Monday, August 29, 2016
Sunday, April 6, 2014
A Long Time Coming!
Well, not only did we get the house (YAY) we are now living in it for almost 1 year, it will be one year on April 12, 2014.
2013 was not a good year for us with our cats. We lost three (yes three boo hoo), on April 10, 2013, we lost Riley, our Maine Coon, who was only 6 but riddling with cancer. Then in December, just one week apart from each other, we lost Koto, who was about 18-20 years old, and our Sassy Tabby, Maxie, who was about 13. Both Koto and Maxie had kidney disease and Maxie in particular went down hill so very, very quickly from the diagnosis to the day we put her down, about 7 days (yes, days!)
However, in our vet's office there was a male cat that looked almost just like our neighbor's cat, Rusty. And indeed, it turned out that his name is Rusty and he now resides with us as of December 23rd, 2013. He is our boy! He is about 4 years old and getting more and more daring with time.
Our new house is now our home, and we may put the old one on the market. When we first moved, we didn't want to think of getting rid of it. but now, well, home is here not there. As I always say, we shall see!
We have 7.2 acres of glorious land, our nearest neighbor is about 1/2 mile away, so no noise. And in the Spring and Summer, wonderful outdoor living. Fall and Winter, inside and cozy, but the Spring and Summer outdoor living more than make up for the fact that we don't go out much in the colder weather! Well, DH is 71 and I will be 55 in August, so age is a factor also, I guess! Though 55 doesn't feel that old to me.
I am getting so back into sewing. I have purchased a lot of patterns for myself and some fabric. As well as some kits to make children's and dolls' clothing and accessories. I figure if the project is smaller, I won't be so worried if I made a mistake and/or try out some new, or new to me, technique. We shall see. Right now, I am working on creating a Serger Caddy using my Sewing Machine and my Serger. Lot of fun, but because I didn't read all the way through the instructions, though I did watch the DVD!, I've already made a mistake. Glad this is a small enough project and nothing major though. We shall see how it comes out and maybe I will even post a photo.
I purchased the kit from Martha Pullen's store online. It is by Missy Billingsley and is cute and simple to sew with some newish techniques for me to try out. I selected the black and white gingham material (rather than the pink and white) and am very pleased with the quality of the fabric and laces, etc. You cannot beat MP for quality sewing products. And you get what you pay for, like so many things in life!
The weather, which has been very cold and snowy, has hopefully changed for the upbeat! It is sunny today, Sunday, April 6th, 2014, and not quite as windy/breezy as yesterday. Nice day for updating blogs and starting some work outside.
With that being said, I am heading out to do some gardening, not much. But hope to update again tomorrow. We shall see.....!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friends
This has been a wonderful week so far. Our dear friends from Israel are here on a visit to NYC and David and I spent the entire day with them yesterday. We drove down to NYC Monday night, took a room at the same hotel, had a delicious dinner at a wonderful steak house in Midtown, and started catching up with each other. Tuesday morning, Tami and I walked all over Manhattan visiting various stores, chatting, laughing and having a good time . We met our hubbies for lunch at Eataly on 5th Ave at 23rd Street. More on Eataly another time, what an experience! (Go to Eataly.com). Then boys and girls split again, shopped some more, and with aching but happy feet, met back at the hotel. David and I left the City about 6pm and arrived home at 9pm after a quick stop to pick up a sandwich. Our cats were very happy to see us, we were just in time to hear the President's speech, and our bed felt wonderful. Even though the bed at the hotel was pretty good. I think it's always just good to be home.
One of the stores Tami and I made a stop at was The Ink Pad on 7th Ave and 13th St. (theinkpadnyc.com) Rubber stamp heaven! Small but crammed to the rafters, literally, with stamps, inks, pens, pencils, papers, cards, magazines, ribbons, trims, goodness I can't even think what else. The staff were knowledgeable, nice and friendly, and Tami and I each made a purchase (who could resist), and I even received a free jar of embossing powder (Tim Holtz Distress embossing powder in Milled Lavender) with the coupon I had printed off their website. Terrific!
We also stopped at the NY Cake and Baking Shop on W 22nd Street just off 6th Ave. (nycake.com) We loaded up on baking goodies such as cupcake wrappers, candy molds, a cupcake tree, and a few other odds and ends. Another store packed to the rafters with all sorts of goodies relating to baking, candy making, even jewelry making. They sell the Cricut Cake and all it accouterments here.
