Now for the goodies...

Okay, I think I gave yinz guys sufficient time to sign my guestbook so now for some pics. (by the by, if you haven't signed it in the last post, by all means, get typing!)
My first pic here are some great fat quarters for a fat quarter exchange in my stitching group. The theme was Water, Travel, and Picnic. Anyway, I'm a fat quarter-aholic so anything was great for me. Loved these pieces from Patti. I've not seen these pieces anywhere, so I'm very happy with them. I'm starting another double wedding ring quilt, so every little bit helps. (not telling you yet who it's for tho...hee-hee...not me unfortunately yet) So, thanks Patti, you'll be part of the quilt now!

Oh, and remember that wedding I went to at the end of June? The one where I was told I could give a gift up to a year after the wedding? (Alexis?) Anyway, I've been working diligently on this piece everyday...no kidding. It's really going fast now that I sorta have a method I'm using to keep things straight. Believe it or not all it is is highlighting the stitches on the pattern as I do them and staying in one area. All you long-time cross stitchers have been doing that right along but I never did...duh!. It's great and helping me alot. Watched others do it at my monthly stitch-in when doing detailed pieces. (missed my last stitch in due to doggie paw problems...remember?) Anyway, this shouldn't take too much longer...I promise I'll show you the finished framed piece.
And this, my friends, is the AWESOME Spring Swap package from Brandy!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! Let me take you for a grand tour...
First off this great Butterfly Wind Chime already hanging on my porch as you can see. You know of course I love butterflies....

Brandy had to make something for the swap so my mouth dropped open to my knees when I saw this GORGEOUS soft yellow (fav color) knitted bag. The pic does not do it justice! It's beautiful!!!!!



Check out the material for the lining. Already been using this beauty!

Some extra little butterfly goodies and such were added that I love!!!!

AND.....wait till you see this.....STUFF TO LEARN TO SPIN!!!! OMG!!! I've been wanting to try this FOREVER but never got around to getting the items needed. She even dyed the wool herself! OH, BRANDY, YOU ARE TRULY MY "DIVINE SISTER"! As if I wasn't already excited about all the other stuff, I find this at the bottom of the box!!!! WOW!!!!
Could you believe that??? Brandy, I can't thank you enough!!! You are way way too generous!!!! I've already started using everything and can't wait to get started on the spinning! Thank you sooooooo much again!!!
Well, that's about it for now. Still have vacation pics to show you...the Sweetie Man just downloaded them on our computer so I'll be getting those together next as well as the Rockin Girl Bloggers post, since I was nominated twice!!! (does that mean I get to do ten blogs?)

Ok, behave yourselves the rest of the day...oh, and think of me this evening when I have to take 120 lb Eros back to the doc's in the truck (in the rain probably) for a check up on the foot infection....oh, I'm dreading that!!! So, till next time, yinz crazy guys......

Sign my Guest Book

Saw this over at Autumn's Meadow....Let's see who's out there!!!

Why me????

Guess you are wondering why I'm posting that pic...some stories just have to be told. You know when you see that cute little baby and you think about how cute they are and how much you would like to have one until....until they turn into the TEEN MONSTER FROM OUTER SPACE!!!! Well, the same goes for those cute little puppies....listen up you wanna-be dog owners. Don't get me wrong, I love this huge 120 pound eleven month old puppy to bits....but yesterday was definately the vet-visit from H-E Double Hockey Sticks!
It turns out Eros was limping on his back paw yesterday...I saw nothing there but called the vet anyway to see what to look for. They said he probably just stepped on something outside and to give him Ascripton and soak the foot in espsom salts for 10 minutes a couple of times a day. (yeah right....did they know he weights 120 pounds....I don't think so!) Anyway, when I got home for lunch his one claw area was red and swelling. Another call to the vet.....they said it could be infected and I needed to bring him there right away. This would mean I had to take time off from work to get a 120 pound limping mastif/lab in the front seat of our truck while driving in a torrential storm/downpour...yeah right! He hadn't been in our truck since he was able to sit nicely on the floor between my legs in the passenger side. My neighbor managed to help me get him in but as I was driving in a car with no air conditioning in the downpour, a mastif in my face breathing very hard and fogging up my windows, it was not a pretty cute dog in the car moment!
Anyway, to make a long story short, got him to the vets, had to wait awhile and sit with all the little tiny dogs that were smaller than the bones he gnaws on, (and he wanted to play with each and every one) gave the people in the waiting room a good laugh as they watched Eros literally pull me out of my seat when my name was called (one little girl sitting with her teeny dog thought Eros was a Bear...go figure) only to find out $263 later that he had an infection from licking a small wounded area on his paw. The worst part was that he has to wear the dreaded E-collar! The above pic, my dear dog lovers, is my sweet Eros a bit dazed and confused (they had to drug him to X-ray the paw) holding onto his security bone after he came home. He's on some antibiotics (huge doses actually because of his size) and is doing much better, thank you very much!
So, remember my story when you see those cute little loveable puppies.....to be totally honest with you....had I known moments like yestereday would occur when seeing that little puppy face...I still would take that big gentle giant of a dog home with me!
Till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Still getting back to normal...

