Busy as a Bee Day

It was a very busy day here ... up early to try to finish the October newsletter for work... put in 5 hours before Kaine and Jorden arrived, but still didn't finish it all the way. In the meantime we looted the basement, attic, closets and bedrooms for furniture and things for Kaine's new apartment. Played a bit with our precious granddaughter Jorden...tried on some cute things...one the bee suit, and the other a darling pink winter hat that my computer friend, Maggie, made for Jorden.
She looks soooo cute in it too!! Can't wait for winter to come so she can wear it more! Thanks again for the gift to Jorden, Maggie!!

After photographing and playing with Jorden, we packed up my van and Kaine's jeep and drove upnorth 2 hours, dropping off Jorden, then heading to Kaine's new place. We unpacked everything, lugged it UPSTAIRS..(uuugghhh), then headed to the store for needed supplies... got them home, unloaded, but not unpacked or situated yet, because Kaine had to head to work, 3rd shift. Hope he stays awake and alert...he didn't have any sleep today. But he sure has a nice apartment, and I hope to go back in a few days to help him more, and bring up more things from here.

So, when I arrived home, I had to stop and pick up my computer at work, and hopefully now, I'll be able to finish the newsletter before heading to bed.

Thank you Lord for a busy, but productive day, thank you that I was able to see Jorden and Kaine, and thank you for Kaine's new place, its a nice apartment, and looks like it's in a nice location too!

More "Art" From John

John was asked by a good customer to recreate some banisters for a set of stairs in an older home south of Chicago. He went down a month or so ago and looked at them, took photos with his cell phone, then came home to figure out how to do them.
He doesn't usually do this kind of work, but he took on the challenge.





After MANY, MANY hours working on them, he finished them enough to pass them on to the customer and have them refinished by someone they are hiring.
They will also add decorative wood pieces to the inserts and on parts of the outside too. I think they did a wonderful job!

Here are the guys just before transporting them to the customer.



I had asked, if they had extra pieces, would they would make me one or two as a pedestal base for some of my torsos or art pieces?... I dunno, the looks I got made me think maybe NO. *L* But it sure would be an excellent Christmas gift...*hint*hint*

Sure is easier to kiss away your kids hurts when they are young....

I wish I had a magic pill or magic solution to help make things easier for my adult kids when they have difficult or sad times now. It sure was a lot easier to make them feel better by just kissing away their "boo-boo's" and giving hugs when they were little. A hug, a kiss, a juice box, or a cookie... and all was right with the world again.

Those times are gone, but as a Mom, I still wish I could make things all better. :(
But it's not possible for many things anymore. My heart aches for their sorrows.

I remember someone telling me that we can't or shouldn't try to remove all the stumbling blocks that may be in the paths that our children are on... if we did that, how would our kids learn to cope or get past those stumbling blocks on their own? So, as difficult as it is, sometimes we know there is not a whole lot we CAN do and all we can do is be there if they want to talk, we can pray, pray, pray, and we can love them, and let them know that love IS there.

My prayers will include some promises from God, found in scripture, that not only will help my kids, but help me as well in dealing with the heart of a Mom.

2 Thessalonians 2:16+17: May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting comfort and hope which we don't deserve, comfort your hearts with all comfort, and help you in every good thing you say and do.

Psalms 147:3: He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds.

Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Ecclesiastes3:1-4: To every thing there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

Lord God, I pray that Your Word, Your Love and Your Presence give comfort to Kaine and Erin as they examine their lives and their relationship with each other and what that relationship will be, and as they examine their relationship with You, Lord. May we also continue to give support and love to them both, and to Jorden, may they be open to Your Will for them, and may they know that season of joy and dancing again soon, in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

My Cake Assemblage... a joke for a dear friend tonite...heh heh

Tonite we are going out to dinner with some friends, and we are celebrating Sue's birthday. I volunteered to make a cake to celebrate... BUT, this isn't just ANY cake.... although it DOES looks delicious!!

I've been making these since I was a teen, my first time was for my mom's birthday... she thought it was sooo nice of me to go out of my way to bake a cake, esp. since I really didn't do much cooking or baking as a teen. Little did she know, until she tried to cut into the cake, and it was uncut-able, that it was a joke. The pictures here can tell the story of how to make your own cake for a friend... *evil grin*

Start with a couple of rolls of toilet paper... unwind them, one at a time...then rewind them again back on the toilet paper tube. One was not enough, so I used a second roll, taping the paper to the end of the last roll. And this is what it looks like after both rolls are re-rolled.
Then to secure the paper better, I loosely added tape to the top and around the sides. I've found it helps the outter layers of the toilet paper to stay put when you begin to frost it. Here are some pics of the cake with tape, just before frosting it.


Then I carefully frosted it with chocolate frosting, sprinkled nuts on it, candles on top... and VOILA!! Looks good enough to eat!

There are a few lumps and bumps on it.. it's far from perfect, but it makes it look all the more "homemade" and delicious! Ha!

