Shall we Dance?

Oh. Yes! Let's Dance!!

Mom and I were outside today admiring the early Spring weather and enjoying the warmth... when the neighbors music catches our ears and is so uplifting and cheery-- it compells us to dance. Yup. Right there in the open yard! Since they play fiddle (Aaron actually constructed it himself!) and all manner of other stringed instruments (their Mom plays the stand-up Bass)- it's not a loud stereo kind of noise! They were actually playing a catchy little beat that seemed just right for a do-si-do and a turn or two! So.. we did! And, enjoyed it greatly!

That's not the first time I've felt like dancing this week!

Kim just insisted that I order "Shall We Dance" since the DVD released this week. Oh- I'm glad she did! I absolutely LOVE the music in it- "Sway" and so many others! I've felt like doing the waltz and the jitterbug ever since! After having watched it-- twice or three times (I can't remember how many, actually) I sashayed over to Mom's to share a few of the really good scenes with her... and she got to remembering Mae's fond dance memories...

Well- who would have thunk it! But, my Grandmother's were BOTH quite the dancers! Even tho neither of my grandfathers were! The way I know this about my Grandmom, Nancy, is because one long road trip through Texas and all the "home" towns of my anscestors.. we crossed a bridge over the Sabine river (that one river has always run through my life- but, that's another story) and Dad commented that THAT bridge and THAT area of the river was where G-mom used to go with her friends to go dancing! I can only imagine them piling up in the old T-models and hauling their portable phonographs and going to the river to dance! I'll betcha she was light on her feet, too!

Mae's dancing happened while she was Dean of Women at the college in Magnolia. Seems as if one of the men proffesors didn't mind in the least that she was not only a married woman and a mother-- but, since they were having a dance and he needed a faculty partner-- he chose Mae! She said he was the smoothest dancer she ever saw and made her look like all she was doing was floating! Considering that it was the Waltz that they were performing and that Mae's posture and composure are most dignified and errect- I can well imagine that she WOWED the students and well carried off this image if he was really that great of a dancer!! I think it was a little later in the evening that the President of the college thought it was undignified for her as a matron and as dean of women to be such a "spectacle"... but, I'm sure if Mae was participating- it was all on the up and up. She did say she enjoyed it immensely and understanding that my grandfather was crippled and would never be able to be her partner-- she just took the opportuntity as it was there and probably considered that President a pompous old stuffed shirt!

Ohhhhh... to think of all the dance numbers my Dad has played and my mom always had to sit out. Can't very well dance with your partner if he's the one behind the music stand! Not that he'd want to dance anyway-- but, he has square danced.. so, I know he can! My father-in-law also has a dance past. The story goes that when he was around 40 he got inspired to take Ball Room Dancing. Drove all the way into to Little Rock for lessons at Arthur Murray studios! Now, that I would have LOVED to have seen! Or gone with him! Makes me wish I had enough left in these legs to do so... in the meantime- I'll be content to just sway with the beat and watch from the sidelines...

unless..... someone should ask... "Shall we Dance?"!

The Great Color Debate!

Now, you may be thinking that's since I'm interested in arts- that I'm going to discuss pigments and hues.

You'd be wrong.

Today as I was sipping coffee with my dear Grandmother, Mae, and her dear friend, Velma and my Mama; the subject of hair color came up. Velma had seen me out in the yard talking to my father- but, for some reason- had thought it wasn't me because my hair color wasn't "right". Now, truth be told- I have that kind of hair that has always changed in the sunlight- but, I don't think there was that much sun on that particular day. She continued to quiz me on my hair color. Naturally, I leaned over and showed her that my hair is going gray and to camaflouge it- I have it treated.

Now, the type of treament I'm using these days is actually "stripping" the color from the darker shades to more evenly blend with the grays... I'm keeping the grays. I've earned 'em. I'm proud of 'em. And, I'm not so superficial that I feel compelled to compete with the "Soccer Mom" image of middle-age female trying to look fifteen years younger. I FEEL old. So, what's the big deal of looking my age? I mean-- I'm not trying to look like a Haus Frau from the pre-80's decades either. I'm just trying to maintain ME and look presentable- but, NOT to the point that I'm going to color my hair the same shades it was back when I was in my "prime". Sheesh.

