April Fools!!

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Happiness! Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. >From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible.

How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched 'Jeopardy' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going to lunch in a half hour?" She would gas up and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.. We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect!

We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Steve toilet-trained. We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet. We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on," and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit."

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Rollerblades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now..go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.... Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

"Life may not be the party we hoped for... but while we are here we might as well dance!"


I got this on a forward in my e-mail. Just how true is this?? VERY!! So, slow down and smell the roses for awhile. Life is going to be around for awhile. Just believe!

HaPpy EasTer-Early!

HaPpy EasTer
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

Well, in just a bit over a week, "Harvey" will be visiting most of us. Now who out there knows who "Harvey" Is? I can give you some clues . . . "Harvey" is 6 feet tall, white and invisable. Is tant enough clurs for you?
And who was the only one who could see "Harvey"?

"Harvey" is my all time favorite 6 foot tall, white, invisable _ _ _ _ _ _! When I was introduced to harvey as a kid, I thought how wonderful to have a friend like him. He's very smart. and he knows just how to handle things.


I might be off line for awhile. I need to take in my laptop and get it's "spring cleaning" to make sure everything stays up and running. I love my "Mac guys" they are the greatest. I know I can do this stuff at home. But, it's like getting your care tuned up, you just wanna make sure, so you take it to a pro. And hopefully, I will be able to get back into some classes this fall and I need a program loaded. I have that new Mac laptop, and some of the softwear doesn't translate as the new Macs don't have "classic" anymore. And it doesn't cost extra for them to translate the program over. then I will be ready to go. Lab fees are $80. for the use of their computers in the lab. If one had their own with the programs-no lab fee-hee hee!!!

Naked Floor is Exposed!!!
Boy, this Monday sure has to be the greatest one ever. My lawn guy, John called me saying he was going to be over in 30 minutes with 2 guys to get the rest of the carpet taken up and out. I had called John on Sat. to ask him if he could get a couple of guys to help hubby with the removal of the rest of the carpet. John has said Thurs or Fri. So how great was this!! So, within 30 minutes I had the majority of stuff whisked to safer hangouts. Then I had to find our little cat Munch and lock her in the bedroom. since both bedrooms had already been stiped of that carpet, I know Munch would be safe.
Well, the guys got her and off to task they went. They had to do the living room in sections as we really didn't have anywhere to put all the big furniture. Things went well tho. This carpet has been on this floor at least 16 years I know about. Mother just refused to have this done all these years. but, it is getting done now.
Towards lunch, I went to KFC and got 2 of their 14 piece meal deals. I got home and set the table, with paper plates. Then "lunch"! the 2 guys were so quiet as we all sat down to eat. Both guys are Mexican. Hubby does the talking-mostly. I just don't have an ear for languages. I can understand, but speaking is difficult for me. And of course since it's lunch, John shows up too. He pushed the guys to get moving. I just wanted to make sure the guys got a good lunch and a proper rest.
with the livingroom done, the dinning room furniture could all moved into there. The second room did go a tab faster, till they got to the carpet boards with all the nails. Having been in so long, the boards kept splintering and such. But, they got it all taken care of. Plus, they took everything away. No wondering how I was going to get rid of all that old carpet.

Except for the kitchen and bath floors, this phase is done. Things need painting, but other than that, all I can say is WOW! Both cats are freaking of course. Nothing is the same as it was. I know they will adjust. Poor little Munch, she had to huddle under my bed, listening to the pounding to get those boards up, while the regular lawn guys were mowing, weed whacking and blowing. she didn't get to go out till noonish. Little Munch is afraid of just everything! Hubby has to really try to make her feel better. Munch has never known any other house and now even that has changed. She'll adjust. . .

Ok, I know have the little bedroom ready to go. All the stuff was picked up. And we "filled" Tom's trailor!! All of Mother's things will be going to Apache reservation in Arizona. That tribe is one of the poorest. And it really makes my heart full to know I can lend a hand.
Hubby and Tom loaded all the stuff. then hubby went ahead and began taking out the old ratty carpet. I hate carpet. If you could see all the "dust" and whatever under a carpet, you would never have carpet ether. YUK!! Hubby did it in sections so it wasn't heavy to tote out. I didn't overdo and my back isn't so bad today. The hardest part is getting all those little nail strips up!! We sat and got it all taken care of in just over an hour. I love little pry bars to get the strips and staples!! Hubby swept and then vacuumed. We also moved in the TV cabinet and TV, plus the secertary desk. I have to call the cable company and have them transfer the cable line to this room. Also, I am going out to find a couple of futon-like chairs for in here too. That way, if for some strange reason I get company, I will have a couple of extra beds. I still need to figure out how to get the really big desk in this room too. My neighbor Joe said we might be able to take it apart and reassemble it. Let's hope so. So all in all, I now have the majority of this room finished. Now to move on to the living room and dining room. But, I have a call into my lawn service guy to see if he can get me a couple of guys to help hubby get the rest of the carpet out. I will also be renting a bin from the trash company to really get rid of all this carpet and other junk!! POOF-gone. So much easier than trying to haul all this stuff away ourselves.

