It's been so long...........................

It has been so long since I posted that the space program has ended. I will have to find a new way to travel in cyberspace!

My dear Linda K...........she talked me into doing a page for Green Paper and since I am technically challenged I had to experiment to get as far as I did. The idea was to take a piece of each of three pictures and create something. The picture I created kind of tells you where I am at in my life. I am scheduled for cataract surgery the 13th of this month. Now you understand where I am coming from.

The item in her right hand is a spool of thread and it reads,"If only I could find my glasses..........I would find my needle..........then thread it!

It was my first attempt to use my "Collage Creator" software. An interesting and challenging way to spend a beautiful Fall day. Thank goodness I finished in time to grab some dinner before I settle in to watch those fabulous Tigers play New York tonight.

I hope all of you are enjoying our change in seasons and taking the time to learn something new everyday to keep your mind active. I look forward to hearing from any of you that have a moment to chat!

I promise to come back sooner and make some much needed changes to my pages.

Headed to the kitchen.............3 1/2 hours 'til game time!

Now where was I?.........

There are those in life that inspire you, Linda Kelly is one of my greatest inspirations. She has really made me believe I could do "just a little bit more". I came upon her Blog yesterday, she sent me an invite to take a peek. Linda had also been on sabbatical from the "Blog World". We are truly blessed to have her back for she has so much to share and her talents are many. She has inspired me to resume also. I don't have a particular reason for a Blog, but I do like to share life's tidbits and ramblings from my little corner of the world.

Today I wanted to start with one of my favorite pictures............



This picture I gleaned from the internet, a number of years ago, back when I was still "dancing". It was appealing to me because it was to me a picture of innocence, hope, and anticipation of a bright future. A description on the page indicated they were going home from the "Prom". Most of us can remember those days and my hope is to inspire us all to think of the excitement of new things to come in our lives, no matter what our age.

In the past ten years, since my retirement from the working world (the one we got paid for), I have been blessed with so many new friends and adventures. After reading Linda's Blog yesterday I went exploring on several sites, people from all around the country. So many talented people, what a blessing to be able to learn from them and vicariously experience life in other locations, cultures, and from different points of view.

I invite you to take a minute today and take a trip into cyberspace to explore. It will revitalize you. You pick the site......just do it, even for a few minutes.

From Pat Simmer Dobosenski's book, "One Day At A Time"............
"All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action."
Pat tells us to "Telephone someone you haven't seen lately."

I did this yesterday and was blessed by the conversation. By the way, I even checked my OLD blog yesterday and came across a post from Sandy Bower, she had known Pat. She posted way back in February of this year.........I missed it and I am sorry, hope she is still tuning in. We both have been enriched by Pat's book.
Sandy found me by Googling Pat's name, so you never know who will read your little blog and see what you have to share.

'Til the next time..........STAY CONNECTED!! YOU are important!


Oh, yes, if you are a sewer, you may want to check this item out that I got from the magazine, "Threads", site:

New Sewing Show, "It's Sew Easy," Starts June 30 on PBS - Threads

Easter Blessings

Easter is here........He is Risen!!! May everyone have a truly blessed holiday. (I wonder if anyone is still out there.) My computer started acting up in February and crashed at the beginning of March. Needless to say, one does become busy getting all their good "stuff" back and getting rid of what is bad. Fortunately I had most of it backed up, but my pictures and music took some coaxing to get back in their nice little files again. 'Nough said about that!!

Here in Michigan, the leaves are just beginning to come out of their tight little buds, always an exciting time of year for me. It is still cool enough to be comfy and warm enough to enjoy the outdoors. As I cleaned out the front flower bed a couple of days ago, I noticed how "creaky" my body had become over the winter. Must get moving again. That old adage, "Use it before you lose it!", sure applies to the human body.

