tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9617238309223852732024-03-13T12:59:05.424-07:00Crafty RunnerI am a runner and a crafter. I love trying new projects and decorating our home. I'm a little OCD and a tad ADD hence the need to try it all! Fitting in a daily run is a challenge but we do what we can.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.comBlogger443125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-49102179014013035822014-11-29T21:10:00.000-08:002014-11-29T21:10:08.670-08:00Oops time has flown by AGAIN!I'm sorry for being MIA for so long but life has gotten in the way and working etc, blah, blah, blah!<br />
But please don't think that I've forgotten about any one. I have been knitting, quilting, crocheting painting, you name it its been happening. Oh and then there is that bad four letter word called "work".<br />
Don't get me wrong I love my job, but it tends to get in the way of my not-so retired life!<br />
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My newest excitement came a few weeks ago when I got it into my head to chalk paint an old chair of my aunt's. My mother will probably have a canary when she sees it but I do love it and it is going to go in my daughters home beautifully. Granted it took me a few weeks of humming and hah-ing to decided if it was worth the risk, but after going through many <strong>Pinterest</strong> pins, I didn't think I had anything to loose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IGMO7RitKU/VHqhICixzgI/AAAAAAAAVHg/0zYB7TdiN8g/s1600/accent%2Bchair-before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4IGMO7RitKU/VHqhICixzgI/AAAAAAAAVHg/0zYB7TdiN8g/s1600/accent%2Bchair-before.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the <strong>"before"</strong> chair, not bad but definitely </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">not something a modern woman</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">would want to have.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the <strong>"after"</strong> version of the same said chair.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Quite the transformation I think and still very comfortable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm sure many of you have used chalk paint in some form or another, the one I used was <strong>FAT</strong> paint. I'm not sure if its available elsewhere but it is in <span style="color: red;"><strong>Canada</strong>.</span> The grey color I made my own version of chalk paint, latex paint, Plaster of Paris and water. There might be a difference in quality, but by looking at the two, I will dare to say I couldn't really see or feel the difference. So after three coats of paint to cover the floral fabric, a light sanding in-between and a coating of wax over all the fabric. I believe it was a success. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Recently, I found a "pin" about an <strong><span style="color: purple;">Annie Sloan</span></strong> paint being used on an old chaise, and they too say it has given new life into the piece of furniture. So I say, give it a try, nothing ventured nothing gained.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Well <strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">December</span></strong> is just around the corner and its time to <strong><span style="color: #38761d;">"deck the halls"</span></strong> in preparation for the holidays. I will have 2/3 children home for <strong><span style="color: red;">Christmas</span></strong>, and this year thankfully my son and his girlfriend will be joining us. No deployment this year, thank you Lord! Take care and have a good weekend! Ciao!</span><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-36053814233153637622014-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:002014-08-20T09:19:01.330-07:00Well its about time................I got off my tush and updated my blog, sometimes life just gets away on you and before you know it days and weeks have gone by......so that's my story and I'm sticking to it!<br />
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Since the last up date, I've gone to two wedding, a celebration of life and a visit from my cousins, and sister-in-law, not to mention having our daughter home and working more days than I care for. The one main concern is my recovery from my fractured foot, that seems to be slowing me down. I have tried a few times and its not bad but not a 100% either.....so my patience is wearing thin!<br />
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I won't bore you with all the little projects of late but I am excited to have made a few pickles! Its been years since I have tried making dill pickles, since the last time I tried and ruined many jars but these have turned out delish!<br />
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Spaghetti, zucchini, acorn, all have grown randomly in the garden, not sure where they came from rogue seeds from last year we think or a mix up in the seed packets! The scarlet runner beans are reaching the clouds so its time to pick them and start freezing them.......a hummingbirds dream with all the flowers.</div>
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That's my domestic side in the kitchen......then there's my home renovator side that has decided to tackle our kitchen cupboards. When we first moved into this house, I loved the dark cupboards but over the last few years, I've come to realize that the kitchen is too dark as it is and it was time to paint out some of the darkness. <em><strong>Sooooooo</strong></em>....... with a little help from a painter I know........</div>
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So now that I've started this endeavor I'm thinking I may go further with them. I like the dark on the bottom half but.......well the verdict is still out......so I will leave them for a bit. Besides my painter is away for a while.</div>
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I have so many projects that need my attention, I don't think my brain can function at that magnitude! so I need to prioritize and decide which one is more important and I'm guessing my master bedroom closet is next....before the poles snap in half and everything ends up in a heap on the floor!</div>
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So as summer comes to an end in a few weeks, harvesting, putting the beds to sleep, and general clean up is in order.......summer just ends too soon......the smell of autumn is in the air. Back to school for some and the changing of season and back to scarves and boots........now that I'm looking forward too. A <strong>DSW </strong>visit is coming in the near future! Well gotta run and get this show on the road. I will try to get back here soon. Hope your days are filled with joy and happiness and lots of crafting ideas! </div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-48658127848359971322014-07-02T08:45:00.001-07:002014-07-02T08:45:38.212-07:00Pedal and Paddles Adventure SportsKayaking was great yesterday. The water was calm, the sun was hot........and of course the sights were amazing!<br />
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The jellyfish were blooming so they were every where! We saw only one starfish which was really disappointing :((( oh well maybe next time....So now we are on the look out for a couple of kayaks.....<br />
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The Hubs sort of enjoyed himself but not being really a water person he stayed close to shore and admired the million dollar homes that are built along the inlet, I think if his shoulder wasn't paining him paddling would have been easier. But he was a good sport and let Kait and I explore and take off to the other-side of the inlet in search of starfish.<br />
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Well that was my <span style="color: red;"><strong>Canada Day!</strong></span> Hope your day went well now its back to reality, house cleaning, laundry, groceries......and hopefully a few hours in my studio to finish of <strong><span style="color: blue;">"The Race"</span></strong><br />
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Have an awesome day! Be safe, and don't forget the sunscreen! Ciao!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-22997692043135185932014-07-01T08:31:00.004-07:002014-07-01T08:31:31.700-07:00Happy Canada Day 2014!That's right it <span style="color: red;"><strong>July 1st, 2014</strong></span> and<span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><strong>Canada Day!</strong></span> A beautiful sunny day and perfect for kayaking on the ocean! Yeah!<br />
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Well I for one and glad its a sunny day and we are able to get out and so something fun today! Its also the 14th anniversary since my dad passed away and went on to another journey. Miss you Dad everyday.........<br />
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On the weekend I finally got the opportunity to go and visit one of my favourite artists on the coast here.......I've admired his work since I moved here and one day I hope to take some classes from him.<br />
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If you get a chance and you are into abstract art, give him a Google and check out his works........he is self taught and down to earth and loves to share his ideas and inspirations. When I first saw one of his paintings it was in a coffee shop, it amazed me what paint can really do.......its a good thing I work in a paint store! The access to colors has been amazing!<br />
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This is one of his works and its called <span style="color: red;"><strong>Canada's Hottest</strong></span>. The colors are beautiful as are the combinations. The Hubs is still shaking his head that someone would pay $3000 for a painting! <br />
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When we were there on Saturday, at the time the farm was alive with<span style="color: blue;"><strong> Peacocks</strong></span>, apparently they just roam around his property freely and that's crazy with cougars and predators lurking in the bushes......he said they had lost a few over the years but basically they just hang around. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>its like 8 feet high!</strong></span></td></tr>
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What a beautiful bird. This guy was king because he has the biggest plume. <br />
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I loved the color of these birds and their heads, so<span style="color: blue;"><strong> brilliant! </strong></span><br />
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This afternoon we are heading out for a two hour paddle to this place, Sechelt Inlet, and its just gorgeous! Second time for Kait and I, the first time for the Hubs, I'm bringing us a lunch to have along the way.......these are some of the views.......<br />
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<span style="color: black;">I doubt that we will see any whales but they have been known to enter the inlet, but I am sure we will spot an eagle or two.</span><br />
