As the World Turns...

Still here, but just barely.

Working hard and doing things this body hasn't done in 20 years!
I can't even look forward to the weekend - it's retail, there is no weekend.

Monday my training period will be over and I have more days off and shorter hours, so that's what's keeping me going. That, and lots of Ibuprofen!

As far as learning my department, I'm getting there.
Mastered the scanner and the printer... And once in a while I can lead people to what they're looking for. I still get the deer-in-the-headlights look at some questions, so I'm not quite there yet.

Give me time.

Discovered "shoplifting central" - it's in the Barbie aisle, of all places. Specifically, behind the Monster High dolls. I find more ripped open empty packages stuffed back behind those boxes than one would want to believe!

Getting used to the kids coming in and stirring things up, but I'm getting more and more disgruntled at the number of parents who watch them do it, and then just walk away.
Boggles the mind.

(...And yes, I secretly laugh at the geeky dads who come, unaccompanied by children, and drool over the Star Wars figures and the Matchbox cars.)

Another thing I've learned this week - if you set up ladders and carts and fill the aisle with boxes, people suddenly come out of the woodwork to try to drive through.
Sheesh. Just try to get some work done! Human nature is a weird thing.

One bright spot in the week - Elmo moved to the back room yesterday. No more mocking laughter at all passers by. The barking dogs have taken his place, but for some reason it gives me a kick to set them all off at once.

Hubby works Halloween (till midnight!) - and his birthday, but I have them off.
Go figure. I'll have to think of something nice to do for him on his break.

Life goes on - looking forward to next week, when - maybe - I'll have something more interesting to talk about than work!
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Dreamin'

*WARNING* This post is pure silliness.

I don't believe in horoscopes, but once in a while I read them just for kicks - this one made me laugh out loud - romance is not even something I think about any more.

Not that hubby isn't romantic, but it's never been the "Joni loves Chachi" kind of thing between us, it's more like a Randy Travis folk song - Grandma loves Grandpa kind of thing... (No grand gestures, it's the little daily things.)

Anyway, it read this way;

Cancer
Ready for some serious romance? You'd better be -- and from an unexpected venue, too. Someone you've thought of as nothing but a friend for possibly even years is about to hint that they'd like to change that.

Funny thing is, that night I dreamed that my dream guy (Tony Danza) swept in with his millions and took me away from it all - not in a limo, mind you, but on a camel cloaked in red velvet...
(I've been on my feet 40 hours this week and feeling very weary about having to make a living.)

So, I guess in a way, that one came true - it just didn't mention I would be asleep at the time.

And,

Last night I opted to stay at the store and buy a salad from the deli instead of driving home. (By then, the walk to the outer 40 to the car and back is not an option!) It was some vegetarian thing, not even sure what that shredded vegetable was - zucchini or something, with broccoli, raisins, onions, etc. It tasted ok, but somehow the chemical combination became lethal as the night went on - swollen tummy, and breath that could drop an elephant at 50 paces!
I was afraid to talk to customers, it was so bad...

It was so bad that even in my dreams last night, I was offending people!
There was a huge event at an amphitheater in Washington DC, Obama and Osama were going to meet together and give a speech. I just happened to be there, so I went and got an incredible seat, when who should arrive but my beautiful, stylish sister and her family. She took the seat next to me, and I said something in greeting - she frowned and told me to beat it because I stunk.

(She would never do that in real life, by the way...)

Meanwhile, the crowd was harassing the reporters and telling them to shut up and get out of the way, and I stood up for them. So they signed my shirt. Just mentioning that because one likes to know that not everyone hates them, even if it is a dream.

Anyway, dreams are tellers of the past and the future - the mirror into how we really see ourselves. But oftentimes you have to dig through the crazy to find it.

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Toy Story

...Nothing to do with the movie - it's my new "career."

One week down in the toy department, and it's been a trial by fire.
I went from working 4 hours a week to working 40 - on my feet - and they are rebelling!

