La Fin

So comes the end of another year. Three hundred and sixty five more days under our belts. Why does it seem that each year that goes by, moves along faster than the last? Time slips away so quickly as of late, it's a bit scary. I remember being a child and not being able to wait until I was older and grown up so I could do whatever I wanted to. Now I can only wish that I could stop time or at least slow it down a bit. Mom was right. She always said don't wish your childhood away. One day you'll wish you hadn't.

Looking back, I have learned a lot of things that I will take with me into the new year. One of the most prevalent is to trust my instincts more. They are usually right and even if they are wrong, you learn from those mistakes. Bad things happen and we make the wrong choices sometimes. Along with that comes the reality that that is how we grow. It's what helps make us who we are and builds on the mold of who we will become. I am also trying to grasp the ability to stop holding onto those dark days. Nothing good becomes of that and after a while, you realize it's a lonely world when you are sad all the time. 2010 will be a much happier year, *that* I am going to count on.

Resolutions are big this time of year. I'm not for them nor am I against them, really. Although it seems that they are made only to be broken. I am not trying to be cynical as I know that there are people out there who actually follow through, it just seems, more often than not, they are broken. I don't establish a resolution per se, but I do make a wish list of the things that I'd like to accomplish. I suppose it's sort of the same thing. It's only a degree of seperation by saying "these are the things I'd like to do" versus "these are the things I am going to do". Less room for that feeling of failure, I suppose.

So with out further babbling (well not much anyway..hee hee), here is the start of my incomplete "wish list" for 2010:

• Be happier and smile LOTS more :)
• Spend more time with my kids.
  
• Complain less. What good does it do anyway?
  
• Finish projects that I begin!!!
  
• I have two quilts in the making already that I want to finish in 2010
• This may be far fetched, however I would love to begin to learn French. It's a beautiful language....
  
• I've seen a lot of people take on the "photo a day for 365 days". I'd like to do this. Have a peek at my Flickr along the way. (that sounds a bit dirty...lol)
  
• Oh....! Stop starting sentences with "so" or "ok"...stupid bad habit and poor grammar. I see I've done it twice in this post alone... lol

Well that's just a few of the things that have been swimming around in my head for a spell. I'm sure the list will grow. Do me a favour? Keep me in check with these things, will you? ;)

I hope all of you had a great 2009. Thank you for tagging along with me on this journey. I wish you well in the year to come and may it be filled with many happy memories. Just remember to live life to the fullest, love much, and laugh often. Remember to be good to your friends and keep them close, they are a part of your foundation. Most importantly, remember to be happy!

Alright, time to put on my pa-gee-jays and curl up with my hook and yarn and slide in a good movie. Ahhhh...the little things in life that make me smile :)

Before I go, I will leave you with this video. It's not your typical Pearl Jam song, but I love it so.....

Pearl Jam - Just Breathe


Talk to you next year. Ya'll be good now, ya hear? ;)

Much Love!!

In The Works

I haven't done a post in a while for anything crafty so I thought I would take a minute and share a few of the things I've been working on. I've been so busy lately but somehow I've found the time to keep my hands busy. I guess it's one of the things that keeps me sane. It's my yoga, so to speak :)

First is a photo of a quilt I've been working on. I actually put the top together in one day but now I need to actually quilt it, then bind it, and then to complete the look, it must be washed to fray the edges. I'm hoping to finish it this week. I will post a photo of the finished product to see the difference.


Fabric is called Cotton Blossoms made by Moda. Blocks are 10" with 5" squares on top of that, then a 2.5" square on top of that. I used two Layer Cakes which is enough for the top and binding! Easy peasy :)

While browsing Flickr I ran across a photo of a crochet block of a daisy and thought it was cute. After some research I learned that the woman who designed it, Krystal, has people mail her completed blocks in exchange for the pattern. She then takes the blocks and completes afghans and gives them away to charities. What a wonderful idea! I joined her Yahoo group, received the pattern and made one up today. I don't see myself making my own afghan with it but I will definitely send her some blocks for her to use! If you want to do one yourself, check out her blog HERE to get the details.


It's in the blocking stage right now, hence all the pins, but you get the idea :)

Last but not least is a preview of what I am working on now and a project that will be next. The preview of what I am working on now is actually what the bright colored yarn is sitting on top of. You can't really see it (that is on purpose) but once it's done, I'll post a picture. It's been in the making for about a month and I'm almost done! Yay!



I am drawn to bright colours in the winter time. Winter here is very colourless. It's all white. Not that there is anything wrong with white, it just gets boring after a while. These yarns will be used to crochet a bag and then it will be felted. I can't wait to start it but I have to finish my other project first. It's going to be sooo cute! :)

I know you noticed the turtle!! I was at my local yarn shop last week and when I was checking out I happened to glance towards a basket on the counter and squealed. Yes, literally. The owner was giggling at me when I asked her if those were turtles....lol. He is actually a tape measure. I'm not too keen about pulling his wee tail to make the tape come out but then I get to push his belly to retract the tape....lol. I just couldn't resist!

Much Love!

Winning Isn't Everything

"Four out of five dentists surveyed recommended playing hockey." ~Author Unknown

I went to my first hockey game of this season tonight and I had so much fun. I had forgotten how exciting and intense those games were. I missed it.

The best part was that I finally got to see the Ice Hogs beat Milwaukee while I was at a game. Every other time I've been to a game where Milwaukee was our opponent, we lost. I was beginning to think I was bad luck for them...lol! No, not really. Milwaukee is a great team who is freaking fast and they play awesome defense. Even though we won 4-2, they had twice as many shots on goal than we did. Yikes!

