Endings...

The end of another month - this one has been frustrating, not sorry to see it go.

The other night, hubby came home with all kinds of news. He finally got a definite ending date for his job, and it's only a few weeks away.

It scares the bejeevers out of me, but he was excited and happy. I guess I can understand that, because he's worked so hard the last few years carrying two jobs and all, and the stress in his office has been unbearable since they were bought out several years ago.
Now, he's down to the final phase, and he has to be there all day, but there is absolutely nothing for him to do!

Even though his future is all out to sea right now, he's looking forward to taking a break and letting go of all that stress...

My work is picking up - (12 hours per week instead of four - whoop-te-doo!)
I do wish I enjoyed it more.

Got to focus on finding baby a job and getting her back in school...

My oldest daughter came home with Jane Eyre last night, so we had a girlie movie night.
(After Project Runway!)
I had seen the film in the theater with my sisters a while back - I really like this version of it.




Yesterday, I had just gone down to my craft room, determined to make something fun for a change, when my daughter in law peeked around the door with her little girl in tow.

The little one had a pout on her that Paul Bunyan could trip over.

With her sisters back in school, she is adjusting to long lonely days with just her and her mom, so she had asked to come for a visit.

It took a while to get her talking - I had to ask a lot of questions to find out what she wanted to do.
Running out of ideas, I asked her if she would like to come and make a card with me. She finally perked up and started talking.

We returned to the craft room, where she started to respond to things like; "What color would you like it?" etc.

She helped me pick out materials, and I let her choose where to place them.
Soon she was happy and babbling and ready to go on with the day.

She took her card with her, but she had wanted to do some for her sisters when we ran out of time and she had to go.

She had picked out colors and papers for them, so I promised I would finish them and deliver them on Sunday when they come for dinner.

This is not at all what I intended to spend my day on, and not exactly my taste, but crafting isn't always about me...

This one is for the middle sister - she is all girly and loves color
(and sparklies and bows!)

The colors look blue here, but they are actually a deep purple...



This one is for the oldest sis. She (like her grandma) loves aqua blues.
She's not quite as girly, but she likes interesting patterns and shapes...



I don't have to worry if they'll like them - they are always excited and happy just to be thought of (I love that!)

So, until Sunday...
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Hiatus

Been absent a while - mostly because I have nothing interesting to say.
It's been a long, uneventful Summer.

I've just been reading everything I can get my hands on to keep my mind off the heat.

I tried to post some pictures of my little grans who were in a parade in the community South of here, but every time I try to do that, the computer finds fresh problems for me.

Their little dance troupe had a float in the parade - it's always so fun when they invite us to come.
I've lived in this area for 30 + years, and never attended that celebration.
The girls were so focused and cute. Fun!

The family went camping last week - I was supposed to be there, I was also supposed to go up North to visit my sister for her birthday - and I had a wedding I was supposed to attend here.

I didn't make it to any of them because I had to work.

For this job that only gives me one or two shifts per week, how is it they still manage to screw up all my plans?

Frustrating.

Tonight we went up to see the grans again. School starts tomorrow here, so they got all their new school clothes out to show us. That is so much fun!

That's what I'm missing this year - I have nobody here at home to get ready to go to school. (Yes, my son is still in school, but he's two states away!)

I have always loved the anticipation of new beginnings that a new school year brings - so it was nice of the girls to share that with us.

I decided to walk home from their place - it seemed like a good idea at the time, but it was darker than I realized, and it was a bit creepy!
My street is the worst - the street lights don't help a bit here. I'm going to have to complain to the mayor.

Hubby's job is starting to wind down now. He got the email Friday that he's supposed to start training someone to take over for him. He thinks that in a few weeks, it will be over.

They've been planning this for over a year, but have kept dragging it out.
This time I think they mean it.
We're starting to get nervous about what's coming next. It's not a great time to be looking for a job, much less a new career!

Scary times.

It's beginning to feel like Autumn out there, even though we're several weeks early for that.

Time flies.

Last night was spent enjoying Shakespeare with my girls...


...A little Midsummer madness.

Sweet!
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Trudging Forward...

This week has been a difficult one, kind of felt like jogging waist deep in mud.
But I've been forcing myself to keep moving forward - trying to make some progress.

As I mentioned, I've been reading Kelly Rae Roberts book Taking Flight this month. Trying to jump-start my psyche and get it back in gear.
She talks about starting an art journal, to keep track of favorite quotes, color schemes, recipes - what have you.

