Our House Part Two

[LovinThis32]

Sorry to plug up the blogging- with my photos, was just in the sharing mood! Julie- yes, they make the color. I actually do it myself. I have to bleach out the parts that are colored and I look a fool- then I put the color in- I had purple and blue, now pink, I want to try aqua next. lol Heck, I have nothing to lose! Just keeps my peeps wondering what I'm going to do next. lol My Mom told me when I did my nose that if God wanted me here ugly he would of put me here like that. lol I knew she wouldn't have anything nice to say about any of it- it's ok. I tell her she's the lady with the same look since 1980 and it's the 2000's now.

Thank you for the compliment on contentment and confidence. I will say that since I finally got divorced when I decided that I could do it financially on my own (I kept my house, 5 bdrm, 1/4 acre) simple but nice. and my car, that's all I have. But- I have to look at life as if ----if i don't take care of myself and Aree who will? i don't and can't depend on anyone else. Lord knows her dad can't even contribute to help pay for her school lunches- that's a whole other battle. I gave up- I take care of everything- which is why I have to do the crappy sat. work.

I am a very strong, confident person/personality and yes, it's passed on- maybe a little TOO much as she is an "ONLY" child. She's a little too strong w/ her classmates sometimes and she's 10 going on 30. She didn't come w/ an instruction manual so I'm only doing what I know to do and the best I can. :0)

[Gardener]

Hi ladies

Since we all live in different areas of the country, I thought it might be neat to hear what it looks like in your neighborhood,or state .

 

Let's PRETEND the snow is gone all over,and we all have a nice spring /summer day out our window .

 

Describe your town or area you live in so we can all "see" in our minds what it looks like from YOUR part of the world.:

 

I live in the middle of 10 acres of woods. From my front windows you see the front lawn, surrounded by a ring of 70 foot tall oak trees. You can also see a lot of pine trees along the driveway. The street is not visible from the house, except in winter, when the trees are bare. We can just barely see our neighbors houses. When you look out my kitchen windows, you see lots of maple trees and a few pine trees. I have birdbaths and feeders in the back yard and there are cardinals, blue jays, chickadees and gold finches fluttering around them. In spring my flower gardens are full of blue and white columbines and yellow irises.

 

Yet, even though it sounds like we might live in the back of beyond, civilization is relatively nearby. I live less than 10 miles from Grand Rapids, which is Michigan's second largest city, and only a few miles from a really cute and thriving small town. There is a grocery store, church,dentist, wine store, veterinarian, gas station, car repair shop, several restaurants, and a beauty shop, all with in walking distance of our house. About 1 mile in either direction from my house, you can go snow skiing in the winter. There are several nearby walking/biking/hiking trails.

 

This area has lots of lakes, but the best beaches are at Lake Michigan which is about 35 miles away.

[Gardener]

I also starte dreading a cozy mystery, book one of a series of needlecraft mysteries: Crewel World by Monica Ferris. I have the first 3 of the series in one book. A REAL book, Joanne:lol:lol

.

I think I used to have that same book, not sure if I still have it or not. I remember the books as a nice quick easy read,.

[Gardener]

Just want to say that I caught up on posts, but no time to comment individually. We are going to dinner with the inlaws, and its time to get ready.....

[judianne]

I think I used to have that same book, not sure if I still have it or not. I remember the books as a nice quick easy read,.

It is an easy read - and well written, IMO.

 

I worked a bit on the crochet challenge project this afternoon, but no reading yet...

[judianne]

Just want to say that I caught up on posts, but no time to comment individually. We are going to dinner with the inlaws, and its time to get ready.....

enjoy your dinner out!

[judianne]

Hmmmm...anybody home at Our House?

 

Will be by tomorrow....

[LovinThis32]

Honey!!! I'm home!!!

[judianne]

Honey!!! I'm home!!!

Good!

You can hold down the fort, so to speak, while I sneak away for the night;)

[LovinThis32]

lol. oooooooook, I'm right on it!

[LovinThis32]

***QUESTION**** do you force a 10 yr. old child to play a sport just because you did ? or do you let them explore and play whatever they want?

 

I'm up against a rock----Aree made this little 10 yr old comp fast pitch team for softball- which means a lot of money, a lot of traveling- they've been off all winter and just starting up again for the spring----I could tell at the end of fall her heart wasn't really into it and here we start for this spring and she says she would rather do gymnastics. If i quit I pay 100.00 and she's done. I don't want to force her though becuase I don't want her to hate it!! HELP!!!

