Sign of the Dimes

On Gratitude

2011-10-31T01:55:00.000-07:00

On Gratitude.

I am grateful for old fashioned style love.

(He did this on his own <3)

I am grateful for traditions.

(this is my brother in law Rick, who always guts the pumpkins before

our annual pumpkin carving family gathering)

I'm grateful for a family that loves to

do things together.

I'm grateful for natural beauty,

and even more grateful for the

ability to notice and appreciate it.

I'm grateful for humor.

And the ability to be different.

(above, my 83 year old friend Betty, on the left, being different)

I'm grateful for good health, fresh air, beautiful sunsets,

rocks, and even Nascar.

My children mean the world to me.

And so does living in this beautiful, FREE country.

(God bless the USA)

MAY I NEVER LOSE THE ABILITY

TO FULLY APPRECIATE

ALL THAT I HAVE.

May I always be grateful.

A Tour of My Appendicitis

2011-10-24T16:10:00.000-07:00

Here, I look like I'm having fun.

But actually, I'm just grateful I am FINALLY going off to surgery.

I had appendicitis. I could tell something wasn't right. Every time I'd eat, I felt like I'd devoured a cow. It just hurt.

It took a few days, or maybe a couple weeks. Seems like that uncomfortable feeling was there after I ate for awhile. I chalked it up to being piggy. (here is the first sign... people... listen to your bodies)

Then Sunday night I attended a lovely dinner, and couldn't eat. Felt like a greedy man on Thanksgiving... had to go lay on the rocker with my pants open. REALLY, really uncomfortable. Of course, I didn't lay on the rocker like that, but I sure wanted to. (another sign... I turned down pumpkin pie for dessert)

Later that night... couldn't get comfy..... tried to sleep out in the livingroom so Wade could sleep. I tried the chair, the couch, the floor... everything. Got sick, got mad, cried to God to make it something and not that I just had to poop. (frustration!!!!!) How long can you put up with the pain? I asked God to give me a sign.. do I need to go to ER?

So Wade comes out at 3:30. Later, he told he me found me on the floor in a fetal position. LOL I guess that's a sign. To go to ER!!!!! So, off we went. By 7 am I was transported, via AMBULANCE! to the Portland Kaiser facility (insurance issue) and I think around 3:45 pm I had surgery.

Here, you see the hospital staff who cared for me. The first nurse before Nicole, was a blur. Sarah was sweet as pie. She encouraged me to walk and, gave me FOOD!!!! (jello and broth: the BEST thing in the world)...

My bed. I loved those things they put on your legs. Seriously. They were comforting. They constricted night and day.

My view. Isn't it great? These two waited and waited with me.

I remember coming out of surgery. Alone in that awful recovery room with all the other people recovering from surgery and I might as well have been in the nut house. People crying out, moaning, screaming, writhing around in their beds. I hated it in there. I couldn't open my eyes, but I could hear them around me. I just wanted to be with my family. And when it finally came time to go to my room, there they were. All standing there, waiting for me. With love in their eyes. Now that's love. I felt really special at that moment.

Anyway, an appendix is a mysterious little organ between your two intestines that has no use. Mine got infected. Now it's out and I'm home resting. I have 2 weeks to recover before I go back to work. It's been a week now since my surgery. I feel tired, weak, dizzy and depressed. I want to be doing stuff but I can't. I've never had surgery before so this experience is new to me. I've been well cared for during this experience. But I don't want to do it again.

And now, you've had a tour of my appendicitis! Thanks for reading!

Camping Alone With Your Honey Can Be Nice

2011-10-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

My Wade & I went camping last weekend.

All alone.

That hasn't happened before, and it was quite nice.

Usually we have at least one to several others with us.

This time we decided to go it alone.. a much needed getaway.

We went to MILO McIVER State Park, near Estacada, Oregon.

It's beautiful in the fall, though we've not been any other time of the year till now.

They have two dams, a lake, a river and tons of forested campgrounds to bike,

hike or walk.

I'll be excited to see where we go next. On MY wish list is:

Southern Oregon

Redwood Forests

Seattle area

The Gorge

Silver Creek Falls

and any other state, anytime.

The view from above the park. You can't tell but this is WAYyyyyy above where we were. I zoomed in.

Milo's tribute.

The fishing (and the view) is good here.

The dam, under construction.

On our way to the fish hatchery at Milo. This is My Wade & Zeus.

<3 is camping alone with my honey. Well, and the little dog, too.

SUMMER IN REVIEW

2011-09-04T23:06:00.000-07:00


Our most recent camping trip, this weekend.

A wedding attended and looking forward to our own next summer.

Me and my very special dad.

MISSING TERESA.

CONCERT in Brownsville.

Our trailer, er... love shack?

These beautiful sunrises and sunsets out in the country. I thank God for them every day.

Beautiful fields of wheat, and hazelnut orchards. Right out my back door. And side door. And front door.

A very romantic moment. FLY ME TO THE MOON playing and dancing after we set off our paper lantern.

My favorite picture of us. So in love. Holding on to each other like we never want to let go.

And dancing with my dad. That ranks way up there too.

Reminding myself what is important. I need no reminding.

Garden visitors.

Time with my kids, who are wonderful.


Remembering that time is precious and it goes very fast. I treasure the time I've had this summer.

Events

2011-02-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

Nathan graduates this year.

We said goodbye to an old family member.

And hello to a new one. (We're engaged!)

Choosing to live life simply.

And it all begins with knowing where you are. You are here.

Life's EVENTS keep us hopping. And sometimes even skipping.

Beautiful Goodbye

2011-01-12T20:33:00.000-08:00

The time came.

I knew.

My friend told me I would just know when it was time.

To let her go.

It was harder than I thought, since I'd been preparing myself since summer.

But when I held her in my arms as she slipped away, it tore at my heart.

We wrapped her in a white baby blanket.

And placed her in a box to take her home.

I just had to see her one last time, and touch her soft fur.

When I opened the blanket, there she was, all curled up, sweet as a sleeping baby doe.

At peace. I knew then I could let her go.

When we first got her, she would sit on my lap and I'd ask her,

"Are you a good girl?" and then she would jump up and lick my face. Every time.

When we put the last of the dirt over her resting spot, and the red tulips were planted,

we stood in silence. And I told her

"You were a good girl."

Happiness

2010-12-29T20:10:00.000-08:00

I wish I could invent a tool
that could be held upside
the brain
and listen in on thoughts
so I could understand more
why people think things they think
and do things they do
when they make no sense at all

Until then, I have to just wonder, and realize
that we are all different
and we don't all agree, nor do we need to

but we can still be KIND

THANKSMAS

2010-12-12T17:10:00.001-08:00

Life is sweet.

We treasure things that are important to us.

THANKSMAS, December 11th.

Good times...

Good family!