Anything that uplifts and inspires.

I like that idea - I'm always using all my free time to search for pictures I know I've seen ...somewhere, or remember those great ideas I had that I can't seem to remember now...

Sure would be nice to have those all in one place.

Coincidentally, I saw this ad posted on Facebook at the same time:



I was inspired enough to make my own...



The project in the book was a complicated painted piece - and was supposed to include some kind of face, but that's just not me.

I decided to go this route.
I may add paint ...later, and I may not. I haven't decided yet, but this is where I'll start storing all those little pieces of inspiration that I don't want to lose.

Gotta get me one of those cool glue stick/pen things though - those are the bomb!
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Spiraling Downward...

I've been doing a lot of that soul searching stuff this week -
and I've had a number of epiphanies.

It's gone something like this:

Epiphany #
1 - Start anywhere to get a foot in the door
2 - Use old techniques with a new twist
3 - Stick to what you know
4 - Just let it go and let the younger generation take over...
5 - Find a full time day job.

Sorry if the details are sketchy - it probably only makes sense to me, but basically, thoughts (fantasies?) of getting creative are losing out.

It's probably just more of those fears raising their ugly heads, but it's also the practical side of me speaking up - my main goal is to supplement the family income somehow, so in that case, why go the slow painful route when I could just look for full time work?

Rethinking the blog too - getting too personal - too raw.

Emotionally speaking, it's been a tough week.
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Hump Day Reveries

I'm a bit down in the chops today, so I'm having a hard time getting over the bumps, but I shall persevere.
(Mostly because I have to - today is a work day.)

Today's topic is Finding a Supportive Community.

This is a weird one for me, because my needs change so radically depending on where I'm at at the time.

A few years ago, I surrounded myself with the fun crazy ladies on the Scrapbooking forums. I stayed there for years chatting and laughing, until one day I realized - I don't really scrapbook anymore.
I wasn't really there for the crafting - I was just there for the camaraderie.
I started feeling like a fraud - like an intruder, so I moved on.
(Thankfully, some of those friends followed me - to facebook.)

I do have my facebook account, but if you're looking for encouragement and support - that's really not the place to find it.
(Unless you're addicted to games. *cough*)
Too many different interests and opinions...

My problem is; I'm not sure who I am right now.
I'm at a point where I'm so tightly wrapped in my cocoon, trying to metamorphose into ...something else.
I'm feeling extra vulnerable, and not willing to open myself up too much just yet.

It's funny where you find support sometimes - right now, I'm finding it (besides on the blog) with my sweet little grand daughters.
They love crafting (and their mom really doesn't enjoy it much,) so they come over here to "play" with grandma.

I love their Oooh's and Ahhh's and "that's so cool - can I try?"

What could bolster the self esteem more than... well, unconditional love?
They give me all the positive feed back I need, and I love sharing what I know with them.

My little Millie even wants me to sew for her. How cool is that?
.

Step Two

Overcoming Fear

Fear has been the bugaboo of my entire life.

All the way back in grade school, if I won accolades for something artistic - after the obvious thrill of winning, I would immediately be stung by the fear that "now people are going to notice me."

The same fear followed me to college, where after a year and a half, I finally got brave enough to enroll in an art class. The first day of classes, after struggling just to find the room, I stood outside with my hand on the door for a good 15 minutes before I lost my nerve completely and marched over to the administration building - to drop it.

Years later, I started working for Provo Craft.
I had taken up tole painting, and had taken my skills to a level where I could teach, and even be on the team who painted samples for store owners to display along with the books that PC published.
My dream then was to become a designer, and publish my own work!

I played with designs, created and polished - until I finally had something I was proud of - mustered up all my courage, and took it to the class coordinator for her professional opinion.
She loved them. She said that she wanted to schedule a class to teach them!

I was within centimeters of achieving my dream - so what did I do?

I had a panic attack - took them home and never spoke of it again.

I. Am. Pathetic.

So there you have it - conquering fear is a BIGGIE for me.

My current artsy guru says that:

"When we delay our creative yearnings, we, in essence live in a world of procrastinating our creative truth because we are afraid of it."

And gives this advice:

"Instead of staying clear of your fears, face them. Sit down with them a while.
Ask them questions. And ask yourself what you're afraid of, what's holding you back...'
Once you're able to identify your fears, you have a much better chance of diffusing them.
Then, ... make a list of affirmations or direct responses to each of your fears...
Soon, you'll have your own list of personal declarations from your heart to help battle your fears."

