tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68561663000327692752024-03-14T02:41:34.737-07:00 It's A Cheery Cherries WorldDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-51007536355451733362015-09-28T06:24:00.000-07:002015-09-28T06:24:36.755-07:00September and a Wish From My Bucket List<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">September has been a funny month. Some of the days have flown by so quickly I couldn't catch my breath. Others found me groaning when I realized it was only 9 am and I felt like it was midnight. Do you have days like that?</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I am so glad that the humidity of this summer seems to be steadily decreasing this month. Not by leaps and bounds, which is what I was wishing for, but a small percent each day. My bones are very happy! While I have been around this humidity-filled state for 17 years, I still have trouble with it. Maybe it's my age or perhaps my ever-increasing arthritis, but I still don't like it! Being born in the desert, humidity is something I did not, and still don't, understand!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Have you ever noticed that when one happy moment comes, not far down the line comes a sad one? This month, I lost a dear aunt. She had gone into hospital to have surgery on a blockage and did not make it. She was 82. She was a talented woman.She taught English at high school level, was an accomplished pianist and made the best pies you ever hoped to eat. She was a wife, mom, sister, aunt, grandma and great-grandma. We will all miss her terribly. We also found out that one of my grand-daughters is deaf on one side. It was discovered during her entrance physical for kindergarten. This past Friday, the doctors performed an out-patient surgery to try and repair a hole in her ear. It doesn't look good, as the hole is much bigger than they at first thought. In 4 weeks, they will see how it is and then make a decision about more extensive surgery. When it rains, it pours. On a happy note, the new grand-baby that is due around Valentine's Day is a boy!! The boys are finally catching up to the girls in this family. It's about time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today my youngest, Laura, turns 16! How that happened so quickly is mind-blowing! She is a wonderful young lady, a talented artist, a musician and a wonderful aunt. I am so proud of her and love her dearly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So now onto that Bucket List wish. I actually have several Bucket Lists; is that normal? This one falls under Places I Want To Go. If you have read my blog or Facebook or just have talked to me, you know that I love the UK. I have always been drawn to it and could see myself living there and being very, very happy. Each year, in Skipton, Yorkshire, there is a yarn festival named Yarndale. It takes place in the end of September and is a site to behold! The pathway, the light poles, the trees and the Exhibition Hall are all decorated in yarn! Remembering that it was this past weekend, I was reminded of something: a part of me has actually been in Skipton for the past two years! Happy dance moment! You see, each year there is a sort of theme at Yarndale. In 2013 there was bunting, so the Hall was decorated. In 2014, there was a mandala wall. This year, it was flowers for Alzheimer's. In 2013,I made 50 bunting triangles, 2014 I made mandalas. So while my actual body was not in the UK, my crochet work was and that is good enough for me. :) The items are used every year and new ones are placed each year also. If you have not seen the wonder that is Yarndale, google it. There is a photo gallery and even a shop where you can buy tea towels or totes with the Yarndale sheep on them. They are, by the way, adorable!! I have tote bage from all three years and they are huge bags, just right for holding lots of yarn. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Well, that's about all the news from here. As usual, I have been crafting from dawn to dusk, making birthday goodies and getting a start on Christmas things. Now, I must bake a cake, or someone might be a tad upset.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Until next time, laugh with friends, love those around you and live life to the fullest. Remember, you are one-of-a-kind, which makes you pretty special. </span></div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-76591831169379654952015-08-26T17:43:00.001-07:002015-08-26T17:43:55.796-07:00Happy National Dog Day<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To all of you dogs out there, I hope you have a wonderful day! You make our lives happier. You are a friend who is loyal and trustworthy. You love us when it seems no one cares. You make us smile when we have had a rough day. You make us remember how much fun it is when we stick our heads out the window and let the breeze blow our hair. For many of us, you are our child, a part of the family for all of us.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think Mr. Schultz summed it up nicely:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happiness is a warm puppy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hug your dog today! Play an extra game of fetch. Lavish him or her with hugs and kisses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Until next time...</span></div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-36630936552918922082015-08-23T13:50:00.001-07:002015-08-23T13:50:47.944-07:00Endings and Goodbyes<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have always found endings and goodbyes difficult. No matter how large or small. This may be a trait all my own, but that's okay. It makes me unique. It makes me ME.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Actually, if I gave it some thought, I'd say that I could handle endings better than goodbyes. The end of a wonderful evening filled with friends and food, laughter and music. The end of a wonderful movie that has filled you with happiness or sadness; sadness can be good at times. The end of a terrific book, you know, one of those that kept you on the edge of your seat, one you stayed up till the early morning hours reading, as it was so good. Even the end of a relationship, as sometimes relationships ending can be a blessing. One of the endings that will hit me sooner than I want is the end of a house with children living in it. While sad, it is also a happy time, when you see that new life begin for your child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Goodbye. Just typing that word is hard for me. The dead silence after the echo of a door slamming. Nothingness. Final. Death. Goodbye has always meant lose to me. At the age of 7, I lost my sister. Was never lucky enough to hold her hand, play with her, teach her things. An infinitesimal beginning, an everlasting goodbye. Over the years I have said that everlasting goodbye to friends that were too young, to relatives I barely had a chance to know. I lost the grandparents that were a constant in my life while I was growing up. Relatives and friends that have gone off to protect our country and never returned. My father. Three children. Yesterday, an aunt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I grow older, I want the goodbyes to be less and less. I want more hellos, more endings. Of course, it is sheer folly to think that way. Yet, it would be wonderful if it were to be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't know why endings and goodbyes have been on my mind so much. Perhaps it is the changing of the seasons. I am, after all, in the Autumn of my life. But just as in the season, there is still life. I still am creative, still sing and dance and dream. Still shake my head at this crazy world. I am not ready to say my goodbyes. Not for a very long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until next time, my friends, love until it hurts, laugh until you cry and never, ever stop dreaming.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hugs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deb</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-25883294966391591452015-07-08T14:18:00.002-07:002015-07-08T14:18:38.649-07:00July So Far<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Hello! I hope all of you had a nice, peaceful July 4th. We stayed home, but could hear the fireworks going off all around. In years past we would go to the golf course that is near by. They always put on a program before dusk and then end with the fireworks. It made for a long evening and yet was always nice. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Somehow it seems like I have lost touch with routine. I am a creature of routine. Even the little things have always needed to be done at a certain time, in a certain order. I thought I was OCD, but my daughter said she didn't think you can only be OCD about certain things. Who knows, not me! Anyway, I seem to be doing the same type of thing constantly and disregarding other things. Example: For about 2 weeks all I wanted to do was crochet. Now, that may not sound too bad, but I wouldn't want to do anything else. Yes, I took care of Laura and cooked, cleaned, etc., yet if I had a spare second, I picked up my hook and started in. That lasted until reading started taking over. Again, not a bad thing. It took the place of crocheting. If I stopped for a second, I picked up my book and started in. Maybe it's the weather or the time of year. I just know that I need to find a way to spend time with everything the way it once was. Does this type of thing happen to you? Please say yes so I don't feel like I've been cooped up too long and am going mad!