And the Beat Goes On

Well actually it's the 50th birthday celebration that keeps going on.

Yesterday met up with my friend Nettie and she continued the birthday fun!

I do believe with her gift of cash I see MORE WOOL in my future.  One can not have too much wool you know!  Thank you Nettie and thank Diane for her gift too!  Nettie also took me to dinner!  Like I said, the celebration seems to be never ending! 

Today I needed to go to Costco, you know that big box store.  We always need a skid of paper towels (cause of Miles and his vomiting problem) and a few others things.  Of course you never get out of there without spending a fortune   Decided to go "thrifting" first.  One of the Costco's I go to is near where I used to work and used to visit frequently but haven't "haunted" these stores in a while.

Found a few books for $0.35 each - always see books i have already bought for more money and there they are in nearly brand new condition.  Most were fiction, but one of the hardbacks I bought was a quilt book with patterns in and I do not quilt but some of them will translate nicely to rug hooking. 

I also found this plate.

I believe it to be redware and not sure if it's old (looks real old to me) as I'm not schooled enough in redware to tell but I do like it and it was only $1 - There is a small chip there on the left but it adds character!

Also found a couple of other items but will be giving them to a couple friends - Seems I always see stuff for other people when I'm out and when things are so inexpensive you can not buy something - heck they can throw it away if they don't want it, right?

Also wanted to note that it went all the way up to 53 degrees today - It certainly put a spring in my step and others as well - People were smiling and had to laugh seeing people walking around NOT bundled up - One girl walked by me in a t-shirt and no coat at all - Okay it was warm but not that warm!  Didn't notice any flip flops though! LOL

After coming home and unloading the car and making dinner and cleaning up, decided to actually pick up my hook this evening

Then....

Remember how I mentioned before it seems like the kitties pick their own rug they like - I do believe this one is Riley's.  Jonesy hasn't bothered with it at all yet that one I made my Mom at Christmas he was all over it.  This one Riley loves!

Well I finished it and pulled it off the frame....

And someone pointed out there was a small area I missed...

So pulled out the hook and a worm and hooked those few loops - Didn't get a pic but Riley actually helped - he had his paw wrapped around the loop! Knucklehead!

Then threw it on the floor...

"Thanks for the nap mat Ma"

The colors are not true in this pic - it's a mixture of dark tans and reds and browns - After I bind it I will TRY to get a pic of the true colors -

I haven't had any sort of motivation the past few weeks to create, hoping that this one is done that I will get on the ball and get something new on the frame and soon!

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day whether you were with your sweeties or just enjoying something you love to do.

Forever Young

First, maybe you want to skip this post - it's going to be all about me and my birthday. Okay well maybe not all about me - maybe more about my AWESOME FRIENDS.

You know the one that buys you balloons (Kathy) to remind you you are getting older.  The one that buys your a mug (Dolly) to remind you what your age is,  Also, the one that thinks you are

Anyway - yesterday was Thursday.  Thursday often means a trip to Grant Street Woolworks in Chambersburg for an all day hook-in.   Finally, the weather said clear skies (but cold) so I was on my way.  First stop was at Kathy's house - Invited myself in to see her paint job from way back at Thanksgiving.  Then it was off to the Coffee Corner for a hot mocha.  Then, since I never had been to a Hobby Lobby, I wanted to check it out, so Kathy took me there.  Wow - a Home Depot sized store (well almost).  Guess they have pretty much anything you need for crafting!  They also have a lot of home decor items.

Then it was off to the shoe store - Kathy got a pair - me they didn't even have boxes wide enough for my feet!

So it's off to Grant Street to settle in for the day - When I get there - the above balloons and signs were sitting where I usually sit!  Oh that Kathy - she's loving that I'm turning 50 before her!

There were lots of presents for me to open!

First, Kathy gifted me with a belated Christmas gift she made (like she hadn't already given me enough at Christmas).   Isn't it cool - I love prim and cats!  Will be hanging it up later today!