This will be a short one today.........I picture you all coloring eggs or eating chocolate bunny ears. I will be running to the store, taking my friend and neighbor, Janet! Last minute veggie for tomorrow's dinner. (Having turkey legs!!! Can you imagine????)

It's been awhile but the book is still open to the next page in Pat's book:

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal."

Clean on TOP and UNDER the refrigerator. Oh, how dirty they can get. How about wiping the inside with baking soda and water?

(I did this in early March, except for UNDER, remember.......this book has been here on my desk for two months....I had to.)

Until the next time..........

Mostly Pondering.............

The past week I have been "blog hopping", reading, talking on the phone, emailing, watching the Olympics, and trying to figure (pondering) out where I want to set up my sewing area so I don't have to put it away all the time. I know it will come to me in a flash when I least expect it.

Everyone seems to be creating or getting ready to create. I stopped into the new quilt shop in town yesterday and there were lots of gals in there talking about their next projects. I was in there to check out some ceramic buttons. I had met a gal at PT a couple of weeks ago, and she teaches classes on jackets at the shop and she and a friend make these buttons (in their spare time) for wearable art. I am looking for a favor button for the Michigan Button Society show to be held in October, 2010. Our club is hosting and we need to find a "unique" favor button. We have two other options......Linda K. has some awesome medium and large carved pearls, and one other possibility is on hold due to travels. Will let you know how this works out. I won't be able to show you until after the show because it is supposed to be a surprise.

Everyone else in my Button World is busy thinking about our Spring Show which is in Okemos, MI, April 30th and May 1st. If you need further info email me, please, see lower right of this blog on how to reach me. Our theme for this show is "Children's Stories", the little mouse above is from Beatrix Potter. My theme tray will be about Peter Rabbit, right now it is about fourth in line in my list of projects.

Saturday is our monthly button meeting for the Mayflower Button Club, and our speaker will be Cindy Best, the topic will be Bakelite Buttons! Should be a good one!

Be sure to hop over to the blogs I follow. Linda K. just found some very interesting books to create. Donna at Brynwood Needleworks has recently completed a very awesome scarf. If you are wandering around in blogs like I have been, you can't really help but be inspired AND impressed.

Pat's Book.............
"All people smile in the same language."

Take some pictures today - take a lot of them.

Memories revisited............

Yesterday fairly flew by! In the evening, Janet (my neighbor) and I went to the White Lake Library to hear a fellow talk about the Vernor's Company, a beverage native to Detroit. He is an avid collector of Vernor's memorabilia and has written a book about it. He had many slides of downtown Detroit from the early 30's and 40's. What a hoot! Since Detroit was my hometown, I remember my Mom taking me downtown on the trolley and yes, I have visited the Vernor's plant. Many others in the audience had great memories also. They topped off the evening with a Vernor's Float! Yum!!!! I made many of them when I was a "soda jerk" at Wilson's Dairy Bar.

Also at the White Lake Library, were many "Quilt" pictures done by two local artists. In a few weeks they will be there demonstrating how they create their art. The next event I will probably attend is the "Community Read" which is actually county wide. They are giving us copies of "To Kill A Mockingbird" and in March they will have discussion at several libraries. Part of the fun at this library will be a catered buffet of "southern food" and a jazz ensemble playing. Can't miss this one!!!

You might check your local library on line and see what they have to offer. It is pretty amazing what they come up with and usually there is not a charge.

We are expecting a total of 6 to 10 inches of snow accumulating this afternoon and over night. I have a wonderful pile of ironing that is deeper than that, that I have let accumulate. Yes, I still iron, but then it is because I enjoy it. In my lifetime I have actually earned money by ironing. (I am still available, but you have to give me gas money or air fare in addition to my hourly rate.)

Pat's book-----
"Laugh a little, sing a little
As you go your way!
Work a little, play a little
Do this every day!"

Gather all your plants on the kitchen table. Decide whether they need:
1. a new pot
2. fertilizer
3. water
4. leaves dusted or showered
5. to be tossed out!

