Quilted Bags.....

I am going to share some pictures of the little projects I have been working on.... maybe

First, my sister, Brenda and I spent a day making quilt blocks for an annual Quilters Exchange that we participate in every year. The quilters are a variety of women with varying degrees of talent, the gift for gab, projects that we have worked on during the past year and also share a meal. Every year, my sister and I hope that we get a really easy block to make.... we make 30 blocks to exchange having enough to make a full size quilt when put together... and every year we say we are really going to get the blocks done early... and every year we seem to be down to the wire and sewing our little fingers to the nubs. As of today, I think we both are halfway done. The pressure is on.

Now, my other project that I have been working on is a tote bag filled with spa related goodies that will be chanced off at work to reduce some costs of our retirement/Christmas party in December. (That ol' E word again raises it's ugly head --economy). I really like how it turned out... I followed a pattern; but, adjusted it to suit me and made some other alterations to make it "me". Does that mean I developed a pattern or did I just tweak someone else idea?? I worry about that ... I don't want to infringe on someone's artistic talents.

I have to tell you that I have made a few purses in the past few months and friends and family are talking me into selling them at local craft shows... this may be a possiblity if not a dream.

So, on to the bags.... the first bag I made with this pattern and design is the one being chanced off for the party. I really like ME (Mary Englebreit) and her "fun fabrics". The second one is very "Tuscany looking material"... and I have to tell you that while I was sewing this one... turning, twisiting, inside/outside... pulling, tugging, and getting a little light headed... I felt like I was "birthing" this bag... Hey, it's only me in my little sewing room and the music had ended so my mind was just going... So, when I thought about the "birthing of this bag" I also thought if I did birth this bag it needed a name... so I am calling it - Sophia... what do you think?? Well, then the ME bag cried out "what about me?? I know, she's your favorite, huh?? so I named her Lucy... doesn't she remind you of LUCY... the one and only Lucy there can ever be... just fun and full of frolic and adventure...

So, there you have it ... some pictures of my endeavors... of my attempts at artistic pursuits... of a way to go in my little sewing room, turn on some music and just let that little ol' sewing maching do it's majic.... nothing like a little room of your very own, some music, crafty pursuits, the solitude and time to think to make a person very happy....

In Search of.....

In search of... what are you searching for?? have you been searching long?? do you have help in your search?? do you think you will find what you are looking for?? have you given up your search?? will you search forever?? are you searching for answers?? are you searching for others?? are you searching for yourself?? are you searching for something bigger than everything else??

I don't know about you; but, I have searched for many things in my life. From the little to the big and from the least important to the most dear. Sometimes I wonder if that's what we are put on this earth for... to search. To search for the truth and righteousness above all else. To search for love and caring; because, who in their right mind would search for hate and carelessness?? To search for peace... not world peace; because, after all these years I don't think that's a possibility. Maybe just peace and solitude in my own little corner of the world.

To search for a way to make it through the next ten minutes if not the next hour or the day ahead. Sometimes the search is an easy one... and you reach the destination in a decent amount of time... other times it may be days, weeks or years .... maybe it will be a lifetime.... doesn't this search give us a purpose in life??

Do you sometimes feel that your life is just "going along" with no direction or aim?? Do you feel that everyday is just another day followed by many more just like the one before?? Do you feel that the world is rushing by and you can't keep up?? I think, whether we are searching for something, someone or ourselves... we are destined to travel on the path we are on until we take the first step down an untraveled one. In order to pursue a fulfilling life... we need to search out new experiences, change the status quo, shake things up, rock our world a little or at the least get out of our comfort zones and live a little.

So, whether you are in search of your car keys, all the unanswered questions in the universe, world peace or Him... don't stop searching... you will find it when you least expect it and you will realize that your needs have been fulfilled. Keep searching.... when you cease to search you cease to be....

Joy...

