DAFFODIL DREAMIN' APRON GIVEAWAY

Well it is what we call a "mucky pup" kind of day here. It's raining, the snow is melting and it's very muddy! But I was excited to finish this apron and wanted to use it as a giveaway on my blog. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and I will draw winner on March 1st!

Treasures from Mom

My mom stopped by yesterday~I was out (on that interview!) but she left me the most awesome gift (just because!) LOOK at this afagan! (Yes that is probably my dog's rear end in the left side of the picture!!)




My mom loves being crafty, just hasn't had the time she'd like to do it, as she has worked 3rd shift for almost 30 years. But the blanket got me thinking, mom has been really into crochet the last few years and I must have quite a bit of her work around here. So I started taking pictures...and realized mom has given me quite a few of her treasures that I display around the house. I wanted to share them with you all.










Wow, that's not even all of them! I am so blessed to have such a lovely, giving mom!

This Day COULDN'T Happen Twice

Seriously. Have you ever watched the movie "Ground Hog Day" with Bill Murray? He is stuck in the same day over and over again. Well, let me get down on my knees right now and thank the Good Lord that that can't happen in really life. It was a whopper...all minor issues mind you, but I am ready for hot tea and bed!

First of all, there was some major ice forming last night and the snow started falling this morning. The road crews kept all the road nice and clear though so nary a school was closed. DH warned me to start the car early to get the ice off and went merrily on his way to work. I thought I was doing well to start outside about 40 minutes early. The only problem was that we could not get the car doors open! DS tried. DD tried. I tried. I did my best rock ballad impersonation and got a grill lighter out and tried to melt the ice. No dice.

Finally, I had to resort to calling DH to come home and get the door open for me and take the kids to school. I called and let them know I'd be late.

I scraped and brushed and chipped away at the ice while the snow came down in large white fluffy cotton balls. I am know looking like a drown rat. I fixed myself up as best as possible and went off to work; sliding into the parking lot that apparently was kept as nice and clear as the roads! I think by this point I was talking to myself. I wasn't angry, mind you, but I guess I'm a bit spoiled and don't have these crazy mornings very often.

As I walked up to the front doors of the school I was greeted by two teachers who told me that the school was evacuated and everyone was in the elementary building. I think that was the point that my eyes bugged out of my head and I really wondered if I was awake or having one of those stupid dreams. "oh, it's true" they assured me. So, I hiked across the field to the elementary building, praising God all the way for all the exercise I was getting today.

No kidding, I get to the door, it opens, another teacher steps out and says we are all clear to go back. Now I'm thinking I'm ready to go back home to bed.

I went to work in the attendance office, telling myself not to be a baby and just work. And I was fine. Could have gone for one of those high octane coffees the kids all walk into school with now, but I was fine. Had to get work finished by 9:00 so I could make my appointment with DS's guidance counselor. DS is a great middle school kid who is just dragging out this maturing process to the point that if I don't go have some professional tell me he's fine every once in a while, I start to worry. I needed one of those reassurances this week so to her office I went. I think the PMS struck about 9:00 this morning and the poor guidance counselor had weepy beemoosie in her office.

I am not so sure what she thought about me, but she assured me DS is fine and she would work on a few organizational issues with him...

I think the rest of the day was pretty normal...but once those hormones kick in and the tears have been flowing, it's pretty hard to keep it together the rest of the day. Doing algebra at noon was a hoot!

All I wanted to do was get home...and I did make it home. To the security of my family. The phone rings. It's for me.

"Ma'am you took a civil service test last summer, can you come in for an interview for the index clerk position?"

"Why, yes I can." Who said that?

To be continued....

Wow! I must be on a posting roll here! I am happy to say that I survived my first study hall today. Our new schedules were handed out last week for the 2nd semester and I inherited a teacher's last block study hall. Thankfully, it is a great group of kids and I've gotten pretty good at reading and keeping an eye out on things. My DD was mortified yesterday when I showed up at her lunch as a monitor...hehe! I really don't try to embarrass her and she really isn't all that embarrassed, but she was a bit taken aback!! Her friends had all the fun inviting me over to sit down...(mom...under her breath...DON'T sit THERE!)

It was a good and productive weekend. My bag that I put pictures up of is ready together. I did more quilting on the front and back and put the sides and bottom together. I'm a little stuck about what fabric to use for the handles and lining...nothing has caught my eye yet. I also finished a table mat for my grandmother. My father's mother had a heart attack the week before Christmas and has been in a nursing home ever since. I am taking my sampler blocks and turning them into table toppers and thought it would cheer her room a bit.

My tree has been down for a couple weeks (hopefully it's been a couple!) and I got around to setting up my lamps and tables. The lamps came from my (other) grandma, and I bought the tables from a local store. One of my former end tables is in my DD's room covered w/ a tied died blanket and the other is under my DH's second TV in the family room (Don't ask!)