Building On A Little Dream

2010-10-03T18:48:00.000-07:00

In the movie French Kiss, Kate has her mantra to get her through
her fear of flying. She sings "I love Paris" and holds an
image in her mind of a "little stone cottage" that sits on a hillside
in Italy. She comes face to face with
the actual stone cottage that she had been dreaming of.

And life is sweet.

My life has taken me on many roads. I'm heading into the autumn of my life,
and I can say I've finally found my little stone cottage. We're building it, Wade & I, even
if it is currently just a little dream. Keep watching.

Life is getting good! <3

BOOK REVIEW: CHOICE the Portable 7 Habits

2010-08-11T17:07:00.001-07:00

Stephen R. Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has come up with
a sweet little PORTABLE book that is interesting, engaging, uplifting and inspiring!

* it is by chance that I happened to find it at Powell's two days ago*

It was on the wrong shelf in the wrong area in the wrong room. POWELL'S is a HUGE bookstore on an entire city block in downtown Portland. A MUST destination if
you love books and can be lost for hours in a bookstore. That's me!

So this book called out to me. I knew I had to have it... and the price was right: $7.50. Better than a
poke in the eye, I like to say!

I teach kids all day long about making choices. How to stop and think. I knew I could use this
book with the kids I work with. But I had no idea I would use this book within a DAY
of buying it, and then again today by sharing some of it's contents with a friend
who needed this information RIGHT NOW to solve a problem.

The book is all about choices. How we have a choice in how we react to something. How we think about something. How we live. Most people believe they have little control about what life has to offer them. But life is all about choices.

This book offers a quick little read, in black and white. Only takes about an hour at the most to get from front to back. But if you want to really absorb and FEEL what this book has to offer, you should stop on each page and absorb the information. Read it over and over again. Pick pages that resonate within you. I find that I can find a page that corresponds to how I am feeling at a particular time that will help me work through that feeling.

I also use the information to pass on to others, whether it be on my blog, or my Facebook page, or in person.

A simple quote or idea can have a profound impact on a person who has an open mind.
The suggestions in this book are perfect if you are open to change or to the possibility of changing
your life for the better.

Here is a sample:

If you look at things properly, there's no need to wait for the dessert cart.
DESSERT IS EVERYWHERE.
~ Merrill Markoe

Have a look: it's worth the time! Make the choice!

www.stephencovey.com
www.stephencovey.com/usatoday

Get Low Trailer (HD)

2010-08-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

GET LOW

I don't normally get excited to see a movie, but when I heard NPR interviewing Robert Duvall about this movie, it piqued my curiosity.

This movie is about an elderly recluse who stages his own funeral, WHILE he is living. Bill Murray acts as Duvall's funeral director. Based somewhat on a true story, it offers an interesting insight into the life of a hermit.

After hearing about the movie, I went home and looked up the trailer on YouTube, which I will include here. Now I'm sold! I can't wait for it to come out later this year.

Have a look:

SIGNS of the Dimes...and dragonflies...and dreams...

2010-07-31T10:33:00.000-07:00

SIGNS OF THE DIMES

Signs:

Dreams

Dragonflies

Dimes

All signs pointing me in the direction of something quite lovely, and I had a feeling it was on the horizon... sure enough.. it is here. And the signs telling me that it is right.

With a grateful heart, I embrace and welcome these signs with love.

Summer Half Full and Half Empty

2010-07-26T20:06:00.000-07:00

The lake house

Quartsville

River Bend

So, summer is half over...

Half still left...

Love

2010-07-04T00:25:00.001-07:00

My new collection, I have decided, is going to be
snapshots like these, of couples looking
happy together.

I went to take a look at my friends booth in
Beekman's, and happened upon these two
photos. They were the only two, in separate
places, all over the mall, that were actually smiling
and looking happy.

I walked away from them...gave it a second thought...
and went back for them. I'm glad I did. I decided
I would be framing them somehow and
making a collage of them in my bedroom.

Hopefully I will have a whole wall of sweet couples
smiling... and it will give me hope.

When I got home, I decided to play around with the pictures a bit,
and here you see the result. So far.

Ah, love is grand.

DILEMMA!

2010-06-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

It's nobody's fault but my own.

I can't cry about it if I'm not willing to do anything about it.

I'm talking about my recent dilemma about getting a new job

or sticking with the one I already have.

I need more money, that's certainly true.

I also really love my current job, low pay and all.

It has it's perks... a summer off to enjoy house sitting someone's

gorgeous lake house piece of heaven.

I'm with my family.

Sure, being broke sucks. But having money isn't everything.

And I always survive.

I'll try not to complain, if I don't take a new job.

It's coming, this I know. But I do love these summers....

maybe just ONE more?

On My Mind

2010-06-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

On my mind:

Thinking about the last day of school and missing "my" kids. Will I see them again?
Going back to summer term. Dropping math. Am I doing the right thing?
Get a summer job? If I like it, don't go back to the "school" job?
Work vs. college?
Quilly getting old.
Matt going off to Job Corps. Our last summer with him?
Emptying the garage.

Just to name a few.

Yet, even with all this "thinking", I know that things ALWAYS work out, no matter what.

So, instead of worry about it, I just think about it, instead.

2010-05-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Childhood memories.
Up top, I'll never forget those dining room curtains. Oh the things we remember.

Take for instance, above. On my birthday at Grandma & Grandpa's. I'm 7 or 8 here.
My favorite gift: Grandma's specially wrapped (in tin foil) hunk-o-cheese.
Her cheese always tasted better, even though later she told me it was the
cheap brand at the store. Oh, that Grandma!

She told me that Grandpa insisted on some certain brand of coffee. But it was
expensive, Grandma said. She started buying the cheap brand, put it in the other container.
Said Gramps never knew the difference. Oh, that Grandma!

Here you see, above, Jimmy and I. I think I was about 10. Jimmy looks
so sweet ~ a devil in disguise!
This is in Medford on Shaefer Lane.

This one, above, one of the few it seems of us with Mom. This picture
reminds me of life as it truly was: boxers, beat up Barbie dolls and old fake fur coats.
Might as well throw in Franklin Street and that old VW bus. Let's not forget those
home hair cuts...

This one? Ah, fond memories at Grandma's again. Dad has that table now. And I want that Barbie doll.

LIFE GOES ON. Make good memories, and be sure to write them down!

Family Beach Memories

2010-05-25T19:05:00.000-07:00

We climbed over rocks to find a secluded beach (above) that was
a little slice of heaven!

Wonderful!

Just BEACHY

2010-05-25T18:42:00.001-07:00

Dad, king of the house, overseeing from his throne!

Kristina was here!

These, on my power walk.

BEACH WEEKEND was great! Most of the family was there! Weather
was good on and off. The house was wonderful, especially the hot tub. Not a bad room in the place, either.

