Swoon

Quilt photo from www.doggedknits.com.

Yes you read that right - swoon - defined at dictionary.com

to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstasy: The teenagers swooned at the sight of the singing star.

I saw the above quilt featured in a mosaic at a regularly read blog - go here for the mosaic.

Chased it down and wound up at this flickr set .

Then followed and found this post at a blog.

At that point - I was really swooning. Left a comment. Hope she won't mind the links and the fact that I am now head over heels in love with her work. Her name is Ashley and I am now on my way back to visit with her some more.

Oh yea - this one is pretty freakin cool too.

Have a great weekend.

A favorite gift......

My Nanny had one of these. She kept it in a kitchen drawer. I spent hours playing with it.

A few weeks ago - I decided I wanted one and we have no idea where Nanny's went. So I went on a hunt. Old fashioned hardware stores. Antiques shops. Junk shops. Flea market. Everywhere I went - I looked for one of these.

I said something to Local Best Friend at the time. Then did not think another thought about it.

Look what LBF gave me for my birthday.


A hammer - not just any hammer - one exactly like the one I played with as a small girl.

It comes apart into increasingly smaller flat screwdrivers.

I was facinated by this as a child - I would unscrew it and put it back together. At the kitchen table while my Nanny was cooking or cleaning or whatever.

I have no idea how much something like this is actually worth. But the memories associated with it are so very rich. More than that - having a friend who listens and really hears what you are saying is priceless.

Yes - there were hugs for this. There have been tears shed too.

I hope you all have that kind of friend in your life. I have been blessed to have more than just one. I try to be this kind of friend as well.

Have a wonderful day --

Can't get it out of my head.

Image is clickable for you to save and use.

Thanks you all for my birthday wishes - I had a great day and I can't wait to show you one of my favorite gifts.

I have a phrase echoing through my head. I woke up more than once last night - thank you boot camp and extra weights in the weight room, everytime I move something hurts. Any way -- everytime I woke up this phrase was there.

Lannae and I have talked about having a one day art workshop together. I am thinking this would be a great tagline for a January workshop. I am also thinking January would be a great time for a workshop. The holiday stress is over. The winter doldrums could easily be setting in. What better than a mid-morning brunch - followed by an afternoon of creative energy - to pick up the spirit.

Mind you - Lannae and I are just starting to talk about this. I haven't even run this by her. Maybe she won't be upset with me for kinda spilling it here.

Back to the picture and the phrase. I can see that picture used as a part of the welcome package. and will someone please help me identify where I may have heard the phrase.

Here it is ....

Winter-spend the afternoon.............

Have a great day -- feedback please -- especially from you my precious friend Lannae.

A Celebration

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Originally uploaded by nickphotos

Good Day all of you. I have been receiving greetings via my facebook all day, so I guess I should share with you guys too.

I am officially as old as my mother today. (that would be 29 and holding)

I snagged this picture off flickr - There may be enough candles shown here for the real number.

I plan on working out - then dinner and a margarita later.

Really is just another day though.

Thanks for being my friends.

Images for You

On Saturday, I was at my local hardware store looking for something old fashioned (aka wierd to places like Home Depot and Lowes). Steve has the coolest stuff and the store has a secret treasure as well. Upstairs contains an antiques sales floor. Steve's wife, Carol, collects stuff and resales a lot of it - very reasonably.

I did not find what I was seeking, but I did dig through a box of photographs. These were from an estate in the Gainesville, GA area. I grabbed a few. It struck me to share these two this morning.

This is labeled Anne 6 mos. She looks like such a happy baby. I fell head over heels for those crochet stockings.

This is another picture labeled Anne (1936) from the same box. She grew up to be a beautiful young woman. The hand tinting is exquisite.

You may have these for your use - by right clicking them. I scanned and cropped but did not color correct these at all.

Other things this weekend.

1. I worked in MaggieGrace world. A lot. I have 5 bags of magazines for the recycling bin. I whittled 5 boxes down to one box. I finished the front edge of my countertops. I have 10 more days before the Where Women Create Virtual Studio Tour.