Joy... every one's talking about it... have you heard about Joy?? Do you feel Joy?? Do you want some Joy?? Do you already have Joy?? Who or what brings you Joy?? Do you allow others to take your joy from you?? Do you allow bad circumstances or situations take your joy?? Do you find you are Joy less??

Everyone has to have a little Joy in their lives... what would life be without Joy?? Joy can come along and surprise even the most downtrodden person and bring them a smile, a little pitter patter pat in their heart and a little moment of reflection and thanks. A lot of things bring me Joy... the usual are ... my children, husband, family, sisters, brothers, parents and friends... but, what else brings joy to me....

A sincere smile or a nice comment... sometimes that alone can get me through the darkest days. A husband that loves me no matter my deepest, darkest "leave me alone" moods... he loves me even when I am unlovable. My children can give me such Joy by just a look, a hug or a pat or just a smile because they are my children. My sisters who laugh with me as well as at me and still loves me just because they do. My true friends when I need one really badly and when I just want to be left alone.

Joy can come to us in such a way that it's a pleasant surprise... something as little as a kind word when you really need one, a nice cashier at the store, a helpful clerk, someone letting you enter a long line of traffic... what simple acts of Joy have you encountered?? Do you return that Joy?? If not to that person than to the next person you meet?? Isn't that what life is all about... encouraging each and everyone we meet, to bring Joy into lives that may not have any Joy or needs a little more, bringing our loved ones joy as well as sharing it with strangers.

With every positive there is always a negative... do you know people, situations or things that steal your Joy?? I have encountered a few people that seem to take the Joy out of my life, situations where it is hard to see the Joy and certain things that I really struggle with to maintain my Joy. I am trying to not let this happen, by limiting my exposure to people who like to steal my Joy, I am trying to stay out of situations that steal or deplete my Joy and staying away from things that suck the Joy right out of my life. This is my life (as well as your life is yours) and it's a precious commodity and we only have a certain amount of time in our lives... why allow others, situations or things take our precious Joy???

When a person is Joyful I think that it can be a positive not only for them; but, the people they encounter everyday. Think about the Joyful person that you meet ... do you not try to reflect their Joy onto others after meeting them?? Don't you feel a little more upbeat after the encounter?? Do you feel an uplifting of your mood?? Don't you want to share and spread the joy among others??

Have you ever met someone that is joyless?? ... downtrodden?? ... down in the dumps?? ... woe is me?? ... nothing is good in my life?? ... I have it so bad?? ... my life isn't as good as yours?? I have been used and abused so why look up and try to find Joy?? How do you come away from these encounters... with me it's like I soak up their negativity and question my own Joy and feel as if I shouldn't be as Joyful due to their negativity and the "lack of" in their life. Almost, as if ... if I have Joy in my life it's unfair to show my Joy when others have none. I am firmly saying to you and myself... don't let this happen... your Joy is your own and don't let someone take it due to their insecurity, bad mood, bad outlook on life or their nae saying. Don't rely on others to bring you Joy... bring it on yourself, share it, spread it around and savour each Joyful moment.

It is hard for me when I encounter negativity that I don't also "catch it" so to speak... everyone wants to belong to the club, be part of the group, be part of the cliche; but, if it's negative it can't be good for you. It just steals your Joy and happiness and brings you to a cross road ... do you choose to be part of the group or do you choose your own path and seek Joy?? I for one want to pursue Joy and Joyful moments yet to be... find Joy in the little things as well as the big... I want to dwell in the Joy of each moment and let it fill me up.... I want to share that Joy with others in the hope that they spread the Joy far and wide.... and I feel that at some point that Joy will come full circle .... that the Joy will be unlimited to all....

I have always been someone who wants to be "part" of the team; but, secretly I enjoy being a loner. I long to be part of "the group"; but, realize that it goes against my inner peace if it is among negative people. I find my Joy in very simple things, too ... quilting, sewing, reading, decorating and improving my home with "touches of me", I enjoy gardening and I enjoy nothing more than spring, summer and fall and the opportunity to sit on my front porch swing and watch the river flow while I talk to family and friends, read, crochet or just daydream the time away.