We shall see.

By the way, the book I'm reading is "Taking Flight" by Kelly Rae Roberts.







Ain't no sunshine when he's gone.

As a side note, we are having the weirdest weather year ever.
Longest winter, soggiest, albeit shortest Summer ever.
I don't remember ever having as much rain as we are having.
This morning, the breeze that came in my window woke me with a shock.
That weren't no Summer breeze! ...It felt very Autumnal!

Meanwhile, every time we talk to our son in Seattle (the rainy capitol of the world) he says "it's Sunny and mild."
Something has gone amiss with the universe. If I didn't know better, I would think our sunshine followed him up there, and he sent us the rain.
.

Step One

Some Chinese philosopher once said; "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

What I found out this morning, is that once you reach that 500 mile mark, (metaphorically speaking) you're stuck. Forward or backward, you still have the same distance to cover!

In the book I'm reading, the author states that as she started listening to her gut on the quest to becoming more creative - the first thing it said to her was start running.

She expressed shock at that, but in my mind I thought - no, I totally get it.

Back in the dark days after my heart surgery, walking was the only means I found of battling the depression that naturally comes along with it.
Doing what my kids dubbed "my walkies" around the house, was seriously the only highlight of my day (next to taking a pain pill and going to bed for a few blissful hours of unconsciousness.)

I kept that up for the next couple of years. During that time, I never had blood pressure problems, sugar problems, and was able to maintain a normal weight.
Besides the obvious endorphin perk, walking clears the cobwebs out of the brain and makes more room for positive, constructive thought.

(Incidentally, when my dad passed unexpectedly, I learned that it also helped me cope with the grief of loss.)

The walking ended when I went back to work full time - and the problems began...

Anyway, I totally understand the benefits of physical activity.
(Not to mention the gaining more energy to get-the-butt-out-of-the-chair!)

This morning, I decided to embark on that journey. In the A.M., it isn't too terribly hot yet...

I've gotten bored of the old standard routes I used to take (besides, all the experts say it's a bad idea for a woman alone to be taking the exact same route every day.) And I've been wanting to push my boundaries a little more, so I plotted a course up the hill to the light - along the highway, and down through The Maples.

It didn't seem that far in my head...

*Note to self: this route is 75% uphill, and a lot farther than you think - NOT a good idea for beginners!

...But like I said, once you reach the half-way mark, you're committed.
Forward or back, somehow you've still got to get home!

On the upside - on the way up the hill, I passed a man in a yellow shirt who was headed the same direction. As I rounded the corner to home, I saw him again, and he was limping at a snails pace down the street.

Score one for me, I'm still upright on both appendages!
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One step forward, two steps back.

I've been trying harder to accomplish something this week (other that just cultivating the biggest little frontier town on Facebook!)

Along with trying some new recipes, I finished 2 more sewing projects.
Now if I can just get my youngest gran to pose for pictures (or plan B, find a stationary hat rack!) so I can share...

I also decided to down-size the mop on top of my head (otherwise known as my hair) and get a new do - shorter this time, because the upkeep on my current style was getting overwhelming.

When I got home, Jenny said she wanted a change too, so I hauled her down there before she could change her mind!

I love her style, but I'm going to have to get used to mine - I'm not used to having nothing beyond the ear lobes.
Then again, before I get used to it, it will have grown back!
(I tried to post pictures, but I can't download from her phone...)

Today, I started reading a new book that I got in the mail, by a new favorite artist. One of those "re-invent yourself" type things.

I was just getting into it, and feeling the inspiration, when my youngest decided she had to make a trip to the media store to find yet another Manga.
(That child has a one-track brain, and it never leaves the track until the mission is accomplished!)

So, off we went to Orem.

Of course when we got there, the item she wanted wasn't in stock.
Meanwhile, my train of thought got derailed - and who knows when I'll be able to get back to it...

*Sigh*

Such is the life of the stay at home mom.
(*Sad violins play in the background*)

I love that the author of said book also has a degree in social work.
It's sort of like therapy sessions along with a few new art techniques and gobs of uplifting quotes thrown in for good measure.

- It's like she knows what all my hang-ups are going to be before hand, and shoots them down on sight! ...Where was she 30 years ago? (I know, I know - in kindergarten!)

With all the interruptions around here, I'll probably have to read it two or three times before any of it sinks in.

