Category Archives: Me stuff

Jul21

Shopping frenzy

Posted on by
Standard

My mom alerted us that a local(?) store (Value City) had some awesome sales going on, so Sean and I went down to the one in Delaware to check them out. She was right! I came home with three new throw rugs -two for the kitchen and one for the bathroom; New York & Co tops and a silk skirt, two pairs of sandals that are leather-about $10 each, a quilt for the bed, weed blocking fabric, a cute tote, a Mudd ‘compact’ purse (little, but holds a lot) 2 jars of high end salsa for Bri and a pretty necklace with a real Amethyst in it for around $100! Not bad. Sean got a few nice make shirts and a pair of dress slacks.

We ate in a Taco Bell as he said he is getting tired of sandwiches. We got their smoothie like drinks and I took one sip and had a ‘reaction’ (I think) from the tooth missing part of the filling. I am going today at 3 to get it fixed. The top layer of a gumline filling came off Friday night. I’m not in pain, but it’s ugly looking and there is space now between my gum and tooth. The dentist doing it is so nice and gentle. Thank goodness. Guess I’ll wear a new top and sandals! : )

Does anyone in blogland ever get a frequent sore neck on one side or the other? My left side has been bothering me off and on for a while. If I wear my hair up, it hurts more. When I use my infrared on it, I feel it up to my ear. I think it has to do with my support garment or carrying too heavy of a purse. Isn’t it always something? I did buy a new pillow, so it may be what I think it’s from. It’s not all the time and I can turn my neck fine.

Update-Man oh man, that was a nasty dentist visit! He had to take off some of my gum before he could put the filling in as he said it had ‘grown’ into my tooth area. Of course that meant bleeding-a lot. And I had to get two shots of Novocaine causing half my tongue to go numb. Driving a hot car home was no picnic. My gum is sore of course.

The haul (you can double click to make this photo much bigger):

I really like the tote (brown tones). I wore the black sandals yesterday along with the polka dotted top. The pretty silk skirt is black with green accents and a dark green tie at the waist.

Jul18

I’m playing show n’ tell

Posted on by
Standard

I’ve been reading Kelli’s blog and decided to play along. She mentioned some little ceramic salt and pepper shakers with flowers on top, and I have the same ones. Mine are yellow and I think hers are white.
Here is the bank my Grandfather Alan gave to my mom when I was born:

Teddy bank

I think he’s a panda and about 10″ tall or so and has real gold paint for trim. I guess they didn’t have pink bear banks. My grandfather died only a few months after I was born, so this holds special meaning to me. It’s getting ‘really old’ and the paint is wearing off in a few spots. I don’t handle it that often and he was on a shelf in my bedroom buried behind eye drops and hand lotion. He is empty at the present time-rats!
It’s really a scorcher today. I did go out early to the post office and mail off birthday gifts. Thank goodness I did that as it went from 84 to 89 in 45 minutes. Stopped to get something for my gum to numb it if needed, but the Sensodyne is working well-so far. It was throbbing a bit last night. I don’t want to use the gum stimulator and rinse anymore, but a gentle mouth wash. And I’m waiting on a call from the eye doctor. I’ve been using these drops for a week and don’t know when to stop using them.

Jul16

The Flickr game on Flickr

Posted on by
Standard

The Flickr game on Flickr, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Carole/Pea over at Pea’s Corner did a similar game. Here’s the one I did a few weeks ago
You know the Game, don’t you? Here’s what you do:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?-Dianne
2. What is your favorite food?-chocolate
3. What high school did you go to?-Penncrest
4. What is your favorite color?-teal
5. Who is your celebrity crush?-Tim Daly
6. Favorite drink?-iced tea
7. Dream vacation?-Hawaii
8. Favorite dessert?-Brownie Sundae
9. What you want to be when you grow up?-a grandmom
10. What do you love most in life? Nature
11. One Word to describe you. Nuturing
12. Your flickr name -Dianthus_Moon

You can see the photo credits by clicking the above collage which takes you to my flickr page.

Jul15

I need air!

Posted on by
Standard

It was so hot driving to my hometown today. I asked my sister-in-law (while she was doing my hair) if my brother was behind at work and he is swamped. But he’s doing her brother’s car, so hopefully he can squeeze his sister’s van in one of these days. I have to wear my hair pulled back as the windows are open wide. I know, I’m totally spoiled. I would go down to mom’s more if I had air!

Sean came over my mom’s after work (he works in my hometown) and we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner(I know, I’m crazy as it doesn’t agree with me) and then we went to Barnes & Noble. I was looking for the ‘Just Cross Stitch’ holiday ornament issue. Do you know if it’s out yet? I did get the English magazine ‘Cross Stitcher’. (click link for a look at some cute freebies) It came with a magnifier which I think I need. I was looking through this issue, and there is a design I’d like to do in the next issue which said it was on sale July 4th. The one I bought seems to be the latest issue the store had. The design-a Maria Diaz design of DaVinci’s Masterpiece painting (see above)-I love it! Not to say the lion cub on this issue isn’t beautiful-but is has so many color changes. It also has the cutest geranium fairy too.

