tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47297542820243420332024-03-05T08:59:59.076-08:00Ric Rac and Polka Dots Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-30103634086356356932017-04-18T09:07:00.002-07:002017-04-18T09:20:07.518-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0TV1ZbM6b0wncxeqaud73YVUoxR1yGMovU8d1MrHI1QZKNnkHVffVIvbr_ppAyoOIHQA3vyGlzlwfyt4t4T1nNBJLe5khirY4FnP4JrQoAbKfHx2V2HEfSkGWlGoxlU3yMmywJUKYOA/s1600/boy+monster.psd+wm+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0TV1ZbM6b0wncxeqaud73YVUoxR1yGMovU8d1MrHI1QZKNnkHVffVIvbr_ppAyoOIHQA3vyGlzlwfyt4t4T1nNBJLe5khirY4FnP4JrQoAbKfHx2V2HEfSkGWlGoxlU3yMmywJUKYOA/s400/boy+monster.psd+wm+pic.jpg" width="385" /></a><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hi everyone, happy spring! I've managed to get through the hustle and bustle of hosting Easter and now I'm onto spring cleaning. I'll try to make a better post when I get a chance, but for now I'm busy going through stuff and trying to declutter a bit. I have a bin of bibs and onesies I set aside for the farmer's market this year, but I've decided not to do it this year. I did pretty well there but it is a lot of work setting up the tent and tables and displays, and then breaking it all down.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyone who makes things knows you hardly get paid for your time, so all in all I was debating whether to do it or not. Then I found out I would have to take out an insurance policy (that would cost $500) for liability insurance on my booth, so that was the deciding factor. No thanks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What to do with the bibs and onesies? Well, I'm going to post some of the things I have for sale here in case anyone is interested. They are also on my website, www.fanniejane.com, but I'll just post them here for anyone that doesn't know about the site.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I also have a girl monster bib and onesie, equally adorable! These are all my original designs, created from characters in the children's books I'm writing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGDPi0SXxhNjAb1HvQcE1MrGa1obja9VNnOIPO82i8z1B4Xue2DR9lI_jFeky7vHLIKaC-d5Ryom3y4HSPsWlUfyxjkfhoX2hOTUmIptx3NhCRYwS46ewADRouZkmInoO6Lfk8d253wY/s1600/handmade+monster+girl+baby+onesie+fannie+jane+square+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGDPi0SXxhNjAb1HvQcE1MrGa1obja9VNnOIPO82i8z1B4Xue2DR9lI_jFeky7vHLIKaC-d5Ryom3y4HSPsWlUfyxjkfhoX2hOTUmIptx3NhCRYwS46ewADRouZkmInoO6Lfk8d253wY/s320/handmade+monster+girl+baby+onesie+fannie+jane+square+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-suD0pFLxk2y5LEiVYHZDOBEx9E1L7HwFIYcVhZCh3oKNI9LMsZ5vGWTAESm39bMm6K5jg16Kv6K1DrkZVVpr1StOLpzLJx_q-mXYlea3LVTX7QaCwqFDN11vdyrdsWrpjZfDJ1BzAY/s1600/monster+girl+bib+pic+square+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-suD0pFLxk2y5LEiVYHZDOBEx9E1L7HwFIYcVhZCh3oKNI9LMsZ5vGWTAESm39bMm6K5jg16Kv6K1DrkZVVpr1StOLpzLJx_q-mXYlea3LVTX7QaCwqFDN11vdyrdsWrpjZfDJ1BzAY/s320/monster+girl+bib+pic+square+wm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can make the onesie for you in sizes Newborn through 24 months. Please share this with anyone you think might be interested. And please visit the website, it's more than just a store. I'm creating an online home to promote handmade and have combined that with the store. I think you'll like it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If you buy on the website they are a bit more, but I'm offering them to my blog friends at $15.00. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Let me know and I'll create a special listing for you on Etsy or you can send me a check and I'll mail it out to you.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-47690941800293529302017-02-27T13:05:00.001-08:002017-02-27T13:05:35.814-08:00Ay Chihuahua!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you've read my last post you'll remember I was trying to keep busy while drinking that horrible prep liquid for my colonoscopy. Well, one good thing came of it. Actually two.<br />
1. My results are good, and I don't have to do it again for ten years!<br />
2. I designed an adorable quilt that I am in love with! <br />
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I wanted to share a picture with you so you can see the end result. I still have one partially finished on a blue background, but here's what I have done so far! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtODHHGGj0iPf7mkAi8HcKgByIPP5GPSjXa-F4DeAVJQ1QOHpI0ECx-6mhyphenhyphen1jsF7jprkeCK4qaIIdwUmfLRZcOZlW0H1p1OCO1DB3NFMM1DjLo1ERSDvDAUvrwZNrXLhjqPMMyK1-MaM8/s1600/handmade+baby+quilt+chihuahua+dog++fannie+jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtODHHGGj0iPf7mkAi8HcKgByIPP5GPSjXa-F4DeAVJQ1QOHpI0ECx-6mhyphenhyphen1jsF7jprkeCK4qaIIdwUmfLRZcOZlW0H1p1OCO1DB3NFMM1DjLo1ERSDvDAUvrwZNrXLhjqPMMyK1-MaM8/s320/handmade+baby+quilt+chihuahua+dog++fannie+jane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBGoGtLyfA9ZGDiCtauUTFiZ6ZlD1NWiMLNYB97XErsRL6b3gLFAq2HJ-VM2YEi442nRa3uDBQ_o0MaT9m3QZhr8MZwOVPXMiKDBOwH6eIJrWv0D4zHFRHJXuEb0x5Q1DP61LYOTx5bM/s1600/close+up+of+handmade+girl+chihuahua+quilt+fannie+jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBGoGtLyfA9ZGDiCtauUTFiZ6ZlD1NWiMLNYB97XErsRL6b3gLFAq2HJ-VM2YEi442nRa3uDBQ_o0MaT9m3QZhr8MZwOVPXMiKDBOwH6eIJrWv0D4zHFRHJXuEb0x5Q1DP61LYOTx5bM/s320/close+up+of+handmade+girl+chihuahua+quilt+fannie+jane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The second pic is just a close up of that sweet face. This quilt was inspired by a little chihuahua named Winslow who visited me recently!<br />
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I put the quilt in my shop on my website, www.fanniejane.com <br />
Even if you don't want to see the quilt again, please stop by the website and visit. I'll be posting there as well and offering tutorials, stories, freebies, and all kinds of fun things! Don't forget to join the mailing list so I can keep you up to date! <br />
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I hope you enjoyed the quilt, I sure had fun making it! PLEASE share, pin, post, any kind of social media you do. I'm trying hard to be seen and finding out it's not easy!! I would appreciate it. <br /><img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-28941991023667223232017-02-23T10:12:00.000-08:002017-02-24T08:41:35.960-08:00Ughhhhh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm trying to think of a word that would adequately describe the feelings I was having last night. Yuk isn't quite strong enough, life-ending is a bit of an exaggeration, so for lack of anything better I'll just stick with "ughhh". If that is even a word.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Have any of you had the pleasure of that really fun medical screening, the one you get when you are getting old? Yep, you guessed it. Colonoscopy. It hurts me just to type the word. I've put it off for far too long, and after losing my mom recently I was thinking how I don't want my kids to go through losing their mom any time soon. My dad died too young. My kids remember him more through pictures and stories than actual memories. I wish they could have known him better, longer. Sad.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Last night I began drinking the liquid prep at 7:00 as instructed, but didn't finish till 3:00 a.m. It said to drink an 8 ounce glass every 10 minutes. I got the first few glasses down, not easily, but down. After that it wanted to come back up. I had that feeling you get when you have a stomach flu and the worst is about to happen. My husband kept encouraging me to just chug it, and I tried to explain to him if I didn't go slowly I would lose it all. Seriously, just typing this is making me nauseous. Ughhh. Yuk. Badness. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2IOZ6ze7IdkR7raiKpkdnr8JGfUg6pGGKmXTh-XgTTe2jjtSlkOJMHLdFktPXjZ9NRLCiB5C3Sc2Ix63T8sg0CTXrwpj9MsLubYtetT47oYwtfypzDBmWzJjoF_mU4ekua8uTpNC8JY/s1600/ric+rac+and+polka+dots+fannie+jane.com+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2IOZ6ze7IdkR7raiKpkdnr8JGfUg6pGGKmXTh-XgTTe2jjtSlkOJMHLdFktPXjZ9NRLCiB5C3Sc2Ix63T8sg0CTXrwpj9MsLubYtetT47oYwtfypzDBmWzJjoF_mU4ekua8uTpNC8JY/s320/ric+rac+and+polka+dots+fannie+jane.com+2.jpg" width="203" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was feeling quite sorry for myself, wondering what cruel and inhumane person decided this was the best way to prepare. I finally got to sleep at around 4:00. I know it is a lifesaving screening and I should have done it sooner, but I was dreading it. People talk you know, and it didn't sound like fun!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Let me go on record admitting I am a big baby when it comes to medical things (and dental as well), but I'm trying to put on my big girl panties and deal with it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On a cheerier note, I knew the only way I could survive this prep was to be distracted, so I put on some good shows (not my beloved Pioneer Woman this time because the sight of food was not a good thing) and decided to make something new, which always makes the time pass quickly for me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My son's girlfriend was over the other day with her little chihuahua, Winslow, and I thought it would be fun to make a little baby quilt with a chihuahua. I sketched it out on brown craft paper, picked out fabrics, arranged them, working till almost 4:00. Somehow my obsession wit</span>h <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">creating helped me to survive the night. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here's a picture of what I have finished so far. I'm thinking I'll make two baby quilts, one for a boy, one for a girl. Or maybe just two different color backgrounds and leave the dogs gender neutral. Usually I decide as I go, it's always fun to see what I end up with. I have a couple hours to kill before I leave for the procedure so I'm going to keep working so I don't just sit and think about it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Please get your medical screening tests done. . . if not for yourself, for those who love you!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="left" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /></a></div>
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Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-16281740005187095802017-02-12T10:53:00.000-08:002017-02-12T10:53:03.412-08:00Ta-da!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kevGplmrux1wLIMDg3kbbhck6odEKRCJCd3qLUoOLgRYfvvnfjHlSYs-dIFD1OGV_9k1-x-2dO9mL995kw8bpoNImq9Gi2euWi76VRuf7QBs9d305tMMbiHaFT932kqLCt6UViIG_w/s1600/ellie+blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3kevGplmrux1wLIMDg3kbbhck6odEKRCJCd3qLUoOLgRYfvvnfjHlSYs-dIFD1OGV_9k1-x-2dO9mL995kw8bpoNImq9Gi2euWi76VRuf7QBs9d305tMMbiHaFT932kqLCt6UViIG_w/s320/ellie+blogger.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I truly never thought I would be saying these words, but my website is finally done! That's what the "ta-da" was all about. It's named after my great-grandmother, fannie jane. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Here's the link if you want to visit: <a href="https://www.fanniejane.com/" target="_blank">fanniejane.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I've been trying to get this up for so long, but life kept getting in the way. That sounds like an excuse, but it really did. Things that I had no control over took priority over the website. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Anyhow, here we are. The website is up, and far from finished, but so far I'm pretty happy with it. I have a lot of content to add, but for now I think you will see where I'm going with it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I was bound and determined not to be a store; yet I needed to be able to sell my handmade items. Hmmmmm, I figured the best thing to do was make it a blog/teaching/inspiring website and oh, by the way, I do have a few products for sale if you're interested!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">My dream for all these years has been to promote handmade. To teach, encourage, motivate, and showcase both old and new handmade treasures. I'll be making tutorials on all kinds of handcrafts and put them up, hopefully encouraging others to try something new. Originally I planned on just selling patterns for the designs, but I've decided to start with the finished products and see how it goes. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I feel like I did a pretty good job of being very true to myself. It is hard not to be influenced by other websites, but I just designed it so that if I happened upon it randomly I would absolutely love it. There are plenty of us out there, and the common thread is we love handmade. We love to collect it, we love to create it, we love to share it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">By the way, the absolutely adorable little girl on the home page is my granddaughter. She's standing on a handmade quilt from my grandma and her sisters from downhome. The outfit little Ellie has on is one of my original designs. All the adorable props are vintage, some with a makeover by yours truly, like the buggies. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I hope you can visit. If you believe in handmade, like I do, then you should enjoy it. If you love it please join my mailing list and I'll keep you updated. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I'm so excited I actually squealed this morning. Have a wonderful day!!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-22346602901874068632017-01-14T11:50:00.003-08:002017-01-16T15:53:01.025-08:00Stop the clock please<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWp2MzHQQqXgux2H3b3WbXOxTGchSOOdjSMNolW17UxJFJU-H3iuJ2e2JiEtYeP90CrmRuRGNysNc_Oxn08o4iUCSUW9RLLiRFltGjOc6GjqmCmNgl-Co06Dj7r-xciNJSdtCMl2CL-o/s1600/fannie+jane+new+year+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWp2MzHQQqXgux2H3b3WbXOxTGchSOOdjSMNolW17UxJFJU-H3iuJ2e2JiEtYeP90CrmRuRGNysNc_Oxn08o4iUCSUW9RLLiRFltGjOc6GjqmCmNgl-Co06Dj7r-xciNJSdtCMl2CL-o/s400/fannie+jane+new+year+image.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Oh my goodness, time just keeps marching on doesn't it? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I really can't believe it's 2017. I think back to all my resolutions from last year and am trying to see if I kept any. As usual, I made a little progress here and there but all in all I fell short. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: red;">This year I am kind of forced to make some changes. Bloodwork </span><span style="color: red;">revealed extremely high cholesterol - and I refuse to take drugs unless there are no other options - so I have to change the way I eat, exercise, and drop 10 pounds. In a way, this</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;">lifestyle change will pretty much accomplish all my usual resolutions so I guess there's that. I'm just trying to find some positive in the negative here friends.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Another change is my husband's Parkinsons is slowing him down to the point where he needs to retire, like yesterday. So, this means I need to start bringing in some money - especially since waiting for disability to be approved could take a year.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Again, let's look for the positive in the negative. I have always dreamed of resurrecting my pattern design business, and now I must do it. I've kind of been working on it for years, but now I feel a sense of urgency. I tried working on it over the years but taking care of mom was a priority. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Sadly, mom passed late summer. I'm still grieving and adjusting to her being gone. When I think of her I still tear up. I have no regrets about putting her first, but now I'm ready to devote my time to what I want and need to do. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Here's what I've done so far: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2iyEdDSAa13LtN0epO5mrS-Xz1CcHbYRiR0_Xm0szddi-DupXO8DBPSEz1AvIeKliY4r_Fbq2jH3AcbNQvj2WyONF6sxvEXbeGlMkm5XcARlmtFbyqpVVXTATug5xWJFiBaycSXrP4I/s1600/vintage+greeting+card+fannie+jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2iyEdDSAa13LtN0epO5mrS-Xz1CcHbYRiR0_Xm0szddi-DupXO8DBPSEz1AvIeKliY4r_Fbq2jH3AcbNQvj2WyONF6sxvEXbeGlMkm5XcARlmtFbyqpVVXTATug5xWJFiBaycSXrP4I/s320/vintage+greeting+card+fannie+jane.jpg" width="268" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I've turned some of my designs into PDF patterns. It might not sound like a big deal but it took me over a year to learn Illustrator well enough to create a really good pattern. I'm patting myself on the back because I'm super proud of what I've done in that department. Being a perfectionist tends to slow me down, but I'm happy with the patterns and feel they're good enough to put out there.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My main love is dreaming up new creations, quilts, bibs, dolls, embroidery, etc., but I would say my obsession is "handmade" in general. I really want to promote handmade - the passing down of skills nd encouraging others to try. I want them to have the joy and pride I feel as they create their own heirlooms. I want to promote the appreciation of handmade things as well. I'm hoping this next generation won't look at an antique crocheted doily as some $2.00 item they will get rid of at a garage sale.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">It didn't take but a second to figure out the best way to reach a lot of people is to create a</span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">n online community where people like me can gather. I want it to be a place where we can meet new people, learn new skills, support each other with our projects, and appreciate handmade things overall. Not just sewing, I'm talking about gardening, baking, cooking, you name it!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">Hopefully I'll be able to launch my website by the end of the month, and boy am I excited! It has been a good distraction for me - keeping me from dwelling on sad things. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">My website (and business) is called fannie jane. Here's the link: <a href="http://www.fanniejane.com/">fanniejane.com</a> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I already have some things in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/no-en/shop/FannieJane">Etsy shop</a> for now, but I'll also have an online shop on my website.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I'm on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fanniejane.handmade/">facebook</a> as fanniejane.handmade </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ricracpolkadots/boards/">pinterest</a> as fannie jane. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I also am going to give myself time to go visit blogs of friends I've met over the years. I've met so many wonderful people who I truly cared about, but let life keep me so distracted that I lost touch. So don't be surprised if you all start seeing my stop by your blogs. I'm super excited to see what everyone has been up to!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">I wish a happy and healthy new year to every single one of you! I can't wait to see what this year holds for all of us.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999;"><img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /></span><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-44654668536680589652016-01-09T10:36:00.001-08:002016-01-09T10:36:35.137-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRGG6tkZzBtc0eSDNf3rLpxaE8fUJDbcq5OA-2zr8kTuuYF2CySrZMlWM_hc8MjLi92zuSA22LdsJ-Gw0sFEMKPk_usW6MKDv04nUMJQi1mK-Cj1gxaIgBqQzuY7sN37JFI6_YGXJbFk/s1600/happy+new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRGG6tkZzBtc0eSDNf3rLpxaE8fUJDbcq5OA-2zr8kTuuYF2CySrZMlWM_hc8MjLi92zuSA22LdsJ-Gw0sFEMKPk_usW6MKDv04nUMJQi1mK-Cj1gxaIgBqQzuY7sN37JFI6_YGXJbFk/s320/happy+new+year.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Happy new year! I wish each and every one of you a happy and healthy new year. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hknXucgWDQepvCCn9u5BPOlCmyb-q71-23G_Rmw2yZOieWx80D4WIbk_AlYC1cd-ESYUcDnP07wzI45Lt4KB7iGhnOoQFNzr08s_hhfFHUXkpUpPVX6zqYwW9kmF7pwpW3sp-so1m_M/s1600/girl+writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hknXucgWDQepvCCn9u5BPOlCmyb-q71-23G_Rmw2yZOieWx80D4WIbk_AlYC1cd-ESYUcDnP07wzI45Lt4KB7iGhnOoQFNzr08s_hhfFHUXkpUpPVX6zqYwW9kmF7pwpW3sp-so1m_M/s320/girl+writing.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">As always, I have my list of resolutions. Perhaps I should just write "ditto" since they are always the same as the year before. I wonder why I still even make them. Do you? Maybe the fact that we try to improve and better ourselves is a good sign, because if we didn't at least try it might indicate that we have pretty much given up. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">For some reason, possibly insanity, deep deep inside my heart and soul I always believe that amazing things can happen, that I can achieve my dreams and goals, and that all things are possible. Well, most things. