Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Well, as my husband has reminded me, this blog thingee is becoming weekly instead of daily/biweekly, etc...Since the weather has turned out so nice I find myself playing outside more and just wearing myself out with only the energy to get in the hot tub and then to bed. So, tonight I will catch you all up with the happenings of South Carolina.

Lane and I headed to the mountains on Friday. We spent the whole day playing, walking, shopping, looking and just enjoying the day. We always seem to make it to this one shop where we find something to craft together. There is a really cute place called 'Express Yourself'. They have mosaics, pottery to paint, stuffed animals to put together and dress, beading and scrap booking. Lane and I are addicted to the mosaics. We have made one of each of our animals - 2 cats and a dog. This time we made a cat that looks like Lane's mom's cat so we'll give that to her for her Bday or Easter...We'll see. He came out really cute. We have decided that we are spoiled because we have a quiet neighborhood and a really soft bed. We could barely sleep in the hotel because of all of the cars/bikes going on all night and the REALLY firm bed just didn't bring out the 'ahhhh' in either of us...So we decided to check out a day early and head back home to enjoy our home, yard, bed, family, etc. We BBQ-d on Saturday and we were lazy all day on Sunday. It was a really nice weekend.

Work has been good. I'm getting into all of the things that I do best - I organize, clean, teach and try to help the other associates have fun while doing all of this. They learn to like to work for/with me so they stick around to help customers. I greet the customers with a warm smile and they seem to like it and tend to come back. All of this seems to make a business successful and brings me great rewards - bonus, promotions, etc. I guess it's easy for me, but alot of people don't see the 'retail' side of things. It's a true profession that you either like or HATE. I really don't think that there is an 'in-between' when it comes to retail. I just am on the side of the fence that likes it and likes the challenge. I see it kinda of like a game. It's my goal to make the highest score on audits, having the best associates, having the most/happiest customers, and just challenging volume potential...

Lane is really making a difference at his job - even though he would probably say differently. He's understanding the ease of retailing as well...And he would say differently to that as well. He has a lot of fun people that he works with, so that's a good thing as well.

I'm counting down the days until our trip to Texas. I'm ready to get a little family time/laughs/silliness in my blood. It'll be nice to be there in my Dad's new place just enjoying time.

I had this really weird encounter the other day. I had this elderly woman come into the store - very frail. She needed a few things and had a little list. I offered to help her with the list - I'm a true believer of the 'divide and conquer' rule in anything. I met her back at the front counter and her daughter had made it in. The woman was bragging about the service that she had received from me. Her daughter whispered that she was 92 years old and didn't get out much. I told the woman that she was a 'spry young chicken' and I'd be happy to help her anytime. She told me that her bday was in September. GUESS what DATE!! Go ahead - yup - the 19Th. So, of course I had to go into the family low down and she let me know that she had 4 other people in her family that had that same bday, too!!! She said that all of her other family members were born on Fridays. I guess that everyone has something that makes them special - and to think that I thought we were the only ones...Hmmm...Anyway, it did make me miss my mom tremendously.

I'm off tomorrow from work and plan to enjoy the day just piddling...

Enjoy your day tomorrow, too!

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Well, I have finished my long work week (7 days in a row - some starting as early as 4am). My dogs are barking (feet hurt) and I'm out of black pants and boy shirts (my uniform)...So I timed it perfect I suppose...
But HERE"S THE GOOD NEWS...Lane has arranged for us to go to the MOUNTAINS in North Carolina! YIPPEE! So, at least there is something to look forward to...Quiet drives up the mountains, cooler weather, time with my man...And tennis shoes all weekend to make my dogs happy...
Work is getting better by the day. I'm building my confidence and reminders that I really can run a business successfully and have fun at it, too! I haven't had that confidence in awhile so it's good. I even had a customer write a letter to the home office to thank them for the great service that I gave her... I got all of the registers cleaned and have given everyone my disease of throwing stuff away that either has dust on it (because you don't use it) or things that you haven't a clue the last time it was used. They had YEARS worth of paperwork that you only keep for 90 days...So, anyway...
Logan is with us tonight so we are headed out to get her bike - Ellie is ready to go out with us, too!!

Well, I'm off to get a bike, take some aspirin and get rid of this crazy allergy headache/sinus/migraine...

Enjoy the day!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

I can't believe that I haven't 'blogged' since last week. I've been on that long working schedule so that I'm off next weekend. I was off last Thursday - just enough downtime to get laundry put away, grocery shopping, cleaning done, etc. I've been trying to work out my groove of the gym, work and family, too...So, I'm waiting for a couple of patterns to print (that came from Hillary Lang's website 'Wee Wonderfuls') so I thought while all of that was printing I'd just check my site out...

