Painting

Finished another project today- I have so much fun doing this stuff. I wish that I could just paint all the time and not do anything else. (how 'bout it mom?) It is a beautiful, sunny day here in PA, I was out pulling some weeds and weed whacking but the whacker broke :-( So, I came in and organized my painting supplies for my class at Seymour's studio, http://www.creativelegacyartstudio.com/ I have learned a lot about painting over the past few months and my confidence has increased ten fold so I plan on doing a lot of painting. I keep my eyes open all the time for surfaces that can be painted- really peaks my imagination! I really enjoy the Americana stuff (see previous post) although I never keep it, most often give it away. My plan is to sell some of this stuff on etsy.com or even ebay. Don't think that I will make a whole lot on them but it would be cool. (Check out etsy.com for hatandsassy stuff, great site for great crafts!!) I would love to switch from fleece to americana/folk art stuff for the fairs- everyone seems to do so well at that. I have also done some embroidery- crude stuff but I really like it. Check out the pics.



I will go get my mother on Monday (yay!!) She is home-sick and I miss her terribly, yes we are dang near attached at the hip! So she will soon be out in the garden bitching at the weeds that grew whilst she was gone- oh well, you don't want me to weed, I can't seem to tell the difference between the weeds and the flowers! Looks like it might be a nice weekend so we may go out sailing or something like that. Poor Rick has so many projects to do and not enough hours in the day, and of course, I just keep add to it- sorry honey! Matthew has 3 days left of school and Alex has one so that will be over. I love summer...guess I love all the seasons, but I look forward to the kids being out. Alex will be starting his new job at the fruit market up town, we will see how he fares. First thing, he has to get a haircut, thank goodness, he needs it! Matthew too, he will get his summertime flat-top that he looks so good in, that way "mom" doesn't have to bitch at him to comb his hair.

Thought you might like to see the garden

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Memorial Day

This day often comes and goes without so much as a thought as to what this day means. Memorial day used to be called "Decoration Day"! I think I may even remember hearing that as a child though I know that I have heard it called that in West Central PA in more recent years. A day of remembrance "for those who have died in our nations service" Memorial Day was first officially observed on May 30th 1868 and made a national holiday in 1971. Sad but true, we Americans needed a reminder of the sacrifices that so many men and women have made for our freedom and in 2000 the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed. It asks that at 3 p.m. Memorial Day, all Americans "voluntarily and informally observe, in their own way, a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence and reflection." I am such a patriot and fan of these wonderful United States; a sentimental tear usually trickles down my check when the National Anthem is played at any event. My husband, family and friends all stand and remove their hats as the flag passes by and we all try to remember to cover our heart. I can remember a time I used to feel embarrassed about standing or saluting the flag- not anymore. It truly is a duty and an honor that needs to be embraced and exercised. Rick and I hopefully are succeeding in raising another generation of patriots who are informed and active in their community for the greater good, (if not on a larger scale, can you say "President Ramsdell"?) I love this day, always have, we don't often do too much but I enjoy spending time with my family and even taking in a parade (they have parades for EVERY occasion here!!) As a child I can remember going with Gram Stuart (Lila, my great-grandmother) during the days prior to Memorial day and decorating not only the graves of soldiers but also of those in our family who had passed. So it is truly a day of remembering all those who had gone before. I hope everyone turns out to vote, (another honor and resposibility) this year of the Presidential elections. You don't have to agree with me, your neighbor, wife, father, sister, mother or brother but you do need to know that the right to vote is one that SHOULD be exercised!!! I am blathering aren't I?? God Bless America!!

Oh yea, happy to report that Uncle is doing better, he sounded GREAT on the phone this morning! I think that Cheryl and Uncle Jim have enjoyed mother's company and would like to keep her but she is hoping to return a week from today. I am kind of jealous as I am sure that she had a smashing time with Cheryl (a crazy and creative woman!!)

Been a while but here I am....

It seems as though I get caught up in life- this and that and the next thing I know, days have passed and I haven't done anything....Ever get that feeling? Well, where to begin...how about in most recent days? Mom and I went out to see our dear uncle in DE- he is almost 86 years old and just seems to be wearing out. His eyesight is gone, he has a VERY painful compression fracture in his back (wearing out) and a form of cancer that they are fighting with meds to keep at bay. I left my mother out there with him for support, he really shouldn't be by himself at this time but his family out there is so busy. I say his family because that is really what Bill and Cheryl Shields are to him. They are good people, Bill is like a son to uncle but I think that is in nice to have extra people around. Of course, mom doesn't have the kids so she figured she'd stay. My family, (Rick and boys) are heading on a canoe trip down the Clarion River with the scouts. They will be gone for four days and three nights. This is the second annual trip for them over this Memorial Day weekend and they look forward to it. Hope that the weather cooperates for them and they don't freeze, (nights may be cool). Some crazy spring here, like everywhere. damn global warming *snort*!! I don't know when we will get the garden in- full moon is passed so it will be soon. I plan on doing some major spring cleaning here, lots of dog hair! Speaking of which, check out the crazy dog in the tub! This is a new thing "int he tub" but not drinking from the tub- that we do quite often. He likes his water FRESH!!! Alex has finished school for the summer but for finals and Matthew still has another week. Alex is in "high School Musical" at the local theatre for the summer and I am trying to set Matthew up with a lady who has a stable- swapping mucking stalls for riding lessons. We shall see how things go. As for our vacation? Not looking good for this year with the price of gas. We haven't made any plans except for sailing camp in June. Hope to do some yard work around here this year, we'll see! Ryan had her baby, Jayden last week- he was having some breathing issues, otherwise a healthy baby. Will learn more soon but I know that they are busy with him so I figured I'd give them some room. Enjoy the pics- hope to keep up but no guarantees!