Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Spooky thought...

So, you all know that I'm driving a little over an hour to my new job training, right...Well, it's coming to a close (Friday being my last trip). Everyday that I drive TO Augusta, there are little memorials for people who must have died due to some sort of crash or mishap along the highway. There must be at least 20 along the way. There is even one where the family members have rigged up lighting to shine on it during nighttime, too. There are flowers, ribbons, and one even has a helium balloon on it that makes me wonder how long it will stay inflated - maybe it was recently put there? Well, there is this one. It's really pretty. It's simple and white. Just a little white cross with a little creative woodworking on it, but simple. The scary thing is the three letters on it. All capital letters, all in large black letters...YOU. Every time I drive by it I try not to look at it as if it's a premonition or something. Then I get my senses back and just assume that maybe the letters stand for someONE - Yolanda Ortho Unez or something...Whoever put it there sure makes me want to drive careful, defensive, not take any chances...It's a spooky thing to be driving past it and reading YOU on this little cross...I wonder if someone is 'paying it forward' and making me a little cross BEFORE I need it? But I WILL be needing it???

Okay, maybe I'm just tired and reading a little too much into things...But the one good thing is that it makes me think about my driving - in a good way. So, someone is making a difference by putting it there even if it isn't for me!

Food for thought...

g'nite -

Monday, February 26, 2007

It's a Monday for sure...

When my alarm went off at 3:30am this morning, I really couldn't seem to coax my eyes open or my mind to function. I even went to bed around 9pm. My sister called (which I barely remember, sorry Dana) and wanted to talk about the Oscars - not only was I unsure of what she was talking about I wasn't really sure of the time, planet or era I was in...I was OUT! I've gotten into this groove of traveling to my training...It takes a little over an hour to get there so I have to get up at 3:30am to be showered, starched, coffeed, and ready for the road by 4:30. The store opens at 7am to be ready for those businesses to get what they need before THEY open...So, in order for all of that to take place, I have to be in sleepy mode by 9pm.
Any deviation later than that - there is a slight possibility that I will need MORE coffee, MORE time to get ready, and MORE time to get there...All of that is really impossible...

So, thank goodness that my countdown has begun of when I'm able to start at my store that is a measly 20 minutes away! Yipee!!


It's about 9:30pm - already off to a bad start for tomorrow!

Goodnight!

Enjoy!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Long time, no blog!!

My husband reminded me that I haven't blogged in awhile. So, I made a point of taking pictures today just for this occasion!

Work has been going good, but I have found out that I REALLY have to go to bed around 9pm in order to get up at 3:30AM and be somewhat human...If I don't, I'm thinking of ways to not go to work each time I hit my snooze alarm!! Next week will be my last week of crazy commuting so I'm really excited about being a human to my family again! I literally come home around 6pm and TRY to keep my eyes open long enough to spend time with my family...I feel really guilty going to bed any earlier, so we've worked it out okay so far. It's Saturday and I'm off so Lane and I played together all day. We finished up Logan's room - It looks GREAT! We went out for lunch (BBQ) and then played outside with Ellie and her favorite tennis ball...It was a really nice day in the neighborhood.

Here is a great picture of the wall that we finished in Logan's room today. As you can see Lane is 'holding up the floating planets'...He's a strong guy, huh? Anyway, Logan and Lane were searching for pictures of room ideas. They saw this one that had crazy circles on it and it stuck! So, after Lane did all of the painting, we began the search for ideas for the circles. One (of many) great things about Lane is that if you are stumped for an idea, he can usually make it come to fruition. We talked about cutting circles out of border or wall paper so it would stick, we thought about that sticky 'fun' foam, etc. So, we headed out to Lowes to see what we could find. We went through the border aisle, but nothing until...we found these pre-cut CIRCLES!! So, we figured that we could just cut even more circles out of them and make LOTS of circles...WA-LAH! It really turned out awesome!

After the success of the room, I felt inspired to finish up some of my crafty swaps. I had been working on this butterfly one without success so I just about gave up. I had the wings figured out, but not the body. So, I made about 4-5 different body types and FINALLY came up with something today. I have 3 layers on their wings - two layers of clear plastic (from a thick sheet protector) and sheer silver fabric (from an old pottery barn tablecloth). The plastic really gave it some thickness and sturdiness for the wings - no droopy wings!! I had to make two, so after I figured it all out I hammered out another in about an hour (or less).

Then, I had fun finishing up my 'Clothespin Doll' swap. We were supposed to make 3 dolls - one for each of our three assigned partners. I got so wrapped up in them (literally) that I ended up sending 2 to each of them. They couldn't have traveled alone, now could they? The dolls were really fun to make and I could have made about 100...I'm sure the next rainy day will come along and Logan and I will create some girls...An easy craft and a fun 'girly' one, too!

Well, it's about my bedtime...I've got my crafty room all cleaned up and it's time to start the work week again! I feel better now that I had a nice day with my husband and Logan's room will be ready to go! The upstairs might just look like a livable place again soon - Logan and her stuff can move out of the guest room now! (and of course now that her room looks sooo good, I have plans for the guest room)!!