But, because the subject had been brought up- my Gmom had to voice her opinion, too. She thinks I should color it...auburn brown. She feels that no woman living in this day and age- should have to "go gray". Well- what's wrong with LOOKING my age- I ask? I guess I should allow HER to go to the beauty salon with me and choose the "bottle"... just to SEE her preference... but, I don't think I shall. The idea of "having" to maintain a steady schedule of coloring is as repulsive to me as primping and preening. Ugh.

Funny. My mother in law just brought up the subject of my hair color yesterday. WHAT is it? WHY now? Her opinion was that it just looked as if I' HAD something done to it- and she thought it looked particularly becoming that day. Now- WHERE on earth did THAT notion come from? I"m taking a good long hard look in the mirror- and it (the color) is three weeks overdue... the roots are just beginning to show (with this stripping process- I can get away with a lot more!) and the weight of my hair is about to drive my NUTZ. I HATE having my hair hanging around my collar and around my face. WHY all this conversation about my HAIR these days?

Why, why, why? I've been fighting that mop up there all this week- pin it up. I've been going for the more sophisticated combs and a little messy like the young investigator on "Cold Case Files" and my friend, Melanie, from Conway. I just see their hair as natural and not so fussy- but, up and a little romantic. Ahhh... yes- THAT's the look I'd like to achieve. And, after another look in the mirror and several more trys at getting the combs to hold... uhhh...

I'll be back later. I have a hair appointment. Beverly just happens to be able to fit me in this afternoon. Maybe SHE can create magic on my head. Whatever it is- I'm sure the Master won't approve. He wants it long. I don't know that he has a color preference- maybe I'll ask him before I leave.

Tata for now. Give me a call.. the number is Clairol #767. Hmm... I may just have to have a manicure and make an apptmt for the tanning bed, too. YIKES. That's a nightmare thought! Note to self... get some new makeup while you're at Merle Norman ;)

Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook"... and why I journal...

Memories.
Treasured thoughts.
Trying times.
The joy of havnig survived adversity.
The passing down of family stories- both funny and poignant.
Mountain peak experiences... or even the plateaus of everyday life.
To keep them or not?

Well. I've said it before- and I'll say it again. It's in my genetic make-up to hang on to stuff. My granadparents did, their parents did-- and further back. I know this because I live with some of their "stuff". Not only did I get my mouth shape from Great-Grandma Katie- I think I got her overwhelming urge to document trifling things and somehow or 'nother -preserve them for later on. I have access to a great many of her pieces of furniture- which have all kinds of little hand-written notes about the bric-a-brac in the cabinets. When I handle these same little trinkets and the notes that she made- I feel at "home" with her-- even though I never knew her. Now, don't get me wrong-- I don't think I necessarily need baubles or treasures to make me feel that way. I think it's in the notes... or maybe the genes.

When Granddaddy died- and left Grandmother all alone with her Althzeimers- there wasn't any reason not to go through her personal belongings. Granddaddy had been really persnickety about us rifling through the house- except when he'd rifled through it and found something he felt was of significance and would show it... which always piqued my interest in seeing what ELSE there was... and let me just say! There was a huge houseful (and several barns) of stuff. Back to my rummaging-- I found the letters that G-dad had written to G-mom before they were married.

I was THRILLED! My parents not so. Not that there was anything wrong or indecent about the content.. but, because it was like reading a private diary. For me- to read these letters which included the daily grind kind of news as well as his hopes and dreams for their future together- made me appreciate just how very much he had loved her from the beginning all the way to the end- when he asked me if I would "take care of her" the morning he was dying.

My g-parents were married for over 60 years. I now know that they started out their realtionship as giddy romantics- as fresh as crocuses in Springtime. It didn't embarrass me to read of their wishes for happiness. Rather, it completed what I already knew of them. I have always assumed that they started out that way-- I knew that they had suffered through the lean times, struggled through the daily emotions, lived apart while she was in school, learned to tolerate their vast differences of opinions and food tastes- and yet, still deeply loved one another. Reading their hopes for their future from the beginning of their relationship and knowing that at the end- it was still as solid as when it began- provides a more complete understanding.

