FREEZING FOG

     Do you know what this is?  According to our local meteorologist, "Supercooled water droplets stay in liquid form until they come into contact with a surface they can freeze on."  It creates a beautiful, dream-like landscape where everything becomes ice coated once the droplets land.  We are experiencing that this morning.

     Made hash browns for the family.  There is nothing better than a well seasoned black iron skillet to make perfectly cooked shredded crispiness.

Creative Space

     So, I posted this pic over on Facebook and Instagram.  This is my creative space.  What is yours?  I used to have another space that looked like this:

     It was by the back door.  I like my new space because I have access to my supplies right next to the computer, (Actually, that's not accurate.  I have supplies EVERYWHERE.)  Anyway, everyone needs their own little space to dream, create or just read.  I hope you have one.

 

And, another.  Here with cherry, maple and a walnut accent strip.  These are so cute!  I'm a lucky miss.

Just a wee cuttin' board my hubby made for me.  This one is maple and walnut.  It is 5"x6"(9"w/the handle) and the perfect size for a hunk of cheese.  I, however, just display it on the counter because I think it is so lovely.

So, I'm back at work.  Had a meeting with my bosses.  Feeling....uplifted.  I think good things are going to happen.  Oh, also arrived home to see that our wine club finally sent the right selection.  Things are lookin' up!

So, what can I say about today?  I pulled back the rug in the living room to discover that "yes" tigerwood does become darker when subjected to light (UVA).  Well, I'll just roll said rug up and let things even out.
My son, (who is on the left in the above picture), worked a 15hr. day yesterday.  Today probably won't be any shorter.  I am so proud of him and know that he is doing something that he loves.
Tomorrow starts three days of work before my glorious weekend off.  The weather couldn't be better.  I hope everyone enjoys their week!

Time Flies

It's been a long while since I last posted.  Life happened.  I work retail.  I come in contact with hundreds of people every day.  I am acutely aware that every thing that I say and do is scrutinized and judged whether it's a customer or other associates.  So I do have a little to say about the interactions that we experience throughout the day.

Why has it become common place for people to express their displeasure in an encounter via facebook, twitter or other social media interface?  Every time someone has a rude cashier or an employee who doesn't know if we have a certain item, all of sudden the store itself is "horrible" and the individual will never shop there again.  Wow, really?  If I stopped shopping at every establishment where I had been treated poorly at some time or another, I probably wouldn't shop at any of my community stores and would resort to online shopping only.  Oh, wait...sometimes I would have to deal with those "surly" phone operators.  Do you see my point?

When did we become such whiny, demanding, childlike people?  Why do expect that everyone is going to treat us like their best friend?  We have no idea what is happening in that other person's life.  If their life is anything like mine it could be any number of disasters at one time.  I still have to work.  I still have to deliver customer service, but I may be preoccupied by something going on in my personal/family life as well.

As I write this, I realize that some people will automatically think, "oh, she's had a complaint launched against her", however, I am not that employee.  I usually get nothing but compliments from my customers.  I just see the complaining as a trend while I am perusing facebook or hear different tweets from people.

If I have a bad cashier or associate, I generally will avoid them next time I'm in the store, but not to the point of making a scene it they are the only one there.  Likewise with restaurants.  If I have a bad encounter, I'll usually give them a second or third try.  If it is consistently bad, I just don't go back; I don't complain and whine about it on social media.

What do you do?  How do you react?  Can we not get back to extending grace and forgiveness to others?  How about we just don't share our bad experiences on social media?

Here's a view of our Easter Mantel. Hope everyone had a blessed one.
Two projects I've been wanting to make for a while are the stenciled initial
and the moss covered cross. I also did an Easter penant garland:

They all turned out better than expected AND I actually used my Cameo that
my husband got me for Christmas.

Nearing the end of 2012

A beautiful pencil drawing my daughter made of a crow, (her favorite bird).  She's quite talented and I'm very proud of her.

2012 has been VERY busy.  We remodeled our kitchen and my husband is building his shop.  I was promoted at my job, which has led to unending amounts of work.

Maryville

It's 2011 in Maryville, TN. I haven't blogged in a while and that needs to change. I'm working full time, but still knit quite a bit, so I'll be uploading images of projects I'm working on, soon. This image is of a lovely building downtown. My son took the picture, and I thought I'd share. It's my Dad's birthday today: Happy Birthday, Dad! Make today a glorious day!

White

Newest craft to do when everything else is packed up: fabric flowers. Hopefully these will adorn the lampshades of the two candlesticks I painted white recently and that you can see slightly in the background. Only have a couple more HUNDRED to make....

