Wednesday, June 7, 2007

A big HOWDY from Texas!!

I'm enjoying some time here with my family in Texas this week. My middle sister has moved down here too, so when I come to see my family I mean I come to see my FAMILY!!! My big sister lives about 15 minutes away from my dad and my middle sister lives only 2 minutes away from her!!! It works out really nice. They all have someone to watch over things if they are out of town, if they need something and the other is in town they pick it up for them....It works out really nice. They are all here to look after each other!!

We have had fun just being silly together. It's been an enjoyable week just chillin' and visitin'. My middle sister brought some books over and I saw a craft that I just HAD to do - they are flowers made from silver plated flatware. I know it sounds crazy, but you would have to really see them to appreciate them (but you can't see them until I get home cuz I can't download the 500 pictures that I've already taken). So, my sister had the flatware and I had the plan and my dad had the tools to complete it, and my other sister had the beads to decorate them....so it was truly a family activity! My dad has this great work room/shack that he builds all of his airplanes in. He has all of the tools you would ever need and has all the ideas in his head of how to accomplish them. I told him that he reminds me of my husband. Lane always helps me figure out how to get from point A to point B using his creative mind...my crafts are his crafts...

Today we went to see my sister's new office. She will be teaching SPED classes at Texas AM in Commerce, TX. While she was out visiting with a colleague, Pam, my dad and I decided to make her office feel like home. There was a name plate hanging outside her door. We found some labels, so we covered up the name 'price' and used a magic marker to make it read 'Dr. Harader'. We also made her a 'welcome' sign from an old dingy chart board. We dug around and found her folders, a groovy 1950's green tape dispenser, an old pink message pad and a few coffee cups/shot glasses to complete the look. We rearranged her furniture to a more 'fung shui' look and the place already felt like hers...maybe just to us...I can't even describe the funky stuff we found to put together her desk...I'll show pix next time...

Tomorrow, my sister leaves for her last ? trip to Kentucky so we said our 'goodbyes' tonight - sadness...She is a tough cookie - strong, smart, caring and soft...(Thanks for everything while I was in town. I know that you had a lot going on w/unpacking and settling in, but thanks for taking the time out! I love you!)

My big sister, dad and I are headed to the 'city' to poke around a little tomorrow. I've not been to a mall in ages and what better to do on a vacation than do crazy things like that, right??

I found a great old picture of my mom when I was at my big sisters house. There had been pictures of her 'eyeing' this big tree on the other side of a wire fence. The tree had soooo many fall leaves on it and it seemed to be the only one (or the first to recognize the season) by the picture. As you go through the pictures the very last one is of her grinning, walking towards the camera with a handful of leaves...She had managed to conquer getting to that tree and getting what she wanted. It was a great picture as she had this playful little grin on her face as she came towards my dad and the camera. Looking through all of the pictures at my sisters' there were one right after the other of her and my dad laughing. It was really nice to see and remember that silly side of her as we (I) hadn't remembered that for a long time. The last few times I saw her she was week and seemed mad about it. She wasn't able to be silly - I'm not sure if she could hear me or understand the silly stories we were telling at the kitchen table...I do know that after this week, I am able to understand/remember a lot of good things about her. I just know that she would have come up with some great ideas for Dana's office 'redecorating'...She would have been laughing with tears and we all would have been rolling...I really miss her. But, I'm glad that my sisters and I can still enjoy our time and my dad is now more a part of our time together. That has been the best part of this week. Being with my dad...

My husband and I have been communicating through the phone and texting. I really miss him, too. We are ALWAYS together and trips just aren't the same without him. We made the right decisions about him not coming this time even though it wasn't a fun decision...It's never quite the same 'telling' someone about a funny moment or a serious moment especially when you are used to having them be a part of those moments...We'll re-strategize next year!!

I got to see my niece and her fabulous kids this week, too. She is really going through some hard times and all of us want to help her. She has kinda kept to herself about everything so we aren't sure what we can/should do for her. I know that she has a best friend that she can talk to, but it's her family that can be objective and can give her the best advice as we have ALL been through it...I'm sure when she's ready she'll come around...

Well, I'm not sure what else to share. I know that I'll share pix when I get home (Friday) so you can see the things I'm talking about...

Until then, enjoy your family, miss your family and love your family. They are what make you who you really are and who you really should be...

I'll see you soon, honey!

