One day this week, shortly after Mike left for work, he called me at home and told me to look out the window.  I did and then I ran outside to capture the moment.  We'd had a hard frost during the night and our cottonless cottonwood tree was letting go of most all of its leaves in one morning.  It was incredible!  It was noisy!  It felt like it was raining gold.  The picture doesn't do it justice but if you look closely, many of the leaves are much larger than the others, or so it seems.  They were actually much closer than the others as they fell.  Some even hit my camera as I tried to photograph it.  I would guess 30-50 leaves were in the air at all times for quite a long time.  I've never experienced such a shower before!

I love Fall!

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SUGGESTIONS?

Well, Bode has moved on from cell phones to tv remotes.  We try to keep them out of reach but sometimes one gets left on the end table...

And just so you know, he has LOTS of things to chew on.  These are the toys/bones I found in just one room this morning...

Suggestions? 

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Hello? Hello? The Final Hang Up

 Bode is still chewing and eating anything he can reach.  It is still driving me CrAzY!  However, some good has come of it...

Yes, that is my phone.  Yes, I said this was a good thing.  If you are confused, please click here.

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A Windy Day at Hobby Lobby

Recently my aunt and cousin, Michelle and Anne Marie, were in town for an event.  They gave me a call and we got together for a bit.  I also got to visit briefly with Anne Marie's husband and daughter.  First we met at the mall but we quickly migrated to our REAL destination... Hobby Lobby.

Are any of you Hobby Lobbiers?  I LOVE that store!  My mom always wants to go there as well when she is in town.  As she put it, "It is a lovely store full of things that no one really needs."  Well, it is true that it doesn't carry the necessities of life, but sometimes I really think I NEED a certain color of yarn or some new beads for earrings or fabric for a dress or ......  They have SO many things I really, really need... ok, things I WANT. 

My Aunt Michelle was a pretty important person during my elementary school years.  My family moved to the same town in Nebraska where she taught at a college.  I remember lots of times spent following her and my Mom around doing exciting things like touring through new mobile homes for a Sunday outing.  When we'd drive to Wyoming for Christmas or something, Michelle sometimes rode along with us.  For some reason I often had leg aches as a kid and they were especially bad when we were in the car too long.  I remember Michelle massaging my legs to help me feel better. 

Anne Marie is a lot younger than I am so I can remember back to her infancy.  I remember her as being very smart and very spirited.  Our two families did not live close together by then so I only saw her occasionally.

For many years, though, I've mostly only seen Michelle and Anne Marie at my Grandma Rose's house.   Grandma's house was really the gathering place for extended family.  Grandma Rose died just before Christmas last year and since then so much has changed.  We don't have that center to our extended family anymore.  It seemed kind of odd to get together with Michelle and Anne Marie somewhere else, but I mean odd in a nice way.

I'm so very grateful that Michelle and Ann Marie made the effort to call me so that I could see them.  Oddly, it made me feel a little closer to Grandma Rose again.  There is something comforting about being with people who have known you your whole life.  That feeling of connectedness is something I've come to value.

I brought my camera to document the occasion but had left the SD card in my computer.  Duh.  Luckily, Michelle had her camera along and has shared some pictures with me.   Thanks, Michelle!  As she noted, we have the Wyoming Wind hairdos!

Anne Marie and me...

Michelle and me...

Michelle and Anne Marie

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The New Girl - Again

I went to a lot of different schools growing up.  We moved a lot and eventually I kind of came to think of myself as the perpetual "new girl".  I am not saying that I liked that feeling of being the "new girl" but I got used to it and I think that I learned to be more adaptable than maybe I would have otherwise. 

Yesterday, I felt like the "new girl" again as I started a new job.  I have to say, the day went quite well.  I've got several days of orientation to complete before actual training at the bedside begins but I'm already feeling like I am where I am supposed to be right now.  I no longer expect anything to be permanent; I have learned that some things are just for a time.  Right now, though, I am thrilled for this opportunity.

Before I left this morning I enjoyed seeing a note on my bathroom mirror, left there by Maria when they visited the evening before.