Well, it is very early on Sat morning here. (west coast) As I wait for hubby to get up, I check my e-mail, drink coffee, read the paper, feed the cats, then I can take a breath for a few minutes.
I can see now how the house is going to look when we get finished. I have a call into our lawn service guy-John. I want to ask him if he could get us a couple of guys to help hubby rip up the rest of the carpet. I will pay them the going rate and provide lunch. Next week we will be renting a "bin" from the trash company and just getting rid of the old carpet and other junk. It is so much easier than trying to haul away everything. I need to go out and order the 7 foot bookcase, a coffee table, chairs for the dinning table and a couple of futon type chairs for the little bedroom. the futon chairs can also be beds in case of vistors such as my kids. I will also be getting a new stove, fridge and washer. It is tough waiting for all this to get done. It's funny how impatient I am right now. I know these things will be getting done, but I want them done "yesterday"!!!

Well, we finall got all that stuff in the little bedroom "OUT". I had decided to just "donate" all the stuff as a "pay it forward" thing. For once I think it would be nice not to have to think on if I should get a tax break on something.
We went ahead and got the carpet out of the room. Hubby did it in sections as I just can't lift heavy things anymore. It just makes me so angry that I can't do that kind of work. I'm angry that my back is all screwed up. I was the one who always stressed doing heavy lifting and the like the proper way. Lift from the knees, don't twist and lift, etc. And yet here I am with 2 vertebrtas closing in on my spinal cord. Most days I can put up with the pain. Lately tho, I can feel it even when I roll over in bed. I know I need to go in and see Dr. Dennis and see if one of those "magic shots" will do the trick again. Let me expain the shot. I go to the out patient clinic, and when I am called, I go into an operating room, lie on my stomach. They then put me out, that's so I don't move or twitch, stick a needle into L3-4, the space between the 3rd and 4th vertebra and shoot in cortazone. when I wake up, it feels like my hip bones are frozen. For the next few days I just need to take it easy. I hadn't been able to get much medical help while taking care of Mother as the volunteers would only do 2 hours twice a week. With hubby having to take me to get this shot, I needed more than the 2 hours. the really sad part is, friends of Mother or myself just didn't have the time to help me out. So, here I am. I guess I am still reeling about the fact that all the care was left up to me. Now, I am in need and well, I have to go it alone-again.

On a different note, those of you who do any knitting or crochet know the joys of winding your yarn by hand. I use my knees to wind up balls of yarn. Others use a chair to hold yarn while winding. Well, I found a woman who not wanting to pay out up to $70 for a winder, figured out how to make on for under $20. Her llink is
http://www.craftydiversions.com/patterns/homemade_yarn_swift.htm
Plus if you go to her site she now has knit patterns.

mini purse pendant

mini purse pendant
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

Here is one example of the mini-purses I do. And yes they open, so you can put a folded up $20. inside!!! All beaded using peyote stitch. Some I put crystals at the bottom. I vary each purse I do to keep they a touch unique. The little clasp at the top is crystal.
With these is do use a non toxic varnish over the beads as I really use mine and want to make sure the thread keeps strong for usage.
The neck piece is knotted on the little jump rings and then varnished so the knots won't come undone. I only use standard black for the cord, but anyone buying these can change the cord if they choose.

Awareness purse

Awareness purse
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

Here is the finished Awarness purse. I had shown the different stages in earlier blogs.
This is tapestry crochet using wool yarn, size "F" hook. Pattern is from Carol Ventura.

Wish fairy and Pop the Cork

Wish fariy and Pop the Cork
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

I really enjoyed doing "The Wish Fairy". Just something about the look on her face said, "Bead Me"!!!
"Pop the Cork" is or celebrating ALL the time! I use only Swarovski crystals and the hot pink ones in the fringe of Pop the Cork really come to life when any kind of light shines on them.

The "Diva"

The "Diva"
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

the Diva is beaded in 3 sections using peyote stitch. Using 3 sections, enables the wings to be folded up for storage.
The little "bat" charm on the bottom of her dress fringe is sterling silver.
This is a larger piece

next room to redo
Originally uploaded by spaceman48.