There was only one fight though because the refs kept breaking them up before they could really begin. Then all of a sudden Rabbit and Hobson dropped gloves and went to it. Hobson got a few good punches into Rabbit but it looked more like a hugging match than a fight...lol.

Another interesting thing I noticed tonight was while I was watching the fans. It was kind of along the same lines of what I noticed while at the Shinedown concert as well. I am what you would consider a "people watcher" I guess. People are fascinating because everyone does their own thing. Everyone participates differently. Like at the game. There were people there that cheered full on and held nothing back, yet there were those that even though they were decked out in team garb, they only sat and watched. Not a clap, or a cheer or a high five. Just sitting quietly to take it all in. I don't quite understand those kind of fans because I'm one of the ones screaming and cheering and yelling at the refs, but just the same, I find it interesting. Just like I'll never understand why people go to a concert and just sit there. They don't sing or dance or even stand up. I suppose it's their way to be "in the moment". Everyone appreciates things in their own way and I can respect that. It was just something I noticed that always seems to pique my interest...

Much Love!

Eve Of Tomorrow

I cannot believe that Christmas is tomorrow. This year flew by so fast that it seems like we just celebrated last years. It's odd because even my daughter commented that this year went by so fast. I never ever remember being a child and thinking that time went fast. Time is supposed to go slow for kids. She's not the only child that I've heard that from either. I'm not really sure what to make of that.

Even though it came upon us extremely fast, I'm ready for it. The ground is covered with snow, my home is all spiffed up and smelling like cinnamon and apples. The presents are all wrapped and under the tree filling the kids with wonder on which gifts are theirs. I always choose two different papers and wrap each kids in a different one but do not tell them which wrapping is on their gifts. It keeps them guessing...hee hee! I also realized this year that either I need to buy bigger stockings or smaller gifts for the stockings because they never fit..lol. My kids know about the secret of Santa but still enjoy the surprises left in the stocking. I think it is because its the one thing they can open before I get out of bed...lol.

I hope all of you are ready for the big day tomorrow, and if you don't celebrate, take a day off and put up your feet and enjoy the day :)

I will leave you with a bit of music that I've enjoyed very much. I heard these guys on the radio this morning and made a note to look them up. I'm glad I did because they are amazing and entertaining too :)

Straight No Chaser - 12 Days of Christmas

Better Than Fruitcake?

I can't say that I'd want any of these things on my Christmas list, but its a fun jingle just the same. Who knew you could mold Spam (ew ew ew) into a car and that Jeff would look so hot in those striped tights?! Hee hee!

<

Cold beer and pickled eggs?! No wonder Santa only comes around once a year!

The Past Is Your Future

"What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now." ~Author Unknown

Well, we all survived the snow storm. All in all there was about 12 inches or so that fell overnight and the kids got their wish. School was closed. I would have taken some more pictures, however with the wind blowing and the kids footprints all over, it was just a mess..lol.

I ended up staying home with the kids, which made them happy so they could play outdoors ALL DAY LONG. I can't believe how quiet the house is when they are not in it..lol.

The quiet time was nice. I was able to finish up a few tasks and also finish the book that Zee has been begging me to read. She insisted that I would love it. She was actually right.

The book is called The Invention of Hugo Cabret, written by Brian Selznick. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 2008. This was up for dispute during nominations if I remember correctly because the Caldecott is an award for illustration in a picture book. However, it's quite clear that this book, with a total of 533 pages, is not only a picture book. Yes it has many pages with illustration, 284 to be exact, but it also carries a wonderful story, set in Paris, about a pioneer film-maker and how Hugo changes not only his own life, but the life of that film-maker. I feel they did right by this author in awarding the Caldecott because the pictures are just as important as the words that were written. Without one or the other, it would not have been the amazing book it is.

It is a children's book, but if you get the chance, I encourage you to read it. It really only takes a couple of hours. I'm glad my daughter was such a pest about me reading it..hee hee!

Much Love!!

Snow, You Say?

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." ~John Ruskin

I never really pay attention to the weather. Well, I should say the weather channel. I get the weather by going out doors and looking up! That's one thing I didn't get from my mom. She used to watch that silly channel hours at a time. Why, I will never know, but it was one of her quirks and we always teased her for it. She would just laugh it off and go right back to it. It makes me smile to remember....

So all day yesterday and today the "weather guys" were saying that we were going to get a bunch of snow dumped on us this afternoon, and tonight, especially. They say 12-15 inches, which is a hefty amount of snow..in one night! I was like..blah blah blah...I'll believe it when I see it.

Well, um..I'm starting to see it!! I took Bug to his Boy Scout meeting that lasted an hour and a half. My car was clean when we went in, as was the pavement. When we came out, I had at least 2 inches of snow on my car!! Ack!

I tried to take a picture of a tree in my front yard, but with it snowing so hard I took it from in the garage so as not to get my camera wet, so it's not a great pic, but you get the idea...

Note: Click image for larger view :)

I always love the first snowfall of the year, despite the horrible roads and the cold. It's a beautiful sight when your world is covered in a white blanket. You can see it in a million pictures and oohhh and ahhhh and appreciate the image, but until you see it for yourself, in real life, you are missing out on an amazing act of mother nature.

If it continues to snow through the night I will take more pictures and post them. I'm actually kind of excited to see how much we really get, or if it will just taper off. As of right now, it's still coming down quite hard and the kids are really hoping for a snow day tomorrow. They even got a text message that said to wear your pajamas inside out to help the schools to be closed tomorrow. Superstitious or not, they went to bed with inside out p.j.'s... lol.

