work.
Dr. Cooper can you pencil me in for next week?

Yesterday while I was just miserable (sick & mourning over little Julian going home to be with the LORD, see my Prayer Warrior link)
I got a wonderful email from a fellow group moderator, she was hooking one of my designs and sent me photos throughout the day of her progress.
This brightened my day especially since I finally finished drawing the last few designs/patterns for my book yesterday.
I just have to have the hubby scan them in & email them to me so I can tweak them in Pages & add the 'fine' print before running them off to sell!! Hopefully this can be done tomorrow night. LOL

On that note here is her finished piece (yes she hooked it in one day, while watching the game even!)

Thank you Irma for sharing this with everyone, you did a wonderful job & I just love the colors you chose.


Folks hug your children, your spouse, your friends, your loved ones life it too short not to appreciate each other!
Hugs to you Irma for lifting my spirits & Hug to you readers for taking the time to stop in & share my life story.

Blessings 2 U Friends

Shutting it down soon....such pretty colors

We are getting ready for the storm front to hit soon, I am dying pots of wool and though OHOH I better go shut down & unplug my puter.
Also need to get the wool off the line & into the dryer....
Check out the pretty colors

Blessings 2 U Friends

Cleaning & Organizing

So what is it about a New Year that makes us want to clean house? Get rid of unwanted/unused items & organize the ones we still can not bring ourselves to get rid of right now?
Is it the "New Year, Fresh Start"? I have gotten almost all of Christmas put away, a few things I can't bring myself to put away just yet, the faux evergreen draping swag across my large display cabinet and the crystal swags on the mantle with the new aqua ornaments I purchased at The Barn after Thanksgiving, there is the Needlepunch item I bought from a fellow PRHG member with an American Santa inside an old mantle clock and my Folk Art Randolph & Stanley (click my Etsy link to see them). These few items make my heart glad & I don't want to put them away just yet.

I am trying to clean out & find some things a new home. I have been blessed with so many things that I feel the need to either sell them (the not so sentimental ones) or find them a new home with someone who will use or appreciate them. Heck I am willing to even barter here...we need a few things done around here that we can't seem to find enough time to do...New Pool Pump, House Painted (inside & out), Landscaping & irrigation work, Floors cleaned & refinished, Carpets removed & hardwood installed, that thin stone put on the lanai deck.

The older two kids really don't have the same taste in decorating or the desire to 'rescue' items that I think should be appreciated and not put in a Landfill, things that you just know have a wonderful history and if they could speak they would tell you stories of where they had been & the things they have seen.
The younger two already have way more than they need and I am trying to 'URGE' them to do the same in their rooms.

I don't know if it was the way my Grandmother made sure to hold onto things because she lived during The Depression, the fact that I had to support myself & the two older children completely on the money I earned for 8 yrs, or the fact that it makes my heart break that our society thinks everything is 'disposable', or I that I keep hoping that there is someone out there that needs & can truly use these items that I can't bring myself to just toss these things.


Okay enough of a break back to work....


Blessings 2 U Friends

New Year New Challenges

Where do I start? I finished my P.R.H.G. Wool Challenge rug a day after our deadline. As soon as the group votes on all the finished rugs I will post a photo & the details.

My eldest son moved home with us as his landlord was jacking their rent up $200 which I have difficulty understanding with the real estate market being in such a slump here in Florida.
This is a temporary stay as he & his gf are now engaged. They can save up some money and hopefully get a little place while it is a buyer's market.

Dec. 31st we received a call that my mother had died. This time she would not recover from her overdose.
Yes prescription drugs are just as dangerous, if not more than illegal drugs. Instead of getting the mental health care she needed 50 yrs ago she learned how to manipulate doctors (lots of them) to get the drugs she wanted.

I have no answers on how to fix the medical system to stop this from happening to others but I can say that families & friends can not ignore the problem this only enables them. Try as we might neither my father or my grandmother would intervein to get her help. My efforts failed and now I am the "awful daugther", which is fine with me I know what we did to help them this May is more than anyone else would have done after they used other family members throughout their lifetime.

GOD bless U friends

Short & Sweet

I just want to wish you a Safe & Happy New Year!
May this year bring you many joyful surprises,
may you achieve your hearts dream
& may you be blessed with people that love you unconditionally!

GOD BLESS YOU!