(At one point, I ran out to get myself an art journal as suggested, but by the time I could get home with it, I couldn't remember what I was supposed to do with it!)

...But, no worries - if there's one thing I've got plenty of at this point, it's time...
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Nook & Granny

I mentioned that I got a Nook for my birthday - after getting past the new-technology-shock that always comes with these things, I'm quite enjoying it.
The only problem I seem to be having is that I can't seem to put the thing down!

I started a new 380-something page book around 9 last night ...and finished it at 5:30 am.
My darned inner clock is stuck on 8:00 am - that doesn't leave much room for sleeping.
Thank goodness for naps! (although I would like to do something more with my days than sleep!)

It was a holiday weekend here this past weekend - celebrating the pioneers who settled this area. Wish I could say we did all kinds of fun things, but we didn't.
We did go out to breakfast yesterday, and we did a few fireworks last night, but we missed all the parades etc. because of the heat (and lack of ambition.)

It's so different without young children in the house to get excited about these things. My children would rather sleep in than... just about anything. The highlight of their weekend was grooming the dog.

Such a strange phase of life these days...

It's supposed to rain the next couple of days, so there's a cloud cover and a light breeze blowing, making it considerably cooler. I'm loving it!

I thought work would be picking up, but I only have one day this week, so I'm going to have to busy myself elsewhere. (Like look for another job - this is so pointless!)

Another Summer week to fill...
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Summer Daze...

It's been HOT here in the valley this week, so we're doing our best to keep cool - and at the same time, keep from wilting from boredom...

I've been a little bummed about not getting to go on vacation, so I've been trying to find things to keep myself busy and entertained.

My book club was in search of an air conditioned place to meet this month.
(Our usual place is at the home of a lady who works at the local garden shop. Summer is her busiest time of the year and she works long hours, so the club is adrift for a few months.)

I enjoy having folks come here (and they hardly ever do,) so I volunteered.

I spent most of the day Thurs. cleaning and dusting things that hadn't been touched in ages. (at least it seemed so.)
It's nice to have an excuse to spiff up once in a while. My youngest even dived in and helped without having to be asked (or paid!) ha ha.

We had the place looking pretty nice by the time they arrived - if I do say so myself.

We had a nice meeting - my book club are a bunch of great girls, all ages and all stages. I haven't been for a while, so it was fun to catch up with them - to socialize, to share - and to laugh!

They want to meet here again next month. I'm good with that. :-)

My youngest and I went to Borders today. Their going out of business sale started today, and we wanted to be part of it - before it becomes a picked over depressing shell of itself that closing stores ultimately become.

Jenny found some fun books, but I opted to wait. The sale is only beginning, and prices haven't come down enough to please me yet.
(Yes, I've become very tight in my old age!)

...But I did find a few magazines with some tasty new recipes to try.
My cooking gets in such a rut at times, and I need to try something different once in a while.

I'll go back next week - in fact, I'll probably haunt the place until it's gone...

We stopped at the craft store on the way home. I've been in need of some sea sponges, and no one in this town has them.
They didn't either, (at least not the kind I wanted,) but we had fun finding cute papers, Jewelry parts etc., anyway.

Our back yard neighbor works there, and every time we go, he seems to find us. It's nice to know people in useful places - he tracked down things for us, saving us from having to comb the whole store.

(I had thoughts of setting him and Jenny up a while back, but when we got his wedding invitation in the mail - that plan went out the window!)

Tomorrow is a work day - it's a big celebration time in the little town I work in, so I'm thinking we'll be awfully busy.

Things should be picking up more at work now - school will be starting soon again, then the holiday season will be upon us.

Frankly, it will be a nice change.
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Square One...

If there's anything you've learned about our family over the years - it's probably this:
If we plan ahead - all heck will break loose.

Consequently, I won't be going to Park City this week.

Too many reasons to numerate - basically it boils down to this - the Fates hate us.

I've got work and appointments galore, so I won't be bored, just won't be playing and having fun either...

Last night I started searching out family histories on the Internet, just for something to do. I found lots of them and read away...
Pretty interesting stuff, the next thing I knew, it was 5 AM!

I scuttled off to bed, but as always, woke with the sun.
I work late tonight - I have a feeling it's going to be a long day...

Why do I do these things to myself?

Because I can ...and no one cares.

I read on Yahoo this morning that Borders will begin liquidating all of their stores nation wide this week. That makes me so sad!
I just recently discovered the place, and it has been a favorite hangout over the lonely weeks/months.