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So those are our plans for the day, I hope you have a great<span style="color: red;"><strong> <span style="font-size: large;"><em>Canada Day!</em></span></strong></span> where ever you may be, and you are also proud of your country as I am of ours. Take care and have a wonderful day!<br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-77116562800467503672014-06-29T08:18:00.000-07:002014-06-29T08:18:15.033-07:0028 years......................The Hubs and I celebrated our <em><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">28th anniversary</span></strong></em> yesterday, hard to believe so many years have gone by, three children, four houses, three moves, 2 career changes, multitudes of animals, amazing to think about really......but its a good thing. In this day and age, 28 years is probably an anomaly to still be married, although, a few of my friends have my friends have surpassed us and a few have recently become widows but that's not a nice place to visit.<br />
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I came home from work on Friday feeling worn out and tired from limping around all day and to my surprise there was a <strong><em>gorgeous</em></strong> bouquet of <strong><em><span style="color: #e06666;">28 roses</span></em></strong> awaiting my arrival along with two bottles of wine! <em><strong>What a great guy he is!</strong></em> He know certainly knows how to make me happy! Then we went for dinner on Friday night with our daughter and Saturday out with a couple of friends for dinner again! I am spoiled for sure.......thank you my dear for going the distance!<br />
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I had a fairly productive week considering my state of impairment, but I am not one to let things keep me down when I want something done. I figure it only makes you stronger when you have to overcome obstacles in your life........<br />
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I've been wanting to make a pond in the front yard but the Hubs seems reluctant to dig up six feet square of turf to help me put one in...... so my next idea was a <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>water fountain feature</strong></span> by the front door. Rather a simple solution for the time being and fairly easy to accomplish with a broken foot. I love the water lettuce floating around, a really cool plant, and so many choices but only so much room.......I'm still working on the pond idea.........I'm pretty positive Steve would love to have a few fish to watch swim around.......oh and think of the plants I could experiment with! Cross your fingers maybe next year........its all part of my plan to eliminate grass and mowing!<br />
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The other list of to do's was to paint out my island. You didn't know I owned an island? Well I do and it needed painting.........<br />
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It looks so much better white than dark brown, now I am going to get the top cabinets painted by one of our contractors and I really think it will change the whole look of the kitchen, not to mention brighten it up in the gray days of winter.<br />
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I'm not doing much knitting or crocheting these days, as there is a certain little kitten, namely <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong><em>Stella Blue</em></strong></span> who thinks it is part of her enjoyment to grab at the needles and hooks and drag yarn away.......<em><span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>silly little baby</strong></span></em>.......so instead, I have been painting in my studio and trying a few new things and I am quite taken with my quirky new friend<span style="color: blue;"><strong> "Pelican Pete"</strong></span><br />
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My studio has taken a beating lately and I seriously need to get in there and spend a week organizing and rearranging its contents.......how these things get away on my I do not know........maybe this week........with a little help from my friends I can make things right.......<br />
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......................Well time to shuffle off and get ready for my day, I need to go check in with the group and see how their run went today, and enjoy a cup of coffee, then get back here and start the process.......enjoy your weekend what's left of it, hope all is well you and I may just check in tomorrow with an update, and hopefully some progress! Ciao for now my amiga's and amigo's! Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-79997003875765228442014-06-20T12:19:00.000-07:002014-06-20T12:19:39.450-07:00Taking a break........Because I have so many things going on and probably you don't need to hear about all of it, and I wouldn't want you to get bored.......between working all last week, fracturing my right (left one was last summer %^$$%^%#)I know <strong><span style="color: purple;">STUPID</span></strong>.......any whooooo, I have been painting and doing a few projects. <br />
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Our middle child has moved to the coast, so for now we are no longer empty nesters, we are a three people, three feline household......the Hubs doesn't know if the house is big enough, well dear, we did have 5 people, 3 cats and 2 dogs in a much smaller space at one time, so I think we can manage! <em><strong>Geez Louise!</strong></em><br />
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I've bought material that I have intended to make a pillow with doing a quilt version for assembling the pieces, another thing that got put on the back burner.....new yarn for a shawl, and sweater......, a few canvases with some art ideas brewing in my brain.....books that are calling my name, and now that I won't be running for 8 weeks I will be able to catch up on my sit-down projects. <br />
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I had seen these giant dragonflies on Pinterest, so my co-worker Jason and I built a few, mine I wanted for the front yard to hang on the fence.<br />
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I have another one in the works and hope to have it airborne this weekend. My brain works too much, and being a one legged hop-a-long right now is not helping the cause!!!<br />
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I'm reading the best book right now by Janie Chang, Three Souls......<br />
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its one of those books you don't want to put it down or to end, but I'm almost there so I can move on to my next one The Fire Witness by Lars Kepler....<br />
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I've been reading out of my "norm" lately and I have to say there are a lot of really great writers out there......its good to explore new avenues some times.<br />
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So funny the other day a customer came into the store who used to be an art teacher so of course I struck up many topics about art and composition<em><strong> etc, etc</strong></em>, and now that he is retired he is starting to dabble in hobbies that he didn't have time for before......and he is into photography and excited about his new find a<strong> Canon AE</strong> that he picked up for a song with all the lenses......he told me I should give it a try, nope been there done that......I'm loving the automatic digital cameras, less strain on my brain and then there is <strong>Lightroom</strong> and <strong>Photoshop</strong>, well the possibilities are endless for great photos with the click of a mouse....... I know "real" photographers are cringing but you can't tell me they aren't loving new technology!<br />
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Anyway, painting is my thing right now, that is an adventure into my quirky brain indeed, indeed! <br />
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Well that's it, that's' all for now......so if you don't see me around again for a few weeks, no worries I'm out there re-inventing myself! Ciao for now, have a fantastic weekend.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-41549357069733585812014-05-20T08:36:00.004-07:002014-05-20T08:36:58.821-07:00Marathon of GardeningWell the sun seems to be showing its face a lot more often now and since I had so <u>many</u> projects to get done. Sunday was a perfect day to go the distance and garden till I dropped. The Hubs is doing a marathon of his own but not by choice! Work has become a <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>nightmare</i></span></b> of sorts and when he finally gets a day off, the last thing he needs to do is spend all day mowing lawns........the veggie garden needs planting and that's suppose to be his <i>"thing"! </i><br />
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So on Sunday I got busy after my morning run, I started mowing lawns.........7 and half hours later...............<i>OMG!</i> The yard looks amazing! <i>If I do say so myself!</i> The boat is planted, the planters are done, the gate was painted, weed whacking was done......<span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>phew!!!!!!</i></span><br />
What an amazing day! It was hard to believe I hadn't collasped in the yard at some point, but it was all good. I let Stella crawl around the yard exploring and Steve was a great big brother and kept an eye on her......she was so excited to get out side.<br />
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I would like to stain the whole fence white, but in this climate it wouldn't be practical......and seriously..... as crazy obsessive as I am, I'm not touching that project, but I will power wash it and spruce it up...........<b><i>when</i></b> the Hubs shows me how to use the "new" fancy power washer. And of course I will use Benjamin Moore's Arborcoat Wood Cleaner and get it to look like nice greyed cedar.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="color: #f1c232;">New tree, Weeping Laburnum, its so pretty!</span></b></i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Beautiful Lemon Yellow Rhodo</i></span></span><span style="color: #f1c232;"><br /></span></b></td></tr>
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So I'm feeling good about the yard, and I know the Hubs appreciates some of the pressure is off of him. I think I would like a full load of cement delivered soon thou! When I win the lottery paving stones, gravel paths are going to replace some of this golf course! WAY to much <span style="color: #38761d;">GRASS!!!!!!</span> And grow? Crikey! Slow down already!<br />
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Well today is my Mom's 88th birthday, so I am going to go visit her and take her to lunch. Then a trip to the beach this afternoon to find some driftwood........I hope you have a stellar day! Time to get this show on the road. No running today, we did an hour and 45 yesterday, so today its weights.......give the ol' feet a rest!<br />
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Have a great day!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-54080308640528031632014-05-14T08:22:00.003-07:002014-05-14T08:22:29.781-07:00Head Spinning!I am in serious need of an intervention........so many ideas, so little time.............is sleep really important? I mean really sometime it is such a waste of valuable time, think of all the crafting that could be done with no interruptions at 2 in the morning! I'm seriously considering sleeping less and doing more in the night! Do you think the neighbors would mind a drill going in the night or a staple gun?<br />
<br />We have been doing some serious gardening, I have pots to plants, a new addition to the garden to plant up!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Boat needs a name.......</i></span></b></td></tr>
