The world through my eyes

Happy Birthday Jennifer

2009-11-08T16:25:00.000-08:00

Today is officially Jennifer's Birthday. Yesterday was girl time today was a lunch celebration with all of us. TJ drove down from Casa Grande and we had a late lunch at Firebird. Enjoyed visiting. It is unbelievable how quickly time flies by. I can still vividly remember Jennifer as a baby, toddler and oh yes a teenager. She has grown into a wonderful responsible young woman. She is a great Mom. So Happy Happy Birthday Jen and enjoy your 8 mile run this evening. Yuck can't imagine after all we ate to run.
The Birthday Girl

Anthony and Sadera with their beloved TJ

John and Jen

So the weekend has been officially declared a success and now it is time to get ready for another work week.

A good Weekend So Far

2009-11-07T16:52:00.001-08:00

It is amazing that a week ago my world was a mess with multiple problems with the house. One week later my world is calm and oh so positive. While this is a very busy weekend it has been filled to the brim so far with all good things.
Today was girls day out in celebration of Jen's BD tomorrow. Us girls Sadera, Jenn and I started our day with a pedi at Rose Nails. This is our favorite place as they do a wonderful pedi and massage while the big comfy massage chair relaxes you and the warm swirling water your feet are soaking in totally gives you peace. As usual our big decision was what nail color or design we wanted. I am a bit more adventurous than Jen and Sadera is way way more gun ho than either of us. Sadera picked her design immediately and then I had mine and oops Jen picked the same one as me. They turned out great. I also had my French manicure so was pampered with a hand and arm massage too.:) Yes Jamie I was thinking about you.
After the pampering we headed out for a bit of retail time. Checked out the new Hobby Lobby. Then to lunch at a favorite place Macaroni Grill. We had a very long leisurely lunch thanks to a very slow waitress but it was ok as we were in no hurry. It was back home so I could give Jen her gift. I gave her one of Jamie's bracelets and she loved it. It had been a very long time since the 3 of us have had a nice long day together and we all were tired but had so much fun. Tomorrow officially Jen's BD is the family lunch. The guys are included in this one :)
Our beautiful toes. Mine are the striped flip flops, Sadera was barefoot and Jen the dark ones. If you click on the pic you can see the little rhinestones on our toes and Sadera's wild dots.

Jen's bracelet designed by Jamie

So backing up a day to Friday. Colleen is back in town all be it very whirlwind in and out she is here!!!!! She looks great and I got to see baby Ella. Jan and I stole her away for a quick lunch and visit before dropping her off at Roy and Daisy's home. Next trip back will be in Dec. She is flying back to Oakland Sun am. It was so good to see her and Jan and I did our best to point out all the positives of AZ life:)

No trip or visit with Colleen is complete without a visit to Starbuck's. Just look what we found. perfect for my coffee to take to work

Wednesday nite was Stampin Up club and as usual Jan had beautiful cards for us to make. We completed 2 Christmas and one Thanksgiving card.

So far said with fingers crossed everything is running well, no leaks, electricity is on, Internet is on. Good times at my house!!!

