Ahoy, yinz guys....

Ain't that the truth.....Till next time, yinz crazy Pirates......

Something to remember.....

......so when your son calls you from college and frantically tells you that his laptop is broke, he is broke and everytime he goes to the ESPN website, he gets the "blue screen of death" (I actually don't think that website is part of his major)....just remember the above! Ah, you laugh now....but it's the truth!!
"Hope you are enjoying your new laptop, oh wonderful son of mine!!!"
Till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

Does anyone know....

...where I can buy one of these?????


I could really use one of these right now! I think I may add a stitching area tho...whadda ya think?
Busy with my niece's baby gifts so I can't show yinz anything...sorry....but after the baby shower this weekend, I'll get ya some pics!!!! So off to do more work...
till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Too cute not to share....

Hey, if any of you know Courtney you may have gotten this in your email....but honestly it is way too cute not to share...(and if doesn't make you smile, then you're having a really poopy day and you may just want to crawl back into bed for awhile..just kidding!) Enjoy...(just click on it!)

PSALM 23

Till next time yinz crazy guys...

Thought I forgot about ya, didn't ya?

I'm back...the reason I didn't post all week was because my Pastor at The River asked me if he could show the Baptism slideshow at church on Sunday...well I told him I would be honored to have him do that so I figured to make things less complicated, I would just leave that post for awhile. We were away camping for the weekend so I'll have to find out if it worked out for him or not.
Anyway, we had a great time camping as usual but it's back to the real world. I do have to tell you that we have some awesome doggy sitters that left us these little presents when we came home.....

We laughed and laughed...then we found out that they left these adorable Meerkats all over our house.....we were finding them everywhere from inside cupboards, freezer, cereal boxes, fireplace....and I'm sure there are many more! It was great because you know when you drive up to your house after a fantastic weekend and you're feeling all blah cause you gotta go back to work...well having these funny little creatures staring at you just made us realize that no matter where we are....we can laugh and have a great time!! So, till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Our Sunday Baptism...

I hope you you had the time to enjoy the music with the pictures because the song "Baptism" by Kenny Chesney/Randy Travis is absolutely awesome and was so perfect for this incredible Sunday! We are so blessed to know each and every person at The River....the food was delicious, the weather beautiful....and of course, our Baptism...well, the pictures tell it all. Till next time, yinz crazy guys.....God Bless!

In the meantime.....

Hey, yinz guys....while I'm off resting from getting my son off to college, take a moment and enjoy this short video.....this was sent to me and I thought it was pretty cool...ENJOY!

A HISTORY LESSON FROM BILLY JOEL

Tweet, tweet....

You Would Be a Pet Bird

You're intelligent and witty, yet surprisingly low maintenance. You charm people easily, and they usually love you a lot more than you love them. You resent anyone who tries to own or control you. You refuse to be fenced in. Why you would make a great pet: You're very smart and entertaining Why you would make a bad pet: You're not interested in being anyone's pet! What you would love about being a bird: Flying, obviously What you would hate about being a bird: Being caged

What Kind of Pet Would You Be?

Saw this over at Kari's Blog......it's a cute one!!! (Like me!)

Off to take the kid to College in exactly 11 hours, 16 minutes and 3 seconds.....(do I sound anxious to get him out of the house??????)

I love you, Son of Mine!!!!!!

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

Back by popular demand.....

....The BABIES!!! I have had a few requests to show the BABIES who arent' babies anymore. Eros and Chloe are a year old now and Katie is probably hitting nine years now. They aren't the easiest to take pics of as they want to play and look and explore, but I did manage to get a few closeups of my Cuties.
So without further delay.....presenting my Four-Legged Family....
First off is Chloe Nicole, my crazy terrier/mix, aka "howler", teaser, instigator, activities director, picky eater, toy hoarder, protector and all round loveable sweetie pie....



Then there's big 'ol cuddly Eros Caliente, my Mastif/Lab mix, aka slobber-slinger (say that 3 times fast), eater of all food and non-food items, shoe designer (chews them up well enough so they don't look the same way ever again), Chloe-lover, and 120+ pound big sweet bear of a dog....

Yes, his head really is THAT BIG!!!!

Last, but not least my own Katie Sue....the real sweetie of the bunch. Katie probably gets the most disrespect from the human males of the household. She's a Brittany Spaniel mix and has some issues (which the males of the household cannot deal with) some of which include, chasing imaginary lights, licking the carpet and walls, barking at spots. I, on the other hand, see her as my protector as she always lets me know of anyone near the house as well as being EXTREMELY obedient when told to do anything....I just love her to bits...she is very very good and is the Alpha dog of the bunch...and she lets everyone know it too.....

She wanted to bite the camera due to the flashing light which is the reason for the weird angle of the picture...I definately have no worries should I mysteriously be attacked by a hugh ball of light....
Anyway that's the babies (still got to take pics of Echo the cat and Cujo the turtle...but hope this holds yinz guys for awhile as they are not the easiest ones to take pictures of at any given time.
And just so you know that I'm not giving up on my crafts....I'm still working on the wedding cross stitch...every day...no kidding. I did manage to squeeze in a small cross stitch for my son's lady for her birthday but I forgot to take a pic of it. It was a flatfold with the words "Work Hard, Pray Long, and Trust God". Hopefully it will be an incentive for her as she heads off to college. I do have to tell you though that I got a wonderful tutorial for a flat fold from Vonna at the Twisted Stitcher....turned out excellent....thanks, Vonna.
Okay, that's it for now....we'll be taking the kid to college on Friday (whoo-hoo!...sorry didn't mean to sound excited there!). Oh, don't worry, I'll miss him...I promise...sorta! With that all said, till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

We've been Simpsonized!!!

