Country thoughts

Hey all!  Sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I've been a little under the weather...thank you to my co-workers who keep coming to work sick...  I am feeling better today.

I'm feeling some rambling thought rolling around in my head, you've been warned before younread this....

As the leaves are changing and harvest is in full swing in our area now, I reflect on my former "country days". When I was a kid living on the farm, I hated it! I felt all my friends were MILES away - in reality, we only lived a couple of miles from town and half of my friends lived on farms within a few miles of ours. Who didn't grow up in a small community that didn't go to a road party now and then? (Mom, you hear/read nothing....) Anyway.... I long to live on a farm - or at least in the country - again. I am glad I work indirectly in the ag industry (our company lends money to farmers). I have learned a lot about the business side of farming working on this side of the industry. It has been eye opening for me the last five years. I hope that my ag education doesn't stop anytime soon.

On the subject of small communities, I grew up near a town of about 700 people, my graduating class was 24 students.  We all knew everyone in the whole school and had a pretty good idea what everyone was up to.  As a parent and looking back at that, it's not bad that everyone's parents knew where you were, who you were with and what you were up to.

For those of you who would like to read a little more about country life, check out these blogs (these bloggers are GREAT!)

Prairie Princess
Dixie Creek Farm

Thanks for reading my ramblings.

Happy Sunday morning!

Last week was a LOOOOONNNGGGG work week.  Friday it was the ladies in the office only in the afternoon. So we grilled burgers and had a leisurely lunch hour. It was very nice!  Then, as it was a rainy day, one of the ladies offered to use a gift card she had to get us all a coffee/tea/etc.  it turned out to be a decent work day.  I got home to a silent house....ahhhhh!  So I got changed, cleaned the bathrooms, did some laundry - then came the phone call... DH asked if I could bring him his extra keys.  So I grabbed those and ran them to the job site.  It was a quiet evening after that.

Yesterday I got laundry caught up, at least for a day!  It was a chilly, windy day yesterday.  I got the Halloween cards done for my niece, nephews and kids. Our Huskies beat Kansas yesterday, we are all excited!

Today we're off to run errands and meet DD's favorite author.

How has your weekend been? What have you done?
Wishing you a wonderful day!

TGIF!

Finally....it's here - the weekend!

What are your weekend plans? I am hoping to get the house cleaned, maybe a little baking done and a lot of relaxing! I have some sewing projects that I want/need to get started. See this....

DD almost lost her mind when she saw it...so, I'm guessing a Halloween costume for her dolls will soon be forthcoming.  Damn you, Pinterest!!!!!

You can find the tutorial here: Fun Threads

I have some other doll outfits that need to be cut out and sewn (of course, after bedtime...)

Sorry, I got sidetracked... Sunday we have errands to run and DD is going to meet one of her favorite authors.

Whatever you do, I hope you have a great weekend!

HUGS!

To my on line friends

I feel I have been blessed to get to know so many friends through various message boards and blogs.  A few I have gotten to know VERY well and am in constant contact! A few have moved on with our lives without further contact.

None the less, you have all touched my life in some way and I thank you for that!

Thank you!

First, thank you to all my blog readers. I love having visitors, it inspires me to post more often.  I appreciate your comments.

My WONDERFUL hubby put a new window in our kitchen. It opens and doesn't let every bug in the county in. It's so nice to open it and get some fresh air now.

Yesterday morning on my way to work, I came upon the scene of a car vs. motorcycle accident. It was VERY scary!  I saw a lot more than I wanted to and according to accounts this morning, all are in stable condition.  It made me realize that there are very important things in life that I forget a lot of times.

*Tell those you love that you love them.
*Don't be afraid to give a hug
*Appreciate each day you have
*Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly (I think my grandmother told me that when I got my license)
*Take a little time each day to appreciate a small detail in something or someone

Sorry, I don't mean to be preachy (and hope I don't sound so) but those little words of wisdom snuck up on me yesterday.

