Feb21

About 28 yrs old

Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2008 by Dianne

This little guy was down the basement, covered with dust and grime! Even though he’s under glass, the fabric is showing signs of foxing. Though dirty, he made me smile. I probably stitched him back in 1980 when the Phillies won the World Series. I brought him up and cleaned him up, but I guess I should wash the fabric too. This is one of my earliest cross stitches.

And the ‘what is the world was my mom thinking’ department:

Jeepers! She bought this for herself-the squares of paper are only about 2″! I have trouble with the larger sheets of paper! I got ‘stuck’ with this, but I don’t know, I may pull my hair out if it’s too hard.

Did some cleaning as earlier mentioned (sorta), but my post nasal was miserable (I was wearing a dust mask). I also managed to disturb a large spider too! Not thrilled. I did stuff a bunch of stuff in the giveaway bag. I am finding I have too many plastic things for the kitchen (left over from the remodel almost 2 yrs ago!) like storage containers, cups with straws. Too many metal tins and Easter baskets.

Doing the above killed my back, but Tylenol, Icy Hot and finally the heating pad did their magic.

By the way, I tried to sell these on eBay, no takers-anyone need rubber stampers of animals skeletons?

These were Sean’s and he hardly used them. Let me know.

And for the ‘oh no, I thought I was through with the dentist for another 6 months’ dept-I chipped a tooth on the top right with a Necco wafer-darn! I hope I can get it fixed soon and it’s diagonal toward the gum like a sliver and I hope it won’t start to hurt.

Wish me luck. : )

Feb20

Mom seems happier

Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 by Dianne

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Well, maybe it’s because some of the weight of the world is off her little shoulders. It still irks me to see the dumpster there and know some things could have been rescued, but seeing her more like her old sense warms my heart. I hadn’t been down to her house for almost a month. In that time the furniture got moved around in her living room and it looks much larger. The kitchen is staying nice. Ken bought mom some nice metal shelves (on wheels) and her microwave is on it and lots of canned goods. I didn’t help her sort things today, we went to JoAnn’s so I could use the 40% off coupon and buy myself some goodies in the form of papers, stampers and stickers. I want to redo my mantel’s garland and found pretty pink, maybe dogwood blossoms to use. We bought some Five Guys burgers and fries and off I went. I was almost home when my low fuel light came on and I had to stop in the brutal wind and get gas. I will help her next Wednesday after I get my hair done.

We are suppose to have wacky weather in the afternoon. I guess I will do a small ‘Wipe it Clean Wednesday’ to make up for not doing ‘Toss it Tuesday’ yesterday.

Don’t waste your time renting Knocked Up. I was surprised at Katherine Heigl and all the ‘f’ bombs and just everything! I don’t really think middle class people drop it like they did in the movie. And the guys and all their references to their little pals-you get my drift. Since my mom (!) bought it, I thought Bri and I would watch it as I like Katherine in Gray’s Anatomy. She heard it was good, but I think the name of the movie would make me put it back on the shelf.

Feb19

I just saved…

Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 by Dianne

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…over 8,100 sq feet of land because I shopped at the Rainforest link . I love all the different things they sell at all the links, but this one caught my eye:

Which I need like another hole in the head. It just spoke to me and I know I will wear the Mother of Pearl necklace and red pea pod earrings a bunch. (just the red ones down there)

Made from dried pea pods with fruit seeds, wood beads, and straw detailing. The designs which adorn the earrings are based on the tribal tattoos of the Guarani people. Designed and handmade by small communities in the Amazon rainforest of Brazil.

I also picked up some little things for my gal pals in my tribe.net group.

Woke up yesterday with a really red left eye. Being a leftie, I do remember rubbing it last night a lot. I am of course more concerned with my eyes now because of the pressures. I did put some of the $80 (yes, had to pay half for an inch tall bottle and I use it like it’s gold) Panatol medicine in it. It is still red! I’m sure I’ll be better today.

Not much else-food shopping and all that jazz.

Feb17

Calming activity

Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 by Dianne

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I woke up with a terrible ‘storm’ in my sinuses. I knew I was probably in for a few hours of torture, and I was correct. It’s almost 3 pm and I just sneezed for the first time today. It’s my fault. We pulled out three pieces of furniture in the family room yesterday (oy vay) so I could pick up coins, scissors, needles and assorted things before the rug got a thorough vacuum. Me without my dust mask. I should have know better. But at least I have my beloved Gingher scissors back!

