Getting Away With It………..

Anyone that knows me knows that I was a very difficult child to parent.  I was going to live life on my own terms; I didn’t care who I hurt (including my loved ones).  I would lie, cheat and steal just to do whatever I wanted.  Some of the things I could tell you would completely change your opinion of me. So I will save the really really juicy stuff til after my readers have divulged some of their deepest darkest secrets that would get you disinherited!!
I will however start off by saying that even though I am 40 my parents have no idea that I have a tattoo.  After all the body is the temple of God and should be revered as sacred.  However, in my logic The Bible gives specific instructions on temple decoration. So I am just decorating my temple!!!

Finding treasures……….

Yesterday was a beautiful snowy day here in Colorado! I had a few errands to run and I loved wandering through downtown as the snow fell all around me.  I was sorry I didn’t have my camera with me but I did manage to snap a picture with my phone. 

After I returned from my errands, I was allowed to go playing through Ma’s sewing cabinet! Again what a wonderful treasure trove of goodies!! I loved finding old magazines! It’s been such a hoot to go back and read some of the articles.  One diet magazine even encourages dieters to skip breakfast because there system is already full from the night before.  Why overeat when you’re already full? It asks.  Ah, the 70’s!


 
1,001 Sew and Save ideas! It  has some great concepts in it but let’s remember this was the 70’s.  It suggests that you sew your own luggage! Of course that was way before wheels and handles.

Or there was this gem! Crochet your own bikini!! Very easy and very affordable! But maybe, just maybe their yarn choices weren’t the best.  Making bull’s eyes on her breasts was probably not the smartest choice.

No matter what decade it was….this is a crime against fashion!!

This is one of my favorites!! Printed in 1974.  It’s a charming magazine about quilt making. 

It was so much fun to go back and read the best techniques of the day back then!

I loved looking through the old patterns and “Simplicity Fashion News.”  And I am really digging those plaid pants!

But one of my greatest thrills came from finding wooden spools, Most of which had the thread still on it! I loved digging around Ma’s sewing cabinet.  It was like a time capsule, a true window into the pass.  Now to try that meatloaf recipe from Woman’s Day that would be a blast!

Shopping Salida…….

Today I had the pleasure of running errands in Salida. I so adore this cute little town.  I love all the rows of little shoppes one can wander through at leisure.  You can usually even find the shop owners on hand to ensure that you thoroughly enjoy your shopping experience.  Now if one were to study this photo, you could discover that there is a wonderful little kitchen store under that blue and white striped awning.  Now, I must say that I know a “Kitchen Maven” who is about to have a birthday soon.  So I must confessed that I had a wonderful time shopping The Mixing Bowl for some certain birthday girl!!!!
One of my favorite shoppes downtown Salida is Fringe.  It’s an adorable fabric and yarn store that used to be the hardware store.  Their fabric cutting table is the old wooden nuts and bolts bins that they have placed a cutting mat on top of! I will be taking a class there this weekend. After probably an hour of oohing and aahing over all the wonderful I finally decided on the fabrics pictured below for the reversal bag I will be making! I also mailed some Lemon Creme Girl Scout cookies to some man I know who is spending his year in Asia!  As I dropped them off at the post office I asked that the post office handle them very carefully as it was a very important package. I then admitted that the box was full of Girl Scout cookies going to my husband.  The postman then fessed up and showed me his roll of Girl Scout Thin Mints that he had been munching on all morning!!!!
Of course a trip to downtown Salida is not complete without a trip to Lallier’s Pharmacy for Russell Stover’s chocolates.  Since Easter candy has now hit the shelves I stocked up on creme filled chocolate eggs!
 
Where else can one shop with such an amazing view of the mountains! For the most part even though it’s cold out, the sun is usually shining.  It’s a wonderful place with a slower pace of life, fresh air, and most of all my favorite little mouse, Ma.

Life…………..

