1.31.09

happy birthday to my brother whom I did not get to see

we had dinner with the in laws for Lois' Birthday. Mark's father, Charlie, was in a fine talky mood and laughed and laughed

1.30.09

been to the Dr...waiting for Brad ans Susie who are sitting in a ER in Lousiville waiting to see if they can so something for hip...went to see my friend Gary who cut my wild mane of hair picture

safe and sound

Susie just called and Matt and Ryan --yeaah guys--got them to L'ville safe and sound and sound and warm--Thank God!!!!

more economic bad news

I am listening to the news and it its all about the layoffs of more people in our area. Mark has to work a 12 hr day today (thank God we have jobs) so I haven't seen him yet today---just me and the dogs and cats (oh and Fish)

My brother ans sister-in-law have been "trapped" by another weather disaster.This time ice.Along with a lot of the country they are sheathed in ice and Snow. There is NO power in their county..they have been told to evacuate if they can...Luckily her boys are coming to get them and take them to Matt and Laurie's where they at least have electricity. Brad said the FEMA ans National Guard are coming in today...maybe up to 21 days before the county has electricity again.I know they are just part of a huge disaster

on the other hand I see signs of spring in my yard......the daffodils are getting buds and coming up though the ground . I am going to have to "suck it up' and save for another camera---more and more of my photos are coming out like this

woot

nothing new....bored..unable to type..all I have wanted is a nice cold coke

........again

one handed typing.surgery went well and Mark took the pic of the day which I will post soon

1.26.09

driving to have mt pre-test I hope to be early to bed tonight. Have to be at the hospital at 6 in the morning for my second (L) hand surgery. Guess what my photo for tomorrow will be LOL

Sunday Supper

Mark is cooking his specialty tonight (home cut fries and burgers)

I am fighting depression and loneliness-- and wondering why on earth I wanted to do this CPC thing

ET barns

So today we started off going about 40 miles away looking for a new storm door. Went to Sweetwater to a salvage store... I don't know why I didn't think to call first to see if they EVEN had storm doors. They didn't.
But it was a pleasant day in ET. In our area there are many small farms but on the way to Sweetwater in McMinn county there are even many more small farms. One thing I have always loved about this area is the timelessness of it and the history that is all around us. As we were driving along I noticed the old barns. Who knows how long they have been sitting there unnoticed just doing their little barn job. Most of the local barns are called "Cantilevered barns" something that is unique to our area http://blueridgegazette.blogspot.com/2006/08/cantilevered-barns-of-east-tennessee.html and absolutely a part of our heritage I would hate to see disappear. Anyway, somewhere on Hwy 58 between Roane County and McMinn County sat this little hardworking fellow---doesn't she look tired? You can tell she has sheltered many animals and humans and worked hard. A older lady who has worked hard for a long time...like many of the women I have known in my life

Friday finally

you would think with me not working i would not be so anxious for Friday to get here.... Well i still am. Today i went to my work place to pick up a couple of books for my CPC study sessions. While i was there i went to a couple of places looking for a scenic route stamp set I need (http://www.scenicroutepaper.com/Site3/product_detail.aspx?id=c20ae56c-5a7f-4d11-91a5-023d89bfb66c ) but I cant find it other than online --for for only $2.99 or less. and then if I order it online the shipping is more than the stamps GRRRR Hobby Lobby, the LSS, Jo's-- none of them had it

Good Ol' Days Diner

What a beautiful sunset. Mark took this picture from the door of the diner. He thought it looked like a Indian arrowhead--- I think it looks like a fish

This is one of our favorite places to eat. This is a small place near home that has great food. They have been open about six months. They have the best burgers in Roane County. They also have great desserts..but have only managed to eat dessert once because the food is so filling. If you ever make it to this part of the country---Stop here for good eats!

just another day in paradise

a steamy bowl of hot nine bean soup and corn muffins for dinner --got all the way up to 36 degrees here today!

inaguration day and more snow

I got up this morning to find more snow...I thought we were done with snow but there it was just drifting around. it was beautiful again--we just don't get enough snow here to NOT get excited when we have snow. Beautiful

