OK...so, ya wanna know what I've been up to???

WHEW!!! That's all I can say.
I left for my moms Saturday about 12:30, after I got some errands done, since, I knew I would be gone awhile.
It's a 4 hour drive.....I can't believe how tired I got, so, I had to pull off the road and sleep! I slept about 15 minutes and I was good to go! Hmmmm, me thinks it must be that AGE thing???
Got to moms and we decided to go out for dinner at a new Mexican food place there...it was pretty good. We ended up drinking some wine and sitting up til after midnight. Sunday, while we were having coffee, she showed me some papers we'd dug out while going through some of dads things, organizing and such. A mystery!
My paternal grandfather came over from Greece as a teenager, "we think". There is some big mystery about all of it. We aren't even real sure of his last name to follow it back to Greece. There was a 'cousin' in Chicago, but, not sure if he was actually related. These papers were from when he was 55 years old...naturalization papers for my American born grandmother....and for my grandpa! We think he came through Ellis Island, and his name was changed there....We can't figure this all out. Even when my dad was alive, we never seemed to get to the core of how, why, his age, etc. of when he came to the USA. VERY interesting.....
Then, we drove all over town, just messing around, went to the local winery place and tried some wines and fell in love with the sparkling wine *champagne*. We both bought a bottle of that one! YUM-MY!!! mmmmmm We went to the store for some stuff to make the strawberry cheesecake cheeseball mix I bought there. ANOTHER yumm-o favorite! We BBQ'ed some steaks, took a lil walk after dinner, and sat up and watched some DVD's of old family 8mm movies I had transferred to disc.
OH MY!!! We were up til midnight laughing our butts off!!! Oh, if you've ever had those old 8mm movie cameras stuck in your face with that big ole ROW of BRIGHT lights, you'll know what I'm talking about! LOL It was mixed with the sad of all the ones that are gone now...but, it was a good time!
Monday, we went for lunch at the Truck Stop where one of my friends is the restaurant manager. Good food. We had a LONG lunch, then, went out to the cemetary and watered and put up some new plastic flowers on the 3 graves out there. We spent quite awhile walking all around looking at the other gravesites...We stopped at the store for a few groceries. We ran into the owner of the Health Food Store and she ended up having us rolling on the sidewalk! *Remind me to tell ya the story about 'can you stick a fork in it?' sometime! ROFLMAO!!!* We had thought our lunch would also be 'dinner', but, we had the munchies and got cold leftovers out...my kind of supper. Later, Mom started pulling things out of the cedar chest...oh my! It has been a long time since we had been in there...altho, it's pretty empty..but, she emptied it more. (I brought my baby book and baby picture and some of my grandmas embroidered pillow cases home with me....) THEN, we found the letter!
Too weird, that the morning before I had mentioned to mom as we were talking family, that I remembered an airmail letter from Greece. It must have had some major significance for me to remember that, I think.
Well..........my paternal grandfather came over from Greece as a teenager, "we think". There is some big mystery about all of it. We aren't even real sure of his last name to follow it back to Greece. There was a 'cousin' in Chicago, but, not sure if he was actually related. This letter is from my grandpas SISTER!!!! oh my!
We are hoping to have my SIL's mother, who is heavy into geneology, look farther into this, because NOW we have dates and names of towns!!!!! This is sooo intriguing!
AND, time is running out on getting answers! My dad has 2 sisters left--they kinda don't associate--maybe, they will have some answers...My mom is planning on going back to Iowa this summer, and, I sure hope she can make contact with them and get some answers....
Anyway, that night we spent talking about all this stuff....hmmmmm
Tuesday, my birthday, we left in the morning and just kinda messed around. When we got home, my brother had returned from his business training and trip to Boise. He showed me how to do Suduko...what a mind boggler! He napped and we went to the health food store to visit the owner, a gal I've know since High School, and the one we had talked to the store the day before. We came home got ready to BBQ again and mom invited a friend to come over on her way home from work. She loves champagne and her birthday was the next day. So, we had the champagne we'd bought.....good stuff. That night, my brother and I talked alot about real estate stuff about MIL's house. He sold real estate in Idaho for awhile.
Wednesday, I left around 11. It was windy and rainy most of the way home. I ended up pulling over for another 20 minute nap...what is it with me??? The heavy rain woke me up. I drove through some snow, too....and brrrr cold! The weather sure changed fast!
Thurday, I worked at the scrapbook store from 10-6.
Friday, I went over to Show Low for a Stampin' Up retreat with my upline and her downline...we stayed at a rented cabin there in the forest! AWESOME! It was a great time, even though, I didn't know my upline well at all and had never met the other 4 ladies. Man! I thought my head would explode with all the great ideas and techiques I learned! Incredible stuff! I can't wait to try them all on my own. We stayed up late both nights and eat like little piggies. *I'll post pics later* I got home Sunday about 5.
Monday, I cleaned like a fool all day...didn't even leave the house. My BIL from Wyoming was coming in Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, I worked from 10-6, delivering AVON before work. Had to think of something for supper, so, I went to Safeway and bought some steaks and some AWESOME frozen buttered shrimp and fixings. We didn't end up eating til 7:30, but, it was great!
Then, today, I got up, visited with BIL for a bit before he left before 9. The landscaping company showed up to turn on the sprinkler system, so, I ended up being a bit late for my AVON meeting in Show Low. Some of us girls had lunch together afterwards, I did some shopping, hit Walmart and got home a few minutes before hubby did. I had a glass of wine and just had a meltdown.......
Me thinks I have too many irons in the fire.
count your blessings...

You gotta check this site out!

