Hello from Clovis, New Mexico

January 30, 2013

I was in 2 airplanes that successfully took off and landed 3 times.  I lugged what felt like a 100 lb.suitcase from one end of the Denver airport to the other, thanking the Good Lord for those two sets of flat escalators…I will never travel without one of those rolly suitcases.  I had a severe case of "rollycase" envy that’s for sure!  On the first leg of my flight, I rode in a nice jet, Frontier, with Larry the Lynx on the tail fin and wing fins.  A nice young man next to me was nice enough to turn the fan off that was blowing on my face (I didn't know how), and to get my bag out of the overhead for me.  I slept a little and looked out the  window a lot.  I haven’t flown in 18 years.  

The second leg  I rode in a twin propeller, 20 passengers.  19 of them got off at Santa Fe, so I had the plane all to my self as I was the only passenger flown into Clovis.  Kinda neat…like a celebrity.  

And who was waiting for me?  Darling Danielle, Delightful Delilah, and Ben.  Delilah knew who I was, waved, said, “Hi!” and came to me with her arms open.   Phew.  Make a grandma’s heart flow over, you know?  

The kids have been working so hard getting ready for this move, and there is still quite a bit to do before we hit the road tomorrow.  I know they don’t want to, but if it gets too late in the day, like around 2 or 3, I hope we decide to start early the next day.  Ah, we’ll see, I’m getting way ahead of myself.  

When I am away from home, I watch all the adult cartoons on Cartoon Network.  Family Guy, American Dad, etc.  A guilty pleasure, so to speak.  

January 31.    

I took a long, hot, soaking Epsom Salts bath last night.  I could feel the toxins leaving my body from the top of my head, it was pretty neat.  I’ll be doing that again pretty soon.  

I got up at 7, slept very well.  I’m ready to go, just waiting to hear from the kids.  So disappointed that my room did not have wi-fi, just down in the lobby.  $100 for a room with no wi-fi?  Yeah, I’ll be expressing my displeasure for that.  I was able to steal a bit of a weak signal from the downstairs, but it was slow and iffy.  

My arms are aching this morning from hauling my suitcase yesterday.  Tell me again why I didn’t want to check that bag?  Lord.  

Confused by the time change (it's an hour earlier here than at home), I checked out of my room an hour early.  

Now...

The kids are on their way to get me.  They'll be here in about 10 mins, and after making a few revisions in the packing of the vehicles, we'll be on the road.  

Any prayers you'd like to lift up for us on this trip would be so appreciated.  

xxoo
Play Nice!

Learning From Experience

One of my favorite things about being "crafty" is that with every thing I make, I learn more.  For example...I made a sweet little, plain little Dog Critter, simply to experiment with it.  

I've been toying with the idea of using crochet thread all over a Critter, like hair...so I tried it how I saw doing it in my head, here is the result.

A hairy mess!

But here's what I learned...that I need to start from the bottom, and probably in 1/4" increments, that would give me a more uniform "coat of fur" and it will probably lay down a whole lot better.  (If you have any hints in this regard, the Comment section down there would be a great place to leave it.)

My next experiment on this Critter will be to do some hand embroidery on the side that isn't hairy, just to get a feel for it.  

There are three new Critters in my shop today, Grayson, Dempsy, and Speedy Pig.  You really should go take a look.  

I gotta get started making a list of things I need to pack for my trip next week.  It's only one night I'm staying, but I know I'll pack enough for two, just in case.  I'm quite excited to see the Denver Airport for the first time, and besides the later than I'd like start for the drive home, I know it will be a glorious trip.  We are all quite giddy, to say the least.  *gs*

Play Nice!  

xxoo

Popping In

Hiya kidlets!  I've been on a brief hiatus thanks to a low-grade flu.  With the epidemic swirling around me, I feel lucky to have just had to spend a couple days in bed.  

I finally figured out my felt storage problem, and I'm very happy with the results.  

