Monthly Archives: November 2011

A Flurry of Activity!

Good evening!

This evening has been a FLURRY of activity!! My sweetie and I are frantically getting everything ready to go down to Roseburg for the weekend. My sisters and I have rented two booths down at the Douglas County Christmas Fair, and we are going to be selling all sorts of hand made goodies! I will make sure to take plenty of pictures all weekend of everything and anything! Our good friend, Don is going to be coming over and babysitting our two little girls – thanks, Don!!! So, I know they will be in good hands!

We still have some more housekeeping to do before we go, and I need to make sure we get EVERYTHING packed into the minivan, because I am leaving work at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon to head out, and we are leaving straight from there.

I am not exactly sure what to expect from this Christmas bazaar, but I am excited to be getting to spend some time with my sissies, and to be able to sell some of my hand made bead and wire jewelry. It has been sitting in the house, some of it for up to five years, I have got to sell it, and make room for new creativity!

Back in 2007, I had opened my own jewelry business, and I did pretty well at making a nice selection of treasures, but because of some health problems that my sweetie was having, I decided that I needed to focus my attention on getting him better, so I put all of my jewelry-making supplies away. I get a little sad whenever I see them now, because I really do enjoy making jewelry, but really haven’t given myself permission to get back into making my little baubles! I think that after this weekend, that is going to really change! I would love to see myself start making jewelry again, with a focus on soldering, mini collages, ephemera, personalized memorabilia, and inspirational and sassy thoughts! 🙂 That sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!! 😉

Anyway, as much as I am enjoying my view of our lovely Christmas tree, and part of my book collection (see picture above), I have got to get going and get the rest of my to-do done for the evening, so I can go to bed before midnight!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Hey Mr. Mailman!!

Good evening!

I have had a pretty good day. Got a lot of work done, made a super healthy, yet yummy dinner, but that is not what I want to talk about this evening!!

I have a grievance!!

Dear Mr. Postman,

Just because you are able to cram one of my well-waited for packages into my small mailbox DOES NOT mean that is where it should go! I will give you the benefit of the doubt and I will assume that from your side of our locked mailboxes, the parcel looked like, even though it would be a tight fit, that I would be able to get it out from my side of the mailboxes. Unfortunately, that was NOT the case! After removing my  jewelry so as not to rip one of my digits off while trying to pry the package out of the  tiny mailbox, and when that did not work, I tried-as-I-might to open the package while it was imprisoned in it’s miniature cell, unsuccessfully  I might add, and finally resorting to opening the end of the package with my husband’s pocket knife, I was left with a mangled cardboard box in one hand, my parcel having been carefully surgically removed from it’s confines in the other, and me standing there panting,  sweating, and in a very very grumpy mood, for which my husband would also like to thank you.

I would recommend that in the future, if I should receive another package, which it being Christmas, I am sure there are bound to be many, that you put the packages in one of the open larger mailboxes, and leave me that little miniscule key in my mailbox – THAT really can slip right through!

Now,  please don’t get me wrong, Mr. Mailman, I am quite impressed with my acrobatic skills in wrestling with both my mailbox, and my long awaited for package, and without your wisdom in placing a box that CLEARLY had no business being mushed into my mailbox, I would never have  had the ability to learn of my own feats of strength, so for that I thank you!

Sincerely,

A Grumpy Customer

PS. Just from one friend to another,Mr. Mailman,  I wouldn’t eat the Christmas cookies that I have left as a holiday gift for you, they may or may not have been laced with a lovely laxative surprise! Other than that, enjoy!

Ok, so now that I have gotten that off of my chest, I am going to take my not-normally-snarky-self  up to bed. Apparently someone needs a nap!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!! 😉

 

Treasure Hunting!

Good evening!
The other day, I had the opportunity to go treasure hunting, and I thought today that I would share two of my finds with you!

I found these two spectacular pieces at Aunt Bee’s here in town! I was absolutely flabbergasted when I first laid eyes on them, I just KNEW they had to come home with me! They were a little spendier than I am used to spending on a whim, but I knew that they would be a great investment and a great addition to my ever growing art collection. That sounds so cool to me! 😉

These pictures make me long to visit Europe. I dream of what it would be like if I could live there someday. Maybe live in the countryside of France, or the hustle and bustle of an Italian Villa, or maybe even live on a remote and isolated  emerald isle of Ireland. DREAMY!

I can imagine myself walking endlessly, just enjoying the scenery, or holding hands with my sweetie as we enjoy the sights of Europe together. Reading on a blanket under a shady tree, or sloshing in puddles while wearing my wellies, and the rain is coming down pitter-patting on my umbrella, that of course I would have right on hand! I would love to see the magnificent architecture, and learn about the vast history, and I would be proficient in every language – ok that may be pushing it, but I think you get what I mean. I would love to be blend in with the locals, and live the culture the way that they really live it. Living life, loving life, enjoying my friends and family! That would be AMAZING!!!

