Service

What's the deal!? Seriously. If you run a business and someone actually wants to give you their hard earned money in exchange for your service...do it.
Geesh. It shouldn't be this hard to give my money away!!

Remember, at the end of October when a tree limb put a hole in our roof? That was on October 31st.
Finally they send out a guy to do the estimate and finally they schedule the repair...for last Thursday. The guy called and said there was an emergency and he would be out Saturday. He called Saturday and said something came up but he would be out first thing Monday. He called yesterday and said the heat went out in his truck and he wouldn't get it back from the shop until last night so he would be out today. It's 4:00 and he hasn't shown up yet. So I called them up. Really, they're a BIG company...'A' rated on Angie's List. I had to leave a message.

So, I'm calling someone else. Maybe they'll want my money!

More fun with paint

I keep forgetting to post the last Wine and Canvas paintings! It was extra fun this last time because there were 8 of us! And for a bunch of non- painters, we did an excellent job!

Some of us got a little creative with the stream and made a path instead :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

What could I possibly have to share with you this Thanksgiving? Hmmm. Let's see. There must be something. What was it? OH! I know...EVERYTHING!!

Whether you're busy cleaning or cooking, shopping or sleeping, eating or watching the game, take a moment and think about all the things you have to be grateful for. Don't cheat and just say "everything" either. Not that everything doesn't count but I want you to pick out some of those small (or big) things that make you smile. Those people that brighten your day. Those moments that make you happy or sigh blissfully with contentment. All of those things that make your day or life, nicer/better/more pleasant. The ones that you would miss if they suddenly disappeared from your life.

Some of my little things are;
* When someone brings their mini me to work. It's always great to have fresh people in the office.
* Quilling paper or colored paper and my cool little paper cutter
* Christmas music 24/7
* Autumn leaves, snow that sparkles, sunshine...oh who am I kidding, I love ALL the seasons!
* Wine and Canvas with my Mom
* Pinterest. No, seriously! I have an entire make believe environment on Pinterest and it's awesome!
* Peach yogurt
* Funny people
* Big band and Swing music on Saturday and Sunday morning.
* Sugar (Surprise!!)
* Beer battered french fries from The Stacked Pickle
* Any Disney cartoon
* Courteous drivers, so rare these days
* Greta and Pepper, our dogs, who find my mere existence the most joyful thing in the world...right after food
* The keypad on our front door - not having a key to get in is still fantastic even 5 years later!
* Staycations - just as good as vacations when you're trying to get things done around the house

The big things on my list, and they are pretty big;
* My Mom celebrated the BIG 5 year mark, cancer free!! Woohoo!
* My husband will celebrate 3 years cancer free next month. His doctor is really optimistic now. I never stopped being optimistic.
* My job, when so many are without
* Our home. And thanks to my very own live in handy man extraordinaire, we now have a great walk-in closet in our newly (almost finished) remodeled master suite! Yessssss!
* My family, pseudo and real. Close and far away. All of them contribute something wonderful and unique to the world.

Every single day I'm thankful for all the blessings in my life. The big ones, silly ones, special ones and small ones. My life is filled with so much more than I need. Every day I am profoundly thankful for the love that surrounds me. It really does make the world go 'round.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It's a good life, bee happy

Big hugs,
Cynthia

Home renovations day 47...

...I wish I had something new to add.  Oh wait, he did get the last of the drywall up and this week called somebody to come out and quote a job for finishing the seams and texturing the ceiling. At least it's progress. I think he's been a little side tracked about the roof? You know, the night before we left for the Ozarks, there was a BIG storm. In the morning he went out to check the roof and sure enough there were several giant branches strewn about and a couple holes in the roof. Well, of course everyone was going to charge an arm and a leg, so he put on a tempory fix and off we went;

The things that concerns ME the most right now are these;

That is the top of the tree to the left. It's the biggest one yet. We really need to do something about that one.