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The Hubs bought this little boat last year when he wanted to go out crabbing but it was too small for two people and all the traps.......but its a beautiful little cedar boat, so instead of it just sitting neglected in the yard, I re-purposed it into a perennial planter. How cute will this be! It weighed a ton before and now that it has 2/3's of a yard of soil in it, this boat will not be going anywhere, anytime soon!<br />
I have been meaning to post a few photos of the new flower beds for my friends, so here they are......just a few!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The horse chestnut tree in this photo needs to come down.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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But in the last few days when I haven't been running and seeking plants and flowers.......I want to address this gate......<br />
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I think I want to paint the gate and add some art to it. If you go searching for gate designs your head will "spin"! I mean seriously, I wish I could weld! Some of the iron gates out there are phenomenal! Even the wood ones blow my mind.......and if you know me I think I can accomplish something similar!<br />
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So you can see why my head is spinning! <b><span style="color: magenta;"><i>Omgoodness!</i></span></b> So many ideas! So after I go to the dentist, get some groceries, buy some flowers, and get back home, I have a busy afternoon ahead......no running today, 30km under <span style="color: red;"><i>my new shoes</i></span> this week, so a little rest for today.<br />
Have a great day! Its another sunny day!<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-76910145671497827542014-05-09T22:03:00.000-07:002014-05-09T22:03:39.675-07:00Are you a "Possibilitarian?"I can across this quote from <b><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Norman Vincent Peale</span></i></b> one of the blogs I read regularly and thought <b><i>"wow"</i></b> that's me! I'm pretty happy with my life these days and have to admit being content is a great feeling. On the days when I am thinking life can't get better than this, I am very careful to keep those thoughts to myself, because I don't want to jinx it. I'm quite a positive person and believe in the thought purpose of, if you think it, it will happen. You are what you believe. I visualize many of the things that happen in my life, and I know that is hard to understand for some, but that's my thing and my belief. And I think if you give yourself half a chance to believe, good things can happen, but there is also the other side of the coin that if you are always thinking of the negative, that is what you will have upon yourself.<br />
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When I first saw the word "<i>possibilitarian</i>", I thought <i>hmmmm</i>, what's that about. "Become a <i>possibilitarian.</i> No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities- always see them, for they're always there." Do you see the bright light of your life's horizon, even on an average day? Do you feel the warmth of those positive feelings? Even on the days when you're paddling so hard just to keep your head above water? Have you begun to touch the surface of all that is possible in your life? Does this give you goosebumps to think about what you could actually have? I hope it does! If so, then you are a <i>possibilitarian, </i>too.<br />
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<b>If you.....</b><br />
: Believe in practising courage, every single day.<br />
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: Believe that kindness changes everything & love always wins.<br />
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: Believe that we are all part of something beautiful, something bigger that ourselves, something deeply, profoundly, surprisingly........Good<br />
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: Believe that success has everything to do with who you are, not what you do.<br />
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<b>And you also.....</b><br />
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: Want to live from the center of your life outward - a place from which you can radiate and live a whole life, not a half-life.<br />
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: Understand that our dreams don't necessarily belong to us, but serve as important tools, belonging to the world.<br />
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: Have overcome the odds--big odds, smalls odds, private odds, or public odds--and still have a full heart......and hope.<br />
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Then you are most certainly a<i><b> "Possibilitarian"</b></i>.<br />
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<i><b>(The side effects may include honesty, creativity, tenderness & inspired actions.)</b></i><br />
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So on the weekend be sure to take time and take stock of your life and try to believe in the possibilities and soon you too will become a "Possibilitarian." Have a good weekend and may your possibilities be endless.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-75536269685174499322014-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-05T08:00:09.489-07:00Super Food SaladI've been a salad freak for quite a long time now, you know trying to eat right, <i>feed the temple</i>, fuel the <i>brain</i> and all that <b><i>jazz</i></b>! So how's that working for ya! Haha! Lol! Many that know me are probably rolling on the floor at this point. Okay, lets get back on track........I do love salads, all different kinds and creations. But I'm hooked on this latest concoction.........<b><i>Omg!</i></b> Thee best ever! I latched on to my first bag at Costco, its called a <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><i>"Super Food Package Combination" </i></b></span>The one I have has five leafy veggies, kale, chicory, shredded brussel sprouts, shredded cabbage, and broccoli, some have spinach also. Then there are raw pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries and a poppy seed dressing. <b><i>Soooooo</i></b>.......that's just the beginning.......most of the time my salads are my meal and I want everything!<br />
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The other day I cooked some <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">yellow</span></b> <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">beets</span></b>, they are delicious! Sure hope the Hubs is going to plant these too. <i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Red beets</span></b></i> are good also, but they are <b><i>sooo</i></b> messy to cook and clean......<span style="color: #f1c232;"><i><b>yellow</b></i></span> is a <i>good thing.</i> Cooked diced chicken is a nice addition but not this day, some chopped <span style="color: #38761d;">avocado</span>, mushrooms and <b><i>Bam</i></b>! Delicious and nutritious dinner salad! I only drizzled a little of the poppy-seed dressing over it, and a few dashes of Balsamic vinegar.......trying to cut the bad fats.<br />
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So that's how I roll when it comes to salads. The full meal deal, gluten free, vegan at times, calorie friendly, a fast metabolism boost, and paleo all in one! Try it! You'll be glad you did!<br />
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So getting my crafting on and using up an over abundance of corks......<i>(don't know where they would have come from :*)</i> I saw on Pinterest these cute garden markers......<br />
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<b><i>Easy peasy</i></b> right? Bamboo skewers, corks, permanent markers and your best printing. And Wha La!<br />
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How simple and cute are these! Now you know what to use your corks for that you've been saving. <span style="color: #e06666;"><b><i>You're welcome!</i></b></span><br />
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I have another great idea I'm finishing up today. I will share with you later.<br />
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Time to get rolling, busy day ahead and our new addition is arriving today by plane from the island and I need to go pick her up. Meet <i><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Miss Stella Blue</span></b></i>, our new Balinese baby! Steve's new friend! <br />
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Have a great day! Happy Cinco de Mayo!<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-57969678478396503062014-04-29T21:23:00.000-07:002014-04-29T21:23:27.383-07:00April Showers, the least of our worries<span style="font-size: small;">April was </span>an especially wet month, and cool, but I guess when you see what is happening in the southern states, rain is the least of our worries. It certainly greens things up! My aunt lives in Arkansas but she is in Hot Springs and the tornadoes, wind and rain don't seem to hit them but I have a friend in Huntsville, and she is terrified and rightly so, it must be horrific to live through those storms every year!<br />
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We haven't had very many sunny days and so much knitting has been started. I'm probably a little over my head in the sweater I am making, it's only in my brain. But with help I'm sure I will be able to pull it off. Claudia, another blogger and wonderful knitter has a few great tips on making your own knitted outfits, so I am trying to follow her great examples.<br />
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I've been getting together a whack of flowering bushes and perennial flowers that the deer won't make a smorgasbord out of. It was warm enough today to get my herbs into some pots and re-spray some wrought iron hangers shiny black.<br />
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I've always wanted to have <b><span style="color: lime;">lime green potato vines</span></b> in a planter so this year is the year! What else I don't know, but more than likely <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">yellow</span></b> and <b><span style="color: #741b47;">purple </span></b>will be in there somewhere.<br />
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I use a lot of <b><span style="color: #38761d;">cilantro</span></b> so I hope these will take off like wild fire! And it can't hurt to have a little parsley.......<br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">Mint, spearmint</span></b> and <span style="color: #f1c232;">lemon thyme</span>......they smell heavenly!<br />
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The<b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> red leaf</span></i></b> lettuce looks a little sad but it looks better than when I first put it in the pot. Now if I can just keep the slugs away! Yuck! Maybe I should hang it........<br />
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I haven't decided where this bunch of lettuce will go but I think I need another trip to Costco for pots! My next project is to plant up a row boat that I have positioned in the front yard. I wanted the hubs to dig out a dry river bed for me.........<i>mmmmm....</i> what do you think his reply was? Guess I will have to work on that one for next year!<br />
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Life wouldn't be complete without a cloud formation in the evening sky. Clouds are amazing! <br />
The soap is still in production, and I am trying to get a few batches ahead, color is always an issue and quite frustrating when I can't get the colors I'm looking for.........oh well that's another story for another time. Lets say a pray for the people down south and hope there aren't in the path of a storm.<br />
