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The cast is off in a week!!!

2009-12-01T01:46:00Z

The cast comes off next week!!! We can't wait!! And I bet neither can she...

It's the small things in these rough times that makes a person feel good

2009-12-01T01:01:00Z

I had a customer from my store write to me after she had received the paper towel holder she bought from my store. She wrote something that I thought was very profound. She said, "It's the small things in these rough times that can make a person feel good."

I realize she was talking about the paper towel holder, but that statement applies to so many different things that we can do to help someone.

Food pantries are hurting, as the people who usually donate are hurting themselves. (When you do your grocery shopping, buy a few extra nonperishables. Leave them at the store for their food drive, or take them to your church or food pantry.)

Animal Shelters are in desperate need of supplies, as they are getting overrun with pets whose owners cannot care for them anymore. (Buy an extra bag of dog or cat food and give it to your local shelter. I use my auto bill pay and send a few bucks to the rescue we got Marley from, and also to the Indepedent Cat Society. Yes, I'm a sucker for animals.. )

There are small children who won't have a present from Santa because mom and dad only have money for bills, or maybe not even that. Pick up a small present and give it to the toy collection or take it to your church. They will find a good home for that toy.

Maybe, instead of buying that Starbucks, take the money instead and put it in the Salvation Army kettle.

It doesn't take a lot, even a couple of dollars will help...

Thank you....

Marley is in the doghouse

2009-12-01T00:11:00Z

He is hiding his head in shame and he needs to. Saturday afternoon, as Jack was napping on the couch not 6 ft away, Marley proceeded to eat the corner of the recliner. Bad dog...lol.. Bad dog!!

Now, tonight, when I came home from work, I let them outside for only 10 minutes, and he proceeded to take his bed from the breezeway and tear it to shreds... He is frustrated and needs someone to play with. Maggie needs to get healthy, fast.

I couldn't control myself...

2009-12-01T00:00:00Z

or or maybe both??

I had the coupon and couldn't control myself. I bought one for myself and talked my significant other into buying me one for Christmas..

I am sooo bad...... or maybe I am sooooo gooooood.....

With any purchase of Paula Deen, Rachael Ray or Revereware cookware, I am giving away a free cookbook!

2009-11-28T15:16:00Z

With any purchase of Paula Deen, Rachael Ray or Revereware cookware, I am giving away a free cookbook!

Home Cooking with Amy Coleman, Volume 4, is a collection of recipes from many of today's hottest cookbook authors and food personalities.

A companion book to the public television series, this book showcases the guests' favorite recipes. Look for starters, side dishes, soups, salads, easy-to-find ingredients, easy-to-follow instructions, and delicious results.

Format: Paperback, 172pp Pub. Date: December 2000 Publisher: Bristol Publishing Enterprises Inc

Retail Price: $19.95 CONDITION: NEW BOOK

Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, and Revereware

2009-11-28T15:04:00Z

I am sooo excited.

I have 3 new lines of products for my store!

I now carry Rachael Ray, Paula Deen, and Revereware. The cookware is unbelievable and will be great to cook with. I'm pretty sure I now have about every size pan or cookware set a person might want.

Also, with these lines of cookware, I'm giving away a $20.00 value cookbook.

Don't wait too long, you may never get a chance to get it again.

2009-11-28T14:47:00Z

Well, I just learned that lesson again, and it makes me mad, again.

As you know, I have my ebay store that I love, and I only put products in it that I would love to own myself. Unfortunately, you really can't own every set of cookware that you sell, so you have to be selective about what you buy.

Previously I stocked Gourmet Standard cookware. It was an up and coming company from the state of Washington, and their products were comparable to All Clad. They had a copper set that I fell in love with and WANTED to have for myself. But the "practical fairy" that sits on my shoulder said. "Don't buy it now, wait till later." And I listened too good. And waited too long.

Gourmet Standard couldn't survive the hard economic times and went under.

I didn't get my cookware set.

And was painfully reminded of it this am when I was previewing new merchandise for the store. I saw a hanging pot rack that would have been perfect for those pans.

Oh well.

Next time I am not waiting..

My first sweater for me is almost done...

2009-11-25T18:36:00Z

My work in progress...