Much Love!

That's My Secret

I was emailed this video today. Lots of mixed emotions with this. Some are cute. Some funny. Some of these are sadly pathetic and some are just plain sad. It also portrays how men and women are so different. One man admits to (I assume) his girlfriend that he ran over her cat, and she admits that she won't let him read certain books because they are full of love poems about him...?? Yikes. Mars and Venus I guess....



The one that hit home was the woman who said, "I'm a lot better before you really know me". I stopped breathing for a moment because it's like she stole the words from my own lips.....then again, that's my own fault and I'm working on that.

I Won't Cry For Yesterday

Well, this is it, my last post of 2009 NaBloPoMo, but I made it. The badge is kinda cute, but I thought the "I blew it" badge would have been much funnier..heh. =P

Congratulations to anyone who completed the challenge of posting each day for a month and especially to anyone who met the goal for NaNoWriMo!!! It's not always easy, then again, if it was, what would be the point? It's nice to have a goal, even if it is just a small one because when you do fulfill it, it still gives you a sense of accomplishment and perhaps the push to shoot for something bigger next time. (It's all about the size, right?)

I would still love to do NaNoWriMo....and I keep saying, "maybe next year". Man...do I sound like a Cubs fan or what? Yeah yeah.....now shursh! =P

Anyways, I may even miss this just a little bit because it was a constant and with all the changes, a constant is reassuring sometimes. However, I assure you, I will not continue to post everyday. I will save you from that boredom.

So I will say goodbye to November, to NaBloPoMo, and a few other things, and carry on with a smile on my face and an extra one in my pocket. I hope to see you along the way...

Duran Duran - Ordinary World

Something New

They say you learn something new every day. I agree with that and now there's a source to guarantee it. A Twitter friend posted this link today and the first thing I saw was a pair of turtles....and a very interesting fact that I did not know about them to go along with it.

This was yesterdays "something new"... hee hee :)

Want to follow along with me and pack your brain with "interesting" information? Go HERE. I know you wanna :D

Hush My Darling

"One step short of crazy, what do you get? Passionate." ~Ben Gates - National Treasure

Just a little something short and sweet today. I thought this was cute. That silly little dog keeps stealing Hippos thunder...




Can you pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time? ;)

Protect Your Blindside

"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing." ~Theodore Roosevelt

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and has recovered from the over-stuffage!! Or perhaps it's a weekend long process for some of you..hee hee :)

I know that I ate at least three times of what I should have but it was soooo good!! I love Thanksgiving food!

After we were all stuffed to the gills and beyond, someone suggested going to a movie. At first I didn't think I wanted to go because I thought I would fall asleep from being so full, but about 20 or so of us decided to go see The Blind Side. I am so glad I went. What an amazing movie of courage and selflessness. This is a movie that I will be watching over and over....

If you get a chance, go on and watch it. You won't regret it.



What are the odds...Chances played at the ending credits of this movie! :D

Too True, Too Often

Happy Thanksgiving dear ones. Everyday is a day to be thankful and appreciate what you've had and what you have now. I am thankful...today and everyday. Thank you..

****

Too True, Too Often

Too often we don't realize
What we have until it is gone
Too often we wait too late to say
"I'm sorry - I was wrong."

Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones
We hold dearest to our hearts
And we allow foolish things
To tear our lives apart.

Far too many times we let
Unimportant things into our minds
And then it's usually too late
To see what made us blind.

So be sure that you let people know
How much they mean to you
Take that time to say the words
Before your time is through.

Be sure that you appreciate
Everything you've got
And be thankful for the little things
in life that mean a lot.

- Author Unknown

No Matter What...

I'm thankful for those that care enough to stand by me, no matter what.

Woof!

I enjoy most of the people on my team, but there is this one person that just never shuts up. I like her and most days I can tolerate her but today I was ready to tape her mouth shut...or something of the like. I remembered this video and thought that this little device would have came in quite handy today.... that and it makes me laugh till I have tears in my eyes :D



Boys will be boys, and thank goodness. Who else would be dumb enough to try this? :D

Keep Your Eyes Open

Twenty two days and counting...





Sometimes goodbye is a second chance....

Easy Does It

"The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before." ~Good Will hunting

I had to make an unexpected trip to the Apple store today because my iPhone wasn't sounding so well. It sort of sounded like it was talking to me underwater. Um, it's never been near the water. So, I did all the technical stuff that they tell you to do when you call for support and nothing fixed it. I made an appointment at Apple and made the hour trip. I was 3 minutes early (I hate to be late) and within that 3 minutes I was telling the gent what was wrong with my phone. He looked it over a bit and with in 15 minutes I was out the door with a brand spankin' new phone at no cost. In and out, just how I like it. Well, sometimes. :)

Just one more reason I {heart} Apple. They recognize an issue, take care of it with out the rig-a-marole and you leave satisfied. Granted, I am a bit partial right now because I am still loving my Mac. I can't believe I waited so long to get him. It's simple, easy to use, it's fast, and it works. I wouldn't trade it for a PC for anything. I even named him, because I was told I had to..lol. So I call him MacDreamy, because he IS so dreamy... LOL :D

Ok enough of my blabbing... I'll leave you with my newest love. He keeps me company when I get lonely.

David Gray - Fugitive


David Gray - This Years Love

Draw Me A Sheep

"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." ~The Fox

I picked up The Little Prince while I was out today. I've heard that it was a good little book. I had no idea...