Take care and I hope you're doing what you love, and love what you're doing.......<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>ciao!</i></span></b>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-58075354807098257342014-04-16T08:13:00.004-07:002014-04-24T07:16:36.570-07:00Busy as Bees......We've been busy getting the yards cleaned up after a very wet few months and don't you just know how much work is involved with grass.......oh what I would do to eliminate all this grass! So that's our plan, to gradually introduce perennial flowers beds and rock, lots of rock or.........<strong><u>concrete</u></strong> would be <strong><em>ideal</em></strong> but unfortunately the lottery hasn't come my way yet. The Hubs has been super busy building garden beds for growing veggies, his <em><strong>favourite</strong></em> thing to do. He even built my mom a 4 x 8 bed for her veggies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Sitting porch is ready</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>One more to come and another few yards of soil</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gGfmErzjrg/U06Sl65wPdI/AAAAAAAAUrE/EzNuwcV9SHk/s1600/Taurus+Rhodo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3gGfmErzjrg/U06Sl65wPdI/AAAAAAAAUrE/EzNuwcV9SHk/s1600/Taurus+Rhodo.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><strong>Taurus Rhododendron</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"></span></strong> </td></tr>
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My next goal is to add a larger flower bed in the front yard along our fence line. I put in a few <em><strong>Lilac </strong></em>bushes, <strong><em>Japonica pierus</em></strong> (?), and <strong><em>Rhododendrons</em></strong> last years but in my <em><strong>folly</strong></em> I didn't realize what a <span style="color: blue;"><strong>"PAIN"</strong></span> it would be to mow around them and get the weeds out. Remedy will come this year, I'm all about taking the <strong>"<em>pain</em>"</strong> out of yard work. <strong><em><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Spring</span></em></strong> is on its way, and that means more time spent outside, running, hiking, and hopefully kayaking, so having the yard looking its best, is music to my brain. OCD over messy yards cause me too much anxiety! <br />
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We've been talking about getting into a better routine with our running, at least three days a week. I should be running 30kms a week, and that's not happening. For one, I hate to run by myself, lame excuse I know, but I like to talk! And I'm all about the social interaction.......Sue and I went out Monday and did a decent 10km, and Tuesday was a new hike for me to Hidden Grove with Carol.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Pine Bluff Lookout</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G12PbMFhn0Q/U06XBP6Bw3I/AAAAAAAAUrk/siYes0ScRRk/s1600/Land+between+two+seas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G12PbMFhn0Q/U06XBP6Bw3I/AAAAAAAAUrk/siYes0ScRRk/s1600/Land+between+two+seas.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Land between two waters</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKoFYSH8Mgw/U06XnQA5K1I/AAAAAAAAUro/E_J63kYuh7Q/s1600/Secret+Lovers+Bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKoFYSH8Mgw/U06XnQA5K1I/AAAAAAAAUro/E_J63kYuh7Q/s1600/Secret+Lovers+Bench.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong><em>This has to be thee best verse about love......how sweet someone was</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong><em>to put this on a bench out in the middle of a forest.......declaring their</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong><em>undying love for someone.........awwwww.........isn't love grand!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>This is pretty awesome also. I didn't know I would like hiking </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>through the </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>woods as much as I do, and when I come upon things </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>like this </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>it just reinforces </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>my heart...... there is goodness in the world.</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpHj9cW3HqQ/U06ZRuLfxlI/AAAAAAAAUr0/sfwWCbhprCQ/s1600/Jackson+hiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpHj9cW3HqQ/U06ZRuLfxlI/AAAAAAAAUr0/sfwWCbhprCQ/s1600/Jackson+hiking.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;"><strong>A hike wouldn't be complete without our</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;"><strong>trusty companion, Jackson, he loves</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;"><strong>to run through the forest!</strong></span></td></tr>
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Well its a rainy day today, so time to clean the house, and get ready for the work week ahead. Well the two days that I have this week. A trip to the dentist........yuck! Hate to this on my agenda but a necessary evil to keep those pearly whites healthy!<br />
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Enjoy your hump day! And lets get crafting! Safe travels my friends, and keep your eye on the road ahead.......<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Ciao!</em></strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqkGGI7FDlE/U06cfZBUYpI/AAAAAAAAUsQ/w0QRFOnpg4s/s1600/Best+Place+on+Earth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RqkGGI7FDlE/U06cfZBUYpI/AAAAAAAAUsQ/w0QRFOnpg4s/s1600/Best+Place+on+Earth.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;">Best Place On Earth!</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-1749482862059261632014-04-07T09:08:00.000-07:002014-04-07T09:08:02.177-07:00Maui in March......Well here we are just about mid-way through April and I am just posting, life does get in the way along with work and a holiday to Maui.......Someone told me they were tired of looking at little sweaters, so I thought I should get "my act" together and post some photos of a beautiful few weeks in Maui. The weather wasn't fantastic..... but there were a few hot days and rained manly at night. The island was very green compared to the last time we were there, so I guess they needed the water. I could have done without it, I like the <strong><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">"Sun!"</span></strong><br />
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We left at the end of February and took my mom with us as she is getting too old to be travelling by herself and needed some sun also. Our friends met us over there from Prince George and we hadn't seen each other for a few years, so that was really nice.....The flowers are gorgeous and I took too many of the hibiscus plants and the greenery but they are beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>This is something you don't see anymore</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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We went to Fleetwood's Restaurant in Lahaina for lunch one day when it was drizzling. Everyone knows the band Fleetwood Mac, and it was pretty neat to see all the memorabilia of the band from over the years. Apparently Fleetwood Mac is going on tour again this year but this time Christine McVie will be with them. Doubt we will go to that concert, I'd rather listen to the old <em><strong>"albums".</strong></em><br />
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By now I think you must realize I have an obsession with rocks and formations, I couldn't resist taking a bunch when we went up to the Blow Holes past Kannapali.<br />
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We went a little farther than we were suppose to and ended up on the <strong><em>Highway to Hell</em></strong>, one lane and there's a sliver to pass in some areas, but mostly you back up......not an experience the Hubs is willing to try again! We finally found the <em><strong>Blow Holes</strong></em>, but on this day they weren't blowing! But there was some great rocks!<br />
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Life wouldn't be complete without some beach shots unfortunately the days were quite clouded so the quality of some of the photos was quite disappointing......the water was quite warm and the waves were very wild. The Hubs and I got slammed a few times, not to mention turned upside down and all around! Fun, if you know how to recover but definitely not for the <em><strong><span style="color: #6aa84f;">faint of heart</span></strong></em>!<br />
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So a good time was had by all, and then it was back home to reality and work. Now its back to crafting, knitting, building, gardening, and painting......never a dull moment, and we seriously need to get back on track with our running schedule. Now that the injuries are healed its time to clock some mileage.....have a great day, and I hope you come up with some projects to inspire your creativity! Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-90576608001920269232014-02-23T21:35:00.003-08:002014-02-23T21:35:34.040-08:00Sweet little sweatersI've been in that nesting mood for the last month or so, it must be either a sign of a long winter or I'm getting old.........hopefully the <strong><em><u><span style="color: #073763;">winter</span></u></em></strong>, as I am not ready to commit to being old by any means. I found this great little pattern on Ravelry and since I don't read patterns that well, I changed them up to suit my whims.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Miss LadyBug</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Sweet Rolled Collar Jacket</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Trendy <span style="color: #0b5394;">Blue</span> and Grey for the Little Guy</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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These were all the same pattern but like I said I just adapted the middle shawl collared one to my way. Not a hard thing to do when your crocheting. I've been looking for a ladybug pattern to do a sweater but couldn't find what I was looking for. <br />
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Today was my catch-up day around the house, as I am working the beginning of the week and leaving for a little R&R near the end of the week, and for some sunshine, so doing all the little jobs, making a batch of soap, laundry, studio time, sewing a dress, and being up since 4:00 am watching the Olympic Hockey game between Sweden and Canada, the day started early, so a lot was accomplished. Our Canadian men's hockey team pulled off <span style="color: orange;"><strong><em>"Gold",</em></strong></span> as did the women's hockey, as did the men's and women's curling so we will be forever known as the "<em><strong><u><span style="color: #783f04;">double, double</span></u></strong></em>" country. Fitting since we have a love for Tim Horton's!<br />
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So that was my day busy, busy.....but satisfying enough so I'm not feeling bad about going to work tomorrow. But for now, I need to finish up around the house and then head to bed <em><strong>to rest my head</strong></em>! Hope you all enjoyed the <span style="color: red;"><strong>2014 Olympics</strong></span> and feel very proud of your athletes for giving it their all. Till 2018! Have a good night!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-88103483183871232632014-02-16T22:07:00.001-08:002014-02-16T22:07:09.012-08:00Oops, didn't mean it!<em>Wow!!</em> Where has the time gone! Sorry about that....seems nearly a month has gone by and many moments have come and gone. I am happy to say that our son has returned home from Afghanistan and we couldn't be more relieved to say the least. Here is a photo that I just came across and wanted to share with my friends.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">This is <em>our son</em> and troop being greeted by</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: small;"> Member of Parliament, James Bezan</span></strong><br />