We went to church last night as we usually do, and I noticed a familiar face a few rows up from me (when she turned to the side). Here it was a lady I graduated from high school with! I hadn’t seen her in at least 20 years, but I know that she lives in the next town over, but I’ve never seen her anywhere! She was with her brother (I’m assuming) and his family and they go to church there all the time. She was with a guy about her age. Wonder if she’s tying the knot? I know she never has. Interesting. We didn’t speak as Bri and I leave most times after Communion. How do you feel about someone using Purell right after you shake hands during mass? I smelled the stuff and it was the lady behind me! I would never do that.

~Update-after doing a wee search on Google, found out the lady above just lost her father who was from the same town as my mom! So I called my mom and she believes she remembers the man from high school as being popular in shows! Small world. Both the lady and her brother do reside in the next town.

So my calming activity-paper crafts. I think making my clipboard collage (will show) and my little ATCs, really relaxes me. Cosmo the kitty tries to help to, but I know his fur bothers me. He cuddles up on my lap several times a day. Checking out Sean’s paper about polar ice, etc. didn’t do anything for me, just make me tense. My boy is smart, but not a writer. He’s technical minded like his Uncle Dave.

My next door neighbor is cutting down two huge trees. He will have no shade in the side next to us anymore. He is getting help, but he’s my mom’s age, late 70s, so he better watch himself. Probably healthier than a mule!

Clipboard collage I painted the moon graphics with this awesome shimmery watercolor paint from ‘Five Below’ which was $1 (same as the clipboard-$1)

Never grow old ATC

Sailor Boy ATC

Feb16

Photo Hunt-Free

Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 by Dianne

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This image is a part of my memory forever. I love how Brian, my husband, still goes swimming. I love when he ‘dives’ in and then I see his head pop up, matting all his curly hair down on his head. My son isn’t a swimmer (not that his parents are), but he’ll take a dip. It’s the freedom of vacation. A bird out of a cage. The vast Atlantic ocean in front of you. (Fenwick Island, DE)

Grab the Scavenger Hunt code.Photo Theme. Join the blogroll. Visit participants.

Feb15

The day after

Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 by Dianne

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Thought you’d like to see a photo of me and Valentino:

It’s a Webkinz ‘Love Frog’ from Brian! LOL Some of my tribe friends and my niece (big age difference there) collect these adorable critters. I bought one-the lion I named Lil’King as pictured below. You can adopt them online and give them rooms and earn webkinz cash to buy fun things. It’s a nice distraction from housework and the bleakness of winter (see my baggy eyes above)! Yeah, I know, I’m that old and playing on a website. I love Solitaire and Quizzy’s quizzes. : )

We also like to snap photos of them doing stuff around the house. : )

Here’s Lil’King checking out my yearbook:

‘Listening’ to James Taylor

And finally-for you cross stitch enthusiasts :

Checking out the DMC colors!!
I hope I made you smile. : )
Brian gave me a lovely card, a small box of Dove chocolates (never enough), and a Commodores greatest hits CD as I heard ‘Brickhouse’ on the radio a few months ago and thought it would be a great song to exercise too.: ) We went out to dinner and I had NY strip steak and Bri had lasagna.
Have a great weekend.

Feb14

Happy Valentine’s Day and Winners!!!

Posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 by Dianne

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Meet my only Webkinz…

I did a random drawing of numbers from an online generator and the following 3 numbers were chosen: 42, 27, 106!
All winners have been contacted and they are:
Robyn
Constance
and Lolly!
Congrats ladies!!! I have heard back from everyone. What an awesome event. The talent out there in blogland is truly amazing and wonderful. You all inspire me. : )

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Here’s one of my presents that I picked out and purchased for $10 off from Fragrance.net. If you want a code for a discount, let me know. And it has a delicately sweet marshmallow scent!

Doesn’t it sound yummy? The first thing you smell is marshmallow and then it fades to the wonderful earthy musk.

M by Mariah Carey Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.3 oz.

“For me, creating this scent was like creating a song – it takes many notes to compose a fragrance. It’s like a beautiful melody.” – Mariah Carey

Mariah’s signature scent opens with an indulgent, creamy accord and blooms into an opulent floral heart as a rich base reveals darker, sensual facets.

A warm and inviting marshmallow is woven throughout the fragrance, evoking a sense of comfort. This indulgent accord captures Mariah’s fondest childhood memories of being in the kitchen with her father.

The lush floral heart of the fragrance combines a feminine veil of Living Tahitian Tiare flower wrapped in the aura of wet Gardenia petals. This beautiful blend is reminiscent of the fragrant breezes of Hawaii and the Isle of Capri, Mariah’s favorite getaway.

The soul of the fragrance reveals a sexier dimension. Sheer amber, infused with spicy, woody accents of Moroccan incense forms a seductive accord that embodies Mariah’s sensuality, beauty and glamor.