Jill

Almost one month later...May 26, 2007

Gosh! A LOT has been going on this past month...I can't believe that it's been a month since I've actually been back to blog...Here is my past month - as told (again) in pictures...

SADNESS...

We had to drain the pool because we were having liner issues as you can see...We had to fight with the warranty company (10 year warranty on the liner - in bold print on our paperwork)...So Lane is swimming in it after three days of watching sadly as the water drips down the driveway...

A little bit of happiness...

Our neighbor unpacked her inflatable water slide in our time of need for a 'water' fix...This thing is HUGE...It's like one of those bouncy things that you can rent for a party...only she got this one at Wally world last year for a bargain and now her backyard turned into 'KIDland'...Logan and all of the neighbors just had a blast!! The kids have to climb up one side by putting their feet in holes and making their way up. Then at the top (about 7 feet high) they are sprayed by water as they jump/slide the whole way down. At the bottom of the slide is a spot where the water accumulates. So, as they come down, anyone nearby gets a little washing...It's really fun and the kids have a blast. It's really cool how it stays inflated. Once we got them lathered up with sun screen, they were REALLY slick and we had to put another float at the end because they kept slipping off of the end!! FUNNY!!! About 3 hours later, we were all tired. They kids from playing and the adults from laughing at the kids playing!! Good times...

A lot of happiness...

The guys finally arrived after I had a 'sit in' at the REC Warehouse (where we bought our pool)...I had the day off and we had emptied the pool like we were supposed to...I called and called and called and finally I decided to actually go see the manager...I told him that I was going to sit in his store (we knew that his regional manager was going to be there that day, so we could always use that avenue if we had too - I'm in retail so I know how the game is played - even though I NEVER need to play games - really I don't)...So, after sitting with Lane and Logan for about 45 mins. the manager came back with good news! He got a hold of the installers, upgraded our liner ( REALLY nice) and gave us 100.00 in credit to use at the store...HMMMM...he could have saved himself 100.00 if he just would have helped us out in the first place!! Anyway, here's the final pictures of happiness. The pool is filled, chemicals are in (thanks to the credit) and the sun is warming it up for us...

Future Happiness...

And now I'm counting down the days until I head to Texas!! I'll be heading out next Sunday morning!! Maybe I'll actually be able to swim before then - hopefully!! It's funny...every time I plan a vacation, there is always something big going on at work. We have a really big regional visit on Friday (the first day of my vacation). So, needless to say, I can barely think about my trip because I'm trying to stay in 'work' mode to get the place cleaned, organized, etc...I was off last Wednesday and will work all the way up until Thursday just getting things together...So, I'll be enjoying my Friday and Saturday just becoming a human again!!

This trip isn't our normal Texas trip. Logan and Lane are staying home this time. We usually make a road trip of it and laugh the whole way...This year there are just toooo many expenses and Lane doesn't have vacation time yet...GAS - 3.15 per gallon! YIKES! For me to fly round trip is less than the gas that it takes us one way! So, I'll be trying it solo this year. I already told both of them that next year will be back to normal and we all will fly so that we'll have more time to spend there and less money spent!

My sister is moving there so everyone but me and my family are officially TEXANS! One of these years we'll make it out there. We have to figure out the geography thing with Logan since she has two families and we really aren't the 'main' one that can make big decisions like that for/with/about her at this point...We'll get something figured out sooner or later. So, I'll spend the time in Texas helping everyone get settled into their new homes and leave the SC casa to Lane, Logan, Ellie, Louie, Kitty and the crazy fish. We'll see how they fare...I'm sure that I'll be calling them every day and will be sending them pictures of 'wish you were here laughing with us' moments. It'll be nice to spend some time with my dad. I figure that with about 4 different places to 'bunk' I won't be worried about a bed to sleep in while I'm there! And I'll get my dog 'fix' from my sisters, my craft 'fix' from my sisters, my cat 'fix' from my dad and my kid 'fix' from my niece!! I'll be well taken care of!!

Make sure that you ask for what you want - even if it's loudly and while sitting for 45 mins in a store...

Make sure that you find some time to get away and have fun- even if it's in a neighbors yard with the neighborhood kids...

Make sure you let your family know how much you miss them - and how much you'll miss them while your without them...TX family AND SC family

And most of all...ENJOY the times!!!!

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Signs that Summer is just around the corner...

(as told in pictures)

We sure have fun with our neighbors...all of the girls playing in the sprinklers...Maddie and Logan in the pool...the first peony...our hard work of cleaning up the 'beach' area...the neighbors in the hottub...the sun going down on a nice day at our backyard 'beach'...and finally the chance for Lane and I to put up our feet and enjoy our day together...