Then there was a big birthday bag!  Inside was 50 Reece's peanut butter cups in that red checked bag, a box of tea, a paddle to beat her with (just kidding), a small old grater, a gift card for gas and money for tolls for my drive out (way to much missy!), a gorgeous piece of red hand dyed wool, and this awesome punch needle pinkeep she made - wish the photo was better it's so much nicer in person. 

Think she got carried away with the "50" on the envelope?

A close up of the little pillow...

The back of the pillow...

Then another bag appeared.  From Linda! Oh Linda - you shouldn't have (but glad you did - LOL)  Inside was a blue ticking table runner - so cool - she knows I love ticking, some more peanut butter cups - apparently this was hard for her to give up - she wanted them?, two little candle cups, a tin mold that was suggested would make a cool make-do, and a yard of wonderful wool!  Thank you so much Linda! 

Now if that wasn't enough in comes Jill with another birthday gift!  She filled an old mason jar with kisses and gave me me some pretty napkins - will match my dining room perfectly  - Thank you Jill - you are wonderful! 

Okay - at this point Linda brings two more bags over from the "secret pal" cauldron.  At Grant St we pulled names for a secret pal and then in December we will reveal who we have.

Well I haven't figured out who my secret pal is but let me just say this - either my secret pal has pets or else my cats love this person - Riley and Jonesy couldn't get done sniffing these items - especially Jonesy - didn't get a picture of him though - they were pawing thru everything and just sniffing and sniffing!  Now of course my secret pal sent a packet of treats for the boys (Riley's favorite brand or as my husband and I say his favorite drug of choice).  Also included were some gold and red plaid wool - love the colors, some lotion, blistex, a prim pillow, and a rusty tin dish along with a birthday card.  Thank you secret pal!  So overwhelmed and love everything!

 

And then another gift from my Secret Pal - A Valentine's Gift!

A red dish towel (I need these bad - so thank you!), an oven mitt, some candy with kitties and puppies on, a heart pez dispenser,  some air fresheners for the car (oh and Jonesy checking everything out - again with the nose!) Oh and I forgot to take the picture but a wooden red candle holder - can't remember if it was the Valentine's bag or Birthday Bag (hey if my secret pal reads this maybe they want to comment and correct me - hahahaha)

I am truly overwhelmed and thankful for having such a wonderful group of friends - Thanks everyone!

I decided to spend my birthday money from my parents on some wool - so I bought 4 yards of wool (have to replenish my stock - I'm getting there!)  Linda has so much to choose from I had a hard time deciding so I stuck with colors I know I needed, and not just ones I wanted! (Okay okay - I wanted it all!)

Started putting everything away - why is Jonesy looking so mad?  Is it because Riley carried the treats off?

I forgot to bring my camera yesterday so no shots of anyone or the rugs or even the cake Linda bought me - The cake was wonderful -  I did manage to pull a few loops (remember I've been in a lack of motivation slump).  I took the 7 Gates rug to work on and had big plans to finish it, even brought a bag of yarn and cording to whip it with if I finished it (and hey Kathy - i plum forgot but I had some yarn for you to ball up!)  but had forgotten one of the background wools (good excuse right), but did manage to hook the bird and some of the background.  I'm a "dark" background person -so this rug is way out of my comfort zone for me with the lighter background (not as light as the picture shows) I'm trying to "like it" and will continue on with it.  Just wishing I would have done a darker background but then again change is good right?

Okay - I'm thinking Jonesy is happy now that he's asleep in my lap again!  Had to giggle - notice his paw - I have the camera strap wrapped around it and pulling his paw up and down and he's just snoozing away - He is just happy I'm home today and he has a lap - This is the boy that hates to be alone!  Just love his sweet self to pieces!

Again - thank you my friends and not just for the gifts - they were all not necessary but of course appreciated and loved but just know your friendship is all I need!

50 years and a week!

Someone to Watch Over Me

Well let's see - just what have  I been doing since my last post?

Not much!

I did manage to turn 50 on Friday without any dramatic traumatic events.  Good thing!

Sunday I was to take a friend and her sister to AC but they had to cancel due to illness so I decided to go anyway - figured it was 10 degrees warmer down there and the room was booked and free!