My first knitted sweater for myself is almost done. Well, actually it would be my third. My first sweater I started when I was in the 5th grade, but my instructor had a heart attack and I never got past the knit one, purl one ribbing.

My second sweater I did make in the 70's (gosh I date myself too often). It was just 4 rectangles, two for the body of the sweater and one for each sleeve. It was cute, and I did wear it, but have no clue what happened to it over the centuries.

I have made too many to count baby sweaters from a class I took at my local yarn store. I highly recommend anyone who wants to knit seriously to take a class if they can. I learned so much more than just the pattern. The knitting tips are priceless. Thanks, Sheep's Clothing in Valparaiso, Indiana! You guys deserve a mention for putting up with me...

I've wanted to make a sweater for me for ages, but never found the right pattern till now. It's a simple cardigan, and I'm knitting it in Cascade yarn. A beautiful, creamy with a slight color pattern in it. I have the back, and both fronts now. And, after 2 tries, have the sleeves coming along. After the sleeves, it's just a matter of sewing it together, add a collar, and the front ribbing for the buttonholes. It's different, they don't have you knit the ribbing along with the fronts, you have to go back and pick up stitches along the front to do the ribbing. Sounds easy enough, but we'll see.

I will definitely post a picture of it when its done..

I have a 20% off coupon!!

2009-11-25T18:30:00Z

I have a 20% off coupon to the Coach outlet store and it's driving me crazy...

I have an addiction problem, actually I have 3.. I love food, knitting and purses, especially name brand purses. I don't really care about name brand clothes, just as long as they are comfortable, but purses do me in.

I went to the Coach website a couple of days ago, on a whim, just to see what they had, and I made the terrible mistake of signing up for their emails. I know, I just wasn't thinking..

and today, in my email, is a 20% off coupon.

I hope practicality wins out, but I'm not so sure.

Wish me luck.

p.s. I also looked to see what time they open on Friday, and they open at midnight on Thanksgiving night.. I am in real trouble here....

Being practical wins, sometimes...

2009-08-25T22:57:00Z

I work with my best friend of 30 years. Amazing, huh? And to top it off we also lived across the hall from each other in an apartment complex for a year, and still stayed buddies. We have been through boyfriends, husbands, children, divorces, remarriage for her, I'm still holding out..

So, back to the purse story. She said she was going to go to Penneys after work and buy this purse she had seen. Having just bought my purple purse and still in a mood to buy more, my eyes lit up and I asked innocently if I could tag along. She said yes.... (big mistake on her part..lol )

We walked into the purse section at Penneys and I felt like I was in a candy store. So many colors and styles. She had her mind set on this certain style and she wanted black. She called it practical, with outside pockets and lots of room inside. It was really cute and would last forever. I, on the other hand, start pulling out all the colored ones, totally impractical and started showing her those. Green ones and purple ones and gray ones, and patchwork and oh so cool. (when I get paid, that patchwork one is mine!) She was trying to ignore me and be practical and buy the black purse when she saw the cranberry, alligator skin purse. She fell in love. You could tell by her body language that she wanted that purse because she kept it on her shoulder, and just held the black one in her hand. I told her that I wouldn't influence her, that she needed to get what she wanted, because she would be the one to use it. The cute, young sales clerk would walk by and whisper, "get the cranberry one," and then walk away.

She debated and debated, and finally decided on the black practical purse. But I could tell she was not happy, she wanted the cranberry one, but practicality won.

But there is a happy ending.. When I got home there was a voice mail from her on the phone and she said the next time she goes and buys a purse, she is getting the fun one and I am not allowed to let her buy the practical one..

So, my moral for this story, is that sometimes girls just have to have fun. Treat yourself sometimes, even if its just a purse. You can be practical later...

I bought a purple purse!

2009-08-22T02:37:00Z

I bought a purple purse (it's really eggplant) and I couldn't help myself. I am a purseaholic, and not only for just any kind of purse. I am in love with name brand designer purses. I bought my first Coach and I was hooked. Unfortunately there is a Coach outlet about 20 miles from my house. Fortunately, I am able to keep myself under control most of the time. But I was due.