On another note...I finally got up the guts to hand over my VERY rough draft of a story I've been working on for about 4 years to a friend to look at. I think I'm at a point now, that I can take critism and a critique without taking it the wrong way. I've sent in some short stories to a couple of contests and publications to no avail, but I won't give up. My goal is to have it all written by February (sorry A - I know I told you 3 months...). 

Not exactly sure what this coming weekend holds for us. I'm HOPING maybe to visit a farmer's market somewhere. One of DD's favorite authors is appearing at a local bookstore, so we might try to make it there to meet her.  Other than that, perhaps it will be a relaxing/cleaning/crafty weekend...

Wishing you all a great rest of the week!
What are you up to this weekend?

Tuesday

Is it Friday yet?
Yesterday was a LONG day...hoping the rest of the week goes a little faster.
I got some scrapping done this weekend, a little writing and knitting too.

September is National Sewing Month (hoping to do a little of that this coming weekend...)
Check out these sewing blogs:
Gingersnaps
The Yarnarian
Cheese Pirate
Ok, not DIRECTLY about sewing, but still cool:  Quilt Trail

What did you do this past weekend? Any plans for the upcoming weekend?

Have a GREAT week!

Mindless & stupid post

For those of you who stop by here now and then, you know of my "love" of Kenny Chesney.  My husband knows there is no real threat.  ;). I have a new country music crush Easton Corbin.  I enjoyed his first album when it came out and can't wait to hear his second.

What celebs do you have a crush on?

Why do I do this????

I have recently started a new addiction....

Pinterest!

O-M-G!  That seriously has to be the most amazing site...EVER!!!!!!!  I've been busy pinning and haven't really done anything to MAKE any of the items I've pinned.  Perhaps...soon!?

And what's worse...there's an app for it!  Now I can sit with my ipad in my lap and browse around.  OY!!!!!  

Where and when will the insanity end? Do I want it to?
But just in case I do want to end it...

Is there a 12 step program?


PS: I have one more vacation post (yes from our trip in JUNE....) to get up and I hope to do that in the next week.  Watch for another chapter of The Tourists (see the "travel" tag)

A new day!

Good morning readers!

After a crappy day yesterday, I am determined to have a better one today!

I had a productive evening. I unpacked two boxes of my craft stuff and got that all put away - I am ready to scrap!  I unpacked half of DD's books before I ran out of room.   We'll remedy that....  (maybe a trip to Ikea....). I got started making a card and did some laundry.  Our neighbors across the alley brought over tomatoes and a zucchini from their garden!  I had a turkey and tomato sandwich last night...mmmmmm!!!

Then it was guilty pleasure time....Dance Moms.  I hate to admit, I enjoy that show. Those moms are nuts! Next week is the reunion show, I will make sure to be sipping a cocktail while I watch that!

Today holds work for my schedule.  I'm hoping the full time gig holds no drama (ok....I'm sure there will be some) and that the part time gig allows me to work by myself tonight. [for those of you who are new readers...I work full time for an ag lending company and part time at our local library].
Tomorrow night is the Bears/Packers game.  GO BEARS!

I hope you are all having a good week and thank you for stopping by!
Hugs!!!

Bug or windshield?

I am shocked at the audacity of people sometimes. I was in a situation in which it came into question why I talk to certain people (I am dealing with "adults" here, not kids...).  And how feelings are hurt because I DO talk to these certain people. And how could I do that?
Ummmmm....because!  (that's my kid reply)
(Did I mention these are NOT kids I work with?)
I am still reeling from the conversation I had today and the questioning of my character. I feel a little insulted and a lot angry. 

I figure things can only go up from here, right?

It's been a good week so far...

A short work week for me this week - holiday on Monday; work outing tomorrow & Friday.

I finished proofreading a book for an author - it is due out next month. It is a good story and as the pub date gets closer, I will post a review and give more info.  She made me week though! Thanks, Laura!!!!!

