Friends.....

Dear friends!

Warm fuzzies.

Purr.

Thanks for the reminder Tammy!

Purple Weather Alert!

Need a good reason to stay home cuddled up next to the fire today?

Here it is...



forecast for today- purple weather.

And, nope! My fingers aren't frozen (or inked, for that matter-smarty pants!) purple. That's a whole lotta ice out there.

Thankfully- B's boat plant shut down and sent them all home... across those really treacherous bridges. The state highway department is warning that the worst is between Arkadelphia & Malvern... oh, GREAT! That's right where he's gonna have to drive through-- naturally.

The cats just don't seem to understand. They want to go out... but, two steps out the door, they are ready to change their minds. Katrina was determined... and slid down the steps, took refuge under the nearby wheel-barrow, sat a few moments and decided staying inside wasn't so bad after all! Uhh.... watch out, little girl! She SLID up those steps!! She's sitting here in the window now peering out trying to figure out what it is that is so wrong out there today!! The birds are in abundance at the feeders- wish I could take a photo as there are more than six pairs of cardinals, dozens of purple & gold finch, and chickadees and the usual titmice. But, I'm not braving those steps to get a snapshot!

So... you'll have to settle for this.
Proof that I don't have ink on my fingers, LOL! Just mittens!
But, I will say- it's c-o-l-d back here in the studio, so... I'm going to the living room and pile up with Samson in front of the fire!!

Shout outs to Sarah & Jeff... hope you guys get over the ickies.

Oh..... and B's HOME! Yippee!! All safe & sound. Said that there was a really bad accident at Friendship with a woodchip truck (rumors of a fatality) and that both lanes of traffic in the east-bound lanes was backed up past Caddo Valley. UGH. Stay home. stay warm.

Chasing Rabbits.... virtually anyway.

My mind wanders--

a lot sometimes!
Bet yours does, too? Especially when you're on the internet?

This morning when I checked the email, it was all the mundane stuff.
***Spam, spam, spam- delete, delete, delete.

***Three big sales notifications- delete, flag in case I want to peruse later today, delete.

*Personal reminder- I send those to myself to make sure I don't forget to check the calendar and then it (the reminder) gets buried in the inbox and I forget anyway. Pathetic- but, I'll flag it just in case I happen to remember to back and look for the flags.

*Oh, and eBay sent me a request that since I'd bought these items in the past year, hadn't I ought to buy some more? Uh- no? These items were some stamps and they pretty much last forever and don't have to be replaced.

But- wait a minute!! There are some others that they included that are new to the market and wouldn't I be interested???

Oh, MAN!! They got me!

ZAP! I'm there. I'm hooked. Surfing lovely new art-images.

Bummer. I'm really not interested in getting into any auctions right now, cause that means I'd be watching the derned internet all day waiting to see if someone outbids me. Besides! I'm not spending any money- I'm being really frugal... I don't need any stamps! But, wait! Those are really cute stamps.....


Oh, SHOOT!! This is just where eBay wants me! They just KNEWWWWWWW I'd fall for it!

Okay. Quick. Get away. Is this what it's like flirting with the fox?

Close windows.

Back to business. Email. Ugh. Sigh. Delete, delete, delete. So much fallderall. No real mail. No juicy family news.

Oh- waaaaaiiiiiiit a minute!! Our sorta-niece is expecting a baby!!
WOOHOOO!!!! Congrats to the newly expectant parents, Rachael & KJ, and g-parents, Jeanette & Barry!

Oh! Wait! Back up! I saw the cutest little natal stamps!! That would be so precious on a little box for J-nette! It was on the next to last page I had up on eBay. I'll just take a peek. It might stimulate some ideas! No. I'm not going to buy it!! Duh.... you thought I was going to BREAK? Nah.... I'm just looking! I spent all my mad-money with Mshell yesterday!

Darn. Can't find it! Oh... it was on one of those scrolly things. Oh, there it is... no, no that's not it. Wait- here slide some more. What? What is THAT? Ohmigosh! That's BEAUTIFUL!!
That's like... "Click"!
Ahhhh-- now THAT is gorgeous! No, it's not baby-fied in any way shape or form. It's Victorian and it's beautiful! Is that a new company? a new artist? Where has that been all my life?