I walked into Kohls with the intentions of buying Jack a new pair of jeans and leaving immediately. But, from the jeans dept, I had to wonder into the kitchen department where I found jungle print glasses that I had to buy for my son's apartment at school Arent they great?

Then I was leaving, and accidently wandered by the purses, saw the purple purse and I froze. I tried to get my feet to move, but they were attached to the floor. I looked up at the tag and it was a Vera Wang and that darn purse just flew off the shelf and into my clutching fingers. Honestly, it really did fly, I wouldn't lie..

And it is just great to organize stuff, and the best thing is that my new netbook fits inside!!

Last Wednesday evening I knitted with three amazing young women.

2009-08-21T22:34:00Z

Last Wednesday evening I knitted with three amazing young women.

The first will graduate college soon and will be interning in Chicago in just 2 weeks. The second is a stay at home mom of 2 very small children and a champion recycler. The third is a successful engineer working for a cable company, and just happens to be involved with my ”office” son. And then there is me, who is way past her 20’s and early 30’s, and is contemplating retirement in 2 or 3 years. It will be an early retirement, I’m not that old, at least that’s what I tell myself. J

We drank tea, knitted, talked, knitted, showed each other pictures of our two legged and four legged children, knitted, went outside and watched the storm clouds north, went back inside and knitted more.

I am soo looking forward to next Wednesday so we can meet again to knit.

WW progress report, but nothing really to report...

2009-08-21T22:31:00Z

So, what have I been up to? About 5’2” and I still need to lose weight. That hasn’t changed much.

I did make it to Weight Watchers (to be known as WW) once in the last two weeks. I did lose a pound the first week. I wanted to go the second week, but my german shepherd had surgery, (she had two tumors on her neck removed) and she wouldn’t leave my side. No one else in the family could make her happy, only Mom. She is my baby and I couldn’t leave her. P.S. she is fine, and her tumors were benign….

I have had great intentions. I went to the store and bought a ton, and I mean a ton of low fat food. And have I eaten the food? No, we have been out to dinner almost every night. I am making much wiser choices though, I’m pretty proud about that. I’m choosing salads instead of sandwiches, and cutting my sandwiches in half and bringing home the other half.

I have been craving sweets like crazy. I love Skinny Cow low fat mint ice cream sandwiches and have one every night for dessert. I also bought low fat graham crackers and fat free cool whip and been eating a couple of cracker covered with cool whip. That really satisfies because the Cool Whip is so sweet.

I decided to try to find another WW meeting, I am just not “clicking” with my Leader at my current meeting, and I need to find the right Leader for me. I’m going to a Tuesday meeting next week, and will see if that will make the difference.

I’ll find out…

I’m back!! Again!!!

2009-08-21T22:17:00Z

Sorry for the delay in getting back to my blog, but I had so many blocks I was starting to feel like this wasn’t meant to be, but a new laptop (really a netbook and I LOVE it) to replace the old, broken one and life is better.. J

The saga of knitted baby sweaters

2009-07-14T23:02:00Z

Oh boy, have I been knitting, and it's been great. I take my knitting with me everywhere. I knit every chance I get, in waiting rooms, on breaks and lunchhours at work. I've even been known to pull out my knitting while I'm stuck waiting for a 100 car train. I have been finishing a lot of projects and it has given me a good sense of accomplishment. I don't know about you, but sometimes I have just to put a project away for a while before I can finish it. I have a terrible time sewing buttons on.. But I got the buttons on 3 sweaters, finished a fourth, (yes, the buttons are on, I just have to weave in the yarn ends) and am a little over half on a baby afghan. It was a free pattern from LionBrand and you start out with 6 stitches, increase up to 160, then decrease down. Sounds a little confusing but soo easy, I'll post a picture of it when its done, give me another week or so.

Hello World, I'm back!!

2009-07-14T22:58:00Z

Hello World, I'm back!

Sometimes life just interferes and you just can't get it going again, and it happened to me. Too much, and not enough time, and you have to let something go, and it was my blog. I was really sad about it too. I cannot believe how much I missed writing on here, it's healing to me to let everything out.

So, here goes, and it's gonna be a ton of updates, so be prepared...

Too many funerals!

