What your drawing says about you

What does your drawing say about YOU?

Well, I can't follow directions and missed copying the results!

Said something about a sunny disposition. check.
Said something about if things don't go my way I don't get to upset and am able to continue on my merry way. check.

Then I had a senior moment and goofed the whole thing up, lol...par for the course.

First Swim of the year

Summer is coming, I promise!!

We got to enjoy our "first swim" night before last, and again last night. By using the solar cover (a big piece of heavy blue bubblewrap kind of stuff!) during the 90+ days we've gotten the water temperature up to 83. I'll be glad when we don't have to keep hauling the cover on and off tho! The pool is a trapezoid, so when we're pulling the cover back on, one of us takes a huge risk of going back in the dunk! Someone gets the short end, lol. And altho this vantage point is cool, the pool isn't that big, it's only something like 30-35' x 10-12'. Fine for the two of us and some meager laps.

I've been working gradually on getting my sewing room into shape. It's hard work! We bought 2 of the wire shelf units, and I've completely filled those. DH will re-visit Lowe's to see if they've gotten in more, I cleaned them out. I think just one will do the trick. I wanted glass-fronted cabinets, but these shelves are more practical, I have ALOT of stash!

I'm back on the diet, and feeling better already. You'd think I would be able to remember how GREAT it felt to weigh 40lbs. less, but it must be like the pain of having a baby...I've forgotten...well sorta, lol. I've got a long way to go, maybe the pool will help with added exercise. Some amount is better than none, right?

So, that's all from my corner of the desert.

Have a great day!!!

World Placemats

I'm sure my kids will chime in here, lol. 2 of them belong to my "Frequent Reader Club". (Hint...if you come out of lurkerdom(even just to say "Hi!", you too can be a member! *snerk*)

About 20 years ago (can it possibly be THAT long ago?) I purchased a set of plastic world placemats.

Our family resembled Roseanne Barr's family on her sitcom...very noisy, active, and going every which way ALL the time. Three kids in sports and one or two exchange students living with us each year made it quite lively. Even tho we were running at break-neck speed, we managed to sit together for dinner most nights. OK, dinnertime was 9pm sometimes, after a game or two or three, but we sat together nonetheless.

We used to play a game before, during and after dinner to challenge each other on the hidden places of the world. "Can you find __________ ?" Yes, you likely needed a magnifying glass to find this obscure location, but that was part of the fun.

I guess we have more family traditions than I realize, what do you remember of your childhood traditions?

Do-Do-Do, lookin' out my back door!

Hope that doesn't get stuck in your head the way it has in mine, lol.

Eventually, my blog will have some quilty content, I promise. I have one commission to fill and haven't even started it yet. THEN, I need to do something for our new bedroom...right? It seems only fitting.

Meanwhile I've been knitting when my hands are empty. That is, when they're not unpacking boxes. I finished a pair of socks on Sunday, and promptly began the next pair, pictures tomorrow maybe. I'm still sock crazy, I don't know what it is about them! The needles are incredibly small, the yarn expensive and I can't wait to get to the next project. I seriously think I'm going to attempt a sweater next, I must be insane.

The solar cover is on the pool, we've gotten it up to 76*-woo-hoo...maybe this weekend???

OH! And thanks for listening btw, it's my 100th post.

I got to see the Gees Bend Quilts!

When I was in Florida between selling and buying houses my daughter told me she was "taking me to some museum or something." Later it was, "they have a bunch of quilts or something."

Graduation was Friday, so that left Saturday for a 25yo to entertain her mother. Off to the museum we tromped.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It wasn't just any museum, it was the Orlando Art Museum. I saw the vinyl banner flapping in the breeze yakking about the Gees Bend Quilts...oh, yeah, was going to miss that.

NO.
WAIT.
I'M HERE...IT'S T-I-M-E! I'm seriously going to see them, up close and FOR REAL!