There are no instructions for life.  There is no manual, no handbook, no user’s guide.  When you are born you have your parents to guide you but ultimately the living is up to you.  When you become a parent there are all kinds of books, magazines, etc that can try to tell you what to do. But only you can choose what lessons you will try to impart on your children.  Nobody can tell me what it means to be a friend to me but me.  And no one can explain to me who my perfect mate is, except me. 
The reason this is on my mind today is because the past couple of days have not been the easiest for me. I’ve had some challenges with my health and it’s kept me from being my bright, brilliant self.  In other words I’ve had too much time to think.  I am also working on a sewing project which I will proudly display on my blog shortly and there is no pattern. It’s something my crazy brain dreamed up.  Plus I am having a little bit of technical difficulties and have been trying to get this silly computer to do what I want it to do.  Both of these challenges is a practice of trial and error.  For some, this would drive you crazy.  For me, I find thrill in the hunt.  I want to be the one to find the solution for this situations. Yes, in both cases I could have someone else do the work it would take a little money and about half the time it’s taking me. But I enjoy the satisfaction of doing it myself.
I’ve lived my life with that same philosophy.  I find excitement, pleasure, pain and ultimately peace in learning life the hard way.  I always have.  This practice now serves me well as I am faced with my numerous health challenges.  My goal is to live my life to the fullest.  I may not get the pleasure of doing all the things another can do; but, I am blessed by how many miraculous things I can do.  My life is certainly different than what I saw as a child.  I never expected to not be able to work.  I never expected to be diagnosed with a neurological birth defect at 36.  I also never expected to be able to see with such clarity all the things that are truly important to me.  Namely, my loved ones, my family and my friends.  You are all what pushes me forward on those rough days like I’ve had recently.  Thank you for being blessings in my life! I love you bunches!!

Being Clumsy………

So apparently today is not my best day!! I dropped my computer. Luckily it’s fine, I just feel like an ass!! Then I tripped over Ma’s oxygen cord.  Neither of us are hurt; but again I feel like an ass.  Then I shoveled the snow off the drive.  Which I managed to finish without anyone getting hurt.  This was a miracle since it’s a pretty long driveway.

Then I was sweeping the snow of my car in anticipation of making a trip to the store.  In the process of doing this I landed on my ass!!

Yes that big dent in that lovely pile of white fluffy snow is an impression of my butt!! Luckily the snow is good for breaking ones fall. So nothing was hurt.  But I am thinking that maybe I shouldn’t go anywhere today.  God forbid I try to drive a shopping cart. Oh I don’t even want to think about what I can hit with a CAR!!!
I have thought about sewing but I’m afraid I’ll stitch my finger to the material.  I think I better stick with a DVD and popcorn!

The snow here is so beautiful! It’s light and powdery. It makes a everything so much prettier and it’s not even cold! The sun is out and it just bounces off the white snow!

It’s almost like a Christmas card here with the cute little Victorians all snuggled in around their blankets of white.  I think I will just stay in and enjoy the view from my window!

Mellowing……

Ok, I know it has been a little while since I have posted. I have been enjoying a leisurely pace of live here in Colorado.  Although the snow remains on the ground, the sun has been out and I have been peacefully idling my time away.  One of the greatest past times here is chatting with Ma. I so adore her and she has so many sweet things to say.  You can bet that if you are my friend I have spoke to Ma about you and she has said the nicest things about you in return.  .
I have also been busy doing a little sewing, cardmaking, and of course playing on my computer. SPOILER ALERT!!! If you are a personal friend of mine I have a hand made Valentine’s Day card coming your way.  Of course the fun part is trying to figure out which one is coming to your house.  I am loving the fact that I didn’t go with the traditional red, pink and white. I thought I’d give Valentine’s Day a little ‘color’ adjustment and I love the way they turned out!!


Speaking of chocolate, Ma and I are never one to pass on any chocolate.  She had had these wonder Edwards singles, a brownie cooked covered with hot fudge, ice cream and chocolate chips!! OH MY!! They are so wonderful.
You can find these little gems in your grocery freezer case!!!! ENJOY!!