When I got home from work last night, Sam was so sweet and asked me all about my day.  I don't know how people manage when they don't have great family for their support system.  I am so very grateful for mine.  I received well wishes from Ben and Sara in North Carolina, my mother-in-law in Montana and many friends as well.  I had a lovely send-off hug this morning as my husband sent me on my way feeling confident.  I really am blessed!

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New Job!

Today is the first day of my new job as a hospice nurse.  I am excited, nervous, anxious, energized and all those things you might expect.  After being off work for a full year, I am so happy to feel well and ready to work.  I am so very grateful for this opportunity. 

(This is NOT me but I feel like she looks today.  This photo is from tampabaycna.com via Google Images.)

When I went in for the interview for this job I was pretty wound up.  There were 3 women who interviewed me and I told them right off that I just KNEW I was supposed to work there and that I just needed to convince them of the same.  I enjoyed the interview and felt so great about it all I worried later that I behaved too giddy for such a serious position.  My confidence started to falter.

When I received the call that the position was being offered to me I was thrilled!  The woman who called asked me if I wanted to think about it before I accepted I practically yelled, "NO!"  I knew that I had been led to this place at this time.

Throughout this job search process I prayed and I know there were others praying for me.  It did not come as a surprise to me that doors opened and closed along the way, leading me to the position that feels right for me.    I pray now that God will continue to guide me as I am trained, that I may always remember who I serve and that He does His work through my hands.

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Bb

It's week 2 for the ABC's of Bible Memorization.  Has anyone memorized the "a" verse?  Here's the "b" verse for this week...


Galatians 5:22, 23 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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Saturday Plans

What are your plans for this day?

As soon as I post this I plan to make pancakes.  I'm HUNGRY!

I plan to go to Walmart before the Saturday crowd arrives.  I only need a few grocery items and some yarn for another poncho project.  I've taken orders for 10 ponchos and a few hats since last Saturday!  I'm on my third one of those but one didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped so I am going to redo it. 

So, I plan to crochet like the wind!

I plan to do laundry.  I'll  likely wash and dry a few loads that will then be plopped on our guest room bed until I am forced to fold them.  I love doing laundry, it is rather magical how yucky, dirty clothes go into machines and come out smelling like a warm Spring day.  However, I hate folding laundry.  Why?  I've no idea.

I will work on my Bible Study by Beth Moore, "Breaking Free".

I will crochet like the wind some more.

I will prepare my lesson for the 3-5yr olds in my Sunday School class.  We are on the letter "F" this week so it will be about fish, either the loaves and fishes story or the fishers of men story.  I'm leaning toward the loaves and fishes story.

I will crochet like the wind some more.

Somewhere during this day I will receive a phone call from my Aunt Michelle.  She will be in town with my cousin, Ann Marie, and her family and I am excited to see them.  They have a tight schedule while here so when she calls I will drop whatever I am doing and go to meet up with them. 

We get to have Cordelia over this evening!  Yay!  That is like the icing on the cake.

After Cordy leaves, you guessed it, I will crochet like the wind!

I hope your day involves interesting projects and people you love as well.  I just hope you don't have to fold laundry.




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Bode at 9 Months Old

Bode is 9 months old now.  We've had him for 5 months.  Following are 12 of the things I've learned about Bode so far:

1)     He like to sleep in.  As I compose this post he is snoring.  He can sleep in the strangest positions!

2)     He is a "velcro" dog.  He prefers to be stuck to one of his people at all times.

3)     His whole body wags furiously when he greets us.  Mike calls him Mr. Wiggles.

4)     He does not like to potty away from home.  He will hold it and hold it on a long walk but if we stop to talk to someone and he gets all excited, look out!

5)     He get lots of compliments for his good looks.  Seriously, I have had strangers stop their cars to tell me I sure have a good-looking dog.  It happens a lot.

6)     He believes all things are edible...duct tape, razors, plastic bags, newspaper, yarn, measuring tape, underwear, blankets, couches, wood, milk jugs, his kennel, Mike's hat, house plants, Sam's shoes... I think you get the idea here.

7)     He gets diarrhea a lot.  That may have something to do with #6.