My Button World.............

How exciting!! I just checked in on the Michigan Button Society website and discovered a wonderful button blog, Got Buttons?, by Vera Williams. I met Vera last month at the Mayflower Button Club meeting. She has inherited her Grandmother's buttons and has created this blog using some of the memorabilia to tell part of the history of the Michigan Button Society. I wanted to stay there and wander around for awhile, but I was anxious to get back here and share with you. She has included many pictures and tells interesting stories.

In future posts I hope to share with some sites where you can purchase buttons either for collectiong or perhaps you use them in sewing or art projects. It really is an incredible hobby that perpetuates itself! While I was at the Michigan site I ran off a copy of the awards for our Fall Show, 2010, which will be held in Kalamazoo this year. I am getting anxious to get into my "stash" and start my trays.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. It is one of the few football games that I watch each year. All by myself, I sit here and root for whatever team I chose for that particular year. I like football and understand it, I just am not motivated to dedicate my weekends to it. This year I have a bet with one of the techs at my PT. He has won a trophy for WATCHING football, so I guess you can tell he is quite the avid fan. He chose the Saints because his girlfriend likes the Colts. I took the Colts because he chose the Saints, besides, I think it is neat that Payton is from New Orleans and is the Colts star player. Soooooooooooo, it's the Colt's, 36 to the Saint's 30!! My goulash is ready..........the BBQ chicken will go into the oven in a couple of hours, and my corn chips, salsa, and Pepsi are ready and waiting.

I shall leave you here today with Pat's words, if you are still pulling on those bootstraps. Say a prayer for my friend Joan, up in Gaylord. She had major surgery on Monday, came home Thursday, and is "confined", which she HATES!!!!! Joan is always active and this serious operation has sidetracked her for a while. She does so much for others, we pray for speedy healing and patience in being a patient!! I hear she is to lift nothing heavier than a quart of milk for 12 WEEKS!!!!!! We love you Joan and want this to heal properly, so follow doctor's orders. Let me know when you are ready for phone calls.

Pat says, "The days that make us happy make us wise." Go to the library. Get some books on topics that have interested you. How refreshing!

Ebb and Flow of Life.................

Wow!! I didn't mean to be gone so long. Funny thing about life, one gets busy while living it. It has been busy but I can't say I see anything around me to show why, you know what I mean. With Valentines Day coming up, I was hoping you could take a day or two and get away, so I put "Pure Michigan" over in the Discovery corner so you could get some ideas. If you prefer to go to a warm climate, try the Phoenix Visitor Guide. I lived in Scottsdale for a year and a half and there was ALWAYS something wonderful to see and do. Actually that is pretty much the way it is wherever we are, if we take the time to look.

I wanted to make a point of remembering a friend, Bonnie Hajek. Bonnie passed away on January 9th and her niece was kind enough to let me know. Bonnie was only 63 and always took the time to make those around her feel comfortable and feel good about themselves. She had an engaging smile and what seemed like boundless energy. Thanks, Bonnie, for many wonderful memories and the reminders that good home cooking, gardening, friendship, caring for others, and many more things are important to a warm and welcoming home, which you opened to everyone. You are missed and you have left a treasure of those memories for anyone who knew you and loved you.

My dear friend, Linda K. telephoned last night. What a treat that was, to talk to her. She has been creating and hearing her wonderful projects always inspires me to do "something". Some days you need that inspiration to just get off the couch!!! I am just listening to the weather and think I will stick with being "inside" today, but not necessarily on the couch. Linda has me wanting to poke through my "stash" and make "something". So..........that is my goal today, to make something.

Funny continuing in "One Day at a Time", here is what Pat says:
"All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action."
On the page she has drawn a heart within a heart. Her action for the day is, Telephone someone you haven't seen lately.

That is exactly what Linda K. did yesterday.........it made my day and made my week.
Let's try to pass it on.