After Christmas blahs

Well- it's not so much blahs for after Christmas- it's the weather! Winter Wonderland has turned into sodden slush...yuck. The weather has warmed enough to start melting the beautiful snow- and it has also begun to rain- buckets! Blegh. On top of that, gale force winds are blowing, making my toasty little house cool. So- I'm hunkering down and working on projects. My Christmas tree decided is was tired, so a couple days after Christmas, it lay down very gently on the couch...and schefflera. The schefflera was none too happy about that, as it broke several of the new leaves. A few balls were broken- only one antique, two new balls and a glass icicle. I managed to break one of a set- bigfoot! Rather than pick everything up then put it back on the tree, I was trying to put things back as I picked them up, and backed right over the ball from the set. Ah well- it was new, and although it has sentimental value for who gave it to me- it's no big deal. The antique ball, although one I like- was not one of my favorites. So now the tree is tied to the wall! LOL!
Ideas for Faeenchantments are pinging around in my little pea brain- need to write them down, before I forget! Attempted to find a supplier for one of the elements of my projects- that was like pulling teeth! Sheesh! I could buy them from India...not! I'm going to try to locate a place willing to recycle what I need...and hope to find them locally.
Well- not getting my sweetie's gift finished if I'm online- so, until next time!

Snow!!

Oh, the weather outside is icy and the snow makes driving dicey...and since you've no place to go...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!
Winter weather has officially arrived! Considering a bare two weeks ago I was walking Barnabas in just a sweater...brrrrr! :') It snowed about 4-6IN. a few days ago, and this morning it's been coming down fast and ferocious! Big, fat, juicy flakes...Winter Wonderland! It would be much nicer if I hadn't promised my sainted Mother I would travel north to her house and help her finish decorating! GAAAHHH! My tires are iffy at best, and I don't want to put on chains... The house does look lovely, especially at night, with the lights twinkling. I got a tree yesterday for free- it's a 8FT. loverly one. Can't wait to get it into the house! It's thawing in the garage. I got a second one to make a wreath with...and I'm going to 'harvest' other greens near the house. I have a blue spruce in the backyard I take greens from occasionally, and there are a few houses with trees that have lovely red berries on them. I never take many from one tree- not right to be overzealous!
Been crafting a little bit with 'Rissa- we made ornaments to give to her schoolmates, and a bracelet for her friend, Jessy last night. I'm hoping to make gingerbread houses tomorrow night with her. She's supposed to go to her mother's for some of winter break. And my kids want me to go to Idaho...with my tires the way they are- I'm not sure about that!!
Well- it's not getting better out there, so I'm going to wrap this up. I'm getting in the mood for Christmas!!

Are we idiots?

So- this is going to be more of a rant than musing...
Gas prices are falling-Wheee! Considering in Central Oregon they were up to practically $5 this Spring- well, you can understand my jubilation. I'm not complaining, mind you- but do the politicians truly think the American people are stupid? Gas prices are falling now for much the same reason the American hostages didn't come home during President Carter's term- there is a new President-elect! Prices are being manipulated to make him look good. Or maybe make President Bush look good leaving office- who knows? Maybe it's because politicians have enough on their plates with the national bail-out crises? Speaking of that- where's my bail-out? I'm in debt and hurting financially...I could definitely use a couple billion dollars to get me on the road to financial health! I won't travel on a private jet to put my plight before the Senate, either! Or take my top executives on a spendy 'retreat' afterwards or give them ginormous Christmas bonuses... You mishandle corporate monies- YOU DON'T GET A BONUS!!
Well- I can't sustain my rants for too long, as you can see, but it feels good to get it off my chest. Happier things hopefully next time!

First secret told

The first secret would be that I am obligated to kill anyone that finds out my secrets... Seriously, since Victoria's Secret became a world-wide phenomenon, and not-so-secret mens wetdream- I have heard "So- what's your secret?" w-a-y too many times! It is _not_ a unique pick-up line, guys! LOL!

I am a card carrying grandmother- pleased to be told I don't look like a grandmother, but proud of all four grandchildren. Angelina was the first- bright and beautiful and full of promise. Koleton joined us next and he is a fireball! Next, Honore joined us-small and petite and full of sass! McClain is our most recent addition, only six weeks after cousin Honore- and he is a cutie. I expect the newest addition sometime in early Spring 2009. Eric fathered both girls and now we're hoping Kindel will have a little boy to join them. Dan fathered the two boys and one day he and Amber hope a little girl will join their midst. I also love numerous heartgrandchildren- children of friends I call family. I believe one is born into a family and one creates a family, through love and commitment. The first to be named heartsister is Mary- she and I were destined to be sisters from the day she came into Orchestra. It started out rocky, but we have been there for one another through high school drama, distance, marriage, births, divorce, remarriage, and the deaths of our parents. I can tell her anything, and she I. I know where the bodies are buried!

I am a crafter, a seamstress, an avid (or is that rabid?) reader, a dancer (bellydance! love it!) a musician and I participate in a medieval reenactment group. It's Mary's fault! She started me out at a demo, 20+ years ago, and while it took me a while to really get into it- I haven't regretted a day! It gives me a reason to sew fantastic costumes- a reason to research a historical period- a reason to practice my bellydance! I have crafted since I was very young...one of the first things I remember making was on a camp trip with my family in the forest. I took a discarded soda flat (the half boxes they used to be carried in) and shovelled some dirt onto it. I gathered some moss, and found a wee tree or two, and some flowers in clumps. I arranged them so they looked nice and watered in slightly. (or maybe not- I was probably 10!) I then gave it my mother. I know we took it home, but don't remember if it survived long afterwards. My father saved my take on the pet rock from the early 70's. I figured if pet rocks were supposed to be 'pets' they should look like it! So I took two flat rocks for feet, and a larger roundish rock for his tummy and a medium rock for his head. I took two pebbles for eyes- then proceeded to paint the whole thing- he had a patriotic theme, but his shoes were green and he had long black eyelashes. Daddy loved that thing, and always told me I should have made them and sold them. Problem is- once I've made something- I'm loathe to try to make it again!

More musings and maybe a secret or two in the next...