Where do you find your Joy?? Is it in the most simplest of things?? Isn't that what Joy is .... just the small things in life that make us stop, think and smile to ourselves... we received Joy and we were touched. Now, if only we share that Joy with others is the world complete... Share your Joy... Be Joyful ... Spread the Joy and see what blooms in your life as well as others....

as always, please leave me a post or contact me.... info on left sidebar.... thanks, Debb

Changes

Well, today I have been thinking about change... change is a really hard thing to do when you have people who are dead set against the changes enacted. Take a look at your own home... changes are seldom made without a little grumble here or there... where did you move this?? why do we have to do it this way?? when can we do this??... now, granted you may have moved "it" to a better place to organize your home better or just because you were tired of where "it" was... or you start doing something differently in order to save time and/or money or it's just not feasible to do it at a certain way anymore.

Now, take the workplace ... with this "economy"... we are all facing changes that we may not like... we may actually hate them, hate the people who are enacting the changes, even hate the people who are part of the change even if they have no say in being part of the changes, we may hate the changes that we are being made to use ... instead of doing it "the way we have always done it" we are in a stage where to be prosperous and stay afloat we have to make changes in order to compete in the marketplace. Changes could be enacted through staffing changes, work routines, hours of operations or the most dreaded "improvements made in the technology" .... Egads... computers... can you believe that there are still people "out there" who fear computers?? Who fear the time saving changes that they are programmed to do?? That fear that their job will be replaced if programs are designed to speed up the work day?? I don't think computers can do everything (yet); but, I think computers and programs are needed in order to make businesses viable in todays world.

Change is good... if everyone is on board with the changes; but, with everything in life ... not everyone will agree and there will be nae sayers and doubters. I have been one of the few who has welcomed change and was on board for the changes needed to keep the company I work for up-to-date and competitive with other companies. Sometimes it's a very lonely place to be... why, fight change when it's going to happen with you or without you... make the best of it and fasten your seat belts for a bumpy ride till all the bumps are smoothed out....

Have you noticed change in your own life due to the economy?? Do you see it where you work?? Are you doing anything to ensure that both your home and your workplace remains solvent during this down turn in the economy?? How are you saving at home?? At work??

Are you agreeable to change or do you like everything the way it has always been?? Does change disrupt your life in a major way or do you flow with change and hope for the best??

Think about all of the changes that you have seen in your life this far... I am amazed at the changes I have seen.... not only in my own life, my childrens, the world, the economy, the technology .... if you can believe this I can remember when a boy in my sister's class got the first hand held calculator... now, that was big... this would have been in the 70's... the 1970's that is.... can you remember any changes that just rocked your world?? OK, now think about what you would do if you didn't have them?? Sorry, I live by a river; but, I don't want to pound my clothes on the rocks to wash them. Change is good... it's all in the way you flow....

Oh, Brother....

Oh, Brother.... this is what my daughter, Kimberly, was probably saying this past weekend... Andy and Jessica and Kimberly and Jay made their way to New York City by foot, car, bus and train and spent the weekend bonding as only siblings could.

To give you a little background ... Andy will be 30 this October and Kimberly will be 25 this coming June and Victoria was 15 the beginning of March. Spacing... I had three children in three different decades... the 70's, the 80's and the 90's.... no, I am not going there... I'm done.

Since, Andy and Kimberly were basically a team, until Victoria came along when they were 10 and 15 years old, they formed the sibling bond that only comes with years of tormenting and teasing each other. As, two children growing up together the stage was set... talk about the fights, the tears, the yelling, the hair pulling, the gnashing of teeth... and that was just me. They could love as well as they could fight and they do each very well. Big brothers also come up with their own form of "capital punishment"... the dreaded "kiss the knee and I'll let you up routine".