This afternoon I, along with many million others, watched the inauguration of the 44th president. I didn't vote for Obama. I am thankful to all those who made it so i can make my choice and even say it out loud (all of the men and women who went to war and fought for my freedom of speech, thought and word)..but i am a proud American so I watched the inauguration on TV...and I have now watched it again about 40 times because that is all that is on network TV. And since I am a proud American i will support the new president with all that I am-- hoping to make a better/stronger more peaceful and prosperous USA

this is the TV in my sewing/scrappy office

todays word is SNOW!

we don't get much snow here in south eastern Tennessee.Today was one of the days we did get snow. Not a whole lot (only about an inch) but it was beautiful...big giant snowflakes. I wonder why snowflakes look grey when they are falling from the sky? once they gather all on the ground or tree or whatever they look white. Today even Sadiey (our black cocker) was covered in white when she came in. These were excellent huge beautiful flakes.


I started OT this morning and had a migraine as well so I slept through a lot of the snow. but I did manage to take a pic or two of it.....
even with the recent frigid weather it didn't last long and is nearly gone at nightfall

Started today by getting up and going to church-which is our usual Sunday morning thing to do. I think our church is beautiful all the time..wonderful historical/modern/retro building.It was built in the very early 60's and was sooooo modern then-- now retro. But with some beautiful features. The stained glass in the front of the alter... the "planter"(remember the kind that are open to the outside--real outside dirt in the nave), the way the sun shines in during morning services through the stained glass, the Alpha and Omega incorporated into the stained glass, the three crosses that are part of the framework for the stained glass. It is beautiful

After church we came home and I studied for a while. It is not as cold today as it has been(all the way up to 50 F today) and the ice thawed in the pond. The pump is working again since it is now unfrozen. Anyway, After a while I decided I was getting depressed and tired and we needed to get out of the house. We have wanted to see "Defiance" since we saw it advertised some time ago. So we hit a matinee.

It was a great movie--I would recommend it. I cried of course. I will not spoil it but it is sad but a great movie about perseverance and the human ability to fight for what is right. Go right out and see it--http://www.defiancemovie.com/

grrrr CPC..what was I thinking?

I have studied nearly all day.. finished another module...only4 to go before I am finished. And then on to take the 5 1/2 hour test........ yeah!

today's picture is the solidly frozen pond with icicles... if you look really closely you can see little birdy footprints on the ice.We poured some water out there for them and hence the icicles. They seemed to love the water while it was still liquid. Then I tried to get Maggie to go out and stand on the ice but that didn't work--her feet were cold LOL--but we did see the thermometer all the way up to 34 F at one point

Panda Buffet

well today was very cold as well.... I meant to get a picture of the pond again but it got to late before I thought of it again. I went out to check this afternoon sometime, thinking that in the afternoon it might be thawed a little, to find that the shallow end was frozen solid. I even stepped on it and it didn't budge. And the ice crystals in the yard are even longer-- maybe those will be my photos for tomorrow if I get up early enough.... heck is is supposed to get to 29 or 30 tomorrow so it may melt if I don't get up early LOL

Mark and I went out to dinner tonight with Mark and Lois to the Panda Buffet in LC. I cant believe I have finally gotten my Mark to go to a Chinese buffet and actually like it--and not complain the whole time. Heck I even saw him with some Beef and broccoli and teriayki chicken on his plate. The only reason he went the first time was that Mark and Lois picked that place.. and Lois assured him they had good 'ol American food as well as Chinese and on Friday night all the crab legs you can eat.

so that is the best I can do for my pic of the day-- the Panda Buffet--and I didn't even get a pic of the food or the people--sigh--failure already

cccccold-cold-cold!

I know our weather is not as cold as some of the country is experiencing---but it is cold here. right now in our backyard it is 16, it has not been above 20 all day.The birdbath is frozen.. the pond has about 1/2 inch ice on the top of it, we have ice crystals in the back yard. It is beautiful...but i sure am thankful i don't have to be out in it

I ran out this morning to Walgreen's to get the pics i had printed, a photo album that holds 4x6's for the 365 project BRRRR and to take my photo for today.