Watching Nicholas Sparks' "The Notebook" last night- brought so much of those emotions back. I know that my G-daddy loved G-mother just that much. I sobbed for them. I cried for myself- for having witnessed that kind of love and later by reading the letters. There won't be letters for my grandkids to rifle through- because at the time- I wasn't writting much and dh has rarely written. But there may be a notebook. And, though our relationship has it's times when I certainly wouldn't use the word "love" to describe it... it is. It's not romantic. It's not giddy. It's not necessarily something to write home about. It's just immutable and omnipresent... characteristics that can only come from someone who loved us more. Which is the same thing that my grandparents had and probably their parents before them-- and ultimately always returns full circle to our God the Father-- who issued it first.

Now, I consider writting our own history. Who knows-- maybe Byron will have to read it to me and hope that I, too- will remember!

Started a Yahoo Group! and finished my first Layout of the Year!

Whooopie!

Started a new Yahoo group for fellow Arkadelphia area (and friends, natch!) "Stamping71923".

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stamping71923

Just a place to yak scramp! Plan for Scramp frolics (dontcha LOVE that word? it's quaint like the Amish!) and keep all our buds "in the know" about what all we know... and what all we can REMEMBER to tell one another! Along with the internet technology and all the advances in communication- comes the demon of "I thot I told you such and such"... when you may have actually given that information to the checkout boy at the grocery store-- but, not to your nearest and dearest stamp friends! AS IF- checkout boy is interested!!

Anyway-- it's a nice place for the locals to gather round the coffee pot... or tea kettle as the case may be... and forget about all the chores needing to be done and concentrate on the good stuff in life.... SCRAMPING our memories before they are all gone from us!

In other areas.. my studio was greatly enhanced today with the addition of new Twinkling h2o's a watercolor and mica product that is just as cool as it sounds... and some more new rubbah from the Queen of Rubbah herself-- Robin MaVinci! Woohooo... a banner day indeed when Mr Charley the mailman leaves goodies in the box!

Since I had all these new goodies--- well! I finished up my first l/o for the year! WHOA! First? Did I just say first? Oh- yes. I've been stamping and playing with scraps all these days since Jan 1-- but, havent' made a bona-fide lay-out this whole time! So... it was about time! view here... http://www.angelfire.com/art2/arkyangel/SallyScraps/

Am still waiting on yet another Janet Evanovich audio book to arrive so I'll have the complete set of the Stephanie Plum novels. Sister Nancy, (no she's not a NUN! but we do call her Nuncy sometimes!) lent me the first three in the series...Now, I'm hooked! And, I'm stuck! I have ALL but book SEVEN titled aptly enough "Seven Up" and I can NOT listen to them out of order! Why! I even got the Christmas novella entitled "Visions of Sugar Plums".... I mean- WHO could resist? Not me! Kim took the first three home to listen to on her commute-- hope she enjoys them as much as Nancy and I have! Oops. I just remembered something! I was supposed to have given her the Amish books by Beverly Lewis... oh- well.. another reason to get to see Kim! But, I'll sure be glad to see Mr Charley agan when he has THAT package in his mail jeep!

I actually have gotten to SPEAK to my little sister this week. She spends so much time out of the office and out to lunch-- that's it's a wonder I can ever find her there... but, most times I do actually... find her at work or on her way there. When she has free time tho- she takes Louie to the hospital and I can only hope that little Capio is getting better rather than worse with her little cold. Byron is sick (AND at home!) with bronchitis. YUCK. He called me in there earlier to let me know that I could sleep somewhere else! Guess he thinks I'll catch it. Hmmm... come to think of it-- I may just stay on the couch! Too cold to go start a fire in the front of the house and sleep in the guest room tonight!

All the more to contemplate! Well- keep your fingers inky and your heart merry!

If we have much more rain.... and the story of Wrigley

I may have to take the canoe next door to my 'rents. Actually- I sloshed all the way over here this morning for my coffee- so, maybe it's not that bad after all.