I have a niece to add to my three nephews! She is adorable and doing well.

I got a little scrapbooking done and I am hoping over the weekend, I can sneak a little more crafty time in...

Hope you're all having a great week and thanks for stopping by.
HUGS!

Gratitudes

I know I'm a day "late" this week, but....
*My new niece
*Ramona Quimby
*A wonderful author friend
*A nice weekend with my family
*Movies and crocheting
*DS feeling better!!!!
*My blog visitors and their wonderful comments

May you have a wonderful week!

Book review - The Twelfth Child

The Twelfth Child

by Bette Lee Crosby

I was honored by the author to be asked to read and review this book.  Thank you, Ms. Crosby!

Publisher summary:  Trust, love and friendship—Abigail Anne Lannigan searched for these things all her life; now, when she is at the tail end of her years she teams up with a free-spirited young woman, a nobody from nowhere, who suddenly moves in across the street. It’s an unlikely friendship which comes under suspicion when a distant relative, claims embezzlement. One million dollars is miss...more Trust, love and friendship—Abigail Anne Lannigan searched for these things all her life; now, when she is at the tail end of her years she teams up with a free-spirited young woman, a nobody from nowhere, who suddenly moves in across the street. It’s an unlikely friendship which comes under suspicion when a distant relative, claims embezzlement. One million dollars is missing and only Abigail knows the truth of what happened – but, she’ll never get the chance to tell.

The Twelfth Child, a novel rich with emotion, humor and tenderness, explores the splintered relationships of a Shenandoah Valley family and their willful daughter’s struggle to survive America’s Great Depression and overcome the past.

My summary:  Wow! What a great read! Fantastic, lovable characters, an interesting and entertaining storyline. Abigail Anne is a strong woman and a character I think female readers, especially, will like. I recommend you read this! Especially if you enjoy southern fiction.
I give this:  4 out of 5 stars

Ta da!

I finally got a digi layout done after I decided to play along at Sketch N Scrap. They have a couple of sketch challenges each month. I went with Sketch N Scrap 15 

When we went to Bears camp this summer, we took a driving tour to check out the barns.  There are LOTS of them throughout the county.

I used 2 Peas My Guy kit for the quilt patterned papers and 2 Peas Farmers Market kit for the tag and title bar.

The circle was drawn with CK Scrapbook Designer Deluxe

Thanks for stopping by!

Scrap Chat

For my fellow "paper punchers", (DH's pet name for my scrapping friends). Here are a couple of questions for you.

1. What scrap challenge sites or blogs do you frequent?
2. What scrap project and tutorial sites do you frequent?
3. What are your favorite embellishments?

I am looking for more inspiration to kick up my scrapping mojo.
Thanks!

The Tourists Amusement Park edition

We went to Six Flags this past Thursday - of course it's been in the mid to upper 70s for the last two weeks and THAT was the day it soared back up into the 90s.  We still had a good time and stayed to close the park down!

(disclaimer: all photos taken with my phone, so they are not the best quality!)

Park overview:

DD with Daffy

 

Our first roller coaster of the day....she didn't handle it well but bounced back quickly!

 A spin in the tea cups

 He hid most of the day when I got my phone out to take a picture... 

 DD & DH off for a rid on the Little Dipper

 Waiting to ride the Viper 

 Viper over, waiting to pull back into the station  "I need to go again!"

 DD with Bugs

 DD with Pepe

We all almost threw up after riding this one....ugh!  DH watched from the ground (smart man!)

*******************************************

Following is the half-time perfomance of DD and her fellow poms camp attendees from Friday evening.