* good times *

Letting Begonia's Be Begonia's

2010-05-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Grandma's Begonia

I've been taking care of this lovely plant since Grandma passed away
over 16 years ago. This is the happiest and healthiest it's been.

I moved it to a sunny south/west window where it has decided
it is quite happy. It's thanked me with a proliferation of these
florets and shiny leaves since!

Do you want a start of it? Let me know!

We keep things that we love with us at all times. We can even keep part of something
that has passed on alive in other ways.

Thus, letting begonia's be begonia's.

Kids

2010-04-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

Coming to Terms

2010-04-20T16:34:00.001-07:00

Well here we are again... another term at school.
I must admit I'm having a hard time focusing on schoolwork because the subject matter
is not too exciting. So much reading, and not much pertains to my life at the moment, so I need
to find a way to find it meaningful and interesting before I flunk out.

I won't flunk out.

I got a 4 point last term!

I talked to a few people who also go to school and they said it's spring fever.

We want to be outside enjoying the sun. In a weird way I'd rather be doing housework... I'm so behind.

So this isn't too motivational or exciting, just me venting.

Life is good, I'll get through it! One page at a time....

Dog Day Afternoon

2010-04-13T18:43:00.001-07:00

This is QUILLY.

Today she's test driving the latest and greatest thing to hit pet stores everywhere.

Believe it or not: designer doggy diapers.

Well, not designer.. but designed! I can't believe it! Could hardly pass up the pink polka dots
over the plain white?! I mean, we need our girls to be in fashion ALWAYS, right?

It's either she get these, or....

Well, she's old and going blind and deaf. And now incontinence.

They're the smallest they make, and still too big on this old girl.

We'll see how it goes!

Reminders of Grandma

2010-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

A hanky in a Delft shoe

Grandma's "other" wedding dish set and her brooch

Britains metal animals

Carved wooden horse

"Darling" figurine by Royal Doulton. Grandma had one just like it.

Reminders of Grandma.

Easter

2010-04-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

My sister, Kitty.

My best friend!

She doesn't like her picture taken, and least of all in a blog posting, but
I don't care. I think she looks beautiful!!!!

(Noone reads this blog anyway!!!!)

Here is her daughter, Chantel.

Spring tulips!

Evan on the Easter egg hunt.

Grandma Kay's Dutch cookie jar.

...and Grandma's Dutch figurines.

Ricky, the Phillips' carver of all things meat.

The girls...

Emma

Ezra

Evan

She gave me a heart shaped rock.

Great Grampa, Emma & Ezra.

Easter at my sister's house.

They always put on a great feast, year round.

I really appreciate all they do to get the family together for feast & fun.

Happy Easter!

Coast Trip

2010-03-22T23:29:00.000-07:00

So you can see it was the most gorgeous day possible for a day trip to
the coast!

Most pictures were taken at or near the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse near Newport, Oregon.

We left the valley in rain, and to our delight, arrived greeted by sun and clear skies.

What a treat!

My Cat, In Pictures

2010-03-11T21:40:00.000-08:00

This is my cat, Mister Snapper.

He has captivating eyes.

A gorgeous green/gold. But mischevious....

One day we were sitting together on the couch, with the sun shining
in through the window.

Right into Mister Snapper's green/gold eyes. I HAD to get my camera.

The Snap's cooperated nicely. He's such a ham.

A Sign of the Dimes and a Heart that Rocks!

2010-03-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

Walking in to work today...

I spied a dime that worked it's way into the groove of the pavement.

It have been driven over so many times that it had bent into the shape of that groove in the pavement.

I picked it up, suddenly feeling a whole lot lighter and luckier.

My story is about the Sign of the Dimes.

You might not know about my story, but it's about how dimes come to me to give me a sign that the divine powers that be are with me, in my dark and bright days.

As if that bent and beat up dime wasn't enough...

We had an assembly today. I sat on the old wood floor of our gym alongside the students. A girl behind me made a little sound, and when I looked back... the coins in her pocket had fallen out. Two dimes lay there smiling at me.

And it gets even better....

The kids I work with know I love rocks, especially heart shaped ones.

A particular boy brought in a particular rock to show me this morning.

He walked in with a plain rock, but it had a slight heart shape to it, which was exciting enough, to me.

But then, his hands went to the rock, as if prying it open like an oyster with a pearl inside.

I had no idea.

He opened it and showed me the two sides of this rock... a fossilized shell.

He went to the beach last week.

And found the two matching pieces...

about a mile away from each other.

What are the odds of that?

I was awestruck! What a wonderful, simple, lovely thing. And he brought it in to show me.

Three wonderful and needed gifts this morning.

Someone's looking out for me.

A Dedication

2010-03-04T20:45:00.000-08:00

This is a dedication.

To Me.

Time to get a tune-up.
Time to start saying no to the wrong people.
And yes to the right people.
Start having more fun.

I can't quit my job.
And I won't quit school.

But I can take good care of myself.

So, I dedicate to myself...

A promise to be healthy, inside and out.

My dedication to me began on Saturday, Feb 27th.

*photo credit: unknown. If this photo belongs to you, please contact me so I may give you credit or remove it*

My Friend Betty

2010-03-01T18:32:00.000-08:00

I've really come to love this woman, Betty.

She came into my life by way of an old album from the early 50's that I found
in an antique mall. The album belonged to Ruth. I tried to find Ruth, but found Betty instead.

And much to my delight... Betty is a wonderful, vibrant, life-loving woman in her late 70's now.. but you'd never know it.. she's as spunky as those pictures show...

She cracks me up!

Betty and I email each other fairly often. She always ends her emails with "Cheers"...

Look to my old posts for more heartwarming BETTY stories... she's a keeper!

Sticky Notes

2010-02-15T13:24:00.000-08:00

Above, are some things I look at while I am doing my homework at my desk.
A shelf holds those bright pink sticky notes that don't let me forget
important upcoming due dates, and those are just the "big" ones.

My daughter left me the most important ones, on the left.

*Just a few more weeks and one more term is under my belt.*

*the lovelies wrapped around the top of the glass container holding my pearl buttons are the bracelets my sister makes. You can find her on ETSY by clicking on the link up to the side here on emmas gems vintage blog!*

As we patiently wait for summer...

2010-02-07T16:19:00.000-08:00

Whilst we wait for our beloved Summer to arrive,
I can stroll down a lovely small town road and dream....

.... dream about the day when I will have my very own front porch,
where I and my dog(s) will enjoy long, long days of nothing but
sitting and enjoying long, long days of warm, warm summer.

I'm hoping for a vintage home, one that needs a little or a lot of love.

White picket fence too, please!

But mostly just a home that can we can fill with a whole lotta love.

I keep plugging away at the dream...... it'll come!

*photos of last summer's trip to my dream retiring spot ~ Jacksonville, Oregon. The top photo
is of the bed and breakfast my sis and I are GOING to stay at this spring or summer. That is, if it ever gets here.... it'll come!*

Meno....PAUSE!!!!!!!