2. This made me so very happy. We went to a local BarBQue place to eat on Saturday night. They were having a kareoke night. I love to watch people perform - actually I love to participate myself. One of the guys sang "thank you for giving to the Lord." He could sing. What made me happy wasn't that though - every chorus - 98% of the people in this very full restaurant joined in and sang along. What a wonderful atmosphere.

3. The painter will be ready to paint in the next few days. He has sanded the outside of the house - good grief at the dust. I have quit dusting in the house for the time being. It was just a complete waste. I imagined my house to have always been white, but in sanding and prepping it he found a layer of bright yellow paint. Not going back there - it will be white.

4. We have owned a boat for many years. For the last several we have not used it at all - the lake levels were too low and it was just too dangerous. The Man at my Address decided this weekend that it need to be completely redone. I'm good with this - the Softball Princess will be needing him less and less - she will be driving in about three weeks. I have worried about this - what he was going to do. So this will be his "pet project". I glad he has something to do. Wonder how much this is going to involve me?

I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Thank You

Try and explain the difference between bloggers and social networking designed to hook up. Especially when you are in the middle of a Myspace generated nightmare. Impossible.

But I can explain how the people I have met here came through with encouragement, prayers, support, when I sent the alarm signal. Some even shared their own stories.

The major points of the crisis are over. She is safe and sound. She has her car back. He went to jail for previous fraud and petty theft warrants. She regained a job without losing seniority - she was demoted back to level one on the totem pole. Now the hard work starts - her oldest son feels like she needs to be chaperoned even to the grocery store. Her youngest does not have a clue how to feel and what to believe. Her husband - well if they can make it through the nightmare of her running off with some man - I will be surprised. She is defensive and my hurt and anger are bothering her. (I really call it guilt) But I can't help her with that. The hard work needs to happen at her house first.

Thank you all for you prayers and encouragement. Thank you also for the birthday wishes for the Softball Princess. We took her to dinner and had a wonderful night.


Now for some MaggieGrace goodness. A friend brought a big plastic bin of flatware they had thrifted. Some will appear as jewelry pieces, but some was not really of that quality. I took a pair of pliers to a couple of forks with a vague idea of what I wanted to do. (The butterfly box is a sneak peek of something else entirely) Yeah - I know the forks look funny.

But here is what they are for. - Two fork easels -one vintage book cover - three old fashioned pleated curtain hooks = the beginnings of my table displays. Feedback please.

I also realized I did not post about my new favorite tote. Pockets galore. The center section will hold magazines, patterns, and most important my paper cutter. It has feet and a hard bottom. Will be perfect to pack for art retreats and or display setups - etc. I bought this from Kim at Artistic Bliss. This was money well spent and there are a few more available here. I love my bag Vallen sent and I have several from MaryAnn. Each bag is used for various purposes and they all sit along the wall in my dining room packed and ready to go. Its funny to hear the references when we are getting ready to go somewhere that I know I need a bag. Vallens is - "the black bag". The Most often used one from MaryAnn is - "that bag MaryAnn sent." The funniest is a Relay for Life Bag that I keep my workout stuff in - the bag is a black zipper tote with a 1/2 inch border of purple trim - what do we call that one? - "the purple bag". The one pictured above doesn't have a reference name yet - we'll see what it becomes.

I hope all of you have a great weekend. I think I might finally get some sleep - God knows I need it.

Sweet 16 .....

There was not supposed to be a second child. I had complications with the College Girl and was advised not to repeat that whole pregnancy process. But God has a wonderful sense of humour. One birth control pill - not missed just taken 8 hours later than normal - one night of drinking - and wow - tequila causes babies. I was 3 months pregnant before I really knew - call it denial. I just remember coming out of the bathroom holding that test and saying over and over "its pink".

Well - Softball Princess was a surprise - a happy accident.