There’s a bag sitting here for me too! I didn’t get Bri anything yet, but I just don’t know what to get him. I did make some peanut butter cookies last night. : )
My friend Lisa sent me a ‘find your soulmate’ card:

Take the Quiz

I can totally see this if I was taller-lol, but look how tiny his wife Jada is. : )

I won a prize too! A beautiful book with a photograph on the cover from Jo Anne at Paper Cats Page. I’m thrilled!!

Feb13

Playing with scrap paper

Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 by Dianne

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Just thought I’d show a few ATCs I’ve done lately:

Around the area last night, the roads became really slick and there were tons of fender benders. Brian did arrive home safely, but wish him well in a few hours.

~Update 3:44 pm~

I have 106 comments here for my One World, One Heart Giveaway! Wow!!! If you are a blogger, you don’t have to be giving anything away. If you are my friend who visits here often, you have until midnight to leave a comment on this post only. Please do!!!

Feb12

So you want to be a designer

Posted on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 by Dianne

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I was seriously thinking about this today-being a cross stitch pattern designer. I have a few programs, but what is blocking my mind is what to design? Mushrooms, Amish or primitives are things that pop in my head. Mushrooms, because of where I live and there is a store in the next town that sells mainly mushroom related things (they are the ‘Mushroom Capital of the World’) and each year the Mushroom festival in September gets a little bigger. Tourists do check out the store. What to do? See…I get stuck. And I live close to Lancaster, PA-Amishland, but I know a few well known designers have Amish designs. I visit so many cross stitcher’s blogs and I notice what you like to do. I don’t want to copy anyone else’s designs (and I wouldn’t but I mean taking their ideas), but I know I can be inspired by century old samplers like they are. Any input would be appreciated. I think I could do this if I put my mind to it!

We are getting a bit of a snow event, not a foot or anything, but maybe an 1 inch with some ice tossed in. I worry about Brian driving around in it.

Tomorrow at midnight I pick my One World-One Heart winners!!!

~By the way~people have really been clicking the links on the left to help feed children to rescuing pets-awesome!

~Update-I’m calling it ‘Toss it Tuesday’. It’s our third week of trying to pare down the amount of unless, dusty ~~junk~~ boxes that are taking up valuable space in the basement. The problem is everything is covered with that cat litter dust. I had asked Brian to switch to something else and it looks like he is back to the dusty stuff! Arrghh! What I do is put a load of laundry in (I only do about 2 a week) and while that’s washing, I start digging through the stuff. I do need to save some of the boxes for eBay (hey I found a ton more!) My guys are great at tossing electronic equipment boxes down there and leaving them after the alloted 3 month time to keep the box is over! I’m not going to talk about magazines and baskets right now, or tins or stuffed animals….

Thanks for your input Jennifer, I’ll check out the various sites for inspiration.

Feb11

Great Grammy program

Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 by Dianne

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It seemed like it was more of 3.5 hours of a musical extravaganza than an awards show this year. It was the 50th anniversary, and they did a wonderful job of entertaining us for all that time. The View just showed the highlight of the evening-Herbie Hancock, Lang Lang and a full orchestra doing their rendition of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’. Loved seeing Beyonce booging with 68 yr old Tina Turner. And the opening number with Alicia Keyes singing along with old film footage of Frank Sinatra was awesome too.

I spent the time stitching the zebra, who seems ok now, not a stitch off or anything. I am also clipping magazines-and being really selective about what I am clipping. I am looking for images for my art cards/collages and some recipes and craft ideas. I happened upon an article about thyroid issues. I was told I didn’t have a problem, but one of the woman had ‘normal’ readings and had 3 or 4 different opinions before a specialist said she had a thyroid problem. I think mine gets wonky maybe? I plan to have a physical after Brian gets his bloodwork results back. Frankly, I am nervous as my nerves have been tested a bit these last few months.

My brother had a meltdown about my mom’s house yesterday. I knew he would sooner or later as he is trying to do too much in too short a time. I was angry to hear he threw an nice tall boy kind of desk away. I had spent a long time scrapping paint off it years ago. It’s made out of an unusual wood too. I am so glad I got my great aunt’s hutch out of there years ago! I love antiques. I wish I could help more, but I can’t lift. I can sort, I can take stuff to the Goodwill. I can certainly dust and clean. I think he needs to take a break and do something he likes.

I’m probably going out later to mail some books. I got a half.com sale too-probably a book I had listed for over two years-I need to find it!

And it was about 10 degrees out this morning and around 2 where Sean is. Speaking of Sean, he needs to get his housing issue settled soon. I need to proof a paper for him too.