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">In all of the crocheting I had been doing, I finished a project that I was working on for a friend. One of the blogs I read is by Alex Halsey. Her blog is Crocheting Thru Chronic Diseases With Alex. She is a sweet girl with a heart of gold. Her sister died very suddenly a while back and she wanted to do something as a memory project. She asked us to crochet stars, with a hanging loop. So, on July 13, she will be hanging all the stars in the trees at her parents' home. July 13 was her sisters' birthday. I crocheted 120 stars and sent them to her. She has received stars from many people, some even from across the world! I feel so happy about helping her in this memorial to her sister. Sometimes, it's the little things that make life so special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Last night, as I was watching NCIS on my laptop, I moved my right foot, in a normal way, and pain shot up my leg. Now, pain shoots up my legs, through arms, down my back, etc. all the time. Happens when you have certain diseases. This was different. It was my knee. Long story short, this normally happens to my left leg. It was the first time it has happened to my right knee. My knee cap seems to have a mind of its own and sort of snaps apart. When it snaps back together, it sometimes snaps back at an angle. It's a tad painful and makes walking properly tons of fun! It stays like this till it decides to snap back in position. Until it does, I do a lot of massaging on it and baby it. So today I decided to obtain a walker, as it is safer than my cane or crutches when this happens. Hopefully my knee will decided to play nice sometime soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">That's about it for now. I need to put my leg up for a bit. I hope all of you are having a fun summer so far. There still is time to enjoy the sun, flowers, hikes, beaches or what ever you do to bask in the summertime.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Deb</span></div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-17585106581739035532015-06-21T12:13:00.000-07:002015-06-30T18:52:15.935-07:00A Museum Mystery<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I have always loved a good mystery.It can be in the form of a movie,an audio book,an e-reader or a good old fashioned, hold-it-in-your-hands book.I cannot get enough.I blame my dad.He was a mystery buff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Privy To The Dead is the sixth book in the Museum Mystery series by author Sheila Connolly. How I have missed this author in my cozy mystery readings is a mystery in itself! I will say upfront that I did win this book in a contest and am utterly glad I did :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Nell Pratt is the main character in this series.She starts as the fundraiser for the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society and becomes the President of it along the way. The Society houses documents,furniture and other historic items of Pennsylvania,including a privy. Yes,you read that right,a privy.Now get that picture out of your mind. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Take an event of 100 years ago,throw in a present day murder,and what do you get? A daughter that may find out something she didn't want to know about her father and grandfather,a staff of researchers that may not all be who you think they are,an FBI agent that tries to stay out of things and a Society head that has her hands full!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Now a little about Sheila Connolly, taken from her book jacket. Sheila has taught art history, structured and marketed municipal bonds for major cities,worked as a staff member on two statewide political campaigns,and served as a fundraiser for several nonprofit organizations.She also managed her own consulting company,providing genealogical research services.Sheila loves restoring old houses,visiting cemeteries and traveling.She does have first-hand knowledge of some of the things she uses in her books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Museum Mysteries are one of three series that Sheila writes. Orchard Mysteries and County Cork Mysteries are the other two series that Sheila spins her magical web to create. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So, dear readers, if you find yourself looking for something new to read, why not try one of the series by Sheila Connolly. I guarantee you won't regret it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Until next time, sit outside, soak up the sun, listen to the birds and broaden your mind by reading a book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Deb</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-87015926297748019992015-06-12T09:09:00.000-07:002015-06-13T14:13:36.188-07:00Trying something new<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Good morning, everyone! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Boy, did I take a break from the blog. I would apologize, but truth be told, I just didn't write. No excuses, just didn't do it. I can say that when I don't write, it feels wrong. Same way I feel when I don't read and crochet daily. I am truly trying to get into a routine of doing these things daily. I feel a calming of my soul when I write, read and crochet. What do you do to calm and nurture your soul?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have also decided to review books on this blog, instead of starting a second blog. Hopefully this will keep me blogging more, as I read a ton of books and write reviews on Goodreads and some on Amazon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Since I last wrote, not too many earth-shattering things have happened. The cat that we had adopted from a cat rescue didn't work out. While he was a loving cat, he had way to many behavioral issues that we were not able to handle. We did have some heartbreaking moments when we talked about what to do, but in the end, we knew that we would not be able to keep him. Broke our hearts, but it just was not to be. He has been placed in a home that is more equipped to handle his issues. But, good news! Two weeks ago, we adopted a kitten! He is now 10 weeks old and a ball of energy! Laura named him Maynard Tubbs, no clue where that came from :) Hopefully, I can sneak a picture of him for you to see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One other thing, on the good news side: Come February, I will be able to show you pictures of a new grandbaby! My daughter Ashleigh, will be having baby #2! I don't know if it will be a girl or boy, so all baby items will be pastel colours. For her last baby, I was knitting booties for a girl when she was in labour! This will be grandbaby #11, and if that doesn't make one feel old, I don't know what would!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It seems like summer finally decided to stick around. The temps have been in the high 70's to the low 80's. We have been having the occasional showers, but not the rains that other places seem to be having. Most of the farmers have all their crops planted and it is lovely to look at. I hopefully will be getting some flowers this weekend. Still haven't planted much, which makes me a tad sad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What are your plans for the weekend? I will be watching my granddaughter for a bit on Saturday and Sunday and that fills up the days! At 17 months, she is a ball of fire! She will be 2 years and a few weeks when her brother or sister arrives. I think she will make a wonderful sister :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I'll stop gabbing for now. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I hope all of you have a splendid day. Get outside, listen to the birds, smell a rose. It's the little things that make life full.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Deb</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-9393098073678414812015-04-05T06:28:00.000-07:002015-04-05T06:28:29.063-07:00On this beautiful day<div>
Happy Easter to you! If you do not celebrate Easter, celebrate the wonders of life. To see miracles, just look around you. There is nothing more miraculous than the birth of a child. Go outside and look at nature, the new flowers working their way up through the soil, the flowering trees, the greening of the grass. Watch the ocean as it comes in to the shore. Walk along the beach and see all of the life that is there. Look up at the night sky and be in awe of the beauty.</div>
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Today I wish for you happiness, good health and love. </div>
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Until next time,</div>
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Deb</div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-4422604808481139612015-03-22T18:19:00.000-07:002015-03-22T18:19:02.796-07:00I Am Living In DenialSo, our weather man/woman/person has once again changed our 5 day outlook. Snow is in his forecast, along with temps between 30 and 40 degrees. I'm not sure, but I think he may be going into witness protection soon. I have already packed away winter items, doesn't he know this? I realize that he is just the messenger, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow. I would like to say that if anyone has actually angered Boreas, please apologize so we may actually get on with Spring!<br />
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Yesterday was the first day in a week that I could function properly. The old grey cells were finally functioning after a week of fibro fog. I thought forming complete sentences or having lucid thoughts were going to elude me forever. The cement feeling also seems to have subsided for now. I have been doing the flush/red face thing, but seeing as I didn't leave the house, no one knew I looked like I had been in the blusher with an oversized brush and a heavy hand at that!!<br />
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I finally was able to finish a book I had started 2 or 3 weeks ago. It was one of the 2 books that I really was having a hard time with finishing. I did do it, if for nothing more than to say I finished! I really hope the book I am starting tonight will not be like this. I may be stepping on toes, but this was a well known author. I realize that everyone can misspell a word, get the punctuation wrong, etc. I would think that your proof-reader should catch that. Again, maybe they just overlooked it. What should have sent the red light flashing was when the book jacket had 3 misspelled words! So, do you say something or not? I know that I would want someone to tell me.<br />
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I started a new crochet project today. It will probably take me a few weeks to finish and when I do I will definitely post pictures. It is a big project, with a number of small things. I really am excited about it and hope it turns out.<br />
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A friend of mine, Joanne Cage, was talking about the things she would like to do this next year. Nothing to outlandish, just things most of us women may have always wanted to do, but never did. So, I searched for this and decided I would post it. I'm sure you all know it.<br />
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Have fun, everyone! What good is life if we are not living it!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Deb<br />
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Jenny Joseph’s “When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple”</h1>