I can't wait to see Sue's expression when she tries to cut it tonite after dinner... maybe I'll be able to get a picture of it and post it later... such a friend, I am, eh?



*EDITED POST - MORE PHOTOS FROM THE PARTY*




The party was great fun, the cake was a big hit! Fun times with fun friends!

Sue was surprised and had a good laugh at the cake!

In Home Gallery ... I really need to get my work displayed someplace...

So, as I was dusting around things the other day, I was thinking that I really need to get serious about going to places and getting a gallery showing going. I've just been busy... yah, that's it..*L*.. Okay, maybe I'm alittle afraid of rejection... but that goes with the territory too, right?


I decided to take some pictures of how I have SOME of my assemblages sitting around the house now.. some are at church in my office, some are stored away upstairs as well. I should either try to sell them, or do something about showing them in public... besides just praying about it I mean..*L*

Is this HEAVEN??

Okay... I FINALLY gave in, and bundled some services and now have high speed internet... oh my gosh, this is SOOOO wonderful.. I think I am in heaven!! I can zip here and there, and everywhere in an instant... how GREAT is this!! *S*

Getting off on the right foot...

Or...Getting off on the right FEET..*L*

Okay, I know...what the heck are all these FEET for? And did ya notice? They are all RIGHT feet... *L*

Stay tuned for the ideas I have for these latest Good Will finds... (with my coupon they were only 85 cents each!) Such a DEAL! (gotta take those price tags off them too)..*L*

My "baby" is 21 today....

Happy Birthday ((((Kaine)))). Our youngest son turns 21 years old today. I can't believe how fast those years went...I can still remember the events of the day of his birth, like it was just last week.

I CAN say I am glad those first 8 months of his life are over... he was VERY colicky as a baby... and I was close to going nuts..*L*

But now, he's 21, a dad of a beautiful 5 1/2 month old daughter (Jorden), and engaged to a wonderful gal, our daughter in law to be (Erin), has a job doing what he went to school for and what he enjoys (welding and metal fabrication), and is a wonderful son!! I just wished he lived closer than 2 hours away... but, thankful that he gets home fairly often. Thank you Lord!
I thank God for Kaine, ask for bountiful blessings for him and his family, a blessed birthday today, and continued guidance, safety and blessings in the years to come...in Jesus Name. Amen.

*clicking fingers & singing* "Another year older & deeper in debt.."

Another year older & deeper in debt...
St. Peter dontcha call me, cuz I can't goooooo...
I owe my soul to the company store...(umm, Church BBQ & Hoe Down, I mean)

Busy day today... Annual Scarecrow Fest BBQ & Hoe Down at Church tonite...

And wouldn't ya know it... it poured ALL night...2 inches of rain, more to come...

Gotta revamp the plans...moving some stuff inside, hoping the tents are good enough, warm enough, and dry enough for the Hoe Down part, outside...

Lord, in your mercy...Hear our prayer~

*heading out to be on the work crew to set up, etc.*

Bright side of this day... I am now eligible for some senior discounts at various stores...but gotta wait another 5 years before that discount at Good Will! Rats! ..*L*

9-11 Remember, but Forgive.

This is a piece I made about a year ago.... good for today.

"...Forgive us our sins, AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US..."

ECVA new Call for Art: Light of the World

The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts has a new Call to Artists...

"I am the light of the world. If any man follow me, he shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." John 8:12

Advent, the beginning of the church year, occurs during the darkest days of Winter when the lush beauty of nature has disappeared and our souls long for warmth. During this season we prepare for the coming of Light from Light through treasured rituals of greening naves, lighting advent candles, lessons and carols, reflection and meditation. These Advent traditions serve as symbols for our search in darkness for the mystery of life-giving light.

How do we find and manifest that light? Lux Mundi, the Light of the World.

ECVA calls for images that give vision to longing for light in the darkness and growing anticipation of the birth of Christ.

How do we find this light in our inner landscapes? How is His light manifested in your heart? During this season of darkness how do you imagine the coming light of life for all to see?


The deadline to send in your entries is Nov. 1st, the selected art will be featured at the online exhibition at the ECVA website starting Nov. 30th. To see more info on the above "call" check out the website at http://www.ecva.org

John's "art" and skills.....

Today I visited a job site where John and the crew are building a garage, they just finished the house shown here a month ago, which was built, for the most part, by John, our older son, John, and our nephew, Ross, and on this home, our son Kaine helped a little as well. It's a beautiful home, so I thought I'd brag a bit about the skills the guys put into their work by showing some of the pictures I took....

Antique Radio, now WHAT am I gonna do with THIS?

Okay... I need help... I went and bought this antique radio at Good Will in New Berlin today... what do I need this for, you ask? I just couldn't pass it up! I had this 30 % off coupon, plus my Good Will card gave me another 5% off, so how could I NOT buy it? It's pretty cool actually... I plugged it in when I got home, and the tubes inside glow a little, when I turn the knobs they make a noise, but it was filled with cobwebs and dust, and it started smelling hot, so I unplugged it. It would be cool if it DID work, but I purchased it figuring it wouldn't work as a radio and that I would use the cabinet portion of it to make something... I have NO idea what though... but ALL kinds of ideas are flitting around... like sugarplums dancing in my head..haha.

