My Etsy Shop

Ok, here is the link to my ETSY shop... http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6181078

Hope it works! I guess this is a test!

Edit... it's working fine! It's full of knitted things, a cute snowman pillow, an extremely primitive snowman shelf-sitter, and some painted stuff. Will continue to stuff full for the holidays!

Henry is officially a crawler!

Henry sent us a note - he says "Hi Memaw and Papa"!

Hi Henry!

Smooches!

Congratulations on being able to move away from the cat!, or towards him, either one!

Unsolicited Advice

yeah, I stole this from an email from Jim's cousin, Becky. I think it contains some powerful advice.

Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life!

1.) Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.
2.) Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3.) Always pray and make time to exercise.
4.) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of Six.
5.) Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
6.) Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
7.) Try to make at least three people smile each day.
8.) Clear your clutter from your house, car, and desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
9.) Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
10.) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like an algebra class. The lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
11.) Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a layman and dinner like a beggar.
12.) Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
13.) Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
14.) Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.) You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
16.) Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
17.) Don't compare your life to others'. You have no Idea what their journey is all about.
18.) Ladies - Go on and burn those 'special' scented Candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good China and wear fancy clothes now. Stop waiting for a special occasion. Every day is special.
19.) No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
20.) Frame every so-called disaster with these Words: In five years, will this matter?
21.) Forgive everyone for everything.
22.) What other people think of you is none of your business.
23.) Time heals almost everything. Give time, time!
24.) However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25.) Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch with them.
26.) Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
27.) Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. God provides, remember?!
28.) The best is yet to come.
29.) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
30.) Do the right thing!
31.) Call your family often.
32.) Each night before you go to bed complete the Following statements: 'I am thankful for_____________. Today I accomplished _________.
33.) Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
34.) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast ride. LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. LIFE'S A gift.... that's why it's called PRESENT! ... UNWRAP IT!

First Snowfall

No, I didn't get a picture... we all know what the snow looks like! Actually, it would snow and melt, then snow and melt. Some has accumulated by now, so it is nice that the leaves in the yard are covered. The weather says it is to be in the 60's by the weekend, so that is good news. I have a bunch of signs I want to paint, so sunny and 60 sounds just about right.

BUT... before it snowed, I got a picture of these snowman pillows.. I listed one on Etsy tonight. Hmm, it would be nice if there was a nice little clickable link right about here... have to learn how to do that someday.

Carol

Yesterday, my cousin Carol passed away. She is the beautiful woman in the picture with our uncle Jimmy. Yes, he's 80 something and he's Uncle Jimmy. Carol was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago after a horrible headache sent her to the emergency room. Surgery took place last week, the tumor had take residence in her brain, they got what they could, and started radiation and possibly chemotherapy. She was in rehab, when Tuesday night, they found her unconscious, her brain was swelling. She remained in a coma until passing away yesterday afternoon.

It doesn't seem quite real, she was a vibrant, caring individual, who has seen more heartbreak than one could bear. Losing her first husband after 5 years of marriage, leaving 2 boys, age 2 and 4. Losing a son at 21 to a motorcycle accident. The death of her second husband 2 years ago to cancer. Now we say goodbye to her on Saturday. I wanted to ask today - what did she do to deserve this, when it hits me, this IS her reward, she is receiving her crowns of glory.

We love you, Carol!

Going back in time...

Since I wasn't the most faithful blogger, I want to re-count some of the important events in my life... on Feb. 9, 2008 our 4th grandchild was born, Henry James B and we fell in love all over again with a tiny bundle. He and his mom (our daughter) and dad live in MD, so it's a bit of a drive to get to see him. We got to see him when he was days old. He's growing so quickly, 8 months old now, and I miss seeing all the wonderful things that babies do. Long distance grandparenting isn't all that fun. Save for special surprises, like my birthday this year! Thanks guys!!!! It was a delightful surprise! Sneaky, too!

ALF Pictures

AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL 2008

My set-up

Large old window painted with fall scene.

The show was a good one, despite the rain during set up. It didn't seem to discourage the die-hards. Everyone else came late morning after the rain had cleared, the day turned into a beautiful one.

AUTUMN LEAF FESTIVAL

We're packing up for Autumn Leaf Festival tomorrow. The festival itself is on Friday, 8-5 in downtown Clarion, PA, Autumn Leaf Capital of the world, so they say.

Approximately 300 vendors line the Main Street, and our booth is in front of the Courthouse, #56.

The next pictures you will see posted will be of the booth, probably. I wanted to photograph the items as I was making them, but time is always short as I get ready for ALF.

I have tons of things for sale, fall decor, and signs and snowmen.

Seeya on Friday!

Let Go

LET GO! author unknown

LET GO of that nagging feeling that something could go wrong. For whatever may happen,you can always choose a way to move forward.

LET GO of your resentment and anger over things that are beyond your control. Do the very best with where you are,with what you have,and that will be more than enough.

LET GO of the pain you carry from things that happened long ago.Allow yourself to experience the glorious freedom of forgiveness.

LET GO of the needs that you don't really need,that keep your life so anxious and complicated. Find real fulfillment not in getting, but in being.

LET GO of the regrets,the disappointments and distress. Choose to follow the very best of the possibilities that beckon you forward.

LET GO of all the excuses ou have for not living fully. Give beauty and meaning to the life and the world that you're in right now.

Thanks, Jen!

Oh, I am a pathetic blogger. I have plenty going on, but no time to write about it. Going to take a stab at it.

Going on this week:

• My oldest daughter's 31st birthday, which I didn't sufficiently celebrate with her, as she and her husband live 5 hours away. Since, however, she is due to deliver our 4th grandchild within the next couple of weeks, I will have a chance to celebrate her birthday and her dear son's at the same time. It's very "circle of life" - ish. I'm very excited about this baby boy.
• My son and his wife have bought a house, I believe 2 weeks ago. They have been feverishly, scraping, sanding, tearing down and re-building and painting. The results will be a beautiful century-old Victorian home. The grandchildren will fill it's halls with laughter.
• Our youngest daughter brought home all a's on her report card once again this year. Wow, she is impressing us, and we're proud of her for "doing her part".
• Mom is going home this weekend, on a reprieve from the nursing home, can't go see her since we're going to be helping our son do the house. Brothers are once again spending the time and energy to get her home, so glad since I don't have it!
• Still dealing with some lousy sinus junk, it's been a long time now.
• My sister made the best wedding soup and pizza bread this weekend for our "family meeting". Yum, made the over an hour drive SO worth it!
• I have the most wonderful husband in the world.

Friday, November 9, 2007

America's Test Kitchen Cookbook
I tried the slow cooker beef stew recipe out of my America's Test Kitchen Cookbook. It had a few twists in it from the regular dumping in of browned beef and vegetables, we will see how much of a difference it makes in the taste after being in the crockpot for 8 hours! I need to get some crusty bread to have with it.
Today is our twin grandchildren's first birthday. We had a celebration with them last night, and it was a great time. They are full of personality and even a little attitude. We love them to pieces!

I'm finishing up a few gigantic santa hats. I make things for craft shows. They hang upside down as stockings and are very long. I went according to the pattern, and ended up just now having to cut them off, and re-sewing the ends... I saved the ends to make new hats, just smaller! I'm waiting for gingers and hearts (stocking stuffers) to dry in the oven now... this is the first time I've used this recipe of grunge. I sure liked how they looked wet, let's see how they dry.
Posted by school street studio at 8:34 AM 0 comments
Thursday, November 8, 2007

I'm writing.
It's official... first day of my new blog. It's much too late to write anything worthwhile, I'll get at it tomorrow...