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When I am an old woman I shall wear purple<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And satin sandals, and say we’ve no money for butter.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I shall sit down on the pavement when I’m tired<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And run my stick along the public railings<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And make up for the sobriety of my youth.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />I shall go out in my slippers in the rain<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And pick flowers in other people’s gardens<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And learn to spit.</div>
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You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And eat three pounds of sausages at a go<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Or only bread and pickle for a week<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.</div>
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But now we must have clothes that keep us dry<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And pay our rent and not swear in the street<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />And set a good example for the children.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.</div>
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But maybe I ought to practice a little now?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.</div>
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Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-48661610399677772052015-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:002015-03-20T12:03:13.237-07:00It's Here!Well, according to the calendar, today is the first day of Spring! While the birds are twittering away, the skies do remain rather grey and gloomy and the temp right now is 39. It was said that we should see a high of 53 today, but as it is already 2:20 pm, I think we fell shy! Oh well, at least we can see the brown of the earth with only a small bit of snow.<br />
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Today is also shared with the late Fred Rogers. Mister Rogers would have been 87 today. When Fred moved back to Pittsburgh, he worked with WQED to bring about Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The show first aired on February 19, 1968. I remember watching Mister Rogers, mainly when my sister was small. It was a morning program when I was young, so until it moved to the afternoon time slot, I only watched it during summer vacation.<br />
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The thing I remember the most is not his friends, human or puppet, the wonderful train or his field trips that we were included in. The thing I remember the most is his sweater. I loved that sweater! There was just something about it. It made him real, like a dad was. He would put that sweater on and, for me, he was a dad. He taught you like a dad would. He told you about scary things, whether it was going to the dentist or going to a new school. He let us know that there were scary, bad things in the world, but you didn't need to be afraid. He taught us how to turn around our fear of things. Mister Rogers made me feel safe when those scary things were talked about or were happening.<br />
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I think I was so mesmerized by him because he reminds me so very much of my own dad. My father was very tall and very thin. My father and Mister Rogers had very similar mannerisms. The way they talked, their movements, their dress. Now, I will say that my dad vary rarely wore sneakers, even though he had some. He did wear sweaters. He loved to tell about adventures he had as a boy. He loved children so very much.<br />
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Years later, even after I was an adult, I found out a little about that sweater of Mister Rogers. You see, his mother made all of the sweaters he wore. He once showed all of those sweaters to us, all out of the closet they stayed in. He explained that she made those sweaters out of love. Yarn, needles, her own two hands and love. He said every time he put one on, it helped him remember his mother. <br />
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There are several videos on Vimeo.com about Mister Rogers sweaters and also Mister Rogers singing, throughout all the years, the opening song. I will say that if you cry at the drop of a pin like I do, have some tissues ready! <br />
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I would like to end this by saying I am honored that Mister Fred Rogers allowed me to be his television neighbor for so many years. I miss you so very much. I still smile every time I hear that opening song. Rest well, my neighbor.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
DebDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-81268604719310522012015-03-01T10:08:00.000-08:002015-03-01T10:08:36.224-08:00Happy March!I really did lose February along the way. Not sure how, but I only remember it having maybe 7 days! Is that a sign of getting older? I did turn older this year...55! Thinking of my age started Laura and I thinking about how old her sisters and nieces and nephews will be in correlating with our ages. She'll be 16 this year, so sisters will be 36, 34, 26, 24. Nieces and nephews, well that's a long list. She mostly used Little B's age. When Laura is 20, Little B will be 5 and I will be 59, sisters will be 40, 38, 30, 28. I made her stop thinking this out loud very soon after this! It was giving me headache!<br />
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What do you have going on this month? I have several reading projects, as in finishing up 4 books, writing reviews on Goodreads, Amazon and on my book blog. No, it isn't up yet, but God willing and the creek don't rise (don't you just love sayings like that?), it will be very soon. Speaking of reading, I have a question for you. What do you do when you simple cannot read a book? I am trying to read this book and I am finding I would rather poke my eye with a stick than finish the book! I cannot get past chapter 3. The book is by an author I have read before, just a different series. I have put the book away for several days at a time, but that has not helped. If any of you have any tips/hints, please let me know.<br />
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I have realized of late how many people, I'm talking bloggers, that have come into my life. Let's face it, most of us will never have the opportunity of meeting fellow bloggers. To me, that is okay. I look at blogging as writing a letter. You tell a bit about what is happening for you, ask questions, and sometimes, if you are lucky, you find out that both of you have things in common. Sometimes these are opinions, crafts, your reading genre (love the word genre!), health issues. I have met so many people that have a place in my heart. I get excited when they receive good news, I cry with them when the world throws them into a tail-spin. I have found out about far away places and some very near home. Blogging reminds me of having a phone conversation with the world all at once!<br />
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I would like to leave you with this quote from Flavia Weedn. I am not sure which of her books it is in, possibly Flavia and the Dreammaker. I am sure you have heard it, or a variation, before. It is how I feel about all of you in blogland.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/179541.Flavia_Weedn" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Flavia Weedn</a><br />
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Until next time, dear friends, stay warm and safe. Remember you are special and are loved. Smile at one stranger a day, as it may make all the difference to them.<br />
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With hugs and much love,<br />
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DebDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-48411971525842828302015-02-17T08:33:00.001-08:002015-02-17T08:33:27.101-08:00Small bits of happyGood morning everyone!<br />
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Hope all of you are staying warm if your weather has been the snowy/icy/windy type. So far, it has been much better than last winter here. It is extremely hard to go out in this weather, so please, be kind and make sure there is no one house-bound due to the weather. Just to see a kind face is sometimes all anyone needs to get over cabin fever:)<br />
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The past 3 days I have been hit with the old brain fog. If some of you don't know what that is, feel lucky! It is one of the effects of Fibromyalgia. It is like being drugged, heavily. You know things are going on around you and you hear conversation and noises, but you are very slow to react. Sometimes it lasts for several hours or it can last for days. It makes it hard to think straight and comprehend. That's the part I really hate the most, not thinking straight or comprehending. I have started writing notes about everything and keeping them pinned to my memo board or taped up on my desk. This way I will remember things or ideas that I need to work on. I don't drive anymore due to this. Fibro fog, and the other nice effects this disease has, can hit you at any time. I do not want to be driving and possibly injure someone. There are usually no warning signs, at least for me. That is the thing about this chronic disease. There is no one way that it effects everyone. Anyway, shall we talk about happy things now? Ok, moving on :)<br />
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Have any of you crocheters out there heard of the magazine Simply Crochet? It is a British magazine, and I love it! For years I bought Crochet Today magazine. Sadly, it is no longer in publication. Don't get me started, as I looked forward to it every other month. So, when it no longer was on the newsstands, I went looking and found something I loved even more! Issue 25 of Simply Crochet has many Christmas ideas in it and it also has a pattern for words! By simply crocheting over jewelry wire, you can make any word you want by simply bending it to form words! The examples they use are Christmas words: peace, joy, noel. I was flabbergasted when I realized how simple this was! I am now crocheting up a storm, as I have so many ideas in my head! Once I get several of the words I want done, I will take pics of them. Really, such a simple idea to decorate with :)<br />