As I said, we met our hubbies for lunch at Eataly, and all I can say about this place is "WOW!" There are several eateries here to choose from. We chose Manzo and had a really delicious lunch, Sweetbreads, Mozzarella, Gnocchi, and Spaghetti with lobster sauce. Everything was spectacular; meticulous in presentation, preparation and taste. As for the rest of the 'store', WOW. You can get anything and everything relating to Italian food and cooking there. I have to go back and spend a day shopping just at Eataly. Delicioso! Try going to eataly.com; I think you can order foodstuff online but haven't checked it out just yet. I will!
Tomorrow, David and I leave for Los Angeles and the CHA show which starts Saturday. That is always a fun show to attend, and LA has got to be much warmer and sunnier than Chatham just now. Can't wait!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Ice Storm 2011
| Tuesday, 18 January 2011 |
A terrific ice storm hit Upstate NY today, making it impossible to leave the house. While one could go a bit stir crazy, lucky for me I had just received my new StampTV Sent with Love kit and had been looking for time to play. Today was the day!
I logged onto StampTV and followed along with a couple of videos and card sketches. I made two beautiful cards with the "help" of my very active kitten, Auggie (said with tongue firmly in cheek!)
Also lucky for me we did not lose power (yet) and I was able to complete Lesson 2 in the online course I'm taking at JessicaSprague.com, Up and Running with PhotoShop. I've now completed two gorgeous digital layouts (see one of them above) and hope to have more done as I complete the remaining lessons and bonus material. This course is not only informative but comes with tons of free downloads, including papers, elements and digital brushes. Very generous.
My DH is in Atlanta and his flight was delayed from 9pm to 10:10pm. I'm just hoping that when he finally makes it to Albany it will be safe for him to drive home. I've got the outside light on just in case! I've missed him, though I do enjoy my time alone.
My neighbor and friend, Mary, lives across the street. Earlier this evening I tried calling her for about an hour but kept getting a busy signal. Nor could I see any lights on in her house. Now, Mary is 83 and I got myself a bit worried. So I bundled up and braved the outdoors. Long story short, she was fine and had been on the telephone with an old friend! She was scared when I knocked on her door, I tell you! But boy was it good to hear her voice and see her face. Thank God all was well.
On my journey across the street I took my snow shovel thinking I could shovel a bit as I walked. Hah, no such luck. Everything is encased in ice and frozen solid. Couldn't shovel but I did use the snow shovel as a walking stick of sorts.
My cats are all tucked up in their beds, and as I am starting to feel a bit tired, I will head to bed too. Good night!
Monday, January 17, 2011
First Digital Layout
Okay, not really my first, but the first digital layout completed in the Jessica Sprague course "Up and Running with PhotoShop." While this first lesson seemed to take me over familiar territory, I definitely learned quite a few new things. And had fun! Here is my Then & Now layout.
Up and Running
Monday Morning Blues
Yesterday I spent the day with my digital camera, using the various lenses. Took a ton of photos of the cats, the icicles hanging from our eaves, the snow outside. Most of the photos turned out very well. Some show that I still have to work at my technique.
Saturday, I received the new Sent With Love StampTV kit. Cannot wait to start playing around with it and creating Valentine's Day cards. Which reminds me, I have got to write a Thank You card to my Aunt Jeanette for her lovely Christmas gift. Seems every year I send it later and later. What is up with that!?
Home again, home again, jiggety, jig
We made it home last night about 6 pm. The cats were very happy to see us, as we were to see them! We ordered pizza and salad for ourselves, and popped open a can of the kitties' favorite flavor, Chicken! It was so good to be in our own home once again, and in our own bed. Heavenly! I feel as if we were away for at least a week, not just 3 days.
We made another stop on the way home at M's in Albany and I, of course, purchased a few new things. One of them being a new Martha Stewart punch anywhere punch. I can't wait to try it out.
We also stocked up on cat food at the Petsmart right across from M's. We spent a ton of money on a ton of food, canned and dry. Hopefully, this will keep us for a while.