Sorry for the week long delay - I'll get back into the groove this week (hopefully)!

Enjoy!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

I just had to show you what the mailman brought today!!! I got another box of goodies from a swap partner. This swap was themed 'vintage owl' swap. I used to collect owl 'things' when I was younger. I remember getting this HUGE stuffed owl for a birthday...I have to hunt for a picture of it now...I think that same birthday I got one of those electronic football games and a barry manilow album...EEEKK! Well, my swap partner sent me the cutest goodies!! The little guy came in an egg. He's one of those felted guys. The kind that you pull and poke into shapes...Well, I've seen them, been intrigued by the process, but never had seen one in person until now! He is ssooo cute. He really has a personality. While the other great owl statues made their way to my shelf, the little guy has a key spot on my computer desk.

I wasn't sure if I showed the picture of the owl that I sent, but here it is. I had made these pompons and they were a little crazy to use for anything. But, I couldn't imagine the owl traveling across the globe without any creature comforts, so I added them to the box as his 'nest'. I'm sure that he made it happily and safely. I haven't heard from the partner that I sent to, but I sure hope she enjoys him...

The birthday week is almost coming to a close! It has been long! I received a nice little flowering plant at work from Lane for Valentines. He sent it all the way to Georgia where I was training. You know a girl loves getting things at work from her man - it really makes him look good! ALL women want to show off treats from her man - to show she is loved! And that she has a thoughtful man!! I crafted some really cute hearts for the family and made a little felt puppy for Logan. He's got a red bow around his tail and a red heart collar around his neck. They turned out cute - I sure hope my family isn't tired of getting crafts for holidays...I don't want to know if they are - because they will just keep coming!!

My sister sent me the cutest 'candy holder'. She took a regular 'soup like' can, painted (stained?) it pink, added a beaded wire around it and topped it off with a squished coin with a stamped heart on it! WOW! Talk about a great item - here it is!!!

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Sorry, no pictures today. It's raining outside and has been ugly all day. I'm still working through my training, Lane is working through his training and we are all just getting back to a normal household groove.
We got some great packages in the mail over the past few days! With birthdays here, the mailman is our friend! We got a great big package from Texas. We are saving the boxes of goodies until this weekend when Logan will be with us to celebrate. I guess when you have 2 families, you have a weeks worth of celebrations!! We'll be sure to include pictures from that event!
It's been raining, lightning and thundering! So, I'm sure that you can only guess what Ellie is doing right now...Panting like there is no way out of this place!! She was trying to find refuge under Lane's computer desk and a few wires here and there were pulled...Lane doesn't like rain storms now any more than Ellie does!! We are going to have to get a door or something because this is just the start of the raining season. The Vet said that we could give her some benedryl when we saw a storm approach...We just didn't give it to her in time tonight...Pant, pant, pant...She has really been under my feet all night. Hopefully the benedryl I just gave her (disquised as a cheesey treat) will be in full force by bedtime so we all will enjoy a good nights' sleep. Otherwise, she will have her wet panting tongue right by my head as I try to sleep...

Here's to a good quiet rainy night!!

February 11, 2007

Birthday week has officially started. Logan had her first slumber party at her mom's house last night for her 10th birthday. I guess that means no more skating parties, no more 'princess' parties...I can't decide if it gets easier or harder from here...We stopped by to see her and drop off some goodies. She and the girls look like they were ready to have fun.

We hope to have Logan's room done by next weekend. Lane starts his new job tomorrow, so we'll be squeezing painting time in here and there, so it might take a little longer than planned, but THAT"S OK!! If if took two more weeks, I think that getting in the groove of a new job is first priority!!

Well, a nice and chilly day today. The birds were pecking at the ice on the bird bath this morning, but the sun shine should take care of that soon!!

enjoy the day!

Friday, February 9th, 2007

I thought that I'd better show off some of my 'Swap Bot' loot. The picture on the left is what a received for the swap that had a flea market/garage sale theme. You were to spend 5-10 dollars and find goodies that your partner would like...She really hit the mark with me. There were old school CD's, vintage craft kits, old postcards, a vintage craft book...It really made my day to see all of those goodies in my mail box.

The second picture is from my 'Swap Bot' partner in GERMANY. She sent me a matchbox themed 'things with wings'. She stuffed all kinds of stickers, ribbon, felties, etc. It was really interesting to see all of the post marks on the package...This has reaaly been a fun hobbie i discovered. I hosted my own swap on that site. The theme is to make a tiny tag book that fits inside a matchbox. I've had 20 people to sign up for it so far so it should turn out fun. I'll keep you up to date on it!

Well, it's birthday month around here. Lane and Logan turn one year older next week. Logan wanted a new room (now that she is turning 10 and going on 16). It was hard to have to pull off the castle and unicorn theme border and all a few years ago and now she wants 'big girl' colors. Yup, that's Lane - I think that he's been cooped up in that paint fumed room a little too long don't cha think? Or maybe he's saying that the colors that they picked out are tastey tastey?? Anyway, the silly man sure can paint a room in no time. I'll show you the finished product when we get there. We found a great picture of a room with these colors, but about 3 ft from the ceiling there are circles of various colors. I think that's when I have to start painting...I'm officially 'circle painting' girl. EEKKK...I've already thought of many ways to cheat, so no sympathy just yet, k? It's amazing what just a little coat of paint will do for ya!!