2010-01-29T13:05:00.000-08:00

So, today I went to my doctor for some various complaints.

I've been sick and thought I would throw in some other morsels to get my money's worth.

One morsel was how hot I am all the time. Like the oven is on high all the time.

Matter-of-factly, she said, "Menopause, huh?!"

And then, "Honey, it's gonna get a lot worse!"

And then (the whopper), "You will have this to look forward for at LEAST a couple years."

And then she laughs.

Do I think that's funny? NOOOoooooooooo.

Okay, I am all for admitting I know that my age is creeping up there in the
"m" word zone.

But to have a doctor tell me I'm rounding that corner and coming in the drive through to place my order.... UN UH!!!!

So I can shrug off her quirky day wreckers..... but the crushing blow was when she
came back with my exit appointment print out.

Listed were ways to handle hot flashes.

OH LORD! It's true!

I am in the "m" zone.

I'm jealous of my cat

2010-01-21T22:19:00.000-08:00

I am jealous of my cat.

He gets to lay around all day.

Curled up in a cozy ball, on my best blanket, usually. He knows I am
allergic to him.

Fed, watered, catered to, well-loved and an occasional jousting with me.

I don't ask him for anything except to potty in the litter box, and stay off of my
best blanket.

He's got the life!

*** I am back to school, in week three. I am T I R E D! The combination of working, going to school and this dismal winter weather are hard to juggle. But I'll make it! The nice thing
about school is that I feel like I am unlocking parts of my brain (hence, the lock photos) that I haven't used in a long time, or at all. I can feel myself getting smarter. I love to learn, and we never
stop learning! So what part of YOU do you want or need to unlock?***

Winter Duldrums

2010-01-17T19:43:00.000-08:00

Here we are in the winter duldrums. I wish I could say I love
winter, but I can't. I feel tired, achy and I miss the sun and
my flowers.

Mostly I miss being warm.

Time passes fast and before we know it, though, summer will be here
and I will be outside, enjoying the flowers. And then
I'll blink and here I'll be complaining about winter again.

That's life!

Snow Business

2010-01-10T20:48:00.000-08:00

The BIG hill!

It was a fun snow day for my family today! 13 of us rode up
toward Mt. Hood and went sledding. It was a GREAT time!

I haven't been sledding in years! I'm so glad I went! My kids
had lots of fun, too!

It's My Birthday & I'll Smile If I Want To!

2010-01-09T13:59:00.001-08:00

Well, I did it. I turned 45 today.
Should I laugh, or cry?

I'm pretty happy with my life,
and the direction it seems to be going.

We are what we make of it.

And life IS good.

So I think I'll smile!

New York Library Art

2010-01-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

Simply lovely art from magazine covers of the early 1900's.

All for your enjoyment via the New York City Public Library art archives.

I just LOVE the Art Nouveau style, in art and jewelry!

Worries

2010-01-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

If only it were that easy!

The Path

2010-01-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

*shots taken on recent Sunday drive ~ Oregon, beautiful Oregon*

This New Year

2009-12-31T21:20:00.001-08:00

stillness

solitude

beauty

love

This new year... most of all

I wish you peace

Ebay & Etsy Shops COME TAKE A LOOK

2009-12-26T20:14:00.001-08:00

An art deco glass trinket dish, currently on etsy.

Queen Victoria & King George Coin bracelet, earliest coin dates
1896, three pence coins. Currently on etsy.

Lovely bracelet with turquoise beads, on etsy!

These great, enameled laboratory dishes are on etsy.

Beautiful butterfly seed bead embellishment awaits a crafty etsy-er.

Circa 1941 or 42 syrup decanter on etsy.

The lovely hand mirror above, dated 1891, sold.

Treasured forget-me-not stick/collar pin from Victorian era, on ebay sold.

These salt and pepper shakers, marked ITALY await you on etsy, too!

ALL ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE (unless otherwise marked) and for sale at my etsy and ebay shops! Please click on link to the right for etsy shop.

My ebay user ID is: THANKNUKINDLY

Please visit my shops often as I am adding items regularly (I am on winter break) and would love to see you there!

Holiday Wishes From My ELF Family

2009-12-23T00:17:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Would You Mind, Santa?

2009-12-20T12:48:00.001-08:00

Santa, would you mind dropping this down my chimney on Christmas?

Okay, I Decorated A REAL Tree, Too!

2009-12-20T11:52:00.000-08:00

* that's a lotta cookies! *

* my great-nephew Ezra helps decorate cookies *

So, I decorated a tree and COOKIES, too!

We also had our family combined Christmas/Thanksgiving this weekend.

It's been a busy but great week!

I Decorated The Tree Today!

2009-12-16T18:56:00.000-08:00

Well, yes, I did decorate A tree tonight.

A 3 and a half inch tree, that is!!!

LOL

Guess I better get on it, since Christmas is right around the corner!

(out to the garage I go...)

He's 19 now

2009-12-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

This, is Matt.

This is MY family.

My boy is now 19, as of last Tuesday!

My, how time flies!

I remember taking the picture of him in the penguin suit, all nine pounds of him.

As if it were yesterday.

His whole world ahead of him then, and still today!

I love you, Matt!

The Big Beast Who Caused The Big Fall

2009-12-12T11:59:00.000-08:00

Okay it wasn't really funny at the time...

The beast isn't the sweet little old lady, my ancient Quilly who is 14 or 15, can barely see or hear. No, it wasn't her fault.

It is the thing BEHIND her that caused the big fall.

Pellet stoves require a lot of attention. You have to drag 40 pound bags into the house.
Then the beast must be fed at least twice a day. And on occasion, you must clean the belly of the beast or the beast won't work at all.

That happened this morning. So I shut the beast down, scooped out smoldering pellet cinders and ashes in a little metal pot with a lid. Carried the pot outside to dump it out.

Then, my foot hit ice. Actually both feet hit ice, I slipped, then landed forward, smacking both of my knees and my right palm on the concrete. Guess what happened to the smoldering pot full of cinders and ashes?

It popped open onto my OTHER hand.

Immediately realizing that a burning coal was on my left index finger and causing major steam, I jumped up, then I did the thing most people do when they feel kindof silly for falling:

I looked around and felt embarrassed, hoping nobody saw.

Now, safe inside, with the beast fully ablaze, my knees and hand ache and I have a huge
blister on my finger that is killing me! My son gave me a medicated bandaid that looks like a slice of bacon (you'd have to know my son).

The beast must be fed, cleaned and emptied. But never underestimate freezing rain.

Finally! The final Final!

2009-12-09T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ah what a relief!

Finally, my final final of the term was completed TONIGHT!

I am done with fall term and have a break till January 4th.

The shelf on my desk, as pictured above, has been lined
with these little sticky reminders to keep me
organized. I have been adding them and plucking them
off all term. Finally I have taken the last one off tonight! It feels
good to have them cleared off for now!