I have learned a few things this week:

a) There is no such thing as a straight and orderly toy aisle - it's just like having a house full of toddlers. While you're picking things up, there is always someone following right behind you messing it up again. (job security?)

b) If you think you are buying fresh new toys off the shelf - you are wrong. Unless it is sealed tight in a box with the wrapper intact - trust me, it has been played with. (And not just by children!)

c) Adults are more destructive/disruptive than children (see above.)

d) Tweens travel in packs and do most of the mischeif.

e) Toys don't seem to be selling much right now - it seems like everything that leaves our department eventually finds it's way back.

f) Motion detecting talking toys are annoying. (...And one of these nights I will strangle Talking Elmo in his sleep!)

All in all, I guess it's been a pretty good week. Although I haven't been this tired since... before the heart surgery.
The up-side is that maybe I'll walk off a pound or two(?)

Hubby has had almost as many days off this week as I've had on. He's been the best - keeps the house clean, has lunch ready when I get home, keeps track of the kids and everyone's schedules. I keep telling him he's a better housekeeper, mother, and even wife than I've ever been. He even got up at 3 am and made Jenny her lunch! (she's working the graveyard shift.)
- I swear I don't know what he keeps me around for.

Next week will be as busy as this one, but after that, things will slow down just a bit. I will actually have a few days off here and there.

Anyone up for a foot massage?
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Walking Away...

Yesterday was my last day at my old job.
Underwhelming to say the least. As I left, I told several people that it was nice working with them. ~ Nothing.~ No eye contact, no goodbyes, nothing.

Certainly no remorse on leaving - I don't know what I ever did to spark such indifference, but I must have done it.

I don't think I'll even go back there to shop.

I'm done.
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Work

I started the new job this week, which is good.
I've been excited and anxious to get going, but the dragging it out made me get cold feet. I was about to tell them never mind and stay at my old job.

Wednesday was orientation, and the next two days, video training sessions.
I've got my schedule for the next couple of weeks - and it's grueling!
I've been used to only working one or two days, now it will be the opposite. Instead I will only have one day off during the week, and they are 8 hour shifts instead of the four hours that I'm used to.

Granny's going to be tired.

...But at least the paychecks will have some meat on their bones.
I've got some late nights and some early early mornings - I knew that was a possibility when applying to a place that's open 24/7. That's why I didn't apply there in the first place, but the upside is that so far I have Sundays off. (Yay!)

Jenny got called too - she'll be graveyard shift stocking groceries.
I would think that would be a killer, but those are the hours she's up anyway, so she seems unfazed.

She got a call last week for a job offer, but she had to turn it down. Fork lift maintenance for Sam's Club in SLC! (She doesn't know how to drive one, let alone repair it!)
That's what happens when you don't pay attention to which box you check when filling out online applications folks.

I'm working both jobs today (I'm hoping I'm off the schedule after this!) So it will be a long day.
There were times that I would do both - I've had up to 4 jobs at a time before, but I'm OLD now - I don't even want to try!

Better get dressed and on my way...

Ta!
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*Mphglblp...*

I spent three grueling hours in the dentist's chair yesterday, with my mouth stretched to its limit and numbed to my eyeballs.

Today I'm still feeling the effects - feeling that my mouth has stretched halfway around my head - (picture Julia Roberts doing the platypus face on Runaway Bride here.)


I had been told my appointment was at nine, so I rolled out of bed early and rushed to get there on time, only to be told I was 45 minutes early.
The receptionist gave me the option of going home (not an option - it's 40 miles away!) ...or just hanging out on the couch.

I knew if I sat that long, I would be sound asleep in minutes - so I opted to drive across the parking lot to the mall and join the early morning "mall walkers."
...Get the blood flowing to the brain and all that. I did the whole mall twice in half an hour. I don't know if that's good, but I was impressed with myself!

In fact, I wish we lived closer to the mall for that reason. I've been meaning to start walking every day, but it's always too hot, or too cold - or rainy or windy...
The weather has been my excuse for the last two years.

No excuses needed there - no weather, no traffic - and you can just window shop as you go around.

Cool.

Sunday while the girls were here, Millie asked me to help her make some invitations for her birthday party this week.
She's going to the local beauty school for hair-dos and make up, then they're having a tea party/dress up session at home.

So we had fun for a couple of hours dragging out the paper, ribbon and die cuts and we worked assembly line style with her mom. (didn't have time to grab a photo, sorry!)