And the Saga Continues

2009-11-01T06:46:00.001-08:00

So the saga continues. I woke up Saturday positive thinking everything is fixed and life is good. No Internet however and another phone call to India was nonproductive. I talked with TJ and he ran me through many trials to see if we could get it to work to no avail. So we came up with 2 options: switch Internet providers or get an air card. Neither could be accomplished till Monday. Well in the meantime my Island crops are withering, my farm is being neglected , I have no clue what is going on in Internet land.
I decided to forget the Internet and spend my time on putting the house together. Had to wash all the throw rugs, vac, and mop all the dirt and basically just clean. Did tons of laundry.
Next on the agenda was a shower and head to Anthony's BD party/Halloween party. Anthony's BD is in Dec and it is difficult to get a BD celebration in as most of the kids he invites are swamped with school, church and family gatherings. So he and Jenn cooked up the idea of an early party. Anyway I jump in the shower feeling that things are under control and life except for the Internet is all good again. WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!! I finish my shower and try to turn off the water and yeap you guessed it the faucet wouldn't shut off the water. Is this never going to end I think. Get out of the shower and throw clothes on as the phone rings and am talking to a friend and we are laughing at my ongoing traumatic adventures. Head out the door and shut off the water to the house till I can figure out what to do next. At least the new shut off valve worked! I tried everything I could think of to get that dang valve to turn nadda nope noway was it budging. Many wonderful words escaped my mouth!!! Jen stopped over to pick up a few things for the party looked at the faucet and proclaimed this is an easy fix I will help you tomorrow! Ya right nothing has been easy fix these days.
Long story short I was getting ready to head to the party when another friend calls. I am lamenting my horrible Friday to her when suddenly she is saying I can't hear you and off goes the phone. Yeap just great. I walked in my office area to grab the other phone and the Internet is on. Yeah the Internet is on my phones are out. What the heck is going on. Friend called back and phones working, Internet working no water leaks electricity is on life is 99.9% good.
I was almost afraid to get in the car to go to party but I did. Greeted by wild little boys and tons of good snacks and food. Night ended well
Now today I get reluctantly out of bed thinking ok now what. So far at 8 am it is a good day. Had to turn on the water to the house so I can get some laundry done and now it is sit and wait for Jen to come over for the easy quick fix on the faucet. We will see.
I think I am glad I will be going to work on Monday!!!

Anthony the Birthday Boy he will be 9 in Dec

The whole family

The wild ones

John and Jen

The cute cake made out of cupcakes

Sadera the jelly fish and her friend Ms ladybug

The table and all the yummy snacks

The new water pipe in the laundry room Dry wall is going to need to be replaced

And the wonderful new shut off valve to the house

So I am feeling pretty confident that I am on an uphill swing. Let's see what Sunday brings!!!

Good and Bad Times

2009-10-31T21:31:00.000-07:00

Another long stretch and no blogging. I guess I must be getting lazy! Really not much new going on these days.
Work has been going smoothly. Vaccinating staff and patients with the regular flu vaccine. We are not considered high priority so no H1N1 vaccine is available as of yet. I am in queue whatever that means for a shipment sometime in October thru December. Oh yeah!!!!
I brought in Mexican Thursday for the administrative staff and we all had lunch together. It was good to sit and visit with everyone.

