A Hot Autumn Sunday

The only way you can tell it's fall around here is the absence of humidity and the brilliance of the sun. Although it's nice and cool in the early morning hours and late in the evening, by mid day it's still in the mid 80s. I always enjoy the intensity of the sun this time of year and the beautiful shadows cast on everything. This is an old tree in Nashville. You can tell he had a long dry summer by its scantly filled limbs. I bet he's ready to honker down for the winter and take a little break.

This weekend was the TACA show at Centennial Park (go here for last year's spring show or here to see what goodies were found last spring). I guess I missed this spring. This year is just buzzing by at an amazing speed. I was going to go yesterday, as it was going to be a little cooler; but the AGA was being delivered. You know I had to stay home for that. {Footnote off the track: I heated up the stoves last night to burn off the "factory" smell. Then, I noticed a little piece of the enamel has chipped off the skinny door. I am going to have to bring this up with them on Monday.) Ok, back to TACA.

I always enjoy this show because there are always new tents to visit. Of course, there are several of my favorites that I look for. My game plan is to walk about the entire show and then make my way back to my favs. I think this year, I was in my "kitchen" mode. Of course, all the potters had lovely items; but I'm always looking for that off-the-wall stuff. My favorite potter was not there but I found one that was just as whimsical. I somehow missed them last fall; I don't know how. Batton Clayworks was one of my first stops once I came back around. They had gorgeous tea pots; and it was hard to decide which design to get. After walking around for another hour and coming back, I knew it was the big black ball one. I also got one of her charming houses and a little thumb-print of a jar. I love the colors of the glaze. I have so many cubbies in the new kitchen, this set may have to fill one of the smaller ones or sit out on my counter. Love them.


There were several block printers that used linoleum. I so remember cutting linoleum in art class. Our assignment, unfortunately, was on marine life. I chose a dolphin out of easiness, I suppose. Perhaps it's a piece for Riverside. Wish I still had the block and not the ugly print. I did black ink on blue paper. How boring is that? Anyhoo, these guys were just a tad better than my attempts at it. Kreg Yingst's booth was amazing, chock full of musical artist prints. The booth was always tightly filled with people so I took several roundabouts until it was almost empty to make my way in. He had some prints that were unframed. Of course, sigh, I had to get a Bob Dylan one. That goes without saying. I was amazed to find a print of Frank Zappa. Being raised on the guy by my brothers and seeing the man in concert over a dozen times, this was a no brainer. Had to have it. (There's a great article in the Financial Times this weekend on Zappa. Seems Dweezil is touring doing his father's music. There's even a show in DC at the Warner. I've passed the info on to my brothers. Wish he was playing Nashville. Sounds like another awesome show.) I will put these up in my hallway with my Hatch Show Prints and my new Dylan show print. Guess it's my rock-n-roll hall of fame. grin. In my excitement and with the crowds in his booth, I didn't even notice that this artist is out of Pensacola--just a stone's throw from Riverside. Too cool.

There were other new faces that I need to look into. LALA dex press is one. After looking her up on the internet, I find Shona has an Etsy site here. Not only that, but she has a blog. How cool is that? I must go and visit. I loved her cards and wanted to find out more about here. Unfortunately, she was busy when I passed by and I never did make it back. Tsk. You can be sure that I'm going to take a moment and visit her sites and get some of her gorgeous hand-printed cards at some point. I believe I had pulled a little blurb about her from the last Nashville Lifestyles magazine or some such periodical. In my usual unorganized fashion, I have no idea where that little piece of paper went. So, it's a good thing I found her at the show. It is just meant to be.

This was another newbie, at least to me. The Doll Makers had all kinds of wonderfully whimsical dolls. I picked up a few little ones for gifts. They almost had the recipient's names on them, so I couldn't resist. I know some of you make these. Not being the best with needle and thread, I think I'll leave it up to you all.



One of my favorite local artists was there to my delight. I have several of her prints and I added one today. I adore her images of cats. The little pink one to the left is my latest addition. It so reminded me of Miss Bev, I had to add it to my wall. These are in our laundry room above the cats' food bowls. Emily is indeed another cat lover and we chatted today about several of our babies. As I was photographing these, I heard the tiniest of voices meowing. It was Dave in the clothes basket. He has the tenderest little cry. So much for clean towels.