8)     He loves practicing his commands, such as "sit", "stay", "come" and "lay down" as long as there are treats involved.

9)     He barks like a tiny girl dog when he wants something.  It is high-pitched and persistent.  Our son-in-law, Eric, was the first to tell him, "Bark like a man!"

10)   He has a very deep and menacing bark when he sees his own reflection in the sliding glass door.

11)   Bumblebee is his best friend.

12)   He loves EVERYBODY.  He enjoys meeting strangers although he is not always appropriate with his greeting.

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Mike

Like everyone, I have made mistakes in my life.  I've said things I wish I hadn't, done things that should have been left undone and displayed attitudes I should have kept to myself until they passed.

However, I did not make a mistake when I married Mike.  My Mom was marveling recently about him.  She said something about how my high school boyfriend turned into such a wise man.  It is true.  The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized he was a pretty insightful high school boy as well.  From our very first date we discussed some pretty deep issues.  Most people did not see that side of him.  They saw the tall boy who played basketball, practical jokes and guitar.  He was all of that but so much more.  One of the things that meant a lot to me way back then was that he'd discuss his thoughts and insights with me.

No, it is not his birthday or our anniversary.  I just woke up thinking how fortunate I was to be married to this man who truly tries to always do the right thing.  He puts others above himself and he puts God before all others.  I am proud to be his wife.

 


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Photo Shoot

Bode and I went yesterday to help with Cordelia while Maria did a photo shoot of more items for Wyoming Rose Boutique.  Ha!  Bode really wasn't very helpful but he certainly adds an element of excitement wherever we go. 

We have started keeping a lot of our crocheted items in vintage suitcases.  This was Maria's idea as we can then just tote the suitcases to craft fairs and even use them as part of the display.  It was really quite a stroke of genius. 

Maria had one such suitcase setting out on her coffee table.  It was open with crocheted items practically flowing out of it.  Bode had to go play in the backyard as he still has a need to try to "uncrochet" such items.

Maria got right to work with her photo shoot.  Cordelia got right to work as well.  She had a very serious face as she tried to put on all of the crocheted items.  Some she threw on and took right back off while others she put one right on top of the other.  She just kept at it with a look of pure determination.  What could I do?  I started my own photo shoot...

Minnie Pearl?

 It didn't really make for a good hair day.

Finally, she was able to relax and enjoy the moment...

Just click on any photo in our Wyoming Rose ad to the right and you can see some of the new items already listed.  There will be more to come!

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Cool Photo

I have been waiting for an opportunity to use this photo.  Maybe I'd do a post about the need for sunglasses?  Perhaps I'd write about the fun of going to a park?  Nope.  Nothing came to mind.  I give up.  I'm just using this photo because I thought I was pretty cool and artsy when I took it.

Tell Your Storms About Your God

Recently my friend, Kylie, told me about a quote she heard on KLOVE.  I'm not sure I can get it right but it was something like,

 "Don't just tell God about your storms, but tell your storms about God."

I've thought about that quote quite a bit lately.  I've always known that I could go to God in prayer regarding any "storms" in my life.  I've had a really great life but like everyone else, there have been a few storms, and I've talked to God about them.

What do you think it means to "tell your storms about your God"?  That quote meant something to me right away, but I wasn't really sure why.  I've been pondering it for a few weeks now.  During this last year I faced an internal storm.  Really, I mean that quite literally.  I wasn't facing lightening, thunder or torrential rains but I had to deal with Crohn's Disease, IBS and clostridium Difficile.  Should I scold my intestines, telling them my God is going to get even with them?  I'm not sure that was really what it meant, but maybe...

After I pondered the physical storms in my life I thought of other kinds of storms.  I thought of times I feel insecure or inadequate.  Perhaps those are the times I need to tell my storms about my God.  I need to tell inadequacy that I am strengthened by my God and can therefore accomplish much more than I could on my own.  I can tell insecurity to take a hike because I am a cherished child of God and he cares for me tenderly.

Does any of this make sense to anyone else?  Does anyone feel insightful with regard to this quote?