Now lets discuss Friday. A day from HELL. I awakened to my alarm and sleepily stumbled out to get a cup of coffee. Oh and what greeted me was a flooded kitchen, laundry room and part way into the living room. I knew exactly where the leak was. The culprit was the laundry room. So out I go in my PJ’s in 50-degree weather to see the water running down my driveway. Tried to shut off the main water to the house unsuccessfully and then waded through water to the area where a pipe had popped off and tried to shove it back on. Despite freezing and getting soaking wet no success. So back to the house to get out of my wet clothes, call work and tell them I am not coming, call my daughter to come see if she could get the main water valve off and heat up a cup of coffee. My daughter came over and with brute force thought we shut off the water. On a funny or not note the water was running through the kitchen like a river and out my French doors to the patio. The patio had a ton of water on it too. Luckily I have a wet vac so I began sucking up all the water. Living room first to get it up off my wood floors then the kitchen was next. At 7 I called an emergency plumber and received the great message he would be there between 12-2pm. After it was finally light enough to see well I again went outside only to discover that the water is not shutoff and it is still pouring out. No wonder I was making zero progress in vacuuming up the water. So little ole me tried one more time to shove the pipe back on and despite being soaked again I managed to get it on enough that the water quit coming into the house but was still running down the driveway. Changed clothes again and started the whole process of sucking up water again. Geesh 4 vacuum buckets of water later and I had most of it done.
In the meanwhile I discovered I had no Internet service. Grrrrr the day is getting a bit worse. Called ATT and guess what they route the call to technical assistance in guess where???INDIA. Can I understand the lady NO. Can she understand me NO, so she has me do all this stuff and Is she able to fix it NO still no Internet. Do I have satellite NO do I have cable NO do I have a fax NO (I am techno behind :) So she puts me on hold a million and one times with crappy music comes back on and says sorry can’t find problem going to do more tests and will call back in 10 minutes but that I should get on the Internet and see what I can find for technical assistance from ATT. Hello I have no Internet. She never calls back, I got busy, plumber comes and within 30 minutes water leak is repaired with new copper piping, main shut off valve is repaired with beautiful new copper piping and reasonably priced
. No internet still!I call back and voice dislike of ATT service and get transferred where to India AGAIN this time to someone who speaks better English. I plug unplug and do everything he asks for an hour to find out “Your signals are good coming into the house and the in-house signals are good don’t know why you have no Internet may I help you with something else???? Ya I need Internet. So if I want ATT techno guy to come out it is $199 dollars if it is outside wiring free if not then $149 for a new Modem box. Oh ya and they only work on Mondays 9-4. So I say no thanks and am now going to look into another provider.
So this is long and you would think my day is ending on a great note no water leak no Internet. I am standing in the kitchen getting something for dinner and am suddenly plunged into darkness. Yeap to top my day the electricity goes off. Look up SRP number call and the guy asks for address give it to him and he said oh my there is an outage in Chandler hellooooooooooo that is why I am calling. Expected time of fix 7PM. It is 5:30 it is dark and no electricity. Oh ya and would I like a call when it is fixed and the electricity has been restored?? Ummmm no thank you I think I will know.
So this is Friday Great day wouldn’t you say???
More to follow tomorrow stay tuned

2009-10-18T09:49:00.000-07:00

My goodness it has been a long dry spell since I last blogged. No real reason just not a whole lot to say these days. Life remains busy and nothing too exciting just the work, laundry, clean house and play a bit routine. I am still looking forward to cooler temperatures. We had a week of 80's and that was such a tease as it is now back in the 100's this weekend.

My daughter Jenn is doing a major renovation in her bathroom and has kept all of us thoroughly entertained with her Dear Diary posts. Jenn and kids stopped by Wednesday for showers as they were in desperate need of them. Anthony had the best line when he got out of the shower "my feet feel so clean!" He was quite the happy camper to have clean feet!

Other than that excitement it was a boring week here. I am finally maybe over whatever bug I picked up and am able to do a bit more. It sucked not having any energy at all. I basically laid or sat for 2 weeks. Glad to have it hopefully gone.

Yesterday was Bountiful Baskets and this was a great week. A few more veggies and the usual tons of fruit. Lemons this time so need to make something with them. We did get strange fruit that none of us have seen. Anyone know what this is let me know.
Small area on my tea cart with a few Halloween decorations

My newest little Boo girl

Been doing a little scrapping. This is a scrap lift from Paper Vineyards. Loved it when I saw the example in the store so came home and put this together with my take on it. This is my Dad's Mother's baby picture. She passed away when he was very young so there are very few pics of her. It is one of my favorite pictures.

Anthony post shower and note his hair is combed!! He is letting it grow out and it is usually sticking out everywhere

Yes dear sister I am back on my chocolate and yes I do feel better when I eat it 3 times per day as I am supposed to. Just got my second order in so will be better about remembering to eat it.

I really do feel better, sleep better when I am taking it

I had ordered some flower pins from Jamie and they came wrapped in the most beautiful packaging. I hated to open them up. Loved the jeweled magnets Jamie enclosed
It is such a joy to open her packages.

And finally a pic of Colleen's witch I made her for her birthday. She loves green witches

Hopefully I can get my act together and it won't be as long a wait before my next blog post. Have a great week all

For Today

2009-09-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY...September 28th

Outside my window... It is dark way too early but it is a sign cooler weather is coming

I am thinking...fall has to be coming soon doesn't it???