(I found this picture from our trip a couple of years ago to Paris, TX to see my folks - thought it was cute - sorry, a little reminiscing on my part)

Work is going better day by day. The guys are so funny that I work with. They keep my laughing all day and we all work really hard, too. Sometimes that's a hard mix to find. I made a lot of merchandising moves trying to get things cleaned up and organized so that felt really good today. I got my schedules and all of my paperwork done yesterday so today ( and the rest of the week) I can play...We'll see how everything goes...

We had a frost the other night, so the trash bags came out to put over the plants. We saved the tulips and the daisies! The orange plant even made it into the garage thanks to Gome. She makes sure that she puts all of our plants in a safe place...

Ellie LOVES it outside now. She hardly wants to come in. She starts pacing from one door to the next looking at you as she passes by...

We BBQ'd tonight. Got the lights on the umbrella blazing...Lane even brought out the telescope while we were cooking to gaze at the moon and search for planets. It was a nice night outside. We ate, cooked and watched the stars while we were outside all evening...IT IS SPRING!

Enjoy the day!

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Well, today was my first day as the only manager in the building. No one had to babysit me!! Yippee! I really got a chance to do my own thing. I cleaned up some of the crazy merchandising areas, and made some merchant decisions, too. It felt good. The only bad thing is that I keep forgetting that I'm the OPERATIONS manager. I have to make sure that I get all of the reports, reviews, paperwork, etc. done. I'm already behind in schedules, postings, etc. I just had a little too much fun today - tomorrow will need to be a little different...

Anyway, I started back with my aerobics classes. I take it three times per week - trying to get ready for swimsuit season and short season. I need to get my stamina back up to help out in my new job, too. I want to make sure I can go the distance when I work at 5am, get home around 4pm, do laundry, clean or something until 6:30pm for my class and then back home at 7:30pm to start dinner...Hmmmm, just reading that makes me wonder if I shouldn't just go for 2 x's per week??? I'll get back to you on that one...

It was about 80 degrees outside today. Ellie is officially the 'panting constantly' dog...Poor thing - just too furry for the weather. I'm going to have to look into seeing if there is a cut for her that will still protect her skin, but will get rid of some of that hot hair...Anyone have an idea??

I'm off to watch American Idol and then hit the sack...

I'm going to try to Enjoy!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

(Ellie enjoying my chair while I cook)

Another lovely day here in South Carolina. We tackled the back yard 'water park' area today. I started by spraying all of the weeds, but there were sooo many that I couldn't wait for them to die so I decided to pick them all!! WHEW! That was a chore. I raked the leaves out of our 'beach' area, used the blower to get rid of the pine needles and mowed the yard! It was really nice to see it all come together.

Our neighbors invited us to dinner (BBQ, of course) so we packed up our goodies and walked on over for a nice dinner.

We ended the day with Ellie playing in the sprinklers and jumping into the hot tub...

Life is good.

Tulips (reminds me of the yellow ones from Uncle Eddie)

Our Welcome cat that Mom and Dad sent a few years back - still holding on!

Enjoy the day!

Friday, March 9, 2007

It was too beautiful outside today to be crafting, so I decided to be crafty with the yard. We mowed for the first time (those poor weeds didn't know what hit them) and then put some crabgrass/turf builder down...I planted some beautiful flowers and rearranged the lawn 'art'...It was nice. We just can't believe how beautiful the weeping willow tree is already! It is happy and green! We are amazed every day how many leaves appear on it! Lane is the happy 'weeder' shown here with the new spreader. Our old hand held one gave out last year (after about 10 years!) We filled up the bird feeders, we hung the hummingbird feeder, we watered all of the plants - we just need really warm weather to see the newly planted tulips happy, too! We'll have to enjoy a little dinner outside in the backyard tonight to complete the whole 'outside' day theme! Hmmmm - ribs? steaks? Last year we found an umbrella with solar lights on the inside of it. We found it on sale at the end of the season so we will be pulling that out to enjoy tonight, too for a little mood lighting!!

Enjoy your day! Get outside! Plant some flowers! You'd me amazed on what it does for your spirit!!

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

So, my husband says that I should blog everyday...He reminded me that it's been since Sunday...