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So for the past month we have been a little more focussed on other things. Our girls were off exploring again, in the small country of <em><strong>Belize</strong></em>..... beautiful place with wonderful beaches and plenty of sun shine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: small;"><em>Yoga on a paddle board!</em></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu-ha4Nt6-4/UwGjdHe5JKI/AAAAAAAATaQ/wNPytPcGjo4/s1600/belize+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vu-ha4Nt6-4/UwGjdHe5JKI/AAAAAAAATaQ/wNPytPcGjo4/s1600/belize+beach.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: small;"><strong>Belize sunset</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymGP2VCgN3c/UwGjxU9mcLI/AAAAAAAATaY/SvnSIP-w94Q/s1600/belize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymGP2VCgN3c/UwGjxU9mcLI/AAAAAAAATaY/SvnSIP-w94Q/s1600/belize.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Kait in their hostel </strong></span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>(looks nicer than the chicken </strong></span><strong><span style="font-size: small;">coop)</span></strong></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFBR1bthpe4/UwGkP1xgmoI/AAAAAAAATak/EVAcpY555MY/s1600/paddle+boarding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFBR1bthpe4/UwGkP1xgmoI/AAAAAAAATak/EVAcpY555MY/s1600/paddle+boarding.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Paddle boarding, this I want to try in warm water!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goBFszjav20/UwGksckCy7I/AAAAAAAATas/Uojf9s09BZA/s1600/sunny+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goBFszjav20/UwGksckCy7I/AAAAAAAATas/Uojf9s09BZA/s1600/sunny+beach.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: small;"><strong>I really think I can be tempted to visit.....</strong></span><br />
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So between keeping track of our children, work, crafts, and our everyday routines, a month has crept by far too fast. But I do have many things to catch you up on.......a few recipes, a pattern or two, and a renovation of a laundry room.....need I say more. <span style="color: red;"><strong>Happy Belated Valentine's Day</strong></span> to all, and I hope you had a wonderful weekend!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-61500617963585199552014-01-22T21:07:00.000-08:002014-01-22T21:07:06.799-08:00New places, new friendsI've lived here for three winters now and I am just starting to explore further away from home. There are amazing trails, and hikes around the coast. They're beautiful, if you are into the "great outdoors", not that I ever really was, but as I get older I am starting to appreciate the beauty in my own backyard. One of my "new" girls, Carol, is a runner also, also <em>new</em> to the coast from Alberta, and far more of the "<span style="color: #274e13;"><em><strong>outdoors adventure woman"</strong></em></span> than I ever aspire to be, but she has opened my eyes to some great trails and awesome places to go kayaking. Who knows she may convert me to some degree but I draw the line at snowshoeing or anything remotely to do with that <span style="color: #0b5394;"><strong>4- letter "S" word. </strong></span> This is the place we found on Tuesday......spectacular inlets, forest, scenery, that will take your breath away......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUWynfZCWv0/UuCeIe846nI/AAAAAAAARVI/zCC_B64VwpA/s1600/smugglers+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qUWynfZCWv0/UuCeIe846nI/AAAAAAAARVI/zCC_B64VwpA/s1600/smugglers+sign.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: small;"><strong>Beginning of the park.....</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">Amazing park with great trails, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">have to take the hubs</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">up here for this hike in the woods</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HE_Qpy4qm4/UuCd46aDCaI/AAAAAAAARU8/tSfZpGT92u4/s1600/smugglers+cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1HE_Qpy4qm4/UuCd46aDCaI/AAAAAAAARU8/tSfZpGT92u4/s1600/smugglers+cove.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>This is the cove where you can put in your boats, quite</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: small;"><strong>the little summer places around this rocky inlet.</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PL1qFTArYQs/UuCfFEnCbaI/AAAAAAAARVc/TG3WAzygPVI/s1600/Tree+chin+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PL1qFTArYQs/UuCfFEnCbaI/AAAAAAAARVc/TG3WAzygPVI/s1600/Tree+chin+up.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;">I think the weight training classes</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;"> are starting to </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size: small;">pay off!</span></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3SWsUs7UVg/UuCevEX_7iI/AAAAAAAARVU/87N4eQck_u4/s1600/Carol+chin+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3SWsUs7UVg/UuCevEX_7iI/AAAAAAAARVU/87N4eQck_u4/s1600/Carol+chin+up.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;">We were doing a stretching routine and </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;">thought we test our strength</span></strong><br />
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That's been my week so far, I stopped in at my mom's after our Smugglers Cove run and re-upholstered a footstool my dad had made many moons ago, he was pretty talented, and I think I follow in his foot steps but with a few less staples and nails. Mom and I were laughing that only Dad would put that many staples into holding it all together. That baby was never falling apart. So back at work and I wonder what mischief I can find to get into this week......what are your plans for the rest of the week?</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-41182163090507904172014-01-21T21:19:00.002-08:002014-01-21T21:19:56.678-08:00A few days with friends.............Since moving to the coast, I have to say that the friends I have made, have made the move a <strong><em>whole</em></strong> lot easier leaving my friends back home........even thou my home is here now, and I <strong><em><span style="color: #e06666;">love</span></em> </strong>it, I spent too many years not to call it my home base.<br />
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But the last few days I have spent a few hours with my new<em><span style="color: #a64d79;"><strong> 'girls'</strong></span></em>. Monday Sue and I played hooky in the afternoon and took off to the beach for our sea glass scavenging and driftwood picking, it was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day that January seldom produces. So we took advantage of it for a few hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Driftwood Monster</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZSMGWDl_do/Ut9QWvmsmWI/AAAAAAAART0/9pqU_tdiKjw/s1600/Driftwood+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rZSMGWDl_do/Ut9QWvmsmWI/AAAAAAAART0/9pqU_tdiKjw/s1600/Driftwood+art.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Amazing Driftwood Root</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUCgCT2CDc/Ut9QpjsBm_I/AAAAAAAARUA/tnxwy26T3Pw/s1600/Georgia+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TFUCgCT2CDc/Ut9QpjsBm_I/AAAAAAAARUA/tnxwy26T3Pw/s1600/Georgia+Beach.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Georgia Beach</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Sunny afternoon at Georgia Beach</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQF8P7n59Hk/Ut9RpwZ-E8I/AAAAAAAARUY/nHIcnxTGx_c/s1600/Sue+in+Log.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQF8P7n59Hk/Ut9RpwZ-E8I/AAAAAAAARUY/nHIcnxTGx_c/s1600/Sue+in+Log.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Peak-a-boo I see you!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkHFog6F8H4/Ut9SEgzExEI/AAAAAAAARUg/qvnG-ENDF-M/s1600/me+on+Georgia+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wkHFog6F8H4/Ut9SEgzExEI/AAAAAAAARUg/qvnG-ENDF-M/s1600/me+on+Georgia+Beach.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Such a fantastic day!</span></td></tr>
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Well so much for Monday and its housework, laundry, and recycling, better luck next time! Time well spent with my first friend in my new home. Thanks Sue for playing hooky!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmxNo-d5AG8/Ut9TqWaDHEI/AAAAAAAARUs/YLLkb4p48jM/s1600/friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmxNo-d5AG8/Ut9TqWaDHEI/AAAAAAAARUs/YLLkb4p48jM/s1600/friendship.jpg" height="354" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>For all my dear friends back home!</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em> You are never far from my heart!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-33750445043081339892014-01-13T09:01:00.000-08:002014-01-13T09:01:00.352-08:00Off the grid......<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sorry about being inconsistent with my blogging but my days are full and my evenings are spent in so many directions, concentrating on one thing is getting harder and harder. I think I need a technology break!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can see a vacation in my future.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oUY1MzJqpI/UtQZ7G1Qq3I/AAAAAAAARQ4/S3NkQ216CJw/s1600/maui+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5oUY1MzJqpI/UtQZ7G1Qq3I/AAAAAAAARQ4/S3NkQ216CJw/s400/maui+beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Work has slowed down these days therefore my mind starts to wander in different crafting directions. I have been trying my hand at painting, not just rooms but art. I haven't had any training but that's never stopped me, but I do think it would be helpful if I had a lesson or two. So that is on my agenda for this year. There are so many wonderful artists here on the coast and I tend to loose confidence in my ability but I am sure everyone goes through those feelings, but I do it for me and no one else, so I dabble.................a fellow blogger, Claudia said it best in her last post about winter being a time to slow down and enjoy the peace and get in touch with yourself. Thanks Claudia for the reminder. Love your new hat! So you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Myself, I have been thinking about the activities that give me a feeling of accomplishment, knitting or crocheting is one of them. Its something you can do and just enjoy the moment.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I started knitting and crocheting after taking many years off. I bought some
beautiful yarn in many colors <span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-small;"><em><strong>(because one ball is never enough!),</strong></em></span> and then
I got to work, crocheting furiously for two days straight until I realized that
my new infinity scarf was disproportionately huge. I had to undo everything and
