My bobble head self!

I'm so tired...my head feels so heavy...all because of a lack of sleep! We returned home after picking up our company from the airport ~ 1am. Got them settled in, went to sleep. Up again at 6...get DH up and ready for work. He was too tired to drive safely, so he slept in for another hour or so. I couldn't lay back down, afraid I wouldn't get up in time.

And so my day went! Tonight the weather is fabulous...great for all the trick or treaters. I can't shut the door and turn of the lights just because I'm tired....but I so want to lay down and close my eyes.

Well, the door has been quiet for ~ 10 minutes. I'll get it ~20 minutes more and if the kids don't start coming around, I will be shutting it down early. I hope I don't get tricked overnight!

Good night all!

Almost November!

I can't believe the fine weather we've been having...hence the lack of new posts! I hope this continues for the kiddies trick'or'treating tomorrow night!

I got my new chair over the weekend and it was such a great deal...DH got one also. We still have to figure out what to do for a sofa...they are sooo big these days and our room isn't. But it the meantime we have the old chair removed and the 2 new ones squished in along with the love seat & sofa.

We are keeping the other pieces for the meantime, as we are having extended house guests. DH's niece is coming out to try and find full time work. Back home there seems to be a lot of part time positions...3 hours at a time...no benefits etc...even a thrifty person wouldn't be able to run an independent life.

My stash grew by 3 yesterday thanks to the mail person. I'd been looking for a pansy chart and a cyber friend Beck was so kind to send me The Gossips! I think it'll look great on a soft yellow background. I also got Man and Wife by D Morgan as well as The Serenity Prayer which I've always loved and tried to follow.

(I don't know when I'll get to these beauties but you never know...I may get sn*wed in here for a month this winter!!!!)

Hope you get lots of treats and no tricks played on you tomorrow! Happy Ghosting!

3 posts in 1 day! What a great day I'm having!

Just to let you know, my daughter has created a team blog for our upcoming charity run for the Underwear Affair. Team Crockett is up and running and will keep you posted on our fund raising progress.

I'm not pushing for pledges, just know this is a cause near and dear to our hearts! Please support us in spirit and our feet will fly!

Thanks Gail!

msstitch01 Has helped me in my search...but has now created a monster! I think I want them ALL!

How could I possibly choose but one D. Morgan design when there are so many HERE? I must admit...I Had a Dad has a certain attraction to me...maybe because I still do have my Dad in my life but I don't because of the Alzheimer's...but what a beautiful way to remember the time we spent together, working on a project in the workshop...at times I think I was meant to be a son...but I know I made him proud of me as his daughter! He taught me so much ...

Now that is my biggest problem today!

Quiet end to my week

DH returned from his road trip, not feeling well...may be his kidney stones acting up. I feel for him but don't know what to do to ease the pain.

I've recently discovered the cross stitch designs of D Morgan. This one titled How Far I Roam is stunning...now to track it down or at least add to my upcoming Christmas wish list!


Work is slowly progressing on Frederick...but I slowed down while I enjoyed our clear skies this past week. The nip is definitely in the air and the fluffy stuff can't be far behind.

Thanks for stopping by on this last weekend of October 2007. It's been a great month for me, got a lot accomplished. We welcome Joe's niece to our home next week...her first time traveling this away from Mom, but we'll take good care of her! It'll be fun showing her the sights and scenery. Take care all!

Another school bus crash hits close to home

Seems there has been a rash of school bus crashes. One in Calgary not too long ago resulted in the death of a 9 year girl. Charges are pending against the driver.

Earlier this week, a school bus rear ended a truck stopped to turn left not too far from our town. There was considerable damage and both drivers were sent to hospital for treatment. Seems the high school kids on the bus did exactly what they should have...punched open the back back and evacuated to the shoulder.

This morning, I got a call from our DD, saying our 5 year old grandson's school bus was rear ended by a car in a multiple vehicle crash. All the kids are Okay and are now in class. The bus company did the call out to all the parents, so they got the information first hand from the source and didn't hear it via the media.