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On the subject of pics, I have horrible lighting in this apartment for pictures. Because I live on the bottom level and there are patios above me, light in the living room is next to nil. I can only get good light in my bedroom and I am trying to set my room up so I have a place to always take pictures. Once that is done, I will be posting so many pics you'll tell me to stop!<br />
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I need to go for now. I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week. Remember to say I love you to someone everyday, even if it just your own reflection! Self love matters :)<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Hugs from me to youDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-66560578003942974932015-02-11T20:30:00.001-08:002015-02-11T20:30:19.885-08:00Nothing happening hereHello everyone! How are you doing today? Are you staying indoors and keeping warm? I hope that if you are in these snow storms you are safe. Here in Goshen, IN we are barely seeing snow this year. Very different than last year. I read today that Boston has 77" of snow so far! Where do they put it when they clear the roads? I hope that when it melts, it does so at a very slow pace, to prevent floods.<br />
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This week seems to be going by fast some days and drag on for others. Today was a fast day and a tiring one. My daughter Ashleigh came by and picked up Laura and myself so we could get groceries. We went to Target, which is never a fast trip! We always look at everything when we are there! I always look in the section at the front that has seasonal and holiday items for $1-$3. I try to pick up the small spools of ribbon, bakers' twine, starters pots of flowers and herbs. We also look at baby clothes for Little B and cat items for our Leo. Most of the time we get our few grocery items there, especially when they have sells! Some things, like milk, is usually more expensive and so a trip to Aldi's also happens. I also got a hair cut. I have been growing it out over the last year and it was getting very shaggy. So, I had the sweet beautician cut it up to my shoulders, which meant a 3.5 to 4.5 inches off! I feel odd with it up to my shoulders! Now as it grows out more, it will be healthy and nice looking. After all of this, I came home, put on my pj's and collapsed! I don't know if it is my Fibro, getting older and in the need to shape-up, but it really makes me tired and achy. That's enough moaning for now!<br />
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Do any of you suffer from OCD (obsessive crochet disorder)? I think I have started 3 or 4 new projects this week. It's not like I didn't have enough already! I'm make cute little hearts for Valentine's Day for Laura, still working on a pair of socks/slippers for her, working on 4 blankets and then all sorts of small, easy items. I'm making things for a Spring wreath, so that will be flowers, leaves, perhaps a baby bunny or chick or bird also. No real pattern, just making it as I go. I'm also starting to do an on-line class with Hands Occupied. The course is by Heidi, a librarian, that knits, crochets and DIYs. I do know how to knit, but I taught myself years ago and really want some kind of structure to my learning. The class is free and she gives us a little something every week to do. Check out her blog at handsoccupied.com.<br />
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I'm on a reading kick also this week. I'm reading Fry Another Day by J.J.Cook, Under An English heaven by Alice Boatwright (which I have finished ) and the first 2 books in the Someday Quilt series. Do you read more than one book at a time? I don't really have a problem doing that, but I am positive I could never write more than 1 book at a time. I would have the characters in all the wrong books, people talking when they really died 3 chapters ago and just general mayhem!<br />
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Well, I'm off to warm up my rice bag for my neck and am going to get comfy in bed, read a couple of chapters and hopefully sleep. Sleep has not been happening much. One of the lovely things that happen to us with chronic diseases. <br />
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Until next time, be safe, hug those you love (tell them you love them, too) and remember that you are special and beautiful just the way you are :)<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Deb<br />
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<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-58929632492733818332015-02-05T17:03:00.000-08:002015-02-05T17:03:26.539-08:00Will I Ever LearnI thought I'd chat with you for just a few moments tonight. I've been watching my grand-baby today, She just turned 1 in January and does she keep you on your toes! She is toddling around pretty well now and she is a hoot! Some of the faces she makes and when she has something to tell you about, it really is hard not to laugh!! She gets very dramatic and waves her hands and makes faces. She's adorable :)<br />
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So, the last few days I have been reading tons of opinions about this new book that Miss Harper Lee is going to release. There is so much that I really don't want to believe about it. From what I gather, the person that 'found' this lost book is a lawyer in the law firm that Miss Harper's sister worked in and who (whom?), after the retirement of the sister, took over the financial aspects of the sisters. Miss Harper's sister dies and shortly afterwards, this lost book appeared and Miss Harper gave permission to have it published.<br />
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So, here's where I get a tad upset. I found out that Miss Harper is deaf, mostly blind and doesn't understand much any more. It has been said that she'll sigh anything you want her to. She doesn't know any better. With her sister gone, there is no one to protect her. How could someone do this? I have no doubt that Miss Harper wrote that book, which would be wonderful to read, but at what cost? I just don't know how to feel about this now. I really hope that 'it all comes out in the wash', the WHOLE truth. I am now going to need to keep up on this. I won't read or purchase the book if it means lining the pocket of someone that has no right to it. Okay, enough of that for now. It just really gets me upset!<br />
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So, what plans do you have for this weekend coming up? I will have 2 whole days with nothing to do, so I am working on finishing up the last few details to have my book review blog up and running! I have already written up some reviews of the last several books I have read. But, I have a super 1st review that I am lining up and I am so excited about it! I will be interviewing the author of the book!! So very, very exciting for me!! So, when all is ready, I will post it on here with a link. I do hope you will visit the blog.<br />
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Well, I think I will go for now. I hope the weather isn't giving too many of you difficulties. I think it should just be rather cold here now, with no snow in the forecast. Have a fun weekend and remember to keep those you love close to your heart, even when they are far away.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Hugs from me to youDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-3142685178829248612015-02-03T12:03:00.000-08:002015-02-03T12:03:02.577-08:00Have you heard the news?Good afternoon everyone! It has stopped snowing here, at least for now, but may start again tonight. We have about 12" on the ground, but the drifts are enormous! The high tomorrow is to be 11, so I'll be wearing socks, thick jeans, sweaters, fingerless gloves and that's inside the house! I get cold real easy and then I can't get warm. It has to do with my fibromyalgia. I hardly ever over-heat unless it's very humid. I'd much rather get cold!!! You can add clothes if need be. It becomes a tad embarrassing if I overheat :)<br />
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I'm still working on setting up my book review blog. I am pretty sure that it will be tomorrow, but I'll let you know. I have so many books to read. Is there ever enough time to read? This month I will be getting my things out of storage (!!!!) and will be putting my bookshelves up around the apartment. I am so excited to have all my books finally! It's like Christmas and seeing good friends all at once! I am hoping to buy a Kindle soon (girls, are you reading this? Birthday month!). I have Kindle on my computer, but even though it is a small laptop, it is awkward to read books on it. To date, I think I have 120 books on it! I can't get enough books!!! I am very picky when I put things on the Kindle for computer. I make sure it is a book I will read, but do you realize how many wonderful books there are out there? Anyway, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for an actual Kindle and will be working toward my book blog reveal! Now, to the news.<br />
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I don't know how it affected you guys, but when I found out this morning that Harper Lee wrote another book that pre-dates To Kill A Mockingbird and it is going to be released in July, I almost went through the roof!!! Oh my stars I am so excited!! I have always loved Harper Lee and would be honored if I ever had the chance to meet her. The book is entitled Go Set A Watchman. It is to go on sell July 14 and in America will be published by Harper Collins. I am not sure if I will calm down before July, but I know that I will be in Do-Not-Disturb mode from the 14th until I finish the book! Be still be heart!<br />
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I hope all of you are staying warm. If you are living in the areas with this snowstorm, please take extra care when traveling. Stay home, stay warm and if you know of someone that may be in difficulties due to this weather, help them out. It's all about being there for one another.<br />
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Until next time, safe blessing are coming your way. Remember to love, laugh and live everyday. Hugs from me to you.<br />
DebDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-16960518405676380892015-02-01T13:56:00.000-08:002015-02-01T13:56:41.143-08:00Happy February!Well, I decided to skip January altogether. It was a month that dragged by, at least it seemed like that to me. I couldn't focus on reading or writing or crocheting. Maybe it was just a bad Fibro month for me. I did start some books and some crochet projects, even cut out some new sewing projects, but none of them are finished.<br />