Berries

They're just Jiffy blueberry muffins; but my son loves them and I like to make him happy. The blackberries are from our canes in the backyard. Gotta love them berries! Have a "berry" nice day.

Moving

Well, it looks like we're moving back to Maryville! That's right folks. It's been a GREAT two years here in Nashville, but the house is on the market and we're headed east. We don't officially have to be there until August or September. I trust that the Lord will bring a buyer by then. We really want to build this next go 'round, so we'll see how it goes.
Last week, Matthew awoke with the worst case of hives I'd ever seen. Unfortunately, I think he gets this from me. Anyway, the doctor put him on some steroids and said we probably won't ever know what caused them. Savannah has been running some high blood glucose numbers lately. Maybe she's going through a growing spurt or something, but I think we're going to have to adjust her insulin intake. Mickie, our Golden Retreiver, had a seizure the other day after a going a long time without one. Poor girl. That's all the bad news; everything else is fine and dandy. Hope all is well with you.

It's been awhile

So, here's what I've been up to. I repainted two lamps, (will show off when I finish the shades), embellished a tank top, and worked on a recycled wreath. The wreath is made with those plactic shopping bags we all collect from Wal-Mart, etc. The idea came from HERE . The way they're cut, reminds me of carnations. I'll post what the kiddos have been up to tomorrow. Bye for now.

Severe Storms or The Weekend Nashville Flooded

When it started raining, I had no idea that we would end up with water in our basement. I was at work and my husband called to say that I had to come home right away, there was water in the basement. This news flash immediately caused me to start crying as this had never happened before and I love my house and all I could think was that all was lost. The kids, hubby and I worked all afternoon and into the evening to get the water out and had it all dry only to wake up Sunday morning in time to walk downstairs and watch as the water filled up the basement a second time. Again, all hands went to work, including my friend from across the street, sweeping, squeegee(ing), and sucking (with 2 shop vacs) gallons and gallons of water. Just as we'd get a section dry, we'd watch as more water came in and filled it up again. It just was SO frustrating and it truly felt like we were not going to win. But somehow, we managed and it is dry now. Unfortunately, many areas in and around Nashville have not been so lucky. The death toll is at 28 I believe and expected to rise. We received in two days a quarter of our ANNUAL rainfall! It was just too much. In our case the ground just became so saturated the water had nowhere else to go but in the basement. In many cases, the Cumberland just left it's banks and filled the city up. I am so thankful we didn't have more damage; now on to help others who have. I heard that one of the members of our homeschooling group has lost everything. So sad.

Learning

...and my most recent skirt. Very simple, but oh so summery (is that a word?). These are so quick to make; they may become a staple for me.

Notebook

Here's my version of the cute notebook that I blogged about previously. I like it. I'll definitely do some more!

In Progress

Currently, I'm trying to make one of these . I have alot of cute fabric and want to use it up (so I have an excuse to buy more). My sewing skills are NOT up to par with my knitting and crocheting skills which is a shame since I do work at a sewing store.

I can cross one of the goals for this year off of my list. I was given the opportunity to sing "Anyway" at church this last weekend. It's my prayer that it encouraged someone to keep believing and continue to pray, (even when our prayers are not answered the way would like them to be).

Kim's asked if I would join her in a 5k race in mid May. Since my running hasn't been happening lately, I suppose I need to get in gear, if I plan on participating. No time like the present.........

Current

Using the yarn pictured above to make the piece pictures below. It will eventually become a soft wraparound ear warmer for my friend. It's hard to see in the picture, but it has a column of cables (my first time doing them) and will be folded over lengthwise upon itself and sewn along the long edge to form a headband. Glad to be knitting again.

My first day at JoAnn's was interesting and exciting. Can't wait till I actually get to WORK! On my way to choir. Good evening.

Really?!

Has it really been a week since I last posted? Alot has happened since the 31st. Let's see....

Matthew started his first REAL job on Fri. He worked from 9:30 till 4:00. Whew! Sat. I turned in my application at JoAnn's and spent the rest of the day baking with Savannah in preparation for an Easter get together we were having on Sun. Easter morning went to church and celebrated Christ's victory over death. Came home, set up everything for the party and then enjoyed a lovely afternoon with Kim, her girls and her dear parents. Cooked a leg of lamb for supper with roasted beets, potatoes and cauliflower. Woke up Mon. morning and did my shopping for shut-in meals. Got a phone call from JoAnn's to come in for an interview at 3:00. Got hired at JoAnn's at 4:00. Went out to eat with family. Tues. morning delivered shut-in meals to church. Was asked to sing for Sunday services (originally planned for May 2) and went with a lively group to the nursing home to sing and share the gospel.

Deep breath......

I go in to work for training tomorrow. Wish me luck!