All this gets me thinking. It wasn't too long ago that all the school bus companies were pleading with the public to come out and drive for them. Their big perk was you could take along up to 2 pre-school children so Moms could work and not have to get daycare. I wondered if they rushed into putting unqualified drivers behind the wheel - transporting our very precious cargo.

I know when my children rode the school bus for the very first time, I was apprehensive and followed them behind until they got to school safe and sound. The girls were quite happy when I was satisfied they would be safe and just waved goodbye at the front door. Maybe the fact that they were 13 and 11 years old was the most embarrassing part of it. But once a Mother, always a Mother!

Mind Boggling Images

I am referring to the fires raging through southern California. I can not get my thoughts around a half million people evacuated. That's too much for me in my little part of the world, to comprehend.

I must say that kudos have to go out to the emergency crews on the front lines for doing what they do best. The evacuations seem to have gone very smoothly, no one left behind. Only one lost soul to date.

Hopefully, when I turn the news on in the morning, a miracle will have happened and this will be all in the past, and folks can start to rebuild their lives.

Stay safe!

ADDENDUM - sad story - 2 more deaths

Win a Pink Dyson!

How great is that? An awesome vacuum and in a great colour! Just clcik on the logo and follow along! Good luck!

Sauce your pasta the Italian way

Chef Mario Batali spells this out clearly...no pool of sauce with your pasta...dress your pasta like a salad! Now...I really want a great meal of pasta! Anyone care to join me?

Happy Spirits

The blue roses are continuing to put smile on my face although they are starting to droop. Image my delight when a certain someone came home from work with these 2 beauties! My first birds of paradise (or is it bird of paradises?) and I love 'em...I wonder what zone they grow in..9? A person can dream, can't they?


Fred is still close at hand for stitching time. With the new to me readers, I can't believe the difference. It's so much easier to see the holes even with out strong sunlight. I won't be afraid of dark backgrounds in the future! It is obvious to me that this won't be completed in 2007, but I'm not going to rush and perhaps make a mistake I'll regret. My SAL with Bliss & Margaret has given me a strong jump off point and this will get finished.


I did sidetrack and stitch up this beauty...a freebie called Linen Heart. I got it through an online stitching group...and will share if you email me a quick note. I used a scrap of 16 count white Aida and some odds'n'ends of floss.

I must say, that I must have come around full circle. The trials & tribulations of the past have not beaten me down, they have shown me I can get through this and whatever else comes my way. I had about 8 weeks of intense emotional paperwork, between DH's forms and Dad's court audit/renewal of him being declared a Dependant adult. I could have bowed my head and kicked at the dust, but I mentally prepared myself and approached it in a methodical fashion, doing each next action steps ala GTD...and it got done and done well.

I did well and I feel so liberated! Hope your life is just as joyous as mine. Have a great weekend!

A crisis is only a crisis if we make it one.

Do this for yourself and your loved ones!

Thanks Pumpkin for the reminder...with my eye appointment yesterday I missed this!

Eye check up couldn't have gone better although it wasn't comfortable. The dilation drops sting and you can't squeeze them out, you just have to get through the discomfort aka pain. No sings of glaucoma, for which I am at high risk. My bilateral ptergia continues to hold steady. My prescription has changed slightly for the second year in a row and it now warrants new lens...and since I wear glasses all day long, I'm shopping for new frames...maybe 2 if I can manage it...one classic and perhaps a fun pair. I can't wait to go shopping this weekend.

My Doctor did suggest I buy some 3.00 readers for my cross stitch - it'll give me a larger viewing area vs my progressives. Gee...I'm interested in whether this will increase my stitching speed or at least my accuracy!

Hope the autumn weather continues to hold out for you. The weather forecasters here have revised their forecast and got rid of that dreaded S word. Thank you!

2008 garden Hopefuls!

Little Business

Stella D'Oro

Strawberry Candy

Pandora's Box

Fluffy Astilbe Mix

We planted these up over the weekend for a brilliant splash of colour in the newly designed flower beds. Today I'll be back in the dirt planting 107 spring bulbs that I picked up at a bargain price...some tulips, daffodils, and irises. I'm sure I'll forget where I planted them so I will be planting a marker - just in case!

Can it get any better than this?