Brother... it is nice to have a brother that looks out for you and cares enough about your life to make suggestions and guide you in the easiest routes. OK, maybe it sounds bossy; but, it's really love. Having a big brother is never being alone and always having someone to lean on when your really down and out. Also, it's a real plus if your brother and your husband are good friends, too. It keeps the boys busy and gives Kimberly and her sister-in-law, Jessica time to shop.

During the past weekend, I received many calls from both children and everything seemed to be going well. I did mention, I didn't want to see anything on NYC news about siblings fighting... all in all I think they had a really good time. Check out pictures at Lemmo Photography link on the side bar. Beautiful pictures .... awesome photographer... if I must say so myself.

Since, Victoria is so much younger she has missed this particular sibling bonding routine passed down by generations of sisters and brothers. Her bonding with her older brother was so much more tender given the age difference... upon bringing Victoria home from the hospital.. Andy developed the "Lemmo Pat" to perfection... as Victoria slept in her crib or in our arms... he would "pat" her little shoulder.

So, whether your brother "makes you kiss your knee" or he gives you a little pat on the shoulder... just know ... that is love and that's how he shows it....

It's all in the delivery....

What a title... think about this... someone tells you really great news, pays you a compliment, offers their help; but, says it in such a way that it is delivered with a ho-hum attitude... are you going to readily respond to this person in a positive light..... no, you will receive it the same way it is delivered no matter the scope of the news.

Now think about someone coming to you and telling you the greatest news, paying you a compliment, offering their help, being kind and generous and you pick up on the sincerity of this person and feel that you are open to their words and deeds.... it's all in the way it's delivered ..... it's the delivery that we will remember.....

OK, now picture this in a negative way...someone points out your faults, your mistakes, your limitations, your inadequacies and it's delivered in such a way that you feel small and very unworthy... well, your going to feel beat down, defensive, your going to walk away feeling really bad about yourself and wondering if you can ever be as perfect as some people.

But, if you take another look and someone points out the same faults and it's delivered with tact and consideration of your feelings. If it is delivered knowing that you are doing your best, that you are trying and it's just a reminder that you need to be more aware of your faults... if it is pointed out in a way that is fair and unbiased .... this is a little easier to take then hearing it from someone that is not being considerate of your situation.

At times, I think we all feel that "our family, our job, our problems, our health, our issues" are the only thing that matters first and foremost in the world ... that we tend to see our self in a different light than what we see others ....that we may be too ready to judge others with out knowing the "whole story". Try putting yourself into some ones shoes and see what they are facing, dealing with, trying to handle in their lives and their job before you are so apt to judge someone at face value. I know for myself... I seem to get wrapped up in my own life, my children's, my family and in my own little corner at work; but, when we live and work with others we need to be more aware of others and the challenges that we all face in our daily lives.

Next time you find yourself either on the giving or the receiving end of a message... just remember.... that it's all in the delivery .....

this is a little bit off subject; but, check this out.... now we are talking delivery... .... this will make you weepy... get the Kleenex ... Susan Boyle delivered....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4

Easter Sunday....

Today, Easter Sunday... we may not be all of one faith or have the same measure of our faith; but, just wanted to share something that touched my soul this morn...

"Have we allowed others to see the Lord in us??
By our words??
By our actions??

Now this made me stop and think for awhile... now, I am not going to go on about religion and faith - as I feel this is a personal choice and I am sure that we all have our differences in our faith, our Gods, our beliefs and our religious tenets.

But, reread the question and insert whatever other word you want where the Lord is?? (not that My Lord is replaceable) Think of it like this .... as a child we are always aware of our actions and words due to the fact that we want to reflect well on our parents. Then as we grow... we may stay single, marry, divorce, become parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, become employees, employers, friends, neighbors, co-workers... and so many other titles in there...