OMG...HOW CUTE ARE THESE! Found it over at Kari's Blog and I just had to do one!! Even did one of the Sweetie Man....

Go get yourself Simpsonized at http://www.simpsonizeme.com/!
Now much going on here except on Sunday I did have a slight battle with some "evil" forces who were trying to ruin my day....they lost!! Listen to this...Sweetie Man and I were having this fabulous weekend...son is away...we're all alone for a few days...get the pic! Lots of fun...right? Wrong (at least part of Sunday)! We get up Sunday morning getting ready to relax and get ready for church. Our Pastor calls and needs the Sweetie Man's help with something down at church...no problemo, he would go down as soon as he finished shaving...his head! (don't ask!) Anyway, I told him I would drive him the block down and then use the car to pick up the pastries for church and deliver them. So far so good! Except, on my way back home, I locked myself out..sorta. I knew I could get in the back door except I locked the back fence for some strange reason and would have to climb over a 6 ft. fence. I found a small table in my neighbor's yard that I figured I could stand on to help me...didn't work...ground near fence door was not level...not good. Then I figured if I drove the front of the car to the fence door, (without denting the car, of course) I could stand on the hood and hoist myself over or at least try to finagle (is that a scrabble word?) the lock. Got the car in position....went to get a finagle tool. Saw my nice neighbor, who is younger and stronger than me, and asked him if he could jump my fence. He did...ah, I got in!!! Nice guy that neighbor. Anyway, I still had time to get the pastries. Got in the house once the dogs stopped jumping on me in the yard (I really should teach them how to undo the fence lock)only to find the tea I brewed in the iced tea maker leaked all over the counter....someone was definately out to ruin my day! Well, I cleaned that up only to knock over the dog food on the floor as I was putting it in the bowls (luckily Eros was there to help clean that)....still not getting at me you evil guys! Sweetie Man managed to come home in time to get the pastries for me giving me enough time to get ready for us to get to church. The funny part of this is that the sermon for the day was how evil will do anything it can to get to you....to make you lose it and yell and swear and do all sorts of mean and nasty things....Sweetie Man and I just looked at each other and smiled....this time...we won!!! (I have a feeling it's gonna be a little tougher when the son comes back from vacation tho.....oye!) Wish me luck!
With that said.....till next time, yinz crazy guys....

Rockin' Girl Bloggers...my picks!

Okay....I'm gonna wimp out here.....I honestly cannot pick a number of blogs I enjoy......I truly enjoy all 125 blogs that are on my own bloglines....(and a few that aren't yet)
YOU ALL ARE ROCKIN' GIRL BLOGGERS!
Check out my list of blogs on my sidebar...if you are on there...YOU ARE MY FAVORITE! I picked those blogs because I got something from each and every one...whether it be something as simple as the design of your blog that makes me smile to your honesty on life to your particular craft, to where you live and even what you read....I love you all! My 20 year old son asked me yesterday which of the dogs was my least favorite (updated pics coming soon by the way, per request!) and I said I love them all ...I get something different from each of them....Katey my oldest, tho a bit paranoid, let's me know about strangers near the house as well as being the only one who truly listens to me. Eros, my 120 lb mastif/lab is just so darn loveable and cuddly to me, yet intimidating to those who don't know him for my protection. And Chloe, dear dear terrier mix crazy Chloe, is just so happy to be alive and full of life and inquisitiveness that you can't help but love her to bits with all of her insane energy as well as keeping Eros active. (mostly by harrassing him!) I wouldn't have them in my life if I didn't get a little something to add to my life from them.
It's that way with people you meet....you take away a little something from everyone. I learned that from the Sweetie Man...it truly makes a difference in your life and greatly enhances it.
So, with that said, no matter what blog you have....you're GREAT in my book...thanks for being the best darn Girl Bloggers anywhere!!! Till next time, yinz crazy guys.......

ELVIS HAS LEFT THE CAMPGROUND....

That's right, yinz guys....ELVIS...the one and only, was seen at the campground we stayed at last weekend! We were as shocked as you are, but just in case it's too unbelievable to be true, the Sweetie Man managed to capture Elvis on video for your viewing pleasure......(you may have to click the arrow twice to get it started)

Sorry about the quality, but it's the best we could do "undercover" if ya know what I mean.

I mean...can you believe it?...and WE WERE THERE! Everyone thinks he's hanging out at the local 7-Eleven, when in reality he's doing the "campground circuit"!

And speaking of campgrounds, we had yet another fun time camping this past weekend. We tried a different place this time. Our cabin was a bit more secluded but had a few more amenities such as a sink, fridge, microwave and coffeemaker, so that was nice. There were four of us this time so that was alot of fun too....talking around the campfire, playing cards, etc.... Anyway, here are some pics from the weekend....ENJOY!

So, with that said, till next time, yinz crazy guys....

When you have a moment...

Check out my second blog....BOOKENDS-R-US......


The title has special meaning for the Sweetie Man and I as it dates way back in our relationship. The blog is all about books, though, and my love of them....I really just want to share with yinz guys what I read. Leave me a comment too and tell me what you think. I would like to get reviews of books from family and friends on there also....email me a review of a book you like and I'll post it on the site too. Well, that's it for now...till next time, yinz crazy guys....

FINALLY....

I know...I'm a procrastinator! Go ahead...you can say it!!! With that said....here are some pics of when we were away. The first are from the wedding of my nephew (remember the unfinished cross stitch they will be getting?) and the second set are from our wonderful trip to the lovely LOVELY FUN STATE OF MICHIGAN!!!!
(we honestly want to retire to Michigan!) Okay..enough chit chat....ENJOY!

Don't you love the way I made this next set look like an old film strip?

I love these Slide pics by the way...you can do so much with them.....make sure to check out their website! Till next time, yinz crazy guys.....

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.....