My anniversary gift

Joe bought me golf clubs and golf lessons! LOL
He's played before, but I never had and in keeping with our new, active life style we are going to walk some fairways come spring!
Right now we're using an indoor range. It's HUGE! Our instructor, Marlene, actually played on the LPGA tour, so she knows what she is talking about! She's very nice and very patient. It was surprisingly hard work hitting the little ball
with a stick! I am working on my stance, grip and follow through. It's a lot to remember!
These are my lovely new clubs m(on the left). They are Dunlops! I didn't know Dunlop made golf clubs. Did you?
I think it is so great that Joe still wants me to hang around with him doing stuff like this. He was so excited to share his love of the game with me. Now if I could get him to wear plaid pants and a tam with a little yarn ball on top, I think we'd be slammin! LOL LOL

18 years ago today...

I finally talked this man into marrying me! It took a year to convince him, but convince him I did.And if I've made him half as happy as he's made me he still got a great deal! I love you Joe! Even more then I did back then!

Stuff I've found on the internet lately

My friend Rachel (http://jacobiterose.blogspot.com/ ) sent me a link (http://www.instructables.com/id/Altoids-Tin-Pocket-Sized-Watercolor-Box/ ) for this:

I just got my kids new sketch books and now they can make their own portable watercolor box to go along with it!

Reading an article in this months Country Living I found the web address for Gaiam a company that makes earth friendly recycled products. I really like the rugs made from recycled bottles

I just won a doll house on ebay.

I have wanted one since I was a child and now I FINALLY have one! http:www.doll-house-miniature-club.com/dolls-houses.html

This link tells you all about chosing and decorating your dollhouse! This is going to be so much fun!

Here's a great costume link: http://dept.kent.edu/museum/costume/index.asp

I could spend hours looking at everything there!

And if you liked my sock monkey or even if you didn't but think you would like to try one yourself, there's http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1104

Lots of other crafty things there too!

sock monkey

Welllllll........ Not the best sock monkey (as it turned out, when I was all set to begin, I had

the wrong type of socks!!) It actually looks more like a sock mouse! LOL But she's a diva and she thinks she looks great and, after all, belief in one's self is more then half the battle. Don't you agree?

March Madness!

Not the kind you may think. The University of Kentucky is out it and unless the University of Louisville makes it to the final 4, I could care less about basketball right now!

No, this madness was that on Monday, with all the children home on a school holiday, THE MEAN MAMA banned all computers, t.v.s, video games and game boys from 7a.m.-7p.m. Those poor children were actually required to DO something! Oh! The horror!

After a certain amount of whining, they all actually found things to do. Ben was practicing guitar. Matt was reading. Gillian was drawing and Joey was flirting with girls. (Jimmy never got out of bed until after lunch, the lazy bum).

I had a few errands to run. When I returned I announced I was going to the library. I ended up taking not only 4 of mine but 3 extras!!! It was a different branch then we usually go to, and it had a somewhat larger selection of materials. That always makes it more interesting.

Matt had called the YMCA and open pool was 4-5 so we suited up and went swimming.

Upon returning home the kids next door had a basket ball game going. The boys all joined in that and Gillian went biking riding with another neighbor.

Admittedly, by the time supper was through, they were counting the minutes until 7. But, all in all I thought it was a great day. In fact, it was the kind of day we need to repeat frequently!

Joyous Easter greetings!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday My JoeyPo

Good Friday 2008

What an end to the week! Such a mix of good and bad, happy and sad! I am having trouble absorbing it all. A good thing was the lovely Easter Party we went to yesterday and Joe's plant. Gillian won their coloring contest and got a HUGE chocolate bunny as a prize.
We all went to watch her receive her prize and to enjoy cookies, ice cream and soda. (Not that I need any of those things!) The fun was dampered by news that a friend of mine, who's been in my favorite Yahoo! Group (The Gazebo) passed away suddenly. She was only 58 and such a sweet, thoughtful lady. It was just so sad.
Then my sister called to tell me that Mom is ill and in the hospital. She ended up having surgery last night. We are awaiting test results from that.
My NutriSystem order arrived. I inventoried it and it doesn't look too bad. If it will help me look like Marie Osmond, I'm game! I'll begin that on Monday. Or that is the plan anyway. I will try it for 3 months and let you know how well it works.
We watched a really entertaining DVD last night. Really more of a fairy tale I guess. I remember seeing commercials for it, but don't think it did that well in theaters. Check it out sometime if you get the chance (Maybe not for very young children, but certainly older kids might like it. I am an older kid and I liked it!)
Then today....today my eldest child turns 17. I don't know who gave him permission to grow up so quickly. It certainly wasn't me!!! He is such a great kid. I don't know how I could be any prouder of him then I am. I just love him to death!

Tonight there's a bunch of teenagers heading this way to help Joey celebrate. We'll spend the day getting ready for that. Tomorrow it's mostly errands and maybe a movie and Sunday is, of course, Easter.

Easter is traditionally the start of our new lives. It signals rebirth and new beginnings. I wish you all a joyous celebration of our Lord's resurrection! Here's to new beginnings!

A favorite song by a favorite artist

Just a blah old Wednesday

It's been a long week so far. How are things for you? I did get my sock monkey put together, but she hasn't any clothes, jewelry or facial features yet! I'll have to get on that right away.
The weather, while warmer, is grey and wet. The barometric tchanges brought me a terrible headache yesterday. Joe brought me sinus medicine, hot and sour soup and diet root beer. I feel much better today so it must have worked.
These ice cream cones are actually full of chocolate cake! I thought they looked cute. Just mix up you're favorite cake recipe and fill them 3/4 (I think a little more would be better) and bake until done. When they're cool, frost and decorate.
While visiting this blog: http://miastoriadivita.blogspot.com/index.html
I found this poster. BOY OH BOY do I need that!!! I used to think it was too much caffeine in the mornings making me all hyper, but you know what? It's not. I just need quiet and peace in the mornings and my life doesn't often allow me that gift. Maybe I need to try yoga or something...