Aa

I am excited that several wanted to memorize the ABC verses!  I think that I will make it even easier by posting one each Sunday.  That way you can take your time to really learn it, ponder it or even meditate on it.  Remember, anyone who lets me know that they've learned them all (and I will totally take your word for it) will receive a handmade gift from me.

I Corinthians 13:10 And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Super Duper!

Cordelia (grandaughter) came over last night and we had a lovely time.  She entertained us with delightful little comments like, "I'm super duper!"   When Grandpa was showing her a big book with lots of animal photos in it she was really into it.  When she saw the picture of an octopus, though, she said, "Oh no!  What happened?" 

I wanted to let you know that I am super duper as well!  I received the phone call I'd been waiting for.  Yes, I got the job!  Yippee!  A week from Monday I will begin my training as a hospice nurse.  It has been a year since I was last able to work as a nurse, so this is kind of a big deal to me. 

I will leave you with photos from last night.  Have a great week-end!

The Worst Tutorial Ever!

So, as I was saying, I started a fleece project Wednesday night following a pattern from one of our new books.  The project was for a child's fleece poncho.  I got the fleece ready, as well as my tape measure.  I ran down the hall to the Rose Room (where I sew and craft) for my scissors.  I did NOT run back with my scissors because that would be bad.  Of course the reason I am not currently crafting in the Rose Room is because it is still in upheaval with the whole carpet mess.  Anyway, when I returned with the scissors (not running) I saw Bode with just a piece of my fabric tape measure hanging out of his mouth.  I grabbed it and pulled, and pulled, and pulled.

I thought I got it all out of his mouth and throat. 

This morning, when he did his morning business, it became apparent that I had missed some.  That is all I am going to say about that.  Well, one more thing I want to say...

EEEEEWWWWWW!

But Wednesday night I was still determined to measure.  Since I'd thrown away my tape measure I made do with what I could find.

It was a bit tedious but I actually did measure things according to the pattern.  I copied the pattern piece for the neckhole onto newspaper and then cut it out. 

When I opened it all up it became apparent that I was NOT making a child's poncho but rather one to fit a teen-ager or adult.  Well, poo.  That wasn't what I was going for.

However, I take pride in being adaptable.  So, an adult poncho it is.  OK, then.  I decided to finish the edges with a pretty green thread using the blanket stitch.  The first needle I used didn't work well as I couldn't get it through the tight weave of the fleece.  Finally, I found a needle that would work.  I sat down and started sewing... wait, that looks weird...take it out...start over...still weird.  I finally opened up the computer and looked up how to do a blanket stitch.

Oh yes, now I remember.  It was going well.  I thought it was looking rather nice...

...until the big knotted mess occurred.

It took me FOREVER to fix that!

After that it went very well...for awhile.  Eventually I chose to use Wunder Under to apply some hearts to the front.  Have you ever used Wunder Under?  It is very easy really.  You draw on the paper side of it first.  Then you place the rough side of the Wunder Under facing the back side of the applique fabric.  The directions are on the bag of the Wunder Under and I read them carefully.  I counted out the exact number of seconds that I was supposed to heat it with the iron.

When I lifted the iron off the paper came with it BECAUSE I'D PUT THE WRONG STUPID SIDE OF THE WUNDER UNDER AGAINST THE FABRIC!  I simply could not believe I'd done that.  I was able to get it off my iron, but cleaning the iron took some time.

Once I properly applied the Wunder Under I managed to peel the paper off the fabric and apply the appliques to the poncho.  I used a wet cotton dish towel while holding the iron down for 10 seconds.  It worked like a charm.

Finally, I got on with it.  When I came back to my chair to do a decorative stitch on the appliques I discovered that Bode had chewed up an entire little skein of green embroidery thread.  Figures.

Because I was using all strands of the embroidery thread it was a pretty fat piece to push through the fabric.  When you have to push that hard you have to be really careful not to lose control and poke yourself.

After all that, I finally finished the poncho.  We will have it up on our store,
Wyoming Rose Boutique, very soon.  It will be priced at about a kazillion dollars.

Stunt Rider and Stunt Crafter

Yesterday I stopped over to pick up Maria (daughter) and Cordelia (grandaughter) for a quick shopping trip.  We were searching for a few craft supplies.  Neither of us have great shopping stamina except when going to thrift stores or any store that sells craft or sewing supplies.  Then, it is hard to get us out!  