Enjoy your time together, too!!!

Saturday, April 21, 2007 (again)

Pictures of the new neighbors!!

How cute are they??? I think that if i asked Logan to name them she would say Inga and Flocka...When she was about 5 years old she had these Swedish names that she would come up for all of her animals/babies...Funny. So, they are officially named Inga and Flocka! I think that the names fit!

Inga and Flocka

Take the time to seek out your new/old neighbors! Take time to enjoy them!!

Saturday, April 21, 2007

She's Done!!!!

I finally finished the 'art doll'. I packed up all of my other swaps (delaying the process of course) and even packed up a box for my sister...(to further delay the process). Then, there she was...just sitting on my table staring at me. There wasn't anything left to work on, BUT HER. So, I went to SwapBot.com and read the profile of my partner. She is really into gardening, so...BAM. I started digging through my beads and found a ton of butterflies and some great beads that looked like flowers. I began the process. I kind of decided to use her as a canvas instead of a 'doll-like-thingee'...and it worked. Well, I can't really say if it 'worked' or not, but she's done, packed up and she's got a label on her to find her new home.

Yipee! Anyway, there are no more swaps to work on. I'm taking a break from crafting for a little while - or at least until I'm inspired. So - LET THE INSPIRING BEGIN!!!

I think that I'll try to concentrate on the yard and the house for awhile. I've almost let the weeds win the battle, but I think that I'm going to fight back even harder. We've put so much week killer on that I think that they are immune to it now! We are going for the Turf Builder next...With this crazy weather I just don't know what to do anymore!!

I'm headed to start enjoying the craft free day!!

Enjoy and don't let any crafts get the best of you!!

Thursday, April 19, 2007

I might have gotten a little of my mojo back. I came home from work and started working on my Swap Bot stuff...I got all of my envelope organizers done. They turned out really cute. I was stressing out about the envelope part - I just didn't want to have to make a ton of envelopes out of really cute paper...So, while I was at work today - I found a really cute pack of fun note cards that had really great envelopes! They were blues and greens - ON CLEARANCE and right under my nose!! That's all it took - a little inspiration found in some envelopes at work! Who knew?? Well, I found some great stickers, got them personalized and found a great hot pink ribbon to tie around them. I got them packed up, and they are ready to go to Berlin and one to the UK...I only have one more swap to finish and then I'm going to take a break from it all...Of course I HAD to pick this one called ART DOLL. Didn't I write earlier about how I didn't inherit the 'art' gene? That all I can do is matchy-matchy-happy-color-theme things? Didn't I say that the only gene my family carried on was in my two sisters? Well, for some reason I thought that I could do this one. It is just sitting on my desk staring at me...waiting for me to finish her - it? I just made my own pattern of a happy little dancer and made her outline out of red felt...I am just waiting for that inspiration to keep going with her...I just want my sisters to finish her for me...I'll figure something out. I'll dig out the beads, the wire, the 'words', and we'll see how it all works out. If I get going maybe it'll all come together. I tried viewing 'art doll' on that website FLIKR to see if I could get inspiration...Nothing yet. I just will never learn and accept that I'm not an artist - I'm just a crafter. A happy crafter, a proud crafter, but just a crafter...

Work is going good. My boss reminds me everyday that it's just a job. You work hard, work hard while you are there and then you clock out and go home and play hard. It's funny because my job is usually my hobby. I see it as a game - a challenge. I want to see how much I can get done and how much I can get others to get done...If I can get all of the 'things/tasks' done then it leaves me more time to chat with the customers. There is this one lady that comes into our Copy Center. She owns some sort of bridal business and comes in to make her brochures and things. It's kinda fun trying to figure out how to get them the way she likes and to make them look good. We use the glossy paper, we use the legal size so she can fold it in half to make a nice little booklet...it's fun. The guys that work there (which, again are most of the population of the workplace) just don't get the crafty/craftsmanship of it all...She was glad that there was a lady in the house!! There was a gentleman that came in today that needed a GPS for his trip to TEXAS!! I told him how we use ours to get there to see my family...it was funny to chat with him. He was a retired navy man that was going to see an ole buddy that he was friends with in the military. They both were in communications - he was telling me about the Morse code he would send...How times change. It's really interesting to meet all of the people and what they do in the world (or what they did in the world)...