Now think about that phrase and how our actions and words impact and reflect on others... I for one need to be a little more reflective and choose my words with more care... I for one need to be more aware that my actions may be a reflection of me as a person and it may not be a good one at times... I need to know that I am being seen for what I say and for what I do... and by doing so I am either a really good example or I am in need of some improvements along this road called life. How do you feel about your own words and actions?? Are you aware of your words and how they are perceived?? Are your actions an example of the person you are or want to be??

I guess, what I am trying to say... is who or whom ever you look to for affirmation either in your faith or your daily life... will your words or actions make one proud - or make them feel disappointed??

Just a thought to ponder...

Disclosure... these are just my thoughts ... not a hard and fast rule .... just me trying to make it through whatever the day brings at me... if these words resonate with you feel free to follow them, too. If not, so sorry; but, maybe tomorrows thought for the day will be what you need to hear.

Nothing like a vacation day...

Since I had Good Friday off from work... I also took Thursday as a vacation day... to get a jump start on the weekend. Talk about a work out... started out at the usual time I go to work, 7:30 am, at the local WalMart store... did some Easter shopping and I always get my Yoplait Yogurt there because they have a wider variety of flavors then the little grocery store near my house.

I was even prepared with coupons and my "save the planet" reusable bags... I also want to mention the really great Yoplait insulated tote that I won from Bargain Briana....this was another one of my lucky wins... insulated tote, free yogurt, water bottle and note pad. The tote is really nice with a zipper and handles that can be used as shoulder strap style.

After, I loaded up the car I went to my favorite store in my little town... CVS. I really watch my coupons, my extra bucks and all my other offers... I was really saving today... in a previous visit I transferred two prescription and had 2 - $25.00 gift cards... a few rain checks and some free coupons. Well, it started out at 104.00 ... minus coupons, free, extra bucks... down to $54.16 ... still with me.. OK, $50.00 gift cards... $4.16. But, that isn't all... I didn't receive my $5.99 off for a double pack of Crest toothpaste... so they gave me $5.99 cash back. I think it was worth the trip for them to pay me to shop and give me $2.00 on top of everything. This doesn't happen very often; but, I was thrilled. With the economy the way it is I try to watch everything I buy, use coupons, watch sales, price check and really watch while the sales clerks are ringing up the order.

Your probably wondering what did she buy?? Well, the usual... TP, papertowels, feminine products, toothpaste, facial cleansers, body lotions, shaving products, laundry detergent, and even a bottle of water. These are things that we use every day and I splurged on facial products for my daughter and body lotion for myself.... Jergens original scent... cherry almond this is a "grandma" smell, but, I love it.

Next it was a little trip to an area town... DuBois, to JoAnn Fabrics... well, I decided since I had the time and had not been to the local Goodwill "Boutique" for a while... stopped in... my lucky day... 50% off.. yes!!! Started browsing and came to coats ... spied a really great Anne Klein black toggle button coat... looked like my size... tried it on... it is my size.. looked a little harder and found a brown coat by Ann Taylor Loft for my oldest daughter. Found a few other little things and headed for the check out. The two coats were $4.50 each. I don't know about you; but, that was one great buy. So, far my day was going pretty good. I then called my oldest daughter, Kimberly, to see if she would like to meet me for lunch... drive through and then a little visit while we ate. Yes, the coat fits and even though it's brown... I talked her into it by telling her to add a little splash of color with a scarf and it wouldn't be so "blah brown". The brown was a little drab... this coming from a young lady that wears a lot of black.

Next stop was JoAnn's Fabric... well, I boosted the economy a little with purchases there. I bought some material to finish a couple of little quilted throws and some really cute material for totes. Pictures to come... later. Then headed home... but, took a side tour and stopped at McDonalds... got two sweet teas... used my $2.00 from CVS... one for the road and one for later... love those sweet teas...

Have a great weekend....

Morning Post....

