A Card, A Visit, A Phone Call, A Realization

the card.....
I came home from lunch today only to find a darling card in the mail, to me, from my mom:)  You know how it feels when you get those much needed mid-day surprises, well, the card from mom was my mid-day surprise. 

the visit.....
Thad stopped by for dinner, he has the most uncanny ability to pull into the driveway just as I am plating supper.  I don't mind, in fact, I love it!  Dinner time at the table has and will always be an important time of the day for me.  I grew up knowing that dinner would be on the table every evening and it was a time we all sat down and re-grouped as a family.  When my children were born I kept that very same tradition, we always had dinner as a family, every night.  So, now when Thad stops, it is only for dinner but once again it's our time to chat as a family...how was work?  how's the apartment? and so on, it's charmingly fun!

the phone calls.....
First, sis called, I knew it was her when the phone rang, I didn't tell her so but, I knew - funny how that works.  We chatted, not long but we briefly caught up, I could hear a little bit of her household in the background (that always pleases me), I can hear her being busy (we are multitaskers, its in our blood), I can hear the critters (kids and pets), like I said, it pleases me.

Then Monte called and again, I knew it was him when the phone rang.  He was on his way home and I was his sounding board/radio on his drive home.  We chatted, not as long as usual but long enough to know that he and Tracy have been busy but are doing fine.  I wished him a Happy Thanksgiving, secretly wishing he was close enough to share it with us but knowing he's where he's happy even if that is hundreds of miles and many states away.

a realization.....
I just may feel closer to my mom, son and siblings at this very moment in my life than I have ever felt.  Something happens or at least something happened to me once my son finally realized he was no longer a boy but, a man and all the responsibility that comes with that title--we can finally relate as adults and as friends.  He finally gets it and as parents, that is all we really want for our children, we want them to grow up happy and healthy, doing what they love and be a contributing citizen to society - I am very proud of Thad!  I feel a connection to my mom that has been a long time coming and I feel a supreme sense of happiness just to hear my sister and my brother's voice, wow, I am feeling really lucky about now!

Girls Nite Out - November 7, 2011

I don't blog a lot, can't say I really even enjoy it, however, it has been a nice place for me to jot down special times and since I got to spend a couple of hours with 3 of my favorite girls last night I thought I'd take the time to write about those two 'special' hours.

When the year started we committed to meeting once per month - didn't seem like much - not a huge committment - but life does have a way of getting in the way and unless you push life aside for a moment and take time for those 'special' moments, well, lets just say life can pass you by in a hurry.  After a rough start, a busy summer and iffy fall we are back on track :)

Destination:  Chili's in Richmond
This is where the fun begins for the three or four of us.  For me the fun begins the minute my mom pulls into my driveway, I get her for about 1/2 hour all to myself on the drive to Richmond - I cherish our alone time, just that small 1/2 hour gives us a chance to catch up and refuel.
Anyhow, for three adults who love to eat, eating becomes the last thing on our minds--we are always so excited to share our crafts and we're even more excited to see what the others have brought - I said last night it's like Christmas every month!

Mom brought a scrumptious Pineapple Angel Food Cake, it was a big hit, an even bigger hit once my hubs got to try it and my co-workers were equally as anxious to try out the recipe! Mom made Rebecca her very own Christmas pillow case and a cap to keep her warm at night, a night cap that matches her American Doll!

Sis brought us hot chocolate 3 different ways (it was really four but don't tell her I said so).  She always does the nicest job packaging things up to look so wonderful and appetizing.  Seriously, she could convince you that a paper bag would taste good with all her little labels, ribbons, embellishments and stuff.  I truly admire her creativity -- I'm so glad I am the lucky recipient!!!!

Rebecca made us each 4 very adorable blank Thank You cards.  She took the time to stamp each one individually with different borders and different fonts, she is her mother's daughter.  I hope that by spending time with us, knowing and seeing and experiencing how much we enjoy crafting (in any form) she'll carry on that tradition with her own children some day.

I took the girls interchangable frames.  My thought process was simple, mom is scaling back on decorating, sis doesn't have the room to overdo decorating so I thought, a simple frame that holds three nails would be perfect to display little bits of each holiday.  I provided them with two backgrounds (one burlap and one muslin) along with ornaments for Fall/Thanksgiving and Christmas. And for my favorite niece, a purse notepad with pen - she seemed to enjoy it!

So here's the yearly run down:
February 2011 - Mom (pot holders), Sis (coconut cloud cream), Me (magnetic book marks & matchbook notepads)
March 2011 - Mom (Mini loaves of poppy seed bread), Sis (Glimmermist), Me (fruit salsa & homeade cinnamon chips)
April 2011 - Mom (covered hangers), Sis (repurposed pillow cases into bags), Me (flower vase magnet made with water vials)
October 2011 - Mom (homeade gift tags), Sis (welcome sign), Me (homeade christmas ornaments)
November 2011 - Mom (pineapple angel food cake for bigs, pillow case and cap for little), Sis (hot chocolate 3 ways), Me (interchangeable frames for bigs, notepad purse for little), Rebecca (thank you cards)

Rebecca

Uncle Steve &
Rebecca looking at albums

Busy crafting....