It made her day, and that's what it's all about - right?

My Sunday organists go walking every morning at 8, so I invited myself to join them - I missed the wake up call, and didn't see them when I walked around the block, so I just went by myself.

Felt a little jelly legged from all the walking (and the Novocain) from yesterday, but I made it up the hill and back down through the Maples (it's farther than it sounds!)
...But now I have to go to work and run around there for 4 hours.
Hope I can make it!

It's been a nice day so far, tried to catch up on my reading and my facebook games at the same time (my computer is so S - L - O - W that I can do that)

I'm still reading that biography of Thomas S. Monson and Abraham Lincloln, Vampire Hunter simultaneously.
The one is a buffer-zone for the other - I can only take so much violence at a time.

I'm going to have to read a real biography of Linclon when I'm done, for all the liberties the author takes re-writing history. Wow.
Not what I expected - violent, gory, and not at all funny (like I thought it would be.) ...Except for the irony of very little of it being true.


...Anyway, leaving the tracks here.

It's feeling more like November than October - mourning the fall that we will undoubtedly miss again this year.

Gotta go.
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History in the Making

It's been an eventful day today, the ground was broken for the new temple
that is to be built here in our fair city.

I expected to be awakened by the noise of traffic and chaos, but I forgot that the church always does things in a sane and orderly manner.

All roads that led to the site were blocked off - people were directed to the different stake centers in the area and shuttled there and back, so there was plenty of parking and very few traffic tie ups.

It was a cold rainy day, so a lot of those who had tickets to the site were giving them away and opting to view the video that was streamed in to each of the chapels. We were warm and dry and comfortable in our own little church.

Jeff and his family came down to watch with us. It was so fun to share the historic occasion with our little grand girls. Something that I hope they will always remember.

Most of the dignitaries who spoke had ties to our community and shared in our excitement of getting a temple here - one lady even wore her Payson Lions blazer (although it had to be concealed under layers and layers because of the cold!)

Elder Dallin Oaks presided over the event. I wasn't aware of the fact that he actually grew up in this area. He talked with excitement about people who he knew here - people who are still in the area and are well known to most of us.

David Dahlquist led the choir (the city's most admired/feared teacher)
...and my neighbor who works at the local garden shop did all the flowers.
I was so pleased for her that Elder Oaks commented on how nice it looked. He said that it would set the new standard for all future groundbreaking podiums.

One of the first things I noticed when they left the podium to turn the soil was that the soil didn't look right.
I leaned over to Jeff and told him "that is not Payson soil - they must have imported it."
It was too smooth and rich looking. Everyone knows that Payson soil is the color and consistency of cement, and is full of rocks!

I borrowed this picture from the Deseret News website - after all the church leaders and the civic leaders had all taken their turns to turn the soil, Elder Oaks invited all the 12 year old deacons to come and take part...


How cool that the youth were able to be involved in that way!
It's exciting to know that after the year and some odd months wait, the work of building will finally begin!

Just as a side note; this song was one of the ones that was streamed in while we were waiting for the ceremony to start. I love this song, and informed my family that I want it sung at my funeral.
The Mo-Tabs probably won't be available, but my own little church choir would suit me just as well...



Speaking of funerals, we went to hubby's cousin's on Thursday. It was another cold wet day - there was even snow falling in the foothills.
The service went well - some of her closest friends spoke and sang, and I think that it was consistent with the way she would like to be remembered.

I'm really glad that I went and had that glimpse into her life. It put those needed pieces into the puzzle and made some sense of it all.

She's still someone I would like to get to know better, and I still can - through her writing.
She left behind a blog that I hadn't been aware of until after she was gone.
Family reunions will never be the same, that is for sure.

It's been a long week, feeling weary to the bone.

Good night.
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Hump Day

Mid week again, and life rolls along...

Adjusting pretty well to hubby being home - because most of the time, he's not.
Still lots of other people for him to take care of - his mom, his brother, the neighbor down the street who is retired, and thinks that hubby should be playing all day too.

He had all that before, but also the two jobs, so it's seeming fairly normal now - I do get to see him once in a while.