Joe surprised me Thursday with a dozen gorgeous blue roses which are just starting to open. He brought supper in...our favorites from the local Chinese restaurant along with a fruity bottle of wine. We stayed home, and just enjoyed ourselves. Part 2 of our anniversary was dinner theater at Jubilations last night...we seen a very funny version of 24 entitled 29! Jack was just as intense as the original and even stopped by our table to discuss various future plots and the fact he hasn't slept in 6 seasons! We shared our table with 2 other fans - both named Laurie! - of the show and just had so many laughs our faces hurt.

The weekend weather cooperated, and we had so much fun with the Becks...Thing 1 went golfing - 18 holes!- with Daddy and Papa. Thing 2 escorted Mommy & Nannie in the search for new playroom curtain fabric and thing 1's Beaver uniform. I thought there would be more grief about the tub being winterized...Thing 1 called me Friday to say he would help me put the water back in...what a dear! Sunday, shortly before leaving he then asked why we don't live closer to him?

Preparing to collect apples!

Thing 1 up the tree dropping apples to Thing 2

Handsome young Beaver

We've discussed this to great lengths. If we were closer, it would be easier to attend all the school concerts, skating lessons and broken arm clinics. But we would lose the overnight stays and the excitement of seeing what is new in a grand way. The anticipation of the visit is very much part of the whole visit experience....so we'll stay put and relish our together times that much more.


After thinking about this for such a long time, DH got an electric guitar. He works hard long hours and deserves a nice way to relax and kick back...lucky me, I get to enjoy all these impromptu jam sessions! SIL & DGS couldn't wait to give it a try! Life is sweet!

Loving my Life

Your Inner Color is Blue

Your Personality: Your natural warmth and intuition nurtures those around you. You are accepting and always follow your heart. You in Love: Relationships are your top priority, and this includes love. You are most happy when you are serious with someone. Your Career: You need to help others in your job to feel satistifed. You would be a great nurse, psychologist, or counselor.

What's Your Inner Color?

I do believe I can read peoples' facial expressions and body language and act/respond accordingly. If I truly believe in something I jump in 100%...no ifs, ands or buts...I'm there.

My family is definitely my top priority. If someone is in need, I'll be there with a hand up, but a hand out. Give them the knowledge and tools to do for themselves and eventually others.

In all my different jobs over the years, I have always tried to do my tasks efficiently and effectively but also in conjunction with my co-workers. After all we were all trying to move together the common good. When I resigned from some positions when DH was transferred away, it always amazed me that so many would apply for what they seen as an easy position, when in fact, it took a lot of effort and finesse to make it seem so easy....calm on the top of the water, but sometimes paddling like crazy underneath to meet a deadline...but never letting them see me sweat!

Happy Anniversary!

Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Today marks our 32nd anniversary...hair styles have come and gone, hems have gone up, down and up again. Our daughters have grown and made their way in the world. We've been blessed with 3 beautiful grandsons. We've lived in NB, NS, ON, AB, BC, and PEI, in 13 different homes. We've moved closer to family and away from them. We've grown as adults and a couple. We've laughed and played as well as cried and mourned. Joe is my husband and most importantly, my best friend. I see more adventures for us in our future! This is one ride I don't want to miss! Happy Anniversary Joe!

New to me Site with free draw!

I had a chance to pop into Meari's Musings to see how the move into the new house was progressing and she mentioned this site Stitching the Night Away and prompting forgot I was only going to do a QUICK blog read!!!! Am I bad today! Got so wrapped up but you check it out and take a look at the free draw for a Just Nan chart!

I'm back!

A whole week without a post! How shameful! NOT!

We had a marvelous Thanksgiving weekend...the highlight being Brenda's visit yesterday. Joe hadn't seen her since we left BC many moons ago(19 yrs), but they didn't let that get in the way! We all chatted away about anything and everything, generally solving nothing but feeling better for having voiced our opinions! I don't know where the years went but I know how much I enjoyed the hours we had with Brenda...she's one of those special people you meet and immediately click. I think we will have to heed her advice about getting off our duffs and go down next fall for a wine tour!