Well, my family is laughing at the fact that I'm typing sooooo fast and sooooo long. Logan can't believe that I'm my third paragraph...Lane is laughing at the keys tapping so fast...So, I can take a hint and I'll head on to bed and quit typing!!!

Well take the time to enjoy the people around you - the ones you know and the ones you don't. They could really surprise you and what they know and can tell you about...

ENJOY!

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

It's funny how I go check out some of my favorite blog spots and when they haven't updated anything or have new pictures it kinda makes me crazy - and now I'M ONE OF THOSE who hasn't updated anything in awhile!!

Well, we have 3 new members to the Sparrow Pointe Family. The birds who return to build their nest in our cat birdhouse have three new little chirpy babies! We heard them in their today just chirping away! Here's a picture of the mama - I haven't gotten brave enough to take a picture of the babies just yet - give them about a week and we'll peek in!

Here is Holly and Jack - the newest drivers in our neighborhood!

Work has been a little weird lately. I've been the un-popular person lately. I've been trying to challenge the schedule lately. We have certain hours that we can use each day and only in certain departments. We get grades (or maybe I should say that 'I' get grades since I'm the Ops manager) on our 'effectiveness' of our schedules. Some of the associates' availabilities fit within those parameters...So, there is one associate that really works hard and is really dedicated to his department and the store. But his availability to work doesn't fit with the schedule of his department. I spoke with him about maybe getting hours from another department since there weren't enough hours in his current department. I really thought that I was trying to help him with his schedule as well as his paycheck. I didn't want him to have to go and find another job or even quit! Well, he went to the other managers and even the district manager telling them that I didn't think that his department was important - that he wasn't important. How was he going to be able to get his work done by himself and with only a few hours per week...He really misunderstood my intentions. And this is one time that I really felt like I was trying to help someone out and they didn't appreciate it nor did anyone back me up. He doesn't speak to me and now I feel like I'm the 'bad guy' - the new manager that has come in and changed everything that was working for the past 9 years!! I guess that I shouldn't really care - that I'm just doing my job - but to me working WITH everyone in the store is my job. Working TOGETHER to get things going is MY job...I guess that it hurt my feelings that no one understood my intentions...I am really trying to bring in a little 'softness' to the group. All of the guys (there are only 4 of us girls) just yell at each other to get things done...Maybe that's the way they work. I just can't work by force...Oh, well. What can you do?? I'll just do my best at making a difference one way or another and then go home to my quiet little neighborhood and family. (I keep telling myself that so that it'll be okay...)

I'm starting to count down the days till June! We are planning our trip to TEXAS!! I'm really excited about taking this trip. Lane, Logan and I always have such fun on the road trips and I just can't wait to see my family!! We laugh sooo much during our trips that I just can't wait!!! Happiness!!

I've gotten into a crafting 'funk'...I told Lane today that I've lost my crafting MOJO. I can't seem to put anything together lately. Last weekend I made this really cute doll - squirrel. His name is Bleak. He is REALLY cute. After seeing a picture I decided that I could make my own pattern and create a really cute mixed fabric softie of my own. I DID IT!

Then after I finished him I made a penguin for Lane. He has all kinds of crazy colors and came out REAAAALLY cute, too!! Maybe they sucked it all out of me...I just can't seem to get started on anything else. I have 3 swaps coming up and I'm almost waiting until the last minute to finish them up. I think that I need to take some time away from the the crafty room and re-energize. Maybe my yard work MOJO has taken over???

(Bleak the squirrel/frog and Pingy the Penguin!)

(MOJO stealers!!!)

Well, here's to heading to bed and trying to retrieve my crafting mojo!!

Enjoy!!

Monday (even though it feels like a Sunday) April 9, 2007

The Sparrow Pointe Easter Hunt was a success. Even though we didn't put a lot of effort into it, we probably had even more fun. (My sister and I always had the philosophy that the amount of effort you put into an event was directly proportional and or equal to the amount of fun you WOULDN'T have.) I think that this philosophy worked for this event, too! Here's Logan and her BFF Savannah being the bunnies of the event. They are now the oldest of the kids so they have taken it upon themselves to be 'helpers' as it is no longer cool to hunt the eggs with the 'kids'. Funny...We do enjoy their help. We can pawn sooo many things off on them now that they are the 'older' ones - helping clean up, babysitting the kids, leading the kids as they find the eggs...