We've been doing some fall cleaning around here - stirring up dust that hasn't been disturbed in years. And both of us are feeling it (allergies!)
That plus all the stuff that's in the air this time of year - Ugh, haven't had them this bad since... EVER!

Something else that is new around here - I'm realizing who the messy person in the family is. My work load has tripled since he's been home! And he actually expects more than one meal a day! ...Very unusual indeed. Life is so much simpler when it's just me. LOL

I interviewed for the new job, and was told I got it, but not much has happened since. I had to go in at 8 am on Monday morning for what I understood was going to be orientation - but after being kept waiting for half an hour, I was handed some papers and told to go have a drug test. If not done in 24 hours, I would have to wait a year to apply again!

I have never been drug tested before, and let me tell you, that is a unique (and most humiliating) experience. I never dreamed there were so many ways to "cheat" on a pee test! They practically frisked me before I went in, and I wasn't allowed to wash my hands or anything until it was done!
Sometimes I think I'm getting too old for this modern world... This stuff is just too inhumane.

I haven't heard anything back yet. My current job is looking better and better to me.

Tomorrow is that funeral in Brigham City. I've had a strange week trying to put some closure on it. Strange, uneasy dreams, disconnected thoughts - I'm beginning to feel that her suicide had to be accidental - too many pieces don't fit.
Hoping to make some sense of it there.

Saturday is the big groundbreaking for our city's temple. Was feeling shut out at first, so few tickets available - but now, I'm thinking I would much rather be in my own church house watching it on the big screen than out there fighting the mobs.
Traffic is sure to be a nightmare, and the area where it will be taking place is so small - the further away we can stay from there, the better.

It is a most historic moment, but laws of safety and civility (not to mention sanity) must still apply.

It's a work day today, and I must be on my way.

Till later.
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October

Mixed emotions this weekend. First of all, I interviewed for a new job - and got it.
Nothing terribly exciting, I am the newest associate in the toy section at Wally-world.
But hopefully, it will be a boost in wages, and I like that it's so close to home. I won't have to travel the roads at all, so the car will be freed up for Jenny.
One step closer to getting her a life...

It's conference weekend, and I'll have to miss most of both sessions today.
Got the A.M. shift at the fabric store.
I have to give my notice today. I'm almost excited about that, but nervous too.
My tummy is a wad of knots this morning.

...Could be partially due to having lunch from the greasiest of greasy spoons yesterday.
Ugh.
I'm feeling like I'm so done with that place - anytime I eat there, I feel like I have to follow the meal with a cholesterol pill chaser!

On a sadder note, have another funeral to attend this next week.
My husband's cousin Lisa. Details are sketchy right now, and there are more questions than answers, but it appears that she checked herself into a motel, and checked herself out of life.

It's so hard to think that anyone could hurt so much that they could feel that was their only option. She had so many friends and people who depended on her - I'm hurting this weekend too, wondering if there was something I could have done or said...

Senseless loss.
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Autumn Cooking, and Other Adventures

This week has been interesting to say the least. Having a full time hubby takes... patience.
Wednesday, we had to go switch his phone over from his former company's plan to a personal line. Sounds simple, right?

Wrong.

It was way more of a hassle than in needed to be - we ended up going to 4 different places until we found someone who could actually do it (involved "jail-breaking" from one service provider to another, setting up new plan, etc.)

The girls and I were all due for upgrades on our phones, so we did that at the same time.
Then one didn't like the color she picked, and we had to switch them around...

It was a frustrating all-day affair.

By the end of the week, we both worked, so things got back to some semblance of normalcy.

Jenny and I both applied for new jobs this weekend. I hope at least she gets it - I just hate how she's mouldering away in the basement by herself, and sleeping her life away. She SO needs something to make her feel useful and productive. Her friends are all still away at school, or married, so she has nothing anymore.

My manager is leaving to manage another store next week, so I have no qualms about looking for something else myself. I just don't make enough where I am to contribute to my family in any way.

So much for this week's vent - today, my grand daughters have parts in the program at church, so I'll be going to theirs and mine plus choir - then dinner on demand between 5 and 6 (hubby's lunch break.)

Sundays.

I hope there will be at least something resembling rest today.