This book was written for children, as they say. Perhaps that's true, but I think it was written for us "grown-ups" to remember what its like. To remind us what is important.

It's not just a good little book, it's quite amazing, really. I urge you to read it. I think you'll agree and it won't take much of your time, about an hour. What is an hour, to teach you something so wonderful?

In case you were wondering, yes, it made me cry...

"If someone loves a flower of which just one example exists among all the millions and millions of stars, that's enough to make him happy when he looks at the stars." ~The Little Prince

Free Hugs

"Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time." ~Juan Mann

I was going to be lazy in this post because I've been sick today. So sick that I nearly would have preferred death to what I experienced this morn. However, in my laziness of finding a video using the keyword "sick", I found a much more powerful one. One that left me with with eyes welled up with tears and a swelling heart.

It really is amazing how just one hug can make you feel so good. No wonder I love them so much...

Sick Puppies - All The Same


So, what are you waiting for? Go give someone a hug, and while you're at it, don't forget to give me one too :)

**HUGS**

Just One More Chance?

Back in September I posted a video that was a montage for Five For Fighting's new Chances song until the real video was released. As promised, they released an official video, of which was posted in September and I hadn't seen it until now. Mostly because I kept forgetting to look.

This song makes it into my top 10 of favourites right now because as I said before, life is full of chances. Chances to be taken, chances to be given. Where would we be with out them? Lonely and bored, I'd say.

My favourite line in the song is: "Chances lost are hopes torn up pages...". When we think that we've run out of chances, we can always hope that we can be given just one more....it's not an expectation, but still a possibility, even if you don't know how to ask for it.

Five For Fighting - Chances

Sofa King

I would really like to vent about how I suffered through 8.5 hours of incompetency on a conference call today, but I'll spare you, because it was really THAT bad! Ugh.

Right now, I just need to laugh and this will do it. If anyone else wants to help, I'll gladly accept :D

Please be mindful if you have small children around....but this is pretty much what I thought about my conference call today....

Sofa King We Todd Did

It's Gonna Rain

"I was banging on the door, then I realized I was knocking from the inside." ~Rumi

Up until today I've always run into something to blog about. I didn't have to "dig deep" to come up with something.

Today, I got nuthin'.

Besides the fact that it's raining tonight, this song seems fitting. It's just been that kind of day...It's been that kind of month, really...

On a good note, my daughter just told me she made the high honors list at school. Great start for 6th grade!! Mum is so proud!!!

WTF?

Remember this video? It still cracks me up and makes me wonder how 4 guys can be so coordinated that not one of them fall on their face during the making of this video. Talk about unique and imaginative!
Here It Goes Again


...and their newest video that is brilliant and abit more psychedelic! :)


WTF?


**edited to replace video with one that hadn't been removed... (hmmmpf!)

I Ain't Givin' Up

I saw the movie 2012 today and it was pretty good. I think I expected it to be better, but movies like those are too predictable to be really good. At least for my taste. The graphics were amazing and left me holding my breath more than once, and yes, I even cried a few times, but I don't have the urge to go out and see it again.

They always play a song while running the credits and this time it happened to be a song by Adam Lambert, a runner up in American Idol. (For the record, I think he should have won over Kris Allen!) Adam has a very unique voice and I wasn't disappointed at all.

Have a listen with me...

Adam Lambert - Time For Miracles

You Can Change. So Can I.

I did today, what I should have done 3 months ago. Next time, I know to go with my instinct. It's usually right.

I purchased a new laptop almost three months ago because I was having issues with the one I was using and was told that it was the video card and you can't replace those in a laptop, or not very easily anyway. So based on the information told to me, I made an informed decision to get a new one even though the one I had was only a year old. Again, based on information that was presented to me, I bought an Asus. I was told it was one of the better brands and a high performer. Maybe it is, normally, but the one I got was awful. That's putting it nicely. In 3 months, I've had to restore it back to factory settings three times because it wouldn't boot up or it would just freeze. I was supposed to keep dealing with this for the life of the computer? Um. No way.

So begins my journey...

I checked the receipt where I purchased it from (Best Buy) and their return/exchange policy was only 15 days. Well, that was shot as I had had it for 3 months now. I figured I was up a creek, as they say. Then again, it never hurts to ask for something, even if you don't think you'll get it, because you can't be any worse off. So.... I called Best Buy and told them all the issues I was having and said that I would really like to see if they would exchange it for me and would they be willing. I didn't just want to return it, I just wanted to exchange it for something that would work and be better for the money I paid. I almost cried when the woman I spoke to told me that normally they would send it out to see what was wrong with it, but in my case she would make an exception and let me exchange it for something different. OMGoodness!!! Well, then I confirmed with her that I wanted to exchange the brand I had, for a completely different brand. She told me they didn't carry that brand. *heartbreak*

Again, my brain went into motion and I thought, hm, why not call another store, advise of what this Best Buy was going to do and see if they would do the exchange as well, since I KNEW they had what I wanted. I called. Again, almost cried when they said that on an exception basis would accept the exchange. I took her name and her managers name that approved it, packed up my laptop and I was on my way to Madison.

All the way there I kept thinking as soon as I go to do it, they will say sorry, no can do. Boy, was as I wrong! I walked up to the service desk and the Manager that had approved it was there and was completely understanding (not to mention really cute) and took care of everything. He advised the gal at the desk that it was ok to exchange it and then he put me in the hands of a rep to go over the laptop that I wanted in it's place. To make sure it was what I wanted. This guy spent over an hour going over things with me!! I had his complete attention and was sold. Well, I was sold before I walked in the door, but he put the cherry on top.