WOW! WOW! WOW!
I LOVED visiting this site! What a talented Bakerella!

an unexpected trip

Well, I talked to my mom this morning. She has to have surgery April 21 to fix/repair a large stint in a vein running from her neck to her leg, or she is facing the loss of her leg(s). She's OK, but, my brother that moved back to our hometown and is living with her is out of town for training for his new job and then, making a flight back to Boise for some business with his house back there. She will be alone until he gets back Tuesday sometime, so, I'm heading out tomorrow and will come home Wednesday.
I will probably go back the 23rd and stay for awhile til she gets recuperated well.
What a thing, this growing old stuff.... She will be 76 in June.
In the summer of 2003, she was healthy as a horse, newly retired and BAM...on death's door. She was a HEAVY smoker and her veins are ruined, her colon is in bad shape, ugh, ugh, ugh Needless to say, she no longer smokes! LOL What a way to quit!
I'm going to take my laptop with me, but, I imagine we will stay busy. She's not ill or housebound.
~~On another note....I was on the phone a good portion of the morning again. I guess you could say I made a bit of progress. I also met hubby on the highway after his short 8-hour workday and we headed to the county seat to file the QuitClaim Deed on MIL's house...scary business that is! The people in those offices were NOT as helpful as the ones in the county where her other house was sold that way. It's done, tho...now, to wait til the papers are recorded and returned to us, so, I can send it all on to the State for finalization on Dorothy's case. Did I say how scary this is?????
After that was all done, hubby talked me into stopping for an early supper at a Mexican food place there. I REALLY wanted a Margarita, but, they didn't have mixed drinks there and I also had to drive part of the way....dang! So, when we got home I CLEANED OFF THE PAPERS from the table FINALLY!!! YAY! Then, I sat and drank a glass of wine! That's one little bit of a burden off of me....now, on to the next!
Going to my moms will hopefully, be a bit of a breather for me. I need to get out of this house and away from some of the crap that's going on here.
Well, time for my shower and to bed for me!
count your blessings...

some stash...

WooHoo!



I got a ton of fun stuff at the scrapbooking store! In these pictures you'll see the TOTE-ALLY cool tote *I sold 3 of them Saturday, thank goodness there was one left for me, altho, I wanted the cool blue camo one with the carousel base, but, this will work*, my Marvy Cutter with a free handheld cutter included, an extra scoring blade, an extra scallop blade, a 24-count plastic embellishment container, a cute little chickie clear stamp, some vellum glue dots, 3 packs of star embellishments, 10 packs of stick-on rhinestones, 8 camping/4-wheeling 12x12's, 2 different camping/outdoors puffy diecut page embellishments, and 8 hunting/outdoor 12x12's, 4 western 12x12's and one dog 12x12 paper. I saved $25 with my birthday 20%off special and didn't go much over my expected $100 budget. I put it on my AVON credit card, tho, so, no worries for a month! hehehe ahhhhh, I'm happy with my haul. She had just gotten a ton of new stuff in, but, I've had my eye on these papers and also needed the 2 bigger items. The new stuff will have to wait! LOL
When I got home, I was on the phone for 2 hours with different people about financial mumbo jumbo and MIL 'stuff'...ugh! I need a personal assistant! I'm ready to QUIT! The worst part about it, is that I didn't really get much accomplished with the calls and still have more to make tomorrow. BLECK
Well, I'm pretty burned out for the day, so, I think I'll do some crocheting to unwind, gulp my Apple Cider Vinegar cocktail and hit the sack.
count your blessings...

Just Me...

I worked at the scrapbook store, Thursday afternoon, Friday, Saturday and Tuesday.
Monday, I had to run over to Show Low and I paid off MIL's house....SCARY STUFF! We used our home equity line to do it. Now, Friday, hubby will have to take off work early, so, we can go to the courthouse and get it put in our name..... It's really depressing...and the scary part is making sure it's all done right, according to what the state wants, so, she doesn't get booted out of Long Term care.
I got my Avon order turned in this morning and have a lady to get hired. She only speaks Spanish, so, her daughter will have to be there to interpret. Thank goodness, the lady has sold AVON before.
I got a bunch of bills paid off with my 'work' earnings, so, since I just printed off a 20% birthday certificate for the scrapbook store, I'm going to get me some 'stuff'! LOL I've had my eye on some big ticket items, so, now's a great time to go shopping!
The weather is turning...my fingers are freezing, guess I'll build a lil fire and do my errands and shopping.

....a very touching blog

Go visit...read....

calling all Mickey Mouse lovers....

I have 6 of these purse sets from AVON last year. I need to sell them and think if this works out, I may post more of my AVON stash here. I gots LOTS of good stuff!
These are NIP (NEW IN PACKAGE). I want $25 each, which includes the shipping---to USA addresses only.
Paypal or Money Order payments, please.
Leave me a comment or email me at beeson *at* frontiernet.net

Hello Thursday.....