I am thankful for...good friends

I am wearing...capris, blouse

I am remembering... What a wonderful weekend it was in Cali

I am going...to clean house this week!!!

I am reading...CMS rules yuck!!!!

I am hoping...to finish up a card I am working on

On my mind...many things all jumbled in a rats nest in my brain

From the learning rooms... New CMS rules

Noticing that... My staff is getting along today Yes and thank you

Pondering these words...

From the kitchen...left overs crock pot swiss steak mashed potatoes

Around the house... very messy

One of my favorite things cool mornings

From my picture journal...

Artistic Affaire L'Automne Sept 19,2009

Quiet weekend

2009-09-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

This has been a pretty quiet weekend. I guess I was more tired from my Cali trip than I had thought. I also think I have picked up a "bug" as I am just not feeling the best. Can't decide if it is these darn allergies or what.

Saturday I made a quick trip to Mystic Paper and picked up some Halloween Stamps. That was pretty much it for me as I was hot and tired so home I came. Fixed chicken Marsala in the crock pot for my dinner and it was beyond yummy.

Today I decided that I needed to do something besides being a slug on the couch. I made Margie's pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. Oh my goodness it make a bazillion of them. I will definitely be bringing some to my kids and to work. I made little muffin holders with a die for the Big Shot that I continue to hold for ransom. Colleen will have a large ransom by the time she gets home
Have swiss steak in my crock pot for my dinner and have laundry about done. Played with new Halloween stamps loving them.
So not much news off to get ready for another week at work. Maybe I will have more energy later on in the week for a better post

My Swap and Gifts

2009-09-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

The 3rd and final post of my past weekend. Warning lots of photos :)
I was the hostess of the Thankful fabric book swap. I made each of the swap members a fabric book and then they were to make a fabric square to be adhered inside the book. I had so much fun making their books and gathering laces and trims and buttons for them to embellish the inside pages as the wanted. The fabric squares each person did were beautiful and each one unique.
A pic of all the goodies I gave each one

This was Anette's first swap and she was so nervous. She did great

Maija's beautiful square. I so love little vintage girls and a hand stitched piece from her!

Colleen's sweet baby Ella. Colleen's thumb was so sore from the quilting. She had a guaze cover over her square tied with a ribbon

Earleen's felted square. Again another first time swapper. Loved her choices of colors and my first felted piece to have in my book
Loved Marsi's tree. I am so partial to trees so this one is special too

Sandy's oh my goodness so much work she put in this with all the sewing. I was so excited to finally meet Sandy as we email back and forth. She and I had a secret place outside the studio for quick cooling breaks:)

Michelle's beautiful fall colors make this another special piece. I loved the envelope on the front I was excited to meet Michelle as I follow her on Facebook.

My dear friend Cheryl's square. How appropriate she is thankful for girlfriends. I miss her already

And last mine. This was a pic from so many many years ago of my sister and I.

I can't wait to put all these beautiful squares in my book.

I received beautiful gifts this weekend. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life.

For hosting swaps past and present Kim C gave us all a beautiful mug with our initial on it. Now I can think of the event everytime I drink my coffee.
Sweet Jessi presented me with this necklace.
Back of necklace

Marsi gave me a pumpkin scented candle. It smells really good
Sandy gave me a primitive pumkin. He is so cute
From Cheryl scrumtious tea. Just look at the packaging
Dear Maija gave me a Holly creation brooch. It will be perfect on my new dress
And dear friend Colleen was sneaky and snatched this necklace up from Jamie. I had looked at it and wanted it and then set it down to talk with someone and whoosh the next thing I knew it was gone. I was shocked when Colleen gave it to me. Love it

I think that about winds up my post tonight. Thanks for sticking with me through this long post.