[imanurse55]

Honey I'm home too:lol

 

Just finished reading through all the posts!

 

Kiyo- I love the pics you posted! The skirt you made Aree is so neat!!! And you have such a spunky independent confident personality - it comes through in your posts ....and in your pics! That banana sled is just too neat!!! You seem to keep things real!!! And I really admire that!!!!

 

Cindy- Where you live sounds so nice- I would LOVE to be within walking distance of the grocery, dentist, shops, etc. I have to get in my car for everything- well not everything- if it's nice I will sometimes walk to the bank and back- it's probably about a mile walk- guessing...when the weather gets nice, I think I'll wear my pedometer and see how far it is. I could probably walk to the library too- that would be closer to 2 miles I think- that might be a good goal- walk to the library and back!!!

 

Judy- The REAL book sounds good. Glad you are enjoying it- even if you didn't get to it yet today!

 

Marisa- for the Sixers win and for the beautiful hook case you made your sis!! Also love the yarn you got Mariann- does she have plans for what she is going to do with it?

 

Julie- I would love to hear the crack of the bat!!! We have a parochial school that is behind the houses across the street from me. They used to have a carnival there every June- and it was great to walk over there. They stopped doing it about 2-3 years ago.

 

I hope you all had a good day and Cindy- enjoy dinner out and your three days off!!!

 

Off to hook for a bit and then call it an EARLY night- I'm beat!

[imanurse55]

***QUESTION**** do you force a 10 yr. old child to play a sport just because you did ? or do you let them explore and play whatever they want?

 

I'm up against a rock----Aree made this little 10 yr old comp fast pitch team for softball- which means a lot of money, a lot of traveling- they've been off all winter and just starting up again for the spring----I could tell at the end of fall her heart wasn't really into it and here we start for this spring and she says she would rather do gymnastics. If i quit I pay 100.00 and she's done. I don't want to force her though because I don't want her to hate it!! HELP!!!

I let my daughters try different activities- and never forced them to stick with one that they weren't enjoying. My youngest started in dance, then went onto softball- (my fav sport for girls) and then when she was 10 she wanted to play soccer. I thought to myself - she's good at softball, I love watching the games, and in the town we were living in, those that played soccer started really young! But I let her try it and she LOVED it and ended up on the travel soccer team. She played soccer up to HS- and then switched to cheerleading:cheerShe also continued with dance classes- ballet, jazz and tap

. My middle DD was taking dance and then wanted gymnastics (which I also love- never could do it, but love the grace and skill of the sport) She ended up on a competitive gymnastics team- and they traveled and she did well- she was also on the HS gymnastics team. My oldest wasn't into sports at all growing up- she was all about dancing, singing and acting. Gosh, when I write all that out and think about all the driving around and the $ I spent on their activities, I have to wonder How did I do it?????

 

I always wanted to take dance classes when I was younger- BUT I ended up taking piano- (because that's what my mother wanted me to do). I think that's why I let my daughters try what THEY wanted to do

[Cheeria]

Hi there house, it's a little after 7:30 pm and the lil darlings went home early so after posting this I'm getting into PJ's, and jumping into bed with my crochet bag with my doily ghan in it, my NOOK and my TV turner and cool out for the rest of the night. Yippppppeeee for that :cheer. Lately my DD have been working late which make it sometime almost 8PM when we are eating dinner and I'm winding down from crying babies. Yuck :think Today wasn't to bad which I'm so thanksful for, I don't think at the moment I can take any more drama or tension in my life. At least I did not have any signs of a tension headache today, so for me it was a normal take care of wifely duty and darling lil grandbabies today, my type of day. I read most of the posts so I will respond to a few now before I sign off.

 

Joanne - love your view from your window and patio door. We mostly live in the same area except my view is from my front door into a tree lined grassy in the summer yard, for as you know I live in an apartment complex. Same suburban surrounduings as you. Hugs to you Joanne for a few times you came into my mind especially when I'm loading up my NOOK with free books. Yippeeee for free NOOK books. HUGS

 

Marisa - On my trip to Atlantic City we went to three casinos and yes one of them was Caesars, but that big giant slot machine with the seemly smiling face of cheeries and number 7's was at Trump Plaza so if you go there beware of it, it eats money. :lol I love the hook case you made your sister, your a nice sister.