Well, I've been up since about 1:30 a.m. I hope I get through the day OK. I have to go to 'work' at the scrapbooking store from 2-5...probably about the time I need a NAP! LOL


I started this baby afghan the other night. I hate the first foundation row of a new afghan project...bleck! Anyway, I bought several skeins of this green baby yarn at BIG LOTS last week. Don't ask me why! I have more than enough stash to start 'lots' of projects.....hmmmmmm, maybe I have a teensy problem??? LOL

I watched Oprah yesterday...about that lady hoarder and the TONS of stuff she had in her 3000-sq-foot home, and her garage. It filled a 10,000 square foot warehouse, where they held a $13,000 rummage sale. I guess I don't have THAT big of a problem...and truth be told, I suppose we all have 'issues' with some kind of hoarding/saving. I think people that don't move often have more of an issue with these type things. We've lived in this house for 18 years...so..... On top of that, I will admit this. For the first mmmmmmm, maybe 10 years of our marriage, things were rough, financially. Partly, because of hubby working in the construction field, when he FINALLY decided what he was going to do with his life/career. (Work is what we call "chicken, one day and, feathers, the next".) After several years of marriage, we ended up with a 32-foot 5th wheel. I bought/hoarded food in every nook and cranny in that thing! I had gotten heavy into coupon use and refunding. It boggled my mind, when we moved out of it---into a 40-foot travel trailer---of all the stuff that came out of that trailer! The trailer wasn't overflowing with 'stuff'...but, those things are built with so many little places to put stuff and I put stuff in every ONE of them! hehehehe Somewhere in my subconscious, I guess I still have that fear of 'not having'. It's not so bad these days and I find myself shopping VERY diffently.
K, no more secrets.....for today, anyway.

count your blessings.....(and go clean a cupboard! LOL)

Please sign this....

I didn't know this until this morning.
Go read it and sign it if you want.
I did. Boy, have the times changed...
::PETITION::

........grrrr

I'm sitting here listening/watching Good Morning America, as I sit at my computer.
So, we reached another milestone in this Iraq mess.....
4000 killed
I get sooooooo freakin' angry when I watch anything related to deaths from this mess...I cry practically everytime I hear/see anything about the precious lives lost. I can't even begin to imagine how I would feel if it was my son.
I get such a heavy feeling of sorrow for the loved ones left behind.
This morning I had an image burned into my memory......they showed a picture of a young woman in a sundress, laying on the ground, on the grave of her husband. The grave was adorned with many small momentos....and it appeared as if she was 'visiting' him.....or just so heart-broken....
God Bless them ALL!
count your blessings...

Happy Easter...

Easter was very low-key....I didn't even cook a big Easter dinner. We BBQ'd steaks. Hubby went out on the 4-wheeler, looking for elk antlers. He only found one, that was from last year, and a few broken bits, where they had been fighting. #1 son usually finds several and sells them. It's amazing how much you can get for them---those boogers can be HEAVY!

I worked on my friends gift. Her birthday was Saturday, so, it's late. I know she's gonna LOVE it! I had a ball making it. The photo does NOT do it justice----I put a ton of bling in it, but, you can't really tell. I have a couple FAMILY ones I'll take to my moms and do with her, someday.
Hubby had 3 days off. Friday was spent doing some dreaded Motor Vehicle Department stuff....that stuff drives me crazy! We had to wait an hour and then, only got have of the paperwork done. So, today, I'm driving back over there *30 miles* to finish it up. After we were done there, we headed over to get some investments and IRA's taken care of...WHEW! I'm glad that's over with, too. Scary stuff, but, it was a very good, informative meeting. After all that, we went to eat at my favorite Mexican food restaruant.
So, today is 'back to normal'.....altho, a BUSY normal!
count your blessings...

Happy St. Patricks Day!

I hope you are wearing some green!
Hope you have a GREEN kind of day!

count your blessings...

a few cards...

I found/made some time Saturday morning, after the guys left to bring #1's trailer home, to make some cards. They aren't anything fancy, but, it sure gets my creative bug under control....gotta make 'something'!
I LOVE this brown, paisley paper!

These are several Gate Cards. I was playing with the big die-cut machine at work one afternoon...

I'm off to get my taxes done in a bit. I will be SOOOO glad when that's over----I think!



count your blessings...

Here I am...

--I know it's been quite some time since I've blogged....I've been 'trying' to maintain through all the crap lately. Barely... I hope this is over soon. I don't think I can handle the stress much longer. I had a bad day this week, where I swear I could have easily lost my mind...
--All in all, it was another busy week. They seem to fly by. I did get to 'work' Tuesday, and that is becoming a highlight for me. I delivered my AVON order, and got my STAMPIN' UP order sent in again..and it's ALL for me! LOL
--Today, I'm finishing up the income taxes..all my AVON crap (that I always leave til the last)...UGH!!! Tomorrow is my appointment with my tax lady. I'll be SOOOOO glad when it's over! I've got LOTS of questions for her, so, hopefully, I can tie up several loose ends after the appointment.
--This will be another busy week...taxes on Monday--and, my SU order will be in, work on Tuesday, AVON meeting in Show Low Wednesday (so, that means a run to Walmart *grin*), my AVON order goes in Thursday a.m., and, I've got 14 cards to make for a retreat swap, 2 to 4 pages to make for my contribution to a 'book' gift, and, I've got to finish up my ::FRIEND:: gift (a scrapbook of sorts in the shape of the word FRIEND-WITH some pictures for my friend, Chris, in Washington. Oh, yeah, and somewhere in there, I need to CLEAN THIS HOUSE!
--Hubby has Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, so, I'll have to hustle to get things done before Friday. I wish keeping busy would help keep my mind off all the crap, but, I doubt it.....valerian root is my friend!

--I got this in an email this morning and thought it was funny, true or not! Enjoy.

This is an actual letter from an Austin woman sent to American company Proctor and Gamble regarding their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. It's PC Magazine's 2007 editors' choice for best webmail-award-winning letter.

Dear Sir,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts. But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic. I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstal period, Mr. Thatcher? Ever suffered from the curse'? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.' Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customers monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying, jags, and out-of-control behaviour. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women. In fact, only last week, my friend Jennifer fought the violent urge to shove her boyfriend's testicles into a George Foreman Grill just because he told her he thought Grey's Anatomy was written by drunken chimps. Cray

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'

Are you fu*ing kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak girl, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to ed our life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you just have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong', or are you just picking on us?