My s-in-law was saying how strong the ocean’s currents were and they had to be rescued (my niece and some other cousins) last week on their vacation. On the news tonight they said about 90+ people had to be rescued in Ocean City, NJ this week! (my family was in MD). The hurricane is doing this. Scary stuff. I got stuck in a sand bar once and couldn’t get my footing, and I remember how tired I got trying to get to shore. I think everyone should have some sort of boogie board to hold on to!

I found the loveliest card to send my late friend’s parents and CL husband. Brian found me a site that translates English to German, so I did that for Char’s Austrian parents. The card reads- In remembrance-Mourning the loss of a wonderful person who brought so much to life. With heartfelt sympathy.

My gum is still bothering me, more tonight it seems. I am hoping it calms down, but I think it’s going to need attention sooner or later. Thinking crown. : ( Drats!

Waving to brother #2 who reads my blog (I saw the print out from your meeting).

Jul8

Photo cards

Posted on by
Standard

Last night I ordered a bunch of blank cards to put my photos on. I tried Cafepress.com, but only sold a few things to friends. I figure etsy is a better audience. I may manipulate the photos a bit, adding poetry verses (maybe my own?), we’ll see. I still would like to ‘make’ items for etsy too. I hope you go see Barbara’s Quaker birds there (Mainly Stitching). She really came up with a new original idea. As soon as the blanks come in, I’ll print out some photos and post a few on etsy.

Remember the mystery bird from a few posts ago? Looking through my bird book, it sure looks like a Phoebe to me. I thought it could have been a Pewee, but they have definite white on their wings and not as much of a contrast on their noggins.

Not too much new. I had to take a rare nap today (for like 10 minutes as the phone woke me up) as I had a caffeine induced wakeful night. Darn that Coke!

I’m trying to finish up a stitching project, but my eyes have been really bothering me lately. I think it’s the catkins from the Chestnut trees. I have to use drops to clear them up. I also need to visit the dentist as my gums around a few teeth look like they have craters in them. I have a lot of dental work near the gumline (fillings) and using an electric toothbrush seems to have eroded that area. I hope it’s a quick fix. Bri said he had to get skin grafts on his gums one time. No thank you. I have to go out in the hot, hot weather tomorrow and my van’s air needs recharging-ugh.

Jun30

Job prospective

Posted on by
Standard

I was watching tv and an ad for this company-Care.com came up. I just looked it up our zipcode and there is one lady about 10 yrs younger than me (who wants $20-30 an hour-wow!) and a bunch of young 20 somethings with their profiles up. I have been around a few hundred kids in my past and this is something I can do. What better experience than raising your own child, correct? I almost have a BS in Early Childhood Education. It’s nice to know this site is there. I was thinking about looking into a local daycare, but I’ve been down that road and I was sick every other week because of the kids passing on their colds, etc. That may be one reason I don’t get as many as other people. I would hope they screen their clients too. You can also ‘babysit’ seniors and pets!

Sean left about 7:30. I left a ‘good luck’ note on top of his laptop. He tried his new clothes on last night and looked sharp. The only hassle would be the parking, which is all meters, until he gets a pass to the business’s parking area.

Jennifer asked me if herbs were annuals or perennials. I believe most of them are annuals, which means they have to be replanted each year, by seed. Some herbs, like Rosemary, can be dug up and brought in. I’ve never had success doing this. I’m not sure about Lavender-that could be either, but I do not have luck with it.

~Update~

Sean had a good first day. He was mostly looking at a tutorial on how to use the mapping program and answered the phone. The boss said they are flexible (since he didn’t get in to close to 9 and they are suppose to start at 8:30). Sean showed him a student loan paper with his name and SS on it-ok for now, but he can send him a copy of the card.

Jun29

We ♥ Commerce Bank

Posted on by
Standard

Sean and I went out for a few hours this afternoon. We had to exchange some trousers I had bought as a gift for him. We also had two huge bags of coins that we have saved for many months. Commerce is open on Sundays and they have a free coin counting machine. So we guessed we had $124.00 (they ask if you want to guess) and after all was said and done-we had $197.00! Yes! We split it up and I saved Bri $50 (Sean got $100 since he will be driving the most for his internship) and then we went to Macy’s. Sean got an extra pair of trousers and a few shirts in another store-from the coin money! We then went to a shopping center where Old Navy and Michaels is-I went to Michaels and Sean to O.N. I picked out some things there and went down the clearance aisle and I started to chat with a nice lady there. She asked if I had ‘a coupon’ which I didn’t. It was for after 4pm and for 25% off your total purchase. She had an extra and gave me one. I thanked her and headed to check out and saved $10!