If you can't beat them......make lemonade

Growing up in Northeast Illinois on the Wisconsin border you learn certain things

First and foremost "If it's nice outside get out and enjoy it because it WON'T last

It is called the 'Windy City' for a reason

Winter starts around Halloween & ends around Mother's Day

Pick a Halloween Costume that you can incorporate mittens & your winter coat into or that you can hide it under

Easter hats will be blown off you head if they are not tied under your chin

Easter shoes have no treads therefore you will fall down & rip your rights or soil your dress when you walk on the icy snow unless you are being held by each hand and those people can lift you by your arms

Yes your toungue will stock to metal if it is below 40 degrees

There us no guarantee of snow during Christmas Break

Wind chills are real & should be taken seriously

Tornados are random so listen for the tornado sirens

1 week of 90 degrees with humidify is really NOT HOT!


It took me 10 Years here in Florida to deprogram myself of the first leason
The weather is always sunny & warm here it is just a matter of how warm

Thunderstorms back home can be enjoyed by playing outside in them as long as the temps are above 60
You run for cover inside during a storm here unless you have a desire to be toast

Category 1 anything is Kite flying weather!
Category 2 is a spring storm back home
Category 3 is when you plan a party
Category 4 is when the tourists leave
Category 5 is stay inside & pray you don't loose power so the kids will stay entertained & you don't loose the air-conditioning
(this mostly applies to those inland)

When it is 80 degrees at Christmas play tourist & start your tan early!

Here are a few of the FINAL Holiday Decorations
The Mantle

The mantle with the flash
The Tree Before the Gift Opening Onslaught
AFTER
The Kids Gingerbread Houses
Otis w/ his bobo
Emma w/her bobo
Casper w/his bobo
Finally Harley w/his bobo

Don't take photo's with Mom's Camera ....she might put them on the blog......

Soli Deo Gloria

I want to wish each & every one of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
May you feel the love that was given to us 2007 years ago,
the love GOD has for us, love enough to become a man, so that he could die for our sins and save our souls from Hell.
Nothing we can buy, make or do will ever amount to the gift we have been given.

Blessings 2 U Friends.

Merry Christmas

Well I can say with 98% confidence that all the gifts are wrapped & under the tree!
50% of our decorations are up this year (some must still be in the attic) but since I am the one to put them up & take them down that is just fine with me!

I also finally broke down & paid another $10 to have the photo's of our PRIMITIVE HOOKERS CHRISTMAS PARTY developed.
Can I just say I think paying $25 for a 'disposable digital camera' to then have to pay another $10 to develop the photos (which by the way are not the best quality) and then they keep the camera to repackage & sell again is a RIP OFF!

Okay now to the pictures.
This is our instructors home, she designed this rug and hooked a square a month. This was supposed to be finished in December, however since she is too good, she finished it in October!
This is her 'formal living room' note the blue Santa with the Cardinal on his arm...The Cardinal was made from her Mothers Coat & Santa's Coat is made from her Fathers saddle blanket.....ISN'T that the sweetest thing? To top it off she made all her sisters & nieces a cardinal too!


These are just a few of the ladies who made the party,
In front left to right is Susan & Amy
on the sofa Sherry, Melanie, Helen (owner of the little shop where we meet), Jonny & Joy. They are ALL such a wonderful group of women!
This is our instructor, Primitive Folk Artist Jonny Scott. and behind her is a little diorama she made of her Grandparents Hardware Store in Kansas.
Well that is it for now, I need to finish painting a raised dog feeder for my eldest daughter, she is giving it to her boyfriend tomorrow. LOVE these late projects!
I am going to take photos of the decorations & tree before the mayhem ensues!

Blessings 2 U Friends
May your hearts be filled to overflowing on this eve of our Saviors Birth!

Christmas Chaos

It would seem no matter how hard I try to leave the commitments in December to a minimum, piano recitals (2), we always have something that needs to be done each day!

I have been trying to finish decorating for Christmas, thankfully not all of our decoration boxes were brought out, yet the tree is still bare!