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bull sh*t. And that's a promise I will keep. Always.

Best,
Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

count your blessings...

feeling blessed...

Ok, so, this is gonna sound really hokey, but, I was just visiting Michelle's blog and she's trying to learn to crochet. She's actually trying to teach herself. So, this made me feel so thankful and blessed to be able to crochet.
Crocheting is a big part of me! I swear I would be a bigger basket case if I DIDN'T crochet! LOL When I am stressed out *hmmmmm, have you noticed how much crocheting I've been doing the past while*, I sometimes feel that I HAVE to sit down and crochet. I feel like it helps unravel my mind and calms me. I NEVER get into a vehicle for a drive *even just for a 45 minute trip to Walmart* without some kind of crocheting project.
So, let me tell you a story.....
When I was growing up in Iowa, we used to go to our relatives on Sundays. I had two aunts and uncles, my dads brothers, that lived close, with one house in between theirs *one of those uncles was married to my moms sister*. Just across the alley was Bob and Helen. They were an 'older' couple with no children of their own. They loved kids, tho and their backyard had all kinds of things for the neighborhood kids to visit and play on. It was a wonderful place and I remember spending many Sunday afternoons in their backyard with all my cousins and some of the neighbor kids. On most Saturday nights, Bob and Helen loaded up their pickup camper with any of the kids that wanted to go with them to the Roller Skating Rink! Oh, it was a ball! Since, I had 3 younger brothers, it was a real treat for me to get away on my own...I felt so 'big'! Plus, I was out late!
One Sunday, Helen told me to bring one of my moms old nightgowns next time, for material, and she'd show me how to crochet! I remember I had one of moms nylon/polyester-type gowns that Helen showed me how to rip into strips and she showed me the fundamentals of crochet. I'll never forget her for that! I think I was about 9 or 10 at the time. I never did much with it until I was pregnant with my oldest. I went to town! I made afghans for him, my BIL/SIL, and a baby set for their preemie daughter. I've pretty much crocheted since then. One year I made 9 afghans for gifts and I'm always making doilies and cute little thread things.
Last year, I wrote a poem that I give to the recipient of my large table centerpiece doilies. *note to self, I need to copyright that*
I just thought of another crochet story.... I remember, growing up, my mom had these awesome pink and white variegated, ruffled doilies under the 2 matching end table lamps in the living room. I thought they were 'silly' and ugly, when I was young... I think I was the stoopid one, tho. My mom got the biggest kick out of the time *when I got into crocheting again* and I asked her if she had a pattern for those silly, old pink and white, ruffled doilies! HA! She didn't have a pattern, but, she did something even better....she gave me one of them! *'nother note to self, I need to repair it and starch it and USE it* My mom did do some crocheting, altho, I'm sure if she'd tried to teach me, it wouldn't have worked. My maternal grandma did alot of embrodiery, and I still have a set of embroidered pillowcases stuck back somewhere.
Last fall, when I was cleaning and going through my MIL's house, after she left for the nursing home, I found a box of her crocheting thread and a bunch of her crochet hooks! The hooks are very small, metal ones and I'm sure I won't use them -- how the heck did people use them in the poor lighting they had way back when? There is one rather fancy hook that is made out of bone or celluloid. That one is very special to me.
I love to watch other people crochet, altho, that doesn't happen often, at all. Everyone seems to hold the hook differently.
Several years ago, when knitting became a big rage with many younger women *sorry, but, I don't like knitting--now, that seems HARD to me*. There was, and still might be, a crusade to pass the art of crocheting onto someone, to basically, keep the dying art of crocheting going. I don't think we need to worry about that happening, tho. hehehehe
count your blessings...

...one more thing

...before I head off to bed (dang magnet *puter* won't let me go to bed!)
Check out this fun little thing to do over at Dawn's blog.
I'll have to try this on the next roadtrip with hubby. He is such a talker---NOT!
Hope you find someone fun to do this with...ya know what they say about BELLY LAUGHS! heheheh Their good for ya!
G' night.....I promise!

I was RAK'ed today!

WooHoo! This is the first time I've received a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) in the mail. Sparkle in Washington state sent this to me! Isn't it the cutest thing? She is in an online group with me...we LOVE Bella stamps. The group is called bellaholicsanonymous and it's for lovers of Bella.
Wow! I'm on posting overload today! hehehe
Time for my shower and some TV/crochet time.


count your blessings...

Where's that money tree when you need it???

Well, my 'Money Diet' didn't go too well last month, it didn't go too bad, tho, either. With all that happened last month, I kinda didn't care...
Thank goodness I am working a few days this month at the LSS. I HAVE to save that money tho, to repay my credit card for Jeffrey's flight and my Stampin' Up order. Oh, and my New Earth book and my Stampin Up retreat fees.....
My kids used to be able to find that 'money tree', so, I sure wish it would show up for me! LOL
Ive got my eye on a Cuttlebug and some embossing folders from Jo-Annes, while the sale is on at their online website. THEN, I am involved with another online group about stamping, and, the big rage is the new Scor-Pal...so, I gotta have one of those, too.
I guess the good news about all of this is that it can be considered a tax deduction.....right???? hehehe
I suppose I could consider them an early birthday present to myself, too, huh?

I'm busy tidying up my AVON order and reading email. I really need to get busy getting a box of AVON returns ready--hey! There's some money right there! Off my AVON bill, anyway. More for in my pocket, tho.