Good Morning just a little inspiration to get you through the day....

Say a little one .... it's Thankful Thursday.

Today we have Thankful Thursday and I don't know about you; but, I do have a lot to be thankful for in my little life. We all have something to be thankful for and I bet if you gave it some thought you could come up with a few. Being thankful is so much easier than being ungrateful. Being thankful makes us so much more aware of all of the things in our lives even the littlest. For instance, coming home from work today there were three of the ugliest ducks I have ever seen nesting around my snowball bush... now for a moment I thought some pretty ungrateful things and almost blew the horn to rustle their little feathers and then I thought... well, I am thankful they are in the yard and not doing the doodoo on my front porch. See, I turned that around to a thankful when I could have been out there chasing them with a broom off my porch.

We need to be thankful for the stages in our lives and appreciate them more. We are all at different stages in our lives; but, we are sharing a major portion of these time with co-workers. Who else would you want to spend eight hours a day with??? OK, maybe some days aren't the greatest, some may feel longer than an eight hour day, some days we feel overworked, underpaid, unappreciated and to top it off we're having a bad hair day, we have PMS, menopause and we are too hot to think; but, when all is said and done.. we have to be thankful for each other and the time we have together. I for one wouldn't trade any of you for anyone else. I am thankful for each of you.

Thankful Thursday is a day to thank someone for no other reason then them being in your life. Thank someone just because they make you smile or just because they don't. Thank someone who you love and also the one that you don't love as much. Thank someone you enjoy spending time with and the ones you don't. Thank each other for the little things, the big things and for nothing at all. Thank you for reading my blog. But, most of all thank the person who turned the A/C on at work.

Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Thankful Thursday. I do have to admit that keeping a positive attitude, an upbeat mood and looking only at the bright side is pretty hard at times. Life and people can really drag a person down so if you feel like your faltering in any way.... just hang on... because ....
Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.

Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.

Contests -- Book Giveaways

Here are some sites for some book giveaways....

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/2009/04/david-cristofano-interview-giveaway.html#comments The Girl She Used to Be, by David Cristofano.... sounds like a good read

http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/ quite a few giveaways

http://redladysreadingroom-redlady.blogspot.com/ another favorite site

Morning Post...

I started sending the women I work with these "little post" by email at the first of the year... I received a lot of feed back... so I am going to share them with you, also.

Good Morning,
Say it after me.... it's Marvelous Monday (again) and we are people with a mission.... do our best, be our best and we best be good while were here.

Just a short note to offer each of you (and to myself, too) encouragement today .... Marvelous Monday. We are rested and recharged and we are ready to face the week ahead with prayers, wishes, and each other. Alone we may falter; but, together we can stand tall (or short whichever the case may be) and face any challenge.

Stay Positive... Stay Strong.... Stay Happy... no matter what comes at us today. Stay tuned .... for daily words of encouragement, laughter, hope, peace or just a word or two.

Books... The Seamstress

I read The Seamstress a few months ago, should I say bb (before blog) and since I now have a blog and I am getting ready to mail this book out to a buyer from Amazon... I thought, I had better do a little review of this really great book.

The Seamstress, by Frances De Pontes Peebles... 641 pages... wow, it was a great read... I really liked the way the sisters were introduced and the way the story opened up and followed their very different choices and routes taken in their lives. I read it long enough ago to really not remember anything in particular; but, I do remember not wanting to put this book down for a moment. This is another book concerning historical chapters in Brazil's history...it's a story about sisters, husband and wife, secrets behind closed doors, of families and what they do to and for each other and of women growing into their own person instead of who people want them to be... this was a really good book and I hope you will be able to read this book in the future.

I would also like to let you know of a great book giveaway for the book pictured ... Follow Me...this sounds like a book that I would really like to read... if I don't win it I will be putting it on my list of things to read. Check out Sheri's blog at http://anovelmenagerie.com/ghost/ and if your feeling lucky or just feeling like making a comment... tell her I sent you. Thanks for the feedback.