Someday, you will see. I am not sure how, and I am not sure when, but it will happen!! And when it does maybe I will be able to see these actual scenes first hand. For now, I will settle with enjoying my European view through these small paintings that I will truly treasure! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Sharing The Birthday Boy’s Pics!

Good evening!

My sweetie and I are having a lovely, quiet evening at home and I wanted to make sure that I shared with you his pictures from his birthday dinner last evening!! 🙂

We went to my sweetie’s favorite restaurant for dinner, Annette’s!

The birthday boy got a movie gift card, and a Starbuck’s card!

We celebrated with our good friends, Kevin, Rachel, and Errin.

We ate our fill of food, and then because it was Jason’s birthday they gave him a free dessert of 3 scoops of ice, with 2 brownies, hot fudge, whipped cream, and 5 spoons!! It was delicious!! 😉

They had live music, which was really cool!! It was very blues-ey/jazzy, which Jason and I just LOVE!!! 😉

Errin being silly! 😉

Kevin and Rachel – aren’t they just adorable?? 😉

and last but not least, my sweet AKA The Birthday Boy, and myself!! 😉

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

Happy Birthday, Baby!!

Good evening!

I have let the evening get away from me, so, needless to say that this is going to be another short post. I am very sorry about that!!

Today is my sweetie’s birthday, and this evening we had fun celebrating his birthday over at Annette’s in West Salem! Our friends, Errin, Kevin, and Rachel were able to join in the celebration!! We all had HUGE portions of DELICIOUS food!! It was fun to catch up with friends, and get to know a little more about what is happening in each of their lives! Then came dessert. YUM!! The waitress brought out a LARGE bowl of brownies, ice cream, fudge, and whip cream with 5 spoons!! It was delicious, but even with all 5 of us there, we could not finish it!!

Jason was like a kid on Christmas morning, as he opened his gifts!! He received a gift card to the movie theatre, a gift card to Starbucks, The Big Bang Theory Season 4 DVD set, and the Paolini Book “Inheritance”.

After we left our friends to return home, Jason got a phone call from our sister, Jennifer, and she sang to him Happy Birthday, Marylin Monroe-style, and he looked like he was going to burst with happiness!!! Jennifer is notorious for her Marylin impression, and Jason was just stoked that she was doing it JUST FOR HIM!!! That is a special treat – for sure!!!

So, before we head to bed this evening we are going to watch at least one more episode of The Big Bang Theory season 3, and then we are off to bed!! It really has been a great day, and I am just so thankful that my sweetie had a GREAT birthday!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening!!! 😉

 

 

OH, I do have a bunch of pictures that I am going to post of this evening, but because of time constraints I am going to wait until tomorrow’s post!!! 😉

Shopping! Shopping!

Good evening!

This is going to be a short post, I am tired, and wanting to call it a night!!

My sweetie and I got up this morning, had a lovely breakfast together, and headed out for a day of shopping. and I don’t mean run to the corner market to pick up a few things, I mean marathon shopping with a HUGE list!! I have to tell you that we really did have such a fun day!! Jason doesn’t usually like shopping, but he was such a trooper today, helping with making choices, and being extremely patient as I worked on trying to figure out who got what! I would love to tell you that I got all of my Christmas shopping done, but no, I still have a couple of people to get for, and THEN I will be done! WHEW!! 😉

OK, that is enough for tonight! I promise I will take more time to write tomorrow!

Have a a FABULOUS evening!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Good evening!

I am posting much later than I usually do, but that is because I have just finished having a lovely Thanksgiving day with our friends Dawn and Errin! We had a large Thanksgiving dinner, played a few rounds of Taboo, fun game, hadn’t played that in a VERY long time!! Then we watched a Christmas movie, Scrooged, had some pie – YUM!! and finally ended the evening with laughter with some Jeff Dunham. I am so thankful for so many things this Thanksgiving, that I thought I would share a list of things that I am thankful for…

  1. I am uniquely and wonderfully made, by a God who loves me even more than I could ever imagine
  2. God has provided everything that my husband and I have ever needed and more.
  3. My husband is extremely supportive, and is one of the funniest people – I am so thankful to have him in my life
  4. I have an amazing family that loves me
  5. I have close friends that I can share my hopes and dreams with and that I know have my back
  6. I have a job that most people would dream of that has great pay and amazing bennies
  7. I have a roof over my head, one that I am allowed to paint, and remodel, and decorate to my hearts content
  8. I have a safe, comfortable vehicle that has done an amazing job at getting us from point a to point b
  9. I live in a free country where I am allowed to speak my mind, and live the life that I want to live
  10. Life is just so precious, and I am so thankful that I get to live my day every single day, just to see what happens next

Have a a FABULOUS evening!!

Ready for Thanksgiving!

Good evening!