start over, my enthusiasm somewhat dampened. But I was not discouraged, I began searching for patterns on the net and </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.ravelry.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and my addiction and love for yarn grew. Why would anyone spend so much time making a hat or scarf when you can go out and buy a piece for a fraction of the cost......I will tell you why......it is a way to feel proud and more conscious of your surroundings. Granted buying yarn at Michaels is more economical than purchased yarn from local farmers or independent fibre stores but when you make something yourself you wear it with pride.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Knitting is a way to reclaim independence. We live in a world where we
depend on certain individuals and companies to perform highly specialized tasks
for us. There’s something satisfying about taking on some of the responsibility
for clothing production and sending a message to the industry that I don’t need
them to make my scarves.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Knitting can help a local industry. It wasn’t cheap to buy two skeins of
that locally produced yarn, but at least I’m making a statement with my
consumer dollars to a nearby farmer, endorsing his or her decision to make a
living raising sheep. According to the stats, if every American or Canadian redirected 1
percent of their disposable income to domestically-made products, it would
create 200,000 jobs. Cheap imported clothes become a lot more expensive when
you calculate the loss of domestic jobs.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So my baskets full of yarn do have a purpose, and as of now I am busy making projects that my future generations will enjoy. Maybe premature, but enjoyable and relaxing all the same. And that's why I like to sit and knit or crochet. Nothing says love like a homemade project........</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><em><span style="color: #e06666;">Have a great day and take time to do something special for yourself.</span></em> </o:p></span></span></div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-14426811256964002442013-12-31T21:20:00.002-08:002013-12-31T21:20:54.212-08:00Happy New Year! One last one for 2013.....I know I am cutting it close, just under the wire. I was going to do this earlier today and then go out this evening and enjoy sometime with our running group, but fate stepped in and decided I should come down with the<em><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong> stomach flu</strong></span></em>. Well so much for best laid plans.............so after stuffing myself with turkey soup and crackers I am feeling <em><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><strong>somewhat</strong></span></em> better.......hopefully:)<br />
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The last few weeks of the year have been hectic as it is for most. I wasn't totally into the <span style="color: red;"><strong>Christmas</strong></span> spirit with not having all our children around. We did have our daughter Kait home and talked to Jane up north, we skyped our son from afar......and that had to be the <em><strong>worst</strong></em>, knowing what kind of Christmas he was experiencing for the first time in his life......but <em><strong>it is what it is</strong>,</em> but not what every other parent, wife, husband, brother, sister, was experiencing who have military family. It will be a wonderful world if and when we can ever live without war and live in peace. I wonder if <strong><span style="color: blue;">WestJet</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: red;">Santa</span></strong> could fill that wish! So onward we go into 2014 with hopes and dreams for a better future for one and all......<br />
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So this morning before the plaque took hold of me, I had a mission to complete.......I had a vision.................<strong><span style="color: red;">BM 2108-40 Stardust</span></strong>.......yes painting a new color in our living room. It was a big commitment......but like they say <em><strong><u>"it's only paint".</u></strong></em><br />
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I did remember to do the <em><strong>before</strong></em> photos, and really there was nothing wrong with natural linen, and pashmina, but a tad boring.......and nothing seemed to <strong>"pop"</strong> on the walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLJJHyiIu64/UsOQgmGH6xI/AAAAAAAAHXA/xWYGoi69gkg/s1600/before+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XLJJHyiIu64/UsOQgmGH6xI/AAAAAAAAHXA/xWYGoi69gkg/s400/before+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Steve enjoying the heat.....</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73yXXOHcB9E/UsOQeYKDzjI/AAAAAAAAHWs/lPBjwbIz22I/s1600/before1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-73yXXOHcB9E/UsOQeYKDzjI/AAAAAAAAHWs/lPBjwbIz22I/s400/before1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Sorry but I can only do neutral for just <em>sooo long......</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqJkEzQcJvk/UsOQfWPiH8I/AAAAAAAAHW0/qeciVi1hAQA/s1600/before+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cqJkEzQcJvk/UsOQfWPiH8I/AAAAAAAAHW0/qeciVi1hAQA/s400/before+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Yawn.......</em></strong></span><br />
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The hubs left for work at 7, and the games began.............paint brushes, drop cloth, trays, "tape", ladders and away we go>>>>>>>>oh and a gallon of<span style="color: red;"><strong> BM</strong></span> <span style="color: #674ea7;"><strong>Aura Eggshell</strong></span>. I really should work for <strong><span style="color: red;">Benjamin Moore</span></strong>........oh ya right <strong>"I do!"</strong> What a great paint! It really is true, and I am a hard customer to please! But it is true what they say. I really can't say anything bad about the paint. I am not a professional painter so I do not know all the tricks of the trade but I have opened a few lids in my day. There are certain techniques that work better with <strong><span style="color: #674ea7;">Aura</span></strong> but being the <em><span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>non-conformist</strong></span></em> that I am, I painted like I always do and <em><strong>"wha-la" </strong></em>success!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNsKsUkTIf8/UsOQj98OeSI/AAAAAAAAHXU/OlvFfZaornw/s1600/after3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qNsKsUkTIf8/UsOQj98OeSI/AAAAAAAAHXU/OlvFfZaornw/s400/after3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>I think for this long plain wall I am going to get some</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>floating shelves in black, and then a place to put those</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>chatkas, and knickknacks, and then I am going to</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>paint a picture for the wall. </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Betcha didn't know I was a artist as well!</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<strong><em>Front Entry table</em></strong></div>
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Well, that's it for 2013 my friends, I wish you all a goodnight, well wishes for the coming year, may you have much happiness in your lives, know the meaning of love, and find comfort in the everyday simple things.........be well, be happy, be content.</div>
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-38980566409579413772013-12-14T07:57:00.000-08:002013-12-14T07:57:11.356-08:00Hmmm.....not much for superstitionFriday the 13th, well I never think much about it being an unlucky day, because everyday above ground is a good day!<br />
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Well last weekend was spent in Sacramento. S<em>oooo</em> much fun! Seeing all my old running friends was the highlite of the weekend. Amazing good friends, and good times! Now if you know anything about runners you will know that we aren't huge partiers.......because there is always a run on the horizon. A good time was had by all, and the company was fantastic!<br />
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The running was fabulous, the weather....... not so much!!!!! People what do you think when you think California? I think decent temperatures and palm trees. Okay lets talk wet, cold, snow, and okay blue skies and sun.......but -10C and -15C??????? What were they thinking! The cold front that travelled down from Canada definitely made its mark on California.......But being good northern stock we were good with it and I came prepared with a down jacket, and winter running gear. So that part was A-Okay!<br />
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A few PR's happened also this weekend, that's runner lingo for Personal Record.....congrats to those girls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRnUgVdP5b4/Uqx2jTYoDtI/AAAAAAAAHSc/NEjnh2NxvIY/s1600/Annie,+Joanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRnUgVdP5b4/Uqx2jTYoDtI/AAAAAAAAHSc/NEjnh2NxvIY/s400/Annie,+Joanne.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: small;"><strong>Annie and Joanne, great finishes!</strong></span></td></tr>
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Of course a trip to the States wouldn't be complete without a little shopping and of course, I made sure there was a DSW before I left. So I introduced my GF's to the experience, and all but a few were drawn in "hook, line and sinker"! Glad I could accommodate my shoe loving divas!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHVIQA7_Mb4/Uqx4Rbr-11I/AAAAAAAAHSo/2NU0tlabWvo/s1600/new+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XHVIQA7_Mb4/Uqx4Rbr-11I/AAAAAAAAHSo/2NU0tlabWvo/s400/new+shoes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">New shoes for the season!</span></strong></td></tr>
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So now that I am back home the rush was one to get the house decorated for Christmas. I did a few things before I left but it was seriously lacking my usual fanfare. Having a small house has certainly put a crimper on my decorating frenzy! I still have three trees but in comparison to previous years they all together are the size of one of my big trees......oh well such is life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhAltUzLQ5U/Uqx7wbUYGFI/AAAAAAAAHS0/l5X0vOvwGzE/s1600/dining+room+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhAltUzLQ5U/Uqx7wbUYGFI/AAAAAAAAHS0/l5X0vOvwGzE/s400/dining+room+tree.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><strong>Skinny dining room tree</strong></span></td></tr>
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Christmas Party tonight, beautiful red draped dress from Ralph Lauren, gold shoes, yup and thanks to the Fast Metabolism Diet we are all good to go!<br />
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Busy week coming up but I will return sooner than later, hopefully! Ciao my friends and enjoy your weekend!Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-49696500678900502692013-11-26T21:39:00.000-08:002013-11-26T21:39:17.249-08:00Far from the perfect Housewife!A good friend of mine sent me an article today she thought I would like and she was so right and knows me so well. Its something I've done for many years and think unless something drastic happens I will continue to do so....so please read my version of my daily routine..........<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For the past 28 years, I've been rising before dawn, typically around 6am.