By the way...if you challenge her to Scrabble and she claims she's rusty...beware! I won the first game, then Joe won and one the third challenge, Brenda opened with 'quick'...of course the q was on a double letter and the whole word was then doubled. Joe tried but couldn't recover, and I just managed to keep my head above water! But was it fun!

I had a good talk with Brenda about caring for people with Alzheimers...she gave me such a warm feeling about the care my father is receiving. Brenda has her own special people through her work. There are those who go the extra step to make the residents retain their dignity and yet gently guide them along. She is going great work!

Our trip to see Dad was good, although the Calgary-Med Hat was was iffy at best. The conference went well, ironed out a few problems, and clarified other aspects. Dad will stay where he is...it's the best thing for him, even though I do miss his company terribly. It is so hard to visit during the winter months - between the road conditions, our schedule and the ever present thought 'Am I carrying a flu bug that could put the residents in jeopardy?' All relevant.

Here's Dad with my younger sister and then with Joe. For some reason my photos was blurry...hopefully it was operator error and not the camera!

Dad was having a good day when we arrived, his face lit up in a huge smile was we came through the day and he even managed to get Joe's name out! I am going to get Dad a subscription to the local daily newspaper...not sure how much he takes in but it's an important part of his day and has been for many years.

On a side note...I have a couple rows of romaine lettuce peeking out of the greenhouse bed! I don't have to rush and get the bacon & croutons ready but when the time is right, we will be having a beautiful caesar salad!

Enlarged flower bed

This end was doubled in depth...the fiddleheads and the hostas had outgrown their locations. If the weather holds, I'll transplant them into the larger area.
This corner will be home of my astilbe collection. I love their feathery appearance and I should be able to view then from many vantage points.
This will be planted up with some reblooming lillies. I realize that we'll have to imbed a couple of stepping stones so the grandkids can just dart out onto the lawn as they have in the past. So far, our dog has walked around...but there's a towel hand just in case.

We have plans to sand & refinish the hot tub and order a new top. We'll keep the old one for winter use. We are still unsure what to do with new sunny deck...I have to check with the town bylaws office in regards to arbour/pergola height restrictions. Joe wants to grow more grapes!!!!

So leave me a comment - I always enjoy another point of view!

October 1

What else should I do on such a fine day...while awaiting still more information to trickle in for my audit? Play in the greenhouse!

After a year, I decided that I wanted an inground bed in the greenhouse. Joe supplied the labour over the weekend and today I planted romaine lettuce, beets and swiss chard. There's nothing like pushing the growing season....will let you know if anything grows.
Over the inground bed, Joe built a rack system. I have a second wire rack rack stored under the top one. The idea is we'll figure out the spacing some I can adjust the racks as I need them. Obviously flats of seedlings need much less room than plants. The top cross piece will have hooks installed so I can hang my baskets and or dry herbs or sunflower heads. The rack is set back closer to the glazing but still within arms reach.
The other side of the greenhouse has my rack with potting soil and my clay pots. In the corner you can see the water barrel which is half full for the winter. I have yet to decide on the darker side of the greenhouse, layout and use...again I think I need to use it as is and make notes about what works and what doesn't. Right now 2/3 of the floor is still unfinished, I dropped the outdoor carpet down just for the winter, but eventually it will be a gravel bed of sorts...clean but with great drainage. The shelves may make way for a potting bench.
Close up of the top rack is service. I have a pot of lavender and lupins...both will be guinea pigs of sorts. Again a case of pushing the growing season. Besides, there is nothing more soothing than brushing your hand through the lavender and breathing deeply!

Just found out it (faxes I was waiting for) was a case of miscommunication...me waiting for faxes when the bank thought I was picking them up! At least the sensitive information did not go astray!

Exciting Business News + 1 off my 101 list

First...I'm checking off the Muttart Conservatory from my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days. We thoroughly enjoyed it and will be returning...hopefully at a time when its not elbow to elbow with camera toting people!

Second...I had the local news on while doing my breakfast dishes...the business report was on, I was only half paying attention when I heard those magic words...Body & Bath Works...seems there is a leak that this much loved American company may be setting up in the WEM (West Edmonton Mall). Stay tuned for further developments as I hear them!