Gifts remain unwrapped
presents still not made or bought (I am really trying to make them more than purchase)

I haven't written a single card this year usually they are mailed the day after Thanksgiving

I have wanted to post here daily but something else on the list keeps calling

So I thought I would share a couple of recent photos instead

This is a little old Church that someone updated a little then listed For Sale
(of course at triple their purchase price)
I would love to purchase this place and make it into a little shoppe
In my little shoppe I would sell supplies for Rug Hooking,
all types of stitching and of course Coffee & Scones,
while holding classes to teach folks on these arts
just like the mothers & grandmothers did a few generations ago
The front porch would have white rockers with tables so when it is beautiful here (like now) folks could sit on the front porch and stitch or hook the day away enjoying each others company.



While on a business trip in to Chicago my dh was nice enough to take my BFFF's Christmas Gifts up with him.
She ALWAYS sends him home with a gift for me
Let me just say her gifts are NEVER small
enough to stick in his suitcase ROTFLMBO
This is what he brought home earlier this year

After he spent the evening helping his twin brother (they aren't really but her husband and he are soo much alike it's scary) install his big screen high def tv the boys watched Da Bears' had a few beers & smoked a cigar

In return she sent home with him with this gift an antique mantle mirror!!
GOTTA LOVE THOSE BFFF'S
They always know the bestest present & can torture your hubby like no one else can!!!

Okay back to the list of things....almost finished with a swap for my buddy Betty, While Jan's gift dries, then it's time to rotate the laundry....again, unload the dishwasher....again,wrap a few gifts after I find boxes and start decorating the tree....
This is all the decorating I have finished

ICE

Creativity vs. Reality

So today starts off with a bang...not literally.
Let's go back shall we? Back to Wednesday...set the Way Back Machine
Mr. Peabody...
We drove to the Gaylord Palms to experience ICE
Now before you jump to conclusions we didn't go that far back and
YES I have experienced Winter...33years of N.E. Illinois winters.
However my youngest two do not remember what it was like, that
along with the fact that I am OVER these 80 degree temps my eldest
son surprised his girlfriend with tickets & his old mother with her Biirthday
gift.
I will try to add photo's later but if things keep going the way they have been
that won't happen. My to do list just keeps growing longer with nothing getting
checked off.

Apple Rocks!

I got a phone call from the Apple store in Tampa on Thursday. They were so gracious after our disappointing visit Monday. The manager asked me to come back and they would take our check along with giving me a discount. After church today we drove back out to the mall & I got my iPhone! I am blogging from it right now! No more antique phone! I am so excited that I will be able to do so much more from just about anywhere!
So while I learn all I can do with my new phone & get some things finished up around here I want to say from the bottom of my heart
Blessings 2 U friends!

OH JUST SHOOT ME!!!

I had told a few folks I was going to update my 'gifts' on Tuesday or Wednesday...I didn't

See it started Sunday when I wore a pair of 2" heeled shoe/boots to church, all of 2 hours I had these on, and messed up my crooked spine. The muscle in my left shoulder blade area (trapeziod?) started tightening up & gave me a dull headache all week.
I had my scheduled adjustment on Thursday & usually within hours it is better, the headache is gone. Well not this time! The muscle is hanging on almost as strongly as those last 30lbs I have to loose have been!!

Meanwhile I didn't go to work at the Wool Shop Tuesday as I needed to clean the house, decorate for the "Ladies Holiday Party", finish a 1/2 dozen other things along with the daily chores that didn't get done Monday.

My teenager informs me on Thursday night (after me asking 5 times) that the dress pants I purchased for him in May no longer fit.

My daughter also needs a pink leotard, pink tutu as hers no longer fit.....When do we need these you ask ....Friday Night for the 1st recital of course.

Don't forget we have piano lessons Friday afternoon! So we race to 2 stores NO pants in his size, they are all too big in the waist or if they fit they are way to short (GEE imagine the right length pants TOOO BIG in the waist cuz your TOOO THIN). Thankfully the 'sick' elder daughter went to "chinaworld" while we were still at lessons & dance rehearsal and found everything we needed! So now to meet up with her en route home to clean up, eat something fast & change clothes before heading over to the recital.
Okay we survived that rush, the recital went well! I go to bed at 10 pm cuz I am exhausted and still have this stinking headache/muscle thing.