Once again I did nothing but relax, walk,  and read.

Then came the drive home yesterday morning.

Everything is going great - the traffic was actually good - it kept moving.  No major backups on the AC Expressway and then the Schuylkill was actually moving (for those that know this road - it's a rare event).

Then came the reason that I do believe there must be someone watching over me - Remember a few posts back I mentioned my car and all I had done to it and when I was handed the keys he was like "you have a new car almost!"

Wrong!

I drove three expressways yesterday and got off the exit into town - it is two lanes there now because of the new Wegmans but by no means an expressway.  I stop at the light about 1/2 mile off the exit.  Then accelerated - then realized I had no steering and the brakes didn't feel right! Oh crap! All the interior lights are lighting up on the dash and  I'm in the left lane of the two lanes - cars all around.

I signaled and somehow (again I had to have help here!) got my car into the right lane and riding the ditch and threw on the 4-ways and coasted down and up  a hill.   Got to the next light (with angry stares at lunch hour motorists - heck can't they see something is wrong - my 4-ways are on and I'm practically in the ditch!)  Anyway - got myself into a parking lot and parked the car - no steering left whatsoever so there I sit all cockeyed.  At least I'm off the road!

Called my husband to ask him to call AAA for me as there was no way I'm driving this (I'm about 10 miles from home ). So luckily our garage is AAA affiliated and my husband made all the calls and said he would come get me.

Long story short - the car was towed, the culprit was a little tiny piece of rubber that wore away between two pieces of metal that is on the pulley system/balance whatever of whatever drive and steering belts thingie (Can you tell my eyes glazed over when Mike the Mechanic was explaining this to me and even drew me a diagram - I was just thinking - just take my credit card and give me the keys!)  When I told the garage where I had been and where it happened they all sat there and stared at me and said I was damn lucky to be here!  Comforting huh?

Car is back home this afternoon and Jonesy is in my lap right now - everything is right  in his world!

Well now that I'm 50 I've decided to look ahead and be thankful for what I have.  I'm very happy to leave a few years of the 40's behind when I was dealing with so much negativity.  The last few years I have been so much happier without that constant negativity in my daily life.   I do try to be positive every day and try to be a good person and plan on continuing that and just "being me" and taking things as they come!  As Doris Day says "whatever will be, will be"!  If you don't like me, then so be it, I can't take on other people's ideas of who I am - I only can deal with who I know I am.

Wishing everyone a warm and safe day!

Trash City

just received this in an email - something to remember...

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of
frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.

Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets,

so ... Love the people who treat you right.

Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a garbage-free day!

Great Big Kiss

Well my mailbox was overflowing with smiles today!

I received a copy of early birthday presents and wanted to thank the wonderful ladies and also share pics with you!

Jo is friend I met thru online rug hooking groups!  She's a wonderful lady - Always there to entertain us with stories or recipes or silliness or just plain fun!

She made me a little mat that says "Have Hook Will Drive" and also hooked in my little red Subaru - how cute is this...  I guess I never realized it but I do tend to just get in my car and go places - often I just do rather than think.... I'm more of a spur of the moment person!  Plans often disappoint me as something interferes or goes wrong (like the darn weather lately!)

She also sent me some DMC cotton floss and a little Jack in the Box antenna head.  Jo - I have to tell you - I opened the little Jack in the Box and Jonesy promptly took it from me and walked away with it! I'm not sure what happened to it - but I bet it's in his tent where he stores treasures!  Too cute!   Thank you so much!

Merrie and Doris are also friends from online hooking groups!  Merrie send me some lovely wools - just love them - and a cute card!  Doris sent me a card with some wonderful gift tags and a threader!  Thank you so much ladies

Earlier today Riley found the little basket I mentioned in the previous post - the one we made at Judy's Cinnamon Stick - well he proceeded to pull out the little heart cut outs i had in the basket and then....

dropped the whole basket on Jonesy's head...

Thank goodness it's paper and doesn't weigh much!  Jonesy was not amused until he found the little crinkled paper and then started pulling that out! Let's just say I was picking things up and will have to put it where the "paws" can't get to it!

