What's Up

Grandy and Chandler are off to the slopes this morning for a day of fun!

This means I will also have a day of fun because I am in my house all alone to play!

Our latest accomplishment - Mantle on fireplace is hung and secure.

Putting the final touches on this project was Randy's goal he reached yesterday.

One of my Friday projects was making these counting books for my dear friend Suzanne's upcoming two, not one, grandsons. Both are due any day now.

'

Covers of the Books- I am thinking about painting their names under the little birdies-

Ezra and Luke

Now, if all these little bunny heads don't make me smile there is just no hope for me!

Another Friday project. These will be going on the outside of darling gable boxes for April product. I will show you the finished product later, along with what the boxes will hold.

Now I am off to enjoy the rest of my "free to play" day! 

Hope yours is a happy one!

And Here It Is

My brother read my blog and emailed me some MG pictures he had in his file. I chose this one to share as it also shows you a pretty girl who happens to be my sister-in-law. Like the MG she  makes my dad happy when he sees her. Marija is here visiting, from Serbia, as she had an interview, on Tuesday, for becoming a United States citizen.  She should be taking her citizenship vows in about three weeks.  Good for you, Marija!

Love Is In The Air and On The Floor

Here it is-February 14, 2009

Yesterday, along with my friend Bonnie, her daughter-in-law Debra, and Bonnie's daughter, Megan, we had the loveliest of days. Megan moved a year ago to PN. At the time of this move her mom and I were happy for her but not for us. She was going too far away. Megan shares our love of paper and goodies. It was going to be a loss not having her around to oooooohhhhhh and aaaaaahhhhhhh with us. When Megan now comes to town to visit, regardless of the date, love is in the air-

love for a daughter

love for a friend

love for a celebration

love for renewal and remembering old times

love for the hope of future times together

Yep, as the song goes----

love, love, love, all you need is love!

Sometimes love can be found in the funniest of places. My dad has a completely restored vintage red MG---a very special one. I am not into cars so I can not describe  and do it justice but I can tell you it is delightful. I will try to post a picture of it sometime. Anyway, not too long ago, I asked him why he did not sell it. My dad is 87 years old. My mom is 82 and is not in good health. My mother no longer drives and they own three cars. They have a two car garage and the MG sits in one of the garage spaces. When I questioned my dad, his response was perfect-----he said," Because it makes me happy every time I go by it. I like looking at it!" "Well, dad, I get it!, I replied.

Yesterday, as the girls were having their lovely day, and once again, as I spent $$$$ on paper and other delightful goodies, I thought of my dad's reply to me about the MG. For a few minutes I was feeling silly buying items that might not be used any time soon and maybe never but then I heard my dad's voice and thought yes, these things make me happy every time I see them. I like looking at them! So it is with that thought I share with you some of my happiness --- The paper and goodies evoke memories of a day shared with friends, inspiration of times gone by and yet to come and just sheer beauty to my senses. Each thing I purchased is already beautiful to me, in the current state it exists! I don't need to change it to make it better. All to often, in life, I want things changed. I think if only this or if only that. Today, and hopefully tomorrow too, I am going to be in love with the moment and what is----just the way it is! Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

A Little Story To Go With a Lot of Snow

We knew it was coming. We expected our grandson to have a snow day yesterday. The principal had forewarned the kids to check the local channel to see if there were delays or if school was being held. I knew my husband had gotten up and checked and then turned off the alarm. I knew this because when I awoke at seven it was light outside. If Chandler has school we get up at 6:10 and it is still dark. I came out of my bedroom to quiet and I thought, " Good, Chandler is sleeping in ". I made the coffee, opened the curtains and even looked out at the white grandeur. I went back to get my coffee and all of a sudden I heard the front door---It was Chandler. He had not been sleeping at all. He said he got up at six, looked at the T.V. and silently screamed for joy. He then sat down to watch T.V. but he started thinking about all the nice things we had been doing for him lately. He decided it would be a nice thing for him to go out and shovel snow for us without a reward for doing so. He had completely cleaned off the porch in front of the door, the steps, made two paths to the car ( which we had backed in and parked close to the street so he had a long path to make on the driveway. ). The street had already been snow plowed so he had cleared the berm made ,from the plow, in front of the driveway. He had started all this in the dark and was coming back inside to take a break and warm up. His little cheeks were red but his eyes were twinkling, much like Santa's at Christmas time. He was quite pleased with himself and I don't think I even have to tell you how warm my heart felt from this gesture of gratitude. One of those moments one knows why people have kids! Smile---