Artistic Affaire L'Automne part deux

2009-09-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Saturday we were up early and to the studio to begin our wonderful day. Lots of visiting and laughter as we got ready for our classes. The studio was beautifully decked out in my favorite "fall theme" Everything was to perfection. Unfortunately I walked out of my hotel room without my camera so no pics from me.
I purchased one of Kim's new totes and an apron that matches it. They are simply beautiful.

The table settings were all decked out in fall colors. Kim had made each of us a covered journal, name tags, goodie bags. It was all over the top.

Friday nite at the vendor soiree Laura hosted the cutest make n take. It was one of Kim's cake wood cut outs that we decorated. So cute!

Lisa Kettell began the day with a fairy and shadow box class.Our table was full of laughter as Earleen was so funny making her "angel". All of our little creations turned out so cute.

Julie had an upbeat vintage ceiling tile class for our second class of the day. I learned lots of new techniques working with foam core

And our last class of the day was with the wonderful Ruth. She taught us the fine art of making cuff bracelets. Mine has a few finishing touches and then I will show you. Ruth had our kits put together in cigar boxes and had lots of goodies for our cuffs.
Throughout the day we had our swap exchanges. There were some amazing masks, canvases, paper dolls and my group did beautiful fabric squares.
Bryanna and I had several email exchanges for my swap and though she was not able to participate I made her a fabric book so she could enjoy creating in it. She presented me with the most precious charm of my folks. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I love it Bryana.

Since this has turned into such a long post I will post pics of my swap and gifts tomorrow. The light faded on me as I was trying to get pics of all the fabric squares so tomorrow I will get on it earlier

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Returning to Reality

2009-09-22T18:15:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend one of Kim C's most fabulous events Artistic Affaire L'Automne. What a wonderful fun filled, pampered week end. No detail was left undone everything was perfection. To make the event that much more special I connected with Colleen( who is in Oakland now) and all the wonderful girls and friends from past events. Sweet Maija was there and sad to say about the only time we see each other is in California. The weather to us Az girls was humid but it didn't stop us from having a ball.
My adventure started Thursday when Kim H picked me up and we headed on our way. We arrived at Kim C's to be greeted by the sweet Amy Powers and Lisa Kettell. It was off for pedis that Kim had arranged for us and then back to Kim's for girl talk and laughter.
Friday while Kim H, Jamie, and Alice helped Kim get ready for the evenings soiree Colleen and I caught up on all the happenings.
We were given a limo instead of the town car we had ordered to drive us to the studio, What a relaxing ride and in style too.
Packed and ready to load the pickup

Colleen in the limo

Colleen visiting

One of many beautiful fall displays

And another display that greeted us as we came up the stairs

Lisa and I she is just so fun

Julie H, Kim C, Lisa K and Ruth R

The refreshment area so beautiful

Val and Kim

We shopped and snacked on wonderful food. Laura had a very cute make n take. Visited with all our friends and then it was time to say good night and get ready for Saturday.
More pics next post as this is already long
Kim did a wonderful job of ensuring that we all had the grandest of times. Hard to come back to reality. More next post

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-16T05:22:00.000-07:00

New day

For Today

2009-09-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

To find out more information or to join Go to The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY September 14,2009...

Outside my window... It is getting very windy and huge white clouds are rolling in. Maybe a bit of rain to cool us desert folks down.

I am thinking...Just hang in there for 3 days and then you will be able to relax and temporarily forget work

I am thankful for...A very short work week. For some reason I am very tired today.

From the learning rooms...Kindness patience I am trying very hard to keep these two things in mind today and tomorrow. I am learning more than I ever wanted to about INFLUENZA, Getting everything ready to offer vaccines to all staff and patients.

From the kitchen... Not much in the kitchen today. Pretty bare cupboards

I am wearing... PJ's

I am creating... Lots of ideas floating in my head

I am going... To Kim's wonderful event on Thursday

I am reading...