Anyway...it was a lovely drive once we got out of the city;

Last time we went, we took the long way. This time we went through St. Louis;

And on the way back, we kept seeing these billboards that said, "Candy Factory" and "World's Largest Gift Store" You know I had to stop right?!?!?! The candy store was a bust and the gift shop was fun in a kitschy sort of way. It was pretty dang big!

But there was an * after the word Store and I never did find out what it meant. Some kind of disclaimer I'm sure.

Dream a little dream...

I have the craziest dreams sometimes. Vivid. Colorful. Random.

Occasionally they’re just wacky alien invasion dreams. Those are fun because I’m usually the super hero in those! Or I’m the person who can reason with the aliens.

Once in a while I have a serious nightmare that Bill will wake me up from. Twice it was because I was crying hysterically! Those nightmares are always about being totally alone. Can’t find my husband, someone stole the dogs. They’re awful!!

Then of course there’s those flying dreams. LOVE those!!

But those dreams about spiders or losing your teeth are the WORST!

Last night I had a dream that just made me feel so nice when I woke up. I woke up smiling! *sigh* If you know the morning me, this would have impressed you. It was about this Italian Greek sculptor that did the most amazing beautiful sculptures. They made me cry they were so beautiful. They were conceptual, smooth, flowing, stirring, intense sculptures of people, couples and lovers. Oh yeah, and we were in love. But we weren’t ‘involved’ I don’t know what that means. Aaaand, in my dream I was single…and younger…and thinner…and taller…and I had black hair.  Fun, right?!

Sorry honey.

signs

This song came out in 1970. I suppose it was relevant then. 40+ years later and it's still relevant. I was thinking about it over the weekend while we were in the Ozarks. Besides being there solely to visit relatives, the changing leaves were a fantastic perk. But more than that, there's something to be said for an easy way of life. You forget how noisy your environment is until you remove yourself from it. You forget how much activity there is around you until you're alone. And I don't mean alone in your room or alone in your car. I mean ALONE, by yourself, no other human beings around you. No TV, no radio, no white noise. You forget, or maybe you've never seen it, how blue the sky really is. It's something to behold. This trip though, I was struck by the freedom of the 'backwoods'. Imagine, growing your own produce department where you get ripe and fresh vegetables right outside your door. Imagine fresh eggs for breakfast whenever you want. Imagine walking off your patio and taking aim at tin cans with no worries of who is going to turn you in. You can pretty much do whatever you want. How great is that!?!?

There are TOO many signs in the world today. Too many rules. Too many bossy people!
It sure was nice to get away!!!



And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"
Whoa-oh-oh

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

And the sign said anybody caught trespassin' would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house, "Hey! What gives you
the right?" "To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in"
"If God was here he'd tell you to your face, Man, you're some kinda sinner"

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Now, hey you, mister, can't you read?
You've got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't even watch, no you can't eat
You ain't supposed to be here
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!

And the sign said, "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray"
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all, I didn't have a
penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine."

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

In the news....

This is the big news story today.  We've been waiting 3 years for this.  
He was driving 76 miles an hour to assist other officers on a NON emergency call. Regardless, how the hell do you drive into a group of motorcyclists, stopped in the left hand turn lane, at the light? How can you NOT see that they aren't moving? And really?...you're gonna blow through a signal on a city street without slowing down? Uh huh. Anyway, I really appreciate the county prosecutor's statement. Lest we forget ourselves and start acting all crazy.

Indianapolis police officer David Bisard was found guilty today of all nine felony charges he faced in a 2010 vehicle accident that killed one motorcyclist and severely injured two others.
The 12-year Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department veteran faces years in prison after being convicted of drunken driving, reckless homicide and other charges.
He crashed his squad car into a group of motorcyclists on Indianapolis’ Northeastside rushing to assist other officers on a non-emergency call.

The mother Eric Wells, who died in the crash, held back tears and rubbed her husband's back as the verdict was read.

Bisard showed little expression. He slowly shook his head.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said in a statement that there is “no reason to celebrate today.”