Now it is time to focus on CHRISTMAS!

Happy holidays everyone! Stay warm!

It was a good fight...

2009-12-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

One beaver in a sea of ducks, that was me.

It was a great game: Beavers versus Ducks in the Civil War game on Dec. 3rd.

We didn't lose by much, and mostly because the Ducks let the clock run out at the end....

A cold, cold night, but an exciting game we fought well to the finish.

Go BEAVS!!!!

Ponderings on Old Pictures

2009-12-06T00:04:00.001-08:00

... a little humor...

same woman?

* from an album dated 1908 *

Do you ever wonder about old pictures like these?
I see them all the time when I am out and about in search of jewelry inventory for my
etsy business. Sometimes I can't help but buy a few and take them home.
My sister buys them if they have names, then tries to find the family.
I just like to take them home cause maybe noone else will.
And I hate to see treasures like these without a home.
How does that happen, anyway?

It's not just the faces in the photos that get me. I also like the furniture.
And the jewelry. And sometimes I just love how a human can be
contorted to look like they have the waist of our beloved Barbie.
How do they DO that? And still breathe?

Come To My Etsy Shop

2009-11-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Ah, here you have found some of my favorite things!

I have been busy dedicating more time to my etsy shop, so please stop on
by (click on the link to the right of this page) for vintage jewelry and
other good things.

I added many items over this weekend and will continue to do so!

I have always had a fondness for vintage jewelry, especially since I was young and my grandma wore
a brooch every time we visited. One of my fond memories was looking over her
collection with her. My sister and I inherited most of that jewelry and I do believe that was when
the "official" passion began.

I never grow tired of looking for or looking at jewelry. I particularly love the Art Nouveau and Art Deco period
jewelry. They are little works of art.

I'm not just into jewelry though... I love ALL vintage things.

Please do stop in at my shop and take a gander!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

See No, Hear No, Speak No

2009-11-27T22:17:00.000-08:00

The monkeys on my desk serve as a gentle reminder...

Speak No Evil.

Hear No Evil.

See No Evil.

But especially SPEAK no evil, lest I become one of the above.

Give Thanks!

2009-11-25T10:04:00.001-08:00

So, now you see what an odd bird I can be
what with creating sculptures of turkeys
on my refrigerator...

* oh the things I do for fun! *

Seriously, I like to take the magnetic letters and not just make
sentences with them, but also form a shape. With all pun intended, we
pluck the words from the shape and make sentences. Remember my Turkey Rocher? Kindof like making
stuffing from the turkey, eh?

Things I am thankful for:

my family
good health & good imagination
living in beautiful Oregon
our freedom and the ability to believe in what we want to believe in

and finally...

for the four people who read my blog. Bless you!

a Thanksgiving poem:

A turkey is a funny bird, it's legs go wobble, wobble.
It only knows but one word; gobble, gobble, gobble!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

VINTAGE SEWING ITEMS on my EBAY

2009-11-22T19:49:00.001-08:00

Do you like vintage sewing items?

Do they remind you of your sweet Grandma who used to make your
pajamas and dresses by hand?

Do you like delicate lace?

And old vintage baskets with interesting baubles on top?

If you do, then stop on by my ebay shop to see some
fun vintage sewing items sure to bring back
a fond memory or two.

See my items at:

THANKNUKINDLY user ID on Ebay

THIS BASKET OF OLD GOODIES IS CURRENTLY UP FOR BID!

happy holiday shopping!

Slice of Life

2009-11-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

VARIETY IS THE SLICE OF LIFE

...by the way, the pizza above was by DiGiourno, not delivery, and VERY delicious!

If you enjoy manipulating your photos,
like I did with the pizza/life one above, go to

PICNIK.COM

for lots of fun and imagination!

Antique Mall In Albany

2009-11-19T20:28:00.000-08:00

leather journal made in France
(I want)

the most beautiful mannequin I've ever seen

gorgeous blue dishes

pink canisters took my sister Kitty back in time

just a sampling of the great stuff at our newest antique mall in downtown Albany

Random In Black & White

2009-11-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Ah, those days when everything was in
black and white...

In Creative, Not Academic Pursuit

2009-11-15T11:30:00.000-08:00

Inspiration photo, above.

(sorry, I do not know who the photo belongs to)

As I near the end of my second college term, I needed a break! I have the inspiration
photo on my desktop as I have been searching for the right container to hold all
the mother of pearl buttons I already have.

FINALLY, I found it. At GoodWill for $2.99. As you see above, I have filled it with some of
my buttons. This jar is much larger than the inspiration one.

So, late last night, after I finished my homework, I decided to sort out buttons and put
them in the jar. I'm very happy with the end result.

While I do enjoy expanding my brain, my soul insists I continue creative pursuits as well.

Now that that's done.... back to homework!!

Veterans Day

2009-11-14T22:58:00.001-08:00

It's a grand old flag

A grand old country

that celebrates our young

Celebrates our diversity

Preserves our heritage

Protects life and home

Peace, hope and love for those and what we hold dear

In thanks and appreciation for those who would give their lives
to make sure we enjoy peace, hope and love

To that one lady who stands by herself and thanks EVERY vet who walks by her

to those who never make it home

and to those who do, like the men and women above

WE THANK YOU!

Late 1800's Antique Barn

2009-11-10T16:32:00.000-08:00

In Jacksonville, there is a wonderful
old barn that was built before 1900, maybe long before. It now houses antiques, but
the architecture is just a marvel. My eyes were not on the antiques, but of the structure itself.

You can see the light shine through the cracks of the boards. (see picture two next to Pepsi sign)

Some of the old tools they used are still hanging from the rafters. It may have cracks, but the barn is strong as an ox.

When I did finally take my eyes away from the building, it was to notice a painting of a woman on one of the walls.

There, in the shop, is an elderly woman, working near the big pot-bellied wood stove. I asked her if that keeps her warm in the winter with the gaps in the wood and all. She says no, laughs and says she just stays home! (lol) I also say I notice she looks a lot like the (younger) woman in the painting. She says, yes, it is her.

It seems that woman is nearly as old as this building!

She goes on to tell me some history of the building, but foolish me, I did not write it down and the memory is not what it used to be.

You can't miss this corner barn located in Jacksonville, Oregon if you love old barns or antiques.

And old ladies!

Pretty Things

2009-11-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

Pretty pink things. Milk glass. Lace. Things that just make you want
to melt away into a warm bath. On a dreary turning-to-winter last
few days... this is exactly what the doctor ordered. Off to a bath!

*local antique mall*

What IS it?!

2009-11-06T22:21:00.001-08:00

look closely

what are those two creepy things looking out from the darkness?

something from some paranormal show?

beady little eyes staring into your soul?

EWWWWwwwww

I have had ENOUGH of that kind of stuff lately.....