I can say that I am ecstatic with my purchase and the way that Best Buy handled something that they normally would not do. I never expected them to even consider an exchange, let along actually doing it, especially in this situation. I guess it pays to take a chance on something that you think might not happen. You just never know....

Thank you!!!

So...I am now the proud owner of a Mac Book Pro and I LOVE it so far!! I am shutting the door on the PC because I've had enough and I've been promised that I will love this machine so much that I will want to make out with it. Ok..that's a bit far, but I think I will love it nearly that much ;)

In honour of change...

Tears For Fears - Change

Forever In My Never

I am one of the devout "Twilight" fans and have read each of the books, (and want to read them again) so when I saw this video, I was pleasantly surprised. Blue Octobers music is played over and over on my iPod as they are one of my favourites. This song played while I was at the office today...

Blue October - My Never


Just one of those that hits home...

Walk Away

I run across new music all the time, sometimes in unexpected places, sometimes not. This time not so unexpected.

I've been playing Tap Tap Revenge on my iPhone for a spell now and I LOVE TTR3! When I can't play Rock Band....I have my Tap Tap...lol! Most of the music in the game are from bands that I've not even heard of, however, I've found that I'm liking quite a few of them! Each week they list a new download that's free, and as of late, they are from well known bands like Foo Fighters, Metallica, Owl City, Fall Out Boy and Dashboard Confessional. This week was a band I had not heard but liked it immediately. They don't have an official video for this song, so I found one that was bearable to watch. Besides, it's not about what you see, but how you interpret the words and music into your own life, how it makes you feel when you hear it....

Once the song ends, it goes black...its over at that point.

Five Finger Death Punch - Walk Away

Armistice Day

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." ~G.K. Chesterton

The eleventh hour in the eleventh day in the eleventh month. Armistice Day. Remembrance Day. Veterans Day. No matter how you name it, it's a day to recognize the bravery and and sacrifices of our Veterans. Past, present, and those yet to come. A day to honour those men and women who fought for what they believed in and gave to our country unselfishly. A great deal of gratitude goes out to those special people. I hope each of you has given pause to remember, to say thank you to the real heroes of our country.

This song always brings tears to my eyes because of the meaning behind the song, because it's a father/daughter duet, because it's real.

Pink and Mr. Jim Moore - I Have Seen The Rain


Much Love!

Here Kitty Kitty!

Ack! I can't believe I missed these videos! I LOVE Simon's Cat!! Kudos to CuteOverload for posting it and bringing it to my attention! Thank you!!!! :D

It always cracks me up on how he nails it on the head with feline behaviour each time!

Thanks for keeping me entertained, Simon :D

Simon's Cat - Fly Guy


**I love how he gets his claws caught in the curtain when he slid down...Happens to Kallie all the time!

Simon's Cat - Hot Spot


**Hm. Wonder if my cat knows how to ring the doorbell...hee hee!

Want to see more Simon's Cat? Click HERE...fast :)

Much Love!

Fly That Bird

I'm not really in the mood to post anything worthwhile, but this video just seems fitting today.

I love the part where she kicks the ass of her mugger. Oh, and the bird at the end, especially.

Take A Picture. It Lasts Longer.

I will never understand why people purposefully make an ass out of themselves. Maybe they like the attention. No matter, it's entertainment for some of us. Case and point...literally.

*click on photo to view original post*

I've been following WebUrbanist for some time now and I find myself amused with each entry. Full of creativity and some really weird shite sometimes! Check it out.

On a completely different note...Just a video that I've played too much of lately...


I've become what I can't be...

Even A Chimp Can Do It

A few days ago I posted a photo of a project I was drafting. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I'm not sure I realized just how much work it was going to be. No, I'm not giving up, because I will finish this now that I've started it and in all honesty, even though it is and will be a lot of work, I have enjoyed it so far. It's just going to take a while to finish it..lol.

What am I talking about? Well, I happened upon a blog, an amazing blog called Don't Look Now and saw that she was going to be doing a quilt along. She would post materials needed and tutorials along the way, promising that even though it looks incredibly difficult, that even a monkey could do it. Yes, she said that HERE and it went like this--> "Now before you all bork at the notion of turned edge applique, the method I will be using even a chimp could master!!!!" She's quite the comic too, which is another reason I love her blog!

It's not too late to join if you want to. You just have to go to her blog and click on the Quilt Along link and sign up :)

Here's a snapshot of my first block, each of the 12 petals cut out (twice really because you have to cut the pattern out of fusible webbing AND the fabric) and hand sewn down.

One block down...48 to go! That's only another 576 flower petals to cut out and sew down! :D

******OH OH OH! Even better news....remember my niece? She went in for testing and they didn't find anything! Meaning they didn't find anything wrong. Which, from what we are being told, means it's nothing to worry about and she will grow out of it!! *sigh of relief* Thanks to all of you who were concerned. It meant so much to me! It means so much to me.....

Out Of The Mouths

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million. " ~Walt Streightiff

My little Bug loves Spongebob and he begged and begged to watch Spongebob:Truth Or Square tonight. Of course I gave in even though his sister gave me looks that could kill...lol.

I wasn't paying much attention to the show as I was busy doing other things, but towards the end they were saying something about how Spongebob wasn't always going to be Spongebob or the shows name wasn't always going to be that. I don't know if there was any truth to it I just remember rolling my eyes. I'm not a big Spongebob fan either, even though there is some humor in it.