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I realize I won't grow 2 inches so I won't have to lose 5 pounds. Most likely </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">my husband will continue to bang his head on kitchen cabinet doors left open and trip over my shoes lying in the middle of the mudroom where I kicked them off. I really try to remember, but usually I'm somewhere else in my mind and just forget to do those little things! </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROzlOV1ZcTnuh5li4iW20-jGgW6zLJNm-UixjZ7SnCfVvWwGzwVTOGr7_vj8DLghg0A_uNlw6OA93yvA9OQFUnLZEYqNGHZHdBLkpykL21uX5QpAgQKT6X7HWn4qIVWd_1sOMSNCj0DE/s1600/girl+fortune+teller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROzlOV1ZcTnuh5li4iW20-jGgW6zLJNm-UixjZ7SnCfVvWwGzwVTOGr7_vj8DLghg0A_uNlw6OA93yvA9OQFUnLZEYqNGHZHdBLkpykL21uX5QpAgQKT6X7HWn4qIVWd_1sOMSNCj0DE/s400/girl+fortune+teller.jpg" width="307" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">What does this year hold in store for all of us? Perhaps its best we don't know. And maybe, just maybe, it all depends on how hard we try to achieve our dreams. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">So, my dear friends, although so much has changed since my regular blogging days - in some ways nothing has changed at all. I am always embarking on many new adventures and would love to share them with you, if any of you are still out there. Please let me know, because if you are and would care to hear my silly ramblings, I would love to again share my world with you! </span><br /><img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-37282324181944387452015-03-24T09:46:00.003-07:002015-03-24T10:47:17.954-07:00The Simple Things<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going through my day, I feel stress, a sense of urgency, and exhaustion. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stress from trying so hard to get my business going. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Urgency, because the clock is ticking. I have bills to pay and my husband needs to retire. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Exhaustion. I begin my morning in my sewing room and keep at it pretty much all day, going back down after supper until about 8:00. </span></span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXNBQwAN9VTFz3Put0WpKDUPvRmqTPx0rGCZNQfFmzDvW70P4TLZUiK0K62pmvn6ZYUnNLyugRzYiROzCwYJ9pg0WGUY9MhGYdPfNEPAbIxIC1rZEwbIkwpheTd_lkPBhtwsCAPErvX8/s1600/girl+drinking+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrXNBQwAN9VTFz3Put0WpKDUPvRmqTPx0rGCZNQfFmzDvW70P4TLZUiK0K62pmvn6ZYUnNLyugRzYiROzCwYJ9pg0WGUY9MhGYdPfNEPAbIxIC1rZEwbIkwpheTd_lkPBhtwsCAPErvX8/s1600/girl+drinking+coffee.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Climbing the stairs from my basement sewing studio for about the 20th time, the angel food cake pan I left soaking from yesterday greets me. Rarely do I leave dishes for the next day - not because I'm </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">such an amazing cleaner, but because I hate waking up to any kind of mess. I'm not a morning person, and it doesn't take much to get me crabby in the morning - at least until I've had a few cups of coffee!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Looking at that pan, wishing it was already clean, I decided to use psychology on myself. Speaking right out loud (don't worry, nobody was home but the dog) I said: "Julie, quit being such a whiner and be thankful you have a pan to wash, a stove to bake a cake in, and a comfortable home to live in". </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seemed like it was working - a little, so I kept talking . . .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Before I can wash dishes I need to scrub out the dish pan". Note: My husband has a habit of throwing things in there to "soak" which means they are left there for me to clean, and the pan is always dirty. :) Bless his heart.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I scrubbed out the sink and the pan. As I filled it with hot water and dish soap, the billowing bubbles exploded with a lovely, somewhat familiar smell. I grabbed a clean washcloth, deciding on one I knitted while watching tv. Admiring the pretty shade of peach as I dipped it into the bubbles, I got to work washing the counters, the stove top, and the microwave. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4DhMxcYXReT-iA0FFFmcD6z5hYT1Jc4Gjbhx1vtk_OzyGGae-xLtTDfLyq0VQ66V0ec3ENAjkk08F64nSmMrf2qWdaim-DXr2Qain1BC5ADglxhjkwHi4jslbVzQOeXUd-JJy5mstfY/s1600/its+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4DhMxcYXReT-iA0FFFmcD6z5hYT1Jc4Gjbhx1vtk_OzyGGae-xLtTDfLyq0VQ66V0ec3ENAjkk08F64nSmMrf2qWdaim-DXr2Qain1BC5ADglxhjkwHi4jslbVzQOeXUd-JJy5mstfY/s1600/its+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4DhMxcYXReT-iA0FFFmcD6z5hYT1Jc4Gjbhx1vtk_OzyGGae-xLtTDfLyq0VQ66V0ec3ENAjkk08F64nSmMrf2qWdaim-DXr2Qain1BC5ADglxhjkwHi4jslbVzQOeXUd-JJy5mstfY/s1600/its+fun.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As I thought about how I am always rushing, worrying, and planning in my head, I realized I'm never really in the moment. Instead of "thinking" about everything and anything, I should just "be" - be in the present, with my hands in the lovely bubbles, enjoying the warmth and smell. As I washed each glass, plate, and coffee cup, I tried to feel gratitude for each item. Then I broke my favorite coffee cup I've had for about 20 years. "Rats. Oh well. It had some cracks in it anyhow, probably not safe." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Being super sensitive to chemicals, I try to use homemade cleansers made from nontoxic ingredients whenever possible. Last</span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> month I </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">brought home what was left of the Dawn dish soap while cleaning out Mom's house and figured I'd try it. "Guess I might as well use it - not be wasteful.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> " Yep, me talking to myself again. </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I must say it smelled really nice.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-J44SNhaX3km9KrdTNqGUVbCvJzt2e1O9op5GE-ypJcBqoWIOQHsr6jCOdVzu6PLibQSFcXdHV-Nh4C7QLecpfjSPsien3XF4ph1Z06VyY90QNuF3SbWBQk2A4v59RYWJdlQ7Hxlb_7U/s1600/clean+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-J44SNhaX3km9KrdTNqGUVbCvJzt2e1O9op5GE-ypJcBqoWIOQHsr6jCOdVzu6PLibQSFcXdHV-Nh4C7QLecpfjSPsien3XF4ph1Z06VyY90QNuF3SbWBQk2A4v59RYWJdlQ7Hxlb_7U/s1600/clean+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-J44SNhaX3km9KrdTNqGUVbCvJzt2e1O9op5GE-ypJcBqoWIOQHsr6jCOdVzu6PLibQSFcXdHV-Nh4C7QLecpfjSPsien3XF4ph1Z06VyY90QNuF3SbWBQk2A4v59RYWJdlQ7Hxlb_7U/s1600/clean+dishes.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was kind of an amazing moment, realizing how enjoyable washing dishes by hand was. Ok, not like going to a quilt shop, but still. It seems like the dishwasher never gets them clean anyhow. Then I really got carried away washing every thing in the dishwasher - which was completely full. I put on an I Love Lucy rerun and laughed at her antics. Imagining being back in the 50's, I wished I had put on an apron.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After Lucy was over I decided to turn off the tv and work in silence, trying to stay in the moment. From start to finish it ended up taking over an hour. My feet, legs, and back hurt. I must be getting old because being on my feet for a while gets me tired. Still, I felt happy. It was relaxing, and I think it brought me happy memories. It took me back to when I was raising kids and my role was clearly defined - being a stay-at-home mom, cleaning, cooking, taking care of the family. The realization hit me that not only do I need to do more of the simple things in life - I need to actually be present to enjoy them. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm2OjYp8d_AjRZVkaODXvcsxDAFIshsDGQM8qTqeYR5foaYrDvleLYwT33IM0Ac6JRgbPEO3fQBB63lcpWld_wUD-f7_7o74s2P1LsjoRSoH9G9d_YKYAM3-k1twh1Os_3aqwFBeXZh8/s1600/madge-palmolive-late-1960s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm2OjYp8d_AjRZVkaODXvcsxDAFIshsDGQM8qTqeYR5foaYrDvleLYwT33IM0Ac6JRgbPEO3fQBB63lcpWld_wUD-f7_7o74s2P1LsjoRSoH9G9d_YKYAM3-k1twh1Os_3aqwFBeXZh8/s1600/madge-palmolive-late-1960s.jpg" height="400" width="305" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">As my sister and I chatted about my little epiphany she said she had just washed out some coffee cups at work using Palmolive and was taken back to childhood. She wondered if Mom used that brand, and we assumed she did because the smell seemed so familiar. We talked about the old Palmolive commercials and she reminded me of Madge, the "beautician" doing a manicure. Do you remember "It's Palmolive - you're soaking in it"? Funny. I seem to remember Mom using Ivory, but I can't say for sure. You can bet your life when I go to the store the next time I will buy a small bottle of each and an old fashioned dish drainer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYWxlgCPAFZpMe5WIkpKHbJF5hFUuwWoUZ7VDWVMiNd58cknLxLaUWA_6v9toGxJvrMnV-U6AZ6F9IZ1CtfwUjl8SzfdevL6Zwb0kk5kOTG0djh6ksT-VsiUpS8suRNUfN1SEE5Lq7o4/s1600/washing+dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYWxlgCPAFZpMe5WIkpKHbJF5hFUuwWoUZ7VDWVMiNd58cknLxLaUWA_6v9toGxJvrMnV-U6AZ6F9IZ1CtfwUjl8SzfdevL6Zwb0kk5kOTG0djh6ksT-VsiUpS8suRNUfN1SEE5Lq7o4/s1600/washing+dishes.jpg" /></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Now . . go put on a pretty apron and wash some dishes. And as you work, please enjoy yourself!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img align="left" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV6_OxG6ivfIcU2cq6rmY9Xvfh2FVTCFT_9tsGl7Weul7hcDV1YYgCJxxdnPC7L7Qv31QaKc9P_8_AlnAxxtq5CrBjAY0I8ciBI2Kjb6603GxAMalAJ4fhFZINQx_eGsYhOIGmVkbpPk/s1600/home+sweet+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtV6_OxG6ivfIcU2cq6rmY9Xvfh2FVTCFT_9tsGl7Weul7hcDV1YYgCJxxdnPC7L7Qv31QaKc9P_8_AlnAxxtq5CrBjAY0I8ciBI2Kjb6603GxAMalAJ4fhFZINQx_eGsYhOIGmVkbpPk/s1600/home+sweet+home.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here I sit with my cup of coffee. I am in my lovely sewing studio, in my wonderful house, as happy as can be. Feeling safe and sound, I have no desire to leave. Why the sudden appreciation for home? Let me tell you. I wasn't feeling so happy a few weeks ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">My husband earned two free plane tickets and had to use one of them before February. Knowing my absolute dread of flying and the fact that I get anxiety traveling, he decided not to tell me until the last minute.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">He booked a flight to visit his sister in California. If I wanted to go all I needed to do was say the word. A free flight, our own little studio apartment - what more could anyone ask for?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">A dream come true, right? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">So what's the problem?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I wavered back and forth between being excited and having near panic attacks. I talked myself into it, then out of it, then into it. Once I committed to go I was literally sick for three days - feeling anxiety, dizziness, hot flashes, up at night, just plain feeling awful. A phrase I took from my daughter when she was little was "badness". A pancake I made her wasn't completely cooked, and she told me there was "badness" in there. I had badness in me. Lots of it. </span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6znmxfUmbKTnPMJGqktOP9DjM_2D_7xAikLa8ZUESjsQNYQsKoS0b_teStnvF6APt77PPjeeb6CiqZiCt-QGXLMhRtgBLSyyvm4g-0Q9SB0vz2MXJYdyhXKHyPqGttJ6WIdojvxSQKXU/s1600/airplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC0AwVOpGMHG49Q1vUEjti5bXwe1igLTkgvkwWlGmsoyOR30rK4k4Df3fTIQ4jjalaOVE3p82Hh4Skbi_Fw8f-LuhY1e-Ujxs7qAykMa1zTBMvprTu3ZBS03r01RgWCO3TVjs6zp5rXI/s1600/sanfran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioC0AwVOpGMHG49Q1vUEjti5bXwe1igLTkgvkwWlGmsoyOR30rK4k4Df3fTIQ4jjalaOVE3p82Hh4Skbi_Fw8f-LuhY1e-Ujxs7qAykMa1zTBMvprTu3ZBS03r01RgWCO3TVjs6zp5rXI/s1600/sanfran.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I really, really would love to go. The last time I was in California I was 16, on a family trip to San Francisco. I want to redo everything I did back then - take a trolley to Chinatown, visit Fisherman's Wharf , and see the sights. My son moved to California last year. I would love to visit him, as well as my West Coast relatives. Visions of the beautiful wineries in Napa Valley taunt me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">So just go, right? I can hear you now. I told myself I would go and I know I would enjoy it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">But . . .the stress I was having and what I was putting myself through was just not worth it. After several heart to heart talks with my sister and myself, I decided not to go. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Why? M</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">y dream of going out to California was to drive. Crazy, yes. But I want to plan my trip and try to see as many states as possible. I want to visit every quilt shop and antique store and see all the beauty our great country offers. We'll stop at every Mom and Pop diner and small town bakery, sampling our way through the states. I want to drive to the upper West Coast and work my way down. I want a leisurely pace, not determined by flight deadlines. </span></span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS0HaYsZ5_Saue-usgCGCAA54Ymf68uv984HcdMwPlbH1TSWQJU3deof-N5-iHVmMVtdzl_MgACYndYGQRTkBLkUUU9l-sdWiUFom0rNapG4RWjF0Wr1js7v57kFoDNjUQMzdpRJ04A0/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTS0HaYsZ5_Saue-usgCGCAA54Ymf68uv984HcdMwPlbH1TSWQJU3deof-N5-iHVmMVtdzl_MgACYndYGQRTkBLkUUU9l-sdWiUFom0rNapG4RWjF0Wr1js7v57kFoDNjUQMzdpRJ04A0/s1600/lucy.jpg" height="320" width="173" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My dream is to get a vintage trailer and be like Lucy and Ricky in "The Long, Long Trailer" but my husband says it would be cheaper to get hotels. We'll see about that!</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I like being able to stop the car whenever and wherever I want. Being on a plane, train, or bus makes me feel claustrophobic, like I am trapped. Anyone that deals with anxiety issues will be able to relate to this. I haven't flown for over 10 years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Because we were so close to the actual date, we would have had to pay an additional 600 dollars round trip, so this actually wasn't the opportunity of a lifetime I was making it out to be. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I felt disappointed in myself for not embracing the adventure. What an idiot. Who in their right mind would pass this up? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">This idiot, that's who. </span></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Here's how I made peace with myself. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This wasn't my dream trip. We can still drive to the West Coast someday, but we can't afford 600 dollars right now. Thi</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">s isn't a good time for me to try to squeeze in anything else because I am smack dab in the middle of trying to get my business up and running.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought: I hereby give myself permission to pass on this opportunity. I am going to release the "badness" I feel about myself for not being able to do it. The stress I am putting myself through is not worth it. And I'm not an idiot.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I felt such a sense of relief when I made that decision. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_50ILyh_2vnv2GdlS86FltZAzKn7rdOqJvo3xK4DTL74nhv0FVwZ4rGAQYxNLPHy-JwNEva409VjbbpDJvmsscjB_o34OGS4iPajQJdO8KodWnT-b9a4RukoUAr_E13wuVYOacIjtvPY/s1600/swinging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_50ILyh_2vnv2GdlS86FltZAzKn7rdOqJvo3xK4DTL74nhv0FVwZ4rGAQYxNLPHy-JwNEva409VjbbpDJvmsscjB_o34OGS4iPajQJdO8KodWnT-b9a4RukoUAr_E13wuVYOacIjtvPY/s1600/swinging.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Will I regret it? Am I ashamed for not being able to face my fears? I don't know. What I do know is if my</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> sister, daughter, or friend was trying to make this decision, I would tell them to not be so hard on themselves. So I took my own advice . . . this time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">P.S. I think I'll watch "The Long, Long Trailer" tonight.</span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikX_MBFiOBu3kiv4TlxtD0YZ2ObbIlOS5DkHbWw7QwIwDmICU-0OLq56jbF0M6IIawLHhTeXkFjLVtVoK4Ed_PePu80BpjWMF9RfHP_v2TX178zlXlFX1RImAMSEsI7A6H3CUDb1lFsY/s1600/winter+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikX_MBFiOBu3kiv4TlxtD0YZ2ObbIlOS5DkHbWw7QwIwDmICU-0OLq56jbF0M6IIawLHhTeXkFjLVtVoK4Ed_PePu80BpjWMF9RfHP_v2TX178zlXlFX1RImAMSEsI7A6H3CUDb1lFsY/s1600/winter+scene.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I'm back! I sure hope you all remember me. It's been a long, long time, and so much has happened. I will try to catch you up, little bits at a time, instead of writing my usual novel! As I write I'm watching the snow gently fall, enjoying the beauty of winter. Brrrr, it's freezing cold - but I still love it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mom is in assisted living, since last summer. I thought I would be back to my life immediately after that happened, but helping her make the transition still required plenty of time and energy on my part. She wanted to go home, and I felt terrible guilt that I could no longer keep her there. We had no choice - it took more than one person to get her up now. For several months I spent the majority of my time either on the phone with her or at the assisted living. After she was settled in and I had most of my time to myself, I had this strange feeling - like I didn't know what I was supposed to be doing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I found myself starting this project, then starting that project, then feeling overwhelmed because I had so many things I wanted to do and didn't know where to begin. I also kept having this nagging feeling that I was supposed to be somewhere and was forgetting. I was so used to caring for Mom, pretty much 12 hours a day 7 days a week, that I almost didn't know how to live my life anymore.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFyfJ4nfYRDPcyHceqhYqop9u8URAKw1Knr59579BMhgcufjKnB7ee4fUdY8th_5DokFkelK6L0P-knmNUEuUF2GTRbWGAbIqiEuK8U6-vZ2HDbCGha0vwcyxoEvd9lDYN3lnIvLFUXU/s1600/cleaning+tub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFyfJ4nfYRDPcyHceqhYqop9u8URAKw1Knr59579BMhgcufjKnB7ee4fUdY8th_5DokFkelK6L0P-knmNUEuUF2GTRbWGAbIqiEuK8U6-vZ2HDbCGha0vwcyxoEvd9lDYN3lnIvLFUXU/s1600/cleaning+tub.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">My brother and I have finally finished cleaning out her home. That was a heart-wrenching experience, because so many things had sentimental value. Memories, thought to be buried forever, came flooding back. A ceramic frog, sitting in a planter still blooming with some sort of green vines, reminded me of Mom taking ceramics classes. Maybe this frog didn't mean the world to her, but I couldn't donate this or throw it away. Add it to my pile. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Items that I have used or walked by a million times while caring for mom in her home suddenly meant more than a 5 carat diamond. In my pile they go. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Pictures . . . oh the pictures, and the feelings that came up while going through them. Of course, in the pile they go.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I am a very sentimental person, and believe me when I say the tears flowed, the sadness overwhelmed at times, and the overall realization that life is fleeting really hit me. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I need to live my life now. I need to find out what makes Julie happy. Perhaps find my purpose in life. How to make the world a better place. I will evaluate my priorities, making sure that when I am nearing the end of my days I won't have regrets. At least not any new ones. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful. Thankful that Mom is in a wonderful place. Thankful that it wasn't the house I grew up in because it would have been so much harder. Thankful to finally get my life back.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uWTfO6x2bzZlIP7hpz7m5ads9ED-rKJCuhtSnhJtzIPlwCqnZcolqkYApe3zChxgBP0Eavj6Ycd9am0B_ukAgQyKP0MuHWHLqRVnd4r7acvsw076m7irceEU15gfR2BIismGL9iiJuk/s1600/cleaning+girlimages+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uWTfO6x2bzZlIP7hpz7m5ads9ED-rKJCuhtSnhJtzIPlwCqnZcolqkYApe3zChxgBP0Eavj6Ycd9am0B_ukAgQyKP0MuHWHLqRVnd4r7acvsw076m7irceEU15gfR2BIismGL9iiJuk/s1600/cleaning+girlimages+(1).jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wouldn't you think my first project would be something amazing and fun and wonderful? Nope - the first thing I did was spend a month cleaning, organizing, and tackling the basement. I'm so boring! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ironically, it is once again bursting at the seams - filled with things that I am either storing for my sister or one of my kids, or that I just couldn't give or throw away. I am reminding myself to go through it all and downsize my stuff, because I don't want my kids to have a monumental task when I leave my home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I miss so many of you, and can't wait to try to catch up on all I've missed. I hope you are all well and happy. </span></span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-52371632400644391062013-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:002013-10-08T07:40:02.244-07:00Summer, where have you gone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJchp6KfjA3IKT7zO_KwsM-lU5xIBws6Ov7R-YjaqBqo63Ta-Ouawf6etcuaNc_32YxBRc61pCclkumUyI3oiKYnQCSGqMLID9FCW3bHVgimq_clSfVzKo5kzKAb_NYGTBJpOHlU9xoTI/s1600/fun+kittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJchp6KfjA3IKT7zO_KwsM-lU5xIBws6Ov7R-YjaqBqo63Ta-Ouawf6etcuaNc_32YxBRc61pCclkumUyI3oiKYnQCSGqMLID9FCW3bHVgimq_clSfVzKo5kzKAb_NYGTBJpOHlU9xoTI/s640/fun+kittens.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">As I peeked out my door I saw the grass was green and the skies were blue. The birds were calling me to come out and play. But I couldn't . . . because I had things to do. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Now fall is in full swing, and the leaves are beginning to turn. When I opened my windows this morning I took in a great big breath of the crisp, cool air. It gently caressed my face and filled my home with that wonderful feeling of freshness. Some people are rejuvinated with spring, but autumn puts me in the mood to bake, rake leaves, decorate, and get ready to settle in for winter. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCnhqM3bY38VpxY-gKdBuqEnDJa1r6edkBI__khR_Xt1sTD-wSkvo6oBhTU0CWcy0bBIoUv1nLcmHcpqQjYkSFJEp4qCpId-zgc2svEpSMccW6XNzf7p7XjIruoZ7iAZLP3DfGpzkjTA/s1600/maria-rosa-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCnhqM3bY38VpxY-gKdBuqEnDJa1r6edkBI__khR_Xt1sTD-wSkvo6oBhTU0CWcy0bBIoUv1nLcmHcpqQjYkSFJEp4qCpId-zgc2svEpSMccW6XNzf7p7XjIruoZ7iAZLP3DfGpzkjTA/s1600/maria-rosa-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I really want to make taffy apples today! But I can't . . . because I have things to do.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Each time I come down to my sewing studio, I walk by a carefully selected stack of wonderful autumn fabrics - teasing me to come play. I had planned on making a Halloween quilt for myself, my daughter, and daughter-in-law. But I didn't . . . because I had things to do.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYr6f7EnxnXadyInCCStO8b_qHPOXTjp0MmunuwReRB8d-f1QWb6pQaGc6VKjuVS60yUx4t70J7RJw8LMfrMiIoYiuhnd6wHDWWfr_BAW0qFWc_7y6fgr-RBYnedpfhrcMm8x8WCPRSQ/s1600/farm+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYr6f7EnxnXadyInCCStO8b_qHPOXTjp0MmunuwReRB8d-f1QWb6pQaGc6VKjuVS60yUx4t70J7RJw8LMfrMiIoYiuhnd6wHDWWfr_BAW0qFWc_7y6fgr-RBYnedpfhrcMm8x8WCPRSQ/s400/farm+scene.jpg" width="235" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">The good news is, I did manage to enjoy the summer a bit, planting gardens, attending county fair (where I was awarded 5 blue ribbons, thank you very much!), birthday parties, barbecues, car shows, and a quilt convention.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkFkpwZUqUNJGRll48-PayK-UKmosyUvqxzsgpshRLy_eBFgDG_3t8cF-DDxlrEzQQVf14zY3YR4Gf2UXIpNlq5g633MrxS04ey5CYFRsVXpIj73cy82-Wd98flXb8_eepO1B8jT0yiY/s1600/annniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkFkpwZUqUNJGRll48-PayK-UKmosyUvqxzsgpshRLy_eBFgDG_3t8cF-DDxlrEzQQVf14zY3YR4Gf2UXIpNlq5g633MrxS04ey5CYFRsVXpIj73cy82-Wd98flXb8_eepO1B8jT0yiY/s400/annniversary.jpg" width="331" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">My husband and I even managed to take a 3 day trip to celebrate our 15th anniversary. Only a few days away, but it was a much needed break. We try to go back each year to where we were married.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I designed 15 adorable children's clothing patterns. Well, the actual garments, I'm still saving up for the software to digitally draw the pattern pieces.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN072YKEQzQk1i3K81mFxJcVUSSEcLwqvc7gqDYaJOSzeXLLLotPq_GihUEKuwdMTQMv6DtUFkIpci4bN58uuwwVpa49Qp40iPasLkE1hxr-hmu4T41pT438dOwJ9_yOmzhFhohSvTytI/s1600/sewing+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN072YKEQzQk1i3K81mFxJcVUSSEcLwqvc7gqDYaJOSzeXLLLotPq_GihUEKuwdMTQMv6DtUFkIpci4bN58uuwwVpa49Qp40iPasLkE1hxr-hmu4T41pT438dOwJ9_yOmzhFhohSvTytI/s640/sewing+girl.jpg" width="472" /></a><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had a professional photo shoot of Ellie wearing the finished garments. It was amazing, and turned out better than I could have hoped for! I am in the process of redesigning my blog graphics and setting up my store. I am always trying to get "just one more" outfit done before my granddaughter Ellie moves to Tennessee. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Mom's spinal stenosis is progressing, and we are to the point where she almost refuses to try to walk. Every day is a battle to try to have her walk at least a little, for fear that her leg muscles will weaken and she will not have the strength to get up out of the chair and transfer. If that happens I am afraid she will no longer be able to stay at home. I do have help in the mornings, but it is still a 7-day-a week job, with phone calls starting as early as 5 in the morning. Dementia has set in, off and on, and for some reason she feels the need to call me pretty much all day long, starting bright and early! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyEs-8qydZqGxGw-nTSNcuYabil-30r7Pl_b-KTIsP9bgbQ6WjewpR4_YJTfHzeckzuEK6bODuoutShxvrBnC7A3Ip8P6zwl1QJo-CmA7GxU_ttUDyT74aipynUUEkI4BfuwnK4FhB4Y/s1600/knit+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyEs-8qydZqGxGw-nTSNcuYabil-30r7Pl_b-KTIsP9bgbQ6WjewpR4_YJTfHzeckzuEK6bODuoutShxvrBnC7A3Ip8P6zwl1QJo-CmA7GxU_ttUDyT74aipynUUEkI4BfuwnK4FhB4Y/s400/knit+girl.jpg" width="312" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I feel so bad that I have neglected my blog for so long, but I realized that the only way I was going to keep my sanity and hopefully my health during this time in my life was to only do the absolutely necessary things to get through each day. I do manage to do a little knitting and crochet almost daily. One afternoon a week, for 2 hours, I get together with a group of ladies at a local church who meet for a knit/crochet club. Most of them are experienced knitters and crocheters, and this is a Godsend for me. I have been trying to learn to follow patterns for 20 years to knit retro look cardigan sweaters, and I might just do it yet!!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I truly hope that all of you who I have had the pleasure of meeting in blogland will stay with me through this difficult time in my life. If we make it through the holidays with Mom at home I will have really accomplished something. I have accepted the fact that this won't last much longer, and most likely it won't be long until she needs to go to a facility that is better able to meet her needs. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Until then, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will try my hardest to drop in more often to say hello and give you updates on what I have been up to! P</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">lease, all of my dear friends, have a wonderful fall. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Remember, each day is a gift and you should make the most of it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">D</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">on't let "Having things to do" prevent you from enjoying each and every day. </span><br />
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<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-9688120969097780172013-04-19T10:43:00.002-07:002013-04-20T07:16:23.139-07:00 TAKING CARE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'm sure a few have wondered if I have disappeared off the face of the earth. It sure feel like it. I have been really busy, that's for sure. For the past two years I have been trying to restart my pattern business, and little by little I have created quilts, dolls, and children's clothing, just waiting for me to write patterns and get into PDF documents. Yuk. I hate that part. Worse than writing a term paper. Several people have told me to "Just get going on it" and they are right. I'm trying, really I am. I just have other things that are taking priority right now. The days and weeks are flying by, it's just crazy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZUu_uHZO8QghJeZRPzzqkzI_yggq4nrHunQfmN3-VwH6aafWp-f3ZRcFRwWTmFxJiWo4FEHNWoO5ocxK7qTpK4PjXTEcROnyelPGntsC5Cy3qiPeRyRrxvRwD1NlzZ5Fl3GXHAgPG00/s1600/oh+oh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZUu_uHZO8QghJeZRPzzqkzI_yggq4nrHunQfmN3-VwH6aafWp-f3ZRcFRwWTmFxJiWo4FEHNWoO5ocxK7qTpK4PjXTEcROnyelPGntsC5Cy3qiPeRyRrxvRwD1NlzZ5Fl3GXHAgPG00/s640/oh+oh.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">If you have been following my blog for any amount of time, you probably know that I am taking care of my mom. My goal has been to keep her at home instead of the nursing home. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0wQ3fsygZtZ0Kvgjtm2TGUtcgLmnYoXktOlT9VrbaqBAPmaNTrRkfDrbUJ6_TQcaLwOxDDmYhx_z__7VWWT-fXmKdRwDI39pI9hNvldkTBY3nRMwqVmTYmibkYR2TnZSRfDJZPCDavs/s1600/cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0wQ3fsygZtZ0Kvgjtm2TGUtcgLmnYoXktOlT9VrbaqBAPmaNTrRkfDrbUJ6_TQcaLwOxDDmYhx_z__7VWWT-fXmKdRwDI39pI9hNvldkTBY3nRMwqVmTYmibkYR2TnZSRfDJZPCDavs/s640/cottage.jpg" width="361" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Let me just say right now that we are very fortunate to have one of the nation's top rated nursing homes in my town, just 90 seconds away from my home by car, and it is wonderful. We have experienced other nursing homes over the past five years and this one is an absolute blessing. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Anyhow . . . please let me just tell you a little bit of what has been going on. They say it is good to vent, and here I go. I hope you will forgive my rambling, I think it is a very healing thing for me to share this with all of you. And PLEASE understand, this post isn't to whine and complain and tell you how hard I have worked, but to enlighten those of you who haven't yet experienced this situation, so you can appreciate those who are caring for others. I feel it has been a privilege to care for Mom. She took wonderful care of me, and I am happy to do the same for her.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My mom has battled cancer, arthritis, and has survived losing both my dad and her mother within 3-1/2 days of each other. She also has severe osteoporsis, and has had four or five falls over the last few years resulting in bone fractures. She has spinal stenosis, which has also been progressing over the past four or five years. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Being the only child in town, I have been pretty much managing her affairs and seeing to her needs during this last five years. As time has progressed, so has my level of involvement. What started off as going shopping, seeing to her meals, doing laundry, and driving her to appointments has progressed to giving her showers, seeing to all her personal hygiene, taking over her financial affairs, writing bills, managing appointments, and all aspects of running her home. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr7FuYfEKim7ZFNQwlfFOjw8rFn_45Ic63VGGo54T1lBGUE8H3myb35CEH6fMkj2VQromB7xZjeozBI7OZvS94zzKVaQtM7PMuvenMRUF688-L57v4F4MrkTOTCkn_cOYS13SpoZrN14/s1600/girl+sewing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTr7FuYfEKim7ZFNQwlfFOjw8rFn_45Ic63VGGo54T1lBGUE8H3myb35CEH6fMkj2VQromB7xZjeozBI7OZvS94zzKVaQtM7PMuvenMRUF688-L57v4F4MrkTOTCkn_cOYS13SpoZrN14/s400/girl+sewing.jpg" width="343" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Busy, busy, busy!!! Even though I am a stay-at-home mom, running two households can get to be a little tricky! So when am I going to find time to work on the patterns? Hmmmmm.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Now, sadly, we are at the point where she can no longer do anything for herself. Thankfully, my sister quit her job and came to live with Mom to give me a break last year. Other than me filling in so she could get out of the house or go home for extended weekends, she took care of everything. It was a much needed break, and I greatly appreciate her putting her life on hold for us. She ended up staying much longer than she planned, but finally a couple months ago she returned home. She was amazing, and my hat is off to her for being there 24/7. It is a different situation when you are caring for a demanding toddler, because you are the mom and you can say now be nice, sit still, have patience, and tell them because I'm the mom, that's why! When you are dealing with a demanding elder it is a different story. You can't speak to an adult the way you would a child, and sometimes they don't realize how demanding or crabby they might be, and it is frustrating. Mom has been in and out of the nursing home for rehab for strengthening after falls, and each trip home has been harder and harder. She still wants to be home, and after everything she has been through I am determined to keep her there until it is no longer possible. Of course I am crossing my fingers, praying, and wishing for renewed strength and a little more time at home. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This post is my gift to all of you caretakers, mot</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">hers and fathers, husbands and wives, and those grandparents who are raising or helping raise grandchildren. Taking care of people is one of the noblest and most heartfelt things you can do. I do believe there is a special place in Heaven for all of us. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I thought it was difficult taking care of Mom over the last several years, but now I realize that was not nearly as difficult as it could be, and will be. She could barely stand with help, and has been transported by wheelchair to bed, bathroom, and to her favorite blue chair. I can't begin to tell you about the aches and pains and muscle strains trying to lift her, and let's not even get started about my poor knees, who are on the way out!! There is a LOT of bending involved in dressing someone, you just wouldn't believe it till you did it! I would literally plop onto the couch with exhaustion when I got home at night. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She cannot be left alone at all, and I am managing with the help of a wonderful daughter-in-law and family friend, and my son who lives with my mom. My husband has even spent the night, and has gone to her home early mornings to fill in during the 1-1/2 hour time frame that my son has left for work and my morning helpers arrive. I would get to Mom's early afternoon and stay till she is in bed, around nine or so, seven days a week. Even when someone else is there taking care of her, she constantly calls me for various reasons. I think it just reassures her to hear my voice. Oddly, every time she is in the hospital or nursing home she seems to get more frequent spells of confusion, resembling dementia. Once she is home it goes away. A little forgetfulness and confusion, but much less.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PgILx6cYB5oS6RwBuzwyt_thNUtUNlV8ZDy6-jp8ZC3bhdgOxjkVGNKk0NQYlaul6Nci60-KNtezvvTB5iwD88NXOeitbktObl8i0RcF2HdfBWP57uuUwjiUdG8qy8PsRD5WJWsv7fg/s1600/phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PgILx6cYB5oS6RwBuzwyt_thNUtUNlV8ZDy6-jp8ZC3bhdgOxjkVGNKk0NQYlaul6Nci60-KNtezvvTB5iwD88NXOeitbktObl8i0RcF2HdfBWP57uuUwjiUdG8qy8PsRD5WJWsv7fg/s400/phone.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I once walked into her hospital room where she was staying after a fall. She was alone in her room, sitting in a wheelchair, chanting my phone number. She was confused, but somehow must have felt that if she could reach me she would be safe. It broke my heart, and actually brings me to tears just writing about it. My Aunt Diane, her sister, says I am her lifeline. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It is both physically and emotionally draining caring for people. I have realized in my conversations with people that there are so many of you out there taking care of family members, or perhaps as a job. Trying to get her to stand up, coaxing her to try to take one step, taking ten minutes to get her situated in bed, just to have her inform you she needs to go to the bathroom again, is exhausting. Seeing the blank stare that is beginning to replace the sparkle in her bright blue eyes is heart wrenching. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1I-cicU90AFcVHAR_dCHmqA-UtoXfjDERQGfdnDaRiV1omRUlV6nmpjwhQjv_-SlF0cbGanEifBoqxhD-mXDgl32j36aCDZgbMCMmOI1zujdDzZHxM3SgNfCFo35Lbs0893KBWIbGao/s1600/doctor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1I-cicU90AFcVHAR_dCHmqA-UtoXfjDERQGfdnDaRiV1omRUlV6nmpjwhQjv_-SlF0cbGanEifBoqxhD-mXDgl32j36aCDZgbMCMmOI1zujdDzZHxM3SgNfCFo35Lbs0893KBWIbGao/s400/doctor.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="337" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Yesterday, I took her for her followup doctor's appointment. I told him of how she seems to be worsening. He did a few motor coordination and muscle tests, and asked more questions. He suspects Parkinsons disease. I am kicking myself thinking I should have noticed the symptoms and connected the dots. You see, my husband also has Parkinsons. He is still in the early stages, but there is some progression. I am aware that the time will come when I will once again be a caretaker, but maybe this time for him. Then again, who knows what the future holds, maybe him for me. I do know that once Mom can no longer stand on her own I can no longer keep her home. It will be a sad day, but it is inevitable. Until then, I guess my purpose in life is to care for others. This really won't be hard. I have always been a nurturing person. First my four children, and the grandchildren, and now Mom. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I still plan on launching my pattern business to supplement our income once my husband can no longer work. It is taking so much longer than I imagined, but I have to do what is the most important thing first, which is taking care of Mom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHkw5mQ5fiWzELLNMUVamvcNLaKm-CpT1uizjjhx_A4hDKdhpB6bshE1nRIlfajZo2giN-trYWwhj_btpSuD_96ntE146wskqy0m-cHZw9dGLBqPX1VRlVKaQeWPDYDxJzM_ONRMeTHQ/s1600/sick+in+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHkw5mQ5fiWzELLNMUVamvcNLaKm-CpT1uizjjhx_A4hDKdhpB6bshE1nRIlfajZo2giN-trYWwhj_btpSuD_96ntE146wskqy0m-cHZw9dGLBqPX1VRlVKaQeWPDYDxJzM_ONRMeTHQ/s400/sick+in+bed.jpg" width="358" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Last week Rose, our family friend who is one of the two people helping me, called to tell me that Mom could not get up out of her chair and needed to go the bathroom. I ran over to her house, and once I was there I realized something was very wrong. She was weak and shaky and didn't look well at all. We called for an ambulance to transport her to the ER. They said all her levels were fine, but admitted her for observation. Her doctor recommended rehab, once again. So back to the nursing home we go. They are still using a lift instead of letting her try to stand on her own, she is just that weak. If she gets strong enough, and I can get her in and out of her chair to take her to the bathroom and get her in bed I can take her home - even if just for a little while. I am praying she will improve, because I am just not ready to call it quits. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZn99Kxx-PZ8shq5FC21mGHG9rMJXfUIITI0q_c1fQIBqG35Ix7vR0ypQgzWm-Ei5GFo2Q3C3o1IyCQ6a2e7YWaGLqcVohvprtzNxdkpiXfYJ3dfUUFW8MD5mMHXtzF90qiXcX58BTM/s1600/thank+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMZn99Kxx-PZ8shq5FC21mGHG9rMJXfUIITI0q_c1fQIBqG35Ix7vR0ypQgzWm-Ei5GFo2Q3C3o1IyCQ6a2e7YWaGLqcVohvprtzNxdkpiXfYJ3dfUUFW8MD5mMHXtzF90qiXcX58BTM/s400/thank+you.jpg" width="323" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I would like to thank each and every one of you caretakers out there. I know of several of you whom I have met through blogging. Please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for all you do for those in need, on behalf of those who may not be able to express their gratitude. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt3IeA8RpFljTBfSXVNQpQaxntnmtfWOLkuseOymcUtUxVsoQVqlY1Bnj9L13FgiTOZ0pyskFcfDjOvNcfXm2r2V6gM7QJbffpPYFlTtTo5INTw_DGs6vvudcW0cdeaIu6KlovQ72UCw/s1600/nurse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwt3IeA8RpFljTBfSXVNQpQaxntnmtfWOLkuseOymcUtUxVsoQVqlY1Bnj9L13FgiTOZ0pyskFcfDjOvNcfXm2r2V6gM7QJbffpPYFlTtTo5INTw_DGs6vvudcW0cdeaIu6KlovQ72UCw/s400/nurse+2.jpg" width="327" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Whether caretaking is a job, or if you are helping a family member, friend, or handicapped child, I know that it is one of the hardest jobs there is. I see so many of you around me now. I guess now my eyes are opened and I am noticing more. Everywhere I look I am seeing elderly people with caretakers. I am amazed at what great lengths you go to to care for others. I appreciate your kind words, your warm encouraging smiles, your gentle touch, and your patience. I see the appreciation upon the faces of those being cared for, and I am brought to tears nearly every day visiting in the nursing home and seeing all you angels on earth making a difference in someone's life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Sadly, my mom is starting to go in and out of dementia. She really does not seem to understand the great lengths people are going to in order to care for her. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Sometimes I look into those blue eyes and I know that she might not realize how hard I have worked to care for her, but I hope she somehow feels deep down in her soul that someone loves her very much, and will be here for her, no matter what. </span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-89913889025682744582013-02-17T12:08:00.002-08:002013-02-19T08:40:45.776-08:00Well I'm excited . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'm really excited to tell you that I have been featured in the February 2013 issue of Art Doll Quarterly magazine. I created six dolls in honor of my great aunts, from "downhome" as we called it. I call them the Garden Club Gals. In the article I write about the dolls, how each lady has a different position in the club, and what their duties are. Every single doll has her own personality. It's just kind of fun and silly.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My grandma and grandad on my dad's side were southerners, coming from Kentucky and southern Illinois, Hillsboro area. I know southern Illinois doesn't sound very southern, but believe me, when I was on the farms and in the small town visiting the relatives, the accents were definitely there and the lifestyle was southern. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Oh, how I loved being there. I should have known right then and there that I belong in the south, probably on a farm or a very rural small town. While there, I learned to ride a horse. I also learned to drive a motorcycle. I went fishing in a trout pond, and I played in a corn silo. I still remember going to the barn to visit Uncle Paul while he was milking cows. He asked me if I liked milk, and nodding my head up and down I assured him I loved milk. As I got a little closer to take a better look he pointed the udders at me, squirting me with the warm milk. I squealed as loud as the nearby baby pigs as I ran away. Once I was at a safe distance, I stopped and looked back. He was perched on his little stool, bent over as he resumed his work. I could hear him softly chuckling as the streams of milk hit the bucket. What a character.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> On my 15th birthday, in a cute little beauty shop in town, I had my ears pierced. Yet another memory. I wish I could remember what the name of the shop was and exactly how it looked. I'm picturing a cute little pink shop, something like I would see on the Andy Griffith show or like the beauty shop in Steel Magnolias. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1i_nYEqpbbZJgEZe55Mc32SkDxhPaBuoIbV7V9rnr36KdgdlFahyphenhyphen0ltGUs7UiHoMiYp_LWLhV5gEXONTsa4QZORG5u1rUgEsAd8YhlVIhDP6LlFMl0u_KWi87yTfYAQGMEVt_W6Gwkl4/s1600/Hailey%2527s+place+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1i_nYEqpbbZJgEZe55Mc32SkDxhPaBuoIbV7V9rnr36KdgdlFahyphenhyphen0ltGUs7UiHoMiYp_LWLhV5gEXONTsa4QZORG5u1rUgEsAd8YhlVIhDP6LlFMl0u_KWi87yTfYAQGMEVt_W6Gwkl4/s640/Hailey%2527s+place+021.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I had such wonderful visits, and absolutely loved all the aunts, my grandma's sisters. They had such a huge influence on me. I saw first-hand the quilting and sewing and canning and baking - all the activities so common to women from that generation. My grandma had six sisters and one brother. Actually while researching I discovered she had another brother, Reed, who I had never heard of. I am assuming he died young. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My grandma was Ina. Ina Pearl Littrell. She was born and raised in the beautiful southeastern Kentucky. I have named chickens and dolls after her and all of these women. I'm not sure if they would have been happy about that or not!! Her sisters were Mary, Audrey, Willa, Lillian, Myrtle Lee, and she had a brother named Paul, who married Leona. My brother, Joseph Paul, was named after my grandad, Joseph, and Uncle Paul. I remember Uncle Paul and his dry sense of humor. He always had a twinkle in his blue eyes and looked like he was ready to break into a smile, which always left me wondering just what he was up to. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBXQWzJLQntAJ3pjjgxDUDQgayPH5lwXGklNocYrnOOL3FrurL9cuiqfVpwXsw3LTP3PNC0I5uDWdL3aLloXRKHEij51L6sg-CyxJXX-DMsTR5Hj0Kia-o3oC-vPCroE9XQ0sgYV_yGs/s1600/Hailey's+place+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBXQWzJLQntAJ3pjjgxDUDQgayPH5lwXGklNocYrnOOL3FrurL9cuiqfVpwXsw3LTP3PNC0I5uDWdL3aLloXRKHEij51L6sg-CyxJXX-DMsTR5Hj0Kia-o3oC-vPCroE9XQ0sgYV_yGs/s640/Hailey's+place+016.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I felt so at home in the small town and farms we stayed at, perhaps partly because I had family there. You see, somehow my grandparents ended up in southern Illinois, which is a stones throw from the area in Kentucky where she was born. My dad's parents moved to Wisconsin right before he and his sister were born. Times were hard and there was a huge automobile factory here offering steady employment and benefits. He and Aunt Betty were raised here. At 17 years of age, my dad joined the navy and was stationed in San Francisco, where he met my mom. They married and started their family there, and my older brother, Joey, was born. When he was about a year old they had an earthquake, which frightened my dad to death. He told my mom to pack everything up. Off they went to Wisconsin. His sister, Aunt Betty had 5 boys, but since she married a handsome naval officer and lived out of state, we never had any relatives here except for my grandparents. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> So I grew up with absolutely no relatives around, which I guess seemed normal since I didn't know any different. I guess I felt like I had roots downhome, and that was where I belonged.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I remember how Aunt Myrt and Uncle Dale had a bowling alley and antique store on the main street in the small town. Aunt Lillian's son, Harold Dean, was the mayor. (In the south you use two names). I felt so important being related to royalty!</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My mom recalls the local newspaper printing a little article about the relatives from Wisconsin visiting one summer. Now that's what I call a small town. She also recalls the first time she met my grandmother's mom. She was a little tiny Ma Kettle like dynamo, and within one minute of being introduced, she excused herself, picked up a shotgun and shot at some crows she had just noticed in her garden. My mom was a bit taken aback, being a city girl. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I created these dolls in honor of the aunts. They are whimsical and silly. I hope the pictures do them justice. I gave them each bloomers and a full slip. No proper lady would be without a slip, right You should see the bloomers. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLERFX_oY03KX677wgKhRLzSfIiB1Fw24-0py7ol4wEJ2YlVIqK_iZe6kgslS5oxDaGssRS8e8m_YheK52QryMFuXlUMjx1sFQCDlPqWqOT00nhjd3evRo2YKHj008YOEXCkIxcHH59eU/s1600/Hailey's+place+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLERFX_oY03KX677wgKhRLzSfIiB1Fw24-0py7ol4wEJ2YlVIqK_iZe6kgslS5oxDaGssRS8e8m_YheK52QryMFuXlUMjx1sFQCDlPqWqOT00nhjd3evRo2YKHj008YOEXCkIxcHH59eU/s640/Hailey's+place+001.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I added extra stuffing into the back of the bloomers to give the aunts a little extra cush for comfort. Actually none of them were really chubby, but it was cute. Come to think of it Aunt Myrt was a plump, sweet, lovable little thing. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt5KoI3xpszUmXtDBMv9OwCHEl3cJkqbNZpTRJb9uUEJOinq9osewUC3px47NoGFUV-Al-vmlUZOPElFx_0LzNvnRT2QEGJcrfJci14FTRv7rUWVQg6Udzz90qorHSH5alEo7wvxXOMw/s1600/Hailey's+place+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqt5KoI3xpszUmXtDBMv9OwCHEl3cJkqbNZpTRJb9uUEJOinq9osewUC3px47NoGFUV-Al-vmlUZOPElFx_0LzNvnRT2QEGJcrfJci14FTRv7rUWVQg6Udzz90qorHSH5alEo7wvxXOMw/s640/Hailey's+place+018.JPG" width="640" /></a> <span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I added a little extra stuffing in the bosoms for a more mature look.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I used vintage reproduction fabrics and linens for the coats to have a fresh, fun, yet vintage feel. The article goes into a little more detail. I am on pages 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. I really hope you get a chance to pop in a Barnes and Noble or some place that carries the magazine so you can take a peek. I am so excited about it, and am really happy to pay tribute to these wonderful women who had such an influence on me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">One of my sons and his family are very seriously considering moving to southern Tennessee, really just south of where my grandma is from. We are considering trying to find a tiny little cottage or build a little log cabin near them to visit, and maybe spend some of the winter months. How funny that I might end up so near to where it all began. Full circle really. Maybe I am meant to live in the south after all. Anyone out there from Tennessee, or nearby? Thanks so much for stopping by to visit, I am always so happy to see you!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-30895670853621055552013-02-03T10:27:00.000-08:002013-02-03T12:37:03.952-08:00I HATE TO TELL YOU . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Well, you're just not going to believe it. Remember my weight was 145 at my last post? Are you ready for this? It is, this morning . . . . . drum roll . . . . . 146.5.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Yep. That's right. I gained a pound and a half. Sigh. I just don't know what to say. That's why I have been dreading writing this post. I kept hoping it would go back down, but nope!!!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3nontbxQwXizFede50M-kcYH7Khkk4B1zcO_xLQf_pzF3JVf5AYIg_Gbg7lr2gE7cqHaYrMh5TJl1dVxCso8y989Qmh0ecCpMV1_pAbHvPc9CJ0cLVusWOg21Y6-lawqGNWRJ0mI9iU/s1600/lady+on+scale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw3nontbxQwXizFede50M-kcYH7Khkk4B1zcO_xLQf_pzF3JVf5AYIg_Gbg7lr2gE7cqHaYrMh5TJl1dVxCso8y989Qmh0ecCpMV1_pAbHvPc9CJ0cLVusWOg21Y6-lawqGNWRJ0mI9iU/s400/lady+on+scale.jpg" width="384" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I really have no explanation. One thought that crossed my mind was that I was trying to eat all these different things that were proven to lower cholesterol. Certain nuts, olive oil, on and on. Perhaps I was adding extra calories in and not cutting back somewhere else? That might explain it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I had the great idea to bake some oatmeal cookies, loaded with walnuts and dried cranberries. Of course I had to put at least a little bit of chocolate chips in them. Instead of vegetable oil I substituted olive oil, which is also supposed to be good for high cholesterol. It makes sense, right? A good high fiber cookie. I mean really, there ARE three cups of oats in the recipe. They were mmmm, mmmm, good, and I was thinking that this was the best "diet" in the world. They were healthy, and they filled me up. Well, a few cookies with a cup of coffee or Diet Coke did. I thought it was helping to keep my appetite under control so I wasn't hungry, thus not being tempted to eat unhealthy foods. And yes, as I wrote that last sentence I do see the irony in eating cookies to prevent unhealthy food choices. Duh. Apparently I'm not as smart as I thought I was!!! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzFrebMF5-lYpcuCCt7g-NvgDQVv6FJ3wV2cfbhIXEx___D4JEQwl2TgBW29xmTi64CUWc_vTVPy5DOM86HPG1hTPr6SQYlCd4W3xYzdhuhN5UOxZioZRWd3jnfDtzSkKnheQveUO5AM/s1600/valentine+making+cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzFrebMF5-lYpcuCCt7g-NvgDQVv6FJ3wV2cfbhIXEx___D4JEQwl2TgBW29xmTi64CUWc_vTVPy5DOM86HPG1hTPr6SQYlCd4W3xYzdhuhN5UOxZioZRWd3jnfDtzSkKnheQveUO5AM/s400/valentine+making+cookies.JPG" width="232" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My husband has informed me that I was the ONLY one in the house eating the cookies, and that I have managed to eat pretty much every last one myself. He and my son had a few, but the rest I put in the freezer because. . . well duh. . . everyone knows there is nothing better than homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies right out of the freezer, except maybe Girl Scout Thin Mints! Ohmygosh don't even get me started. I didn't even order any Girl Scout cookies, and when my daughter gave us a box I instructed my husband to hide it in the pole barn out of my sight. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Apparently eating almost 4 dozen cookies myself over the last week or so might have not been a great idea. I swear, I had no idea I was the only one eating them. This is why I NEVER buy junk food or Oreos or anything I love, because I just keep going back for more.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">The only other thing I can think of that might have made me gain weight is stress. They say stress can do it to you. My mom had yet another fall a little over a week ago, and again is in the nursing home for rehab. Thank God she didn't break anything this time. She was so sore and stiff there was no way we could have managed her at home, and the doctor recommended a little physical therapy. That whole ordeal, from the phone call telling me of the fall to the day spent in the ER to the admission to the nursing home was really stressful. Seeing her in such pain was awful. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">To top it off, my little sister, my only sister, who has been here to help with mom after her last fall, was going to be returning home. Just knowing she was leaving was so sad, and thinking about it would bring me to tears every time I thought of it. We are so close. She is so much fun. We laugh at the same things, finish each other's sentences, frequently say the exact same words or sentences at the exact same time, and even think of the other person about one second before they call on the phone. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBH7p_d6HeQ0YcsY5kr1SOTFvOfRrEXemrvZLHiWTCb8u2WTdljqGxyjB6NBlR9bGk6kIQpIFhmXO2JT5hsm1vyiiSNYhdHxZyWROd8nkrEXtnvyufgK-D55p6sm6oqjnCZcaWFUU450/s1600/haynes-sisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBH7p_d6HeQ0YcsY5kr1SOTFvOfRrEXemrvZLHiWTCb8u2WTdljqGxyjB6NBlR9bGk6kIQpIFhmXO2JT5hsm1vyiiSNYhdHxZyWROd8nkrEXtnvyufgK-D55p6sm6oqjnCZcaWFUU450/s400/haynes-sisters.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We have always talked on the phone every day, but this was even better! She was here for the family birthday parties, special occasions, and barbecues. It was so nice. I am so sad that she is gone. I am so happy for her to get her life back though. Sniff. Sniff.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I told you I would let you all know how I was doing with my weight and healthy lifestyle, so there it is. The ugly, awful truth. But let's look on the bright side. I have begun taking fish oil, red yeast rice, and becoming very aware of certain foods that have health benefits. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvOSVczKCg_OS6hPmttrNZmpP-Z0aNVh8DQPXZqRc1UAYM-d-goTakRbsdF1B2DhdQgvTbGQrOpz3Neq1Rr2mvusqM_2gztaoeW5frEXUEc3sFkOT4HVCVpmV9GAtQ0AVqK5jKukDrKs/s1600/healthy+eating+valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvOSVczKCg_OS6hPmttrNZmpP-Z0aNVh8DQPXZqRc1UAYM-d-goTakRbsdF1B2DhdQgvTbGQrOpz3Neq1Rr2mvusqM_2gztaoeW5frEXUEc3sFkOT4HVCVpmV9GAtQ0AVqK5jKukDrKs/s640/healthy+eating+valentine.jpg" width="417" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I've discovered Greek yogurt has an amazing amount of protein and also probiotics for stomach health. It tastes sour, but I add the cinnamon that I am supposed to take daily, squirt in a little honey we purchase from our friendly neighborhood beekeeper, and just tell myself I am improving my health with every bite. Just in case you didn't know, protein builds muscle, and the more muscle you have the more efficiently you burn fat. Also, protein makes you feel fuller longer. So it's a win-win situation! Who knows, I may even learn to like it! I could always add fruit, but I really want to get in those two teaspoons of cinnamon. I guess I don't even have to tell you I would prefer cinnamon toast with sugar and butter!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELqCc7AKM13OpcQz9E_QgIJ20ZvrXvk9JZphDcLBYmN3Dh1u8mxUuZ9P-zETQzAFP8yNK61qadURl156gOyIHPuwab8g_Zm07lb2QGbCZo1ZxO-3Sn56cwIJfBH5hgxJw1J3Ru0R1v70/s1600/skating+valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELqCc7AKM13OpcQz9E_QgIJ20ZvrXvk9JZphDcLBYmN3Dh1u8mxUuZ9P-zETQzAFP8yNK61qadURl156gOyIHPuwab8g_Zm07lb2QGbCZo1ZxO-3Sn56cwIJfBH5hgxJw1J3Ru0R1v70/s320/skating+valentine.jpg" width="237" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I am exercising more. I have gotten on that old treadmill much more often, and even pulled out my Yoga Booty Ballet and Zumba CDs. I am starting to do a little bit of working out with my five pound weights. When I go to the nursing home to sit with mom, which is about five hours a day total since she doesn't like being there and is lonely, I always grab a big ol' orange from the snack tray instead of junk food which is right alongside the fruit. Well, ok, I do take an occasional mini Oreo snack pack, but for the most part just the orange. Instead of eating a regular baked potato with sour cream and butter, I bake a sweet potato and sprinkle cinnamon and a tiny bit of brown sugar on it. It's so much better for you and tastes like pumpkin pie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF7OFH-KH3l5FZTZMBnzS_8jCDWZo2eDCC9D7HR8HDQeIcr5myHvY-bxI0gIN5HTaCVb7mAf3XZRiEJTpelPkEhlsVBpGAV6ZklQ0xeNPOFHKhSnhpDPyRlCXJb2Y5zAJWpihnEMmUKo/s1600/yam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGF7OFH-KH3l5FZTZMBnzS_8jCDWZo2eDCC9D7HR8HDQeIcr5myHvY-bxI0gIN5HTaCVb7mAf3XZRiEJTpelPkEhlsVBpGAV6ZklQ0xeNPOFHKhSnhpDPyRlCXJb2Y5zAJWpihnEMmUKo/s640/yam.jpg" width="627" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This wasn't really about losing weight anyhow, but lowering my cholesterol. Who knows, maybe I actually have improved my cholesterol levels. I just wouldn't know because I haven't been tested yet. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'm not giving up. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will renew my efforts.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will NOT make another batch of cookies. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will step up the exercise.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'll try to eat that awful yogurt in-between meals so I won't be as hungry.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'll try not to be so stressed and overwhelmed about Mom coming home next week. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will try to ask for help from others to get me through. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I will not sneak into the pole barn and try to find those Thin Mints. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I want to thank all of you for your very kind and supportive comments. There are many comments I have not published because some of you have shared some very personal things with me. These comments have been very helpful. Clearly, I am not alone in this overweight, overwhelmed, menopausal, high stress, high cholesterol life. I consider myself very fortunate to have met so many wonderful blogging friends. Your good wishes and compassion never cease to amaze me. Thank you for all your uplifting comments and suggestions. Have a wonderful week. I'll let you know how I am doing soon. </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-83272971473508131832013-01-18T13:07:00.001-08:002013-01-18T19:27:19.859-08:00Six more weeks!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Six more weeks. It will be spring, maybe. (You never know in Wisconsin). We will be getting close to Easter. There will be warmer breezes, and maybe even a few tulips braving the cold to give us hope that spring is just around the corner. I really don't mind winter. I actually love staying home on a really cold, snowy day, with the fire going and a big pot of soup or chili simmering. And sewing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Another thing that will have to happen in six more weeks is a new blood test. I got back my results from my lipid panel yesterday, and all I can say is Rats!!! Darn it!!!! It wasn't pretty. I knew it was a little high, as it has been the past few years, but I felt that was due to the extra weight. Last year it was 230, but now it came in at 251. Yikes. And I have actually lost a few pounds over the last year. I would love to post nothing but happy, wonderful things about my happy, wonderful life all the time, but as we all know, everyone has challenges and difficulties. I will never pretend to be anything but who I am. This is just a little, teeny, tiny, dark cloud on my horizon. But that's ok, I'll turn this negative into a positive. . . and perhaps inspire someone else to take a second look at their lifestyle. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPWKNxOnJiYew-ywzhqZD-V4rMtlHjcHyOc1EhIf5myRmleLKwfqHP861KTWH_URi7ECbH4RGD2D3B4MBjFTi7LfWInLar5Ps1nPCoLY0i3N-Vv6EIfwjaAhuuwcyEj5qR4-Hn6gVXJ0/s1600/hate+to+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPWKNxOnJiYew-ywzhqZD-V4rMtlHjcHyOc1EhIf5myRmleLKwfqHP861KTWH_URi7ECbH4RGD2D3B4MBjFTi7LfWInLar5Ps1nPCoLY0i3N-Vv6EIfwjaAhuuwcyEj5qR4-Hn6gVXJ0/s400/hate+to+show.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I am one of those people who is always waiting to lose those last ten or twenty pounds. "Once I lose my weight I'll feel better. I will finally be able to fit in all those clothes I have been saving. I'll feel like exercising more because I will be lighter and stronger and won't feel so blah." The list goes on and on. Always starting the next Monday with a new resolve to be healthier. I truly did believe I would somehow lose those dreaded pounds. Now it looks like I really have to, or go on a medication. Oh, I know, I know, tons of people are on meds for high cholesterol - including my mom. I also know that with every med you take there are potential side effects, and I would rather not take a medicine if I don't have to. Of course, if I need it, I'll take it. I need thryoid meds so I take them. When I have my every-other-month ear or sinus infection, I take antibiotics. Simple. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT6Py40vqzq0gXvOpsISir27Noh2R37gjlPfxbu2Jw7c9t1aSCS0AoB9IyFskUh_xjTYyYIIpk0-zdgGSzoNGm18Yee64YhuVTfPnhDrKAtPWhxmEgH7ULTPpxMxM2NpzeqQky5h4UAA/s1600/cowboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMT6Py40vqzq0gXvOpsISir27Noh2R37gjlPfxbu2Jw7c9t1aSCS0AoB9IyFskUh_xjTYyYIIpk0-zdgGSzoNGm18Yee64YhuVTfPnhDrKAtPWhxmEgH7ULTPpxMxM2NpzeqQky5h4UAA/s640/cowboy.jpg" width="420" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I have never had a weight issue, except when pregnant. With the first pregnancy I stopped weighing a week before giving birth and I had already gained 51 pounds.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I was literally eating for two - two adults that is! </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">The second baby was just 20 months later so I didn't gain quite as much, probably due to running around after baby #1. The third baby, 2-1/2 years after that, well, I think I only gained about 32 pounds. Finally, 4 years later with baby #4, I only gained 26 pounds and looked like one of those cute pregnant women who only gained weight in the front. It was great. Hardly any weight to lose after the baby, and nursing took care of that little bit! Gosh, I was pregnant for about 8 years! It was well worth it though.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Years later, my doctor put me on Paxil. I have struggled with anxiety issues all my life I suspect. I think my dad and grandma also did, so some of it is probably genetic. I imagine having 4 kids in 8 years, although wonderful, contributed a little bit of stress. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I actually wanted about 6 or 8 kids. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZifLNC75K_wCKsSAjkktbDCyVY3SlRYEsfgVbTEEtpKv8tkEJsiu8RgpN69jo-MeXW3n_BPbHwwQhvVjff72iJvptfUA1dmeNoh6sFpWRvgn8sXL6l7luFTQf5t4YWMz_PNL8erEYHY/s1600/130393351681328268_MwJmYzBe_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZifLNC75K_wCKsSAjkktbDCyVY3SlRYEsfgVbTEEtpKv8tkEJsiu8RgpN69jo-MeXW3n_BPbHwwQhvVjff72iJvptfUA1dmeNoh6sFpWRvgn8sXL6l7luFTQf5t4YWMz_PNL8erEYHY/s400/130393351681328268_MwJmYzBe_b.jpg" width="331" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I wanted to be one of those women who lived on a farm out in the country and survive year round with food from my bountiful gardens, canning and freezing the surplus for winter, making my own bread, raising chickens for my own eggs. I would hang clothes on the line, cook from scratch, make handmade quilts and dolls and clothing for my children, create handmade gifts for Christmas and birthdays. Maybe I'm just a little crazy. I guess I shouldn't have watched so much Little House on The Prairie.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzH5im8-fi1yqqllrpbf59MxrT1IEpYDQ0wYnnve5Q3DWjcHlwMMCu1evfSc07SJBwO_MvtGySszvO49Cae6BtI5RwzuSiRrYweG4cxLFPNWg_CVuC-3dhYCUM4FIv6JnkA8EOd8Zy9Q/s1600/lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: red;"></span></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzH5im8-fi1yqqllrpbf59MxrT1IEpYDQ0wYnnve5Q3DWjcHlwMMCu1evfSc07SJBwO_MvtGySszvO49Cae6BtI5RwzuSiRrYweG4cxLFPNWg_CVuC-3dhYCUM4FIv6JnkA8EOd8Zy9Q/s1600/lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzH5im8-fi1yqqllrpbf59MxrT1IEpYDQ0wYnnve5Q3DWjcHlwMMCu1evfSc07SJBwO_MvtGySszvO49Cae6BtI5RwzuSiRrYweG4cxLFPNWg_CVuC-3dhYCUM4FIv6JnkA8EOd8Zy9Q/s400/lamb.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I also was not in a happy marraige, and I guess the combination of everything just set the stage for anxiety problems. I did get to have four wonderful kids, and actually did spend my life crafting and creating and hanging clothes on the line. I still make homemade bread and jam and eat from my garden. I finally was able to have chickens! I never did get the sheep to spin my own wool. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">So, now what? Well, since I don't want to go on another drug, I will take matters into my own hands. I will give myself 6 weeks to try to bring the number down. If I can't do it - well then I guess I will have to go on the meds. Honestly, if I was going to go on anything I would go on something for the anxiety, but I continue to struggle with it and try to find ways to handle it that don't require meds. I think I am more afraid of getting off a med than being on it. I don't want to be addicted and have to have something. Going off the Paxil was absolutely horrible for me.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gevOSgxkN2qAmihb74b2V5CS8jaGbuqSflTy6kPjB9_GNrH2I5CXUbsabwFM5evuYxMIbCSXIlBNGFx56GgG1jaE3nAXC2719hQzuTnC9etHG9EXn7sALsnNXyAZD_4M0DLAf2Rnp7A/s1600/skinny+julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gevOSgxkN2qAmihb74b2V5CS8jaGbuqSflTy6kPjB9_GNrH2I5CXUbsabwFM5evuYxMIbCSXIlBNGFx56GgG1jaE3nAXC2719hQzuTnC9etHG9EXn7sALsnNXyAZD_4M0DLAf2Rnp7A/s400/skinny+julie.jpg" width="306" /></span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I don't think I have a lot of weight to lose, but I am definitely heavier than I was. I was very thin at times. I wasn't trying to be thin, I was just such a busy little thing I didn't sit still for long. Here I am at my normal thin weight when I first married John, in 1998. I weighed 117.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxGnoeNhKMhyZBh7AvXslxb0v7BTVK1VU0Inj3SYXZ5ncdciATRXxIC-qNbrUqNTyzLOpNvCXyIkmmuD2w3xdUwQEzLDGwcX9qJZERlkTiMuT-h045nQwF08EsPKCJt3J5Lcp9McBn5I/s1600/chubby+Julie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxGnoeNhKMhyZBh7AvXslxb0v7BTVK1VU0Inj3SYXZ5ncdciATRXxIC-qNbrUqNTyzLOpNvCXyIkmmuD2w3xdUwQEzLDGwcX9qJZERlkTiMuT-h045nQwF08EsPKCJt3J5Lcp9McBn5I/s200/chubby+Julie.jpg" width="191" /></a><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I went on Paxil for the anxiety, and within a few years I was up to 189. Wow. I just calculated it to be 72 pounds. Yikes. Here I am with my HaileyBelle at my highest weight. Looking at this picture it is hard to believe I gained that much, but I know I did. And I felt absolutely awful, both physically and emotionally. After being told I was now diabetic, my cholesterol was up, and all my joints were complaining carrying the extra weight, as well as having stomach issues and asthma, I made the decision to get off Paxil. The doctors and drug companies claimed Paxil did NOT cause weight gain, but clearly, for me it did. All I wanted to do was eat, and any efforts to lose weight were unsuccessful.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf8lnOvpbodOSvWNn12heLi_B7u5hC8g7qb3IAgfre_4wbAYv_QJXHrk060MU_-vr5GL6A7FPlDm0oQw4IyLIOvhAjbFsuYYMdIx05lz5pLTlvkmLn_6_t83A3x2GY3B490ckTnSm1zA/s1600/fall+winter+2012+baptism+593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCf8lnOvpbodOSvWNn12heLi_B7u5hC8g7qb3IAgfre_4wbAYv_QJXHrk060MU_-vr5GL6A7FPlDm0oQw4IyLIOvhAjbFsuYYMdIx05lz5pLTlvkmLn_6_t83A3x2GY3B490ckTnSm1zA/s400/fall+winter+2012+baptism+593.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Fast forward to today. I weigh 145 right now, down 44 pounds from my all time high. I definitely could lose a little weight. I don't care to be runway model thin, or hate the way I look. I look alright. I just can't wear some of the cute clothes I used to wear because I don't like the muffin top hanging over. I also have Dunlap disease. Have you heard of it? That's when your belly done lapped over your pants! Sorry, I couldn't resist. :) This picture was the party after Baby Ellie's baptism last month.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Starting today, I am going to eat a much healthier diet, and am searching for natural ways to reduce cholesterol. I have found a few I can incorporate right away. Cinnamon is supposed to bring down your cholesterol. Of course I wonder what putting it on toast with lots of butter and sugar will do? Just kidding. :) I'll put it in oatmeal, another good thing to eat to reduce cholesterol. I'll try to eat the right foods and cut down on red meats and baked goods. I will exercise daily. A friend of mine went to a nutritionist who recommended red yeast rice as a supplement instead of regular meds and she DID INDEED bring down her cholesterol. My only challenge is that whole grains, raw fruits and veggies, and fiber do not agree with my stomach, so it is going to be a bit tricky to find the right foods I can tolerate. Even an apple can put me in misery, but maybe just eating a little at a time and gradually increasing might work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_gljO2K50HBsJEK9y9GTQy3Cb6bB80u2K3YHA6dXG0QEGtIyAZvY2KZV41ct7Cj0stL4etDG_ZS5TEftsOPRtwPI6MLuJGgaoAKLfuEiS6u1uWP8pZ0dhZ4YOclkPgomQHzxBAtiDKA/s1600/Mother's+Day+Card+Very+Merry+Vintage+Style.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_gljO2K50HBsJEK9y9GTQy3Cb6bB80u2K3YHA6dXG0QEGtIyAZvY2KZV41ct7Cj0stL4etDG_ZS5TEftsOPRtwPI6MLuJGgaoAKLfuEiS6u1uWP8pZ0dhZ4YOclkPgomQHzxBAtiDKA/s400/Mother's+Day+Card+Very+Merry+Vintage+Style.jpg" width="335" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">So here I go, and I am bringing you all along for the ride. If you want to get off that's quite alright, I would totally understand. I am truly hoping that I can do this. I am also hoping that some of you out there might get your cholesterol checked, because you just never know what you might find out. I was really unaware of how high my levels were. You know the expression, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Well, I would like to prevent any further health problems.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_Wq5Z1boODm0jqfuL_tsyq3dy0dvU7kGa7UOzJcolPeHMbEeMdUkNVqFB9DnANKsd587XsgCtBORD9Xn4Y7p6g6dWnxEKA5blluQNHvIJ2CEP0aHzTAhps0ZdXp2XE1qy0bWZHrTAHQ/s1600/little+doctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_Wq5Z1boODm0jqfuL_tsyq3dy0dvU7kGa7UOzJcolPeHMbEeMdUkNVqFB9DnANKsd587XsgCtBORD9Xn4Y7p6g6dWnxEKA5blluQNHvIJ2CEP0aHzTAhps0ZdXp2XE1qy0bWZHrTAHQ/s640/little+doctor.jpg" width="459" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Do you want to hear something funny? I have anxiety about so many things, dumb things, things that normal people wouldn't think twice about. But the one thing that most people dread, getting blood drawn, or needles in general, doesn't bother me a bit. You could take my blood every single day and I wouldn't even blink. I just think that is so ironic. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">So six more weeks. I hope that I will have lost enough weight to bring down that cholesterol number. I have a lot of people, and animals, depending on my being around for a while. I encourage all of you reading this to keep up your yearly mammograms, paps, and physicals. Find out what your numbers are, and if they need improvement - get busy! I hope that you all will be able to encourage me and be my moral support as I start my new, healthier, lifestyle. </span></span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-45387789493116063452012-12-09T10:15:00.000-08:002012-12-11T08:16:16.201-08:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF7ioLfAbH9IsRwn2cFdBSY0LEmnTg25A_7gRkKkYj-7HlFTGQBnJ8UWfbZaQrZmfrOIl6Siogwg6oZ5l8lzTC8FGT7kiJigWjtTnLHrIeFCc3zdRFedzSSC0fzzTkcXRmMolff3XQWM/s1600/christmas+reindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF7ioLfAbH9IsRwn2cFdBSY0LEmnTg25A_7gRkKkYj-7HlFTGQBnJ8UWfbZaQrZmfrOIl6Siogwg6oZ5l8lzTC8FGT7kiJigWjtTnLHrIeFCc3zdRFedzSSC0fzzTkcXRmMolff3XQWM/s640/christmas+reindeer.jpg" width="352" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcPlK__vRe5MvVEjS79SNi8icK1PliG0DEole7YWhHZb1ZqeG3MI0CwmX2w0DBT21bNnV6coxRXheYk5mnLZZqU5i6EhatuzV3Th49BmNpJyAFaIw5kh1A8b69puditJmF_F3jydpVmk/s1600/decorating+the+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcPlK__vRe5MvVEjS79SNi8icK1PliG0DEole7YWhHZb1ZqeG3MI0CwmX2w0DBT21bNnV6coxRXheYk5mnLZZqU5i6EhatuzV3Th49BmNpJyAFaIw5kh1A8b69puditJmF_F3jydpVmk/s640/decorating+the+tree.jpg" width="281" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Oh my gosh, can it be possible? Are we really just two weeks away from Christmas? I don't know how this happened. One minute I was putting up </span><span style="color: red;">Halloween</span><span style="color: red;"> decorations, the next I was baking pumpkin pies and turkeys. Then, in the blink of an eye, homes in my village were twinkling and glittering, looking most festive as they anxiously await a visit from Santa. I realize I am already behind in decorating the house for Christmas. I have the trees up and a few Christmas birdhouses on the fireplace mantel, but I could do so much more. If I thought about it long enough, I could probably start to panic . . . I need to start baking Christmas cookies, finish shopping, wrap presents - and I'm not even sure if I should bother sending Christmas cards at this point. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1UTFR_91DWyRENByDLAjC4oHdOZZwlnOYaJ6X3pAuMZqo1oQ90DbbYxCsGeYhF1PyjEpYy0BfykNB_Kt_ZnM5X7CO0CsBmXqtayPwPzwDqUU_1Ng_XFfuJ1GB7shzKH3ngJYCyEOmtY/s1600/vintage+clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1UTFR_91DWyRENByDLAjC4oHdOZZwlnOYaJ6X3pAuMZqo1oQ90DbbYxCsGeYhF1PyjEpYy0BfykNB_Kt_ZnM5X7CO0CsBmXqtayPwPzwDqUU_1Ng_XFfuJ1GB7shzKH3ngJYCyEOmtY/s400/vintage+clock.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">They say time flies when you are having fun, so I guess I am having lots of fun. They also say the older you get the faster time goes, and I do believe it is true. I wish I could slow down the clock when I am having a wonderful, magical moment, like looking into the eyes of my little granddaughter Ellie as she smiled at me over the shoulder of her father, my son Jamison, my 3rd child. May God bless him if she is anything like the handful he was! I also wish I could speed through time when dealing with one of life's difficult situations we all must deal with. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last night we baptized my fourth grandchild, Ellianna. </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT68W8IVM_suz2qx3qsj5EVCW5FKJUWlFCaQ9r7qclvkZZUGccoKEaMJacrYUIMeRIi8bvIUHgpt5CZGwvp0SYCc_WlD_Jb3AfbMqIkcTBusfIFyj8yM6s6McokzD2ufE28Ix-hcIwpA/s1600/fall+winter+2012+baptism+579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqT68W8IVM_suz2qx3qsj5EVCW5FKJUWlFCaQ9r7qclvkZZUGccoKEaMJacrYUIMeRIi8bvIUHgpt5CZGwvp0SYCc_WlD_Jb3AfbMqIkcTBusfIFyj8yM6s6McokzD2ufE28Ix-hcIwpA/s640/fall+winter+2012+baptism+579.JPG" width="523" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">She was so good and quiet, and looked like a little angel in her white gown. I gazed upon that beautiful little baby and snapped a picture to help me remember the moment. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApF8QqhhCuTmNcAuEc3ujO5U74HWQa0tb-_KBNIEByaQcW6almgs1qCG9x-VdzUNU5sLCXEZz_ObUl8p_Q2bs34PHOnyl0I8dbPmrRukd6_G0NfbFInlG1X01sSEDFIdhwT1LJNDy97M/s1600/fall+winter+2012+baptism+556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApF8QqhhCuTmNcAuEc3ujO5U74HWQa0tb-_KBNIEByaQcW6almgs1qCG9x-VdzUNU5sLCXEZz_ObUl8p_Q2bs34PHOnyl0I8dbPmrRukd6_G0NfbFInlG1X01sSEDFIdhwT1LJNDy97M/s640/fall+winter+2012+baptism+556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I reminded myself to live more in the moment and quit worrying about all those little things that seem to consume all my thoughts and time. I need to learn to live RIGHT NOW and turn off the little chatter box in my brain that constantly feeds me all kinds of things to distract me from the here and now. I must admit to having a nonstop feed of ideas for sewing and quilting and painting and dolls, and I really don't want to turn that one off, just be able to press the pause button every once in a while. I guess I have found my passion and I can't imagine my life without it. Of course, God and family and home all take priority, but my creative adventures are definitely what feeds my spirit and soul.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Since I don't post as often as I wish I would, I am taking this opportunity now to wish you all a calm, serene, and happy next few weeks. Enjoy Christmas without the pressure of making everything perfect. Embrace the new year and not only wish, but really truly believe that this new year holds many wonderful things for yourself and your family. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXbyx1Rcd9BcaMgXe1npuIe7gXcY8jtuoIVy1s1C2bXiDlFT_ItrGolr5mgDwEkzUJXyriHoDFjYfq3cRMEjK3Trz24Lc7yY89RWzOTuWVwvB82HiWPnsLw2fqUj-6-2FmSOJy5r5mDE/s1600/vintage+angels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXbyx1Rcd9BcaMgXe1npuIe7gXcY8jtuoIVy1s1C2bXiDlFT_ItrGolr5mgDwEkzUJXyriHoDFjYfq3cRMEjK3Trz24Lc7yY89RWzOTuWVwvB82HiWPnsLw2fqUj-6-2FmSOJy5r5mDE/s640/vintage+angels.jpg" width="403" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">And never forget - every time a bell rings, an angel gets her wings.</span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-50354157633012183342012-10-22T10:23:00.005-07:002017-01-11T15:53:22.520-08:00FACING MY DEMONS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBM3YZ6kqKvd5ku93hL0aiq9r4RlpJeiYfinAzEWljPihXMldVrL451OLDHSiSG873Q90Kz1QSqkNpLMfg3MJjM5HUEQ8SI9I6djnwpZRWnlP-mLFkeaafh2iAdcsR4uL33aV3NUnJEo/s1600/scary+cat+face.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBM3YZ6kqKvd5ku93hL0aiq9r4RlpJeiYfinAzEWljPihXMldVrL451OLDHSiSG873Q90Kz1QSqkNpLMfg3MJjM5HUEQ8SI9I6djnwpZRWnlP-mLFkeaafh2iAdcsR4uL33aV3NUnJEo/s1600/scary+cat+face.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I know I am supposed to be writing about the next week of my quilt-a-long, but I really wanted to share something else with you today. I looked up the definition of the expression "facing your demons" and it said confronting something you fear or have been trying to avoid. Hmmm. I guess you could say in a way I faced my demon. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUat-OBu5s1OPdMtbd3kQpbncI2qEfJACYyjLaYrnZHuiRtEO_vpvN_7y3-520BM69uqlbtr6mIacKLYcC7uFHctQsMPJ3oqYR6J2Juk8IXh3agQXXWlBSRrk0m7A0wa5LPQqfLgr7w/s1600/4454965692_29098dccb9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheSUat-OBu5s1OPdMtbd3kQpbncI2qEfJACYyjLaYrnZHuiRtEO_vpvN_7y3-520BM69uqlbtr6mIacKLYcC7uFHctQsMPJ3oqYR6J2Juk8IXh3agQXXWlBSRrk0m7A0wa5LPQqfLgr7w/s400/4454965692_29098dccb9.png" width="307" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Some </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">of you may recall how I wrote about being bullied as a child, and never feeling good enough because of the resulting low self-esteem. I was amazed at how many people wrote me telling me of similar experiences. Also amazing, and sad, is how these things that happen when you are so young stay with you all of your life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Fast forward to the present. In this past two weeks we have attended two funerals. Also very sad, but a good reminder to be thankful for every day we have here on earth. Yes, we all have aches and pains, bills, and stress, but at least we are above the ground. I once told a man to have a good day, and he said as long as he was breathing it was a good day. As I sat at the funeral services I reflected on my life - my priorities, and the way I am living. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlKGfGRj5yAbP507RBkdFmHH3gm2lj7TdPsy6Sr92Al9_OKpXiZLVvTxN7duN37I6vDEkvncVlJsyYHWKh5zn7Iggwl2ofDrWfzYe6DMDiGmLkQOw2tjy_FjmzZI-AKWFwemPKsavn8Y/s1600/135.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlKGfGRj5yAbP507RBkdFmHH3gm2lj7TdPsy6Sr92Al9_OKpXiZLVvTxN7duN37I6vDEkvncVlJsyYHWKh5zn7Iggwl2ofDrWfzYe6DMDiGmLkQOw2tjy_FjmzZI-AKWFwemPKsavn8Y/s320/135.png" width="277" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I decided that overall I am pretty happy with the way things are going; however, I do need to stop and smell the roses a little bit more! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y2ruvmqVVBpRdWoQ_SLGnWnCCxVksOQECBbFIQWG86f_Az46U8cshmod22rYSp-f48dH9YIBW-sFZM4_8p8VqBk4nbHKsGSSHgrZ7JDvil5Wh72hAUHg47rUoamdkrSzb9Xfr_2-Je8/s1600/4454185895_62b535b62a.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y2ruvmqVVBpRdWoQ_SLGnWnCCxVksOQECBbFIQWG86f_Az46U8cshmod22rYSp-f48dH9YIBW-sFZM4_8p8VqBk4nbHKsGSSHgrZ7JDvil5Wh72hAUHg47rUoamdkrSzb9Xfr_2-Je8/s400/4454185895_62b535b62a.png" width="321" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Back to the demons. Those sad times in my childhood were about to resurface. I knew I would be face to face with one of my childhood bullies. I actually started feeling anxious and uneasy about seeing her again. Old feelings kept floating up, reminders of that little girl. . . the one who wanted so badly to belong, to have a friend, to feel like she was good enough for the others. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Just knowing I would actually be in the same room with this bully was unnerving. I wondered what she would look like, how she would react when she saw me. Maybe she wouldn't even remember me. I also knew this person no longer had any power over me, and in a strange way, I was almost looking forward to actually coming face to face.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vEdszLTR8z16F5nzkNpMuV4HY_shiNzycmyjzsuZt4pbcPz5b1BkzP68nEGXw99pXQ7K7cSlIjNgPYqTQnJjE0WmFvHLxshyrAbyWJ6Sz94Yjwpfr8lgFMD-CSYK9OmzW8uaPlZVh9o/s1600/4454185967_510025c196+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vEdszLTR8z16F5nzkNpMuV4HY_shiNzycmyjzsuZt4pbcPz5b1BkzP68nEGXw99pXQ7K7cSlIjNgPYqTQnJjE0WmFvHLxshyrAbyWJ6Sz94Yjwpfr8lgFMD-CSYK9OmzW8uaPlZVh9o/s400/4454185967_510025c196+%25281%2529.png" width="266" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Let me tell you, I primped and fussed and tried my hardest to look as good as possible look that day. Makeup, check. Jewelry, check. Black dress pants, black top, light pink retro inspired cardigan - pretty, classy, comfy, check. Painted fingernails, check. I wanted to look really good but not look like I tried too hard, if you know what I mean. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoleyX7U4rGyGHh9cM_gAqpU37QzWj8oO3ZovlUpZPqaIOQdVTmC0S6hnhDgChNW5HQFCoz1kNItDcYZqVvaOpVa6ao8jiC6vjmuDpyuFXEQmhiQr-5_KA9FeeFqrnQelmCkLgsY_BBk/s1600/81.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPoleyX7U4rGyGHh9cM_gAqpU37QzWj8oO3ZovlUpZPqaIOQdVTmC0S6hnhDgChNW5HQFCoz1kNItDcYZqVvaOpVa6ao8jiC6vjmuDpyuFXEQmhiQr-5_KA9FeeFqrnQelmCkLgsY_BBk/s1600/81.png" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It was a cool, windy, cloudy day, and the clouds opened up every now and then to send down a sprinkling of showers. Great - just when I got my hair perfect. I got out the big guns. I found my can of extra strong firm hold hairspray, and my poor husband ran for cover as I started spraying my hair. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFms8NJoHKo_wDAEUToL4hoXTfm9sJq8IsQ8SGY1GO5eh-sTievBxD0A9qGfu_wpPvoly4FrLK9QT2hDJvT9ouh_HD0MmhUzeC1vjxZiVT1JwGMz9BKsGX8WznpDFqaeFM-r8xYZO_I2A/s1600/Girl+pointing.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFms8NJoHKo_wDAEUToL4hoXTfm9sJq8IsQ8SGY1GO5eh-sTievBxD0A9qGfu_wpPvoly4FrLK9QT2hDJvT9ouh_HD0MmhUzeC1vjxZiVT1JwGMz9BKsGX8WznpDFqaeFM-r8xYZO_I2A/s1600/Girl+pointing.png" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I never use hairspray, but this was an emergency. My husband swears, with amusement, not one hair on my head moved with a big gust of wind. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Even if I was nervous on the inside, I wanted to look confident and pulled together on the outside. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPpW7de1pHI04mGD33aQhEYfb8n5-SqmTFV08BmaOHWlMY8_Z9vtQw6AHkImM-eD3g3Be2VSDu3lPX0YCP_qsW0j7qI-HGiP49mj-7qa6RJa-QBxvJihvh-4UjmlHTJhxyDFDOWd7gpU/s1600/digi+104.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPpW7de1pHI04mGD33aQhEYfb8n5-SqmTFV08BmaOHWlMY8_Z9vtQw6AHkImM-eD3g3Be2VSDu3lPX0YCP_qsW0j7qI-HGiP49mj-7qa6RJa-QBxvJihvh-4UjmlHTJhxyDFDOWd7gpU/s1600/digi+104.png" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">There she was. She looked exactly the same. Actually, she looked much older than her age, or at least older than me. She looked unhappy, and in my mind she still looked like a bully. She didn't see me, or at least didn't acknowledge me. I was kind of surprised how just seeing her, all these years later, made me realize she was not intimidating or scary at all. Just a human being. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">As the afternoon progressed and things were wrapping up, I went to make a plate of food to take to Mom. As I walked back toward the table, concentrating on not dropping the plate or falling off my heels, I looked up and was almost directly facing her as she was coming from the opposite direction. I thought about taking a sharp left turn to avoid her, but decided it was now or never. I took a deep breath, stood up straight, forced a smile on my face and said hello. She just looked at me. I said I thought we went to school together. She continued to stare at me. She asked "Who are you?" and I told her my name. She just kept staring at me. Awkward. I told her we went to elementary school together. She continued to look me in the eyes for about ten or fifteen seconds, not saying a word. Felt like forever. Finally, she looked down and walked away. It was so strange. Not exactly the closure I was hoping for.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> I wanted to grab her arm and say "Do you have any idea what you did to me?" but I knew I couldn't, I wouldn't. I wanted to yell after her - "Oh yea, well guess what? I have a husband who thinks I am the most wonderful, beautiful woman on earth. I have four kids, four grandchildren, a mom, sister, two brothers, and cousins who love me. Even my son-in-law and daughter-in-law love me, and that's sayin' somethin'!! I live in an charming little house my husband built with his own two hands. I have a wonderful sewing room, actually two sewing rooms - filled with beautiful fabric!! I have a lot of friends who care very much about me. I have a beautiful garden. I have a cute little blog, and something I made was published in a magazine. I have won over 20 blue ribbons. Me, yea me, the little misfit who wasn't good enough to jump rope with you - not even hold the handles while you jumped. You didn't ruin my life. You didn't crush my spirit. I have a wonderful life and I am happy, and . . . and . . . and . . . well, I even have a cute little dog and 7 chickens who love me! SO THERE!!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb_QiF2RHyEkD8Kp6gvfn1NScq4pVi_UugqPXsTlzOn1Xx5IAU0HkXC_sEtIX2KJ6U4XqejVEUIpFGfiVfZuemkrwze002s2XcYizjnvIopc8J-9Q1ORM-8x_DGN4khq8W3lqqLtZRIE/s1600/cute+newly+wed+couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyb_QiF2RHyEkD8Kp6gvfn1NScq4pVi_UugqPXsTlzOn1Xx5IAU0HkXC_sEtIX2KJ6U4XqejVEUIpFGfiVfZuemkrwze002s2XcYizjnvIopc8J-9Q1ORM-8x_DGN4khq8W3lqqLtZRIE/s1600/cute+newly+wed+couple.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Of course, I didn't say any of that. As I walked back to my table, I could see my family and friends watching me. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> My husband and sister looked a little worried, like they weren't sure how this whole thing was going to make me feel. </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I smiled to reassure them that it was all okay, and told them how she wouldn't talk to me. Some things never change I guess. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">You know what? I'm so very happy I had the opportunity to face my demon, so to speak. The big bad boogie girl wasn't so big and bad any more. Actually she didn't seem a bit scary, just kind of pathetic. True, I was still not worthy of her speaking to me, and she didn't acknowledge that she even knew or remembered me, but as she stared back with that cold, blank expression, what I saw reflected in her eyes was a woman who was happy, confident, loved, and yes . . . good enough. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_cuzJ1OJqDn7JCt6yevWNWmsK_QmrEd7amYqoBRXSJL_Drw5CuyvNHB5mWcevYvDnVwzG30-WTt0lBSnFT6BSdomZVC2Rh7nuQpidl9VAdNzCoMScv7HHAMKv7LJLUeyLVtqhMdXkC0/s1600/002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_cuzJ1OJqDn7JCt6yevWNWmsK_QmrEd7amYqoBRXSJL_Drw5CuyvNHB5mWcevYvDnVwzG30-WTt0lBSnFT6BSdomZVC2Rh7nuQpidl9VAdNzCoMScv7HHAMKv7LJLUeyLVtqhMdXkC0/s1600/002.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> And that's good enough for me!</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Please stop by my friend Donna's blog, Donna's Lavender Nest, to check out her wonderful giveaway. Click <a href="http://donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com/">here</a> to visit her. Thank you to my friend Meri, from Imagimeri's, for all the wonderful vintage images. Click <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">here</a> to visit her blog.</span>Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-53627993417104877292012-10-03T08:59:00.000-07:002012-10-05T08:04:00.403-07:00And sew on, week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K-QzMXYCoasZhc26m1AThsEJymxcqr_sNBxZ7xNuUdM7gEDAW4-DVszqATaClnuVfU0md7hWU13-xfeJoFANM0r_sGvlrbGXvuj_P1Dep3HS4TBHCrRYG0XHQYxoC4OLqFrfbdIBV3k/s1600/Vintage+Tiny+Tots+book+page+2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4K-QzMXYCoasZhc26m1AThsEJymxcqr_sNBxZ7xNuUdM7gEDAW4-DVszqATaClnuVfU0md7hWU13-xfeJoFANM0r_sGvlrbGXvuj_P1Dep3HS4TBHCrRYG0XHQYxoC4OLqFrfbdIBV3k/s1600/Vintage+Tiny+Tots+book+page+2-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Here we go with week 2 of the quilt-a-long. For those of you who have just tuned in, I have joined a quilt-a-long with Dawn on her blog, As Sweet As Cinnamon. She gives instructions every Wednesday. You can link to her blog <a href="http://dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com/">here</a> to get specifics and measurements. </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This week was easy peasy, cutting out 8 squares total. Of course, since I am making 3 quilts, I needed 3 sets of 8 squares. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf1isPn51WaI38vEvZFos85Yl8r3xjsRTrS4j5vLxhYTNKMyo5H0VW1oyryY2Oo4jsLs7TGaK10rwr_t2UWiyprJdPTrGfMZoZx4CuduLCu9O2WJPIDdRn_RnytOVN_7HVe6pCmi55QA/s1600/quiltalong+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf1isPn51WaI38vEvZFos85Yl8r3xjsRTrS4j5vLxhYTNKMyo5H0VW1oyryY2Oo4jsLs7TGaK10rwr_t2UWiyprJdPTrGfMZoZx4CuduLCu9O2WJPIDdRn_RnytOVN_7HVe6pCmi55QA/s400/quiltalong+020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Stitch two squares together, twice. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M0lr-MZY_tRDcpBgDH_DNu1m-ynyFCrux_7JZQForrRednI8GpO8NODTBecdSQHs_2zAN8Dm8TUOPNwGnL2D8KHBrx92rfH0pCLmyG56o81y2FUw68bxdKmJEinkxp2oIfk14o2xXsI/s1600/quiltalong+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M0lr-MZY_tRDcpBgDH_DNu1m-ynyFCrux_7JZQForrRednI8GpO8NODTBecdSQHs_2zAN8Dm8TUOPNwGnL2D8KHBrx92rfH0pCLmyG56o81y2FUw68bxdKmJEinkxp2oIfk14o2xXsI/s400/quiltalong+021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Stitch both 2 units together to make a 4-patch square. Easy as pie! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlMogASxBLew-bXsc-nxdQy57UmHZX0unMnGhilxxe96Bzbe8m5Vyw___Le9dObOAOiQ5YjZPAzYAdNT4NLq7Wkkp44QNWerCMgM5MBAHalwklFhFPOZlZAqku9N0lylq3dgLE5zo184/s1600/quiltalong+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlMogASxBLew-bXsc-nxdQy57UmHZX0unMnGhilxxe96Bzbe8m5Vyw___Le9dObOAOiQ5YjZPAzYAdNT4NLq7Wkkp44QNWerCMgM5MBAHalwklFhFPOZlZAqku9N0lylq3dgLE5zo184/s400/quiltalong+022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I needed two 4-patch squares for each quilt, so I had a total of 6 squares. Start to finish about an hour. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQLoUOCt9S_30c5WEjT3Vt5VMKDGfOaNzit5oIOubFSPnFQsmSJkxumhetLhlJEqve9b3eeGdepeSal4xxqH-bNyNDnBcm_g7QBE7QR4h9xC39bpEPIv-sv0b21laf-Y3Y8IIMpjSdLI/s1600/quiltalong+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQLoUOCt9S_30c5WEjT3Vt5VMKDGfOaNzit5oIOubFSPnFQsmSJkxumhetLhlJEqve9b3eeGdepeSal4xxqH-bNyNDnBcm_g7QBE7QR4h9xC39bpEPIv-sv0b21laf-Y3Y8IIMpjSdLI/s320/quiltalong+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Watching Barney from the Andy Griffith show struggle with a bully kept me amused as I sewed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX4clprgunHqeEswPInyA_H8-DavTJJm7vwjD3Xkh8x9efnaav9weH1tSxwq3KBJa5waXGsp8ywvbe1x9qLfVNRxVXGm83_zb0D6d6gVSY79DPVn3lmLqdbD-Apk_NYpe4agwgf5Uzf4/s1600/barney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX4clprgunHqeEswPInyA_H8-DavTJJm7vwjD3Xkh8x9efnaav9weH1tSxwq3KBJa5waXGsp8ywvbe1x9qLfVNRxVXGm83_zb0D6d6gVSY79DPVn3lmLqdbD-Apk_NYpe4agwgf5Uzf4/s400/barney.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Last weekend my husband and I went to a quilt shop, antique mall, and out to dinner. I saw the most wonderful cookie jar. It was Lucy, Ricky, Fred, and Ethel, driving in a car. The car was a teal vintage convertible. I was in love! Right away I thought of my friend Jenny , who has a cute blog called </span><a href="http://blogforanewyear.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: xx-large;">Jenny's Heart</a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">. She is also a big Lucy fan. She has sent me some wonderful Lucy collectibles. She calls me Lucy and I call her Ethel. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZz3ZG-War8dcoAl4g4EV1LE7JxpZCfBQyQ7tn1pFm7WyhEQBQWCTzEiw3a_hyYpVyafkNltxs63pqO8f9t_g3TtjI75aMrkQZ-5W_c1Pf9LHf50RdrKXWEi2TqzxRg_kAvQTL7zudXk/s1600/lucyandethelwithornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZz3ZG-War8dcoAl4g4EV1LE7JxpZCfBQyQ7tn1pFm7WyhEQBQWCTzEiw3a_hyYpVyafkNltxs63pqO8f9t_g3TtjI75aMrkQZ-5W_c1Pf9LHf50RdrKXWEi2TqzxRg_kAvQTL7zudXk/s320/lucyandethelwithornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I wanted the cookie jar so badly. The price was almost $200. The entire booth was on sale, and I believe it would have ended up costing $167 with the discount. I considered begging my husband for this to be my Christmas present. We turned it upside down, and on the bottom it was stamped Made in China 1996</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">. My husband was NOT impressed and didn't seem too excited at all, so I didn't bother asking. For all you Lucy fans out there, here is a picture of the cookie jar. Isn't that so cute??!!! I love it!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILx1Xpuw2bZM6FfFSGtugtnhapdVpzDyFx7KUiF7bDr-3cAKLgRD560Jc9xr2LqtS09zHc-YMHVVc4PkhKU5Tv0tSFPgs41alB6KLxMxGNkSEtRbELAkGUSwaIxExxNfCR7Cxx0mjbDU/s1600/lucyroadtripcarcj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILx1Xpuw2bZM6FfFSGtugtnhapdVpzDyFx7KUiF7bDr-3cAKLgRD560Jc9xr2LqtS09zHc-YMHVVc4PkhKU5Tv0tSFPgs41alB6KLxMxGNkSEtRbELAkGUSwaIxExxNfCR7Cxx0mjbDU/s400/lucyroadtripcarcj.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I did have luck finding a few other things I loved though, and I'll share them with you another day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I was happy to hear from a few of you that were joining the quilt-a-long, and I can't wait to see how your quilts turn out. It's nice to be doing it along with some blogging friends, like a modern-day quilting bee! I'll see you next week!!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">Thank you <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">Meri</a> for the adorable image of the little girl ironing!</span><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-40421162687432512082012-09-23T10:07:00.000-07:002012-09-23T10:07:28.792-07:00A Quilting We Will Go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3itisshXMELXfsKqOdJYMtkY4dhz8nPw5Ysg7h_3idpB0xJOZYK5FnFs-rtliE6Phr0O-o6XfzYpoXhoB2wvjpAh8LtEIkJbCUktR9SLTQ8BZMrNTDJyT9q8qgYaJWCVens1lwrgzmtQ/s1600/vintage+birthday+party.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3itisshXMELXfsKqOdJYMtkY4dhz8nPw5Ysg7h_3idpB0xJOZYK5FnFs-rtliE6Phr0O-o6XfzYpoXhoB2wvjpAh8LtEIkJbCUktR9SLTQ8BZMrNTDJyT9q8qgYaJWCVens1lwrgzmtQ/s640/vintage+birthday+party.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This picture is my friends and I hurrying off to the quilting bee. We just can't wait to get there so we are on skates. I'll give you three guesses who is the one wearing pink, falling on her patootey again. Of course it's me! Thank goodness for petticoats!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I was visiting a blog called As Sweet as Cinnamon, which is a really cute blog by the way, and saw she was having a quilt-a-long. Her name is Dawn, and she is from Australia. Those girls from Australia are some amazing quilters and crafters, I can tell you that. I always see articles in magazines featuring someone or other from down under. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I digress. She was mentioning using a lot of scraps for this quilt, and was wondering if any of us out there had scraps. I left her a comment telling her I did indeed have scraps and might just dump them out and see what I could come up with. I was just toying with the idea of doing something with them and maybe joining the quilt-a-long. Well, she wrote back and said she was so glad I was joining. My first reaction was - gee, I haven't really committed to joining just yet. I decided to take another look at her post and the previous posts showing the quilt, and I was so in! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYPIZteuBAsQruZUjhGgERC51gYDy7O0aC57CGhiW0ZOD2Kp44lhA_OK-K7rpSjxQeUvKxpizGYyItb-j1u95H_tBzIZrEyNILHwrUX97dT4OR1X_tX1FdN4cm9hGXl0fUBdcuza7B1A/s1600/dawn+quilt+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYPIZteuBAsQruZUjhGgERC51gYDy7O0aC57CGhiW0ZOD2Kp44lhA_OK-K7rpSjxQeUvKxpizGYyItb-j1u95H_tBzIZrEyNILHwrUX97dT4OR1X_tX1FdN4cm9hGXl0fUBdcuza7B1A/s400/dawn+quilt+1.JPG" width="322" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It is a sweet quilt for a little girl, featuring some applique with purses, cupcakes, butterflies, and as she says all things girly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1Mx6dnveJPEo9ygd8Waf3RtNHBral00YyOH2J7i1Tr84hL9Fd8pKtN_P0v8rPJ93HSk4GfO4wup5rZPIx48-u2_Ac5kaec-2oKgYXBU7yOMwrhGD1vdASbbzoBcjUVpG1JlM2I9II9s/s1600/dawn+quilt+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1Mx6dnveJPEo9ygd8Waf3RtNHBral00YyOH2J7i1Tr84hL9Fd8pKtN_P0v8rPJ93HSk4GfO4wup5rZPIx48-u2_Ac5kaec-2oKgYXBU7yOMwrhGD1vdASbbzoBcjUVpG1JlM2I9II9s/s400/dawn+quilt+2.JPG" width="312" /></a><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She has two daughters, and she made two quilts, each just slightly different. Do you see the differences?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She also has a version for little boys with a sailing ship in the middle which she says is very cute, but since I am thinking of a Christmas present for Haileybelle, I am making the girly version.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaor8FpHtET9hezU7sbHzWpEkGO1vr00mfEe1gb16IgqN_Y37hh6QCGVZxOLFiSN27GUdEgml_o9yNKsst8R5CX_W4J_DRnq1S4Hvr3SjvPt7V0f-DfkDP4_rbai4h37J1QOEpYIpF9Bc/s1600/dawn+quilt+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaor8FpHtET9hezU7sbHzWpEkGO1vr00mfEe1gb16IgqN_Y37hh6QCGVZxOLFiSN27GUdEgml_o9yNKsst8R5CX_W4J_DRnq1S4Hvr3SjvPt7V0f-DfkDP4_rbai4h37J1QOEpYIpF9Bc/s320/dawn+quilt+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I have decided this will be a good test for me in discipline, since I am going to force myself to blog about each step, and each step is once a week; therefore I must blog weekly. Whew. I always get scolded for not posting often enough from my beloved blogging friends. That's a lot for me - especially since my sister will be leaving soon to go back home and I will once again be the main caretaker for my mom. It is a lot of work helping mom, but I'm just going to try to take one day at a time. I am even thinking of bringing my old retired sewing machine over there and trying to get in a little sewing while she is watching tv. Usually there is so much to do once I'm there I'm not sure it is worth the effort of lugging over the machine and all my stuff, but I'll think about it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaor8FpHtET9hezU7sbHzWpEkGO1vr00mfEe1gb16IgqN_Y37hh6QCGVZxOLFiSN27GUdEgml_o9yNKsst8R5CX_W4J_DRnq1S4Hvr3SjvPt7V0f-DfkDP4_rbai4h37J1QOEpYIpF9Bc/s1600/dawn+quilt+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaor8FpHtET9hezU7sbHzWpEkGO1vr00mfEe1gb16IgqN_Y37hh6QCGVZxOLFiSN27GUdEgml_o9yNKsst8R5CX_W4J_DRnq1S4Hvr3SjvPt7V0f-DfkDP4_rbai4h37J1QOEpYIpF9Bc/s320/dawn+quilt+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">If you would like to visit Dawn and her blog, here is a link to <a href="http://dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com.au/">As Sweet as Cinnamon</a>. It is not too late for anyone to join in, week one was a snap to do, just easy mindless kind of sewing. Week 2 was just posted and doesn't look too hard or time consuming. If you want to see her original post about the quilts, go to the <a href="http://dawnhaydesigns.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/girly-girl-quilts.html">August 9 post</a> and you can read all about it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I hope you all enjoy following along with me as I make the quilt. I am thinking I will make a 2nd quilt as I go for my beautiful new little granddaughter, Ellie. Gosh, I am going to pat myself on the back, I can knock out two Christmas presents at once. You go Julie!!! You rock!! Yes I am a dork. I do amuse myself though. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I also am challenging myself to host my own quilt-a-long once I finish this one, so this will be good practice for me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Here is week one - easy peasy. Cut out eight squares and eight strips. Add strips to top and bottom . . .</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN31STliILFpGrpLmIMsHWt6IgnfUf1i3zIDOPBmaYyF3wiezNdbV-NWT7gs-bfk9uRaa2MXHcb6qqki4sn7sFVtQtO-oT5O4tAAhMI5Zp1rxJqco2CTIejyYjE2NlDvLk3rhFbVl2JZM/s1600/fall+vacation+2012+604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN31STliILFpGrpLmIMsHWt6IgnfUf1i3zIDOPBmaYyF3wiezNdbV-NWT7gs-bfk9uRaa2MXHcb6qqki4sn7sFVtQtO-oT5O4tAAhMI5Zp1rxJqco2CTIejyYjE2NlDvLk3rhFbVl2JZM/s320/fall+vacation+2012+604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">then to sides, of course pressing as you go. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEWmRJkpZCY44awOcImK2OIdbFv0FM7FQOQzySmacNpZFUwDM41bd-aHitcXK-i1eo6xVufU4oDlR3XfExEQ8cb3XppXAyK9S_2cGE6YReiFANK6SkdEH6i4Ce-q9kVK8dKIBHsdWdvo/s1600/fall+vacation+2012+605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEWmRJkpZCY44awOcImK2OIdbFv0FM7FQOQzySmacNpZFUwDM41bd-aHitcXK-i1eo6xVufU4oDlR3XfExEQ8cb3XppXAyK9S_2cGE6YReiFANK6SkdEH6i4Ce-q9kVK8dKIBHsdWdvo/s320/fall+vacation+2012+605.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">When you're done you end up with eight squares, or in my case sixteen since I'm doing two quilts. If you look at the pictures of the finished quilts you will see the squares on the top and bottom.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Always the overachiever, I have decided to make a third quilt as I go for my sweet friend Keren, from <a href="http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/">Free Pretty Things</a>. Actually not for Keren, but for her daughter! Keren hasn't ventured into the world of quilting yet, but I'll work on her. Wait until I tell my also very sweet friend Donna, from <a href="http://donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com/">Donna's Lavender Nest</a>. I am always telling her she is crazy for trying to do so many swaps. Boy is she going to laugh at me! She is an awesome quilter and actually does machine quilting for people, so if you need something quilted drop her an email. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uRzy3eQ5BOWVohrogY2FigURxEOti5K9T-FJ8yoOcMq0jNPIEfCaFhbwXMCk88zFVTSQFtWYKCmt4KDVl9OWpOrCwsXBNRC2vEnZ6jNC2nQgDRbzJJXYXnu1jp-sz8S_2dLlHQmCuMQ/s1600/fall+vacation+2012+607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uRzy3eQ5BOWVohrogY2FigURxEOti5K9T-FJ8yoOcMq0jNPIEfCaFhbwXMCk88zFVTSQFtWYKCmt4KDVl9OWpOrCwsXBNRC2vEnZ6jNC2nQgDRbzJJXYXnu1jp-sz8S_2dLlHQmCuMQ/s320/fall+vacation+2012+607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'm really looking forward to making these quilts, and so far have enjoyed the sewing time. Maybe this is the way I should do everything, just a little each week - I won't feel so overwhelmed! Until next time . . .</span></div>