Ok, I'm off to sit on the porch and enjoy the evening with the hub and kid. The teenager is off at work. The hub leaves tomorrow for countries east of us, first stop being London. Whaaaaa. It's killing me. I'm hoping to jump on board next time, perhaps. Fingers' crossed.

De-Cluttering

You wouldn't really know it by looking at some of these pictures as I still have a LOT of stuff lying about. But, I can't tell you how much I put away. A lot! To me, anyway, it looks so much better. Phew! (PS, I may just haveto take this lamp down to Riverside. I'm liking the dragonfly theme there.)

I moved all my plants around so they can now enjoy the summer sun without getting burned up. I am amazed, there is absolutely nothing on my coffee table. I moved the copper tray over to the sofa table from there and now the coffee table is completely bare. Oh, I'm sure I'll find something to put on it. Perhaps a coffee table book or two? grin.

I transplanted my fountain from the kitchen to the corner of the family room and added some plants there and more "stuff" here and there. This is a straight shot from the front door and is very important for feng shui. I don't know why I chose what I did, but I'm sure with the water and plants, it has to be good. I'll look that one up later. (I have yet to post on feng shui. One day, I promise.) It sounds so nice in this spot as the trickling water echoes off the corners of the walls. I am able to do this only because Miss Bev is no longer with us and won't reek havoc on my display! I miss her shenanigans though. (Of course, we don't have any nests this year because she's not here. Last year, we had two or three at a time from April through to July; and she was on top of each and every one!)

Giggle, here's some more of that silly eyelash stuff I did along with the blinds. Lordy. I was on a tear, wasn't I? This doesn't bother me as much, as it looks more whimsical and minute. See Miss Bev's picture that my SIL Mary Jane sent me in memory of her? She was such a cutie. Just Friday, I received this memorial from our vets. I just cried. I tell you, lately, the floodgates have been open. I tear up at the slightest thing. I think my HRT needs'a'checkin'. Sniffle.


Here are the bookshelves. As I said, they probably look just as bad as when I started to you, but I guarantee, they aren't. I really did put a lot of stuff away, honest. Now, just don't open the cabinet doors beneath, or their may be trouble. But, no one needs to know that, now do they?










I even did a little rearranging in the study. I moved "grandpa" in there, the old crab that he is. He had quit working in the family room, and I never really liked where he was there anyway. I put him on top of my little secretary and he now refuses to work, again--what else is new? This was my mother's grandfather Dutch's. He was in the Civil War and returned shell shocked. He would always tell everyone to "Cover up those two old women. They keep looking at me." I suppose he was talking about the carvings at the top. Tonight, as I was coaxing him to work, I noticed some writing on the tin plate around the leveler at the bottom. I cannot, for the life of me, make it out. I need to take it to an Antiques Road Show. Wouldn't that be a hoot? But, anyway, he never started working for me tonight. He likes to be tilted to the front on his right side before he starts ticking. He absolutely drives me mad, the old coot!

The hub is in Texas, again; so I guess I'll head up to that great big bed and stretch out. I'm pooped!

Miss Bev

With a heavy heart, I have to tell you that our little baby girl, Miss Bev, has left us. I took her to the vets on Thursday to have her biopsy done to find out what was going on. The vets drew blood to see what her count was since it was so low before because of her anemia. Two weeks ago, it was 12--very low--at which time they suggested a blood transfusion. I declined. On Thursday it had come down to 6. They couldn't even imagine her living with that low a number; yet she was eating as well as she ever has. With a low count, they were unable to do any operations. Again, they wanted to do a blood transfusion.

I can't, in my heart, subject an un-understanding animal to such extremes. It's one thing when you can explain to a human what pain will be involved, what to expect, in other words. But to an animal, I can't imagine what they go through. The vet couldn't even tell me that if they did the blood transfusion, they would then be able to figure out what was wrong with her. At what point do you stop the suffering? She had begun to show signs that she may not be with us much longer. Her eyes had become old-like, kind of hazy looking; and it was then that I made the decision to let her go. I simply cannot stand to see an animal suffer.

She is now free from itching and is prancing around with so many of my other kitties that left before her. I'm sure Ozzy and Bud met her with a lick to the face, a sniff to the butt and probably a smack (she would have smacked them first after the sniff) as she arrived in a much better place.