Just one more step along the road to extinction.
Soon all my favorite places will be gone. (At least it feels that way.)

End on a positive note... *tap, tap, tap* ...thinking....

Oh yes, it's overcast and cooler out there today. I don't know if it's trying to rain, or if it already has, but it's going to be a nice day.

:-)
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Dog Days

Did I mention I hate Summer? Here's why...

Motion = friction and friction causes heat.

I don't do well in the heat. Period.

We're tightening our belts around here, so I've been trying to use the AC as little as possible, consequently, I've been doing as little as possible.
(Including sleeping.)

Don't know what's up with that - I go to bed in the wee hours, but am still up with the sun. I'm kind of hating that - makes for loooooooong days.
(Weird dreams too!)

I've been doing a lot of reading to fill the boring days. Thank heaven for books to keep my mind from turning to mush.
(Too bad for the body though.)

Last week it rained a lot - that was lovely. Cooled things down, greened things up - kept the electric clocks blinking...

Nice.


Hubby had a huge meeting at work the other day.
He thought it meant they would be closing the doors for good - instead, they extended his days again. Into October this time.

It's so hard for them to keep morale up, knowing they're aboard a sinking ship, but it's a steady paycheck - as opposed to... who knows?
So they trudge on.

I've been invited to go play at Park City this week. Sis has the use of her company condo for a few days.

I sure appreciate my sisters - if it weren't for them, I would hardly go anywhere.
I've been blessed to see so many amazing places over the years, and it's all thanks to my "Ya Ya's."

My attitude selfish? Maybe - but there are so many places in this world I want to see, while I'm still young enough to appreciate them!
...And time is running out on that issue.

Hubby has the idea that we can't go anywhere without taking the entire family - which we'll never be able to afford, so we ramble out in the trailer once a year, and that's that.

It's a catch 22 for us - he's never home, so when he does have time off, that's all he wants to do.

Me? I'm here 24/7. I need OUT!

In fact, he came home the other day and sighed a deep sigh and said;
"I guess I'll go out and mow the lawns - again."

I sighed too ..."And I'll do the dishes - again - that's all I ever do."

He said "Do you want to switch?" ...And I was out the door before he could finish the sentence!

...I told him I wanted Hawaii for our 25th anniversary.

I got St. George - because we had a free place to stay.

I told him Hawaii for our 35th - we went to Seattle to see our boy.

...I said, OK, I'll settle for Seattle, (since I wanted to see the kids too) IF you take me to the lighthouse in Oregon I've been dying to see.

We almost made it but not quite.

*Sigh*

I'm beginning to think that if I ever make it to Hawaii, that will be with one of my sisters too...

In fact, I'm going to start working on that.

Ha!

Hope your Summer Vacation is everything you want it to be!

Loves! :-)
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Red, White & Blusey

July is a busy month filled with birthdays & holidays galore.

Last week being mine (birthday,) I was surprised by being gifted with a Nook.
It's taken me all week to figure out how to use it, but I finished my first novel on it last night, and I think it's going to be fun to have around.

Fridays are "Free book Fridays," so I'll get to sample authors that I probably wouldn't have known about otherwise.

Regular books are a little more than I usually allow myself to pay for them
(I usually buy second-hand on Amazon) ...But I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet - and pace myself.

I found that I can get a full set of scriptures pretty cheaply too - so that will be nice not to have to lug all those books to church with me!

At first I was going to return it, but it's growing on me...

Our Fourth was pretty low key - we had a cook out and did a few little fireworks here, but it rained us out before we were finished, so we'll have to finish them sometime later.

This weekend we're celebrating Jenny's birthday.
The Scottish Festival is here - so I know where we'll be all day...
That's ok, though - whatever she wants to do!

Other than that, I've been quiet because there's not much else going on.

I've had projects in mind to do this month, but the steam to do them has blown over - Ha!
I mentioned that to a lady at work, (wishing my energy would come back post-surgery,) and she said "maybe it's not going to come back."
Well, that was the last thing I wanted to hear, but now - I'm thinking maybe she's right. (Poo!)

Aging is one big adjustment after the other - and nothing is certain... EVER!

Ha ha!
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If Wishes Were Fishes...

Today is my day - just a few thoughts about that...

If we got to choose where and when we were born, I certainly wouldn't have chosen the Summer. It's not my favorite season - I've never done well in the heat.