It's been awhile since I did a Tip of the Day, so, here goes...
TIP OF THE DAY
It's that time of the year when my fingertip/cuticle areas get dry and crack. There's not much worse than a bothersome finger crack! UGH
I take care of them with a coating of clear fingernail polish or you can also use Crazy Glue. It will sting like heck for a minute or two, but, it will help protect it from getting bumped open, so, it can heal.

Speaking of clear fingernail polish.....
I also use it to cover the screws in my eyeglasses, to keep the screws from loosening and the lens falling out.

count your blessings...

Lurkers....

Come out, come out wherever you are!!!
I have my blog set up to 'see' who visits here.
I can 'see' you, so, please leave me a *nice* comment.....please...
If you leave a comment with your website/blog, I can come visit YOU!
Have a wonderful 'Spring' day, wherever you are! *wink*

SU SALEBRATION!!

Just a little reminder if order $50 worth of products from the 08 Spring/Summer catalog, you will receive a FREE set or FREE rub-ons from the SALEBRATION brochure.
HURRY!!!
The Salebration is over 3/17.
Click the ::HERE:: to view....search the links to find the online catalog.
Email me your order ASAP!

A New Earth

I've been hearing Oprah talk about this book thing she's doing, so, I ordered the book last week. Dang! I can't believe it took Walmart.com so long to deliver! It took one whole week....impatient or what?
I ran to the Post Office before they closed this afternoon and it was there, thank goodness. I wanted to read the first chapter before the webinar started this evening. *What a joke! I finally turned it off, it kept cutting out so much, I hope I can get to watch it online tomorrow.* I sat outside, in the last remnants of the warm sunshine of the day, with a glass of wine, some chocolates and read the first chapter. WOW!!!! I felt blown away within the first 2-3 pages! What a great concept! That whole flower and stone/precious metal and bird thing got me good! I am at a place in my life *it sucks* where I am searching for the happiness and meaning of my life. I believe in God and pray and have faith, but, I know I'm missing something.....I hope this book helps me to understand more.

Well, I am really surprised at how my Dad's death has hit me. I find myself in tears often. I think of things all the time, that I wish I would have asked him. I get mad at him, I get mad at myself and I cry.... Most of my thoughts are good ones, tho. There is just soooo much 'stuff' going on in my world right now. I think I'm having a hard time maintaining on any level, these days. I feel pretty close to losing it...ALOT. I'm hoping that the words in the book will help me to see what the hell it is I'm here to do. I can't believe at this stage in my life that I am so confused. I hate it! Is it menopause? Is it what happens when we get older? Or, is it just ME? I know I've been on a horrendous level of stress for the past 5 years.....HORRIBLE!!! I think it's getting to me.

I guess I better get my shower and crochet for a bit before I go to bed. I may re-read the first chapter again, too. I'm pretty tired tonight, tho, so, I might not do anything but crash!

count your blessings...

*sigh*

I'm back...been back since Tuesday evening, just haven't felt like writing this all out. I'm going to bring this up to date, but, first, I want to say thank you to all of you that have responded to me, extending your thoughts and prayers. I so appreciate that!!!

Mom wanted to know if I wanted to view Dad's body on Friday, with her and my two younger brothers. I didn't. I wanted to remember Dad from the nice visit we all had in October. He hadn't been showering or shaving and I chose not to go get in the way when he was sick. It's a good thing I chose to stay home that day, because I ended up calling the Red Cross to a request through to the Air Force, that I wanted my son home for this funeral....and finally, at the last minute on Friday, they granted his leave. Then, I found a flight for him and got to save $73 for military discount...thank you US Airways!
I got to Moms about 5 p.m. Saturday, not knowing what I was going to get into since, we've had a family 'mess' for the past 3 or 4 years. It turned out to be just my mom and 2 brothers all evening. And, it turned out alright.
Sunday, was a real busy day. I took mom to the grocery store early, to get stuff for a huge batch of green chili we made that afternoon, for our supper and for the potluck the next evening. I ended up getting enough flowers for 3 arragements, since no flower shop in town to speak of and it wasn't even open. I did a white daisy and daffodil one from the Grandkids, a red rose and white lily one from us kids and a peach rose with mixed oranges and purples from mom. (I am so glad I did them, because there were few flowers or plants. Mom had requested donations to Hospice and she also received alot of checks from people.)
I took her out to the cemetary to see how the boys had weeded and cleaned the family plots where my younger brother, a great uncle and my maternal grandparents are, so, she knew it would look nice for the burial service the next day.
Later that afternoon, her brother from El Paso got there, as well as my sister-in-law and 2 kids. Bishop had left home for Phoenix that morning, to get Jeffrey at the airport and they arrived about 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, we were busy again, getting the photo collages all ready, as well as breakfast and a light sandwich lunch. The service was at 2 at the mortuary, but, we went before noon to drop off the flowers. When I went into the seating area, I almost lost it when I saw the urn for Dad....it was real to me, at that point. I'm glad the mortician's wife grabbed the flowers from me.
When we came back for the service, the room was packed! The Hospice pastor did a great job speaking, then, he had people that wanted to, stand up and share a memory or anything about Dad. When that was over, my oldest younger brother read a paper of thoughts/rememberances of Dad...his wit kept it upbeat. I think the whole place lost it though, when our youngest son, Jeffrey, who was dressed in his Air Force dress blues, was called to the front where he was handed the folded US flag that he walked over and presented to his Grandma.....it tears me up everything I remember....it was a very sweet, special moment to remember always.
We had a short service at the cemetary and then, we all met up at the CattleRest just outside of town. It's a small bar, that friends of my mom and dads own. The parking lot was so full, I thought they had something going on inside, but, it was all for Dad....
It was a great turnout and just a special time. Mom did very well through it all. She was so afraid of making a mess of herself, but, she handled it all well. We all got home about 6:30/7 p.m. and just spent the evening all together at home. It was all good.
Tuesday, everyone left sporadically. My oldest younger brother, had just moved back to town in December and was staying with them until he could get a house bought...it's a blessing that he never bought a house yet.
Jeffrey and I left arounc 12:30. I took him to Phoenix to meet up with his buddy, where he would spend the night with him and then, get to the airport the next day. It sucked! I always hate saying goodbye and I was a weepy mess, and you know how hard it is to keep it bottled up... I do not drive in Phoenix EVER and I was worried sick about that, too! And, rush hour at that! He is so impatient with me sometimes (I hope it's just his age) and that wasn't helping at all. We parted about 4:30. Do you know how crappy it was crying my eyes out and 'trying' to drive in rush hour traffic? UGH I got in the wrong lane twice and it took about 45 minutes to finally get to the edge of town, where I could finally breath! 16 lanes of traffic sucks!!! I finally got home about 8:30 p.m.
I will post some pics and say goodbye...

