Follow the link. It is a new artist. WOW! They've got a whole big website, message board, the works! Okay.. I'll join just so I can get their coupon!! Just in case I happen to see their products anytime soon. What? You can see other members' projects using this item? Oh, cool!! That's cool! It's not natal, it's not even Victorian... it's... I don't know what it is? It's not the item I was looking at! But, it doesn't matter it's beautiful! How did she DO that?

Of course.. now I have to go and google "magic box". I need that pattern! Of course... that search was not appropriate. Add template. Add stamp. Add crafter.

What? A link here is intriguing!

But, it mentions Robert Rauschenberg- a Port Arthur artist, that I've been meaning and meaning to research (and just keep forgetting and forgetting). Probably cause I chase so many other rabbits.

Okay... off to study a great artist. I'll have to write a whole paper about him!

So many rabbits.... so little time.

Scary!

No. I didn't take this picture. Nor did mine burn this badly.

BUT- I did have a shocking experience the other night with the microwave.

I placed my popcorn bag inside and began to check my email when I heard screech-screech-crackle and no pops! I thought it had shorted out and was going to burn this old house down! I panicked and pulled the plug as soon as the fireworks began exploding inside the oven.

I mentioned it to my Dad who suggested that some m/w popcorn bags were being infused with aluminum to aid in getting all those kernels to pop (which brings up a whole 'nother scary topic). While I couldn't find that particular article on the NY Times, I did find another very interesting site (link above) and article. And, even more scary- an article on "popcorn lung".

Should have KNOWN that it's the manufacturer and model, GE! I have never been able to get certain food items to cook properly in this microwave. I'll be putting a new microwave on the top of my wish list now! Bummer. I thought it needed to be replaced on the fact alone that the turntable had broken after the 2nd month and we were just being inconvenienced.

While I'm at it though... I intend to surf the consumer affairs site and get the low down on several of my appliances (mostly that new vacuum I purchased!) that is nothing more than a lovely red monstrosity that Wrigley thinks he adores! Yes... my dog loves the vacuum! The minute I drag it out and plug it in- he sidles up to it hoping to be stroked with the wand attachment! And, yes- the wand attachment sucks; the floor brushes leave much to be desired considering how much pet hair I have to combat.

Go enlighten yourself on all the disappointing items that are being foisted on us through the guise of lower prices. Read that- as Wal-Mart. Where all our money goes. UGH. It's hard to be a savvy consumer when there aren't any other choices but those items that were bought from the lowest-bidder. Reminds me of what the astronauts tell one another "remembering, we're sitting atop a rocket built by the lowest-bidder". Comforting? NOT.

"ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country." JFK

Happy Federal Holiday! Happy Monday!

Today is the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

While watching the news this morning, I didn't have my glasses on. The first thing I saw was a headline...

MLK Day

me, not having my glasses- I saw m - i - l - k!

I was thinking about that- and thought... well... if they'd add "ing" to the end- it would be more accurate. Then it could be read as "milking Day".

Regardless- it is a federal holiday and there's plenty of sales... and since our President thinks it's a good idea to $pend money and improve our economy; we should all take advantage of the holiday and go $hopping!

Ah.... gotta love our government! Now I have an excuse to offer my husband!

I'm celebrating milking day and improving the nation's economy; I'm practicing being a good citizen! May I have a jamocha shake with that, please?

I could "milk" this for a long, long time! 'er... cheezy grin?

Use the link above to see the dates that our government has set aside for the retail industry to plan for big shopping events- I mean to improve the GNP, corporate bottom-lines, and national debt!

Thanks to Dr King.. I have a dream.... a new car, a new digital SLR camera, a new flat-screen High-def TV, a new Apple lap-top (oh, wait... maybe I should save that for a holiday associated with a fruit-tree? apples are sorta like cherries, right?), some lovely new art supplies....

Go out- $timulate the economy... being patriotic never felt so good. And, be sure and drink your milk.