2009-05-30T00:16:00Z

I have attended a funeral each Friday for the last two Fridays and enough is enough. I lost a co-worker and wonderful person to breast cancer last week. My best friend's stepdad passed away this week, and his service was today. And then on top of all this, my boss's husband had a serizure, stopped breathing and was taken to the hospital. They are doing tests and awaiting results. She is a very good friend too, and I know them both so well.

All this has really made me think about how precious life really is, and how you shouldn't ever take family and friends for granted.

You never know when you will turn around, and they won't be there.

I figured how how to stop the puppy from digging!!

2009-05-19T23:39:00Z

>/c>I am just soo proud of myself, I think I have finally figured out how to stop the puppy from digging..

He was going nuts in the backyard. He had 6 holes dug and it was starting to look like a war zone. Jack said I wasn't allowed to walk in the backyard in the dark anymore until he had them all filled. (5 years ago I stepped in a hole my husky had dug and broke my ankle. Guess he didn't want a repeat of that. It wasn't very pretty, actually, I was pretty pathetic).

So, back to the holes. I was trying to figure out what to put in them to make them unattractive and couldn't think of anything. I was idly watching Jack do the "poop patrol" in the yard, and a huge light bulb went off! Why not try??

We emptied the bucket (Jack emptied the bucket, it isn't my job) into the holes and covered them with a layer of dirt. Mr. Marley went to a hole, started to dig, and INSTANTLY stopped!

No more holes and we were estatic. Then, this weekend he dug another. Guess what we are putting in that one....

Try it if your puppy is digging, it might work for you too..

I remember my mom...

2009-05-09T03:11:32Z

I remember Mama...   It was the name of a movie back in the 40's.

I remember my mom. I remember the good times, the bad times. I remember being an impatient teenager, who couldnt wait to grow up and all the battles that caused.  I remember all our Saturday shopping trips and how much fun we had..

I remember her excitement when she became a grandma, but she wanted to be a "Mimi," and she was. I remember her watching Matt when he was little, because I had to work. I remember coming to her house to pick Matt up after work, and her having dinner waiting for me so I wouldnt have to cook, and she would have our laundry done for us to help me out.

I remember how devastated she was when my dad was diagnosed with alzheimers, and when we had to put him in a nursing home. I remember leaning on each other while he was in the home and when he passed away.

I remember her strength for me when I was going through my divorce and how she was there for me and Matt, no matter what.

I remember the day the World Trade Centers collapsed. I was teaching a computer class in Gary, and she came to my house to be here for Matt when he got home from school so he wouldnt be alone while the world was falling apart.

I remember her calling me to take her to the hospital because she had pains in her chest. I remember holding her hand in the ICU after her open heart surgery, and I remember the doctor telling me that the surgery didnt help her and I needed to make arrangements for hospice.   I remember she wanted some water, and when I asked the nurse to get her something, she said she couldnt have it. I remember yelling at the nurse, that my mom was thirsty and if she wouldnt get the water, I would. I remember yelling at her that my mom was dying and she was going to get anything she wanted. The nurse got her the water. Sounds like Terms of Endearment, doesnt it?

I remember moving into hospice with my mom, and staying with her until the end. I remember sitting next to the bed, holding her hand, talking to her, telling her it was okay to go, that I could take care of everything, she didnt have to worry. I remember her squeezing my hand when I was talking to her..

I remember the nurse gently waking me up at 3:15 am. to tell me it was time. I remember holding my mom's hand again as she left this world.

I remember my mother's love.

My mud puppy or how do you stop a puppy from digging?

2009-05-09T01:39:00Z

We have a 7 month old half golden retriever, half chow puppy we got from a rescue in northern Illinois back in November. His name is Marley, and no, we didnt name him from the movie, we named him because we like Bob Marley, and he looked shaggy in his picture on the website. He was an adorable puppy and is growing up into a great dog, except for one problem.

He has discovered digging. He saw Jack dig up some ferns to transplant, and figured out that if Jack could dig in the dirt, he could too. The back yard is starting to look like a bombfield.

We had even put a small child's pool in the backyard and put sand in it for him to dig in, but he just likes to lay in it. It was an idea we got from watching Victoria Stillwell, but this one didnt work.

Any ideas or suggestions would be most greatly appreciated... thanks!!