It has finally stopped raining... but, looks pretty gray out. The groundhog could not have seen his shadow here-- so that means what? We prolly have six more months of winter. Oh. No. THAT could never happen here in the south. Besides-- it's an early Easter year- so.. that has to figure in there somewhere, right?

It's still cold and my main goal in life these days seems to be... "let the dog out, let the cat in... let the dog in, let another cat in... let one cat and dog out, go out and chase dog so he won't bite the mailman." What a domestically challenged life I lead!

Didn't always used to be that way... I used to have some pretty intense deadlines. Now, I prefer the "when's supper" deadline... and "what's for lunch" debate. My standard answer is "chocolate". It's a vegetable and it's highly new-tricious. It's also highly addictive- but, I'll deal with that when it becomes life-threatening.

My subject today shall be: Wrigley. My very favorite black and white hound-mix dog. He's my constant companion... and worry (besides KID).

Wrigley came to us in a very unique way. We had been driving along the interstate and I began to ask DH, "Barn", for a canine. I didn't want just any kind either. I wanted an Airedale. His response was naturally- NOT happening. We'd had dogs before-- and tho we've been very successful with our felines- the dogs had not fared well with us. Two we'd given away (for various reasons) and Elsa's, the dachsund, demise had been tragic. So- No. No more dogs. Okay. Fine. Forty five minutes later- KID throws his gum out the window and it sticks to my brand new truck-- so we pull over to the side of the road and lo and behold! There's a puppy in the ditch! To make a long story short- I insulted "Barn" about not being able to catch the puppy and he proceeded to chase him for about 150 yards in the slop til at last the puppy half-hid his front self and "Barn" was able to nab him.

Whew! This was a really stinky puppy- but, he was sooooo cute! We had to get to TX- so, we piled puppy between us on the front seat and fed him a potato log and he promptly fell asleep. He was dirty, turns out he had two kinds of mange and was emmaciated. Vet later said another couple of days and this pup would have been a goner. We cleaned him up as soon as we got to TX and offered him to the family there. They were of course, enamoured- but, didn't think that they wanted him.

Their loss turned into our gain! After a day or two- it was pretty obvious that we were gonna keep the puppy. KID adored him. Barn adored him. I adored him- even if he wasn't a fancy dog. Named him Wrigley in honor of the gum. It really wasn't "Wrigley" that KID was chewing at the time-- but, "Bubble Tape" would not have had the same ring.

Thus is the story of Wrigley. He has striking black markings that I call "pat patches" and has an engaging personality. He tries his best to listen and reply to human conversations. He absolutely worships my POP, and is always there to guard me at nights. He knows to bark like crazy when I call home and "Barn's" asleep and I need him to pick up the phone! Such a smarty!

When folks ask what kind of dog he is-- I always tell them- he's 100% Ditch. Talk about your funny looks! But- it's the truth. Wrigs is from a ditch... AND.. Wrigs is very apprehensive about certain things. He is scared of trash bags. He get's neurotic if I cook lamb. I think that his first few tough weeks of life- and probably the demise of his mama (hence the reaction to smells and the unknown; as well as his own awful smell at the beginning) had a lot of impact on him.

He's been with us for almost ten years now- and he's a much better choice than the Airedale I just KNEW I'd wanted.



My thots on life now tend to be-- it's not all about what you THINK you want in life. It's about how you live it when you get handed a stinky pup in the middle of a long road trip and the real blessings you can receive just by shutting up and going along for the rest of the ride. Who knows? You might end up liking it!

Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

a Rainy Cold Friday...

and I'm watching the little Downey Woodpecker and a few cardinals and about three or four dozen finch.

and... IM'ing with DL and KG. Chatty gals. Makes a gloomy day BRIGHT!

More later.. have to wake up the King.

STAR date. 26Jan2005 in the year of TAC

Woohoo!
Had my 2nd "official" demo! And, it was a success... not in sales or orders... but, in creative satisfaction!

THAT'S what's all about, right?