It feels like it should be way later in the week than it is...and DS has a basketball game to play tonight. Both kids do actually, DH will go one way and I'll go the other! I always watch whoever is closest if I have to drive myself. I don't like driving around after work anymore. As my students would say, "another sign of old age!"

So, I guess I'll go through some soup on (sorry, it's canned!) and get ready to head out. At least it's 50 degrees out, but I hear that tomorrow it will be at least 25 degrees colder!

~Blessings

Goings On

I can't even describe the weather today...about 3 inches of slush came out of the sky today. It looks and feels like a giant slushie out there! Although many schools in the area closed today, ours did not. I wasn't expecting it, nor am I greedy, so it's all good.

What was it, Wednesday that I had off. And I broke my "finish some projects before you start another" rule. I started a new bag made out of charm squares. I purchased the squares from http://www.nancysnotions.com/ I will have to see where the pattern for the bag is from to give credit where credit is due. I just seem to need these small in betweener projects to keep me going when I don't have time to really get into the big ones. Is that like sewing ADHD? If it is, I'm sure I have got it!

My side panels for the bag... I wil finish it tomorrow, as the weekend seems fairly calm. A couple of trips to school tomorrow for basketball practices and a run to the grocery store. Sunday, church first, then I'll make a cake as it is DH's birthday. Then of course we will be watching the SuperBowl and actually be interested because the NY Giants are my sons team. So have a blessed weekend and don't be shy, leave a comment!

Angels

Have you ever met Nancy Jo? If you haven't you must. Please visit her at http://www.nancy-jo.blogspot.com/ . She is one of my farmgirl/blogging friends and she has the biggest heart of anyone I have ever met. Looky what she did for me!







So here my precious angel sits, among the moose!!

A Meme

I've been tagged!
One of my blogging friends @ http://www.torismimi.blogspot.com/tagged me for a game.

Well, here goes. These are the RULES:Link to the person that tagged you. Which I did.Post the rules on your blog.Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 random and/or weird facts about me:


1. I love elevator music! Used to be a radio station here called WEZO...I don't know, there's just something about Led Zepplin done in "EZ" listening...

2. My house is clean, but my bedroom and car are usually a disaster. Think: teenager!


3. I have a hot pepper obsession. My dad and I used to sit and see who could eat the most without burning up! Our cat was even in on the contests! I ate them by the jarfulls when I was pregnant with #1. (She's Ok!)

4. I can handwrite better letters than e-mails; the words just flow better with pen and ink.

5. Neither my mother nor my grandmother care a lick about antiques or making things (food)from scratch....two of my favorite things.

6. I own more books than I have ever read, and I am always reading something.

7. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!!


Ok now I will tag 7 lovely ladies:
1)Heather @
http://heathersheartfeltstitches.blogspot.com/

2)http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/

3)Amy Ellen @ http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/

4)Aunt Jo @ http://auntjoscorner.blogspot.com/

5)Lainey @ http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/

6) Laura @ http://2lmzfarms.blogspot.com/

7)Allison @ http://purpleglasslover.blogspot.com/

Check all these blogs out...truly great ladies and enjoyable blogs!!

~Blessings

Thank you dear friends, because I feel the prayers. God is good and He knows what I need, faithful friends to pray me through! It's been a slow week at school, test week. I did some monitoring and some assisting, but I also had ALOT of down time. Time to reflect, let God speak to me. He is always there and He has awesome plans for me (each one of us!) and I just need to rely on Him. Lack of sun, hormones, circumstances, whatever...all do their part to try to tear our focus off His wonderful plans. Every once in a while I just need a kick in the pants and a shower of prayers to get back in line!

The pictures? Oh they are a few of the little gifties I received in a goodie box around Christmas time from my Great Aunt. Honestly, I don't even know her very well, but we have been sending cards and notes back and forth for a few years. It was such a sweet surprise to receive a box full of homemade goodies that she loves to buy from various crafts shows throughout the year!

Well, I'll keep it short and sweet today. Cold, cold, cold here....how is it in your neck of the woods?

~Blessings

I Must Admit...

I am blue. Maybe down right depressed. I have fought this since my early thirties, sort of a hormone thing I guess. Winter is the hardest, but last year I did pretty well, very well in fact. The last couple weeks I finally have to admit, I am struggling. I know there are triggers in my life right now, new job, our dog's cancer. But I get so upset with myself when I think of my friends (actual human beings) with cancer themselves or their loved ones; friends who are starting the new year without their loved ones or with financial problems. Those are serious issues, not like mine. Despite what I think, my body reacts, and I find myself exhausted and lethargic, not even being able to concentrate on sewing on my day off today. I did take one of my practice squares and sandwich and quilt it for a small table topper. I decided to do that with all my sampler blocks instead of making a quilt. I'm tired of seeing unfinished stuff around here.