The only problem I have with this, is that it doesn't look like I have very much felt.  

Something will have to be done about that.  *gs*

So, I told you about the invitation to put a flyer in that daycare...I ordered postcards, 6 pictures on the front, and some wordage on the back...they should be here next Thursday and I am tickled pink.  I just hope they turn out as well as they look on-line!  

Horatio Heart-Throb is going to a new home tomorrow, so I'm working on one more Valentine Critter.  This one is called "I Love You Deerly."  Hopefully have it finished in the next couple of days.  

At this time next week, I will be in Clovis, New Mexico for what I hope will be the very last time.  So ready to have my girls here!  While I'm sorry that my wonderful SIL has to be separated from his lovely family, I just know that the time is going to fly for all of  us!  

Ok, These tails are not going to sew themselves to these pigs that are taking up room on my desk, so I better get to stitchin'.  

Play Nice!  

xxoo

Sniff, Sneeze, Snort

That's been my day today.  I have blown my nose so much today, I feel like it is probably red as Rudolph's.  I know it feels pretty raw...I'm afraid to look.  I think my eyelids are swollen, either that or my eyes are.

I didn't do a bit of stitching or stuffing today.  I did get some laundry done, and I did help my girlfriend run the battery down on her phone.  I shared some fabric and some patterns with my old friend, Dammit Janet.  Oh, and I did make progress with my new daycare connection.  Saying prayers and crossing fingers that this works out as well as I hope.  Oh, and I did get the dates to plan my last trip to Clovis, NM.  I thought about renting a car and driving, 'cos I do love a nice long road trip, but that would be double the price of a one way ticket to fly!  Not counting gas, lodging...pffft.  I'm not dumb.

Oh hell, I just looked at my nose.  Poor thing, it looks as bad as it feels.  I put some medicated cream on the affected areas...Vicks is pretty much out of the question tonight, that would burn like crazy!

I'm going to say my prayers and go to bed.  Tomorrow is going to be awesome.

Play Nice!
xxoo

A new week!

My weeks start on Tuesday, I work Tuesday - Sunday in the summer, I have Monday & Wednesday off this time of year, as well as being able to stay home when we have "weather."  Tuesday and Thursday are "Men's Day" so I always work them, year 'round...rain or shine...snow is questionable, it depends on how much.

With that being said, Today is a new week, and I had a glorious weekend.  Saturday I got home about 3, and finished many Critters.  Sunday was a no go-to-work day, and I finished more Critters, took photos and actually listed 6 new ones in my shop.  If you haven't seen them yet, or read about them, you can click here, go ahead, I'll wait... *gs*

The high temp in H'ville is supposed to be 32 degrees.  No golfers, we still have a couple inches of snow on the ground.  I have a table of card players settling in for a game of Pitch, I think I'm going to have a bowl of beans.  I have 2 pieces of lovely yellow and gray felt, with a floral design, and I just can't quite decide which Critter it is supposed to be.

Later:  I've fed just about everyone here, dishes are done except for coffee cups...

I had such a great thing happen today!  I have 2 beer salesman.  One comes on Tuesday, one comes (or is supposed to) on Friday.  I like my Tuesday one, the other, well...

Anyway, today is Tuesday, Salesman came in...now he's been in every week since March, and he's seen me working on my Critters, and I've told him about them...so he's telling me about this friend of his that is making lamps out of liquor bottles, Salesman tells him about me selling my Critters, I showed Salesman my Valentine  Critters in my Etsy shop...he bought one, and wants some brochures of mine to put in his wife's day care!  What?

Wheee!

Play Nice!
xxoo

Snowy Sunday!

I woke up nervous yesterday.  Made a stop at a grocery store before I went to work, started a new pot of beans, and waited.  One boy showed up a bit later, then another, then a couple more...enough for a couple games of Pitch, they had lunch, then they all headed home...as I was leaving, around 3:00, it had just started snowing...by 5 o'clock we had 2 inches of fluffy snow all over everything.