Anywho, stemming out from there was a part where it showed how Spongebob "evolved" and how he would have looked a loooooooooooooooooooong time ago. Like Mickey Mouse when he first came out in cartoons? Remember? When they showed the clip of how Spongebob would have looked then, Bug looks at me very seriously and says, "Mom. I'm sure glad I wasn't born then.". He couldn't figure out why I was laughing so hard! :D Apparently he didn't like Spongebob "old" and told me that a cartoon like that would be boring to watch. LOL!

My little man sure keeps me on my toes and always has me laughing :D

Wishes

"Look... in my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are: good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you. The right person is still gonna think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with" Mac MacGuff - Juno

I've seen Juno about 10 times or so and I find it amusing each and every time I watch it. It's kind of like watching Forrest Gump. You catch something new each time you watch it.

I was channel surfing the other day and it happened to be on. That part where Bleeker is coming out of the house and he sees the message Juno wrote for him in chalk to check the mailbox. Then he opens the box and a hundred orange tic tac boxes fall out. (I love surprises!) That's when the song Tree Hugger was playing by Kimya Dawson. I can't believe I didn't catch these lyrics before...

The turtle wished that it could fly
Really high into the sky,
Over rooftops and then dive
Deep into the sea.

And in the sea there is a fish,
A fish that has a secret wish,
A wish to be a big cactus
With a pink flower on it.

Then I found this video. It just makes me smile :)



Much Love

She Will Be Ok, Right?

I just found out that my little niece (who will be 2 in 2 weeks) is having seizure-like activity. I guess a few months ago she had a fever that was pretty high and she became unresponsive at one point but the doctors said it was because of the fever and that it was common. It happened one other time, briefly, but then I guess last week she had another episode where she was unresponsive for 20 minutes. She was breathing and there were no signs of distress but totally unresponsive.

She goes in tomorrow for observation where they will keep her there for 24-36 hours to do a multitude of testing to make sure her heart and brain and other organs are ok and to see if they can figure out what is causing this. They said it may just be something that she will grow out of, but hopefully the testing will tell us more and that she is ok.

I'm trying really hard not to freak out about this because I know that it does no one any good, but I am terribly worried about her. She's just a baby....

I don't normally ask for things on my blog, but please keep her in your thoughts and prayers and send plenty of well wishes her way. Hugs would be good too....

I will keep you posted on how she is doing when I hear more.

Much Love

Shine Your Light

Just a little something to share that makes me smile when I see it. Maybe it will make you smile too. :)



Why does it make me smile?

1. No matter what, you can always start over and begin again fresh.
2. Someday is better than never!
3. Hope is always in the wings.
4. I {heart} that bus!! :D

Much Love,
Turtle Quilter™

Jump Around. You'll Feel Better!

I need another project like I need a hole in my head, but a few weeks ago I signed up for something that is a bit out of my comfort zone. (Did I just say "a bit"? Oh my, much more than that, I fret). I guess that's part of the reason I'm doing it. I need to be able to step out of my comfort zone to grow, right? Right. Just agree with me here. It will make me feel better :) I mean, I tortured myself enough by sitting here deciding if I was going to do it or not for about an hour before I actually hit "enter" and then I cursed myself for doing it because I have too many things going on already! Sheesh! (You think I had a full on conversation with myself don't you? I plead the 5th here =P). I'm still a bit leery about it but I'm going to give it a go anyway and see how it comes along.

You're probably wondering what on earth I am talking about, huh? Well, you'll see as I move along with it. Probably slowly. Probably slower than a turtle. A Turtle Quilter™....HA! Now that describes me to a T! I need to trademark that! (oh lookies..I did it..lol)

Well, now you know it has something to do with quilting so here's a sneak peak of what I've started already. :) I drafted this yesterday after running to the store twice, because I purchased the wrong size compass the first time. Doh!



Now, as I was thinking about this pattern and the length of time this will take me to complete, this song just so happened to come on the radio. Mind you, this is not the typical style of music I like but I do like this song. Mainly because even if you're in a "mood" it makes you want to get up and "jump around"! It makes you feel so much better when you do! Try it. Go on! Try it =P

Anywho, I thought it ironic that it came on at that moment because of all the "screaming" in the song. I only hope as I move along in this feat, I'm not screaming too much. Then again, I can always get up and jump around..hee hee :)



Much Love,
Turtle Quilter™

It's Never Goodbye

Time passes so quickly it seems. It's been two years already. Two years today. How is it possible that mom has been gone that long already? I suppose it doesn't seem possible because the pain is still fresh. The tears still creep up unexpectedly and my heart hurts so much that I can't breathe.

People always tell you that it will get easier. It doesn't get easier. I still miss her. So much. I still catch myself thinking that I've got to call mom to tell her the exciting news....then I realize that I can't. It doesn't get easier. The moments that catch you off guard and break you down may not come as often, but the feeling is just the same when they do come. It doesn't hurt any less. It doesn't make me cry any less. It doesn't make me miss her any less. It doesn't get easier....ever.

This song has always touched my heart. Even now, it reminds me of all the things my mother helped me through, the things that she taught me. I was lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my mom. I know that not everyone has that and it breaks my heart for those that do not.

Although this song speaks of saying goodbye, I don't see it that way. It's never really goodbye, but it's I'll see you again....someday.



Today is a day to remember. One of the many days to remember her. It's a day to smile at the memories and let the tears fall at the loss.

Always in my heart. Always a part of me.

I miss you....

Down

I came across this song while watching Vampire Diaries (please don't throw such things as pickles at me, I can't help it! =P). Anyways, I was immediately taken with it. Now I can't get it out of my head. I just love the duet!

Here. Have a listen...