Today is February 1st and I think winter is making up for time lost! It started snowing in the early morning and has not stopped. So far, we have 9" and are projected to get 10"-15"!! I don't know how it really looks outside of my apartment complex. We are off the main street, but our complex is not looking good. We get drifting back here and as of an hour ago, I can't see any sidewalk, the parking lot looks bad, we have drifting up to our windows (bottom floor apartment) and it looked almost like white-out conditions! Hopefully it doesn't stick around for long. Going out to the grocers is almost a must, but there's always pancakes at the ready!<br />
How many of you are watching the Superbowl? Until people mentioned it in their blogs or on Facebook, I didn't realize it was today! I haven't followed football of a while. I liked following it when I was younger and my Dad was alive. We lived in El Paso, Texas and it was a given thing that you rooted for the Dallas Cowboys! I was the rebel; my team was the Redskins! If my Dad and I talked football, he would talk about the players for Dallas. I would say I didn't know this or that because I didn't follow the Cowboys. He'd just shake his head and smile. I was definitely the odd one out!<br />
I'm in the process of starting a book review blog. I hope to review at least once a week and will be covering different genres. While mysteries are my first love, I have come out of my comfort zone and expanded my tastes. I will be occasionally reviewing crafting books as well. I hope to have this done this week. I am also going to be blogging more. I always have so much to say and when it comes time to type it all out, I think my fingers and brain are on different plains!<br />
I hope all of you will be safe during these winter storms. Drive slow and careful and avoid going out unless it really is an emergency. Coffee, tea, toilet paper and peanut butter denotes emergency trip in our house :)<br />
Until next time,<br />
Deb<br />
<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-71094310534962136612014-12-15T06:00:00.001-08:002014-12-15T06:00:27.059-08:00December...so farIt's been a funny sort of month. So many small things have happened. Some big things, too. The weather is crazy for this time of year. This time last year, Indiana was covered in snow. Here in Goshen, we had snow that almost came up to my windows and temps were never above 20 degrees. This year? Well, it seems that Indiana thinks it is now California! We had a brief snow, lasting for several hours, but melted within a day. We have days that might have dipped down to 34, but more days that have been in the high 40's. Today they predicate 50! I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop, or, actually, the other snowflake!<br />
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The good news that made the month? My daughter, Ashleigh, is now engaged! As a mom, we always want the best for our children. All of my older daughters have been in a marriage that has not worked out for them and has ended in divorce. Very sad, that is. Always breaks your heart. Ashleigh has had her share of heartache. Now, she is so happy with her guy, John. He is so very kind and loving. He has been with her for over a year and has helped her in ways I will never know. He adores Ashleigh's daughter, Little B and B adores him! In fact, he is the person she walked to first! Yep, Little B took her first steps about 2 weeks ago! It is always a wonder to see those first steps. It helps us remember that the little things count the most. I also experienced something that made my heart soar. John came to me and asked if I would allow him to marry Ashleigh! I have never had any of the guys asked that before! I'm not sure, but I truly think that it was love at first sight for John! He really is a remarkable man and I am so glad he loves Ashleigh and B so much. <br />
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On the sad side of this month, Laura and I lost our dear, sweet cat, Keeko, on Dec. 11. He found us one crisp October morning in 2006. No one in the neighborhood had ever seen him before and no one claimed him, so he became part of our family. He never even flinched when Laura named him Keeko. He was a blessing to us. As years progressed and situations changed, he was a constant for us both. He became a therapy animal for Laura. He was always there when she needed him. He had this way about him, always knowing when Laura or I needed some love. He would come up to us and just lay his head on us. His purring was always so soothing, even though it was, at times, as loud as a Hoover!<br />
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I am trying to not stress out this holiday season. Not only is it bad for health reasons, but stressing out over the holidays just takes all of the fun out! So many new things this holiday; new baby, new fiance, no Keeko. Happy with the sad. But isn't that life?<br />
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I hope all of you are keeping the holiday season stress-free. Remember what the season is about: love, family, beliefs. Don't let commercialism invade. Hugs and kisses are worth more than any other gift you can give.<br />
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Until next time, be happy this holiday season. Hug, love, laugh. That's what makes life worth it all.<br />
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Hugs to you all,<br />
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Deb<br />
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<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-34488835141711184862014-11-27T07:41:00.000-08:002014-11-27T07:41:01.304-08:00Just a noteI would like to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope all of you are spending the day with those you love and care about, whether it is family or friends. Eat a good meal, have a laughter filled day and always remember to be thankful for all you have. It doesn't take a mansion and a million dollars to be happy. Happiness is in the heart.<br />
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Warmest wishes,<br />
Deb<br />
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P.S. I'm messing around with the look of my blog, so please forgive the mess! Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-6304410645078159062014-11-09T12:57:00.004-08:002014-11-09T13:50:28.167-08:00Remembering<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK. The Queen, members of the Royal family and others laid wreaths at the Cenotaph. The Tower of London has a magnificent display of 888,246 ceramic poppies. It is breathtaking to see pictures of it. I am sure it is overwhelming in person. Starting Wednesday, 8,000 volunteers will start taking them up and the poppies will be on a tour until 2018. If you have a chance to see them, whether in person or just in pictures, it is a site not soon forgotten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here in America, Tuesday, November 11, will mark our Veterans' Day. Through the years there have been so many, many people who've lost their lives fighting for our freedom. I have members of my family that have been in different branches of service. In fact, my father and my mothers' brother were on the same ship to Korea and did not know it for many years. This, of course, was before they actually were my father and uncle! My ex-husband served in the Army for 20 years, all of which I was with him. We must also remember the families of these services members, as they also served our country. Military life is hard, even under the best of circumstances. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, November 9, also marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This is a part of history that I was privileged to be a part of. My ex-husband, myself and most of our children lived in Berlin for 6 years. Some of the years were lived inside of the Wall, some lived after the Wall fell. As strange as it may sound, it was never noticeable that life in Berlin, prior to the fall, was any different from anywhere else. Yes, their was a wall around us, but there was so much life in that city, that unless you actually were near the Wall, you could remain oblivious. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The entire city of Berlin was not all enclosed, only the West section. The East section was run by the Russians, the West by the Four Powers, each having their own section. The Wall was actually two different walls, one on the Russian side, one on our side. Both walls were topped with barbed wire. In between the two walls were land mines. Yes, you read that right, land mines. On both perspective sides there were guard towers. Our guard towers had soldiers keeping watch, so did theirs. The difference? Our guards tried to help get the fleeing people to our side safely. Theirs tried to kill the fleeing people. Many a time did we hear gun fire and knew someone was trying to escape to the West. Some made it, others didn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The night the Wall fell was really a glitch, a misunderstanding. But it was a night like no other. Myself, along with 2 friends, made our way down to Checkpoint Charlie. Checkpoint Charlie was where all people went through to get from West to East or East to West. When we made it to the checkpoint, there was already a mob of people, on both sides of the checkpoint. As more and more people on our side arrived, the crowd was pushed forward, coming very close to the East side. All at once, the East side had twice the amount of guards, all linking arms and all with guns pointed at us. Due to the crowd pushing and shoving, my friends and I were getting separated. I was pushed forward at a very fast rate. With one great shove, I was thrown into the East side and I couldn't back up. Three guards then pulled me, trying to take me with them. My friends spotted this and started pulling me the other way, shouting that I was American and they couldn't do this. Trust me when I say I know how the poor taffy feels in a taffy pull!! My friends, along with other strangers, finally pulled me back to safety and we decided we would try and make it to Brandenburg Gate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the time we reached Brandenburg, news crews were already present. We made our way through the crowd and could almost touch the Wall. It was then we realized who was directly in front of us: Tom Brokaw!! I must say he was a very nice man. He talked with us as his crew were setting up the cameras and lights. As this was happening, Eastern guards were mounting their side of the Wall and aiming guns and water cannons at us! They started to spray us with water (which is NOT like running in a sprinkler! ), as they thought it would force us to leave. It didn't work and in time they stopped. My friends and I stayed while Mr. Brokaw reported. We were so close to him, we were reading the teleprompter as he was! It was truly a night to remember.