Enjoy the pictures and notice the cleared porch!

Well Well Well

Well, Well, Well----

It is becoming more evident I have much to learn. I am operating in windows right now on my new Mac computer. On my old PC when I wanted to delete a picture, I just chose it and pushed the delete button. That is doing nothing for me and I am tired of trying so I will just post as I uploaded and hope all will just give me a break on the pictures.

I can't believe a month is already gone in 2009 and we are well into February. I thought I would share with you where much of my creative endeavors go.

I created this long before the Cardinals were going to the super bowl.

Tag reads

Super Bowl is on the way

Regardless of the sport in season

Your referrals are always super!

This house packaging is from a kraft gable house. I painted the bottom with a tooth brush. The window show the months of Jan. Feb. and March. Each little window shows a piece of scrap book paper representing each month. The door says

Welcome

Come in and smell

the scents of the season!

The package holds candles with scents for each month.

I will be creating this packaging for each season of the year.

Tag for next picture

Chandler's valentine for his teachers

Tag on product says

In the field of ---

thanks for loving us!

Packaging for chocolates

Tag reads

Thanks from the heart!

Thanks ,from my heart, for stopping by and visiting!

A Sweet Story

A few months ago my cousin, Mickey, died. He died of respiratory problems. He happened to be a son of my very favorite aunt, Loree McBee. I adored her and could go on and on about the reasons why. This ,however, is not about that subject. It is about my cousin's death and the sweet story his wife told me about the his last days on earth and the days immediately following his death.

Mickey smoked most of his life. So did my aunt, by the way. Sorry, can't help but think of her when I am thinking of her son. Anyway, smoking eventually takes a huge toll on the body. Mickey was having quite the time breathing and his being became more and more difficult. Kay told me Mickey had told her he didn't want to leave her but he just was ready to go be with his parents and his dogs in heaven. Living under these physical conditions was too difficult. After quite the hospital stay and no relief in sight, Kay asked the Doctors to take away the life support and let nature take it's course. Mickey was allowed to be transferred to a Hospice center. Kay was with him much of the time and was very grateful to have Mickey spend his last days in such a caring facility. She purchased a bag of Dove candy and would eat one of these sweet treats each day. I never knew ( am not a big candy eater ) that Dove candies each have a saying tucked inside. Below you will find six days of Dove messages given to her

Day 1- Learn to say I love you in a different language.

Day 2- Have patience to the end.

Day 3-Have tranquility in your life today.

On day three a nurse came into the room and asked Kay if she would like to get in bed with her husband. She said she would love to. She did and started talking to Mickey about things she wanted to share with him. Among the things she told him was she would like for him to send her a sign from heaven that he had made it on his journey alright and was safe and sound.

Day 4- Take a deep breath.

This was the day Mickey's body gave out and he went to heaven.

Day5-Listen closely to your friends.

Day 6-Reach for new boundaries.

Kay, like me, is not very astute when it comes to all the technical operations of all our gadgets these days. Months before Mickey died, time and time again he had tried to show her how to pull up a calendar on her cell phone. She always got frustrated and just could not learn to do it. She finally told him to just forget it. She did not want to try anymore. Days after Mickey died and she went to get her cell phone. When she picked up the phone to use it, without touching a thing, guess what was on the phone starring at her--the calendar.

Sweet-----

Gran Torino

Have you seen it? If not - go see it.