“The events of August 6, 2010, are without question a tragedy for all involved. It is an unimaginable tragedy for the family of Eric Wells – his wife Luisa and his parents Aaron and Mary. It is a horrible tragedy for Mary Mills and Kurt Weekly, whose lives are forever altered. But it is also a tragedy for the family of Officer Bisard, Officer Bisard himself, and our police department.

“We take no pleasure in prosecuting a police officer, and it certainly should never be suggested that Officer Bisard is an evil person. However, all of us – whether a police officer, attorney, teacher, or otherwise – must accept responsibility for our actions. The message of the jury’s verdict is that Officer Bisard must accept such responsibility and be held accountable for his actions on that day.”

Happy Halloween!

Seriously? NO WAY!!

Wow. Obviously this list was made by some freaky chocolate lover!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/the-9-most-hated-halloween-treats_n_4161975.html

Candy Corn? I LOVE Candy Corn. And Smarties!?!? You know, you can only get those 3lb bags full of Smarties at Halloween. I got one for my brother for Christmas because Smarties are HIS favorite! Most hated? Na uh. And anything that isn't edible?? What?? I can tell you from experience that that's NOT true. Mom and I give away toys or little stuffed animals every year and all of those little monsters and goblins LOVE them! Ha! Lists are stupid.

What?

A few weeks ago, Mom, Bill and I decided to try one of the local breakfast buffets. At the very least, all you could eat bacon would have made it worth it for me J

When we found a table and sat down, I thought to myself, “that was pretty cheap. I wonder if she forgot one of us”.

So I looked at the receipt.

I don’t mind the discount, I guess, but really???? I look like a senior? That’s it! I’m gonna color my hair.

Guns and drywall

Home renovations stink – when you’re doing it yourself. Everything takes soooo long to do. Saturday he spent most of the day in the attic moving the wiring for a light switch and running wires so we can have light in the new closet. It was a lot of work and if it had been up to me, there would be no light because no way in hell would I be crawling around in the insulation! Usually I’m a patient person when it comes to things like that. But now? Well…I’m sick and tired of NOT having a closet! It’s been FOUR weeks now. OK, granted, after the first week he’s only been working on it during the weekends because who wants to work after working all day? I get that. And he missed a full weekend because he was on call. But geez! I can’t find my shoes and my clothes are spread out all over the house! Humph. Da mama aint happy. All of that being said, having a handy DIYer in the house is sure saving us a TON of money! And I really, really do appreciate having a husband that do just about anything. He stinks at drywall finishing though. Yesterday, after  a couple of hours of sanding and cleaning up he had to touch up the corners. By last night he had decided that they need to be completely redone. I hate drywall.

Are you a gun owner? I didn’t know this but if you are a gun owner it’s a little like eating potato chips…you can’t have just one. Why? Oh right, I keep forgetting. Zombies and/or a revolution. Uh huh. I’ve also heard, is it possible for a woman to own ONE purse? Well of course not. But for that very reason, woman don’t tend to spend hundreds of dollars on ONE purse. Also, I’m a little worried about what he’s going to obsess over next! I love his passion though. Honestly he’s a walking gun encyclopedia. It’s really impressive!

I wish he would find a hobby that he could sustain in his retired years. Because gun shopping won’t be on the list.  Neither will home renovations!

in the news...

Rawr! This one was just too funny to pass up J

If you're heading to the zoo in Surrey, England, leave your leopard print at home. Saying they believe clothing featuring animal prints confuses the animals, Chessington World of Adventures has issued a zero tolerance policy on visitors wearing the prints. The zoo will have clothing to borrow for anyone sporting an animal print.

Did you see this story? Oh man…it broke my heart! But…now it has a happy ending! Whew!!