It's been 5 long years since the war in Iraq began. I want to take a moment to thank each and every person who has served and to especially remember those who made the ultimate sacrafice. God bless you all.

More projects completed

The desk is finished, in place and in use. it took me most of
yesterday to set it up (you know how that goes: you move
the furniture so you vaccuum. Then you figure since the
space is cleared out you might as well run the carpet
cleaner...it's a vicious cycle really). Not, perhaps the most
glamourous of desks but it's sweet and it suits me and it
was free! (My favorite part! LOL)

Today's project was to paper the stairs from the
dining room to the living room. I got this fabulous
plaid wallpaper on ebay. I LOVE IT!

It the love is in the details, we're going to have a very loving
home before too much longer!

Now, I have to go make a sock monkey....it's a long story.
Pictures to follow!

What kind of a mother hen are you?

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

What makes you happy

In these grey days at the (hopefully) tale end of winter. I find myself feeling so blah. So.....energy-less and dull. I look for little things to make me smile and feel good.
I could go shopping, but then my poor husband wouldn't be feeling so great, so I fuss over little things around the house. And sometimes things turn out just the way you wanted them to and it just makes you glow inside.
My dining room is turning out that way. The photos make it look "blocky" but it's not. I think it's warm and happy and filled with things I love. It's not perfect, maybe, but it's pretty good, I think!
Joe does not care for the picture being hung on that room divider, but I like it. I'd like to change the matting on it, though. And do you see that glorious palm tree? $15 at the local grocery store. I probably shouldn't have gotten one quite so big, but, hey! I couldn't help myself.
On Tuesday I took the CD cupboard out of my bedroom, cleaned it out and put some Blue Willow cups and saucers in it. I love it there in the corner of the dining room.
O.K. So this isn't the most exciting post ever. But I think these small victories are what makes our lives special.
The little things that make us smile today are the memories that will keep us warm later.
Hope you take the time to enjoy these moments in your own life!

Peter's pizza making tips!

The projects! The projects!

I have been a busy girl the last week
Several projects contemplated have been started and a few even finished!
The first was this bed pocket. I took some canvas and covered it with pretty material to make this sturdy, but attractive pocket. No more looking for my glasses, or the remote. They're right next to me! Cool, hu?
I am painting this old rocker bright blue. I thought how much the color remined me of Van Gogh. I may get happy and put a few sunflowers on it, in honor of Vincent.
This is the desk I picked up off the curb sans front legs. Yesterday I stained two table legs I picked up at Lowes and today I attached them. Waiting now for the glue to dry and I will clean it up and paint and or stain it. A desk of my own!! Woo Hoo! No more hiding in the basement. I can work in my bedroom!
Another curbside find was this patio table. I spray painted it out in the garage yesterday. It now matches the great rod-iron furniture I found last year. It only needs a new umbrella and we're ready to dine in style this spring.

I am so glad to be getting a few of my projects done. Soon (?) it will be warm enough to work in a garde and I won't have time for these kinds of things. I'll be digging in the dirt! And loving every minute of it!

Le Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe by Albert Sterbak

It started in a quiet way,

One morning in the Tuileries,

When suddenly a Fox cried out:

"Fromage!" or-as we call it-Cheese.

His voice took on a softer tone,

As he assumed a mannered air,

Just as a gorgeous Crow flew by

Perfumed by eau de Camembert.

Of coures, the Fox-a cultured chap,

Who loved the paintings of Manet-

Was thinking only of the arts,

When, cunningly, he turned to say:

"O Noble bird of golden beak,

Thou whom the Gods do so inspire,

O That a Fox might hear Thee sing.

O come on, Baby, light my fire!"

Her tail a slowly opened fan,

The sultry Crow began to sing

A simple song about amour,

For she loved Paris in the spring.

She drew a wing up to her eyes

And flashed a sleek, black satin gleam;

She taunted with her "String of Pearls,"

And then she began her beguine!

She let a song go from her heart

Unlike the Fox had ever heard.

She called in "Ornithology"

(She was a Charlie Parker bird).

The tale approached a tragic end

When, with a wink, she dropped the cheese-

A naughty thing for her to do

But, as she said, she aimed to please.

The Fox invited her to lunch-

Upon the grass, as did Manet-

"What could be lovelier," quoth he

"Than free-range Crow with Beaujolais?"

The moral: Never trust a Fox,

Or lead him on with baited breath,

For, as we see, fine Camembert

Can lead to untimely death.

published in the Buffalo News, Sunday March 2, 2008

Flea Market Finds of late

Lots of summery dresses...
I loved this bamboo flower pot

I have been looking for old fashioned Christmas bulbs and
have found several boxes. The Pearlized ones have lace and
glitter and the more colorful set are clear/colored.
I've always wanted a luggage
rack/holder and this one was $2. With some paint and prettier
straps it will be ready for the next time company comes to stay!

I also got a new/old bike. She's buried in the garage right now, but
as soon as the weather turns warm again, I'll be shining her up to get ready to
pedal around town in vintage style!

Then there's the tea pot Just white, but not too big and not too small and the French Press Coffee Pot (can you have too many of these?) It's been alot of fun. Can't wait to go again!!
Then there's the wonderful old statue of St. Joseph. I love him too. He's is standing
by a collection of photos of my children. I thought that was an appropriate
place for him.

Thought for the day....

Did you ever notice: When you put the two words ‘The’ and ‘IRS’ together, it spells‘THEIRS’?