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the following days and weeks, so many changes happened, some very fast. I remember walking with my girls down to where the closest opening was in our neighborhood. We walked from our side, over plywood that acted as safe passage, to the East of Berlin. What struck me was how it all was the same . I don't mean financially, as the East was very poor. But the people? They were amazing! They laughed and talked and hugged us. Many times all that was said by us was "Welcome!" and they would say "Thank you!". The guards came across from their towers and would talk and laugh with our guards. Many of them shared cigarettes and food. All were trying to understand why there had been a Wall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have never had the chance to go back to Berlin. Looking at pictures of how it has changed over the years always makes me very emotional. There were so many, many people that suffered over the years. Many families became separated from each other, some never seeing each other again. It seems all so senseless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many festivities are going on in Berlin this week. My favourite is the white balloons that go along the path where the Wall stood. Singers, former mayors and Presidents from countries that made up the Four Powers are there. It is a time for remembrance, of what was and what will be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How many people in the world have been touched by war? Families, soldiers, generations. All have felt the effects. While remembering them all, we must also not forget that remembering should not be only on a certain day. We must always remember. We must teach our children, and our grandchildren, what war does. War touches everyone in some way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, stop and remember them all, from all the wars and conflicts. Remember their families, their friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All my love goes out to them all, everywhere, no matter who they are or what country they are in. We must remember so we can stop it happening ever again. For our children and for all generations to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wishing you love and peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Until next time,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deb</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Note: For all of you wearing a Poppy for Remembrance Day or for Veterans' Day: Make sure your leaf is pointing to the place the 11 would be on the clock. It symbolizes 11th hour,11th day, 11th month.</span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-3635470998286320832014-09-19T07:27:00.001-07:002014-09-20T05:32:20.239-07:00Hello!Good morning! I hope all of you are well and the sun is shining where you are. I know for part of America, there are wildfires and floods. I hope if you reside in those places, you are safe.<br />
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I think I might be one of the few Americans that stayed up last night and watched the voting in Scotland. I am pleased that they voted to stay. I read there are promises that are to be carried out and I hope that they happen. <br />
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What do you think would happen if some of the states wanted to break away from the United States? Would it ever happen? I'm not sure if I would want to be witness to it happening. I think that there would be much violence and it would become a great hardship on the people that lived there. In a country that has been trying to convert to the metric system since I have been alive, I think that breaking away would never happen.<br />
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Changes are happening in our little home. Next Friday will be Laura's last day in public school. We have thought long and hard about it and she will be finishing her high school years online. She hadn't been in public school until grade 7 and while she is getting all A's, the stress it puts on her and the inability to actually concentrate in a room full of talking people is really starting to make her anxiety worse. Off the scales worse. So, once again, she will delve into the home-schooling experience. She is really happy about this and she will be able to take more classes than at her school, which is a very good school.<br />
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Not much is planned for us this weekend. I will start making hats and scarves today when my yarn is delivered! I love getting new yarn! It makes me so happy! This is going to be burgundy and gold. Laura and her boyfriend love The Game of Thrones and these are the Lassiter House colours. Hope I got that right. I don't watch it and do get corrected when I get things wrong :)<br />
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I am going to leave you with a quote from one of my favourite Mary Englebreit drawings. Seeing that all of Miss Englebreit's drawings are not to be used anywhere else, I will not be able to show it to you. The quote is from Brenda Ueland, who was a journalist, writer and teacher of writing.<br />
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<i>If I did not have torn pants, orthopedic shoes, frantic disheveled hair, that is to say, if did not tone down my beauty, people would go mad. Married men would run amuck.</i><br />
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Google the print. Trust me, the picture is totally me :)<br />
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Until next time, many lovely days for you, my friends.<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Deb<br />
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<i>note: that is Lannister House. Knew I had it wrong :)</i>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-69913828886932841352014-09-11T03:55:00.002-07:002014-09-11T03:55:49.364-07:00RememberingI didn't know for sure if I wanted to post today. I have such mixed feelings about war and the things that are labeled conflicts. I do not like that word, conflicts. It is just war, plain and simple.<br />
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There are many Americans who have never been touched by war. Please, consider yourself lucky if it applies to you. If you have never had a need to worry if your husband, wife, daughter, son or a friend is coming home at night, consider yourself lucky. If you have never stared at a television for hours on end, hoping beyond hope that you catch a glimpse of a loved one to assure yourself they are safe, consider yourself lucky.<br />
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When I was married, my husband served in the Army. One always realizes that this might mean your spouse will be called up for a war, but, at the same time, you really never think it will happen to you. My husband never actually left to go to the front lines. He was intelligence, and they fought another way. Except when we lived in Berlin. At the time we lived there, Berlin was a city behind the Iron Curtain. At night, you could hear gun fire, as people tried to escape to the West, to freedom. You saw that big, concrete Wall, the barbed wire, the No Mans' Land with the land mines. It was always there, yet it became something that we overlooked.. Really, what would ever happen to us? We were Americans, helping out, not really at war. Then came the bombing.<br />
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The La Belle Disco, on April 5, 1986 was bombed. Three people died and over two hundred others were injured. This was a place that was very popular with the service members. Many of those injured worked with my ex-husband. After that night, war was staring us in the face.<br />
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Life changed. We no longer could walk anywhere we wanted, any time we wanted. We were searched going into our houses, searched going into our Commisary and PX. Our children were searched going onto their school bus, at school and tanks and armed soldiers accompanied their buses and guarded their schools.<br />
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The morning of the September 11 bombings, started out so peaceful for my family. We were back in America, where it was safe. I was homeschooling two of my daughters at the time and Laura was still a toddler. We never had the television on, but for some reason, that morning I decided to watch the morning news while the girls got dressed. For the rest of the day, I never moved from where I was sitting. The shock of war being on our land was overwhelming. That evening, I invited my neighbors to dinner. That was just one night of many that we all sat around a table. We felt safer in numbers. Candles on our porch and our windows were always on. Our flag always flew. The one thing that I started seeing were the banners in windows. The Gold Star Moms. All these years later, there are still banners in windows. Moms and wives still hoping. Still waiting.<br />
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This morning, as I was going through Bloglovin', I came across a post on The Last Word On Nothing. The post is by Christie Aschwanden. Please, go there and read the post. I cried and cried as I read it. She was a child of a service member on active duty at the time of September 11.<br />
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Let us not forget those that keep us safe, here on our own soil and those elsewhere in the world. Don't forget for a minute, as that is where we begin to take things for granted.<br />
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If you are out today and happen to see a service member in uniform, stop him and thank him for his job. I do it all the time. It can be a very thankless job. A job that people sometimes turn their backs on.<br />
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Today, be safe. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you. There may be a time when you will be that wife, mother, sister, brother that is waiting and watching. Hopefully, that will never happen. Pray for peace.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Deb<br />