Fooled you! Those are just my two precious dogs looking out from under blankets while
Matt checks a text on his phone.

...still... a little bit creepy, huh?!

Mwwwaaaaaaa ha haaa haaa

Best Friends

2009-11-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

This is McKenna & Lindsay

best buddies since they were one and a half

in case you're wondering why Lindsay looks so... um.... "maimed"...

This picture was taken on Halloween. It's a yearly tradition for these girls
to go out trick or treating together every year.

Sock hop girl and dead bride! Yep, best buds!

Turning Back Time

2009-10-29T19:26:00.001-07:00

"Time Stands Still For No Man."

But for a good many of these little beauties, time does stand still.

They are found with broken parts,
parts missing...
...they're rusty....
....springs have sprung, or they've been wound too tight...

...they're old and worn out.

Or all of the above.

Kind of like people.
But we love them anyway, don't we?

That Darn Cat

2009-10-25T11:12:00.001-07:00

This is Mister Snapper, my cat.

We've had him for almost 12 years.

I'm allergic to cats, so until recently, Snapper and I have
enjoyed a "foot to the head" kind of relationship.
(I used my foot to pet him, not kick him!)

Then Snapper got a urinary blockage in August. $400 later, he was good.
Then, early this month, he got another that came on quick and he nearly died.
Another $400, I have to wonder what I will do if it happens again.

So now I let Snapper get on my lap when he wants to. He does this kitten "kneading" thing that
he used to do only to Mc's oversized stuffed bunny and panda.

Some funny things about Mister Snapper, if you don't mind:

He rings a bell on the door to let me know he wants to go potty outside.
He sleeps by my bedroom door at night because he knows he's not allowed to come inside.
He loves to tear up toilet paper and leave it in teeny bits strewn around the house.
When I don't get up at my regular time (5:35 am), he is my backup alarm.
He drinks out of the toilet, so I have had to retrain my boys about how the seat works.
He likes chips, especially Doritos.

He's a very manly cat, that Mister Snapper. But his vet says he is of the most sensitive kind
of cat there is. Here, all these years, I thought he was the tough man. Lo and behold, he's
just a little kitten on the inside.

WISHING YOU HEALTH, Mister Snapp's!

Multi-tasking

2009-10-24T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here, my son Nathan demonstrates his ability to multi-task.

Dog under the arm, talking on the phone.

As if that wasn't enough....

....He texts, too!

Crazy world, isn't it?!

2009-10-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

Right outside my window...

...on a typical drive up North...

... an explosion of color...

...the harvest of the crop...

...the changing of the seasons...

And right outside my window!

Have I said how much I love Oregon?

Jacksonville IS Art

2009-10-16T22:32:00.001-07:00

When I retire, I want to retire to Jacksonville, Oregon!

Time stands still there...

Art is everywhere!

It's hidden, then magically appears... (see the fairies, above?)

It's in the little details....

and sometimes... it's right at your fingertips!

*click any photo for more magical detail*

Life Is A Carnival

2009-10-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Here I have some pictures for you from our State Fair in September.

Everywhere I go, I see things differently than I used to.
I notice the colors, the contrast, the texture. If I were an object I would be a camera.
My eyes look at things as if they are setting the stage to take a photo. Every glimpse of something beautiful or interesting, my mind takes a snapshot. Even the mundane takes on a life of its own when you look at it differently.

There is beauty in every thing.

With some of these photos I have used Picnik and Picasa to manipulate them to how they are as you see. Go check it out! What fun things you can do!

On My Agenda

2009-09-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here is what will be filling my evenings until December 13th......

....wish me luck!

For Your Vintage Enameled Flower Pins

2009-09-20T21:58:00.001-07:00

Look closely. Yes, it's an old enamel pin from the 50's.

A FUN IDEA for your vintage enameled pins!

The orange flower above is a vintage pin from the 50's I recently acquired in a batch of jewelry. I love the vibrant orange offset by the green stem.

I decided to put it to good use by attaching some fall ribbon around this black wooden pitcher and then adding the pin to the ribbon.

Perfect for fall color decor and an unexpected surprise!

Dig those pins out of the jewelry box or better yet, start a collection now.

Tommy's Last Night At The Jockey Club ~1952~ AN UPDATE

2009-09-18T21:28:00.000-07:00

(FROM AN EARLIER POST ~ WITH an update at the bottom)

This is Tom, who in 1952 (or '53) worked his last night
at the Jockey Club. He's a mighty handsome fellow.

I think THIS Tom gave the Tom in "Cocktail" some pointers!

Good with mixing smooth drinks, and smooth with the women, as you will
see in the next few photos.

Quite the charmer, that Tom.

Above are his "tools". Seems innocent enough.

Ah, here is where the trouble began. Tom's other tools are
his hands. Not that Snooks seems to mind.

Oh my, here is the evidence of Tom's OTHER tool.

...those LIPS!

...It started a chain reaction!

Snooks is ready for more!

Here's to YOU, Tom!

I'm sure you were sorely missed at the Jockey Club.

*all photos from RUTH'S photo album ~ see older posts*

As an unusual side note ~ Since posting this, I found out that Betty, my new friend, in the above photo with Tom, later MARRIED him! They were happily married for many, many years until Tom's passing in the 1990's.

Cheers to you both, Tom & Betty!

Loves Me Like A Rock

2009-09-17T19:20:00.001-07:00

This is very HEART felt story.

Toward the end of the school year last year, Elena brought a rock to school
and stopped to show me. This is the kind of stuff kids do, but Elena is no ordinary kid.
I told her it was a "cool" rock. It was heart shaped and I told her how
I collect heart shaped rocks.

So she told me she wanted me to have the rock.

I happened to have a book about HEART SHAPED ROCKS that my rockin' niece Kristina gave me for Christmas this last year. (she's so thoughtful!)

That book is on a shelf in my room. So I told Elena to come by and see the book I have. I placed the rock on the book and took a picture of it. I was so touched!

Then....

It is back to the new school year. On the first day of school, Elena comes to find me. She says
she has a present for me. Into my hand she places a small bag with some rocks in it that she has collected for me over the summer. I thank Elena and tell her I will look at them in a little bit.

When I get back to my room I open the little baggie and place the rocks on the shelf by the book and the other rock Elena gave me last year. I wasn't expecting what I found when I poured the rocks out of the bag.

They were all heart shaped.

*** and then my cup runs over***

I love working with kids.

*name has been changed for privacy*

1952 ~ Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2009-09-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN ~ Take a trip back to 1952!

This is Betty and some of her friends. Betty's sitting next to the gentleman.

That's Ruth & Betty's friend Myrt on her head.
(all photos from Ruth's album from 1952)
Ruth lounging, looking lovely and probably AFTER she did dinner clean up.
Ruth had a lot of potluck suppers, in her apartment.

I want to know what they're eating in this photo, above.