Foster child asks church for new parents: 'I'll take anyone' [UPDATED]

Could someone please pass the Kleenex? We just found ourselves a new role model for bravery: Davion Navar Henry Only, who wants a family so much that he went before a crowded St. Petersburg, Fla., church and asked if someone would please adopt him. Davion was born into Florida's foster care system 15 years ago, and he found out earlier this year that his birth mother died. A touching story in the Tampa Bay Times reports that Davion decided God helps those who help themselves, so with the help of his case worker, he stood up in front of the congregation at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church one Sunday last month and asked for a new mom or dad. ''I'll take anyone," Davion told the Times. "Old or young, dad or mom, black, white, purple. I don't care. And I would be really appreciative. The best I could be." So far, two couples have shown an interest in Davion, and we're wishing him a happy ending very soon. As he said when he took the stage last month: "I know God hasn't given up on me. So I'm not giving up either." Update: Davion will "without a doubt" be getting a new family, his caseworker, Connie Going, said on "The View." The agency that represents him has received more than 10,000 requests from people seeking to adopt him. Going said that Davion will be part of the process of choosing his family. "He knows what he wants, who he can connect to," she said. "We need strong families that understand teenagers."

MSN pulled a list of the worst Halloween candy out of the air;

Snickers

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Candy corn

M&Ms candy corn white chocolate candies

Tootsie Pops

Starburst

Sour Patch Kids

Fun Dip

Skittles

Sugary bubble gum

I think it’s silly but who am I to say what appropriate grieving is?!

Here’s the link to the whole story;

http://www.wthr.com/story/23755631/2013/10/22/ohio-family-fights-cemetery-over-spongebob-monuments

A soldier's family is battling a cemetery for the right to erect two unusual monuments in her honor.

  

CINCINNATI, OH -

A soldier's family is battling a cemetery for the right to erect two unusual monuments in her honor.

Kimberly Walker loved the cartoon character Spongebob. So when the Army soldier died, police say at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, her family erected monuments of the animated character.

Her family says it is the perfect tribute, but the cemetery disagrees.

"We went through the channels to get these plots and also to get these monuments and then you just turn around and walk away like we're nothing," said Deborah Walker, Kimberly's mother.

I love to quill. Yep, I do.

OK, so I thought I might have some trouble with this one. It's 6 sided and I wasn't sure how the little edges were going to come out. But it turned out to be alright. I have a couple of these and I wasn't sure if I would use them. I'll do another one though. It's differen and it wasn't as complicated as I thought it would be. 

Story tellers

Today I have the day off. It's Columbus Day don't you know. So I'm spending it quilling and catching up on things I've recorded on the DVR. Right now it's a James Taylor/Carol King concert. Now is a good time to watch it because my other half isn't home. He's not a fan of that style of 'hippie' music.
I love James Taylor's voice. It's just so...sweet. And Tapestry was one of the BEST albums ever!

It's a pretty good concert. Taped at The Troubadour. He told a story about almost song he played. And I thought, I love a story teller. Duh. I guess that's apparent when you see my book collection. Obviously though, it's not just authors. I just love a good story teller. Maybe that's why I enjoyed Ricky Skaggs so much. Sure, I like Bluegrass. It's fun! But I really like him in concert because he's a story teller. He likes to tell what he loves about the music and the song he's getting ready to play. How he came to write it. Who inspired him. It's good stuff man. It's his passion. Nice.

Love, or something like it

I'm so sick of all this "love child" crap! Seriously? Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't have a child with a woman he loved. He screwed his maid. Puhleez. That hypocrite Jesse Jackson didn't have a "love" child. He doesn't even care to see that child. No love there! Same for John Edwards. WHY does the media want make it sounds so "love"ly? It's like glorifying infidelity and being a jackass is cool. Grrrr.

I'm also sick and tired of hearing and seeing poor, sweet, wonderful, talented, beautiful actor, Cory Monteith, who died of a heroin overdose because he was fu*king drug addict. You know how I feel about that. What really pisses me off though is how the media is making it sound like the world lost a saint. Why isn't the media taking this opportunity to talk about the risks of choosing drugs? Instead, poor poor Cory is a dreadful victim. Makes me want to scream. Oh hey, it's not that I don't feel sympathy for his family and friends, who will carry the guilt of his death for years. I do. I'm sorry that they lost someone they loved. It is tragic for them. But he was no hero and he was certainly no victim. Someone did tell me though that at the end of the show he was in, they put up some kind of 800 help number. Whatever.

I hate the media.