Addendum... my Dad says I'm being a heifer when I get this sassy. I think he just needs to be more cultured cuz I know I'm the cream of the crop! at least- when I scrapbook! Furthermore, no disrespect is intended towards Mr King.

a Heart for Russia

our niece, Jocelyn, is preparing for her missions trip to the Ukraine.


Click on the link above for the website.

Today's weather? a blistering 10 degrees. OUCH.

Not much different from what it feels like here- even though I know there is a huge difference! Thermometer says: 35 degrees and it feels like five to me. I've even had to *gasp* vacuum for warmth!! haha.... I survived it! And, am now warm enough for a few moments to actually TYPE... so.... here I am!

Anyway- I know she is anxious to get trained and "over there" and those that love her are anxiously praying that for her and her roomie, their safety during travels to training and abroad and for their specific purpose.

Cheezy vacation postcard!!

.... or "Wish you were here!!"

Had a lovely visit with Sister Nancy over the weekend.... and some other woman we couldn't identify.
She does have a nice smile though, eh? It was good for a laugh or two anyway!

These were taken at the Children's Wing of the Grace Museum- exhibit: the Human Body!






There was also an "operations" area and this is Nancy performing brain surgery!!

Uh... Nan... that's his GUTS!! Try again!


This is a photo of me removing the guy's sick kidney!! HAHA!!

Long weekend- lots of memories to bask upon! So lovely to have sister time! Wishing for more.

Happy Endings! and Good Reads!

My dear darling hubby is a romantic at heart!

If we're watching a movie... he only wants to watch if it has a happy ending!!

Who'd have thunk it? I mean- don't get me wrong! I'm extremely glad- cuz I'm that way, too! But, there are certain classic stories that he's not familiar with! Last week Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre was featured on Masterpiece Theater. He'd never seen it! I was just thrilled to discover that he "parked" on PBS long enough to get intrigued and of course- it was "to be continued" a week later! My fear was that he'd have lost interest in finding out just why Rochester continued to keep crazy Mrs Poole around when she was so obviously threatening Jane.

But happy endings being just what they are... he DID remember this Sunday evening and we DID finish the whole program (no flipping channels!) and he WAS glad that there was a happy ending after all! I think after Rochester was exposed, he was not so sure he wanted to finish it- lol!

Anyway... I'm so glad he's that way! That happy endings really DO matter!! Speaking of which.... I got to use my Christmas gift-card that he and son had given me and I am the proud owner of a new draftsman chair!! Woohoo!! Now to get busy and clean up all the craft tables that have been piled up to the rafters since school let out and get busy making some art! Me perched upon my very own "happy ending"- haha!

Oh! Add another new site that I highly recommend! Good reads! was shared with me by two of my Facebook buddies, Kellie & Laura! and is a great resource to check out reviews and as it's designed to post all your past, current and to-read titles and to share them with your friends! Link to me and we'll share words (similar to Netflix) and the review process there! One sister and SIL are already in my friends link!

T'was the Week after Christmas.... & a little more!

T'was the week after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie - not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!



~Author Unknown~

Yup. It's that time of year.... when all our thoughts and efforts turn to dieting. UGH. This year though... I have a plan! Now to go and purge the kitchen of all those items not included in the plan!! Thankfully, this year- I don't have a hundred pounds to lose! My holiday feasting didn't ruin all that hard work from the last two years; it's hard to believe that anniversary is almost here! But, I will have to watch out... my jeans are a tad too snug for comfort!

I plan to join Mshell and attend the health center. Yee-haw. That may be too much for us and the community!! If you hear that the police had to make a disturbance call at the gym-- don't be surprised!! When we get to laughing- it can be rather raucous.

Enjoy the sunshine and the giggles! I certainly intend to!

Art...

"Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it." ~ Robert Motherwell





this lovely image is reproduced from one from B's Mimi's house. It's one that just mesmerizes me. I'm not really certain of the history behind it- but, it intrigues and inspires.

Today is finally warm enough that I can actually stand to sit back here (on the old porch) and compute. It's a lovely day- sunny and all the cats that can go- are outside. Byron is happily in his shop with the wood stove keeping a huge cast iron pot of beans warm. I'm sure there are several cats, one dog and a Newton keeping him company there!

Enjoy the day. Make some art.