Thank you all for all the comments to the chocolate giveaway. It truly took my mind off missing my baby girl.

Coat One Done

Sherwin-Williams "Creme" No. 7556

Aw, to have accomplished one coat was big doings today! Not only that, but I also found the time to run out and get a dresser for the hub at half price! (Last day of sale.) Wooohoooo! Take a look at the difference in the colors. It's such a fresher color. The entire house was done in this drab beige. Slowly but surely, I'm covering it all up. I am getting so excited about the new bedroom, I can't wait!

My trusty partner supervised me all day. Poor girl. She has to just be feeling horrible if she feels as bad as she looks. Think I will have to take her back in to the vets so they can take another look/see. She's just breaking my heart so I let her work with me all day, even though she was in the way most of the time.

I'm letting this coat dry overnight and will hit it with another tomorrow. Momma has her check up at 11; so I'll get back to finishing up after then. What a difference.



I think we wore Abby out with our whirlwind paint job. She's passed out in the hall right outside the bedroom.

I have to send get-well wishes to our Bethy who was under the weather last week. Yuk. Glad to hear you're doing better Beth!! And, of course, I have to give a shout out to Miss D. who was soooooo much fun to visit with last night. Miss you already!! pout. You look marvelous dawling, hope your trip home was safe and uneventful! Burr, I think you left a little Minnesota air here. It's freezing!!

PS STILL having probs getting into most of your blogs. Getting the same "Error 400." Who knows why. So, if you happen by, please leave a comment even if it's "Hi" so I can click into your Profile Page. That seems the only way to get there these days. And, for some reason, I can't get into the old blogger posting site from Safari. Therefore, I can't check my spelling. So, forgive my ignorance, ya'll.

Beans & Franks

I have been a horrible haus frau this year. Cooking dinner is about the last thing on my mind, it seems. Tonight, I took the easy way out and made the all-American meal of beans and franks. To this day, it reminds me of my childhood. I used to love to smell mom cooking hotdogs. Sometimes she would just slice them regularly and other times, she would cut the dogs at a diagonal. I always loved the diagonal ones most, for some reason. When mom cooked hotdogs whole, she would make a spiral cut down the length of the hot dog and they would open so pretty. It's the little things that make dinner special, no matter what you're eating.



Mary Jane called me this afternoon to tell me the results of Trisha's tests. All of the results came back normal! Yahoo!! Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. All of us thank you, I know it made a difference.

Bev is doing a little better today. She actually came out from her hovel and asked to be fed. I have her back on the duck and green pea diet. The kid snapped this tonight. As you can see, her tongue is pink again. Her nose, gums and tongue had almost no pigment in them last week. I'm hoping this is her turn around. Poor little thing. All her sores are just horrible. She has begun scratching again, I guess that's a good sign as she has the strength to do so. The vet seems to think her anemia and skin condition are two different ailments. Lawd. The teenagers calls her "crack addict" as she looks so horrific. I found a picture of her in one of last January's posts (while eating our soup!) and what a difference. I hadn't realized how poor she looks.

Thank you also for your warm thoughts for Miss Bev. That goes without saying.

Comcast was out most of today again. I phoned them, and they will be here, again, between 12 and 4 tomorrow afternoon. A lovely day spent at home waiting on the cable man. hmmmm. I insisted they give us a credit for January since it's been mostly down the entire month. I tell you, I have had to read the riot act to more people over the phone this week than I care to admit. The teenager's car has been sitting in the shop for almost two weeks now with nothing done because the other insurance company did their entire estimate based on all USED parts. Go figure. I swear, what a racket. Had I not called the repair man, I wouldn't have known. I was ready to go pick the thing up, all nice and new. No one called us to tell us the car was just sitting there in limbo. Now our agent is on the trail trying to hunt down the adjuster who has yet to return any one's phone calls. Hmmm, I wonder why. I don't know how some people sleep at night when they clearly try and take advantage of situations. It gets me so aggravated, I just want to scream! Ommmmmmmmmmmm.