Okay...I'm still playing "catch up" here in the "burgh"! I'm reading your blogs and getting together my list of "Rockin Girl Bloggers" that I was tagged for. Also, I gotta show yinz guys a pic of the AWESOME...I'm talkin BIG AWESOME package that was sent to me by my dear dear friend BRANDY!!!! I love ya, Girl!!! OMG....she gave me stuff I didn't even know I wanted!!!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!!!
And as soon as the Sweetie Man arrives home from work this weekend, I'll get those vacation pics for ya.
So, in the mean time, check out this quiz that I found over at Good Yarns! I guess a "wrinkled dog" fits this 50 year old body!!!
Till next time, yinz crazy guys....

discover your dog breed @ quiz meme

I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!

I'm back from vacation just a couple of hours ago. I haven't even gone through my mail yet so if yinz sent me something, I haven't opened it yet. I haven't even unpacked. There was a little drama with the dogs, mainly from me, as they had a dogsitter come in for the first time....a little messy here and there when the sitter wasn't looking but all is fine and everything is cleaned up...ugh! Anyway, the vacation pics will come a little later in the week but for a teaser I thought I would show you how well loved I am by my OLDER brother and sister.....I say it is simple sibling jealousy cause I'm so young and cute....

And yinz guys wonder why I am the way I am. This pic was from my brother's son's wedding (aka nephew). We had a great time and it was an absolutely beautiful day for the wedding. I did manage to give my sister's daughter (aka niece) her little bib for the baby that she will be having in November. She loves penquins...
After this, we were off to Michigan for a wonderful vacation. So stay tuned...once I get back in the swing of things, pics will follow.
So, till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Photo Hunters....SWEET!

Photo Hunters word for the week is "SWEET" and though I know many of you have seen this before....but how SWEET is that face!!! Oh, if only they stayed that little!!!!


I now I'm off on VACATION....WOO-HOO!!! Have a great 4th of July.....I'll leave you with a few words from my favorite gal, Maxine.......



See ya after vacation!!!! Till next time, yinz crazy guys......

Photo Hunters...SHINY!

When I think of "Shiny", this week's Photo Hunters word, I immediately think of jewelry...in my case..rings. The first pic is my engagement ring from the Sweetie Man. He had it specially made for me (his own design) when he was in a country were emeralds are abundant. I wear this ring all the time so it doesn't look quite as shiny as the second picture of the matching wedding bands that he also designed for us. Unfortunately, the wedding band won't be officially on my finger till hopefully next summer.......the way things work out, sometimes you just need to wait for what you want....and, of course, anything worth having is worth waiting for!

As for projects, sorry to tell you that I'm still working on the wedding cross stitch, for the wedding that is this Saturday (obviously, it will be late!).....Click on it for an INSANE close up of the detail...what the heck was I thinking when I picked this pattern (and I haven't even added the beads yet!)

I'm ready to do the words and then finish off the swan area. The Sweetie Man bought me these nifty magnifying glasses which are a 4.0 magnification. OH...yinz guys look SO BIG!!!! Just Kidding!