Here's the scoop. At the first demo (at Iron Mtn) where we had approx 28 attendees... I introduced the concept of unmounted stamps to some scrapbookers. They (my cabinmates) were enthralled! They loved the project we did and when we returned to the cabins asked for more! So-- I gave them all catalogs and they combined their orders to make it enough for a party. $100. which... because of StampFest allowed them DOUBLE all the hostess benefits, which they drew for.

Well- I offered to cut out their stamps for 'em.. IF they would come to my house and play with 'em.

Of course, they agreed to that! And, last night- the three eager stampers showed up and man! Did we have a great time!

I started off- by indexing and cutting their free Gift With Purchase (GWP) stamp. They had all ordered the heart swirl- so, we had a common stamp to begin with. As I indexed and cut- I explained that we were going to make four card fronts with one piece of 8.5x11 paper. I supplied that paper and some ink choices. They went to stamping their backgrounds... as we let them dry-- they all began the kind of laborious task of indexing and cutting out their stamps. Since there is a little thought to go along with it- it helped to have it reinforced.. and with your friends- it makes it less tedious! I supplied several pairs of utility scissors that I've collected over the years. There was a reason for that madness. I asked each of them to cut the "border" off their new stamp. Ugh. Using those scissors- even the nice new Ginghers one didn't make it any eaiser.. so, naturally it reinforced the need for using my Kai Gold scissors. Which I then handed over and said "Stop. Here, try THIS and see if it doesn't make a difference!" Natch- it did! And, so then we went along with the procedure of indexing, aligning and cutting.. and just took turns with the scissors.

That's now FIRST on their list of "next purchase to be made"!

Then... I had hoped that they might want to actually use some of their new stamps-- some did- some didn't... but- it gave me the opportunity to explain about conditioning rubber and why it didn't really make a hill of beans about being super fastidious about the stains on 'em. As they looked though the two dozen card fronts that I'd made (prior to their arrival) I further explained about the "hidden" value of stamps and inks. Using only a part of a stamp and repetitiously in order to give continuity to a project and by using a darker ink- and a 2nd generation you could get that "shadowed" touch that not only enhances the design- but, allows "more bang for the buck."

Well- then I brought out three of my stamp sets (in CD holders of course!) and they went to town. Some had bought brads with their orders, and as we were using the scraps from my scrap drawer-- couldn't match exactly to our color pallete-- I showed them how to: a.) change the color of a brad using ink, ep and a heat gun, and by sponging the ink lightly onto the "almost" right colored paper- it altered it enough to make it blend... again- more uses for those inks!! They wre thrilled!

I really enjoyed getting to have some new stampers to join me! I truly enjoyed getting the chance to allow them to use their OWN new stamps and cutting them out before leaving-- I'm thinking that they are much more likely to go home and set up shop in the living room rather than letting 'em sit in a bag until they "have some free time"... and- I know that they all went home with their catalogs and said they were taking 'em to bed- cuz they wanted to sleep with visions of Stamps!!

What did it cost? Inks and drinks. Two pieces of c/s each. 2 hours. Thankfully- my house cleaning lady was through here this week- so, the house was tidy! AND... no orders yet-- but, I'm betting they will be calling by this w/e!!

I'll keep ya posted.

To Scrap or Not to Scrap...

... that is the question.

Guess I'll scrap. So... can't blog. so- I'll be back.

Well. Just to let you know.. I created two dozen card fronts! Woohoo!! Fun, fun!

It was a bright and shiny day... as opposed to a dark and stormy night...

when my friend, Kel, invited me to blog. Yah. She knows I have wayyyy too much to say. Blame it on my Scotch-Irish German Italian Anglo Saxon French hair-itage. Or... you could blame it on my parents. Or my grandparents. I hear tell that they all are fascinating folks. I'll give a run-down on them another blog.

In the meantime- suffice it to say...

I like to scrap

I like to stamp.

I like to effervesce.

I like music. All kinds.... I'm currently listening to: Itzhak Perlman, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, John Mayer, Carly Simon, the Chieftans, Beethoven, Al Caiola (Italian Street Music), The Corrs, Jackson Browne, Herb Alpert, Tracy Chapman, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Eva Cassidy, the Eagles, Luther Vandross, the Spinnrs, Rod Stewart and some Pipe Organ classics. Think eclectic. Yeah. That's pretty much me. Just don't make me listen to country. I break out in hives. Well- I can handle blue-grass and folk music just fine.. like Allison Kraus and Crystal Gayle... I'm just not into the twangy stuff. Uhh... send me over the edge.