Sassin' with Beth & Lottie

I'm busy trying to get a couple more ATCs done before morning. Tomorrow is my big day out (wooohoooo) with Beth and Lottie (Beth's mom). Bethy invited me to join them at the Sassy Stamping group that meets once a month throughout Tennessee. It's so good for me to get out. I tend to be extremely shy (would ya know it by the way I write?? Nawwww.) and really have to push myself to get out of "my element"--meaning meeting new people. I have always despised being shy and really work hard at trying to be more outgoing. Once I'm out there, I'm fine. It's the thought of getting out that's always the hard part. Guess it's kind of like a phobia. So, it will do me good to meet up with Beth and Lottie tomorrow morning, early! I think I will have to leave my house by 7:30, yikes! I'm making some sandwiches to take with me instead of a casserole. I once had a office party and served the best turkey sandwiches on croissants with a "schmear" of peach chutney. You wouldn't know it tasted good until you tasted it. Yum. I can't remember if I also had mayo on them or not. Lord, my memory is going on me! And look at all my junk I am taking. You know, after lugging all this stuff, I will need something I left at home, no doubt. (Tennies are not going, they are the kid's.)

For Christmas, my brother Jim picked my name. He signed me and my mom up for flowers of the month, chocolate of the month and fruit of the month. This is January's bounty.

Lillies and Iris

Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Royal Riviera Pears

Yes, folks, we are spoiled here.

In not so good news, poor little Bev is sick again. She is anemic, once more, and had to go into the vets today. Poor boo. They gave her another shot of prednisone and is taking it orally as well, that along with antibiotics. She literally scratched the fur off her neck last week, so I knew it was getting bad again. We're going to keep her on the prednisone and see if that works on her ailments. If it doesn't, then we will have to rethink everything. She is just miserable. It breaks my heart. I know when she is really sick when she hides from everyone. Here she is hiding behind one of our old art deco radios in the dining room, complete with a really old dust bunny and misc. other items that have been missing for years, I think. I pulled the radio away from the wall so she wouldn't have to jump on top and then behind; but duh, she jumped on top anyway. Probably should move the glass items on top, ya think? Can you tell the candlesticks have already been replaced once today?

In even more serious news, my SIL MJ's sister is going through some health problems. Please, if you can, keep Trisha in your thoughts that her upcoming test results come out ok. MJ has been through a very tough couple of months, and the thought of having her sister ill is tearing her up inside. I know it must be very difficult.

Well, I'm off to finish up some ATCs and make sandwiches before going to bed early.

Happy Sunday

Here's Miss Bev drinking from our fountain. I try and keep it cleaned out for her. This is where I sneak in Bach's Rescue Remedy, shhhh. She seems to be doing better. I haven't had to give her any antihystamines in a couple of days. She scratches a little every once in a while, but not like she was. Thank goodness.

I'm beginning to feel myself again. How long did that take? Way too long! I'm going to start working on a post on Feng Shui (Wind/Water). I think you all will enjoy learning about it--not that I'm an expert! I've been dabbling in it for about 16 years.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Storms-r-Brewing Saturday

They're calling for storms today, thunder storms, that is. Hey, isn't this the first day of Autumn? Whaaaaaaa.

Preparing to sit down to go through my papers, my mail and my mags for the week. I don't know where the week went. Hmmmm. I found my double clotted cream last week. Sometimes my grocer carries it, sometimes they don't. I was lucky. My thighs and chin(s)will thank me later!

I need some help. I'm thinking of switching over to Blogger Beta (or whatever it's called). Heck, I may already have it. Duh. I just don't know. But, I want to begin categorizing my posts to make it easier to look one up when I need to. My library is getting quite full and when I go to find a link-back-to, it takes me for-ever. So I looked into it and found out that I have to have the new Beta thingy. I'm reluctant to change over until I hear some feedback. So, if you have any, let me know--good or bad.

Before doing anything, I just backed up my blog. If you don't or haven't, please do. I have heard horror stories of losing all your writings. I print mine out (and I am quite behind in that department), but I still want a backup. I found the "Blogcollector" which seems to do the trick. Check it out Aspise.

So, please let me know if you've heard anything about the new Blogger Beta! Thanks. Hope your neck of the woods is cool and fallish. (Hot and humid here----grrrrrrr.) A strange day. As soon as the sun comes out, it starts raining. We're going to be under a tornado watch this evening. Joy.


Here's Miss Bev doing her yoga, as the kid calls it. Look at her poor little chin, all scratched up. I'm going to look into some herbs to give her. She's already on Bach's Rescue Remedy for calming. Poor little boo.

Animules

Life is just a bowl of hairies.