They make me look like a bug....but they are really great as long as you have the needlework closer up to your face than you might normally have. (not the greatest pic of my eyes...I look a little cross-eyed)I really don't care for the magnifying things that hang around your neck. I love working on the higher count linens but I just can't see the darn things. I've also ordered a pair of these in 1.5 magnification for when I need just a little help.

Oh, and I've organized my craft space a little more with this shelf thingy.

This is my sewing area....(aka my little corner of the world)
It's really helped alot. I get soooooo frustrated when I can't find things or have to dig for them. I just have to remember where I moved everything!
And here is a pic of some swap items I recently made that have been received...so it's safe to show them. First off...crocheted bookmarks for the The Great Bookmark Exchange....
These I made for Netter for a Spring Swap. Some crocheted dishclothes that I love to make and use....
And this cool couch tissue box cover. I'm thinking of selling these as I can do them quickly and with a fat quarter of material. Aren't they adorable?

Speaking of getting things in the mail, I got this cool stuff from Wendi in Hawaii. Check out her blog Yarn Porn Hawaii (great name!) Love that Crab Bookmark. She has a great Esty Shop too.....


And I won this from the Needle & I....
The tree cross stitch is a complete kit and Ranae threw in some extras too....how sweet was that?
Other than that, not much else happening. Dogs are doing good but it's so hot they can't spend all that much time outside. We actually have sitters coming to take care of them when we go away on vacation...I've been sorta introducting the sitters to the "family" a little at a time.....I didn't realize I have them on such a schedule until I started making a list for the sitters to follow. I used to just board my older dog but she always came back home a little wacky for some reason...I've read that it's better to keep them in their environment if possible and have someone come to them. Anyway, our car isn't quite big enough to load Eros in to take anywhere....sheez!!! You don't think of these things when you see that adorable little puppy who grows into to be the biggest dog on the planet!!

Well, that's it for now.....enjoy your lazy hazy crazy days of Summer....so,till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

Is it Lunch yet????

You Are a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

You live your life in a free form, artistic style. You are incredibly creative and at times, quite messy. Deep down, you are a kid at heart. And you aren't afraid to express it. Your best friend: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Club Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Got this quiz from Samplings from a Crazy Stitcher! I loved this quiz but I hate lunch...I really never know what to eat. I'd rather eat a huge mid-morning breakfast and skip lunch all together. I guess if I have to be a sandwich tho, this one is me.

Hey, thanks for all the Birthday wishes for my son. He did read them believe it or not. He said he had a great birthday even tho he was supposed to go to a water park with his sweetie and some friends...it got rained out. They decided to save that for another day. They opted for a Japenese Steakhouse instead. He got some great gifts including a new camera from the Sweetie Man and I. Now this is the kid that used to get on me for taking so many pictures of him.....how the tables have turned. He's taking pictures of everything!!!! Guess he's growing up!

Okay, enough for today....I'm still struggling away at my cross stitch for the wedding so I've really nothing to show you. Once my swap partners get their packages, I will post those, so stay tuned. Till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

To this handsome guy who turns TWENTY YEARS OLD TODAY, June 19!

He is truly my pride and joy! I don't want to brag here but I truly never had any trouble with him whatsoever. He's always made the right decisions in his life and has a good head on his shoulders. He's been there for me when I needed him most and kept me sane. Even through a divorce, he never took sides and loved both parents and stood up for that fact. He loves me, his dad, his grandma and welcomed and loved the Sweetie Man when he entered our lives. Oh, he drives us a little crazy sometimes as I'm sure we do him, but it always works out in the end. I would never change anything in my past life because then I wouldn't have my wonderful son in it! God loaned him to me to raise then I'm to send him off on his own to create a life for himself.....he's found a wonderful young lady to share it with and I'm so very very proud of him! Thank you, for being everything I hoped for and wanted in a son, Glenn.....Happy Happy Birthday and many many more! Love you always, "Tiger"....... Mom!

Happy Father's Day....