Books ......

I have had the great luck of winning a couple of books from other book blogs and I have to share one with all of you.

The first is Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford .... what a great title. Now, I have to tell you on the first look... I was interested... what a cover ... such promise of what's to follow in the pages beyond... now I didn't start reading this the minute I received the package in the mail. (direct from the author - more on this later) After finishing a couple books that were already in the line up I started this book... not knowing, not hoping, not wondering what would come from this lucky, free book.

Well, only chapters into it and already I know it's a good one.... it's not a long read; but, each page brings more thought provoking phrases and brings more questions concerning the atmosphere in the USA during the time period of this book. I feel that we, as Americans, will forget our nations history if not for these fictionalized books taking place in times of great challenge to our country. I, for one, do not read a lot of historically true books; but, to read fictional historical period books I am more apt to look up more information, discuss these issues and to be more aware of our nations not so glorious moments in our homeland history.

When we look at our nation ... I think we tend to look at only the good and may not see the trying times we have come through as a nation. We need to be aware of our own history in order to be more understanding to other countries and peoples of the world. We shouldn't stand in judgement of these countries and peoples of the world; but, offer our support and help them to see that change is needed -- as we, the USA, have been trying to do.

I won this book from Redlady's Reading Room (check her link); but, it was for just the AudioBook.... well, I waited for my book and received this rather large box in the mail. Now, the box was bigger than what an audiobook would be in... I opened it up ... and all this was from the author... a note from the author, a hardback book, the audiobook, two t-shirts with the book's title on the front and "Bitter" & "Sweet" on the backs of each of the t-shirts, and a bar of BitterSweet chocolate... was this an amazing win/gift from an author who only had my name and address?? I was so impressed... aren't you?? Check out Jamie Ford's web site http://www.jamieford.com/ and most of all read his book... it is a great read. I would have said this even if he had not sent the chocolate...

Welcome

Welcome - to my first blog post... I really don't know what to say; but, I have a lot to say and will share it with you as we go along.

A little information about myself... I am a daughter, sister, wife and mother. At any given time... one of those titles will fit. I am also a friend, an employee, a neighbor and any other titles that may come along throughout the day. I am the mother of one son and two daughters and I have one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law ... more on these later. I am a wife of 20+ years to a self-employed painting contractor. I also am a cat person and I have three cats... or should I say my three cats have me??

I like to knit (only small easy items), crochet (again, only easy items; although, I have made a few afghans) and I quilt... have made a few bed size quilts. I love to read blogs on any and all of the mentioned hobbies that I have at the present time. My other passion is reading. I read very well... thank you so much... the ones with the most pages and many twists and turns in the plots -- not the "easy" reads ... not the "great authors" but, I like to read a variety of genres and authors; but, don't ask me to read romance... just not one of my favorite reads. I read more fiction than non and I read more mystery/thriller than chic lit. I like to try to read new authors and new topics whenever I am able too.

I have been known to haunt book sales... I am a bring your own bag type person and try to leave with a bag full of new treasures. A local annual book sale held in my town for 20+ years ended last spring.... this book sale was huge and many people waited all year for it to come. Long lines for the opening and many tables full of wonderful books to buy. Sadly, it ended and now local agencies and organizations are trying to fill their shoes.... trying is the operative word. Just went to one on Saturday... it was OK... it was their first attempt... I hope they will get better organized and continue to thrive. I give them kudos for trying ... those are pretty big shoes they are trying to fill.

I have spent my weekend sewing and cleaning... getting ready for spring and summer so that I can sit on my porch swing and watch the Susquehanna River flow by my home. Lots of ducks, fishermen and even some canoes and kayaks occassionaly are sighted. With 50 degree weather... it is just teasing everyone into thinking no more snow.... I'll wait and see.

Have a great day and remember .... be joyful.