Making mini-strawberry tarts

What to do with your niece, an 8 year old girl??????  I guess you shop, you shop some more, then you shop until you drop, THEN you eat (Fazolis, yum) got to keep up your strength, you swim, you look thru 8 years of picture albums, you craft by making your new third grade teacher a gift, then you craft some more by making your cousin a birthday gift, then you eat Mexican for dinner, then you get ready for bed (brush teeth, bath), then you sleep, OH SLEEP, what a welcome retreat UNTIL morning, then its breakfast time, then you craft some more by making your momma a recipe holder and yourself a popsicle stick bracelet, then you watch a few cartoons, then you eat at Pizza Hut for lunch and then you swim some more and then you make mini strawberry tarts, then you enjoy those tarts.........then it's time to pack your bags to go home..........then it's quiet again........then you miss all that hustle and bustle.......then you enjoy the pics you took as a reminder of those two days, a total of 36 hours, then you wish for the next time......we had so much fun!  Thank you Rebecca for a fun-filled weekend!

All Things Homeade

Repurposed Pillow Case

Drawing by Rebecca

Mom, sis and I started something new this year where we get together once per month, go out and eat and share a craft or food project with each other.  I have so enjoyed our time together...time flies and if we don't take the time to make the time I'm afraid time will pass and we'll miss out.  I appreciate mom and sis setting aside their time to share with me!  In April I received repurposed hangers from mom, they are great, four outfits no longer slip off the hanger, now if she could make me about 40 more :)  and from sis I received a repurposed pillow case that was made into a nifty bag - I love this, I carry a bag everyday to and from work.  And I got a special treat in April because my sweet niece got to come along for some girl time and she drew me a picture while sitting at dinner. 

Nothing better than spending time with three of my favorite gals!  Love You!!!!

Repurposed Hangers

Kathy Leverenz "Life is Good"

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.....I will miss you dear friend and every time I hear or see the words "Life is Good" I will think of you with a smile.  Rest in peace....Kathy Leverenz - November 12, 1954 - April 3, 2011.

Carmen

What can I tell you about Carmen?  She's a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, co-worker, friend and a FIGHTER!  Carmen has ovarian cancer and is scheduled for surgery on February 17, 2011.  Before Carmen got sick, NO, let me rephrase that, Carmen doesn't get sick or at least when she does she fights her way through it, before Carmen found out she had cancer she was a different person.  The person she is now was always inside her, just afraid of coming out.  Most of her life she's been this tiny little flower bud, unable to open but this dreaded disease has given her more freedom than she ever imagined.  She has bloomed into this remarkable person full of vim and vigor, love, kindness and emotion (something you never saw before Cancer).  She has learned that by giving a little of yourself you open yourself up to get so much more in return.  And I have learned that YOU CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS (Carmen was my mountain), you can find dear friends in the most unlikely of places and in the most unlikely of ways. There is power in prayer, pray for Carmen, my friend.

It's a New Year!

Well, it would seem that I have taken a bit of a break from blogging, was hard to find the time while I was working two jobs.  Normalcy is relative and for me normal is working one job, coming home to find my hubs waiting on me, going out for dinner or staying in, watching a little tv, hitting the mattress and being half asleep before my head hits the pillow knowing I've had another wonderful day in my life.

On January 23rd we headed for Hoosier Park, aka loosest slots in Indiana, well I suppose that depends, the only money falling into my hand on that day was the money I was taking out of my purse to put into the slots.  Personally I'm an old-fashioned kind of girl, I like making my selection and pulling that long metal lever with the big ball on the end, these new-fangled digital/video slots just don't get it for me BUT it was fun seeing the casino.

And so it goes on January 24th we went to Emens Auditorium and saw Rain (a Beatles Tribute band) - totally awesome!  They put on quite a production, if they are ever in the area again I highly recommend getting tickets.

Steve and I both enjoy museums, all kinds, so last Sunday, January 30th, we headed to Indy to participate in Devour Downtown (this was our 3rd experience and just as enjoyable as all the rest).  We ate at Sahm's Cafe and Tavern in downtown and I tried something I've never had before, bread pudding--who knew I liked bread pudding!  Then we headed to the State Museum where for 2 1/2 hours we walked off our delicious lunch!

I have to admit I really love this time in our lives.  Not a lot of work pressure - we are very blessed, neither of us has to drive out of town for our jobs, our evenings and weekends are pretty much ours to do with what we want.  We love to experience new things together and Steve is always thinking of new and interesting things to do.

In just a few short days I will be taking off with two girlfriends on a short 4 nite, 5 day cruise, this will be a first for me as I've never cruised without my husband. I'm looking forward to this time with the girls but I'm sure I'll be ready to come back home to NORMAL......