I completely forgot to set my 'antique phone alarm' and of course the dogs all decide to sleep in, not waking up at the usual 6:30 - 7:00 am.
So I lazily wake up at 8:20, which on any other day would be wonderful, except this morning I am supposed to be 45 minutes away at Primitives Class, and should have been in the car 20 minutes ago. No problem I toss on clean clothes jump in the car with a banana, almond butter & Wheat Free Raisin Scone to eat when I get there, Arriving only 20 minutes late I actually hooked some of the challenge piece in 3 hours. Not alot cuz this headache is still there! Now I have to confess I hooked this part last night during the recital but had to pull it out 2 times because I lost a worm and didn't realize that until we were leaving & I made Sparky take one last look under the seats when the lights came up.

After class I race home to clean up & change clothes again before the ladies arrive to find the only pair of jeans that fit me are not dry yet oh well damp it is!
We had a fabulous time eating & talking. I got to chat with our potential Pastors wife, she is so easy to talk to, maybe because she is a Psychologist? I am hoping it is because we grew up in the same general region of Northern Illinois and I think are around the same age!

We had a White Elephant exchange/swap/steal & too much food before it was time to put the leftovers away, get the kids redressed for tonights recital & rush out the door for that 30 minute drive. Still have that headache that is making my eardrum hurt. So on the way home we stop at the corner pharmacy store & pick up some Motrin, a heat patch thingy (which of course I didn't notice is for lower backs & not shoulder area, which I am wearing like Ms. Americas state sash so I can update this finally!
OH I have good news to post tomorrow!!!
In the meantime here are Tuesdays gifts...

Jan (a dear neighbor down the street that I dog sit her Corgi's) came up to sing happy birthday to me and brought me these Holiday Socks & a Custom made card.

Tuesday night Cheryl (who sent me the Hoops & Yoyo card) came by with my gifts....

I also received a Birthday voicemail Monday Night & email from Ali in Athens GA.

Wednesday my eldest son informs me he is purchasing a ticket for me to someplace I can not mention just yet because it is also a surprise for his Girlfriend...so next Wednesday we are going someplace beautiful!

I will post photo's afterwards


In the meantime I will change my music lineup tomorrow, as I am about OVER Christmas music for the week!!!!


I also will try to post some other friends links or banners (when I learn how) in the next week, suggestions & tips for banner links are welcome!


Blessings 2 U Friends

Happy Birthday - Blessings

Well as much as I hate getting older, and my Birthdays in the past usually involved my gifts being 'combined' with my Christmas Gifts (which doesn't mean bigger or bettter).
Today was nearly the perfect birthday!

We we were going to also go to the Henry B. Plant museum to see the Victorian Christmas Stroll.
Sparky didn't remember going 10 years ago (he was only 5) and obviously neither did Mini Martha, since she was only 10 months old

I got to sleep an extra 45 minutes, after the 7am text message from my oldest daughter (THANK YOU JESSICA) wait until your 23rd Birthday!!!!

After waking up with a horrible headache (I watched Pictures of Hollis Woods, the Hallmark movie and cried the entire show) I grabbed some acetaminophen and aspirin with a cup of coffee crawled back in bed for the Traditional Birthday Breakfast in Bed. Wheat Free Blueberry Pancakes with REAL Maple Syrup, Sliced Bananas with Almond Butter (peanut butter with almonds not peanuts). I had 3 gifts to open with Breakfast ...a small Ironstone style pitcher

a copper heart mold

and a lovely handmade ornament from Mini Martha
I also received a Birthday Card with my favorite Characters from Jessica"

A Belgian Birthday wish from my long lost Braski and his wife
"le jour de gloire
happy 36th missy
us from over that big body of water"

I also received Birthday wishes from the PRHG this morning

Even THE QUEEN stopped to post a note


So it started out to be a PERFECT DAY. Right before we were heading out the door I see a small brown and white dog bolting down the back hill through our bushes, realizing Sparky forgot to let Otis in 15 minutes ago. Don't know if the dog was in the busy road behind our house or not but he wasn't injured!
After loading the car up and hitting the bank for cash it was off to Tampa

I got to see photos of the Smokey Mountains (via a National Geographic Sparky brought along) I got to hook on the way, listen to Newsboys/U2/and Pirates Of the Caribbean/Louis Armstrong then we saw Johnny Depp as Jack full size Statue

We ate Soft Shell Crab and ate a Sushi place, stopped at BALLARD Design where realized some of the things they have I can now purchase direct through the wholesale company they use woo hoo!