count your blessings...

.....dad passed away today

How do you say it? There's no nice way of putting it.
We knew it was coming and he was ready to go. He'd pretty much 'quit' many years ago.
He'd been sick since about the first of the year...that anyone knew about or that he let on about. He was adamantly against any doctoring, so, he was at home the whole time. Mom finally took his keys away the first of the week and cajoled him into going for a ride....and took him up to the dr. office. A friend of my moms and my mom went to see if the doctor made house visits, and a CNP came out and talked to dad and took his non-existant oxygen level with the finger thingy....evidentally she could tell he was sick enough that that little 'visit' in the parking lot was enough to be able to get hospice involved.
They started coming in Wednesday and surprisingly Dad was very co-operative with them. Yesterday, she bathed and shaved him and clipped his toenails, and changed his bedsheets. She told mom he was getting 'markings' meaning he was showing signs of his body shutting down. They had gotten him on oxygen Tuesday or Wednesday, but, it wasn't staying in with his sleeping positions.
Mom checked on him this morning at 8 a.m. and he had tried to get up to go potty and just couldn't. His feet were on the floor, but, he just flopped back onto the bed. She called the hospice ladies right away and one of them was there within 5 minutes. The last thing he said to mom was 'I won't be here much longer'...he slipped away about 11 a.m., peacefully, in no pain and he had been in control of his own situation. So, there are blessings there.....
Now, to get through the rest of it...
I ask for your prayers.

count your blessings...

a day for emotions

Another week has flown by! Amazing! I will start by saying that today is/was my Grammas birthday. I never forget it. I'm pretty good with stuff like that, but, I don't remember all the older relatives birthdays, 'cept Grammas...
My maternal Grandmother, her name was Hazel Mae. (That's my Grandpa with her here. They had a real story to tell about their getting together.)I have great memories of her and think she is the kind of Grandma you are supposed to have. My paternal Grandma was pretty old and not in good health, I don't recall much of her, and I find that really sad. My Gramma has given me a role I would like to follow, as far as how she was with me. We moved to Arizona, where she lived, when I was 12. We used to come to Arizona once if not twice a year to visit until we finally moved here. So, most of my memories are of when I was older. I loved to spend the night at my grandparents house. It was always a treat to get away from the turmoil of a house with 3 younger brothers. I loved sleeping in the extra bedroom (they were the first in town to buy a triple-wide trailer) and I LOVED feeling spoiled in the morning, when I got to have toast with REAL butter *well, from the store..but, it wasn't O L E O !!! LOL* I used to go clean for her---a ploy, I'm sure---and she would always give me $20!!! That was ALOT of money to me back then! When my cousins, that lived about 30 miles away (or the rest of the family from Iowa that came at least once a year) came to town, the trailer was huge enough for ALL OF US!! My girl cousins and I would have a sleepover and we played Canasta for HOURS! Good memories.....they are so nice to have, since, I really don't have a ton of them.
~~~I had a fun day Friday. I got to babysit our local scrapbook store from 1-5 for store credit! WOO HOO!!! The owners are out-of-town for a big industry show until the 15th, so, I'll also work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! The kicker on this, is this store is in my old flower shop building! LOL What memories there, altho, they've redone the whole place.
~~~On a really sad note, the week ended pretty crappy. I got a call from my mom yesterday about my dad. He's basically on his deathbed, pretty much willing himself to die. He's been relatively healthy and active for an 80 year old. He did sort of turned things off about 20 years ago when he 'retired', when they closed the El Taco...our family owned version of the beginning franchise that eventually became Taco Bell...after 20 years of owning/running that. He had a good friend that passed away not long after that and he was just 'ready' all these years....it's so sad, really. Anyway, about 3 weeks ago, he started not doing his usual daily routine of 'checking in at the office' 2, 3, 4 or 5 times a day for his one glass of beer. Not showering or shaving. He was getting weak and not himself...other than being ornery and stubborn enough to not go to a doctor. Anyway, mom told me dad has been in the bed since Thursday, not eating, not drinking and even getting sick in the bed. He is barely able to get up for the bathroom, but, tells her he is just pooped, when she asks him about getting up and about. Being a smoker for a L O N G time, she thinks he probably needs oxygen among other things
I would have liked for him to go to the doctor and just see what they do have to say...he's probably expecting the worst, anyway. But, if he knew what it is, then, he could decide to take medicine or not. (He doesn't take any kind of medicine at all and hasn't been to a dr. since 1991. He did have a scare with tongue cancer in the 80's.) He's already signed all papers that are needed with his signatures for DO NOT RESUSCITATE, etc.
What are you supposed to do with a person that just wants to die?
I had a bad night, last night, thinking all kinds of things, including that they were 'killing' him *my oldest younger brother moved in with them after the first of the year when he moved back from Boise---a blessing the deal on his house fell through, so, he is there with them for right now.
I talked to Dad about 10 days ago and he sounded pretty good, just dad. I've thought about going down to see him/them, but, with all that was going on, even then, I decided I wanted to remember him in a good way, and, I didn't want to 'get in the way'. Things are not 'good' with my two brothers and I. This impending funeral is going to be a mess, I just know it.
So, I've been on pins and needles all day waiting for that dreaded phone call. I will call in the morning, when my brother is at work, and just play it by ear.
anyway...