I would have preferred the Spring or the Fall...

If I had arrived near the beach to witness scenes like this;


It might have been more tolerable.
(via Santorini - 43 by Erhard the hobbit)


...Unfortunately, I landed in a place that looks more like this:


(via library.byways.org)

(Things could always be worse though - I could have landed here.)


( via adorablelife:)

In spite of time and place, life has been good.

My youngest got up at the crack of... 10, this morning.
(An enormous sacrifice on her part!) and cooked breakfast for me.

Later, the family will be here to make me pizza from scratch (and my daughter in law just showed up with a yummy home-made ice cream cake to put in my freezer!)
The birthday wishes started filling up my facebook page at midnight last night.

I'm already feeling the


(via aupairmom.com)

Which is my favorite thing :-) As a wise one once said;

(Source: conflictingheart)

So, tonight while we're sweltering in my tiny cramped kitchen enjoying each others' company - I'll be dreaming we're here;


Dining by the sea (Mary Anne Mohanraj)

...and hoping at some point there will be some of this;


(via soverypretty)

In my heart, I will feel like I'm here


(via a-ladys-findings, inspiredbyvintagebeauty)

...And the only thing I'll be feeling bad about, is that I'm two years older than I thought I was.

*EeeK!*

*The majority of images here were gathered from Tiny White Daisies, which is becoming my happy place. Like taking a visual vacation!
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You've Got Paranoia

My sister used to go around singing that song - it's been in my head a lot lately, because we are all getting pretty paranoid at my house...

Last week, when Jenny and I went on our shopping spree - we ran into our back-yard neighbor at his place of work (the craft store,) and he told us that he and his family had seen a big snake go from their yard into the space between our fences.

I came right home and told hubby, because the poor man totally freaks if he sees a snake, so I didn't want it to surprise him.
(So many bad experiences with rattlers when he worked on the family ranch.)

His first comment was - "Sorry, we're going to have to move."

When I came home from work the other night, and the lawn had been mowed - I was really surprised - until I heard how he did it - one hand on the mower, pushing it down the hill, while brandishing a shovel in the other.

I talked to the neighbor boys' mom at choir practice on Sunday, and she told me that they thought it might be someone's pet python.

My eyes got HUGE, and I said: "It's that big?"
Unfortunately, she nodded in the affirmative.

We may have to move.

Jenny heard squeaking noises outside her window last night - and thinks it was out there chowing down on a mouse.

She took me out back today, and showed me what she thinks is a snake trail in the grass. Ho-leeee crap! If she's right, that thing is as big around as my ankle!

All planned use of the back yard is off until somebody finds that thing.

Changing the subject...
I've been into watching videos lately - this one posted by Blissfactory was really fun to watch - enjoy!

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Weekend Warriors

Yesterday was a fun day - I spent it with my sister traipsing around the county doing the Parade of Homes tour.

We both love looking at new homes and interior design, so it was a blast for us to check out all the model homes.

A few of them were cute little bungalows that folks like us could feel comfortable in, but for the most part, they were HUGE multi-million dollar monstrosities that could house 3 families (or a small town!)

I didn't know there were folks around here who lived in places like that - but there must be. (They were all pre-sold.)

From what we saw, the Arts & Crafts style home has made a big comeback, along with bead board wood and tile floors, and almost every home had at least one room done in blues and browns. You would think that show homes would strive to be more different, but there seemed to be a lot of repetition...

Regardless, it was fun to explore and see just how the "other half" lives. (Since we'll never have occasion to set foot in places like that again! LOL)

Hubby was afraid I'd come home completely dissatisfied with our little hovel, but I'm no dummy - just glad to have a roof over my head in these perilous times.

...I did, however, pick up a few ideas to update and make our home a bit more livable. (Purely cosmetic.)

But that's a topic for another day...

Been trying to spoil hubby a bit for Fathers' Day. He had to work this morning, and he was bummed about that - but the rest of the day has been nice.

I had to miss my girlie's ballet last night. They did Sleeping Beauty - can't wait to see the video when they get it!

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Take a Hike

Visiting my son and experiencing his city life, I noticed (among many other things,) that you have to get used to walking everywhere very quickly.
I walked more out there in one week than I have the entire year at home!

I've been thinking a lot lately (and not in a good way) about how sedentary I've gotten lately.