I bought two balsam cedar sachets for Hubby at Caswell and Massey, purchased a large measuring spoon to match the one I won from CM a few years back at William and Sonoma

saw the mirrors and butterfly decorations at Neiman Marcus again
Had a Starbucks Peppermint White Chocolate Iced Coffee and Chocolate Mint Brownie do you see the small piece left, I shared it with my dear hubby



So do you notice what is missing?

Look closely


That's right my iphone, apparently you must use a credit card and we only brought cash and checks.....LOVELY do you think they could warn you on the commercials? Or maybe the online Apple Store?, or maybe when you go to the actual stores link to get DIRECTIONS they might tell you that you can only purchase an iphone with a CREDIT CARD?????

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

I did get the new OS Leopard for my mac and iwork , so now I can work on our brochures and the CM database for the area group
Oh and I got a $40 dollar boob job
Yes after nursing 4 children they are back where they belong
thanks to my new Victoria's Secret Bra.

The kids were too funny as neither one would come into the store (remember we are talking one is a 15 yr old boy) Mini Martha kept beeping her father from the entry telling him "Stay out of the lingerie store" each time he would go out & the minute he came back to check on my total she would beep him again.

We didn't end up going to the Museum either. All in all an almost perfect day.
Just received another e-card of my favorite Characters from my downline and dear friend Cheryl

Parents who Drugged us...

I received this email from a friend this morning.
We are part of a little club we like to call "The Mean Moms", don't say OH your not mean.....We Love our Title & we are PROUD of it! I am not here to be my children's friends, I love them dearly but teaching them right from wrong is my primary job! If we can be friends later in life that is GREAT but I am their Mother first & foremost. If they make a mistake THEY need to face the consequences, I will not bail them out of trouble. I can help them think through the possible avenues however just as the choice is theirs, the outcome is also theirs!


PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US!!
The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?

''I replied, I had a drug problem when I was young. I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the "woodshed" when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockle-burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, carry in stuff from a car and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the "woodshed."

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior, in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

~author unknown~

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Thanksgiving

Well I am preparing for Thanksgiving Dinner as I type!
This year we will have 12 or 15 guests for dinner. The four of us plus my eldest son & his girlfriend, my eldest daughter & maybe her boyfriend, my father in law and his wife, two friends who are not traveling north to be with family, a widower friend of theirs, two open invitations for dear friends who might not be traveling to S. Carolina with family, as he is not feeling 100% right now.
Thanksgiving is MY day in the kitchen, most of the time my wonderful husband does all the cooking, this is my holiday. I start with the pre-prep usually 4-5 days prior. The only thing usually in the oven on Thursday is the turkey until things need to be heated up at dinnertime. The kitchen is clean with the exception of the dishes we use that day!

Dinner Menu
Butternut Squash Soup
20 lb Turkey rubbed with herbs
Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing
Cranberry Walnut Dressing/Relish
Acorn Squash Rings
Candied Sweet Potatoes

Our guests are bringing Veggie Tray (for before dinner)
Green Bean Casserole
4 kinds of homemade pies
Assorted Greens Salad
Pumpkin Squares
all in all we should be overly stuffed by game time!
My tradition is to saute the liver in butter & eat it with hot sauce & BBQ sauce for breakfast. This has never ceased to fail in grossing out my children. FEAR it is a GOOD THING!

Thursday Night my eldest son & his girlfriend were here, listening to me praise the Frank Reese Jr., on 'World News Tonight' You see this man has achieved a little of my Dream.
He saved five breeds of Turkeys from extinction.
Now I am not talking I want a Turkey Farm, you see I want a farm where I will have different livestock animals that are close to extinction, not just the Turkey. A farm where I can help these breeds survive mankind's greed, where it is all about making a quick buck. A place where school children can come & see a small working farm, learn about these animals & hopefully inspire them to do something to help when they are older.
A place where my children & their children can come for Holidays and when they want to escape the rat race that our society has become. That is my dream! To learn more about these endangered animals take a look at the site.

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Blessings 2 U friends!

Wonderful evening

We, the kids & I as Dad had a 'business dinner' at one of the posh hotels with valet parking, just spent a few hours with some lovely women at a Mom's Holiday Open House.
This is a great idea that I was blessed to be invited to join.
We all chipped in and the young lady (just a few years older than my eldest) who organized it, rented a meeting room at a local hotel.
She invited a group of Stay at Home Moms, that are consultants from varying companies, to set up their products for one stop shopping to help busy moms to get a jump on their gift lists.
Helping others to help others, what a wondeful idea!