This is what I do when I'm stressed, so, I guess you could say I am stressed....
















count your blessings...

SNOW BABY SNOW!!

WooHoo! We got 8+ inches of snow today!!! I am lovin' it! The picture was taken before noon, but, it snowed til about 4:30. Snow just makes me happy! Growing up in Iowa, I've always loved it.
Hubby and I went to Show Low to get a couple of faucets we needed to replace, on Saturday. We went 'over the mountain' *elevation 9210*, and we were surprised to see so much snow! I don't think we've ever seen so much snow piled that high along the highway, and we've lived here for over 18 years. It was almost as high as my van in a couple areas...it looked like a couple of feet on the ground. LOVE IT! I just kept thinking how nice it's going to be for picinking in the spring.....it will be so green and the streams and creeks will all be running.

As far as the MONEY DIET goes....the faucets were an exempt expenditure. We did stop at Walmart for gas and groceries that I had already had a list for the next trip to Walmart. And, we did stop at my favorite Mexican food restaurant for dinner. We hadn't ate out since we were at the trailer in Safford, for Thanksgiving. I did buy milk Sunday, 2 for $4. So, I'm doing alright, no worries.

Sunday, I watched the commercial show....lol....the Super Bowl. I don't watch football, but, once a year I like to watch the SB. It was a good game, I'll admit. LOVED the commercials...my favorite was the Planters nut, Tide talking stain, Pepsi Max, E-trade baby and of course, the training Clydesdale. You can go to ::HERE:: to watch all the commercials.

I am going to cut this short so I can get a couple snowflakes done for 'Snowflake Monday', before I hit the sack.

count your blessings.....

Money Diet.....

Ok, I've been contemplating this for awhile. I've read on others blogs about them doing it, so, I decided to try it, too.
As I clean and such around the house, I see I have wasted ALOT of money *thank God hubby doesn't read blogs* ALOT on stuff I/we don't really need. The older I get, the more I am becoming aware of the fact, that when I am gone, no one is gonna give a crap about my/our 'stuff'. So, I have been making a major effort for about the past year of not buying on a whim, like I usually do. Alot of times, I will stand with the item in my hands or basket, considering if I want or NEED it. Sometimes, I will even go around the store with it 'in my possession' like I DO own it. Then, when I've made the final want/need decision, I either take it back or buy it. More and more, I'm finding I just put it back immediately. It has gotten easier and easier to walk away and I do feel better about it all.
SO.....this month, I am going to REALLY bite the bullet and NOT BUY. I will buy an occasional few groceries like produce, bread and milk, but, no sale shopping or unnecessary 'stuff'. I do have a few things I am already committed to, but, overall NO SPENDING other than normal bills. I'll see how it goes. This will really be a new concept for me.
Today, I spent -0-. I did go to the store, but, I put back what I had in my hand. One 75¢ bag of chocolate chips. I 'really' don't need more and they wouldn't take a coupon for it anyway, because it was a store 'thing'. (Oh, I remembered I did stop by the scrap store and picked up an order I had already placed and didn't get it in January. I don't consider that a February expenditure, tho.)
....wish me luck! I'm gonna need it.

Catch Up

I've been missing again......I just can't believe how fast the week flew by! I had every intention of posting..even taking pics, but, I am so tired after supper, that I just read a few emails and shut the puter off.....last night I was in bed before 10 and slept soundly all night....without a midnight potty run even....until 8:15. I didn't hear hubby come to bed or get up this morning.

Anyway, here's some pics from the week.....
Beautiful, red tulips! They splayed open and looked like daisies or something. I will plant the bulbs in my front flower bed.
My hyacinths!!! OH, how wonderful they smell! And, I love to see how fast they grow! ...more bulbs for the flower bed, too!
I finished another afghan. I just LOVE this pattern, it's so quick and easy. I like the no-brainer, repetious type of patterns, so, I can do them without looking at a pattern all the time. I have enough of this same yarn to do another one, but, I'm holding off on that for a bit. I want to start a rose square one next. In the meantime, I'm doing some little doilies with some #30 crochet thread, which is about like sewing thread. They turn out so cute and delicate. I like to give them away and send alot in the mail, too. I also found a fun thing online...Snowflake Monday. So, on Mondays, I'll be making 2 or 3 snowflakes, so, at the holiday season, I'll have lots of them ready to give.
Tuesday, I picked up my window advertisement....you can't see how cute the lips are in this pic. I'll have to take another one to show up better. Don't mind my dirty van, I knew the storm was coming and there would be no sense in washing it. *Notice my red, white and blue license plate. I bought that at the MVD. I love it! AND, now that I think of it, I haven't seen another one like it yet!
Wednesday, we got SNOW! I was beginning to get bummed out, thinking the snow missed us again. But, about 12:30, it started snowing hard and sticking. We ended up with about 5" on the ground. I had Avon to deliver, so, I did until the roads got TOO bad. Yucky, slick, and scary, plus, it was like a whiteout, all snowy and foggy. So, I came home and made some YUMMY Cinnamon Rolls....DE-licious!!! I have only made homemade cinnamon rolls twice before, so, I was really proud of these! I don't think I'll wait so long to make them again. I've been baking and cooking alot since hubby came home. I am loving it!