I have to do New Recipe Nights every once in a while, because I get so tired of the same-old, same-old stuff.
I love the Autumn season because of all the warm and toasty comfort foods like soups& stews, all the stored up summer squashes, grilled sandwiches etc.
So, I've been busily looking up recipes for new dishes lately.

I found this recipe in last year's Taste of Home Ultimate Halloween magazine:

Sweet Potatoes and Apples au Gratin


Can't wait to serve this with my pork chops tomorrow!
(Click link for recipe)

...And I ran across this one somewhere - I can't remember where, but I found it again online:

Stuffed Baguette

It looks like something fun to try for a snack...
(I posted it here so I won't have to hunt for it again. Click on the link for the recipe)

Been trying out all kinds of panini's and planning my Halloween dinners & treats...

Ginger Snaps, mini meat pies, and I even found a recipe for pumpkin flavored Congo Bars!

*Drool*

I wonder if any of these are approved by Weight Watchers... ?
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New Dawn

Hubby is home now, and settling in to the new routine of being unemployed.

His trip to California was an excersize in futility. He only went because he was supposed to make some money for his time, but it ended up costing him instead.
He and his travel companion butted heads the whole time - it turned out to be such a nightmare.

I'm just so glad to have him home again - I had such a bad feeling all the time he was gone. I've never prayed so hard for his safe return.

Yesterday we celebrated by going out to breakfast (our favorite thing these days.)
Today, he's trying to get used to not having a slew of emails to answer.
He mostly piddles around in the yard, while I try to get used to having him underfoot all the time. ...Curtains wide open everywhere - drives me nuts!
Like being a duck in a shooting gallery! LOL

Adjustments.

I moved the sewing machine into the living room while he was away, and have been trying to revive those old sewing skills. I made 2 pairs of P.J.'s for my girlie's Christmas yesterday, and hope to finish the third today.

It's all good - like riding a bicycle...

The weather has turned fallish, which is lovely temperature wise, but it has also kicked up the allergies to uber-drive for some reason.
Having a hard time breathing lately! Even Melissa (who is not prone to allergies) has noticed the difference. Ugh!

The other day at work, a lady came through my line and mentioned that she was on her way to her painting club. I inquired about that, and found that she belonged to the same group I was in about 20 years ago! I was so surprised to learn that they were still up and functioning.

I've been sending out emails trying to contact them - I SO need something like that to get me going again. Jen even says she wants to go with me...

That would be so cool.

I tracked down the former president, and she put me in touch with the current powers that be.

Just waiting to hear back...
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Good Byes

Hubby's job is officially over now. Thursday was his last day.
I don't know how he's dealing with it, because he's been out of town since then.

He left from work (his second job) Thursday night to help a friend move some stuff out in California. We were supposed to go pick up his truck from the parking lot that night, but we dilly-dallied a bit...

Around midnight he called and told us to go get it ASAP! The store security had called him and told him they found it with all the doors wide open - someone had broken in to it!

We dropped everything and ran down there - but found it intact.
Nothing had been disturbed or taken from it - I guess someone had just been messing with him, but still, it was a bit of a scare.
(I had to calm baby down - she was ready to get all up in someones face for it! LOL)

Saturday, I attended the funeral of my neighbor's daughter. She was only 34, but had been bravely battling cancer for a lot of years.

She planned the funeral herself, and it was perfect - for her.
Mostly friends talking about the good times they had growing up. It might sound strange, but I've been feeling of her love and seeing her face before me all weekend.

I worked with her in Primary back in the day - she was a hellion back then, almost worse than her brothers! Having her in class was a challenge.

I worked with her again in Young Women's.
By then, she had channeled that energy a bit - she was amazingly talented at the piano, and sang like an angel. I loved listening to her - such pure sweet tones, and they always came from her heart.
She was dependable and always willing to lead out in whatever she was asked to do.
- Always with a great sense of humor.


She was the kind of girl who had an opinion about everything, and had no qualms about sharing it - but, she would just as quickly share her testimony.
It was all such an integral part of who she was.
I've never known anyone who was more comfortable and secure with her own identity, especially at such a young age. (Except maybe Brad LOL)

She became an amazing human being, and touched so many people in her short life time.
I feel honored to have known her.