I have had a pretty darn good day today! It completely helped that today is my Friday to a 4-day weekend, I got off work a little early this afternoon, and that my sweetie has been completely and totally charmingly helpful this evening! What a gem he is!!!

Not only that, but he has single-handedly prepped everything for Thanksgiving dinner, so besides the actual cooking, everything that can be ready for Thanksgiving is ready. WHEW!! Although he did get enough groceries to feed an army!!!  LOL!!

Tomorrow, we are expecting our very good friends, Dawn and Errin to join us for our Thanksgiving !! I am so excited, I really can not wait!! I am also planning on making the calls to all the family to make sure that the family is doing well, and enjoying their Thanksgivings as well!! I just need to make sure that I don’t get so busy that I forget! SHEESH!! That would make me bad daughter/sister for the year!!! 😉

What are all of your plans for Thanksgiving? Are you planning on spending it with your loved ones?

So for some randomness:

It has been a really rainy week here in Oregon, matter of fact, I am wondering when it is going to start flooding here, if it hasn’t already! I absolutely adore rainy days, which is one of the main reasons I live here in Oregon.  I was reading today that 2 of the top 50 healthiest US cities for Women are Seatlle, WA, which is #15, and Beaverton, OR/Vancouver, WA are #30, which makes me happier about living here, but makes me think about the possibility of moving up north to either Portland or Seattle again. Anyway, I am not sure where those thoughts came from, but I am just keepin’ it real here!! 😉

Anyway, I am off to enjoy the rest of my night!

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

 

My Tree Is Done!!

Good evening!

It has taken me three days, but I have finally finished decorating my Christmas tree!! WHOO! HOO!!! I know it is early, but I really have needed a little Christmas spirit early this year! 😉

I wasn’t going to put up our tree this year, because I was thinking that it is an awful lot of work for just my sweetie and I, and we aren’t even going to be here at Christmas, however, when I expressed my thoughts to my sis, Alex she convinced me that even if it was just to enjoy the Christmas tree while I am reading on a quiet evening – it would be worth the work!!! 😉 She was absolutely right! AS SOON as I got the Christmas lights on the tree I was IMMEDIATELY put me in the Christmas spirit! It also helped that my sweetie helped my put the tree up this year, which I REALLY appreciated it!!

My theory on decorating my Christmas tree is to basically put EVERYTHING and ANYTHING that I LOVE on the tree!!! Which means that every single solitary inch of that tree has something on it!!

I love to tuck little treasures and momentos into our tree too. I especially LOVE pictures of my sweetie and from various different Christmas’!

We are such babies in this picture. This is one of our first Christmas’ with my sweetie’s family.

I also have lots of little signs, and this little red bird. One of my pastors, growing up, used to tell me that the little bird in her tree would wake up every evening and fly to the north pole to report to Santa whether or not we were behaving or not. Even though we don’t have children, I sometimes wonder if our little red bird flies to the north pole while we sleep and give a full report of our behavior to the man in the big red suit too!! 😉

Oh, and with my love of Santas, how could I not at least have one or 10 Santas on my tree??? 😉

Here is our Christmas star. Everyone always makes fun of me for this topper. Apparently it isn’t quite as flashy as the rest of our tree, however Jason and I bought this tree for our very first Christmas almost 17 years ago and every year I pull it out and PRAY that all of the lights in it still work. Every year, I am always amazed when they do!! WHOO! HOO!! 😉

When I describe our tree to anyone who has never seen it before, I always say that it looks like a jewelry box exploded ALL OVER our Christmas tree!! I still think that is pretty fitting!!!

Have a FABULOUS evening! ;-)

PS. Thank you, Alex, for cheering me on when I was having a moment of weekness!! I dedicate this blog posting, and my lovely Christmas tree, that has made me ABSOLUTELY SMILE to you!!!You were 100% right!!! I love you, Sissy!! 😉

Reading!

Good evening!

As most of you may have noticed, but I am quite the reader. I really love falling into a great book, and this week, I had the pleasure of falling into a total of 3 great books. The Magic Thief, The Magic Thief Lost, and The Magic Thief Found.

These are great books that tell the story of a boy named Connwaer, he is a thief and a guttersnipe, who inadvertently becomes a wizard’s apprentice, after trying to picpocket a wizard of his locus magicalis, which is a wizard’s tool for casting spells. These magical books take you on an adventure as Connwaer tries to figure out how to save the magic that inhabits their little city of Wellmet; if the magic dies, then the city dies as well.

Anyway, I read all three books of this trilogy, this week; mostly by waking up early and reading on my lunch breaks. It is amazing how much reading you can get done just be squeezing in a little reading during your normally wasted time!

Ok, I am hopping off of my literary soap box now. I am not sure what I am going to read next, but I can guess that I will have chosen a new book to read by the end of the evening!

In the meantime, I have got some chores to get done before bed tonight!

Have a FABULOUS evening! 😉