My alarm is set for this time—which is at least an hour or two before I need to be
awake to ensure a productive day for myself, and also before I'm really ready
to be awake—to allow me time to pack a lunch for my husband, Glenn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To me, this has always seemed like a routine part of my day. It’s something
I just do. But over the years, I’ve come to realize that this is not a common
practice in today’s busy world, and I’ve also learned that people respond to
the idea in some very passionate ways. Even our own daughters can't believe it. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am consistently asked “Why?” by nearly everyone I meet who learns about
my devotion to feeding the man I married 28 years ago. I’ve received looks of
concern, eye rolls, tongue clucks, and outright sneers when I discuss my
mornings of darkness, staggering down the hallway<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to a cold<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>kitchen to begin the process of making a somewhat healthy breakfast and
lunch.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been asked, “Well, if he can’t do it himself, why not just do it at
night so you don’t have to get up?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been told, “I would never do that for anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And finally, the most unsettling question of all has been, “What does he do
for you in return?”</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In response to all the inquiries and quizzical head tilts, I’ve had to do
my own bit of soul searching to come up with the real answers, for myself more
than for anyone else.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No, I’m not subservient. Far from it he would say. He would do it himself or buy lunch if I suddenly
refused to crawl out of bed with him in the morning. No, I’m not trying to
mimic some long-forgotten image of the perfect housewife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I am darn close!</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what is it? Why do I feel it’s so important to rise with Glenn, prepare
healthy, sustaining meals for him while he’s at work, and send him off on a
positive note each day?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The answers are, it turns out, rather simple. Beyond a driving desire to
ensure he's fueled by fresh produce,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>fresh breads, fruits and vegetables,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>and homemade salads and meals, I have found my reasons for this piece of
my daily routine are really quite selfish.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, I love being the wife who does this kind of thing. It makes me feel
proud to know that he’s bragging about me to his work buddies (who are eating
out every day), and I know that he’s thinking of me when he opens that lunch
box to see what I’ve prepared. I know there are some days he might shake
his head.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Second, I reap the benefits of the extra hour or two I have after he’s left
for work and before the rest of my day begins. The house is quiet and I make
use of this time to catch up on reading, to exercise, to knit or crochet, to
make plans, or to write. It’s become my favorite part of the day, because it's
all about whatever I want to do.</span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Finally (and this is by far not the least of the
reasons), I continue to rise before the sun with my <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">hard-working man so that I can see him and offer some loving care before
either of us begins our day. The few moments we spend in early morning watching
the news, set the tone for everything that will transpire throughout the next
24 hours.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">The feeling of connectedness and well-being that occurs in our early
morning embraces carries into the evening when he returns and we have dinner
together, gone are the days of running our kids to a variety of events, and tending to their daily needs. It's a ritual that is ours alone, and
that nourishes both of us in very important, fundamental ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">In a world where everyone is so busy, so distracted, and so focused on
where they're headed next and what they're getting out of everything that they
do, a few moments in the early morning quiet can go a long way. Mundane rituals
such as packing a lunch that doesn’t really need to be packed can help create a
habit of taking a breath, looking at what (or who) is in front of you, and
being grateful. The satisfaction of doing something for someone else, something
that you pour your heart into, is great. Both parties thrive on that type of
love.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My challenge to you now is to create your own ritual. Show someone how much
you love them and see how it changes your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-46765146464368742602013-11-07T20:54:00.001-08:002013-11-07T20:54:40.475-08:00BaBy GiRl RaG qUiLtI haven't used my sewing machine in a very long time, so when I decided to make this rag quilt for baby Sophie, I had to read the manual once again........I know blond! Then if the darn thing wouldn't stitch the way tension!! <em>Grrrr!!!!!</em> I don't do well with frustration, I expect things to just work. So finally after a little toll and trouble, I managed to control my urge of throwing the darn thing in the garbage and started sewing......only to have to rip out a whole row of squares........don't worry no lives were lost........<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzHOPTKJvjA/UnxnOn5kIsI/AAAAAAAAHRc/r4FaUhkET0s/s1600/IMG_00000669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rzHOPTKJvjA/UnxnOn5kIsI/AAAAAAAAHRc/r4FaUhkET0s/s400/IMG_00000669.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: small;"><strong>70 backing squares, 2 short......grrr!</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: small;">Guess I couldn't count.....no worries</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-size: small;">there was still a meter left at the store!</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAQF0H7iAxI/UnxnmwEqbPI/AAAAAAAAHRs/ydTa4W1LjIw/s1600/IMG_00000668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QAQF0H7iAxI/UnxnmwEqbPI/AAAAAAAAHRs/ydTa4W1LjIw/s400/IMG_00000668.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>72+ squares of batting</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcf2UyTmVpA/Unxmjjaw2lI/AAAAAAAAHQw/gJbmOvPMsNc/s1600/IMG_00000672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wcf2UyTmVpA/Unxmjjaw2lI/AAAAAAAAHQw/gJbmOvPMsNc/s400/IMG_00000672.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong>Thanks to my quilting guru, </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong>there is a pattern :)</strong></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khzzgWm3uZM/Unxqdy4Xz-I/AAAAAAAAHR0/1OhFklC6npA/s1600/IMG_00000680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khzzgWm3uZM/Unxqdy4Xz-I/AAAAAAAAHR0/1OhFklC6npA/s400/IMG_00000680.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong>Kathy took it home for me </strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong>and made a label,</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><strong>what a nice touch. Thanks GF!</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0eb4iOHw3Ys/UnxmtwilZPI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/BXxJJnVy-yg/s1600/IMG_00000679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0eb4iOHw3Ys/UnxmtwilZPI/AAAAAAAAHQ4/BXxJJnVy-yg/s400/IMG_00000679.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>After three hours of NCIS, NCIS LA, </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Person of </strong></span><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Interest,</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong> clipping was done and into the </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>washing machine, the dryer and <em>voila!</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>A beauty of a rag quilt!</strong></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDvLXi3G4hI/Unxm9vKBHBI/AAAAAAAAHRI/hNiqz3yg-ns/s1600/IMG_00000677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDvLXi3G4hI/Unxm9vKBHBI/AAAAAAAAHRI/hNiqz3yg-ns/s400/IMG_00000677.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><strong>Double trouble Minion hats for my </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">GF Pam's little grandsons!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Now I am just finishing up a bear hat for a little girl........I bought the pattern from Etsy, but it needed adapting because it wasn't nearly the size I thought it should be, but then I don't crochet like the average crocheter.....why I don't know, but it never seems to be the size of the pattern, either I am too tight or too lose.....but whatever it all works out in the end.<br />
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Back at the running again, I had an awesome run on Wednesday which in the beginning I was pretty sure I was going to die, since the previous day I had the <strong><span style="color: #cc0000;"><em>"mother"</em></span></strong> of all migraines and was feeling a tad under the weather, but I <em><strong>REALLY</strong></em>, <em><strong>REALLY</strong></em> wanted to run......and as it turned out, we were out for an hour and a half and it was fantastic. So much fun! I think I really like trail running! I was in a whole new area, so that made it even better.<br />
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Well, I guess its that time to bid you <em>adieu</em>......have a great weekend, and if you have a chance to go to a Remembrance Day Ceremony please keep our troops in your prayers and they all return home safely. Good Night! <br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-34227738624240166592013-10-30T08:30:00.000-07:002013-10-30T08:30:13.888-07:00Happy Halloween!Here it is yet again.... the end of a month that has whizzed by faster than I care to think ABOUT. Is it our age that makes time fly, or is it our<em><strong> busy lives,</strong></em> that one day turns into the next? I don't know, but it is disturbing at times. On the plus side, only a few more months till our son is home! <em><strong>YEA!</strong></em> And that, I am <em><strong>very thankful</strong></em> for. Without the aid of <em><strong>modern technology,</strong></em> I am sure this past 5 months would have been unbearable not hearing from him or knowing that he is healthy and somewhat safe, if that is even conceivable with where he is at......but it is, what it is......Be safe my son........<br />