I was chatting with one of my close neighbors yesterday - and we reminisced about the days when we were all young families "growing up" together.

We joked back then that one day our neighborhood would become a senior citizen community - but back then I would never have dreamed the children would start going before us.

Sharolyn was the third of our neighborhood's children who have passed from this life.
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Off We Go...

Today is officially hubby's last day on the job.

Does he have anything else lined up?

No.

Are we scared?

Youbetcha!

Having no visible means of support is terrifying - but on the other hand, it's kind of freeing. I like entertaining thoughts that we could go anywhere we want to go now - nothing is holding us here.
It would be so nice to start fresh somewhere... All it takes is courage.

How did the old time pioneers leave everything behind and strike out across unknown territory?

They believed that there was an ultimate plan, and that something better was waiting for them.

Faith.

It's my turn to host the book club again tonight, and then it's a chick weekend for us. Hubby leaves from work to California on what we hope will be a somewhat profitable (and hopefully safe) trip.

On a sad note, one of our long time friends and neighbors lost a daughter to cancer this week. My heart goes out to them - I can't imagine anything worse than loosing a child.
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Weekend

This weekend has been filled with ups and downs, but mostly ups.

Saturday, I went to the Scrapbook expo. with Amy.
It was a fun day of shopping and indulging in more things that I really don't need. Ha!
I didn't buy as much as I usually do, but I did find a few good bargains.
It was a super fun day!

Yesterday, the renderings of the new Payson Utah Temple are finally up on the internet:

It's much bigger and grander than I imagined!
I just learned that the ground breaking is scheduled to take place Oct. 8th - supposedly the reason for all the obnoxious road construction here in town.
We are all so excited to see the work begin!

Sorry the picture is so small, but that's the best I could do...

The weather has been so nice this week, and the evenings are starting to turn chilly.
I'm thinking we'll start seeing color on the mountain by the end of the week.

Lovin' it!
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Labor Day Weekend

Otherwise known as Onion Days to those of us in Happy Valley.

We had a fun weekend - Saturday we were able to go watch the grans' little dancing group perform in the park after the Children's Parade...

Ellie is the cute Giraffe in the back


...And Millie got her hula on. (She's on the far right)



Monday was the perfect day. Sunny and mild - a great day for enjoying the parade.
My sister and her son (& fam.) came down to spend the day with us.

The girlies were all in the parade:

Ellie rode in the wagon... (the little blondie on the end)


Millie marched along behind. (front & center with a big smile)


Arilie was with her Martial Arts class.
(Black shirt, just above the symbol on the sign)


The happy parents (and cousin Jer - The Andrews' in the background.)


Sis & me
(Looking for all the world like Humpty-Dumpty with a thyroid condition)

Oy. I so need to hit the treadmill!


It was supposed to rain today, but it never did. Last night, the weather cooled down, so we threw open all the windows & enjoyed.

Welcome Fall!
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Sweet September

September is here and the long HOT Summer comes to a close.

My youngest and I have a tradition each Fall where we pick the date when we think the leaves will start turning in the valley.

The loser treats the winner to ice cream!

It's been so miserably warm this year that I was going to guess the first of October, but someone flipped the Autumn switch last night - the breeze coming in my window was downright chilly!

...So I'm thinking I'll have to adjust my projection.

Labor Day is our town's big celebration.

I used to hate that it came so late in the season, but over the years, I grown to appreciate the fact that it falls when the weather is starting to cool a bit, and it's kind of nice that it ends the Summer with the biggest of BanG's.
Folks from all over the valley come to spend it with us.

It's the big final send-off to Summer... And the kick-off to Fall.

Hubby finally got the definite date for his lay-off. September 14.

He's known it was coming forever, but when it gets down to the final days, it's... well, sad, depressing, - scary.

The worst part is wondering if they are going to come through with his severance pay or not. At first they told him he would get paid through March, then they said it would come as one final pay-off.

The thing is, this company isn't really big on following through. We'll be on pins and needles until the check is actually in his hands.

If they don't come through - we're basically screwed.

Prayers and crossed fingers.

For now, trying to remain upbeat and looking forward to Fall.
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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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