Snow Flurries
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
We are still in Cleveland and when we woke this morning it was snowing. Just delightful snow flurries, big and fluffy. It's not supposed to amount to much, but it sure is pretty to look at.
Maureen's funeral is at 2 pm today. The wake last evening truly was a celebration of her life. A couple of hundred people attended, the children did a fabulous job of greeting and thanking everyone forattending . The grandchildren were there also to say goodbye to "Mimi". There was a wonderful video compilation that ran to music, a testament to the wonderful life and times of Maureen. Bittersweet. Alan is holding up pretty well, though I wish he would get some sleep.
David and I will head back to the house with Alan and the kids after the service for a reception there. We will stay a few hours (wish it could be longer) then must leave to start the 8 hour drive back home. We'll probably do as we did on the way out, drive 4 hours, stop overnight, then drive the remaining 4 hours home.
When I say the kids, I realize it can be somewhat misleading. The kids are all grown, some with children of their own. John, married to Diana, have two children, Hannah and Grace; Nora, married to Joe, have one little girl, Maeve; and Anne, Jean, and Juen. All are mature young adults with promising careers and terrific personalities and character. Not a bad one in the bunch, as they say!
We had breakfast at a restaurant here in the hotel this morning, Eggs Benedict. Delicious. We are now relaxing in the room for another hour or so before Noon check out. We will then have about an hour to spend before the 2 pm service. We may head to the pet food store and stock up on some cat food. That will at least keep in the car until we reach home tomorrow.
There is also an M's not too far from the hotel. Maybe I can persuade David to stop there also. We'll see. We may not have enough time for both.
January in Cleveland
David and I are in Cleveland Ohio for our sister-in-law, Maureen's, wake and funeral. Not a happy time. Maureen was just 64 years young, beautiful, intelligent, good. She is missed already. She leaves behind her husband of 38 years, Alan (David's brother), and 4 beautiful children and their spouses. Also three terrific grandchildren who will miss their Mimi very, very much. Maureen passed away peacefully the morning of Dec 31st after a prolonged battle with cancer. What can I say except that a void has been opened in our lives.
We drove to Ohio from Upstate NY rather than take the chance and fly. We made it in 8 hours, with a stopover at a Comfort Inn last night. So four hours driving yesterday and four today. Wasn't too terrible and the weather really was good. Cold but good. No snow yet.
Cleveland is bustling. We haven't been here in a few years. David of course grew up here; I've only been here a handful of times. Winter does not show Cleveland at its finest. But it is still an exciting city to visit.
Our very first visit together to Cleveland, back the the early 1990's, was when I first met David's family, Alan and Maureen. I remember Maureen telling me that she thought I was very brave for meeting the entire family at one time. I remember laughing and saying yes, I had been a tad nervous about it, but all nerves were quieted as soon as I met her, Alan and the "kids." Everyone put me at ease and I felt as if I'd known Maureen and Alan forever. They made me that welcome. A wonderful feeling.
David and I were still residing in NYC when 9/11 happened. We raced back Upstate to our then weekend home. When we arrived, Maureen finally managed to get through to us on the telephone to see if we were all okay. She and I spoke for a while, and I told her I loved her. She reciprocated. It was an emotional and terrible day, but I am glad that it made us voice our feelings out loud to one another. Especially now when memories must suffice.
I must get ready for the wake so will be signing off. It has been somewhat therapeutic to write about Maureen. Though time is the true healer.
Feeling Better for the New Year
I have been sick since Christmas Eve day! No fooling, and I mean really sick. I missed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and all the stuff in between, during and after. I am just starting to feel better and should be able to enjoy welcoming in the New Year. One silver lining is that I am off caffeine. Something I've wanted to do for a while. And I got to spend a lot of time in bed with my kitties. Didn't want to read, didn't want to watch television, and didn't want to eat. Yuck!
Didn't get any crafting or scrapping done either. AND this week is my vacation! Oh well, there are plenty of worse things in the world so I won't complain any longer.
I placed an order on scrapbook.com before Christmas; I really just needed adhesive but of course ordered a few other items. When I received the order, the adhesive was out of stock and canceled! But I did get everything else. Guess I'll have to place another order and try again.
Started cleaning the house today and it's starting to look really good. I should be able to finish up tomorrow and maybe scrap for a bit too. Won't that feel good.