Sadie didn't seem to be too bothered by the cold

Mo and Maggie (even in her sweater) were not too happy however, and just wanted to come in

I'll bet "the Fish" is much happier inside than out--but what do i know ??

01.14.09

barely made it today-- because I have been so busy--with paper work and talking to ummmmmm---people on the phone. About my short term disability as well as trying to find some place that can start my OT sooner than the end of next week. Hellllooooo.. i am having surgery again the week after. so I got out my Theraputty (from when i had a problem before with my hands--Theraputty= silly putty with attitude) and my paraffin bath thing and doing my own OT--who needs a therapist??? well I do..but i am making do with what i can figure out for myself.

so here we go 01.14.09--a view of my desk with all my paper on it about my disability..geeesh.----sorry for the brushing out on my photo---protecting what privacy I have left------

unstitched!

today I got my stitches out --and found out i have to stay off work until my next surgery(on the other hand). and will start PT or OT as soon as i can get set up .I got a new wrist splint today to wear when I am doing something with my hand. i am having pain still and no grip--- oh well-- wouldn't be so bad if I could scrap or card make or something.

I have decided to be a late entry in the "365"concept of taking photos...so mine will be more like an original--"355" LOL I wonder if I can count the days i have posted pictures of cards and stuff since technically it is a photo---well heck-- i guess i can count whatever I want since this is my own special blend of whatever I want to do---here is today's

Tigger taking a nap

today 01/12/09

so here is what i have been doing with myself lately.. that is the AAPC study book

and how can you look at this finger and tell me there is nothing going on with me that is not normal? That hand is NOT normal for someone my age!

Prayer request for my brother who is having a lot more pain in his hip.. Pray for healing or at least relief of the pain

you're HOW old???

new info on the TVA sludge spill

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=7cec434bad96d786ad024b&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=email





since he nor my sis in law read this i am also posting his birthday card here to share


and inside it says.... oh yeah.... way older than me! (used a candle stamp, twinkling H2O's, generic letter "B" and letter stamps by simply stamps,with some silver embossing powder)

cards x 2 for the same family

Took me all day but I made two cards for Alison and Aaron--- one for the new baby and the new big sister. Now my hands are killing me. Need to make one more for an engagement-- I can do that tomorrow

this one was done with a onesie pattern and iris fold tech from http://www.irisfolding.circleofcrafters.com/index.html scraps of blue paper and some stickapotamus letter stickers (denim)

This one made with a CTMH stamp, twinkling H2O's, Martha Stewart blue stamp pad, pink paper no idea where that came from, letter stickers from somewhere, and a oval cutting set from long ago from CM

pretty good huh?

pondering--TVA, new baby, boring day, Judi

big ole boring day---I couldn't sleep last night so I slept in to about 8:30 this morning. Read and waited for Mark to come home then the adventure began--

• to the post office to mail Katie's January package
• to the Barrel for dinner (and to buy a special tiny girl a 1st birthday gift from her grandparent's)
• on to WalMart (I HATE going there but it is the only larger store in this county) to get a refund for something they overcharged me for ..and a few essentials like cat food and water and milk
• to the drug store for a refill and
• then home

to ponder Vicki's new blog entry and the pictures of the TVA disaster --check out the bottom of her blog

need to make a new baby card for Alison and Aaron at church (and big sister Gracie) who are the proud parents of a new baby boy who will be baptized on Sunday... What a wonderful time of life for a family. A new life to nurture and love and teach. To see all things new again. To have all the experiences that come with a new baby. A manifestation of a love between a man and woman. What a lovely time of life.

Judi is making amazing recovery. i talked to her today and she is driving and doing great. She got a new car and it is perfect for her. I told her today that her guardian angel did a good job that day---- She is blessed and obviously still has work to do here.