It was awesome. It was humbling. I enjoyed seeing the quilts thru my daughter's eyes and opinions, and those of her gf. They crack me up. They went for the strong bold quilts, I went for the patterns and subtle styles. I had a blast, hope they weren't bored to tears! They certainly were good sports about it anyway. No "can we go now" requests.

Have to admit tho, the most fun was making our own little quilts with colored tape and construction paper. Thankfully, we were the only ones in the craft area.


Thanks Swany & Brandy, it was FUN! What a great surprise!

Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruit...OH MY!

My kids say I repeat my stories. Could this be true? Surely not ME?!

OK, let's just say if I thought it was important enough to say once, it's worth repeating. That's my story anywho.

Our new house is very exciting. New climate, new flora & fauna, etc. Things I've NEVER seen easily impress me. I've never seen grapefruit growing, I'm a midwestern gal by birth. So I consider this something VERY cool.



From the tree to my breakfast table. OH! So delicious.

I'll be on this "new thing" kick for awhile, please bear with me!

This is (I think) a prickly pear that is blooming in my yard. I love the delicate flower in amongst the spines. (And if it ISN'T, please correct me!)


I still have an endless amount of boxes to unpack, we're taking it slow since there is no rush.

Have a great day today!

Maple Oat Nut Scones

I am one of Dorothy's biggest fans. Literally and figuratively-HA! When Dorothy bakes bread(sometime last year she posted her recipe), my husband took great interest.

When Dorothy bakes scones, I get totally motivated to try my luck at it. This is what came from our kitchen this morning, no wonder we are both overweight!



DH moved his sourdough starter all the way from CA in a plug-in cooler, lol...and made this wonderful bread this morning. He made 2 small loaves instead of one gargantuan one.

See the odd little garlic salt and onion salt containers? They belonged to my mother. There was a third celery salt one but it fell from it's perch and broke several years ago. Would love to get my hands on a replacement. Has anyone ever seen these before? Likely circa 50's.

My first (and last) television commercial

Wanna see something silly?

Prior to my move, I worked for a small television station in the Silicon Valley.

I am a girl who doesn't get into pictures, I've never enjoyed seeing myself after the fact. Not photographs or videos..nothing. It makes me VERY uncomfortable.

Working where I did only made my anxiety worse. We always needed publicity type shots for advertising, etc...so escaping the eye was getting harder and harder.

Our Production department had made a commercial for a fitness place and the client didn't like the "Mom" image that they had filmed. The executive director approached me and asked if I'd like to do the part. I knew I was leaving, oh heck, why NOT. I have no idea where that bravery came from.

So here's the link, it won't be hard to spot, albeit brief (thanking my lucky stars!). You'll need to download Flash if you don't have it and come back and push the play button. You'll need a little sound too...and remember this was made to get the teenagers attention, lol.

Hello Arizona!

Um...don't try that while driving! DH would have fussed at me if he knew I did it, lol! (He was in the car ahead of me!) It's not the clearest picture, but hey, it was at 70mph.

We stopped in San Bernardino on our driving cruise, my sister put us up for the night, thanks Sis!

Next on to Phoenix where we first stayed the evening and then I caught a plane out of there just in time to get to Orlando to see my oldest get her second degree from Full Sail University!

Race b-a-a-a-c-k to Phoenix, hop in the car and on to our new home for the closing on the purchase(the next day) Tuesday.

The furniture was delivered at 8am on the day promised,Wednesday. I love North American Van Lines, have used them a couple of times now! They were done by 4pm, and I was left with OMG, TONS of boxes.

I've finished the kitchen, and have started on my sewing room. I DO have my priorities, you know.

Martha's my neighbor meme

So Dorothy has started a Meme. This is the "thanks" I get for being a consistant cyber-buddy, lol...

List 5 facts of life
If Martha Lived Next Door...

1. All my moving boxes would be packed in an organized fashion. I JUST found my favorite wool sweater that I packed during my last move across the country, will I find it next time? NOTE TO SELF: It's packed with the blue ceramic lamp shade; logical, no?