Cheers, ladies!

One Life Means Something

2009-09-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

"ANDERSON, S.C. (Sept. 16) - David Condon died broke and alone
in a zipped-up tent on the banks of a South Carolina lake, his stomach empty
and his lungs filling with fluid. His friends and family hadn't seen the bright but
reclusive Civil War buff in more than two months. He lost his job as a program
coordinator at the local museum last year, fell behind on his rent and seemed to
retreat even more into himself than usual.

Sometime in early July he disappeared. On Labor Day weekend, a group of college kids vacationing at a condo complex a few hundred yards from his tent found his body. The local coroner said he died of pneumonia, made worse by malnutrition. He was dehydrated and had lost 50 pounds in a few months. " (AP Press/AOL News)
...there's more to this sad story. I'm just irked that this kind of thing happens.
David Condon died alone. And he didn't reach out to anyone. Why couldn't his friends TELL something was up? Why did he die alone in a tent on the river?

Not all blogs can be happy and joyful. We need these kinds of stories to open our
eyes. I feel really sad for this man. And for his friends and family who are left
to wonder why they didn't know anything. And to stress that if you are feeling all alone
you only need to reach out to others.

There is ALWAYS someone willing to help.

The ALBUM... a continuing story

2009-09-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

This is the continuing story of Ruth & Betty.
I found Ruth's album in an antique store and couldn't leave it there.
I started out thinking I would just keep the album to treasure. Then..
My curiosity got the best of me.
Who are these people?
Are they still alive?
Why is such a lovely, well documented album not at "home"?

This lovely lady above is Betty. Ruth's best buddy ole pal! She's in just about
every picture in the album.
I decided to try to find the owner of this album, thinking since Betty was in so many pictures
that surely she was family. Her last name is written in the album, and Ruth's last initial was the same.
I couldn't find Ruth anywhere. So I started looking for Betty.
... and I found her!

These ladies really know how to have fun! I felt like I was part of this
whole group. Ruth had a lot of pictures and captions under almost all of them!

Isn't that a neat picture, above? One of the few colored photos. Ruth and Betty took a lot of vacations together.

When I wrote to Betty, I only hoped it was her. I sent some pictures of the pictures hoping to prove it was her, or not. And it was! She wrote back! Told me some stories about some of the pictures I had sent. Absolutely delighted to see them!

Ruth's album dated to 1952. There was enough information that I could figure out the town they were from. Lots of landmarks mentioned. It was like solving a mystery! And Betty's name has changed since then. Since Ruth put Betty's whole name in it, I was able to find Betty and offer the album to her.

In the pictures you can see that these girls could have some fun! I am happy to report that Betty is now a YOUNG at heart 78 year old. Still as witty and full of life as in the pictures! Some of the babies in the pictures are now grandmothers and Betty herself has two great grandchildren. It was an absolute j o y to find Betty and talk to her.

The album gets shipped off today!

Help Feed A Dog or Cat!

2009-09-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

By clicking on the banner, you can be linked to this great place called FREE KIBBLE.COM which I found by looking at the website of our local animal shelter: SAFE HAVEN. There I saw this link and learned that by answering a question about dogs (and they have a link for cat lovers too) they will donate "kibble" to animal shelters.

There's one like that for humans, too. It is called FREE RICE www.freerice.com It's really cool because you learn new words (or show your vocab skills!) and earn free rice through the UN to end world hunger. Is that great, or what?!

It's little, but every bit o' kibble counts!

Decorating My Classroom and First Day of School

2009-09-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

Allow me to take you on a tour of my little classroom!

The above picture shows the only window in my classroom. This little
nook is where I have my reading groups. They start next week.
Notice the old radiator heater. Our boiler is from 1935, our only source of heat.

We do not have air conditioning. It gets hot in this building!

If you look out the window you can see our school is in a historical neighborhood and my view looks out at Historical Craftsman Bungalows and other quaint & cozy homes. I took a ten minute walk on my break today along the canal one block away. A treat!

This is the view from the window. You can see my desk, and the hallway out of my room, where there is another radiator. A lot of the time the boiler doesn't work. The school was built in 1915, a brick building. It has almost been torn down twice. The neighborhood & parents saved it. It may be old, but we love it.

I like this little nook above the shelves because it seems to be the first thing you see when
you come into my room. This year I added vintage items like an old flag, picnic basket, polka dot scarf
and an old picture of the flag salute.
I think a lot of the theme of my room is going to be about the Grand Old Flag.

Above is the view from the doorway. So you see my desk to the right, first stop for customers. Then there is the table where kids will do problem solving or work. Then the kidney shaped table where I teach reading. To
the left is all shelves. You can't tell from this picture but I have lot of RED and Mary Engelbreit stuff, cheery cherries to brighten the room.
The room length dry erase board is my canvas for reading group teaching, drawings, quotes and problem solving skills examples.

DO YOU LIKE THE GOLD CARPET? Probably old as the school....

And here are two of my little darlings above on their FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL Nathan is now in 11th grade and McKenna is in middle school. You can't see the other one who graduated last year because he's the lucky one still all cozy in bed.

HERE'S TO A GREAT NEW YEAR!

School Starts Tomorrow & Back To Work

2009-09-07T08:28:00.001-07:00

Going on the rides

Those magnificient horses!!!

Some views of the moon....

The colors!!

Summer's last yahoo ~ The State Fair!

I won tickets to get into the fair (and see the Disney concert) so we decided to go, after I worked my first full day at work... what was I thinking?!

The girls rode on the carnival rides, I people watched. We strolled, we ate (the scones!!!), we sat and looked at that moon, we strolled some more. Left for home at about 9:30 and my feet were on fire!

And today it's raining. Where'd the summer go?!!!

I found her! Reuniting an old album

2009-09-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

I found an old photo album at the local antique mall recently.

Opened it's pages there in the store.

A story unfolded.

I knew I couldn't leave the album there.

So I brought it home and poured over every filled page.

More than a few times...

It belonged to Ruth, the lovely young woman on the left, above. To the right is Betty.

Are they sisters? Best friends? Coworkers? Cousins?

Betty is the spunky one of the two, obvious in the above photo.

I started to piece their story as I read each pages captions.

Then I went out and tried to find Ruth & Betty.

I found Betty!

...more soon...

2009-08-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Why I blog

Stress relief.
quiet time
Venting.
sharing ideas
Self expression.
photography
C r e a t i v i t y.
i n s p i r a t i o n
Art.
blogging is about life
Release.
ME, in a nutshell
and finally....

Preservation.

It's not that I care so much about anyone else reading this. Cause I think only four people have read my blogs since I started.... But it feels good to sit down and do something for me that I can save for later. This is my time. I cook, clean, work, go to school, grocery shop, drive, take care of three kids and more. Yes, there are other things I can be doing, but this I do just for me. It doesn't take time. But it's something tangible that I have done and if I don't have time to make fancy scrapbooks, then at least I have this. And I can share it. So many millions of other and more interesting blogs. But this is mine, and I like it!