I am hoping... For cool weather to arrive when soups will be tasting so good

I am hearing... Very quiet right now. I am relishing the peace and the quiet
Around the house... Piles of swaps, clothes and Colleen's goodies waiting to be packed

One of my favorite things... Somerset Studio's new edition. Lots of Halloween goodies to drool over

A few plans for the rest of the week: Cali Cali Cali

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.
Anthony age 2

A week end in review

2009-09-13T16:47:00.001-07:00

This has been a pretty busy week end but one in that I accomplished a lot. Today I had my very first Pumpkin Latte of the season. Yummy. Now it is hotter than heck outside but I have to say the hot coffee was so good even with the non fat milk and no whip cream.

Sat I was up early and headed to Mystic to join the celebration of their 5 year anniversary. As I walked out my door this is what I saw! Now times must be really alot worse than I thought if you need a hearse to advertise your moving sale. Funny thing or not when I came home from work Friday there were alot of cars at this house with the hearse parked in front. I figured some one had passed away and the hearse was there to pick them up. About 30 min later the hearse was gone cars gone and house all shut up so didn't think much about it. Well I guess no one passed away and they are moving. Gee I am sure going to miss their loud house shaking Mexican music!!!

Anyway I made it to Mystic with out further incident and had a really nice visit with Mike and Lesly. I bought Lesly's church. I am so in love with it. I collect unique churches and this is perfect for my collection.

So today has been spent doing laundry, cleaning and working in the yard. Jen called and asked me to join them for lunch (late lunch)at a new place they have discovered very close to me. I agreed and met them. This was such a fun little restaurant/bar. Very unique. I had forgotten to bring my camera so these pics are courtesy of my cell phone. Not the best but a good idea of what it was like.

The tables were doors with glass on them and the seating was church pews. Lots of old pics I am thinking Irish on the walls. The food is pastry shells with all different ingredients and they must have had a million different combos. Food is served on tin plates.

Jen and wild haired Anthony. Oops I think he forgot to tame his wild hair today. He is growing it you know!

Sadera and John

Here is mine Mexican . It was marinated steak, eggs, chillies in the pastry shell oh my goodness was it good. I brought the other half home

Then oh my goodness they have desserts in the pastry this one is caramel bananas and whipped cream lo calorie I am sure

And this one was my favorite peanut butter, raspberry jam with a wonderful raspberry sauce. I will be eating here again I am sure.

So that is the wrap up of my weekend and it is back to work tomorrow. Boss gone till Wednesday and I am leaving Thursday. Can't wait to head out to Kim's event in Cali

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-09T19:51:00.001-07:00

Contemplation

A Good Day

2009-09-07T18:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day everyone.
I bet you are all surprised to see a second post today. I didn't count my journal post as an official post so there ya have it.
This has been a very quiet but really good day. I pretty much did nothing exciting and just enjoyed the day as it unfolded. Some craft time, computer time and most importantly some Anthony and Sadera time. Jenn and the kids popped over so she could pick up some more soap nuts and then we boiled the used ones and made a liquid soap. It was good to visit with the munchkins for a little while. They were trying to talk their Mom out of getting groceries. As they left they were still working on her not to go to Trader Joe's and just go home.

Jenn and John purchased a new Civic this weekend. They got a super deal on the 2009 since there are no used cars to be had around here. They aren't too happy with the color black but it is sure pretty,

I spent the afternoon cooking. I made Chicken Spaghetti and bacon,onion, cheese biscuits for dinner. I found the recipes on the Pioneer Woman. I am excited as I have pre-ordered her cookbook and Jenn, Jan and I are going to her book signing in Tempe this Nov. Should be fun.

