Sunday, June 30, 2013

World Traveler (a/k/a Kate)

One thing my daughters got from me is the desire to travel and see new places and things.  Kate has very recently returned from a trip to eastern Canada with the People to People program.  She called one day just to say she was having an amazing time.  I will share more pictures once her schedule is back to normal.
Can't wait.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Grapevine Designs

You have heard many times about Paper Vineyard and my friend/owner, Adriana.  She made some changes and even though she is still the owner of a scrapbook store, she is also launching a die cut business.  That sounds simplistic, but it is definitely not that.  The machine she owns is extremely sophisticated.  She recently moved to a different location and I went to Grapevine Designs for a crop  and loved it... LOVED it!  Check it out...
 Lois and JoDean.
 The front room, first thing you see.
 Front room from another angle.
 The crop room.  You can't see it, but all down the left side of the crop room, is a pegboard for product.
 Supply and tool shelves.
The coffee nook/mini kitchen/whatever you want to call it.

I like it.  I really like it.  It feels so organized, neat, and crisp.  I had a great time at the crop with Lois and JoDean.  I also made a new friend, Denise from Tucson.  Going back for the next one.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Memorial Day 2013

I know we are way past Memorial Day, but I wanted to share this picture of my dad:
We wanted to do something different this year and make it somewhat festive.  We surprised Dad with a patriotic cake and he loved it!  He was never able to serve in any branch of the service, but he is one of the most patriotic men I have ever met.  He has always supported our troops.
My mother made the flag table cloths for an annual patriotic program my dad planned and put together in their community, so using them on Memorial Day was extra special.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

While together with my family...

we were in Florida.  All of us converged on my sister's house - I think we just wanted to be together.
My brother-in-law, Rudy, is a fisherman, what I call a Florida boy.  He and Gail go shrimpin' where they actually go out on a small boat, with a net, and catch (scoop) shrimp.  I have never done it, but hope to some day.  I heard they jump like fleas.  I believe it is a seasonal thing.  Both of my brothers were excited to try something new and went several nights in a row.
Meet my two brothers:  Ed (with his back to us) and Jeff.  Jeff is the baby of the family and I like to point that out whenever I can.
They had a good time, but found it is a lot of hard work to clean the shrimp.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

I've been putting this off...

but I need to share some more sad news with you.  On May 21, I received a call from my sister telling me that my mom was not doing well.  I knew that she had fallen and possibly had a stroke, along with some other injuries, but we all thought she would pull through.  She always did.  My mother had amazing strength and determination and I thought she would live to be 100.  The doctor called us all home and so I bought a ticket and in the early morning of May 22, off I went.  I was so glad I did not wait.  While it was overwhelming, I was able to spend my mother's last night with her - alone - unbelievable since she has five children.  Everyone was tired, had been up for a couple of days, and we crashed wherever we could.  She passed away on the morning of May 24, surrounded by her family.  She was 87.  It's been hard for me to bring myself to share it with you and get back to blogging.
You're probably wondering about the rubber stamp.  After I got home, I went to a crop at Grapevine Designs/Paper Vineyard.  Adriana was selling wood stamps for 50% off.  I found this one and just had to have it.  Don't know when I will use it, but I couldn't leave without it.

While we were making arrangements for her memorial, I heard myself say multiples times "this is how mom would do it" or "mom taught me this."  I hope my daughters say that about me some day, and pass it down to their kids.  I have a lot of great memories of my mom.  All five of us have heard the same family stories, but have our own separate memories of her.  I will miss her, but I will always have what she taught me.  I wish I had paid attention more.