<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-37512676876504450412014-09-09T17:02:00.001-07:002014-09-09T17:02:25.932-07:00AutumnGood Morning! I'd like to say that Autumn has begun, but we still have several days of 80 degree temps. Starting Thursday, it looks promising, as the highs will be in the low 60's.<br />
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When I was growing up, I lived in El Paso, Texas. It was a desert. It was very common to have temps in the high 90's by April and in the 100's by the end of May. I love that kind of heat! It feels good on the skin and the bones have no aches. We didn't have central air. We had what is known as a swamp cooler. Ours was on our roof and I longed for my Dad to get up there and hook up the water, change the pads( I don't know what they were made of, but they crunched), and turn in on. Not so much because I was hot, but because of the smell. It was wonderful! You could smell the water. It had the smell of Spring, like when it rains or when you cut your grass for the first time in the season. Those smells always bring back the memory of Spring to me.<br />
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Summer was always fun for me. I was an only child for my first 9 years, but I was never lonely. I had a dog, which I trained for dog shows, and Summer was when I did more training. I was blessed to have a library around the corner from me and I was always there! I could spend hours there. I became the reader I am because my Dad instilled it in me. I had 2 peach trees in my backyard that my Dad planted for me when I was 4. I couldn't wait for the buds to appear, as it signaled Spring!<br />
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Winter really never was around my city. Sure, to us it seemed like Winter, as the temps went down to 40, but it only snowed twice in my 18 years of living there: the day I was born and when I was 12. Both times the snow was gone by noon. I did own a wool hat and gloves, both a present from my Dad and I still have them!<br />
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The season that means the most to me is Autumn. I think it is the most beautiful season. The leaves on the trees change to such rich colours. The fields turn the gold colour that signals harvest. The night skies seem to be brighter and the moon...well what can one say about a harvest moon. Nothing smells as good as Autumn. Not only the woods, with their musky, rich scents, but the food. Sure, a summer grill is a smell sensation, but nothing beats an Autumn grill! We have a lot of tail-gating going on here, as we are near Notre Dame. The stadium and parking lots are abundant with sausage, brats and burger smells. At home, there are the soups and stews in the crock-pots and on the back burners. Maple and pumpkin pancakes, muffins and even coffees! Pies seem more the mood of the season and one can never stop eating them! <br />
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The other thing I love about Autumn are the colours in the clothes. Sure, you can wear all the shades anytime, but they seem to be more brilliant in the Autumn. Burgundies are are richer, oranges are deeper, greens seem stronger. The Autumn colours seem to blend easier, flowing better. I am always hoping for the cool mornings and evenings. There is nothing I love more than sitting outside, sipping a hot cider or a spiced coffee, feeling that cool air and snuggling up in an over-sized sweater. Who doesn't like watching the steam swirl around your mug of warm goodness? Or your breath making those little puffs when you exhale? Yes, I am so looking forward to the beginning of Autumn!<br />
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I must go for now. Laura is home from school today, so I need to make her breakfast. Yesterday was hard on her at school and she had several anxiety episodes, so I've kept her home, hoping it will help calm her down. <br />
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I hope your day is going well. Remember that there is always something to be happy about. Sometimes it can be something as small as a smile from a stranger. Maybe you can be that stranger for someone else.<br />
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Until next time, stay safe, tell those around you how much you love them, and remember you are never really alone.<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Deborah<br />
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( sorry this doesn't have any photos, I have my 7 month old grand-daughter and it was all I could do to type)<br />
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<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-82193318986925967902014-09-04T05:38:00.001-07:002014-09-04T05:38:58.558-07:00I love mail!<span style="font-size: large;">I have always loved receiving mail. It really doesn't matter if it is a letter or parcel, I love it. It makes me think that something special is about to happen. Not that I mind getting an e-mail or a text (when I had a cell phone), but nothing is better than a letter or parcel. It means someone took their time to do something for you. Just an opinion, and I'm old, so that explains that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the last ten days I have been a happy camper when I went to my mailbox, as I received not 1, not 2 but 3 lovely surprises! The first was the latest edition of Simply Crochet Magazine. It is filled with wonderful, colourful crochet ideas! A sweater that is just right for Autumn, or Spring, done in a cashmere silk yarn. The tote bag, done in Tunisian crochet, with swans floating around it, will be one that I will start after Christmas. There is a bunting that has ice cream cones worked into it. Adorable for summer! The gift for this month is an owl key ring. I am working that for Laura's birthday. And, as always, an article from Attic 24's Lucy. She shows us amazing mandalas, which are being used for Yarndale 2014. In need of a colour fix? That will do the job!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next, I received a book/magazine which I had ordered from Simply Crochet, entitled Your Crochet Home. It contains 115 patterns and is another colour fest! Several blankets, a lampshade (which is now on my list of to-dos!), pillows, jar cozies, basket liner. The thing I have been wanting to try is crochet picture frames and hoop art and both are in this! Can't wait to start in on these!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have saved the best for last. It was a book that I had been waiting for and it also became the first mail I received from New Zealand! What was it, you may be asking? Why it was Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon! This is an adorable book written by Kate Bruning, who writes the Greedy For Colour blog. Let me tell you a little about Kate and Stanley, in case you have not had the pleasure of meeting them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kate lives in New Zealand with her husband Jonno and her two sons Archie and Hugo. Kate has a wonderful imagination and is not afraid to use it and to show us how to use ours. She has a love of colour, which you can see through her crochet, and her home. Even the books she reads and blogs about have colourful covers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kate not only creates for her family and home, she has been featured in Simply Crochet Magazine several times. Her projects have been on the cover twice (that I know of), and in issue 22 her son, Archie, is featured, talking about children and crochet. Stanley is also featured in the issue. Now on to Stanley!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkG2rF-_2Jv-T8dH9Xc4IMi-RfAcHmSf0WCPguSuIGqGgcjTMDwSm6Z8S9rvVo4LsFlj-5Q2pQ1DdHgXor-Tgr9YbaE41beydSIAcilfmE2vjpgg7ci56pa1rGdK-brea1GiDJuP5VQU/s1600/Picture+disc+1+389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkG2rF-_2Jv-T8dH9Xc4IMi-RfAcHmSf0WCPguSuIGqGgcjTMDwSm6Z8S9rvVo4LsFlj-5Q2pQ1DdHgXor-Tgr9YbaE41beydSIAcilfmE2vjpgg7ci56pa1rGdK-brea1GiDJuP5VQU/s1600/Picture+disc+1+389.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Who is this Stanley fellow and why is he in a hot air balloon? Well, Stanley is a rabbit who is craving a little adventure. He wants to see new places and meet new people but is unfortunately stuck on the ground. His mother has given Stanley a balloon, for being a good little rabbit, but he wants more. When he has a bit of a fit (really, Stanley is a very good rabbit most of the time), his mother tucks him into bed. This is when the adventures start for Stanley! No more will be revealed about the adventure, as it would be too much of a spoiler, and you really must get this book and read about it yourself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, Kate has wrote this lovely story, but it doesn't end there. She has made a whole world for Stanley! His house is amazing and his mother is a cute mommy rabbit. Kate has made table, chairs, mushrooms, mice, blankets and rugs. She has even designed the hot air balloon! My favourite is the baby nursery! Seriously, you must get this book! It is a work of art! The best thing is that patterns for Stanley and many of the things in the pictures are in the back of the book! Kate also has posted instructions for some of the items on her blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now Kate would be modest about all of this, but she needs not be. She is a master crafter and combined with her wonderful sense of imagination, she does brilliant things! I would like to point out that her husband Jonno and her two sons, Archie and Hugo, helped her create the wonderful world of Stanley. This family truly crafts some amazing things!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGGfrT0y2bQcdMS-RMb8R29cbWTpAqO4RoYMZzNpPQfAr9273tvDLL2GZEsX3Gt0ZfCdaKnSIbHNKgt1J6GcT2qTp6-W1E0Sej0guTn0g3Tgc0Ux8FiCzTK5qQaSQ3ybpuFK2mFYe9SI/s1600/Picture+disc+1+391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGGfrT0y2bQcdMS-RMb8R29cbWTpAqO4RoYMZzNpPQfAr9273tvDLL2GZEsX3Gt0ZfCdaKnSIbHNKgt1J6GcT2qTp6-W1E0Sej0guTn0g3Tgc0Ux8FiCzTK5qQaSQ3ybpuFK2mFYe9SI/s1600/Picture+disc+1+391.