2. My new house color (where Martha will be my neighbor also!) scheme will be pre-picked out and my stained concrete floor would be done! Martha understands that only she can make the best impression on our impending friendship.

3. Martha has likely "seen it all"...so she shouldn't mind the "condition" we swim in, right? Oh, get over it Martha.

4. We all know Martha is a "rule follower" so she will make sure I understand all my new HOA covenants and make sure I follow them to the letter.

5. Martha will bring a plate of something freshly baked over to introduce herself, she knows what it's like to be the new gal in town.

So who shall I tag? Leah, Darlene & Erika!

Have fun!

BOUGHT-SOLD-QUIT-QUIT

OK, so my blog has been quiet.

Your's would be too if you'd had the same last three months I've had. Yes, I know you're busy and mine couldn't be worse. Nope, it's not worse...it's very, very good. (I swear I just heard Martha, lol.)

Wednesday evening we found out our contract was accepted for the house we wanted in Arizona. We were lucky enough to have re-offered the house that was taken off the market when we made our offer during the holidays. Yipee skippee. Want to know what quirky thing I love the best about the new place? lol...I have a grapefruit tree, an orange tree and a lemon tree. I'm in heaven, no?


Thursday we found out all the contingencies were dropped on the sale of our home here in Northern California. We sold in 8 days. Put it for sale on a Wednesday, had 60 people thru before the weekend. Had an Open House over the first weekend, 100 more came thru and a contract was written. In fact, 6 were written! We don't live in a palace, we live in a small tract home built in the 60's. It's a "California" thing, there is no flat market here.



Thursday afternoon dh put in his resignation of 22 years. I'm putting mine in today I think....we're off to semi-retirement. I don't want to stew over the weekend about giving my notice during my status meeting on Monday.

It's been alot of changes, but all for the good. We've managed to completely re-do and sell my condo 2 years ago and completely re-do and sell this house.

It's time for some US time...woo-hoo!!! Definately doing the happy dance on this one. Now back to QUILTING!!!

An early summer day in the sand.

Watching the children play and hearing their happy screams and shouts.

Surfers doning their second skin and stretching before entering the freezing water.

Committing all of this to my memory, thank goodness for blogs and archives.

Oh, pul-lease...you just have to click and look at the bigger picture!

Waves, breezes, Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Taking a nap in the lazy sun.

Unfurling our ever present car-sheet just anywhere on the beach.

Our favorite beach at Gazos Creek in Northern California.

The Pigeon Point Lighthouse in the distance.

Remembering California

How do you fit all in?

Can I remember the sights and smells?

Will I know how the cold wet sand feels between my toes?

Does the wind swish my hair the same way?

Remember Jiffy Pop?

When I was young, I always begged my Mom to buy Jiffy Pop. Remember the predecessor to microwave popcorn? It looked so cool on the commercials, and I was sure all the lucky kids (other than me) got to have this all the time!

It was always "too expensive," or "not needed at this time." I can hear myself whining, "Please Mom?"

Fast forward, all grown-up (and then some) I can now have whatever I want, lol. Great expectations, funny, it wasn't that great. I had dh shaking it while I was busy snapping blog fodder...and we burned it! (We still ate it howsomever..HA!)

My ever-terrific dd#2 prepared this little video with my digital pictures, it's only 9 seconds, enjoy!



If you'd like to see a college kid's perspective on life, and see what other cool things dd#2 comes up with, please take a quick peek at her blog, she'd love it!

What other foods "of your past" have you tried as an adult? Wish I had some "Fizzies!" (They probably would taste terrible now, considering the advancements in technology, but I loved them as a kid!)

so do YOU snore too?

I have snored for years and years.

Impacted sinus cavities, sleep studies(no sleep apnea), and not one but TWO sinus surgeries later...I still snore like no other....from first eye shut to last Z.