 

Linda - sorry to hear about John's mother being in the hospital , will say a prayer for her healing. I love the quilted christmas stocking and Trouble don't look like Trouble, so cute. Your quilts are excellent and I know it will be pretty, don't worry.

 

Kiyo- - I seen the spike stitch it make a nice pattern. Have you done it yet???? Love the pink in your DO and the wheels, real nice. You have a cutie pie little darling there. Nice looking family thanks for sharing.

 

Cindy - hey there, have fun at dinner.

 

Judy - I love my NOOK but there are times that I miss going to Barnes and Nobles to just buy a book. There's something special about buying books and going into Barnes and Nobles just to look around and buy magazines. I plan on making a trip there when I can carve out a free moment for myself, which at this moment is extremely hard to do.

 

Mary - Hi there, WOW thunder storms reminds me that spring will be here soon. but we can have some thunder with snow storms. I have to think postive and think spring, nice warm spring :hug

 

Julie - As you describe the area you live in I can just see it in my mind. How have you been.

 

To any one I may have miss HUGS. Now I'm running off to jump into those PJ's all my shows like Grey's Anotomy (oppppsss spelling error) and Private Practice come on tonight. I might even have a bowl of popcorn to go with my early evening of some ME time. Love you House Family

[marpan79]

Good evening ladies

 

Work was long and frustrating today and I seemed to be on a thin strand with my patience level I just stayed out of the way doing some paperwork or I know any little thing would have set me off today Not sure why, just one of those days I guess After work I had some errands to run and now just want to go to bed, but I won't let myself yet or I'll be up at 3 Sixers game tomorrow night then me and Mary are driving up my parents til sunday. We're celebrating my dad's bday this weekend and my sister and her bf will be home too So, tomorrow will be a super long day I already can't wait to get home and crawl into my bed there

 

Toni and Julie - I don't know what Mary will make with her new yarn, but I'd put my money on a scarf and hat She doesn't make much else other than that She just made 2 baby sweaters for a friend of hers, but that's the first time she did anything else. She started a pair of fingerless mitts a bit ago and didn't finish them. She did make herself a sweater jacket last fall which she did finish (without the sleeves) Other than that, she's all hats and scarves

 

Julie - I am the baby, my sister is the oldest and my bro is the middle. He was part of today's frustration level now that I think of it Anyway, my sister is the one I made the steelers blanket for, the one that lives in Pittsburgh already that I visit and am moving there near her My parents will move there too after my dad retires You definitely knew, just slipped your mind with some momentary amnesia It happens to me all day long

 

Kiyo - Lots of great pics and Aree always looks happy, so you're doing a good job (even without that manual ) As for the activities, I suggest you let her do what she enjoys to do. But my mom's one rule was that if we chose something, we had to stick it out for the season. So for instance, if I joined softball and said I wanted to quit after the first week....it was a done deal and I was there for the duration, but I wouldn't be made to go back the following year. Good luck making your decision on that, but whatever you decide to do, own your choice and stick it out

 

OK ladies, I'm going to get in my pj's and settle in for the night. I have american idol from last night and tonight to watch

[busy-bee-lmt]

Here it all is-------my wild car, that is me with my brother- he's 31, lives in Denver--just the 2 of us. And..........my crazy hair.

Love the pictures, especially the crazy hair. I used to purple and pink in mine when I was in nursing school. My parents did NOT approve.

I am sorry, I think I'm in a picture sharing mood! lol----

 

Here is my honey and Freed and I

 

The photo of Aree and I was last Easter- I made her skirt.

 

Lemme tell you bout the banana-----that is cardboard and lots and lots of packaging tape lol- at a local ski resort they had their closing day activities and to build a "sled" out of cardboard and tape is all you could use. Originally my x-bil built it for 3 kids to ride down this mtn in....hmmm I ended up riding it down and making front page of newspaper- I'm trying to find the photo w/ me in it- it was great!!! The kids crashed 1/4 the way from the top and I happened to be right there, tossed my camera to my mom and jumped in, afraid I would get stuck lol. Nope, the crowd went wild, it was awesome. Can't say that I will do it again, knowing how the end crash felt lol.

More great pictures! The banana ride sounds like a blast!