As you can see this little 12 X 12 room is bursting with furniture and clothes to go to charity.
But, this is the room is will transform into my studio for beading, crochet and computer stuff. I am also going to put the TV in here too. That old ratty rug is coming up as there is oak floors under it. I really hate carpeting. I will just have to make a ffew more crochet rugs to "throw down".

You just can't understand how excited I am to finally be able to do something with this little house. I love this little house and I am so thrilled Mother left it to me. the house was built in 1937, is solid redwood including the framwork. The framwork was also designed for earthquakes as the inside of the framwork forms an "X" instead of the standard uprights with a small piece inbetween. the walls are real lathe and plaster. the floors are all solid oak. Tho the house is small-2 bedrooms 1 bath, it is just perfect for hubby and myself. The yard is just right and the garage is NOT attached to the house. We also have a paved alley in the back of the garage. the city of Costa Mesa had sent Mother a letter a few years ago that there was historical intrest in the house. I want to get some things done, then if the city wants to-they can go ahead and put it on the historical list!!!!!

So far hubby and I have put on a new roof, redid the electrical, redid most of the plumming, a new fence on the north side of the place and replaced a few windows.

So, stay tuned and check in to see how the place is coming along!!

, a fancy photo sharing thing.

I had to redo the google/flickr thingy for blogging!!

One of my airplants that is blooming. This plant is only about the size of my fist!! The flowers are so pretty tho. I love em!

I must be really weird. I just have to get important things done before I "pretty up" the house.
Gary, our plummer replaced the riser pipe for our shower, plus all new fixtures in the bath. The old pipe was a galvenized pipe and the fixtures were from 1937. Now the pipe is copper. You can not believe the difference in a shower now!! WOW!!! No more just water coming out-now it really "beats" the dirt off of a body!!! LOL Yes, they had to cut the wall, but hubby and my neighbor Joe, made the pannel. My walls are real lathe and plaster so, because the pipes and the thermastat are in there, the pannel is just fine-just in case. I think it adds character.

Also, I had the hot water tank replaced. The old one was from 1990. Gary is great. He's been Mother's plummer for 20 years. He gets the job done quickly, and done right! Both things he had finished in just a bit over an hour. HIs son Chris is his assistant.

Hopefully, Friday, all of Mother's bedroom furniture and clothes will be picked up by Tom, who will then take it to Apache reservation this weekend. Pay it forward with Mother's things is what I wanted to do. I know people on the reservation "really" need stuff as this tribe is really poor.
Then hubby and I can get the carpet out of the little bedroom, move a few things in and I will have my very own room for beading, crochet and computer. I am also going to put the TV in the little bedroom too.
Then the rest of the carpet in the house will come out. I will have a nice living room, and a dining room where I take pictures of "Thru the Bay window" from. My dream of having a house again is slowly coming true!! I will do pictures as I go!

Crochet Awareness purse. All that is needed are the handles. And would you believe they are crocheted right in!!! Cool huh. since I am a 17 year survivor I wanted something "BIGGER" than just a charm or little ribbon!!! Imagine how much attention this is going to get?????????????????????????

Deborah

Here is another Tapestry crochet I am doing from Carol Ventura's latest book. I decided to do this one as I am a 17year survivor.
The first row of ribbons are done in hot pink with a white background. The next round will be a regular pink with a hot pink background. There might be a third round, but if there is I will repeat the first round. Then do the handles. This is going to be a really nice tote bag. Good and roomy!!!!!

Deborah

There's nothing like a "Gnome"!!!!!!!!



I found a cute little pattern to make this little gnome. It makes up quickly and really is cute. I just love it.

Hey, does anyone ever read any of these blogs? One would think with all the great pictures I have put up someone would have posted something.
Oh well! alone alone alone-I always said no one cares. So far I am correct!!

Deborah

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Now this is kind of cool! I cannow upload from Flicker!!!

Deborah

Halloween beading. I did a "Red Hat Lady" for Halloween. I had never seen one for Halloween so . . .

Another early morning here. Hopefully this won't keep up. I will be like the walking dead if I get up this early on a regular basis.
Just waiting for Mother to arise. She sleeps in. Of course then I get to "work". Ihave to go out today to get her meds and some things. I hope I can sneak in going to the Halloween store tho. Haven't been able to yet.
I would like to get my hair cut and get a manicure and pedicure. I will have to arrange a volunteer for that. Just tons of fun around here.

Deborah

Halloween Treat Bag in Tapestry crochet. All wool yarn.
You know that great holiday is coming. I wanted to have my treat bag ready!!!!!!!!! Just money for my little bag!!! Just kidding!!!!!

Deborah

Blue Meow tapestry crochet bag! Done with wool yarn in the tapestry crochet stitch.

Deborah