Daylight Fades

.....so I am living vicariously. my lovely daughter is helping her wonderful boyfriend ,and his company Old School Pictures, with production of his new film--Daylight Fades.

look here---http://www.daylightfades.com/

if you look at the photos you will see Katie in a lot of the shots. (LOL yep- I'm a proud mommy)

studying

today i am studying and trying to catch up on my course work for CPC

flower soft

wanted to post more about the card i made with flower soft--great product for all crafty type folk

this is the finished project- -card in this case

and this is a sorta close up of the way the flower soft looks on a card-

here are some sites with ideas--- this product was a wonderful gift from my friend Crystal in Myrtle Beach (yeah Crystal!!!)

http://www.flower-soft.com/

http://www.craftcritique.com/2008/10/flower-soft.html

who would have thought........

I always swore I would love to stay home and do nothing----now I am and I am bored to bits. I wish i had more mobility it is irritating.

• we still don't know the outcome of the "spill" long term
• we had potato soup and grilled cheese for dinner
• production started today for Brad and Katie
• I cant get my new camera wallet to work--the software wont load
• Mark is having to do a lot of housework

Pics of my recent past projects---

.and the best news today is that Judi was able to come to church today for the first time since the accident

TVA sludge spill

more bad news about where we live--This is my friends blog

http://nihao-yall.blogspot.com/

Kingston Fossil fuel plant spill

this is about two miles from our house "as the crow flies" and about four by road-- we are using bottled water, and staying inside in hopes the hvac will help filter out the dust more.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_coal_sludge_spill

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/business/tva-pond-breach-roane-county/

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/29/tennessee.sludge/index.html

cranberry relish

more cooking--- well this is just chopping but it is wonderful. I was only able to make this with my hubbys help. One handed cooking, typing and washing---well like I said-- makes me admire my mom all the more. Serve on top of warmed brie and crackers--yummmmmm

Cranberry Relish


Preparation time: 15 minutes.

Ingredients
2 cups washed raw cranberries
2 skinned and cored tart apples
1 large, whole (peel ON) seedless orange, cut into sections
1 to 2 cups granulated sugar (depending on how sweet you would like your relish to be) I use less

Grind all fruit If you don't have an old-fashioned grinder you can use a grinder attachment on a KitchenAid mixer, you can chop by hand (though that will take a lot of work), or you can chop in a food processor (be very careful not to over-pulse, or you'll end up with mush).

Mix in the sugar. Let sit at room temperature until sugar dissolves, about 45 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.
Makes about 3 cups.

Mom

This only having one hand to work with has made me appreciate my Mom all that much more. About a year before her death she had her left arm amputated. After her recovery period she was able to function on her own. She learned how to do all of the things that any normal woman would do (including folding sheets) all with one hand/arm. I am having so much trouble with having my right hand disabled. I am having some pain and mostly am bored. I wish I had this time off with both hands working so I could be crafty LOL

see comment from previous post and know I have an awesome daughter and Brad is lucky to have her for a girlfriend.

Good luck on production starting Brad!!!

so.... here I sit

had surgery to release the nerve entrapment in my right hand carpal tunnel two days ago. I am playing hunt and peck with the computer and learning to get along with one hand. Next I will have the left and then I should be back to normal. It is much more difficult than I thought it would be.
Wouldn't you know it is just in time for me to feel crafty. i have managed to stamp two cards with my left hand (which is really hard for me). and looked at lots of ideas. Everyone had virtual stamp nights last night. The days after Christmas and before my surgery I cleaned up my computer/scrappy room. Got rid of tons of stuff (gave it to Katie or someone else) and organized so I can play again and actually find things i know i have.
The only other thing i have been doing is eating --- here is one of my new favorites

Firecrackers
1 ½ cup olive or canola oil
1 pkg. Dry ranch dressing
1-2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
6 sleeves (or so) Zesta saltine crackers
place crackers -standing on skinny end- in a large container (the container should be just about as tall as the crackers are tall ). Mix all other ingredients together and drizzle mixture over crackers. Flip container upside down every 15 minutes for 8 hours to make sure all the crackers are soaking up the goodness. . Serve with your favorite dip, cheese or topping