It seems the usual doldrums are not hitting me today. Usually by this time I am dreading Monday approaching. Having that one extra day off makes such a big difference
So another work week to start tomorrow and at least it is short :)

For Today

2009-09-07T06:39:00.001-07:00

FOR TODAY September 7, 2009...
Outside my window...It is bright, sunny and HOT
I am thinking... What a great day today is relaxing and quiet
I am thankful for...my grand kids popping over for a visit
From the learning rooms...
From the kitchen...Chicken Spaghetti, salad and bacon, onion cheddar cheese muffins courtesy of the Pioneer Woman
I am wearing...shorts and a T
I am creating... Working on a Carol Wingert kit
I am going... Nowhere today I am a homebody
I am reading... Many blogs
I am hoping...It cools down soon
I am hearing...My fountain running
Around the house...Dusty and needs vacuuming
One of my favorite things...Matilda standing guard at my back door
A few plans for the rest of the week:Work work and Mystic Paper Anniversary celebration on Sat
Here is picture thought I am sharing...I thought this picture of my relatives harvesting corn was fitting for Labor day

Welcome to the newest member of my family

2009-09-06T17:15:00.000-07:00

Ha!!! I bet I had all of you thinking I bought or inherited another animal. Except for Farmville I am animal free!! No my newest member of my family does not need to be fed, watered or pottied. No talking back from her, no eye rolling, no complaining. She just stands obediently keeping watch.
So here you go meet Matilda!!!

I am so ready for fall and cooler weather so when I was at my kids most favorite store (NOT) Walmart I saw this cutie and picked her right up. I sat her by my door on the carport. Soon she will have some pumpkins around her.
And on a completely different note I am going to be holding Colleen's BIG SHOT for ransom. I was in charge of babysitting this little wonder while Colleen is in Cali. I finally broke it open and used it this weekend and I have to say I am hooked. Loving it. I cut out canvas rectangular note shapes for some bags I am decorating. Worked like a dream

And if I didn't feel old already look what showed up in the mail on Saturday. Wahoo I can be a member of AARP. How special is that I ask

Hope all are having a wonderful Labor Day weekend I know I am enjoying the peace and quiet. And so far no leaks in the roof since they were out on Friday but also no measurable rain here at my house either.

Thursday Show & Tell

2009-09-03T19:49:00.001-07:00

I have the best of intentions of being a better blogger, but lets face it I am boring!! I pretty much do the same thing daily, weekly, monthly. But this month I am attending Kim's fabulous event plus I am hosting a swap at her event. Talk about being out of my comfort zone hosting a swap. I have had fun creating fabric books for the members of my swap. Can't wait to see what each one has created to be put in the book.

The exterior of the house is done and the air conditioner is due for repair tomorrow so I think I am set for a few months ha ha.
Last night was Stampin Up nite at Jan's. I think we talk and laugh as much as we create. Jan had 3 unique cards for us to make. I think my favorite was the Halloween card with the window bubble. This is a new product from Stampin Up and it is going to have many uses. Funny as when I saw it in the catalog I thought no way don't need. As usual when I was able to actually see it and work with it I decided I had to have it!
So here are the 3 cards we made with the new stamp sets and colors. Fun fun night

So one more day of work and then it is a long weekend yeah!!
I hear some wind, some thunder, and a bit of lightening maybe we might get some rain tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-02T08:10:00.001-07:00

For Today

2009-08-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

To find out more information or to join Go to The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY (August 31,2009)...

Outside my window... Clouds are forming do I dare hope it rains
I am thinking...I need to water plants again it is so hot and dry
I am thankful for...A new roof and new exterior paint
From the learning rooms...working on a Jessica Sprague class I signed up for and never completed
From the kitchen...Zucchini, sweet corn, tomatoes and steak
I am wearing... PJ's
I am creating...still working on the swap I am hosting in just a few short weeks
I am going... To Cali soon
I am reading...Nothing at this time
I am hoping...All my Cali friends are safe from the fire and smoke
I am hearing...TV news
Around the house...Clean mopped floors
One of my favorite things...Fresh flowers on my table thank you Trader Joe
A few plans for the rest of the week: Stampin Up club Wed

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Wishing for Fall's cooler weather, sweaters, carmel apples, soups

Sunday afternoon

2009-08-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Well it is another hot dry day here in AZ. I have lost track of how many days over 100 and without rain we have had. At least we don't have the fires and smoke that California has. I am thinking of all of our friends out there hoping you are all safe.