Jason Walker & Molly Reed - Down

I don’t know where I’m at
I’m standing at the back
And I’m tired of waiting
Waiting here in line, hoping that I’ll find what I’ve been chasing.

I shot for the sky
I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m going to fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Never know why it’s coming down, down, down.

Not ready to let go
Cause then I’d never know
That I could be missing
I’m missing way too much
So when do I give up what I’ve been wishing for

I shot for the sky
I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m going to fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Never know why it’s coming down, down, down.
Oh I’m going down, down, down
Can’t find another way around
And I don’t want to hear the sound, of losing of what I never found.

I shot for the sky
I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m going to fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
I never know why it’s coming down, down, down.
I shot for the sky
I’m stuck on the ground
So why do I try, I know I’m going to fall down
I thought I could fly, so why did I drown?
Oh it’s coming down, down, down.

Red

I have inherited that nick name (Red) and it goes back as far as I can remember. I used to hate it. Now, I still don't really care for it, mainly because it's not original. I mean, I don't go around calling people that have black hair Black, or those with brown hair, Brown. There are much better things that you can call me :)

Anyway, I ran across this poem and saved it a while back as I didn't really have anything to go with it at the time. Now I do!

What Is Red?
~Author Unknown~

Red is a sunset
Blazing and bright.
Red is feeling brave
With all your might.
Red is a sunburn
A spot on your nose.
Sometimes red, is a red red rose.
Red squiggles out when you cut your hand.
Red is a brick
And the sounds of a band.
Red is hotness
You get inside
When you’re embarrassed
And want to hide.
Fire-cracker, fire-engine
Fire-flicker red –
And when you’re angry
Red runs through your head.

Red is an Indian
A Valentine heart,
The trimmings on
A circus cart.
Red is a lipstick
Red is a shout
Red is a signal
That says, “Watch out!”
Red is a great big
Rubber ball.
Red is the giant-est
Colour of all.
Red is a show-off,
No doubt about it –
But can you imagine
Living without it?

Just a little sneak peek on what I'm working on. I'm really starting to like red work!!

Stitching Up Loose Ends

As any other quilter I've ever met, I have a few UFO's laying around. No, not little alien saucer like space vehicles, but something similar. Un-Finished Objects. :)

Anything I begin as a gift, is a sure fire quilt to be completed. However, when I work on something I like for me, sometimes those get put aside for one reason or another. So I've decided to go through some of those and tie up the loose ends, or stitch them up, rather.

I took a class a year or so ago on a square in a square quilt. One of the women who worked in that shoppe had developed a ruler to make creating this type of block much easier. When it was finished, it was intended to be a wall quilt but I never got past piecing the blocks and sewing them in rows. Last weekend I dug it out and made new plans for it, then when shopping for more fabric.

Bugs favourite colour is blue so this was pretty much a no brainer and he absloutely loves it!! :)





















I think he approves :)




















Kallie checking it out to make sure it's ok to give to Bug...lol!

Piece By Piece

"If one dream should fall and break into a thousand pieces, never be afraid to pick one of those pieces up and begin again." ~~ Flavia Weedn

Quilting is something I have enjoyed for many years. I remember the first quilt I ever made. I was 10. I asked my grandma to take me to Wal-Mart and I bought a yard of fabric for the top, a yard of fabric for the back, batting, and yarn and thread to match. When I got home, with no direction, I sewed it together by hand, turned it right side out and put yarn ties all over it to keep the layers from separating. When I was done I showed my grandma and said that I wanted to give it to my cousin who was just born. She was so amazed that she took me back to Wal-Mart to buy more fabric so I could make her one too. I remember that she took a nap every day with that quilt I made her for nearly 20 years. I don't know what happened to it after she passed. I wish I knew so I could get it back.

That's how it all began. Actually I think that is what started me with crafts in general. It wasn't long after that my other grandma taught me how to knit and crochet. I've carried that with me as well. Now, if I only had more time in the days to be able to do these things.

I do squeeze in time when I can, especially for quilting, because I really love it. It's relaxing and usually I'm making them as a gift. On July 28th my nephew was born and just like I made one for his sister, I was planning to make one for him. I just had to know he was a "he" first and I didn't know that until he was born. I went shopping for the fabric just as soon as I could and I knew that I wanted something that didn't scream "baby" because I wanted him to be able to grow with it and enjoy it for more than just a year or so.

Here is what I came up with. I hope mum and dad like it, and of course Callaghan, when he gets old enough :)



Here is the quilt I made for his sister, Madison, in November 2007 :)

Scattered Keys

No matter how long we exist, we have our memories. Points in time which time itself cannot erase. Suffering may distort my backward glances, but even to suffering, some memories will yield nothing of their beauty or their splendor. Rather they remain as hard as gems. ~Anne Rice

Memories are funny things. There are some that you hold on to with every breath of your life and there are some, that no matter how hard you try and forget, they continue to sneak up on you. There are memories that are not necessarily forgotten, but get lost along the way, and with a gentle reminder they are brought to the front of the line.

Each memory has a different lock, so each one requires a special key. A song. A dream. A movie. A book. A familiar face. A picture. A quote. A smell. A touch. A name. A sign. A story. A poem. A joke. A letter. A smile. I could go on forever...

Today's key was a simple note. Six simple words written. Six words that resembled my mothers handwriting so closely, that my heart stopped. My heart ached and I couldn't stop the tears from welling up. Just like that I was flooded with memories. For that, I am thankful. I am thankful for those unexpected brief moments that bring me closer to what I've lost.