We ate in Friendly’s and shopped a bit in Trader Joe’s then headed home. I called my mom and she had talked with brother #2 and they may be seeing eye to eye again. I seriously hope so. He tends to get mean about things that he doesn’t agree with. I still am not crazy about being chummy with him as I feel like I don’t know him anymore and he talked about me behind my back that night he horned in on our ‘girl’s night out’. I wish mom hadn’t told me he thought I looked fat. He had said that to my face when we went down to visit him in Florida in 2002. Nice isn’t he? I’m not having high hopes about this, but at least, and I’m praying, he’ll treat her nice and with respect.

Anyway, here are some yard shots for your enjoyment. They sure make me smile. : )


This is what I call my herb bed. The Roma tomatoes are taking it over. There’s basil in the front along with fennel and cilantro.

My favorite lilies are blooming too! I missed the first blooms a few days ago.

A pretty hanging basket with pinkish daisy like flowers and portulaca

Look how big the butterfly bush is! You can see the rain gutter there. Not a ton of blooms, but we cut it back a lot last year.

Sean got a B- in his English class he just finished. My boy’s not a writer, so he was happy.

Jun26

Neither bright-eyed or bushy-tailed

Posted on by
Standard

I thought my walk around the gardens would help me to feel all refreshed today. Nope, just had allergy issues-so did Bri. The Chestnut trees are dumping their catkins now. They look like fluffy rat’s tails and they smell like funky corn chips. Also had to proof a 6.5 page research paper for Sean that was due tonight, his final night of class. I burnt the midnight oil doing that. And then today I went food shopping. Does anyone enjoy it anymore? ; ) I’m fine if I am buying ingredients for a special dish or cookies, but the same old thing is so boring and the stores are too big! I see elderly ladies pushing their carts around probably thinking the same thing.

I want to make a small project for a pal’s July birthday. I need to get the fabric and floss pulled for that.

I was looking for Sean’s long lost Social Security card (which he really needs for the internship) and ran across old photos of me trying to sell things at a craft fair that a local neighborhood had years ago. I sold like two things. My mom had made things also. It should have been canceled as it was pouring rain. The only person who sold anything was the lady who made American Girl doll clothes. I had short hair and was pudgier-I should burn those photos!

Sean needs to exchange some nice trousers I bought for him (he needs a size bigger around the waist), so I may go with him tomorrow. It’s going to be a scorcher!

Ok here’s a nice photo:

The Bell Tower, waterfall and lake at Longwood Gardens

Jun24

Those who plant kindness

Posted on by
Standard

Yeah, I have a cross stitch finish to share! It has those words in it-‘those who plant kindness, harvest love’. The chair legs were terrible, but I just did what I could. I figure if you are going to use chairs for plant stands, they are too rickety to sit on anymore. I may redo a few of them. ; ) So I’m thinking (this is added later) that I should tear out all the legs, get a vanishing pen, draw straight legs, and stitch over that! I think I would be happier with it.  It’s a kit I had and on white aida. Aida doesn’t bother me most of the time, but of course I can change out the fabric that they give you with the kit. If anyone wants this chart, let me know.

Almost broke my left, little toe at 4am when I got up to use the bathroom. I got up too quickly and stumbled a bit and misjudged the door in the almost pitch dark. It hurt for almost an hour and I had to get the ice pack. I didn’t wake anyone up either. It’s still sore, but better. All the times I get up in the middle of the night and I finally missed the opening! Geez.

I wanted to go to Longwood Gardens tomorrow, but I’ll have to see how my toe is-drats!

Jun23

Sean got the internship!

Posted on by
Standard

That is the high point of our day! The woman who interviewed Sean called today at 2:30. He was at the elementary school moving desks, etc., so he got back to her when he got home. He starts on Monday. He’ll have to tell the school district now. He asked how he should tell them and I suggested to say that he’s been looking for an internship for a few months and this opportunity came up and he wanted to take it so he wouldn’t have to do it when he has classes. Sound good? He only has a few pairs of ‘dress’ pants, so he’ll have to purchase a few more pairs. Yippee! He’ll be working in my hometown too.

Here’s a wonderfully scented Starglazer Lily that I just found blooming:

And I am loving the Delphinium:

The nasturtiums from seed are starting to bloom too-

And here are Martha Stewart’s idea for tomato tepees. Not as good as Martha’s, but they are working-so far:

I am doing some Patriotic ATCs too:

It’s hard to see, but the letters on the left spell out ‘July’. I wanted Shirley to look like she was in a parade in a city.

I’ll be going to mom’s tomorrow with Sean. He’ll drop me off. He has two more classes. Over the weekend, he had to fix his resume, cover letter and another paper that he wanted a higher grade on. He is working on a 5-6 page paper about hurricanes and their affects on climate change. He’s up to about page 4. This is due on Thursday. He has his work cut out for him.

By the way, over on the right is a new video I made showing my color changing mushroom lights and pond lights. There’s music too!