 

As far as what to do with Aree. I'd let her try what she wants. She may go back to the softball later if you don't push her now, but pushing her when her heart isn't in it, will probably backfire big time. My DD played viola in grade school and junior high, dropped it in high school, but picked the violin back up in college and did very well with it. And she wasn't a music major or minor.

 

I'm doing better with the quilt. I put more of it together today and when I got it pressed and together, it's working much better. I went to the quilt store tonight and got some more of the background fabric that I was short on, too. So that's good.

 

I've got two more of the Christmas stockings to do. But with three already done, I'm over half way there.

 

Cheeria ~ Glad to hear that today went better for you. :hug

[Gardener]

 

Cindy- Where you live sounds so nice- I would LOVE to be within walking distance of the grocery, dentist, shops, etc. I have to get in my car for everything- well not everything- if it's nice I will sometimes walk to the bank and back- it's probably about a mile walk- guessing...when the weather gets nice, I think I'll wear my pedometer and see how far it is. I could probably walk to the library too- that would be closer to 2 miles I think- that might be a good goal- walk to the library and back!!!

 

 

Joanne, we actually live in the country, so we're lucky to have all those things within walking distance. No library nearby though, its about 5 miles away.

[Gardener]

 

 

Kiyo - Lots of great pics and Aree always looks happy, so you're doing a good job (even without that manual ) As for the activities, I suggest you let her do what she enjoys to do. But my mom's one rule was that if we chose something, we had to stick it out for the season. So for instance, if I joined softball and said I wanted to quit after the first week....it was a done deal and I was there for the duration, but I wouldn't be made to go back the following year. Good luck making your decision on that, but whatever you decide to do, own your choice and stick it out

 

 

This was my parents rule too, and also one I used with my own children. I felt that they needed to learn to follow through on an obligation, and it also taught them to make choices thoughtfully, because every choice comes with consequences.

[Gardener]

Dinner was great, and afterwards I stopped by Joanne fabrics, (ended up just buying some muslin), and got groceries. I'm ready to drop now though.

 

Cheeria, you sound a little better today. Hope things are going better for you.

 

Good night everyone.

[dobermama]

Hi House! It was a very LONG day for me but a good one. One of the ladies from church picked me up and we went to Big Lots, lunch at Ryan's, yum, to the vampire for my weekly blood letting and then to Wally World and home.

 

Now, we're under tornado watch, oh, joy. Went out and took down all my wind chimes and bird houses on the front porch because winds are kicking up pretty good. Don't want them to fly off hooks and into windows.

 

Kiyo loved all of your photos! You look so happy in them and your dd is a doll. As for making her play a sport, I never did with my girls or my grandson. Grandson was in band throughout highschool. When he was younger it was tai kwon do, his choice. He made it to black belt and never went back and never has used it in anger.

 

I've read all the posts but can't remember what everyone said and not sure how to make those multiple quote things work

 

Since the storms are supposed to hit around 2am, of course, and I didn't get a chance to lay down today, time for me to hit the bed. One thing that is hard to get used to with this disease is being tired so much. Never took naps before

 

So good all! Time for me to get some

[imanurse55]

Good morning and TGIF!!!

 

Toni- Hope the tornado didn't materialize and you got a good night's sleep. Love the hat and the tape measure covers you made and posted in show and tell- lovely work!!

 

Cindy- I think you have the best of both worlds- you live in the country, but can walk to things as if you lived in a town if that makes sense. Enjoy your well-deserved day off. What are you planning to do with the muslin?

 

Cheeria- Did you get to watch your shows last night? I went upstairs at 9 and promptly fell asleep- I got 8 hours of sleep which for me is a lot!! I guess I really WAS tired! I still go to B&N and look around- and if there is a book that I really want, I check out the price of the book vs downloading it on to my Nook- whichever is least expensive wins!

 

Marisa- Sorry you had such a tough day, but a little BB game tonight followed by a trek to your parents with Mary and getting to see your sis are sure to make you feel better!! BTW- Hope your Dad enjoys his birthday celebration! I'm sure he will with his 2 DD's home with him!!!

 

Kiyo- I also agree with what Cindy and Marisa said. I let my DD's choose their activity, but it was for the season. If they wanted to try a new activity, they had to stick it out till the end. When the season was over, if they didn't want to go back to it, that was fine. It does teach that there are consequences to decisions,as Cindy mentioned.

 

Linda- Sounds like you have a better perspective on your quilt- it is going to be gorgeous- and you should just have fun with it and enjoy the process. I'm happy that you were able to get the fabric that you needed!