I finished a whole buncha my unfinished Critters last night, and have many photos to take and descriptions to write, so here's what I'm gonna do today.  I got up at my regular time, had a shower, but I'm staying here unless I get a phone call (begging for me to come in to feed them) because....there is snow on the ground, and because I went in last Sunday and spent the whole day there while they played cards and drank free coffee, not one single one of them spent a nickle.  I like all those guys, don't get me wrong, but I'd much rather be home on a cold, snowy Sunday.

A little later...I've given Sweetheart a haircut, got some laundry going, and some photos taken...finishing touches on the Valentine Critters, and I'll be posting!

Later:  Not one single phone call from any of the guys today.  You know, there is football on all day, there is snow on the ground, I believe I made a good call by staying home today, and they did, too.  I did call one boy to tell him I thought we'd all stay home today, he lives the farthest away...

Later:  Ok, my pics are foto-fuzed and ready to be posted...*squeal*

Later:  Just posted a few new Critters, you should go see.  Even though I put them on my FB page and tweeted, just in case you missed all that, clickety here.

Gosh it has been nice to be home today...especially since it wasn't planned.  I've been listening to some "Fibber McGee and Molly" on my old radio show podcast, but now I think I'll kick back and do a little stitching.

Later:  Just had a big bowl of soup for dinner.  Sat at the table with my sweetheart, and talked to him the entire time.  He was nice to look away from the football game now and then, and to grunt in my general direction.  Ha!

I guess watching the Oscars is a big deal tonight...not for me.  The last movie I went to see was in 2011, something about the Muppets, with Darling Danielle and Ben while I was in Clovis as we waited for Delilah, and I really don't keep up with celebrities so much, so I think I'll find something on Netflix or YouTube to occupy my ears this evening.

Horatio Heartthrob

Lanny the Love Bunny

Hamster Romanster

Thanks for coming by, just another day in the life of me, y'know...from my point of view, it has been peaceful, easy going, and productive.  Everyone here seems happy and content, for the most part.  

Don't forget to say your prayers.

Play Nice!

xxoo

 

Not the "F" word!

Honestly, my last two titles had the word "fog" in them?  Shoot, you'd think it was January in Missouri or something.

I made a big pot of ham and beans for the Pro-Shop today.  One boy just got seconds...and that makes me very happy.  Sweetheart doesn't like to eat much of anything I cook, so it tickles me that the guys here realize what a good cook I am!  My sweetheart, I do love him, but he's so "rigid" about what foods he will or will not eat, and he covers everything in pepper anyway.

 Speaking of my sweetheart, he has gotten in the extremely annoying habit of bringing Karma to the Pro-Shop with him, which is fine, but he allows her to bark at people when they come in and while they are eating.  And...he's also started bringing in stuff he wants me to cook for him...that way, he doesn't have to pay for it!  Like tonight...before we go home I am going to cook him eggs and bacon and toast for dinner.  See, that way there is no clean up at home.  I probably wouldn't mind so much if he'd put a dollar or two in my tip jar now and then!

Now that everyone here has been fed, for now, I should do up my dishes and commence to stitching.  Oh wait...

I had to go put the dog in the crate, which pissed me off.  I asked him twice to do it, then he jumped up as he saw me coming to do it.  Stupid dummy head.  Just do it when I ask you, or don't bring her.  Don't get me wrong, she's a wonderful dog and I love her to death, but to be honest she's bossy and demanding, and vocal.  He's spoiled her.

I've made a couple of grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, a hot dog with sauerkraut, and served 2 more bowls of ham and beans.  I think I might be finished cooking for the day...dishes are done, until I get to cook dinner later, pffft, so it's time to do some stitchin'.