Sorry for the delay in blogging but I was busy this weekend spoiling this guy...

We had an AWESOME weekend just hanging out together doing fun things....hope you spoiled your "sweeties" too.

Till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

Too Tongue Tied Today....

.....to Toast....ah, I mean Post! Click below and read Sweetie Man's story and you'll know why! (you may not understand it but it's fun to read anyway!) By the way, "Tom Foolery" is Sweetie Man's "Spoof Identity".

SWEETIE MAN'S STORY IN THE SPOOF

Till next time, yinz crazy guys...

Cruisin' on a Sunday Afternoon!

And what a beautiful Sunday morning and afternoon it was!! We had a fabulous time at our new church The River and the 2nd Annual Car Cruise! The pics here are in no particular order but I will let you know what they are.
First off, the band. Every Sunday, Pastor Dean has some sort of music going on. Most of the time it is a small band. The music is very upbeat and everyone usually ends up clapping or tapping their foot...it is definately very joyful at The River...

The day was absolutely fabulous. Temps in the 70's and a crystal clear sky. The cars were beautiful. I think all in all there were probably at least 50...
This was the area ready for the Sunday Worship. It was BYOC also...Bring Your Own Chair and alot of people did as well as laid out their blankets under the shade of these gorgeous trees....
More awesome cars....
This was part of the kids area in the back. My son and his gal pal also worked doing some monitoring of this inflatable castle...
Sweetie Man's area!!! He dished out his famous guacamole and salsa as well as chili con queso....
This was the sign I made him for his "zone"....not too bad, eh?
That's me helping a young lady make a button at my table. My son's gal pal (with the hat on) was my assistant....
These were some of the buttons Sweetie Man and I made for his table. The green ones say "Cruise by Ed's Hot Zone" and the red ones say, "I survived a cruise by Ed's Hot Zone at the River's Car Cruise" or something like that....
My array of buttons that I wore....

And yet more cars...
Oh, you'll love this one. Sweetie Man made "Hot" fudge with cayenne pepper. Very interesting to say the least. Let me know if you want the recipe....

Pastor Dean made it a point to call up the Sweetie Man during the service, believe it or not, for a little info about his area. He also asked him why he enjoys The River. He was a natural in front of the congregation and guests with the mike, don't ya think?
Ah, and of course, we can't forget Pastor Dean with one of his famous sermons! This time he used one of his old beat up trucks to talk about "reconstructing ourselves" and how we can start. His sermons are the BEST!!
I loved these cars with the retractable tops...
Lots of motorcycles were on hand too. It was really cool watching them all hop on their bikes and drive away at once. The bikers really enjoyed the day from the feedback we are hearing...one guy was even giving out a free copy of the Biker's Bible for the taking...
There were alot of pics that people sent me also of the inside of the building where there was so so much food. Last week, Pastor Dean, as well as his wife, were a little concerned, being that everything was Free, that there would not be enough food to go around. But it was incredible the outpouring of food that came in....we all were taking food and desserts home at the end!

Last thing I want to say is this...sometimes we search all of our lives for something or someone. You just feel that something isn't right, or something is missing. When I met the Sweetie Man alot of that feeling went away and I just knew we belonged together...we just fit. Now him and I together have found something else that we were both searching for....a church where we would both fit! The River is that place...in such a short time we've met so many people who are just like us...lost souls....no church really fit us. We have this new "family" who are there for us...they don't push us into doing anything and welcome us with open arms. People talk about the importance of having a church to go to that is meaningful..worshiping together as a group. We never really thought we needed it...until now....and now, we can't imagine our lives without it!

So, with that said, hope you all enjoyed the Sunday Cruise....till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Stay tuned...

Our Church Car Cruise was a sucess beyond belief! Weather was PERFECT! We had enough Food for EVERYONE believe it or not (sorta like the "loaves and fishes" story)....even took food home! EVERYTHING WAS FREE...people just couldn't believe it! We had a blast!!!! I'll be downloading my pics a little later today and posting them for yinz guys, so stay tuned! Till later, yinz crazy guys....