My mom used to paint all of the time. She would get tired of a color or maybe just change her mind and BAM! Out came the paint brush, off goes the furniture and WALAH! A new wall and hence a new room.

So, I guess when things get drab and boring around the house - never forget the power of a little paint!!

Enjoy!!

Monday, February 5, 2007

Well, it's been a good news day today. Lane accepted a job with Sprint. He's been working on it for awhile and finally after all of his hard work, it paid off. He accepted the offer today. Congrats, bunky. I know that it was important to you am I glad that it all worked out. I love you.

Sunday, February 4, 2007

Another chilly day! It didn't keep us in for long, though. We bundled up and got the bikes out (or should I say BIKE - Logan's) and headed for the outdoors. The kids had a great time playing in all of the yards - I think that ours ended up being the school. Our porch was their house? I'm not sure. It's nice though to live in a circle where you know the kids can play safe and all of the neighbors know that they'll be seeing them on their porch or in their yards. And no one cares!

I finished up a few more swaps today. I needed to do 3 little matchboxes. I also signed up for one that had an 'owl' theme. I had just made a really cute one out of that embossed felt and it is CUTE! Now he has a home to go to. I packed him up in a box that I doubled as his 'nest' - complete with these huge pompons I attempted to make with this pompon maker I found...See there is a purpose for everything eventually!! I also had to fix up my little neighbors teddy bear today. He needed a little surgery on his arm. I don't think that she knew that he could even be fixed. I told her to step into my office (aka - crafty room) and I sewed him right up. She thought that I was a miracle worker! Don't you just love making the day of a 5 year old! And all with a needle and thread. I told her to come see me anytime she needed a little help sewing or fixin'.

Well, it's back to the grind tomorrow. I'm ready. I've had a great few days with my family and neighbors. I've done my crafting and I've relaxed and re-energized myself. It's amazing what a day with the family will do for your spirit!

So, enjoy your family and your spirit!!

Saturday, February 3rd

It was a bone chilling day today. But when you look out of the window you would think it was a sunny spring day - birds singing happily, squirrels playing about!! Maybe I should have realized that those were signs that they all needed to store up some winter food for the long haul!! As you can see, Louie had the right idea for the day! A lazy day by the fire! I don't think it made it above the 40's today with a really rough wind chill!!

After visiting all of the crafy blogs last night I felt the need to create a doll of some sort. So, I 'googled' free doll pattern. I found a free vintage pattern and instruction book that I downloaded. It had an interesting idea for how to sew the one piece body. It said to cut out the pattern, lay it on the fabric and lightly trace the pattern onto the fabric. Then sew right inside the line and THEN cut it out. That was the first time I'd ever done that and I have to tell you that it was really like drawing with the sewing machine instead of just trying to put two pieces together. The shape of the hands, feet and just the outline of the legs really came out nicer than I'd ever done before. It also gave hints to make the neck more sturdy by wrapping a nail with cotton and inserting it to sit from the top of the chest, through the neck and then into the head. Make sure the cotton is centered around the stuffing...It really worked great - no 'sleepy' looking doll! It really turned into an all day project. She really didn't have a face or the extras until Logan came in. She really inspires me...I trust her light heartedness and her 'fun' she brings at the point that I become uninspired...she pushes me to make it better. Sometimes she knows better that I do when to stop and when to keep going!! Things seem to take a different and better turn when she gets involved!

Have you ever had one of those projects that you just weren't sure how it would turn out or maybe even as you were working on it you just enjoyed the process? Well, that is how this doll was...I just didn't know or care how she would turn out. Logan asked, 'Are you going to be proud of her when you are done?'. I thought that to be an interesting question. I told her that I would be proud of her no matter how she turned out. Everything just seemed to work out for her....and me...

So, enjoy the processes of the day - not necessarily the way the day turns out...or doesn't....

It REALLY Happened!!!

Well, when we woke up this morning it was sleeting. By the time I got my jacket and gloves on, grabbed the camera and opened the door - It WAS SNOWING!! I SQUEELED with happiness!! It was sooo pretty! I heard this little voice from down the street say, 'I know! It's sooo exciting!'. My little neighbor was out playing in it, too! I called for the dog and the family to come and play!! So for about an hour we played, we were happy, we were cold, we were wet - but we didn't care. It was our only snow this winter and we were enjoying every minute of it!!

Logan didn't go to school and I didn't go to work and it all ended around pm...the electricity even flickered all morning.

It became a nice lazy day. Not too many crafts, not too much of anything except being on the couch!!

I'm ready to get back to the grind tomorrow and finish working on my training. As much fun as this day was, it sure will put me behind in my training. I'll probably need to work a long day tomorrow to make up some of the time loss today!!

Well, that' is it for my lazy day.

Embrace those days when there really isn't anything that you HAVE to do except to enjoy the day and what it brings!!