<span style="color: cyan;">A big thank you to <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">Meri</a> for the wonderful vintage images. Do visit her blog, you'll love it! </span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-55534507918677494902012-09-15T08:12:00.000-07:002012-09-16T15:00:14.704-07:00Special Delivery!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSTlOw0mn_KTorVzc5lqgs426j-iuF2YE4kwPB2p9bwwyLaLSTpWcTIMs7FWuld0W47KoLDT53pouuNNIumg_B__xG3TTrbr219ux4E61eV8_H3ka8SmhdsXlJ_IRD_yYuyHGOaxG6Sk/s1600/Baby+on+lamb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSTlOw0mn_KTorVzc5lqgs426j-iuF2YE4kwPB2p9bwwyLaLSTpWcTIMs7FWuld0W47KoLDT53pouuNNIumg_B__xG3TTrbr219ux4E61eV8_H3ka8SmhdsXlJ_IRD_yYuyHGOaxG6Sk/s640/Baby+on+lamb.png" width="522" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">On September 12 we had a special delivery. Not a box from UPS, or a package from FedEx, but something even better. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU0owT4ReSNORLzy4XDaB2UR_3HulBjQIFgIy2OViGaawK1V1VGWeRKXN6UXH4v1uxVX7w4UJxRO7vySoSEM8gej3z55CZUZhklp868HWW3Y1IPPgWDFUHxH0AWeXlJxBHgd5qdI96FM/s1600/kittens+in+mailbox.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidU0owT4ReSNORLzy4XDaB2UR_3HulBjQIFgIy2OViGaawK1V1VGWeRKXN6UXH4v1uxVX7w4UJxRO7vySoSEM8gej3z55CZUZhklp868HWW3Y1IPPgWDFUHxH0AWeXlJxBHgd5qdI96FM/s400/kittens+in+mailbox.png" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We have been waiting such a long time for this very special delivery to arrive.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This package was tiny, 19 -1/2 inches long, and didn't weigh much, 7 pounds 10 ounces to be exact. It was soft and pink and smelled oh so nice. There was a big fuss upon it's arrival, people hovering over to make sure it arrived in good condition, and everyone trying to get a little peek to see what it looked like. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It was very fragile, although the packaging didn't specifically say so. We already knew we must handle this package with care!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We thought it would never arrive. We waited and waited, and of all the crazy things - the stork is the one who finally came through!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Yes, she has arrived. My 4th grandchild. Our little Ellianna. Most of us will probably call her Ellie. They were considering the name Julianna, and of course I was going to call her Julie, but after meeting her, my son and daughter-in-law decided that Ellianna suited her. And I believe it does. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">As I held her in my arms and gently kissed her soft little chubby cheek, I wondered . . . Who will you look like? She already looks so much like her brother when he was born so I have a pretty good idea. Will you be a happy child or a fussy baby? Will you be as stubborn as your daddy and drive your parents crazy? (Trust me, that would be well-deserved payback.) Will you be quiet, serious, studious, and cautious? Or will you be bubbly, chatty, happy, and carefree? Will you love math and science, or will you love to create and draw and spend hours crafting? (I'm crossing my fingers and already planning her little spot in my sewing room.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">My sweet little Ellie, I love you already. Actually, I loved you before you even got here. . . someday you will understand that. Your grandma wishes you joy, happiness, health, and a lifetime filled with wonderful moments, people, and memories. I thank you, Mr. Stork, for bringing us this very special delivery. </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0px;" /><br />
<span style="color: red;">Special thanks to <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">Meri</a> for the wonderful vintage images.</span>Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-62208744210805344792012-07-27T10:43:00.000-07:002012-08-05T09:04:21.690-07:00Get your sweet corn here!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">It is almost time for the county fair! Woohoo! I close my eyes and picture myself walking into the fairgrounds. I can almost smell that tantalizing combination of corndogs, popcorn, corn on the cob, and ohmygosh don't even get me started about the funnel cakes. And manure. Giggle. Well let's face it, you do get the aroma from the animal stalls when the wind is just right! But that's ok, it's all a part of the charm of the fair. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">After I married my husband, I began working with him at the corn booth, run by the men's group from our church. It was always a lot of fun, and I felt like part of the fair being a worker as opposed to an attendee. Kinda felt important. Pretty sad right, that selling corn makes me feel special!!! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: cyan;"> This is a picture the day before the fair started, looking out from the booth. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: cyan;"> My husband had to repair the roof and I had to drop off my entries</span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I really enjoyed watching the people come and go from the safety of my little wooden structure. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not really a crowd person, so this was perfect! </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">While slip-sliding on the butter drippings on the floor, I could look out and see the excited fairgoers, the animals coming and going, the tractors moving to and fro. I listened to the music and watched the colorful ferris wheel spin around and around - in the almost always perfectly blue sky. At night the glistening lights of the ferris wheel sparkled against the starry, black night sky, creating a beautiful kaleidoscope of color, like never-ending fireworks. It was almost magical. When things got slow I would sneak off to the back of the building to enjoy a yummy, salty, double-dipped in butter ear of corn. Mmmmmm. Ok, I'll confess, actually by the time the night was over two or three. One character from our group, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">Jon, always wears this crazy yellow rubber hat - shaped like an ear of corn of course - on his head and calls out to the people "Sweet corn, get your delicious sweet corn" for hours. This isn't him, obviously, but I just had to include a picture so you could get the idea. I loved watching the people's reactions to his hat! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">I wished that time would slow down so the day would last longer. You could almost feel the excitement in the air. Seeing the joy on the faces of the children just warmed my heart. I always wished I was raised in the country rather than in a small town. I do know for certain that I am a country girl at heart. Our grandparents took us "downhome" every summer to spend time with all the relatives in the little southern farm towns, and I think this had a huge effect on me.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After about five years of working in the corn booth I decided to venture out to see the sights. I would spend hours visiting all the wonderful cows and horses and sheep and chickens. I took so many pictures of the animals, I just love them. My grandchildren loved the animals too. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I managed to find my way to the Open Class Building, the one with the jams and baked goods and quilts and knitting, and . . . sigh, I felt like I was stepping into Heaven, country style. Over the next few years I began spending more time marveling at the magnificent handwork than I did selling corn. I dared to dream that someday I would enter something. I was sure my stuff would never be good enough, but it was really fun to just imagine and dream about it. I will enter something . . . someday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Four years ago, I did it. I don't know what came over me, but I marched into the fair office, requested a fair book, asked a bunch of dumb questions on how to enter, figured out the different categories, and turned in ten items. I was certain nothing would get a ribbon, but just being a part of it all made me so happy and excited. On judging day I showed up with my notebook and camera (and nervous stomach) and watched the judging, listening to the comments. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I prayed that God would let me live long enough to win just one blue ribbon. Well, I didn't win one blue ribbon. At the end of the day I had 6, yes 6 blue ribbons, as well as three red, and one white. OHMYGOSH! Then I thought about my prayer and said "oh oh", I should have phrased that prayer differently!!! The next year I won three blue ribbons, and last year I won 10, as well as a few red and white ribbons. Gosh, I had a lot of things entered last year, didn't I? I even worked a shift last year in the open class building, and now you will find me at the fair pretty much every day, God willing. I have already purchased my season pass! What is really funny is that my daughter, a city girl for sure, absolutely LOVES the fair and was with me almost every day last year. She is buying supplies for the grandkids to make their projects, and is planning on taking the week off this year. Even though she didn't have the exposure to the true "downhome living on a farm lifestyle" I did as a child, she still loves it all. I guess it is true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! I can't tell you how happy that makes me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: x-large;">So here we are again. I am so busy with mom and everything that I really don't have much time to make things to enter. I'm so sad that this year I didn't even get to make jam, but as I looked around the house I was finding projects here and there that I have made over the last year that just might have a chance. I filled out my paperwork yesterday, and my husband and I took a ride out to the County Fair Office to turn it in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-bNonfAni0noRofVE9zJhdm_nKUK5PRlDq9G9l52u_SdG0SmWMeKM29jog8Qjs4NRAvyD-A9iTiW8aRkhnbj-9MzIrKsaBXshNYSGUFeGIq8Zn5mxIhoSiN70BHDIrctR7onmHUPOcU/s1600/vintage+car+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-bNonfAni0noRofVE9zJhdm_nKUK5PRlDq9G9l52u_SdG0SmWMeKM29jog8Qjs4NRAvyD-A9iTiW8aRkhnbj-9MzIrKsaBXshNYSGUFeGIq8Zn5mxIhoSiN70BHDIrctR7onmHUPOcU/s400/vintage+car+ride.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I also entered two of my grandchildren. Two years ago my granddaughter entered for the first time and won a blue ribbon and a red ribbon!! I can honestly say I was more excited about her ribbons than I was my own. As I tell her, it really doesn't matter if we win a ribbon or not, it's just so much fun being a part of it . . . but I would be lying if I said I wasn't praying for at least one blue ribbon.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Many thanks again to <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">Meri</a> for sharing all her wonderful images. Do visit her blog, you'll love it!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-7292379731344168952012-06-28T15:18:00.000-07:002012-06-28T16:08:08.676-07:00Extra, Extra, read all about it! I've been published!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wow, it has been a very long time since I've posted! Life has been crazy. Just when I think things are going to settle down - WHAM!!!!! along comes the next crisis. Well, life happens. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I know I'm not the only one, so I'll just keep on plugging along! I'll even try to put a smile on my face as I do, to trick myself into thinking things are just ducky!</span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have some exciting news to share. I am in the newest issue of Stuffed Magazine. I created a little doll named Roxie and her little dog named Doxie. Actually, it started out when I saw this bright teal fabric with red polka dots, and I just knew I had to make a little dog out of it. And the little dog must be wearing a red tutu. (Yes, I realize I may not be right in the head). I also knew the dog had to be a wiener dog. Ever since I met Andrea from <a href="http://www.thecottagemarket.com/">The Cottage Market</a> with that darling little dog on her graphics, I have wanted to create a little wiener dog. Then I needed to create a little girl to love her and take her to her dance lessons. Thus Roxie and Doxie were created.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">I'm so excited to be creating patterns once again. I designed and sold patterns many years ago and really enjoyed it. I feel blessed to be able to do something I love and hopefully bring in a little extra income. I needed the flexibility of working for myself because I care for my mom, who is homebound, as well as keeping the home fires burning. </span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">Nowadays, instead of having to print them up and send them snail mail, patterns are created as PDF documents and they can be ordered online and downloaded instantly. Amazing. I love it. Not that I don't appreciate my mailman, but I love not having to wait! My friend Donna, from <a href="http://donnaslavendernest.blogspot.com/">Donna's Lavender Nest</a> also just published her first quilt pattern. It is so cute - check it out!</span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">I'm must admit that the only part I don't absolutely LOVE is trying to write up the patterns. For me the hardest part is putting them into words. I am really determined to make these patterns fun to look at, user friendly, beginner friendly, and the absolute best patterns out there. It has been a bit challenging, with so many things to do and learn, like the publishing software, and it has taken tons of time. That's me, running around going crazy! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I was told the magazine would be out July 1, but yesterday I spotted it in Barnes and Noble. As usual, I am running late. But it's okay, I am almost done with Doxie's pattern, and Roxie's pattern will follow shortly. I will be selling them on Etsy, Craftsy, and my own web page, ricracandpolkadots.com. They should be ready to purchase very soon, hopefully within the week. Then I can relax and catch my breath before I start turning more of my designs into patterns. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope God will bless my efforts. Any of you who would like to throw out a little prayer for me, please do. I would appreciate it. My husband will be retiring very soon due to health issues and I need to step up and try to earn some income for our family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">I already know many of you out there are going to be so happy for me and excited right along with me, and I want you to know that makes me feel like a v</span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">ery lucky girl! See, there you are in the picture up above, ready to celebrate! A special thanks to my friend Meri from <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">Imagimeris</a> f</span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">or her generosity in sharing all these wonderful vintage images. </span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">I also would like to thank my sweet friend Keren from <a href="http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/">Free Pretty Things For You</a> who designed my new graphics. She has taken so much time and care to design the perfect images for me and has once again exceeded my </span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">expectations</span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">. Thank you Keren, you're the best!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-55559922310597406002012-05-12T12:04:00.000-07:002012-06-10T19:07:07.854-07:00Quilt table - Serendipity Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I'm so glad to see you!! Come on in! We're just finishing up the Serendipity Studio. I want to tell you all about the quilt table we made. My dream was to have a huge table that I could lay out an entire quilt on. No more pinning and basting on the floor - my knees will no longer allow it, plain and simple. In the center of the room I had a big enough space for a large table. My bed is a queen, but I usually make my quilt a bit longer all around, so I needed this table to be somewhere around 7 x 8 feet total work surface. My husband said we could build it so it had storage underneath, and I got to thinking. I wanted all four sides to be open for easy access. I even decided ahead of time what I wanted to store under there so we could custom build it. Ya just gotta love being married to a carpenter, right!!! I explained what I wanted in great detail to my husband. He smiled and shook his head, as he always does when he hears my great ideas, and then took my wish list and sat down with a pencil and paper and a tape measurer. After a few different ideas we came up with the perfect solution. We would build a base and put a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood as the table. Then we would cut another 4 x 8 in half lengthwise to be two 2 x 8 foot pieces. We would hinge those to each side and support the extra pieces with a leg of some sorts, like a gate leg table. I could open up the extra sides when I needed them and put them back down when I didn't, so the room didn't feel so crowded.</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">So we built the base . . . .</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NqbLFXEmIw-UP000DhvJXD2KqfkhSE8irfZj0Kl-U5xLsPkY3bneUThdT_8a8eldYdR42l_Ku6TldJkUQG9c3IZQkFln-k_JObbv0PslIJX0JSyMMt5rR1SVRsWDQ2GsPaLzqhfCo0s/s1600/quilt+table+2+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9NqbLFXEmIw-UP000DhvJXD2KqfkhSE8irfZj0Kl-U5xLsPkY3bneUThdT_8a8eldYdR42l_Ku6TldJkUQG9c3IZQkFln-k_JObbv0PslIJX0JSyMMt5rR1SVRsWDQ2GsPaLzqhfCo0s/s640/quilt+table+2+003.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Note the little cubby holes. I have tons of yarn I have collected over the years for my crochet and knitting projects and needed a place for it all, instead of in a huge plastic garbage bag. </span><span style="color: red;">We custom built the little cubbies to store the yarns. I should have enough space to organize the yarns by color!