Tonight I met my husband for dinner and then we went to the Sellersville Theater (http://www.st94.com/) to see a show. 

We saw David Johansen.  For those of you not familiar with him you can check him out here on ST's website or even on imdb.com - he's been in several movies. 

http://www.st94.com/store/David-Johansen-of-The-New-York-Dolls-OSCARItem_1=DJ.02.11.aspx

 

My husband has seen him many times with the Dolls but this was just an acoustic show.  He's quite the entertainer and we were hoping for a meet and greet after the show (often happens at this theater) but David gave word he wasn't doing "meet and greets" apparently.  Felt bad for my husband - he's really into music and had stuff for him to sign.

 

Anyway - we did get within 2 feet of him - after dinner it was early for the show so we went to the Washington House which is beside the Sellersville Theater and sat at the bar - David and his buddy came in for dinner and then when we were in the lobby of the theater he came in from dinner - so we did get to wave hi!  

 

It was a good night out (even though the roads were still dicey icey in spots and it was 15 degrees) and close enough (not like going to a show in Philly) that we were home by 11:00!  Geez I must be getting old! 

Tears on My Pillow

Have any of you heard of Quillow (Quillo)

Use me as a pillow

Unless you get cold

Then pull out my stuffing

And gently unfold

I'm a lap quilt now

With space for your feet

And when you're all done

Fold me back nice and neat

My Mom made me one more than 10 years ago and I just washed it this weekend and was folding it up.   If I could sew I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult - I'm thinking I would like one for my hooking room - May have to buy her some fabric and ask nicely to get another one! 

My Mom made my original one with flannels.  It's so nice and cozy and warm and gets softer with each wash. 

 So with a little help from my friends - I'll show you how it goes from a lap quilt to a pillow

One side is a a dark tan flannel with a "pocket" of floral flannel (which when you are snuggling in it you can tuck your toes into the pocket...

The other side is a flannel green homespun....

So that would be lap quilt - part - now to turn it into a pillow - first you turn up one side (the pocket underneath)

Then the other side...

Then fold up towards the pocket in 4ths...= 

Then you turn the pocket and stuff in the quilt part...

And now you have a pillow....

Wooden Heart

Okay so it wasn't Wooden - but Elvis didn't sing a song about a "woolen" hearts that I know of!

Saturday at the Cinnamon Stick was a fun day!  We made woolly woven hearts and also some valentine hearts and baskets!

What a great day on Saturday - I was so worried the night before about being able to show people the "blanket" stitch since I'm left handed.  I remember when I was young and being taught stitches how hard it was for me to learn from anyone - I'm a total lefty - Anyway - no worries - the ladies all knew how to sew already! Whew!

At some times during the day everyone was busy concentrating and it was quiet and at other times everyone was smiling and talking and enjoying themselves.  Judy also showed us how to take a template and make and decorate some baskets and hearts from scrapbooking paper and lace and buttons and what not.  So amazing to see every one's hearts and baskets - no two a like!

Me - well let's just say I'm not the "paper cutting" kinda gal - I ended up cutting my template wrong and couldn't figure out why my basket wasn't going together.  Judy was very kind though even though she was probably thinking "yi yi yi"!  

Here's some random photo's of the day -

Always fun day spent crafting!

Well this week is bringing another storm - supposed to be nasty tonight - calling for lots of ice! Okay all my bellyaching about snow - I'd much rather have the snow than the ice.

Also - doesn't anyone know where my motivation to do anything went? I think if my rug hooking room was straightened up  (okay okay - a never ending battle) I would be more inclined to do something - but I think - and I know I'm sounding like a broken record -it's the starting something - just can't seem to get started - once I do there is no stopping me!

I did manage to finalize all the plans for my annual New York trip in March  today - bought tickets for a Broadway play and then an off Broadway play and of course the ABC Broadway event.   The room reservations are made.  So that is checked off my list!  

I have even thought about starting my taxes - but it passed really quick!

Hope you all have better weather than around here and are creating away!

Now Riley would like to get back to his nap...(just look at that tired goofy expression!)