Mullet With Headlights

I get bored sometimes and this leads to random clicking around on the net. One thing leads to another and I usually end up in BFE* but sometimes I happen on something worth sharing. Here is a part of one of my ventures.

I came across this...

(credit to original poster of chart)

So then I got the urge to see the original video and I wasn't sure if I should be scared or not. It's kind of a creepy video, but the song is good. I remember doing a skit to it in High School. Maybe that's why I like it. Hmm.



Then of course while doing a search for that, I saw a previous search for the 'literal' version and checked that out too. I remembered seeing this before and I think I even have it as a favourite. I can't help but laugh, as well as appreciate the work that went into this version. Perhaps its not right to pick on a video, but it's all in good fun with no harm meant.



Hope you enjoyed or at least smiled a bit :)

*BFE - Bum Fuck, Egypt

Make Up Your Mind

That's what I try and tell myself anyway.

A while ago I had posted that I was going to keep a digital scrapbooking blog separate from here. I started one and posted some pages there, but after a while, I just cringed at the thought of keeping up two blogs. Mainly, though, is that this blog is me. It's who I am so why should my pages not be a part of that same blog?

So I've changed my mind, yet again, and will not be keeping up Freckled Whimsy (even though I think the name is adorable..lol). Maybe someday there will be a use for it, but for now, I'm retiring it. My pages, should I choose to post them, will be here among all my other blabberings.

If you are interested in seeing what I've completed, please scroll down and look to the left. You will see a slide show of all my pages. If you clink on...um...click on "view all images" you can see them all with out waiting for it to scroll.

Thanks to all of you who put up with my scatterbrainedness <--- yes that's a word. Webster just forgot to add it to his dictionary :) Anywho...Here are a couple layouts I've done recently. There would be more if I hadn't been having so many computer issues as of late. We won't talk about that though.... Purr-fect

Two Sides of the Same Heart

Today I had the pleasure of listening to my children read me poems by Shel Silverstein. They would each choose one of their favourites and then in their turn, read it to me. I must have heard 50 poems by the time we were finished. It still makes me smile.

I read Shel Silverstein as a child and I remembered a lot of them but the one that always made me laugh was called Sick.

"I cannot go to school today,"
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut--my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is. . .Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play!"

Although most of his work makes you smile and chuckle, he can also make you cry. Well, he can make me cry anyway. I know there is some controversy about this story, but just like anything else, its open to our own interpretation and I can relate to this story.

It doesn't make me cry because it makes me sad, not really. It's just that this "tree" loves this boy so much that she would do anything, give him anything, just to see him happy. His happiness was what made her happy, even though she knew that after she gave him what she could, he would still go away. She would still be alone but she was always happy to see him and he always came back. Just when she thought she didn't have anymore to give, he reminded her that she did...

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

All Of Me

Lately I've been drawn to black and white videos. Not sure why. It's the same with photos. I think it's because there is less distraction. You see what's important. What's meant to be seen.

This song is one I listen to often and I had forgotten that the video was done in B&W.



Have any favourites of your own? I'd love to see them.

Always Midnight

This just goes to show you that you don't need to have a flashy video to be amazing.

Simple. Brilliant. Beautiful. Perfect.


Pat Monahan - Always Midnight

Always Remember

I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. -Leo Buscaglia

It was difficult not to be sad today. Thinking back to eight years ago when nearly 3000 people lost their lives and the family and friends that were left behind. It's heartbreaking. They all thought they would have a tomorrow to look forward to. It just goes to show you that we can't count on tomorrow. Today is all we really have. We shouldn't take today for granted. We shouldn't take any day for granted.

Tell the ones that you love, that you do, every day. It's important.

In remembrance of September 11, 2001.





















Where we fall, we will rise. Always remember.

The Impossible Is Possible

I was on Facebook and a friend shared a video that just had me in giggle fits. (Thanks Randy!)

Said video:


My daughter heard me giggling and came over to see what the fuss was about so I played it again so she could see it. Listening to her giggle made me laugh even harder. I love moments like that!

When it was done playing, she asked me to do a search. Usually when she tells me to do this, its some really strange, yet funny, video where we both end up laughing so hard we nearly pee our pants. (good thing for plastic couch protectors...lol! *just kidding*)

When she told me what to type I thought she was kidding or that she wanted me to see someone just doing a funny skit. She had asked me to type in "man with no arms and no legs". I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I wasn't prepared for the emotional roller coaster it took me through. He made me laugh, then he made me cry, but not because I felt sorry for him, but because he made such an impact, because he is right. You have to watch it to understand it, to appreciate it.

Nick Vujicic


I've seen a lot of motivational speakers, each with their own special way of getting their message across, whether it be from personal experience or they are just good at what they do. Either way, their intent is to get their point across and put you into action. To motivate. In most cases they do, but in how many cases do you really remember what they said six months later? A year later? Do you remember what their point was? Most importantly, did you practice what they preached? Did anyone have that deep of an impact on you? I can't say that anyone I've seen has. (I take that back. Sam Glenn did. His specialty was making you laugh. I always remember that....)

Anyway, when I saw this video I was in awe. Not because he had no arms and legs, but because of his attitude, his courage, his message. Everything he has become or accomplished was because he made the choice to do it. He never gave up. He never let anyone tell him he couldn't do something. He's not afraid. He wasn't even bitter. Not now. Sure, he was, but he changed his own life around, even when all the odds were stacked against him. If Nick can do anything, imagine what the rest of us could do if we shared the same attitude as he.

He is one that I will never forget.

Want to see more? Here is his website -> http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/index.php