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This side is where the bolts of fabric can fit, tucked safely out of the way. Usually my bolts are for backing fabrics or fabrics I loved so much I had to buy it all. I will probably keep my quilt battings in there too, although I might keep my large pieces of Warm and Natural batting right on the long cardboard tube it comes on and set that in a corner somewhere. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">This side is where I am storing my interfacings and stabilizers and Wonder-Under, as well as stuffing for my dolls.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I made some fabric skirts to cover the open areas. I think it looks so cute and I like being able to hide supplies out of sight! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">For the table top, I not only wanted to be able to lay out my quilts and baste, but I wanted to be able to iron on them. I HATE trying to maneuver a quilt top over my ironing board. So, I cut two layers of warm and natural batting and one layer of a thermal batting, and we stapled them to the board, wrapping the raw edges under. </span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDCWr-z2nJmA525E2_hyoJZd-vlX1MzvzrUnNTD0Mt3SjdiYS4XgNibfeeyJBMknskiVaWLXgccXvKWhQAxE2NTb_hODjJ8LPNBIt0mnZi-HbR9UnsGC2lIjLNdqevhjMYWu-9Pwih_M/s1600/quilt+table+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDCWr-z2nJmA525E2_hyoJZd-vlX1MzvzrUnNTD0Mt3SjdiYS4XgNibfeeyJBMknskiVaWLXgccXvKWhQAxE2NTb_hODjJ8LPNBIt0mnZi-HbR9UnsGC2lIjLNdqevhjMYWu-9Pwih_M/s640/quilt+table+011.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then I picked out a fabric I LOVE that I have been saving for I can't remember how long. I hated to cut into it because once it was gone it would be gone, so this is a perfect way to be able to enjoy it every day! The fabric is "Nicole" from Mod Girls by Jennifer Paganelli. Love it. Thank you Jennifer!! I stitched a canvas twill tape to all the edges for reinforcement. I figured it would be much stronger and better to staple into than the actual fabric. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We layed the fabric out and gave it a final pressing to make sure all the wrinkles were out. We wrapped it around the edges and stapled it down over the three layers of batting. Perfect. Now I can iron and lay out my quilt pieces without having to drag it over the ironing board. This will be really helpful with my quilts because I do a lot of applique, which I usually fuse down.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Uh oh. One problem. If I had the drop-down sides it would be harder to get into the storage in the base. I wasn't sure if I wanted to have to go through putting the sides up just to reach for something. Also, I thought this would be a perfect place to showcase more of my vintage pillowcases, but the drop-down sides would cover them. I had to put on my thinking cap. The light bulb went off and I figured out an alternative solution. I decided we could just make a 2nd identical top. When I needed a larger work area, I could turn the first 4 x 8 sideways, and put up the second one right next to it on the base. Either way it would work out to be the same amount of surface area. I figured it would take as much time to turn the boards around as it would lifting up the drop-down side and pulling out the legs to support it. The only problem was where to store the second top when I wasn't using it. Duh, light bulb went off again. Just put one on top of the other. We made the second piece and covered it with the identical fabric and placed it on top of the first one. The only thing I did differently was to also cover the underside of the top board so the raw wood wouldn't possibly catch or splinter into my beautiful fabric when they are being moved. I am thinking of crocheting a cute little edge to go around it. I'm not sure I'll ever have time - maybe someday in an alternate universe where I have nothing else I need to do I'll get around to it! :)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here it is with both sections up. Plenty of room to work!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Since I had my heart set on using this fabric, I did have to modify a bit. My fabric was around 43 inches wide, which wasn't wide enough for the 48" board. If I wanted to use one long piece with no seams I would have to cut each board to 42 inches wide instead of 48. I decided I would rather lose the inches than have to piece the fabric because it would ruin the overall design. I also didn't want to be ironing over a seam. It was a tradeoff, but I don't regret it because it looks so pretty! Goodness, I can see that I will need to pick up some more vintage pillowcases. Darn. More antiquing!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">A while back I made a smaller ironing board to sit on my cutting table in my sewing room. It was made in the exact same way, just a bit smaller. This one measures around 50 x 32. I saw the scrap of plywood in my husband's trailer one day a few months ago and asked him if I could have it, and that is how this little ironing board came about. I love having it. I would highly recommend making one, it is so helpful. You'll love it!!</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSO3hZWUHt_zUlgK_d1WLkiBe-3X_ki3K5Y-pC1ZoqhrVH6Tj9pQQ7fjuIKmynjCSa8tsP1avdh1_pKKaeSTe540ZH8pLLVGb1eh02qECgiMekliFkG4uYNRTQiJB_Ggsp68_9dXe02k/s1600/quilt+table+2+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSO3hZWUHt_zUlgK_d1WLkiBe-3X_ki3K5Y-pC1ZoqhrVH6Tj9pQQ7fjuIKmynjCSa8tsP1avdh1_pKKaeSTe540ZH8pLLVGb1eh02qECgiMekliFkG4uYNRTQiJB_Ggsp68_9dXe02k/s320/quilt+table+2+006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hopefully you enjoyed seeing this project and were inspired to make yourself an ironing table, or table topper. Well it is almost Mother's Day, you deserve it! Thanks so much for visiting!!! </span></span><br />
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<br /><img align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jMIlZfwzQrFqvN8yVAkBS0zhNt9ALrkRUhPxWnrrBOMqaA5Cg51wSHFBi5FytHOgGczKhV1dBWdJb0WH8Hp7Lpdu3dLwofo4hm3GmBxmoilT2JbMAirz2YAsulzz3knEpGCVtNXcu8w/s1600/ric+rac+new+sig.png" style="border: 0;" /><br />
<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-22172134805149484512012-04-23T10:04:00.000-07:002012-05-07T08:58:56.892-07:00A place of her own - Serendipity Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgEhpaffvUjNZ7eINCNsWmc1I6IJR43WyuH8QkA9Yb9fad119q921goyCCFgZsiNXX1NgmBkvkcBRawn2cgCV3OIWTs-6Rqncz4sfxmcuE2IDvHf5XzIbHzhv4Tl_w-Xo63pTftKJxkc/s1600/hailey3+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxgEhpaffvUjNZ7eINCNsWmc1I6IJR43WyuH8QkA9Yb9fad119q921goyCCFgZsiNXX1NgmBkvkcBRawn2cgCV3OIWTs-6Rqncz4sfxmcuE2IDvHf5XzIbHzhv4Tl_w-Xo63pTftKJxkc/s640/hailey3+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">A magical place to create and play and learn for my sweet Haileybelle. We started with a nice, deep countertop with plenty of storage underneath.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchRUO0RbWBDIc8nCzxr-AM276Jm2-j6umcVWZGyPkbjXcSnQSAFSYElXODLuRQTnEIanDs2bNd00RMGdeR77wZu4K1c5o5mFkH4sRGXJtYlfDyxoFK-eZaDGc53thIJ2BUrSTrrXq5bU/s1600/feb+2012+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchRUO0RbWBDIc8nCzxr-AM276Jm2-j6umcVWZGyPkbjXcSnQSAFSYElXODLuRQTnEIanDs2bNd00RMGdeR77wZu4K1c5o5mFkH4sRGXJtYlfDyxoFK-eZaDGc53thIJ2BUrSTrrXq5bU/s640/feb+2012+049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">A fabric skirt with chenille ball trim</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">and some vintage pillowcases</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">keep clutter hidden and add a touch of charm!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">We surrounded the counter with floor to ceiling shelving on both sides. A piece of scalloped wood trim painted white encloses her space and gives it that special touch. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I happily realized that I have found the perfect place - across the top - to showcase my vintage children's books. More serendipity!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6t_I0Gmeu2JnusweEsNxei_u2cSD0Niw9AiLJo18ZRhE9aUitbVP5qIfmzFzN9eBaKikRY_VHupjks640Rsz0H-olE2ILBbLogIk_njlbun_HWrorHC1l0gImiJZZiqI3oMCKMzD-us/s1600/studio+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6t_I0Gmeu2JnusweEsNxei_u2cSD0Niw9AiLJo18ZRhE9aUitbVP5qIfmzFzN9eBaKikRY_VHupjks640Rsz0H-olE2ILBbLogIk_njlbun_HWrorHC1l0gImiJZZiqI3oMCKMzD-us/s640/studio+005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She has her own bulletin board which she can decorate however she chooses. Check out the blue and red ribbons from county fair two years ago. I'm so proud. She was only 7 when she got those! </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She has already raided my sewing room and completely filled her shelves underneath with fabric and trims. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I think the crowning touch is the Hello Kitty sewing machine. So sweet. She has her beginner sewing and quilt books and is ready to learn. She already grabbed a doll body from my basket and used her scraps to dress her. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbWwgbImLU8GFZyptqX7jGfNOIK8XXanTe_z-_q8wT_kbOpbYA-Mc35vSSorFJXBsd0inq2Fmi06oqa09HP-5LtYHeQ0nkKUokQ5sYdmbivNiR6o8KNNn88HwGC7xyJnAqWXgUvriXEA/s1600/haileys+spot+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbWwgbImLU8GFZyptqX7jGfNOIK8XXanTe_z-_q8wT_kbOpbYA-Mc35vSSorFJXBsd0inq2Fmi06oqa09HP-5LtYHeQ0nkKUokQ5sYdmbivNiR6o8KNNn88HwGC7xyJnAqWXgUvriXEA/s640/haileys+spot+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">She found a box of scrapbooking items and was off to make something to hang on her bulletin board. With her and her brother running around both talking to me at the same time and trying to visit with my daughter and son-in-law I never got a chance to look at it. After they left I came down to shut off all the lights and read what it said. I love it. I love her. I am so blessed. </span><br />
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<br />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-816839939777491482012-04-01T13:43:00.004-07:002012-05-07T09:01:10.511-07:00OVER THE MOON!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PO77kccVD9C1Cr9wuEaqXu16yzkxZqcwt4LRvLfw-h47mcEqTFb7ibiL-iIca5aruH1Dn8X1FyAgygKLV02Ll2TahcX1aKKlXgBK5l5iTQNJT6H9xF6GCRbMMoBrjQJqU9ywspBp194/s1600/6a00d83451ebaa69e200e54f0418f68833-800wi+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PO77kccVD9C1Cr9wuEaqXu16yzkxZqcwt4LRvLfw-h47mcEqTFb7ibiL-iIca5aruH1Dn8X1FyAgygKLV02Ll2TahcX1aKKlXgBK5l5iTQNJT6H9xF6GCRbMMoBrjQJqU9ywspBp194/s640/6a00d83451ebaa69e200e54f0418f68833-800wi+(1).jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Yes, I am over the moon. You will see why in a minute. I was going to post next on Hailey's sewing area, but last night we put the finishing touches on the side of my new Serendipity Studio dedicated to painting and paper mache and glitter, and I am so excited about it I had to share. </span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Originally I painted all 4 walls pink, but then decided it was just too much pink and kinda boring. I thought about how I would love to have this studio on the first floor with windows and a beautiful view, so I decided to make my own. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I painted the wall blue with a cheery sun and dreamy clouds. . . </span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Added some flowers . . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">some sweet little bluebirds . . .</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">a clothesline with vintage aprons hanging . . . and yes, of course, I will be painting those clothespins and adding polka dots . . . </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We added a countertop with tons of storage underneath, which by the way I have COMPLETELY filled with just art supplies. . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">I made a fabric skirt to cover all the supplies, and we put up a sweet little </span><span style="color: red;">picket fence to give it more dimension . . . </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p4dAzwzV68jnKhMUSGNuGfqbBnZ8eKKaS_LyxjZ7pkgDbIqaX_SePI46j2Lshd70VXZjq27pRPcMU_F1AeqezcN0c9ohZSwsXOxPRcyrxNiMQDiNVDhL85AZPH12_DWhX-KSJxVqiAM/s1600/blue+wall+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p4dAzwzV68jnKhMUSGNuGfqbBnZ8eKKaS_LyxjZ7pkgDbIqaX_SePI46j2Lshd70VXZjq27pRPcMU_F1AeqezcN0c9ohZSwsXOxPRcyrxNiMQDiNVDhL85AZPH12_DWhX-KSJxVqiAM/s640/blue+wall+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">I wanted it to look like I had a window view of a pretty yard in the country with a picket fence and aprons drying on the clothesline. . . my version of Heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now that I have a space dedicated to painting, there will be no more of this . . .</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xal6OglRkW_krkbQmBjTEF2Ug4f28gRr5TgmkwWPa9Tr5S6UNivjchV5mVgs1DDyUfunELspnnPSvlUIH0-lDCSSXEsEHO6xfUUFHjZmyad41Ii14eWN7Cvv5cDbIihZMjKI1jdTA54/s1600/blue+wall+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Xal6OglRkW_krkbQmBjTEF2Ug4f28gRr5TgmkwWPa9Tr5S6UNivjchV5mVgs1DDyUfunELspnnPSvlUIH0-lDCSSXEsEHO6xfUUFHjZmyad41Ii14eWN7Cvv5cDbIihZMjKI1jdTA54/s640/blue+wall+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">paint and brushes and body parts all over the kitchen table for days at a time. My family will be so happy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Now I have this!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEH3v5qyLnENFhyphenhyphenYAVM4nqJuPzztXlie3baC9OVCOAJByUeWl6jJwI-5gri6SPjD65UfRsxZwFbXghr5pJv5CHfFF2D2uM3nqy-0EYCNSSgULrH08-g5ZDMKDNeJ1f-_YXpOj02OW7m0/s1600/blue+wall+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEH3v5qyLnENFhyphenhyphenYAVM4nqJuPzztXlie3baC9OVCOAJByUeWl6jJwI-5gri6SPjD65UfRsxZwFbXghr5pJv5CHfFF2D2uM3nqy-0EYCNSSgULrH08-g5ZDMKDNeJ1f-_YXpOj02OW7m0/s640/blue+wall+035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Like I said, I am over the moon. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!! Thanks for visiting. I still have lots more to share with you. I'll see you then! </span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l605/ricracandpolkadots/sigpost3.png" style="border: 0;" />Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4729754282024342033.post-27919083156958118962012-03-22T14:40:00.004-07:002012-03-24T06:59:41.860-07:00Counting her chickens . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvuA_UeV_Qed0M_hNJtFaWEKl12Jh3IuuCkYLQYvclP1Xa9MkmMkKc2uRfMox5hcGtXo4nf78kB5dkc9viKhXIhca1jeJktMSJObzVtZvNcXiH2MKqb-GI_yovnOKvZOGyGauk-VJFh4/s400/chicky+girl+blue+hat.png" width="332" /><span id="goog_1743212653"></span><span id="goog_1743212654"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a></div><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I found this print at an antique store many, many years ago. It was sitting down on the floor, mostly hidden, the corner of it peeking out from behind an old butter churn. I pulled it out so I could see it better. Staring back at me was the cutest little face - and naturally I couldn't resist it. I brought it to the owner and asked how much he wanted for it. It had several tears and the frame was pretty well ruined. He looked at it for a moment and told me I could have it for free since it was in pretty rough shape. I was excited! I thanked him and brought her home to live with me! Over the years she has sat in the basement waiting for some attention. I just couldn't find the right place to put her . . . until now . . . right there, in that empty spot under the new cabinets. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVYDe-fzMfgSvIboTx21IncV-pUZa67dpa0y-kIH7s1a-0oR_Yd43J6MbgwekLEjkrebczQyJpL6dJdoIksAwcaGeQavZGCns8B3L5NntImeBLqjBmE_izelCl5gDLUxyKLFmHaEIAYU/s1600/feb+2012+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVYDe-fzMfgSvIboTx21IncV-pUZa67dpa0y-kIH7s1a-0oR_Yd43J6MbgwekLEjkrebczQyJpL6dJdoIksAwcaGeQavZGCns8B3L5NntImeBLqjBmE_izelCl5gDLUxyKLFmHaEIAYU/s320/feb+2012+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Imagine, fifteen years later, I have finally found a home for my sweet girl and her chicks. I decided she would be a perfect fit in my Serendipity Studio. The pink walls brought out the pink in her dress. The picture is so calming and serene, and that is how I want this room to feel!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, for a frame. I looked all through the basement and even in my mom's basement, hoping to find an old picture (not being used of course) with a nice frame. No luck. I started looking in stores and was shocked at how expensive frames were. At least the kind of frame I wanted. I wanted it to be very vintagey and wide and carved and beautiful. It would need to be 16 x 20, which was rather large, and that added to the cost. One day in Hobby Lobby I remembered the picture and walked over by the frames. Fifty percent off. Hmmm. I found several that would work but they would still be thirty or twenty five dollars, and I just didn't have that much to spare. One in particular was so beautiful, just perfect in fact, but it was shiny black . . . and expensive. I think it was $59.99. I pulled it off the hook to look at it in detail and noticed the third one back was damaged. I started getting excited, because you know what damaged goods means . . . discount!!!! Long story short, I got this frame for five dollars. It was cracked and falling apart, but I knew my husband could fix it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwzdnYK2Y5r3xGIhmXyD89iJh_V7coq4CESNikfIKLfJ1tJqWvzJDLaSb-cqk3JBaphG0EhebPdeRxML-pcuu9KFN-IapNByBUzLB8v09f7sLkkHcJ6HNJo4WKRCodaFfPSbmM23Xnuc/s1600/full+load+camera+291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwzdnYK2Y5r3xGIhmXyD89iJh_V7coq4CESNikfIKLfJ1tJqWvzJDLaSb-cqk3JBaphG0EhebPdeRxML-pcuu9KFN-IapNByBUzLB8v09f7sLkkHcJ6HNJo4WKRCodaFfPSbmM23Xnuc/s400/full+load+camera+291.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">So he fixed it . . .</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0rvpzZX9qRbCtLpnQ_bmvNkKWNkfrxBxtVNAqapOobcKUGXUkRAcRxTAyFrmKFZFutizUfptNMWGmz-1rCcuOgdNMgoRXYIUrumHwBwcMX8xBLZ6moTG-7ZpoT94MAidhs7dXIBk5hg/s1600/full+load+camera+292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0rvpzZX9qRbCtLpnQ_bmvNkKWNkfrxBxtVNAqapOobcKUGXUkRAcRxTAyFrmKFZFutizUfptNMWGmz-1rCcuOgdNMgoRXYIUrumHwBwcMX8xBLZ6moTG-7ZpoT94MAidhs7dXIBk5hg/s320/full+load+camera+292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">and I primed and painted it .</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">I touched up the picture as much as I could by matching the color of the paint and touching up scratches. I set the picture onto the cardboard and used a pencil to make a mark where the tears would be, and painted little bits of color onto the areas so the holes wouldn't be so obvious.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlFhhgq0_ycO1nTNH18EIE4PELsDFoEsVUxe3f33Igq6PpCkrRjDlE0YiI_PTIZNU5Nw1GYkL4al4i7CrLA-m4AeiHu6Tj8yNqi7axKNLwnghmPcPnYei6X40Ac77sr0GB9pTcXtoz7s/s1600/full+load+camera+510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlFhhgq0_ycO1nTNH18EIE4PELsDFoEsVUxe3f33Igq6PpCkrRjDlE0YiI_PTIZNU5Nw1GYkL4al4i7CrLA-m4AeiHu6Tj8yNqi7axKNLwnghmPcPnYei6X40Ac77sr0GB9pTcXtoz7s/s400/full+load+camera+510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally I put it in the newly painted frame, and VOILA! Isn't she beautiful!! I started out painting the frame in off-white, but it just didn't look good on the wall. I looked at my blue wall in the basement and decided that would be a perfect shade. I painted the frame, wiping back on the fancy carvings to show the dark so it looked more dimensional.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lvmIfNugaKb5SW-FZe-znK9CheAW-W4sZKTDqc29Twr-0lskhIKrbj0IAisV_qjG1fV7QLjcI8PTMppBdm6lYASskNHn_Rdp_ZKxTfKn_yp-rDuoI4a48abGXD3HLmpoy270Vj2kgGI/s1600/picture+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lvmIfNugaKb5SW-FZe-znK9CheAW-W4sZKTDqc29Twr-0lskhIKrbj0IAisV_qjG1fV7QLjcI8PTMppBdm6lYASskNHn_Rdp_ZKxTfKn_yp-rDuoI4a48abGXD3HLmpoy270Vj2kgGI/s400/picture+009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here she is! I think she looks perfect. I'm so glad I saved her all these years, and I'll bet she's happy to finally have a proper home. Who knew I would have chickens myself? The writing on the bottom of the print says "Counting her chickens after they hatch" but you can't see it as it is at the very bottom edge. I hope she will be happy in my new studio. I will be happy to have that sweet little face greet me every single day!! </span></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks for visiting, and I'll keep you up to date as I go along! Thank you once again to my sweet friend Meri, from <a href="http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/">ImagiMeri's</a>, for another wonderful vintage image!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><img align="left" src="http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/l605/ricracandpolkadots/sigpost3.png" style="border: 0pt none;" /></div><div style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Ric Rac and Polka Dotshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15589881110509261778noreply@blogger.com16