So, I've been at my new store since Monday. My boss is nice, my co-workers are nice, and I'm one of the few girls!! I'm working on getting in my groove and getting my systems down at work. I worked slowly but surely through the mounds of paperwork that has gathered over the past years...I got new binders, new dividers, and threw a ton of old ones away. It was nice to try to make MY place in the store. I have my own desk, my own bulletin board, and two filing cabinets. I'm not really sure how I'll use all of that space now that I got rid of most of the paperwork that was filling them...I'm sure that I'll figure something out.

Enough about work, I found the GREATEST sale on crazy fabric at JoAnn's. I have been looking at all of these dolls in Flickr.com. They always have the greatest colors and fabrics. Well, I've found some GREAT fabric that I can mix and match and make some goodies. I'm just excited about being off on Friday so that I can try out a few things. I have a swap coming up that is themed 'bag of goodies'. You are supposed to use all of your scraps to make a little bag and fill it up with goodies. Well, I won't be using scraps - just some of my new fabrics in pieces and parts...I'll take some pictures when I get them all done.

My last craft - shrinky dinks...I just can't seem to find HOW/WHAT to do with them that fits into my kind of crafting. I can only think of how to use them as 'adornments'...I just can't seem to get into this go round. I'm going to put them away and come back to them when I'm feeling inspired or see something different made with them...Maybe I should host a shrinky dink swap...I'm afraid that everyone would just send a little circle charm - I'd like to see a little creativity.

Anyway, I'm headed to bed - an early day tomorrow...THEN I'll be able to start some cute fabric crafting...


Enjoy!!

Sunday, March 4, 2007

I did not inherit the 'altered art' gene...

I was talking to my sister the other day about shrinky dink crafts and the numerous possibilities of things that you can do - dolls, charms, butterfly wings, beads, etc. My mind was reeling when I got off the phone - I just couldn't wait to get started! So, I started with a pattern of a cloth doll that I made and I made it so that her arms were separate, her legs were separate and holes were punched in the right areas so they could be attached...During the baking time, my sister sent me some pictures of what she had created -- they were FABULOUS! (my sister has the 'bam' factor that whatever she makes/sees/thinks of is soooo creative! I didn't get that gene either!) The pictures were these great dolls with patterned bodies, butterfly wings, faces, glitter, and all kinds of embellishments that made them just 'ART' like. (Not crafty like mine things usually turn out like) So, I decided that I would step out of my comfort zone and go all crazy with the 'altered art' them on the dolls. So I sat there,....tick....tick.....tick....tick.....tick....Nothing. NOTHING came to my mind of HOW to 'alter her', how to decorate her, how to embellish her - NOTHING. Blank...I started by just thinking that I would just cover her in stickers and maybe some inspiration would come to me...So, I stuck about 50 stickers on her- and then started picking them all off of her. I just couldn't do it...So, you'll see what I ended up with - I love her. Clean and simple. Just like my crazy Virgoian sign rules me and my crafts - organized, clean, obsessive, straight lines, geometric shapes, matchy-matchy...(it's a sickness for sure!).

So, here is Sally. She needs a little more embellishment - I have a purse ready for her and I think a bracelet and necklace are in order. I'm going to try to make some shrinky dink accessories for her...I'll show you her when she's completed - Altered or not!

Enjoy!

Friday, March 2, 2007

Okay so I'm still stuck on the 'roadside memorials'...

On Wednesday, I was purposefully looking for all of the memorials to try to really count how many and to see if I could see names (I know I must me material for those 'don't do this while your driving' commercials'!). I really wanted to re-inspect the 'YOU' marker, too. So, I pass by the one with the lighting, the one with the intricate iron cross and as I'm looking for the one with the helium balloon I notice something coming out of the ground...IT'S THE HELIUM BALLOON! There were tired tracks from the road to the guard rails in the center of the median! The tire tracks led RIGHT to the helium balloon memorial!! What is that all about??? Was the balloon distracting? Was that just a dangerous part of the road that kept drawing drivers to the guard rail??? I just didn't get it. PLUS - I didn't see the 'YOU' memorial! What has happened??

So, today as I'm talking on the phone to my sister I see brake lights ahead of me and stopped traffic. As I finally, slowly approach the site of ambulances, police cars, firetrucks, wreckers...I couldn't help wonder...

I wonder what their memorial will look like...sad thought huh?

Well, the good thing is that I'm finished driving that way - today was my last day going to Augusta. I won't be worried about the memorials, I won't worry about the "YOU", I won't have to count to see if any were added while I was off...That's a GOOD thing...

G'nite!!

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!!