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<strong><span style="color: orange;">Happy Halloween</span></strong> to all of you <strong><span style="color: orange;">Halloween</span></strong> lovers! Me not so much......seriously it's not even about cute and funny anymore, so therefore I dislike it even more than ever.....so don't mind me. But I do love <span style="color: orange;"><strong>pumpkins</strong></span>, so October and Thanksgiving are what I love about this time of year.<br />
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I have been incredibly busy these past few weeks. With working all last week, time was very limited for crafting or running. I only managed to get one run in last week, but I've been making up for it this week and I do believe I am back on track. The race weight is just about on target, thank you <strong><em>Haylie Pomroy, The Fast Metabolism Diet,</em></strong> couldn't have done it without you! The best diet ever, which I can't really say it is much of a diet, other than they tell you what you can and can't eat and <strong><em>duh!</em></strong> it is not rocket science but the chemistry of it all.<br />
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I did get the baby blankie finished and I <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>LOVE</strong></span> it! It is so darn beautiful! <br />
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It is the perfect size for the cradle that I have, so into the hope chest it goes.<br />
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I have bought many fat quarters of baby flannel in<span style="color: #e06666;"><strong> pinks</strong></span>, <span style="color: yellow;"><strong>yellows</strong></span>, <span style="color: #93c47d;"><strong>greens,</strong></span> to start a rag quilt for Sophie. My goal is to get them cut into squares today between, my reflexology appointment and whatever gets thrown my way. I want to get it done this week to get it in the mail next week<em>.......mmmmmm....</em> I wonder if I can take my sewing machine to work? Probably not going to happen, its been a tad busy these days, time to paint indoors people!<br />
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The latest batch of soap is a keeper and quite lovely. We were a little worried about the colors but really.....they are quite pretty and smell divine!<br />
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My inside joke was to send a batch of this to our hockey team (<em>because they stink</em>)since its their colors, but Torts is doing an amazing job of keeping these guys on a winning edge......<em><strong>oops</strong></em> ....I hope I haven't jinxed them! Keep up the great work Kes! He's one of my favourites! <br />
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Then there is this yummy looking grapefruit combination.....<br />
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And then there is the Sweet Orange............<br />
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Now I need to get started on a few hats for my <strong><em>GF Pam</em></strong> and her little grandsons.......never heard of these guys but apparently they are all the rage. Who knew!<br />
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You have to admit they are pretty darn funny, and I can sure see Lane and Kelson in these!<br />
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Well I have twisted your ear enough for one day. Hope your day is a fun one and you can do something that you truly love and enjoy! My foot reflexology is my indulgence....OMG! best thing ever! Gotta run! Be safe and take care!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><strong><em>HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</em></strong></span> </div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-21212475805516881292013-10-21T12:13:00.001-07:002013-10-21T12:13:34.466-07:00Back again....Sorry to be away for so long but I get in a forward motion and forget to come back to present day! I have been very busy, but then when aren't we when we are creating! Not to mention I am back running and trying to get in three or four days a week which is a challenge. The days aren't long enough and with not many street lights, it makes for rather dark and dangerous. So I would rather do classes of weights or what have you. Our mornings are REALLY foggy this past week, you can't see across the water most days.... but sometimes the afternoons are quite lovely but then I am usually at work so there is no running.......any who~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
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Apparently, as the Hubs pointed out in my last post I mentioned a <span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong>"new baby"</strong></span> in our family, well it is in my family but my cousins new granddaughter and since we are like sisters. she's in my family just not<strong> ONE</strong> of <strong>OUR children's child</strong>. Sorry for the faux pas Lee! Any baby is fine with me. I don't care who it belongs too. I like to take ownership! And what better reason to make something, <em><strong>so I am. </strong></em><br />
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This is the pattern I am making with the <strong>Bernat Softee Chunky yarn</strong>........this is not Sophie, the little girl I am referring too, is three weeks on Friday. But I'm starting to think that I might keep this one in my hope chest............for my own future little noodle, :*)<br />
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I had a bit of a challenge figuring out the pattern as it didn't make a lot of sense, but after a few times of starting over it is very simple, so I can mindlessly pick it up and start. But I think it is going to use more yarn than the store had in stock so unless I can get more this weekend at Michael's, I will have to edge it in a coordinating color, but it will look very pretty with a scalloped edge.<br />
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Now with winter approaching, the seas are starting to get a little rougher so the driftwood has been arriving on the beaches and I have a few ideas I would like to try, and I have a friend who would like a driftwood sailboat....... and these would look great on a scarf, vest, hat........<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8nU-h8Ny4U/UmVtSCZB2BI/AAAAAAAAHKY/CQVIzdDuRcE/s1600/driftwood+buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z8nU-h8Ny4U/UmVtSCZB2BI/AAAAAAAAHKY/CQVIzdDuRcE/s400/driftwood+buttons.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;">Driftwood Buttons</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFW7kpk2tes/UmVthYFkuXI/AAAAAAAAHKg/vqBIMprVTDg/s1600/fairy+doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFW7kpk2tes/UmVthYFkuXI/AAAAAAAAHKg/vqBIMprVTDg/s400/fairy+doors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: small;"><em>Fairy Doors, I have many ideas for making these!</em></span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7caaFkKYKE/UmVt6KafxtI/AAAAAAAAHKo/UIXRzSIpYo0/s1600/lit+driftwood+lite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p7caaFkKYKE/UmVt6KafxtI/AAAAAAAAHKo/UIXRzSIpYo0/s400/lit+driftwood+lite.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: small;"><strong><em>Hanging Driftwood Sconce</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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How easy these lights would be to make. They would look great hanging around a deck for the evenings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW-1ZVIbJc8/UmVx4QIMSAI/AAAAAAAAHK0/548MCyIdd4s/s1600/driftwood+starburst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BW-1ZVIbJc8/UmVx4QIMSAI/AAAAAAAAHK0/548MCyIdd4s/s400/driftwood+starburst.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Driftwood Sunburst</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: small;"></span></strong> </td></tr>
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With all the left over bits I have....... I know I can pull this one off. Well time to move on to my next project. Lunch!<br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"> Have a wonderful day!</span></strong></em> </div>
Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-961723830922385273.post-52086404793847647342013-10-08T07:52:00.003-07:002013-10-08T07:52:37.423-07:00Oops I did it again!Well I have committed to another race....not a big one as far as distance, but a race none the less. The greatest distance is getting to where it starts!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RojMZZh24to/UlQStfTPcUI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/1fhxE6AAL9c/s1600/CIM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RojMZZh24to/UlQStfTPcUI/AAAAAAAAHJ4/1fhxE6AAL9c/s400/CIM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yup you got it!<b><i> California</i></b> here we come! My running friends from PG decided to do this marathon in honor of a near and dear friend who passed away this past year while running a race himself in Australia. So his wife got the idea wouldn't it be nice to go to the first ever marathon he ran, which was the <b>CIM,</b> well then a bunch of others got on board and now there are a dozen of us going. So thankfully there is a relay and that's what I will be doing, because there is no way I could run farther than 10 km at this point.<br />
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I'm going to run today hopefully for an hour and a half and yes there will be walking involved in order to go that far in this town, there are too many hills not too, because I cannot for the "love of God" run uphill for any length of time. Mostly because I am still struggling to get my aerobic level back up after being off all summer.<br />
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I'm really excited about going to Sacramento and seeing all my running buddies. I haven't been to a race with them for two years since we all went to the Okanagan Marathon and that weekend was life changing, my first half and the weekend we took the plunge and the Hubs applied and got a new job 500 miles away. So let's get started with the training. Time for toast and peanut butter, then back home to tidy up and start a new crochet project.......... there's a new <span style="color: #e06666;"><b>baby</b></span> in the family! Have a wonderful day and see you soon!<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11439124428897194044noreply@blogger.com0