Play Nice!
xxoo

Foggy Day

If only I could feel free enough to just let my thoughts and fingers fly.  I had a chance tonight, but I held back.  Probably for the best, actually.

I stitched and stuffed a Valentine Hamster today, it is waiting for eyes, ears, nose and tag.  I started stitching a pig, and started stuffing a hound dog.  I have too much unfinished business.  I did finish the Ritzy Valentine Dog last night, and worked on the Hairy Dog.

As always, there is so much swirling around life in general...I'm thankful for the hard parts, I realize they have to be gone through.  A new adventure every day, right?

This may very well be the most boring blog I have ever written, in my humble opinion, anyway.

Oh wait, dinner tonight was Jimmy Johns.  I had a tuna, with onions.  It was delish.

Play Nice!
xxoo

Oh that fog...

It seems to have lifted.  I don't know if it was because of the soul searching I've been doing lately, or if my hormones have settled down due to the supplements I have been taking, but for whatever reason, I woke up this morning with a lighter heart than I have in a long time.

I know part of it has to do with my letting go of a certain situation that I have no control over.  It has cut me to the quick, but, as always, time passed heals...somewhat.  This conflict has caused too much pain, too much sorrow, with no end in sight.  Lettin' it go.

On the creative front, aka Handmade by Cosmo...I have a few Critters made but not yet listed...let's see if I can find a few previews...

Bruno, made from merino wool.

Rudy Valenweenie

Punk Rocker Party Pony

I'm working on a few others, if you could see the top of my desk...there's a unicorn waiting for a horn, a grey dog, and a party dog, both waiting for inspiration.  A Party On Alpaca, a Citrus Guinea Pig, a hairy dog, and a Lazy Black Unicorn waiting to be finished.  Not to mention the Mammoth...

Now that I've taken a good look, I really should finish a couple of them tonight.  It'll be 10:00 before I know it.  

Play Nice!

xxoo

Un-Puny

Feeling much better today...you know, sometimes I think I just need to take a couple of days to just be.  Hang out in bed, nap a bit here and there...and not work on anything.

Unfortunately, the view from my bed was pretty bad.  I have a roll top desk, and it is a mess of paperwork, felt, thread, newspaper clippings, etc.  The top of it is covered with finished Critters, and Works in Process.  Tonight when I get home, that is my project.  It won't take long, of course, it's just a matter of putting things where they belong.

Next stop will be my sewing room.  I have got to come up with a good storage system for my felt, and scraps of felt.  And buttons, and shipping/packaging supplies, yarn, etc.

...and I have pics to take and descriptions to write and listings to list, and a ding dang fish tank to clean...and...my daughter and family will be here in about 3 weeks!

All those "ands!"  Seems pretty clear to me that I've been lacking in my ability to put things away.  At Christmas I was legitimately busy with custom orders (thank goodness), but now...well, I have no excuse.

So, when you think of me this evening, you can envision me walking back and forth across the hall from my bedroom to my sewing room, or standing at my work table sorting felt, or draining the fish tank so I can give it a good scrubbing...those are my goals for this weekend, and I will accomplish them all.

But...while I'm at work, I will proceed to stitch up a Valentine Critter.  :)

Play Nice
xxoo

Puny

I have been for the last couple of days.  No energy.  My get up and go has got up and went...

My new business cards, return address labels, and mug came yesterday.  I'm happy with them, and since I got 1000 cards, that's a good thing.

I just might have a shower this afternoon, see if that peps me up...I don't normally feel like this.

Play Nice!
xxoo

New Year - Re-Connections

I would like to introduce y'all to a goof/good friend of mine, Jeri.  We have been cyber-friends since 2004, when Xanga was it, at least in our corner of cyberville.

We never really lost our connection, we both just got busy with the "kids are almost grown ups but not quite and need us more right now than ever," phase.

So, be a pal, go say hey.  She used to be quite a crafter in her day, maybe we could get her creative juices flowing again?

Play Nice!
xxoo