Last Trip for the Summer To Jacksonville Oregon

2009-08-30T15:55:00.000-07:00

Beautiful countryside between Jacksonville & Medford

A stop in Rogue River on the Rogue River

The trolley ride in Jacksonville

We are nice and dry in this "before" picture. The after isn't nearly so pleasant

We had planned a trip sometime this summer, but had to wait till I was out of school, and then made these last minute plans to go on the jetboats again, then take a scenic trip to Jacksonville, a town I adore!

Will only post a few pictures in this post, but it was so much fun. Kitty and I are coming back, just the two of us.

The boat trip was fun but I didn't take my camera, and I am SO glad I didn't. We got half the river dumped on us. Kitty's camera got wet but it seems to be okay now.

More pics of the lovely old homes and shops in Jacksonville soon.

Our dinner was DEE LISH! We ate a wonderful place called BELLA UNION! More on that later, too!

The boys came into an antique store with us and Matt found an old polaroid camera, one of the first, and got all excited. Bought it for him as well as an old AFGA camera I'll do some experimenting with. Maybe I can get them to go to more antique stores now???

Vintage Prints in Frames REFINISHED

2009-08-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

MY MOST RECENT PROJECT

Lovely vintage homestead prints in green/blue/yellow & white.

Serene as all get-out!

Won't these look lovely against a soft blue wall color?

I decided to sand down the dull wood frames and then paint them white. I didn't take before pictures and wish I had so you could see the BIG difference!

I love them and can't wait to put them up.

Next project ~ coming soon!

Hiking At Silver Falls

2009-08-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Two enormous ant hills.

It was a long way down!

Another beautiful falls!

Gettin' her feet wet!

South Falls

Underneath the falls. Felt goooood!

Nathan was thirsty so he filled his can back up.... LOL

Thought of a fun day trip for the kids and I.

Just a short and very scenic drive away is Silver Creek Falls, which they just call Silver Falls now.

In the middle of this vast farmland lies these beautiful falls.

It offers wonderful picnic grounds, a safe swimming hole, great hiking adventures and stunning falls you can walk under.

But you know this because the only people who read this blog have gone there with me. LOL.

There was me and 5 kids. We were only going to go to the South and most popular falls. But then we decided to venture further to the next falls. FIVE miles and a lot of UPhill climbing later, we were tired and hungry. Glad to be done with the hike, the girls had the swimming hole entirely to themselves and me and the boys sat on the grassy hill right by and watched them swim.

The golden sun was in our eyes the whole way home and I got to enjoy the scenery as Matt drove.

For the next three days my legs were killing me. Maybe I am a little out of shape? But it was worth it!

Artful Inspiration: AN INSPIRATION BOARD

2009-08-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Remember the other night? (the last post) I was sitting here, wondering what to do. Then they boys came in and we played a board game.
Well, today, I realized.. I wanted to MAKE something.
So I looked online for some inspiration. So many wonderful blogs out there.
I decided I wanted to make an INSPIRATION BOARD!

This post isn't working out quite right, as I was going to go picture by picture with how the project came along. But you'll get the general idea.

Anyway, I usually have a few things scattered around the house with words of wisdom or things that inspire me. Usually, some kind of corkboard with pictures and dreamy things. Nothing like that right now.

So I took the girls down to the craft store and started looking for the basics for my inspiration board. I knew I wanted a base of soft blue. Then I chose the black and white papers for contrast. My future bedroom is going to be dreamy blue, with white washed furniture. A black desk and windsor chair. This will look quite nice when it's all put together.

Above, I was referring to the bedroom, not the board. But first things first! Here is all the stuff I got at the craft store.

This (above) shows a corner pocket with rick-rack accents. My future bedroom will have a lot of vintage. So rick-rack goes quite nicely!

The little card above was made with a sticker and pre-made frame paper. The quote says: "All you need is deep within you waiting to unfold & reveal itself.: ~ Eileen Caddy
I really believe that is true!

Well this one turned out sideways... oops. I decided to add an "Inspiration WIRE" to my board, because I absolutely LOVE the idea! This picture shows cut out letters saying "Have Fun."

I decided to make some little cards to centerpiece
hanging down from the middle of the wire, or to display within the black design in the middle of the board. Each card expresses an attitude or quote.

The big blue one above says: I AM HERE TO LIVE OUT LOUD!
Love it!

Above I have tweaked the vintage photo as well as a page from an old autograph album dating 1905. Added some vintage jewelry, too.

Here, I made a corner pocket to tuck the sayings cards into.

VOILA! This is the finished product but was supposed to be at the end of the post. I did a couple more little things as you will see.

This wonderful floral paper cut outs were a whole sheet in the scrapbook paper section (same as that wonderful black cut out) that I carefully cut apart to make the sweet floral sprigs.

Ah, above is the FINAL final product, without the frame, which will be antique black.

These are the quote/attitude/inspiration cards to tuck into the side pocket. Sideways, sorry.

My niece cleverly attached this old photo above as the gift tag last Christmas.

And finally, this last card says: (A-maz-ing) Surprising greatly. Inspiring awe or admiration or wonder.

This is exactly how I feel lately: INSPIRED and surprised (by my recent straight A's at my first term back to college after 26 years). I underestimated myself. But now I feel like I could do almost anything... and why shouldn't I?! We are only limited by how we limit ourselves.

So, I plan to be making MORE inspiring things more often.

TURNING DREAMS INTO REALITY!

You can do it, too!

Things to do... Things to DO!

2009-08-20T19:39:00.000-07:00

So now I am on vacation. Yes, I may have the summer off from work, but I still had full time college. And now that I am done with summer term (a 4 point, thank you very much!), now I am technically on vacation until work starts back up very, very soon.

And then I will juggle full time work with full time school.

So here I sit, wondering what I should do with the remainder of my vacation.

I've done a whole bunch of ebay listings. I have cleaned, and will clean even more I am sure. Spend some time with the kids. Go somewhere.

But as I sit here, wondering what to do with TONIGHT, looking around at the piles around me. I got up and took some pictures of piles. A sign of obsessive compulsive disorder? Or laziness? Or someone who is just really, really busy. Or all of the above?

So, as I sit here wondering what to do next.... the boys walk in with a new board game.

"Mom! You wanna play a board game?! Before I can utter "Uhhhh", they have the game set up and ready to go.

Guess that took care of that!

Sweet 16

2009-08-18T11:36:00.001-07:00

A sweet babe!

A loving son!

Going through stages...

...and now!

Nathan is Sweet Sixteen!

My Nathan turns 16 tomorrow! Where does the time go? It seems just yesterday he was a chubby little babe. Now he's practically a grown up babe!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN!

Love you son!