Yesterday, when I went to Safeway, they had Nestle's Chocolate Chip bags marked down to 75¢, so, picked up 8 bags of them....I couldn't pass that bargain up. Today, I made chocolate chip cookies. They were delicious AND soft...when they were warm! #1 son got one out of the cookie jar an hour after I had made them and said they were hard as a rock!!!! CRAP!!!! Please someone, send me a recipe for SOFT chocolate chip cookies!!! I thought these would be great! They were a new recipe from the Blue Bonnet margarine box, they stayed nice and puffy, so, I thought they would be soft, but, nope...they are dunkers for sure!
I have another post to share, but, for now I'll leave my
TIP OF THE DAY
When cutting cinnamon rolls into slices to bake, use dental floss. Slide it underneath and pull it though. Clean as a whistle! Using a knife to slice the dough will cause it to squish and flatten the slice.
count your blessings...

the listening man

You'll love this lil video.....I promise! It made me smile first thing this morning...

The Listening Man

MoonPie, anyone?

A blast from the past! OK, so, when was the last time YOU had one? LOL I think it's been a year or better since I last had one. They are definitely not my favorite......I'd prefer a Suzy Q or Ding Dong for a sugar treat along that line.
I've been trying to use up lots of the food stuff from hubby's trailer. The MoonPies were something for hubbys lunches. Yuck!

Holy Moly! It's been C-O-L-D here! *grin* Ya know I am lovin' it, too! When I got up BEFORE the crack of dawn, it was 3°. Thank goodness hubby threw a nice piece of oak in the woodstove before he went to bed last night. Lots of nice coals for me to get the fire going again. mmmmmmmmm I LOVE wood heat!

I've been sleeping like crap the past couple nights again. UGH I had been having some 'good' sleep nights and thought maybe the worst was behind me, but, they are baaaack.... I've been in bed around 11:00, the past 2 nights, and WIDE awake at 4:30-ish. My body starts aching around noon.....ha! Old age was NOT supposed to get ME!

I made a huge crockpot full of soup for supper. Mmmmmm, and nice and warm in the tummy! I pulled some sliced ham out of the freezer the other day and put in a pot of navy beans, with onions, celery and carrots bits. Not bad. I made cornbread to go with it. And, we had some leftover dessert from last night. I made a Jiffy mix of lemon/cream cheese cake, from the recipe on the side of the box. I just love those lil Jiffy mixes....of ANYthing.

I just put up a music Playlist....the songs are quite a mix, eh? I love all kinds of music...just be glad I didn't find any Zamfir music! ROFL.....I do have a CD of Zamfir music...it's my 'most embarrassing CD. LOL

Hubby got a call last night to be to work Monday, instead of Tuesday. Is it mean to say WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!? LOL I'm just ready to have my 'space' back! After him not being here for so long, it's been a bit of an adjustment. hehehe #1 son should be going to work soon, too. Thank GOD!

Welp, time for me to get my shower and find my spot on the loveseat with my laptop, so, I can go blog-hoppin'. I don't have a tip of the day (well, I do, but, I'm saving it! phfft) but, I found this neat quote yesterday. I sent it to both of my boys, too.

"Winners make things happen...
Losers let things happen..."

count your blessings...

Tomorrow is TULIP DAY!

And, lookie what I got! It's a gift from ::Ela::! Oh my! She's so sweet to me! You have to go see her website. She does some awesome knitting projects, too!

Whew! I was MIA for a few days...Always something going on! Found out my dad's not doing too good. Almost 81, peeing blood, and wanting no part of doctoring. What do ya do? He's been 'ready' to go for a long time, tho....*sigh*

Hubby and I left Friday afternoon, and we brought the big trailer (32 foot) home Saturday. What a day! We finally got home after 10:30. Hubby had a scary incident, when he hit a patch of ice in the road and the truck AND trailer started fish-tailing...luckily he was able to get it under control and straightened out. Thank GOD, I was far enough behind him in the Honda Civic, that I didn't see any of it! I did notice him hit the brakes, as I was rounding a corner *very curvy mountain road*, and then, I saw his wet tire tracks on the wrong side of the road. I figured something was amiss; then, he called me on the cell and asked me if I'd seen that? WHEW I was more worried about elk running out in front of him....they are SO BAD along that road. ~~ Lots of snow, too....some places had close to 3 feet, looked like. I LOVE that! Maybe I can talk hubby into taking me for a drive, so, we can play in the snow a bit! I LOVE SNOW!!!

Got some good news today! Hubby will be starting a new job here at home, next Tuesday! He'll have about a 30+ minute drive to the jobsite, which isn't too bad. We won't know how to act with him home for a change! Hopefully, this job will last for at least a year or more. They are doing some expansion work on two seperate power plants here. 5/10's for now and 6/10's just around the corner.

Don't forget tomorrow is TULIP DAY!!! I plan on getting me some pink ones at the store. We have to go to the bank in Show Low tomorrow for a new home equity line paperwork signing. Hopefully, Walmart will have some. Then, maybe I can talk hubby into a nice sitdown dinner somewhere. I've always wanted to try the Japanese steakhouse there, we'll see.

count your blessings...

This'll make ya smile!!!

::SMILE::
Please leave a comment!

Would you????

Own one of these???
The Tata Nano car....$2500, 54 mph, Indian made....
Too bad the American technology won't let lose on a version of this....perfect for city people ..... and AVON ladies! LOL