Before we left their house Cordelia wanted to show me her style on her new "motorcycle". She was wearing her new blue hat that she specifically requested her Momma make for her.  As she did her performance she kept saying, "I'm a silly girl!"

 At the end she dramatically threw her hat to the floor and seemed pretty exhausted by her performance.  I enjoyed the show but I kind of hope her motorcycle stunt performing is a stage she passes through quickly.

Cordelia has a lot on her mind and she doesn't keep much of it to herself.  I love listening to her talk!  She talks about what we are doing at the moment, "We're driving up the hill.  We're driving down the hill."  She talks about the past, "We had pink cupcakes for my birthday."  She talks about the future, "Can I be 5?"  She's grateful, "Thank-you sweet Grandma."  She's spiritual, "Bye-bye Baby Jesus."  The last one was her comment as we walked away from a nativity scene on display at a store.

At one of the stores we visited yesterday I purchased some books on sale.  Each were listed at around $2.  As I went through the check-out they rang up at only a penny each!  I pointed out the error to the clerk and offered to go back to the original display to give her the exact sale prices.  She told me that since than rang up for a penny that is what I'd be charged.  I protested and told her that certainly wasn't right but she wouldn't budge.  I felt rather guilty but I have to admit I kind of wished I'd picked up more sale books.  Is that wrong?  Anyway, here are the books I purchased...

I was so excited I started a project with the fleece right away.  If you know how I roll, though, you know that I usually don't follow a recipe or a pattern.  I use them for a germ of an idea but I always think I have a cooler or easier way and start making changes until the finished project barely resembles the original.  Sometimes it works out well but there are many, many times I make things more difficult for myself.  I was taking photos as I worked last night.  It was to be an hour project and I was planning on showing you the tutorial this morning.  However, it turned out to be the tutorial of calamity.  I'm still trying to make it work so check back tomorrow to see the WORST TUTORIAL EVER!

My Ridiculously Great Idea

You know how sometimes just as you are dozing off, or maybe in those hazy moments before you are quite awake, you come up with a great idea?  I do that a lot.  The problem is that when I'm fully conscious the "great" idea often seems ridiculous.  This week I had one of those "great" ideas.  Upon full awakening I decided it was indeed ridiculous.  However, I think it is ridiculously great!  I was laughing out loud as I made it!  I've already made a brunette baby hat as well.  Today, I'm thinking I need to make a redhead.  I'm anxious to find a bald baby girl to try these out!  What do you think?

I've No Idea How to Title This Post!

I often decide on my post title before I ever write a word of the post.  An idea comes to me about what I want to write and so I put the title down and start.  The funny thing is, I frequently end up surprised at what my topics really turned out to be.  That happened yesterday.  My post was just to be about the little kids I taught this week and the fact that most of them gave me a sweet hug as they left class.  Somehow, though, I ended up focusing mostly on the kids I taught some years ago in New Mexico.  I had to go back and change the title, something about sweet hugs,  AFTER I'd already published my post.  That is not the first time that has happened! 

Those of you who blog, do you experience this as well?  It's like the words take on a life of their own and I'm no longer in charge.  I started a novel some months ago and I find that I am often surprised by the direction that story takes me.  It's kind of fun, almost as though I am reading a book instead of writing it, but it also disconcerting.  Shouldn't I be in charge of the things I choose to write?

This post, for example, was to be about the fact that I have an interview today.  After I put the title up, though, I decided maybe I shouldn't tell everyone that I have an interview.  What if the job isn't offered to me?  Won't I be embarrassed to have to tell you all that I wasn't selected for this position that I think I really want? No, I don't want to write about that.

Then I thought maybe I'd blog about why I am in the position of job-hunting in the first place.  I could tell you more than you ever wanted to know about an illness that grabbed me last year and shook my life up for months, robbing me of my job, my confidence in my own body, and sometimes even my dignity.  No, that seems too heavy.  I don't want to do that right now.

So, I really have no idea what I want to talk about today.  I guess I will just leave it at that!