Now-- to the things that really define me.

Wife. Yup. Almost 23 years now. Married to my best friend. Sowed our wild oats together. We grew up together. In God's great plan- I may have made some rash decisions. One of which was to get married and FAST! Well, He made sure and picked out the absolute right-est guy in the world for me. AND... He provided the greatest mother-in-law ever. Yup. Love my mil. Would follow her to the end of the earth... or Colorado if she happened to be going in that direction.

If you are familiar with the father of the Reformation movevment, Martin Luther-- he said a great thing about the institute of marriage. Now- remember! He's a former Catholic priest marrying an ex-nun.. cuz- well, cuz there wasn't anybody else left to marry her (she's a bit of a intellect and not necessarily a beauty is Katherine) ... and it had been decided the right thing to do for all these ex-church officials to be in the state of marriage.

Anyway- his quote: "There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company.. than a good marriage." Martin Luther, 1483-1525 Isn't that AWESOME! And, I'm living it!

One of the benefits of the marriage covenant is: children. Yup. I'm a mommy. Our son-- a bona fide miracle is a college freshman and is.. get this... NICE! He is a classic Renaisance kind of young man.. full of the aspirations of the young and the dreams of glory and honor of a more chivalrous age. If you guess that he's one of my favorite scrap subjects you'd be right!

Chocolate. It's a vegetable! It's a narcotic! It's what's for lunch! Cocoa is a healthy portion of every house wife's psyche. Haven't had any today... get some.

Pets. Marmalade orange & Vanilla and 20 years old- that's Bill Yes. I said 20 years old. He has a fascinating story about his survival from day one of his life. a Black Panther like kitty named "Black"... what else? Samson, blind-since-birth is a marmalade w/ tabby stripes. Mad Max is a pale fawn with perfect stripes and was actually "saved at the revival".... Males. Every last one of them is a former Tom Cat. OH. excpet for Little Kittley a ferral black. But- she only comes inside if we force her- and then it's with several lacerations and only until she can figure a way to escape... must be the male factor she doesn't like? Yeah. That's gotta be it. And, finally-- the dog. Wrigley is a beautiful black and white pure-bred Ditch. Never heard of "Ditch"? Oh... well.. you see.. the vet really doesn't know what kind he is- but, we got him out of a ditch! Named him for the piece of gum that kid threw out and stuck to my brand-new truck... stopped to get the gum off the paint- and there's a puppy in the ditch. Wrigley is named for the gum. Better than "Bubble Tape" or Dentyne dontcha think?

Let's see... oh.. there's reading, garden appreciation , and birding that are all a daily part of my activities.

And... then... there's my 'rents. Pa"rents" and grandmother. I'm very much a mama's, daddy's, and g-mom's kinda girl. I see them every day since they are now my next door neighbor. Ohhh and yes- dh doesn't mind a bit that he has inlaws for neighbors. It could be worse. Used to be we were sandwiched between the 'rents and a couple of Russians. He used to kid that he didn't know which was worse! Just kidding... we liked 'em all! Truly tho-- having one's loved ones living next door to you and not interferring with your relationship or your daily household events is a blessing-- and one of those things that God just takes care of! I always thot I'd like to live on a compound like the Kennedy's.. now, I do and we are all pretty happy with the situation. We do have to share the dog, tho. But, that's another story.

Now, that I've completely bored you to tears and expressed myself far longer than I had time for... I'll get back to making some cards. You know the game: Paper, Rocks, Scissors? Well- that was just the precursor to SCRAMPING! Scrap + Stamping! Woohooo! Now, to the business at hand!

Yahdda yahdda yahdda.... blah, blah, blah. Comments welcome. Thanks again- Kel!

Silly Sally the Scrampin' Tsarina
monikor thanx to frnd, Dr M... the greatest virtual doc I know. Personally- but, not IRL.