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All of my family is delighted with this book. My daughter Laura, who is an amazing artist, thought it was wonderful, especially when she found out that Kate and her family made everything you see in the book. My daughter Ashleigh could not believe it either. But I took it to the toughest critic anyone can have: I showed it to my grand-daughter. Now mind you, Little B is only 7 months old, but she thought it was wonderful! I sat her on my lap, and told her who each bunny was, pointed out all the things on the pages. She would look at what I pointed to, then look at me and burble on in her baby talk! When I got to the part when Stanley is in the balloon, she went nuts! Banging on the book, looking up at me, yelling something in baby talk! She really loves this book!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbyOohR5VcHWJZnvXnUCDXTfXf1kCO5DsOED-vQ8uvslR3kQnFH1xdR7qZf75x1IHFUu58IK6GQZp76ZQAsEZ-wcmqwTvziRrKoNN6FzlngJ6BXLmRBolO3hu53TPiaSQ6fDhDGBEgHU/s1600/Picture+disc+1+395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbyOohR5VcHWJZnvXnUCDXTfXf1kCO5DsOED-vQ8uvslR3kQnFH1xdR7qZf75x1IHFUu58IK6GQZp76ZQAsEZ-wcmqwTvziRrKoNN6FzlngJ6BXLmRBolO3hu53TPiaSQ6fDhDGBEgHU/s1600/Picture+disc+1+395.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For Christmas, Laura and I are making some of the things in the book for Little B. I'll share the pics when we have finished. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My, this was a long post! I really am trying to post more. I just need to tell life to stop being crazy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do hope all of you had an amazing summer! It still is hot here for September, but I'll take it. Although I can't wait for all the leaves to change colour!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Until next time, remember to live life! Get outside, talk to new people, eat new foods, read a new book. Take advantage of all the good things the world has to give. Me, I'm trying a little something new each day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a good week. Remember, there's always tomorrow and it will be a new day to start again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many hugs,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Deb</span></div>
Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-65090677622195296462014-08-04T15:57:00.000-07:002014-08-04T15:57:41.650-07:00Not what I wanted to doI had a blog about all my summer doings that was rolling around in my mind. It was to be filled with pictures of projects I had started or finished, what we had done during this school break, etc. Well, it will need to wait. This morning, as I was rinsing out my hair, my back decided it need to stop me in my tracks! About twice a year, my back decides to totally take over my life and go on strike! So I have been sitting on the couch, heat on my back, still in my pj's, all day long! Laura hooked up my laptop for me (thank goodness it is light weight), but it would be a very big hassle to find the space to hook up my passport which has all of my photos! So, for now, no pics.<br />
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This summer is going by quickly. Laura starts school on Thursday of this week. I still find it hard to believe that my youngest is going to be a high school sophomore! Am I really that old? This will be the last year she will attend full time high school. Starting her junior year, she will be attending a technical school, half day, to study cosmetology. She has always had a love of hair styling and makeup, so she has decided to get her license. She plans on becoming an animator, so while she learns that field, she will be able to have a job to support herself. Not that I'm kicking her out! I really wouldn't know what to do with myself if she wasn't here. <br />
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I've been keeping myself occupied this summer with several crochet projects. I crocheted 2 buntings, using a pattern Lucy, of attitc24, wrote for Simply Crochet Magazine. I made two because I couldn't decide between blue or pink bunting. One can never have too much bunting! I also made the cushion cover and tote that Lucy designed. All of the patterns came from Simply Crochet magazine. I'm also starting a jacket and scarf for Laura's birthday. Where were these patterns from? Simply Crochet magazine! Now, I'm not being paid for this, I just love the magazine! It is the only treat I give myself and I cannot wait for it to be delivered to me! I found out about it from Lucy's blog. Starting with issue 14, Lucy began writing an article. She talks about various crochet goodness, from colour to stitches, and how it has influenced her life. She has colour ideas that I love! Bright and full of life! So, as soon as I can actually walk back to my room and use the computer there, I will have pics for you of all my crochet goodies!<br />
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I am going to eat my dinner now, so I'll wish you a good evening. Until next time, enjoy life to the fullest! Share a laugh with someone and treat yourself to something special!<br />
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Hugs,<br />
Deb<br />
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<br />Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-51274653499507269592014-07-29T19:45:00.000-07:002014-07-29T19:45:06.428-07:00Just ThoughtsPlease excuse the look of my blog. I'm still messing around with it and trying to find the look I like. Not there yet, so please, bear with me.<br />
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I have just read Brenda's blog today, cozylittlehouse.com, and it brings up a subject that seems to be shied away from in blog land: divorce and how it affects us.<br />
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Some of us are very lucky and we find that knight in shining armor on the first try. We live in the castle and have children that are always happy and good, have a wonderful day every day...you get the picture. Don't get me wrong, I wish the best for each of you, always. We do need to be honest though and just say that not every one is that lucky, which is very unfortunate.<br />
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Me...well, I married right after high school graduation to a man that I knew since I was 5. Yep, we met in kindergarten and married after high school. He joined the Army and we lived in America and in Europe. We saw history in the making when we lived in Berlin. We had 5 daughters and 11 grandchildren. We went to church on Sunday and Wednesdays, I home schooled 3 of our daughters, was a stay at home mom our whole marriage. If you saw us out and about as a family, you would have thought we had it all together, we were a happy family, one younger couples would want to be like. But then came behind closed doors.<br />
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Do we ever know another person, really know what makes them tick? I thought I did. After 33 years of raising children, taking care of everyday needs, moving around the world, away from friends and family for 20 years, he up and divorced me. I really should have been shocked, but truth is, I suspected he would do it much sooner.<br />
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You see, under that facade of the perfect family, there was abuse. Not physical, but I think that verbal and mental abuse can be just as hurtful. He came from an abusive family, one that was physically and mentally abusive. I guess I thought I could make it better, fix the problem. I couldn't. I hung in there, tried for 33 years to teach him about love and compassion. Can you teach those things? Maybe he just didn't want to learn.<br />
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Divorce always has some type of effect on all the others-the children, the families, the friends. You just hope everyone can heal and move on with their lives. For my family, it's been hard. My 4 older children, all married with their own children, have learned that their mom wasn't the wack-job their father tried to pass me off as. They found out that I put up with so much mental abuse and cruelty, just so we could survive. I never worked outside the home. Some of my girls thought that I was just lazy and wanted their father to take care of me. I didn't work so he didn't get abusive to them, which I was always afraid of. He always said it wouldn't cost effective for me to work. I think he didn't want me to see what was out there in the world. Probably afraid I'd take the girls and leave. He couldn't afford that child support!!<br />
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Three years down the road, we have all tried to move on. He got married 8 months after our divorce was final, to the friend I thought was my close friend. Nice, huh? But that's another story. The girls really don't talk much to their father. Hopefully, he can see what he has done, how he has hurt them and ask for their forgiveness. But I won't hold my breath.<br />
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What does this all have to do with a blog? Not much. But it shows that we, as people and bloggers, need to realize that it's okay to have problems, to not show a happy face all the time. We need to be real. But, I think, in a way, it helps us all realize that we are not alone. Even though you may never meet in person, you can talk to someone that has walked that path, worn those shoes, cried those tears.<br />
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I know that I don't blog like I want to. Sometimes I feel like I don't have much to contribute, that I really am a fairly boring person. But I am beginning to realize that it's okay to just be me. I may say some crazy things, or maybe have a boring post, but it's my post. I just hope that somehow, maybe, I can help someone out, can have that shoulder for someone to cry on. <br />
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I hope all of you forgive me for babbling on. Sometimes you just need to get things out in the open. And that's okay. It just means you're human.<br />
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I wish all of you a good night, one full of dreams and wishes. Laugh with someone you care about, do something good for yourself and remember, you are not alone.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
DebDebhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856166300032769275.post-11174680646656338602014-04-20T06:23:00.001-07:002014-04-20T06:23:53.563-07:00What A Gorgeous Morning<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter! Have a picnic, have a bike ride, take a walk in a park. Mostly, spend time with your family and friends. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Hugs from me to you,</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Deb</i></b></span>Debhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09143148977563130567noreply@blogger.com0