Reflections

This week has been another whirlwind of activity around here. I have two Snippet Stools to finish tonght & I find myself editing a graphic to insert here.However it keeps cutting off half the graphic.

My thoughts have turned to Thanksgiving. Partially because our weather here is finally reminiscent of back home in autumn & I am so thankful the Aspiration today was just a cyst.


My next goal...I need to save up and purchase Leopard & iWork so that these things won't take as much time & will look a bit more polished. I can then run Storybook Plus on my Mac allowing me to use all my fabu pages as backgrounds.
If you don't know what Storybook or Storybook Plus is go to my website & you can download Storybook for FREE!

So back to work!

Blessings 2 U friends!

BLESS ANOTHER THIS HOLIDAY

Send a Thanksgiving or Christmas Card to someone you don't know this year!!!!
Someone who is giving his/her time & risking his/her life for your security & freedom.

So to send Cards, Letters, Gifts, Candy, Stuffed Toys etc. can be
Shipped or delivered between October 1-December 15 and from April 1 to June 15:
Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard
17330 Victory Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91406
ATTN: Charlie Othold: 818.437.6201

Year round Letters & Cards only send to:
Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, California 91436

Monetary Donations to help with shipping of packages can be mailed to
OPERATION GRATITUDE
16444 REFUGIO ROAD
ENCINO, CALIFORNIA 91436

http://www.opgratitude.com/


Blessings 2 U friends!

Friday and Fall is FINALLY HERE!

This week has ended almost the same way it started, chaotic.

My Halloween baby is starting to feel better he spent his 15th Birthday home sick.
However my Valentine Baby is now sick.
She was going to be my helper tomorrow at the Fall Festival in Zephyrhills. :-(

Calvin our 13yr old Russian Blue has been less than cooperative about taking his antibiotics, so every day I have the pleasure of shoving them down his throat!

So I have been playing Nurse to 2 kids & a cat, trying to keep the house somewhat clean (I am failing miserably) and finish up the cubbie unit for the wool shop.

I am almost done with the snowman part of my current rug design, it needs to be finished for the "Snowman Ball" launch on the 18th. An Ornie exchange that I need to find my vintage glass & stained glass tape so I can finish the ornies & get them mailed by the 13th and a Worm Challenge (those are cut wool strips for you non-HOOKERS) that I need to package up 205 strips & mail off by Nov. 10th. the fun part is getting a pattern & the variety of worms, that all participants send to the hostess, back to hook a rug by January 6th.
I have to finish up a batch of items for the Holidays to list on the auction site & in our art storefront online sometime in the next week.

So outside of those little things, I have Fall Fest tomorrow from 8:30 until 5pm, I also have a Holiday Show November 13th on the N.Side of town from 6 -9
If I even think about saying yes to anything else someone SHOOT ME. The rest of the month is full but don't want to bore you all with the rest of it here.

The weather has finally cooled down & I was able to have lunch with a friend/fellow hooker on Wednesday.
Susan brought me a Crow shirt, that our local Target store didn't have, which I plan to wear it tomorrow!

When I arrived home afterwards I found a little box waiting. It was from Betty she also picked up a Crow Shirt for me, different size, Mini Martha (my youngest) was going to wear it to help me tomorrow. :-(
Seems I paid Betty a little too much for the shirt so she also sent dark orange & antique black wool along with the shirt and candy, which I promptly gave to the kids (the one I married too!) SHE IS SOOO THOUGHTFUL! Thank you Betty!

Yesterday after staying longer than expected (we didn't pack lunch & I didn't eat breakfast) at the shop I was supposed to mow the front yard. See it was my idea to let the Golden Dewdrops go & the grass stay unmowed for Halloween to give the house an 'abandoned' look. Which must have worked because we didn't have nearly the usual 200+ trick or treaters this year.
It was pouring when we finally got home at 2:30 so I couldn't mow. Well when the hubby came home it stopped & he mowed & edged the front yard for me in between rain showers. THANK YOU DEAR!

Well I need to get moving and get something done today (the wool worms cut & mailed, the cubbie painted, the ornie supplies found, breakfast ) Calgon take me away..... Oh yah I did run a tub earlier....bye!


Blessings 2 U Friends