Here are a couple of my most recently received Swaps. One came from Finland (the matchboxes) and one from Portugal (the crocheted purse). Wow - who knew that there really are all kinds of crafters all around the world. The purse is beautifully made with a little crocheted flower and all on it. The matchboxes and crafts were decorated and filled so uniquely. Just some fun crafting that makes me happy. It's interesting to see what the mailman will bring next... I'm working on a couple of swaps now. One has an Ocean theme - I received a little crochet octopus from my partner on that one. I made a felt dolphin and a cute little jelly fish. The jelly fish was made from felt with all kinds of ribbons hanging down as his tentacles...All mixed/matched and cute! I made a couple of drawstring bags and filled them with shells, too. It really turned out cute!

I'm going to have to remember my hydrangea bush like this - in this picture. We had a crazy frost over the weekend and even though I covered them all with trash bags, they now look as if they were boiled cabbage...SAD!! This picture was taken Saturday!! Our news forecast said that it was colder yesterday (26) than it was on Christmas!! We set an ALL TIME record - not just for the day, month, year - ALL TIME!! The peonies survived and the Gerber daisies were saved by putting them in the shop, so we were able to save a few!!

Now this plant defies everything. Lane sent this plant (a much smaller version) to me at work about 5 years ago. It just won't stop growing! It LOVES this corner and seems to just want to take it over! I think that it's a begonia - the prettiest pink flowers you've ever seen. It will sit out on the porch during the summer and just keep blooming and blooming!!

Well, we are all heading back to work and school tomorrow. I've been off since Saturday and so has Lane. Logan had spring break last week and today is her Easter holiday. I'm ready to get back into a groove. I'm starting to feel a little lazy! I'm looking for a reason NOT to take a nap and screw up my sleeping pattern - to work by 5am tomorrow!!

Well, happy Easter to all! I want to say happy spring, but it just doesn't seem like it when it's 40 degrees outside!!

Enjoy the cool weather - we'll be belly-aching about how hot it is soon enough!!

Monday, April 2, 2007

This is a really old picture - Lane and I went to Charleston for a day. We try to always take a picture by holding up the camera and snapping a shot. We didn't do that this time when we went to the mountains...Hmmm...So, I'll use this one!

Well, it's the second of April already. This month and all of it's holidays (April fools and Easter) really snuck up on me this year. Logan and I usually plan for MONTHS what we are going to do to Lane for April Fools day. One year we sewed all of his underwear together, one year we put his car keys in a huge bowl of jello (in a baggie of course)...but this year, we really thought about it around 9pm the night before. So, in the short amount of time we had to plan, we decided that we weren't going to do anything, we were just going to make him crazy by making him THINK that we were doing something. We kept telling him that we couldn't wait until he found 'IT'...We taunted him all day long with that! It worked! He was crazy by the end of the day! It was funny because Lane tried to get Logan by setting her alarm really early - but she caught him and turned it off!!! A really silly day!

Now, usually we have a big Easter Egg hunt here in our circle. We have about 20 kids, and all bring goodies to share. The night before a neighbor and myself hide about 200-250 empty eggs (you never want bugs or runny chocolate) and a few 'golden' eggs. We start the kids out by age and we give prizes (that we've collected all year - 1$-5$ goodies) for this and that. (each kid will end up with a prize of some sort - even if we have to make up a category for them!) Well, we sent out invitations and wanted to get some RSVP's since a lot of the families were going out of town next week. I haven't heard a thing...Maybe it's sneaking up on all of us!

I haven't even decorated the yard - except for the Easter flags!! I have these really cute wooden bunnies that I put out every year and little blow up eggs that we put in the trees...I think that if I get in the mood, I just might do it on Wednesday...I'll get the lawn mowed (a jungle of weeds and that crazy stuff that grows under the bird feeders!) and maybe the bunnies will make a short appearance...We'll see. If it does get done, I'll post pictures of the proof...

Swap Bot sure is going good. My sister is even playing on there now! I got the cutest little 'softie' in the mail. Her name is Gertie. She came all the way from Spain. I'm not sure what 'it' is that makes her sooo appealing - it's something, though. She really has personality!

Logan even hosted a swap. She had a 'kids only' swap with an Easter ATC theme. She got hers from a little boy in California. He did a great job! He also sent stickers and an Easter Bunny 'jacks' game complete with ball! It's really been a fun hobby!

Well, find some time to enjoy your hobby - or just enjoy trying a new one out!

Enjoy the day!

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!