7 MORE!!!

Okay...Court (aka LG) tagged me a few days ago on the 7 Meme. I'm running out of things to tell you but here goes...

1. My son has me wrapped around his finger. PERIOD!
2. I am a "worker bee"...not a "queen bee"...don't want to be a "queen bee". I have a real difficult time telling anyone to do anything. I cannot be the boss of anyone which is the reason for Item #1.
3. I could eat pizza every day!
4. I love to go out for breakfast....purposely eat a big one if I eat out so I don't have to eat lunch. I HATE TO HAVE TO EAT LUNCH! Too difficult to figure out something to eat.
5. I didn't used to be a dog lover until I got three of them at one time...always loved cats.
6. I must have a cup (mug) of coffee twice a day. (morning and evening) If I'm cranky anytime, the Sweetie Man will ask me if I had my coffee yet.
7. I can only drink water that is room temp....hate it cold! Freezes my throat..UGH! (sorta like a brain freeze but in your throat)

Okay, there you have it...7 more weird things about me!!

Hey, and while your on the computer anyway, check out the site www.scrapblog.com. Saw this over at Jewels blog. Really cool and easy to use! Check it out and have some fun with your pictures.

Well, off to make more buttons.....till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Dear God....

Dear God...
Please do not let my dog EROS grow up to be this big. Please do not give him a 38 inch neck and weight in at 282 (like the above 3 year old mastif). I do not think that Petsmart makes collars that big and remember he is part LAB.
Also, I would truly appreciate if his paws are NOT the size of softballs as the size they are now at 10 months is enough to cause pain when he steps on my foot.
Please do not make me have to purchase a bushel basket for a food dish as I think that food is only packaged in bushel basket sizes meaning that I would have to buy a bag a day at $20 bucks a pop....unless you have plans for me to hit the lottery in the near future.
Most important, please keep his poop the same size....my pooper-scooper works fine and I'm not really good with large shovels.
Oh, one more thing.....keep him as loveable and huggable as he is right now! He's the BEST!
Thank you!
Lucy
P.S.......By the way, ARE there any plans for me to hit the Lottery?
AMEN!

What..me..under pressure??

Okay, yinz guys...I have a decision to make here. Do I try to finish this wedding x-stitch for a june 30 wedding for my nephew or do I blow it off? So far this is my progress...


I think what I'm actually going to do is work on it without stitching in the names and then see where I am by the end of the month. With all the work I put into this, I may just keep it for my own wedding in whatever year that happens to be!!! (hopefully 1-2 years depending on my son's college progression) My problem is actually going to be that bottom swan part...that's the killer. Plus there are seed and petite beads all over this thing. But sometimes I work good under pressure. I did that with my niece's wedding ring quilt and it turned out fabulous! I'll keep you posted.

Now for your pleasure and enjoyment...here are some pics of our camping trip two weekends ago. Just sit back and enjoy the peaceful scenery...no explanations needed!

Till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Don't give up on me...

Honestly...I'm still alive!!! Between car cruises and button making, (quit laughing, Tangles) wedding gift cross stitch, (as well as certain people in my house HOGGING THE COMPUTER!!!...YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE) and the ever popular swaps, I haven't been able to get my cabin pics posted....but I will...I promise! Just bear with me until I get organized(which could be anywhere from 5 hours to 5 years) Anyone up to folding some socks?....till next time, yinz crazy guys!

I LOVE CAMPING!!!!

Hey, yinz guys...I'm out here in the wilderness (okay so i have a laptop with me...but only to keep in touch with the outside world) and having a GREAT time!! I love camping...so so peaceful!!! The Sweetie Man is the BEST camp cook EVER!!! BBQ chicken last night and steak tonight!!! Taking lots of pics to show you when we return. We'll be coming back in August again for a pig roast at the campground! We had rain yesterday but still had a good time. Sunday is AWESOME weather!! Well, back to relaxing under the shady trees. Have a great weekend....till next time, yinz crazy guys.....(P.S. thanks for all the compliments on the Sweetie Man's poem and thanks to Michelle for the "how-to's" on the pudding cake....I'll let him know!)