 

It is rainy and yucky out there today here, which would be a perfect stay in the house in my pj's kind of day- but alas, paradise awaits so time for me to get ready.

 

Make it a good day everyone!

[JulieKay]

Will try to reply to posts since I was in last :

 

Kiyo

As for your question regarding making your girl stick with a sport she doesn't enjoy, I wouldnt make her . Just my opinion,but when our son played baseball ,there were a couple boys on the team who hated it and were really not good at it,and I remember their parents sitting up in the stands screaming at the boys to try hard,and do better, and even one of them told their boy "If you don't hit that ball, Im gonna BEAT you when we

get home!!!"

Geez, I felt sorry for those boys ,doing something they hated,they were no good at it,and getting yelled at to try harder . This was when the boys were about 8 or 9 .

Sam thinks the opposite of me, if kids sign up for something, he thinks they should stick it out for the year ,or until it is completed .

So, I guess each person has their own idea of how to do things .

 

 

Joanne

It sounds like your girls were all very talented at sports and dancing ! I wish you could have taken dancing too if that is what you wanted to do .You can't ever get those years back . I think it'd be neat to be able to play the piano,so that'd be cool .

 

Cheeria

It sounds as if life was a little better yesterday,other than your really long day of babysitting,and yes, that many hours does start to wear on you,especially of they are wee little or are crying or dont feel good, it makes it harder and you do get tired much quicker . I only had Cam to watch, so it wasn't as hard to watch one as 2 .

 

Marisa

sorry your day yesterday was so crappy,and I hope today is better. I remember your Steelers afghan,but I guess I thought it was for your sister in law . I try to keep up with everyone, but one in awhile ,stuff slides right on by me and I forget things .

I hope your day today is good and that your weekend turns out nice. At least you might get some CAKE !!!

 

 

Linda

I'm glad you are liking your quilt better and also that you found more of the color you needed. It'd make you nervous if you only had a certain amount and cut it wrong or something,then didnt have any more to replace it . You probably wouldnt do that since you are so good at quilts,but I sure would !! I wouldnt have a clue of how to make a quilt.

 

 

Hi Toni

I'm glad your day went well yesterday and you had fun . Nothing wrong with taking a nap,or stopping to rest a little if you need to ! Better to take good care of yourself so your body can keep up ! I know it's hard to do that ,but you will probably get used to a new routine,and when your body says REST,then you will for a bit . Pick you up a simple little crochet item to do ,then you can rest,but still keep your hands occupied .

 

**Oh, and to do the multi-quote if you wanna reply to lots of people ,when you read posts, there is a little symbol at the bottom roght corner of each persons post--- if you click on it ,it says (multi-quote this message) ... just click,and read on to the next ones .... then when you get ready to post a reply, all the quotes will be in your reply area. I do that sometimes, just as a guide to who said what, then I delete their posts after I reply to them .

 

Hope I didnt mix you up .Sometimes I dont explain things very well .

[imanurse55]

Julie- I like the idea of multi quoting as a way to remember what was said- cause as you know- I rarely have pen and paper handy to take notes as I read!!

 

Have a good day!

[JulieKay]

Hi Joanne

Yea, I do that sometimes ,then can just read what each person wrote and respond that way . My old NOGGIN aint what it used to be ,so I need to think of ideas to make things easier for it .

 

Hope your day goes well,and you arent getting hit with this latest snowstorm. We have another snowing, icey,freezing rain,sleet --- crappy weather day ....

Waiting to hear if they cancel Cam's school or not .

 

I AM SO SICK OF WINTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[marpan79]

Good morning ladies

 

 

I'm with Joanne, TGIF!!! I wish it was 6:30 PM now instead of AM I'm still feeling tired this morning, so hopefully my coffee and shower will pick me up a bit I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow morning, well, just a trim....but it'll feel so much better once these dead ends are gone Not much new from last night and I'm sure by the time I get back here, there will be alot to catch up on.

 

Linda - I think I forgot to mention that your stockings are great!!! WTG

 

Cindy -Looks like our parents were on the same wavelength

 

Toni - I hope your tornado watch is over by this morning that everything is still securely in it's place when you get up

 

Joanne - It's rainy here too, started last night and I think is supposed to go all day

 

Julie - We sure will have CAKE!!! I'll let you know what kind we get

 

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!