It is a Michael Jackson medley

(she's the blond with the ponytail & dark glasses)

It's me! Part 1

I invited you  leave me questions you wanted me to answer about myself.  Here are your questions, my answers and links to blogs of the asker (please visit):

Valerie of Val's Outside Voice asked: "how in the hell do you read so fast? I would love to be able to just pick a random book to start reading but because I'm soooo slow, I have to be really picky. So, how do you do it? Skim? Took a fast reading course? Skip certain words or phrases?"    Val, I have always been a quick reader. I usually have more than one book in progress at a time (usually a book and an audio book). That helps me accomplish getting through my book goal each year.

Jenny Lilac of Jenny Lilac asked: "Is Jenny your full name? (It is mine.) What are your favorite kinds of scrapbook pages to do?"  Jenny is not my full name.  My full name is Jennifer Michelle.  My favorite kinds of scrapbook pages....hmmmm....that's a little tougher.  I would say my favorite kinds to do are of our vacations and places we visit.  That being said, I really enjoy playing with paper and glue (and my Cricut) doing any project.

Laura of Who's This Chick? asked: "what are some of your favorite scrap Manufacturers?"  This is a really hard one to answer. There are so many amazing scrapbook manufacturers out there.  I enjoy Bazzill and Basic Grey the most.  If it counts, I would also like to add Cricut/Provo Craft to that list too.


Disneypal of Peace, Love & Understanding asked: "which hobby do you think your prefer the most, crochet or scrapbooking?"  WOW - another tough question!!!!  I really enjoy both. It's easiest for me to crochet while we are watching TV or a movie or to take in the car.  Scrapbooking is my "I want to be along or hanging with some fellow 'paper punchers' (as DH calls my scrap friends).  So I can't really say as I prefer one over the other - they are both very enjoyable to me.

Staci of This Black Butterfly asked:  "What kind of camera do you have? How long have you been scrapping?"   I use a Sony Cybershot as a camera. I hope to upgrade, someday...   I have kept scrapbooks my whole life but have been scrapbooking since 1999.

Lisa Rukin Swift of Remember the Good Times asked: "Where do you scrap?"  I have a little corner in our back room where my "craft desk" is set up.  (picture to come soon)

Kelly of Inspired Me asked: "what is your favorite dessert?"  My VERY favorite dessert is chocolate chip cookies!!!!!!!!!  I also enjoy yellow cake and lemon pie.

My mom asked: "How many national parks have you been to?" If you count all the National Parks, Historice Sites and Memorials....45 to date.  And please don't ask to pick a favorite because I think there is something special about each of them. You can click on the National Parks & Sites tab under my blog title to see the whole list of NPS sites and the ones we have visited.



Thank you all for your questions!  I will have to do these little sessions more often....I enjoyed answering you.

Monday gratitudes

I'm looking to start the week on a positive note! Here is what I'm grateful for this morning...

*My family
*A roof over my head & food on my table
*A gorgeous weekend
*A little time to scrapbook & write this past weekend
*Time with my husband & kids
*A short work week
*Reading a good book on the deck in the sun
*An author asking if I would like to review her book (gives me a thrill!)
*All the wonderful blog visitors and posts (THANK YOU!!!!!!)

Have a fantastic week!

Your mission...

Should you choose to accept it...
Post a question you would like me to answer (in the near future) in the comments and I will do a "getting to know Jen" segment soon!


I am aiming for Wednesday next week to get this posted - I've gotten some great questions so far - keep them coming!

PS: I will add a link to your blog in my post if you leave a question.

It's my life...

So Dept (see previous post) called back and our insurance company made an error in processing the May claim. DD's provider IS in network, so we can continue to use them.  (I won't start my insurance ranting now...)

It's Wednesday! How has your week been?  It's been uneventful  at our house (thank goodness!). I've gotten a little scrapbooking and crocheting done. I took a few pictures before work yesterday of the sun and fog.

Your assignment for this post:  Post a question you would like me to answer (in the near future) in the comments and I will do a "getting to know Jen" segment soon!

I will get the rest of our vacation pictures posted here soon!
Hoping you all have a great rest of the week.