I think I must be stuck in a "red" rut too.. I keep thinking I maybe will do it red, like that dresser I did last month, but maybe with more of the wood look showing?... who knows? ... anyway.. it's got good bones, and will be neat for something I just KNOW it!
But, when will I have time to do something to it???... looking at my calendar filling up fast lately with work stuff, church stuff, family stuff, so dunno when?

Anyway, if anyone out there reads this, and has some idea...ANY idea, please put it in a comment for consideration... thanks~!

Enjoying Jorden

My angel granddaughter, Jorden... such a blessing!! We were glad to have her and daddy Kaine here this weekend too.

Vestry & Ministry Leaders Retreat

We had a great retreat day held at Wesley Woods Methodist Camp on Lake Geneva today. Fr. Scott Leannah, from St. Mary's, Dousman, was the facilitator and did a wonderful job of it. He shared his owns church's experiences in their ongoing building campaign... one that our church is looking at possibly doing.

We were reminded that a wholistic approach should go into our projects (whatever they are), involving heart, soul and mind. A balance is needed in those areas as well. We had good sharing with each other, and it was not only an examination of our parish life, but of our own personal walk with Christ.

Scarecrow Fest Entry

This is the entry for our town's Scarecrow Fest... for several years our Church has participated and been given 1st place, 2nd place, tied for 3rd place and an honorable mention. This year a whole new group of people made the scarecrow and did a GREAT job... my part in it was minimal...I did the sign.

I think, from what I've seen so far uptown, ours has a good chance of getting 1st or 2nd place!

Men and their toys....

Guess it doesn't matter what the age... some men just LOVE cars...fast cars! John got his 66 Sunbeam Tiger back from the shop and had to take it out for a spin... when the grandson, Jeff, saw him pull in with it, he screamed for a ride too...So Grandpa John accommodated him..*L* John said he kept saying, "Faster Grampa, FASTER!"

Ruh, Roh, the older son John, and daughter-in-law, Janel may have a "lead-footed kid" on their hands when he gets older. *L*

John's had this car since we were first married, and has slowly been getting things done on it... he only drives it about 6 times a year, but when he does, he sure enjoys it... looks like we'll be going out for a drive tonite... FUN!

How to Tell When You Are Getting REALLY Old....

Today is grandson Friday... and I've discovered that I can tell I am REALLY old now... it used to be when your own kids went to school you realized you were getting older...then when they entered high school and became teenagers, you knew you were getting even older! BUT then when they graduated, went on to college or the Navy, graduated from college, finished the Navy, and some even got married, had babies of their own...THEN YOU KNEW YOU HAD HIT OLD AGE!!

BUT, now I see even MORE of an older person here... my GRANDkids are now in school!! (well, two of them anyway)..so, instead of having three grandsons now on Fridays, I have just ONE. Yep, OLDSTER OLDIE here!! *L*

On the bright side...it makes it lots less hectic taking just ONE grandchild to work with me anyway....

Okay....This old gramma needs to get my work day started... where's my cane??

*G*

200th Post on my Blog

Hey... this is cool.. as I was logging on, I noticed I had 199 posts to this blog ... so this one makes it historic...200 posts!

Been a busy week or so for us... I was in a cleaning frenzy getting things done for a super big birthday party celebration on Sunday. It went well, over 60 of my side of the family (and a couple of the daughter's friends) came, ate, enjoyed, sang happy birthday to all the August and September birthday people, and left the house in pretty good shape...*L*

Following the party, I went out with my daughter and her friend... it was fun, but, I am too old for all that partying in one day!! *L* Monday was a recovery day for me... all in all, it was a great weekend!

This morning, as I was sitting watching Good Morning America before work, I noticed the school bus stop at the corner across the street.. ahhh yes, that time of year again...school's back in session! I was smiling and thinking how nice it is NOT to have to deal with any of those hassles of getting kids to school anymore...ahhh, age has it's advantages!!

So, tonite was "Support Group" nite... yay!! Nine of us enjoyed Tubby's, lobster and steak, and each other's company. Fun time, with fun friends!!

Tomorrow it's back to work again, more catching up...can't believe it's September... where, oh where, does that time fly to when it flies so fast??

Happy Birthday to My MOM!!

Today is my Mom's 77th birthday. My Mom, despite some health issues, is still very active and does so much for so many people. She is the BEST Mom anyone could ask for, and an example to me and all my sisters and brother and our spouses, as well as the hoards of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mom and Dad have been married for over 56 years, an example of another loving relationship she gives us too.

I thank God for my Mom, and for the love she has showered me with over the years. On Sunday we'll celebrate Mom's birthday along with the other August and September birthdays at our house. It's always a challenge to find a gift, one that conveys how much I love my Mom and appreciate all she does.

Lord, thank you for Mom, give her good health, freedom from aches and pains, and joy in You, Lord...asking this in Jesus Name. Amen.