How do I know?
1)First dh used to wake me up and tell me to move to another room.
2)My kids used to wake me up and tell me to leave the living room, they can't hear the television.
3)I HEAR MYSELF SNORING, how bad is that?!

I've tried the throat sprays, jury will be forever "out". New dh says my snoring doesn't bother him, he rarely hears it and if he does he can nudge me and I'll stop. (I of course have NO recollection of the nudge, lol.) Sometimes I think he isn't fully divulging but he has only left the bedroom once in 2.5 years, and he is a VERY light sleeper. *sigh*

So fess up...how bad is it? How horrible is it for you if your dh makes the racket? Do you fuss at each other because of it? Does the 2nd bedroom solve it all? Isn't that akward?

Not to get personal...

but how do you get to sleep?

I'm sure there's something deeply pychological but I'll wait to hang my shingle.

My dh and I discovered we get to sleep in totally opposite ways. I have to think about a process, generally quiltmaking, or quilt designing, and I have to go step by step. First you pick your fabrics, then you wash them, don't forget to clip the corner....by then I am generally sound asleep. No joke, I'm out in 20 seconds max. On a bad night I might get as far as ironing the fabric or picking out a pattern!

I specifically think about a process to push out what I call emotional thoughts. Thoughts there include mostly personal stuff like is my job going ok, did I remember to do a particular task, a daughter's army status, etc. Those thoughts I worry, worry, worry over.

My dh on the other hand has to "clear out" all his thoughts. Tosses them out one by one. I was thinking that his method was totally different but maybe that's his process instead? Hmmm.....

.......calling Dr. Freud!

St. Patrick's Day comes early!

OK. it's not my plate. It's not my picture.

It was our dinner tho, and my-o-my it was tasty. I bought a 3lb. bisket with seasonings and tossed it into the crockpot early this morning, and covered it with water. I love it as mid-March approaches and the briskets are abundant!

About 5pm I threw in the cabbage wedges secured with toothpicks, and we ate just a bit later, as soon as the cabbage was cooked.

There's something very sweet about smelling dinner all darn day long, and knowing you have NO preparations left before you eat it! Leftovers tomorrow night with boiled parsleyed potatoes.

Painted and made minor repairs this weekend, still trying to gather my energies after being sick all last week. I can't believe how much my stamina had suffered.

Have a great week!

WIP - Socks that rock!

Thanks for your patience!

I've been down and out, but I'm UP and BACK! Just about over my crud too, YIPEE!

My WIP today (and for the months of January/February) is this very cool pair of socks. They are made on #2 dpns and the brand of sock yarn is Blue Moon. It's a very nice yarn, a little on the the thicker side, great to keep my tootsies warm.

Gosh! I just love the stripped pattern. I wish I knew ahead of time what sock yarn variations did what. You know, like flecks of color rather than stripes? I just am willing to be surprised I guess. I wear them under terribly conservative work pants (Dockers), so anything bright just cheers me up without offending the public, lol.
Does anyone else have time doing the Kitchner toe? I am reduced to tears with each @#$% sock. DH has to read it to me stitch by stitch, and I feel like a total dolt. He gets it, has it memorized even. I "know" in my head what we are doing...like sewing a knitting stitch...but man-o-man, I've made 2 pair of socks and cried four times! Blah! I've tried to do it on my own, but that makes it worse and I end up tearing it all out because I can't follow written directions and work the stitches. Craziness I tell ya!

OK, I'm back in the saddle, hoping to keep you slightly entertained. 8^)

Stay tuned...WIP post is coming!!!

So please come back a bit later today!

Thank you Debbi for "still missing me", and my dd has been bugging me like crazy to post..."ANYTHING" she says, lol.

I'm home from work for a second day, still recovering from an upper respiratory infection of the nasty sort. Probably what was coming when I fell off the blogging wagon!

I do have some lucious socks to show, I'll be b-a-a-c-k (I can say that, he's my Gov'nor!).