Yesterday I worked most of the day outside getting things shaped up. Today I vacuumed again and mopped again inside. All the dust from tearing off the old shingles and replacing them plus sanding and scraping so they could paint left a film of dust and grime on everything. I thought I had it done yesterday but soon decided it needed it again so once again everything is mopped. Looks and feels better when I walk on it.

Last evening Jen and family asked me to eat with them so we met up at Serranos. Yummo Mexican. It was really good this time. After dinner I brought the kids home with me and we played cards and watched The Day the Earth Stood Still. Anthony's new favorite movie! We managed to play several games of cards before Jen and John got back. Good times.

Kids had fun taking pics with my camera. Anthony was so funny and I am surprised he got Sadera and I in the pics as it looked like he had the camera pointed downward. I promised them I would put them on my blog so here you go kids!!
Sadera's pic of Anthony and I

Anthony and Sadera goofing around

Anthony's pic of Sadera and I

This is where I spent most of my day working on cleaning up and putting everything back together on the patio, I had a brief cup of coffee out there this am, but it was just too hot to linger long. Continue working on the pool and yard with water breaks. Hopefully by days end I will be done

Phase 2 clean-up

2009-08-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

Today as hot as it is, and believe me it is hot! I worked out on my back patio and the front most of the day. There were frequent breaks for water or diet Pepsi along the way. I am pleased as I have almost everything picked up and put back in its place. The driveway and patio have had a bath and so the sanding and paint splatters and dust are gone. Hopefully that will be a big improvement on the allergies.
Jen and Anthony showed up about 7:30 to help me carry all the patio furniture back on to the patio. Big job as I have some heavy pieces. Anthony was thrilled when I gave him a container of old craft stuff to look through. He found packets of seeds so he was going home to plant radishes and flowers. We even managed to get the fountain to work and found a new place for it.
I am tired but so happy phase 2 is done. I am thinking on waiting a bit before phase 3 the landscaping starts. It is too hot to be out there moving rocks and planting.

Anthony and Jen bright and early to help

Jen took this pic from across the street yeap she has many pics from every angle on my camera.

The fountain is working. Anthony was the chief water boy and filled the fountain for us and oops kind of got Jenn and I a bit wet. Felt good as hot as it was

Tina posted a very thought provoking list republished by a lady on her 90th birthday. Lots of really good advice and thoughts. Stop by her blog and check it out.
Ok Jenn called and invited me out for Mexican so I am out the door. Kids coming back with me for a couple of hours while John and Jen attend TV previews of upcoming shows. They get to give their opinion on if they would watch the show or not.
More later

Phase 2 is done

2009-08-28T16:37:00.000-07:00

Phase one of my renovations was a new roof last week. Phase 2 is this week and the exterior is painted.

Tomorrow looks like a full day of cleaning up and getting everything back in its place
More later this weekend

A day late but it is done

2009-08-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

To join check here

FOR TODAY (August 25,2009)...
Outside my window...Blue skies with huge white fluffy clouds
I am thinking... About my busy day and the meetings we had
I am thankful for...Good friends
From the learning rooms... I learned how to make these on the computer ♪♪♪
From the kitchen...Lots of fresh fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets
I am wearing...PJ's
I am creating...fabric square collages for a swap
I am going... no where tonight
I am reading...CMS guidelines for work BORING
I am hoping... They start the exterior painting tomorrow
I am hearing... The news on TV
Around the house...Very messy
One of my favorite things...
A few plans for the rest of the week: Watch the progression of the painting, clean and more yard work
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
My Maternal Grandmother Mattie Marie Hoff (Sweet Sixteen Picture)