She also got here fast - really fast - 42 minutes fast. Labor induction - was most of the morning - but from the first "real" contraction to holding her in my arms - 42 minutes. My lovely inlaws missed it - they tried to be there - but they ran to grab lunch and she made this arrival while they were gone - I'm just glad they didn't talk Daddy into going to lunch with them.

I say all the time "she got here fast and hasn't slowed down since."

She also continues to surprise us every day.

In honor of Softball Princess Sweet 16th Birthday - here are 16 things for her.

1. You were never afraid to try anything. Climb a ladder as a toddler. Color John and Maria's wall purple. You always wanted to go higher and faster than everyone else. Honey - keep reaching - be the best you can - always be open to trying new things - you never know what or who you are going to love.

2. The picture above was taken during one of your Mom's stupid moments. Molly was 3 you were in a stroller and still drinking formula. Dad told Molly we would go to Disney World and away we went. You were recovering from the chicken pox. Exhausting trip - but like always and like you still are - you enjoyed every minute. Mom's advise here - never take a non walking baby to a theme park.

3. I adore your sense of humour. You function like I do. Humour is your go to for stress reduction. You use it to break the ice with others. Sometimes you use it to cover your insecurities. Honey - hang onto that - it will be a device that will hold you together when it may seem like the world is coming apart. Maybe even someday - we will share those jokes that I refuse to share with you now.

4. You are secure in who you are. Really always have been. I cannot express how proud that makes me. You are beautiful inside and out.

5. You have chosen your friends well. I love those kids you hang out with. I love being around them. They are good kids. Always trust your gut about people - you will know.

6. Forgive. I have seen you forgive me and Dad. Molly too. I have also seen you forgive yourself. We all really screw up at times. Forgiving is always a part of life. Go easy on yourself. Go easy on others. But remember - forgiving is not the same as letting others run over you.

7. Always stand for what is right. Sometimes that is hard to do, but you are strong. You also have a good faith basis - you know what is right and fair.

8. I am so glad we don't have to fight about indecent clothing. I love the very respectful way you dress. It helps that everything is beautiful when it comes in a junior size 5.

9. You have always treated others with respect and integrity. Please continue that. If you are respectful most of the time others will respect you. Above all, conduct your life in a way that allows you to respect yourself.

10. Being intelligent is not a crime. I am glad you take pride in your studies. I am happy that you are ranked so well in your class. I know it takes a lot of work to be an athlete and a good student. We are proud of you and proud that you understand the need for all that effort.

11. When you were born - your Daddy bought you a ball. Damn, there are times that I wish it had been something else. But you are a natural athlete. Your abilities and your heart for your sports and your teammates, leave me in awe. Your discipline to improving your skills amazes me. Your committment is worthy of many peoples praise. I love being there on the sideline cheering you on.

12. You take adversity in stride. I will never forget the day you had you hand surgery after that injury. Although coach had given you a reprieve, when you woke up that afternoon all you said was "you are gonna take me to practice, right?" So I took you to practice. A surgical break - not one missed practice. Sitting there in the dugout - cheering on your team. Still the loudest one. Challenges are just that to you - something to overcome - a way to better yourself - to find another task you can do - or a way to accomplish what need to be done. A wonderful trait.

13. Sweet - kind. To kids, to adults, to animals. I have no words to describe how proud that makes me.

14. You got your Daddy wrapped around your finger. And you know it. That ain't a bad thing. When you finally go away to school I am not sure what I am going to do with him. Can I send him off with you? I love the close relationship that you two have. As you become an adult, go forth in your strengths but always know that your Daddy and I are right here. Cheering you on all the way, ready to pick you up and put you back on the path. We got your back.

15. Live out loud. God I love this picture. Wide open. Ready to go. Your personality was always this big. Your personality still is. Throw yourself into loving your God, loving others, loving life, loving yourself. Don't regret - it is wasted energy.

16. Happy Sweet sixteen beautiful Abby. God blessed us with you. You continue to bless us. I hope to celebrate so many more years with you. Hang on and enjoy the ride. It only gets better from here.

Love mom ----

Note - I will pass on any comments and birthday wishes to the Softball Princess.