In past years, I made a habit of going for daily walks, but this year, not so.
I can't say if it's been due to the thyroid issues (feeling tired all the time,) depression issues, or just plumb laziness. (Yeah - probably that last one.)
But I've gotten out of the habit.

I've also noticed that since I stopped walking, I've had more health issues too.

After the first day of hiking around the city, I also started to notice that there are very few overweight people in Seattle.

I want me some of that.

I finally got the gumption today, to take a hike. Instead of taking the car to the library (I've always thought of that as a long distance, but compared to what my son walks every day, it's nothing!) I decided to walk it.

If you work it right, it's level ground all the way there and back - but if you want the hill climb, you can have that too... I did a little of both.

I survived, and I limited myself to one book so I would have to go back again - soon.

I've got a high school reunion coming up next year, and I'm in no condition to see long lost friends.

Giving myself a challenge.

Huzzah.
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Sleepover Time

This past weekend was sleepover time for my grand girlies. They have been begging me for one for about a month now!
School is out for the Summer, so they have no time constraints any more.

Aunt Debbie sent me a trunk load of Bratz dolls that she found at a garage sale this week - and the girls broke them in pretty good...


We blew up the big air mattress for them to sleep on - they loved it, even though they were on the floor when they woke up. (Couldn't keep the little one from bouncing on it - it may have sprung a leak...)



The girls love to do crafts, so I got some fabric and planned to have them make these circle flowers (they're the going thing around here.)
But I did a test one to see if I thought they could manage it, and the fabric kept catching fire!
I had to veto that plan and just make them ahead of time. I let them glue them onto some hair clips (much safer!)
By chance, a couple of die cuts that I had ordered came in the mail the same day, so we had fun cutting shapes (sewing machine and easel) and making some little mini books instead.



Other than that - I've been in a bit of a crafty mood myself...

I found this tutorial for fabric flowers a couple of weeks ago, and had try that too...
My background flowers were too big and look pretty sloppy, but - Oh well >.<

I got this book in the mail a week ago,


...and finally had a chance to play with some of the fun ideas...
I just did a teeny tiny one (the canvas is about 2" x 2," and so cute!
...I LOVE minis!)
But it was fun to try something new.


LOTS of time off this week, who knows what we'll come up with next...
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Nature

I've been slacking. ...Well, not really - just took some time off to do yard work.
The flowers are all in now, so to finish up the travel photos.

Our last 2 days were about exploring nature - some great parks in the city that make you forget there is a city out there;

Cowan Park looked more like a jungle than a park...


This burned out tree managed to still have living limbs... how did it do that?


Love how the moss covers everything - we desert rats are not used to this much green!


Trickling stream


Rustic bridge



At the end of the park was a group of really tall trees - they looked like an average stand of pines until you peeked inside...
Looking up from the inside of the trees;



Below was this amazing gnarled bunch of trunks - perfect for climbing
The treehouse gang;


The rocks at the entrance of the park had little bird sculptures on them;


The hike back to the U District was a colorful one - Rhododendrons and Azaleas everywhere - Love them!





...and even holly trees


An interesting sculpture on the UW campus (apparently mistaken for a trash receptacle/homeless shelter.)


The UW campus had some interesting Gothic architecture.
Library


The Library is the home of the World's Largest Book...


...Which is nearly impossible to get a good shot of.


Brad thought the study hall looked like a Harry Potter room. (And it did!)



The General himself (Washington) guarding the entrance to his namesake school...



Tuesday was our Last Day - we went to Golden Gardens park, which opens out onto a beach on the Puget Sound. It was a pretty cool beach - lots and lots of sand, and not many people (it being a weekday.)

Trudging through the park


Cool mossy tree


We did the typical things one does at the beach...

Catch some rays


Watch the sailboats


Look for shells


...and shiny pebbles


Watch the birds


Get buried in the sand


All the time we were there, we could hear barking from what we thought was a boat out in the Sound - but later, Brad found an article in the paper that showed flocks of seals sunning themselves on a buoy. I double zoomed my photo and sure enough, there they are.


After we were all properly sunburned, we went to see another attraction of the city... (as per my request.)
Seattle may not have a toll bridge, but they do have a Troll bridge.
(We met a nice couple there who offered to take the pic so that we could all get in the shot.)

The street adjacent to the troll was cool too - it goes off underneath the bridge. (Troll's eye view of the street.)



Vacation is over now and we're all rested up - until this weekend when the girlies will be coming for a sleepover.

Crafting and fun - but no sleep, I'm sure. ^.^
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