I did get a nice package via UPS today. I ordered from a company called http://www.victoriantradingco.com/ I ordered stationery and address labels through their catalog and I am quite pleased. Take a browse if you like that sort of thing, they have everything from furniture to trinkets.

This is how the stationery sampler arrived...
So many lovelies!
I also have a couple pictures here from an earlier thrifting trip. A cute sewing box:

And this sweet little lambie for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. Jeremiah 31:13

~Blessings

Good Thriftin' Day

I am not a great thrifter. Maybe it's not me, just slim pickin's around here. We stopped at Good Will on Saturday and I just came away with a nice $5.00 blouse. This particular store always seems to have lots of clothes, not much in the way of nic nacs and such. So Sunday as DS and I drove home from church, the car seemed to head toward a local antique/gift/consignment shop. It's been growing the last couple of years, but I was very impressed this past weekend. The owner had new rooms downstairs plus the upstairs opened up. All sorts of venders have joined and it was well set up. I came away with some books. I was excited about the Little House on the Prairie set for $12.00
I can't wait to read God's and Generals, but I am engrossed with Maya Angelou right now.
I picked up this Victorian look photo album also. I have some older family photos that will look cute in it. I love the illustrations.



Finally, I couldn't let this purse be left behind, I liked the colors...

This week seems kinda long. I think I am a little over tired and a lot tired of the grey skies! My schedule will be a little different the next week and a half due to the students testing. I've been scheduled all over the place to help with tests and monitoring. I think this will be good though. Change like that for a little bit helps the days go by.
Oh, I almost forgot! I had started a WIP list on the side bar (WIP is work in progress, you probably all know that!) That one little item is NOT my only WIP, I need to fess up and get them listed over there! I kinda thought I'd stop buying fabric and kits until I got these projects finished. I, uh, slipped up already...

You see, a co-worker in my department is having a baby, and she's a really sweet lady; plus eons ago when I was a teenager I used to babysit her husband....ah jeezzz I just COULDN'T resist!!!
~Blessings

I can't even title my post! Not that I am witty with my titles, but it's just one of those weeks. Tough. Tough beyond imagination. Monday we found out our dear doggie has bone cancer. My husband cried. I cried. The kids...well let's just say it was worse than I thought. Jasmine is 11 1/2. She has been a joy and a blessing. And right now she feels good, so she is home and comfortable and getting spoiled. I can't believe how an animal can affect you SO deeply. Monday thru Wednesday I just didn't know how I would manage to get through the days. It seems like she has gotten more playful and animated and is telling us "come on! enjoy each day!"
Jasmine always loves Christmas morning!
Well, I'm going to go on here. I need to. So let me show you some happenings in my living room. I can't show it all, because, sadly enough, my tree isn't down yet! LOL! But I bought a couple of new end tables from a local little store. I will show them in better detail after they move to their proper places. (When the tree is down!) But for now, I will show you the new lamps I received from Grandma for Christmas. If you visit Nancy Jo's blog, you will see that our lampshades look similar. "Leather Look", they're called. I also picked up the table mat yesterday at a cute shop in the mall. Not a mall person my self, but I have a teenage daughter who is and we took two of her friends. Good medicine.

Tuesday, I needed a little pick me up. I turned to my dear friend Kay for some of her divine homemade soaps and lotion bars. I absolutely love them! I was so happy to receive them in the mail yesterday when we got home! Visit Kay @http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=16118
I remember telling Kay the first time I bought some of her soap, that it was just too pretty to use! She said use it!! That's what it's for! Let me tell you, it is heavenly!
Lastly, let me show you a couple of cuties! Cutie Cutters, I guess you could say! The moose are coming home! The mamma moose is from Marybeth, and baby moose is from Sue at Country Treasures! Thanks girls!
Well, I will leave ya now. That tree really should come down today....
~Blessings

January Grind

I was in such shock that I didn't mention what this was...an Huskvarna sewing machine! I loved the machine I used before, but this is like upgrading from a Chevy to a Mercedes!

My first project on it were these pot holders for some girlfriends of mine. There is four layers of batting in these things and the machine sewed smooth as silk! Oh! How it took those curves! Of course, like most of the pictures of my projects seem to be, these are not quite finished. Yes, I did finish them, but then forgot to take the pictures! (My pictures also seem to be dark lately)

I also played around with the stitches in an effort to finish this wall hanging for the living room:
Then I had to go back to work Thursday. I love my job, but certainly could have stayed home and sewed for a couple more weeks. Especially since the temperatures here are struggling to get out of the single digits. For all you warm weather readers, that means it's been like 4 degrees!
Oh wait, here is a finished project! The best kind, a gift! Remember the Dora quilt, well blankie? Here it is: That little darling got the crayon bag too!
After the hustle and bustle of the last month, I have a pretty easy Saturday ahead of me. After I pay the bills, the day is pretty much mine. So that is a nice thing. I made a stupid mistake on a quilt the other day, so I need to see if I can fix it without buying more material.
~Blessings