Dave thinks that just because I put the bowl under the table in a chair, we can't see him nesting in there. Life is rough! He's trying to keep up with Motherkitty's kitty. Go take a look at Tiger Lily!

Both Rootie and Miss Bev went to the vets today. Roo dog has nails that belong in the World Record books. Every time I take her in, I think she must snap at them when they try to cut her nails because they always come out looking like nothing was done. Today, I made sure they cut as MUCH as they could--even if they had to muzzle the poor dog. Most of our floors are wood and I know it must hurt her walking on them as long as they've been. She also has a little rash on her tummy, which has just about healed; but I thought I better have the doc take a look at it. Guess what. Allergies. Geesh, between Miss Bev, Miss Rootie-Toot-Tootie and myself, we are keeping the medical profession going! Roo dog is now on antihystamines and some ear drops because her ears were all clogged up.

Miss Bev began scratching again, so I thought I better haul her in while I was there. They gave her another shot of steroids. I asked if she was going to have anger management probs and bulk up like the hulk; and the vet assured me that cats take steroids differently than us human folk. Thank goodness. I didn't want to wake up to Miss Bev in my face with her claws out insisting to be let out or some other demand. I also had to get more Duck and Pea food--such a life.

I won't even tell you how much this vet visit ran me! Geesh Louise!

Cigar Box Collage, School Supplies and Bev

I got this idea from one of my favorite shops in the world. Pollock's Toy Shop had these on the wall going up the stairs -- see my post on the shop here if you missed it. I bought all these cutouts there and this is the first time I used them (I think). I also added some vintage wallpaper I had purchased from Pam Garrison which is gorgeous. Almost hated to cut into it, it's so pretty. I don't know where I'm going to hang this thing, probably by my three Rs. I think I'll put a few little toys inside to add another dimension. That's what they did at Pollock's, and they looked sooooo cute!!

In other news, I found almost everything the kid needed from the "list." I went to the teenager's Wallgreens and got the 15% family discount--wooohooo! It helped! It still was about $60! I read somewhere that there were packs available at the school for those who couldn't afford all this stuff. That's good.

And then there's Bev. She has been on a roll carrying socks and other laundry items from my room to the kid's room. Each time I run to grab the camera, I scare her and she drops her booty. This is the aftermath of trying to catch her. (The kid actually snapped the one above.)

A Woman's Work is Never Done

Miss Bev Supervising the project

That was my Uncle Euell's favorite saying. He would putter around the house of his and Aunt Mary's (my mom's sister in Georgia) doing odd jobs and muttering "A woman's work is never done." He had the absolute best sense of humor. I miss him and Aunt Mary so much.

With the hub gone, I can get some work done around here--hehe. I know the poor guy really tries to do things around the house; but the truth is, I prefer just to do it myself. I hate the nagging that I've done in the past, so I just wait until he's gone and just do what needs to be done. He used to joke with neighbors about my doing drywall. Of course, I don't; but I could if I had to, right?

Before he left this time, he bought this great screwdriver. (Little did he know I had been eyeing for a while, hehe). I had asked him to remove all the old smoke alarms that didn't work any more and replace them. Since he was going to do it, he went out and got the quasi-professional screwdriver. He despises doing things around the house; and anything that makes the job easier is gold in his eyes. Well, of course, he didn't get to it before he left. You know how that is. Poor thing. He had to get two hepatitis shots at once which just wiped all energy out of him all week. (At least, this is what he told me, hehe.)

I've been charging the new battery for this sucker all week, and today I was ready to give MY screwdriver a try. I couldn't wait to get up on that ladder and give it a whirl. Of course, I had my sidekick there to make sure everything was done properly--Miss Bev.

You see, when we bought the house, all the smoke alarms were wired to the house alarm. If one went off , the entire house alarm went off. One kept on going off, so I had to disconnect the entire alarm system--and thus why I had to get a complete overhaul about a month ago (not to mention a crazy friend--if you're new here). Anyway, the builder had put a smoke alarm in each bedroom. I didn't want this configuration any more; and so the new system only has one on each floor and one in the garage that will trigger the entire alarm system and call the fire department. Ok, so that means that all the smoke alarms in each bedroom and office needed to be replaced with battery-operated ones. Thanks Costco! Phew, when you need six smoke alarms, it can add up! I replaced one in each of the bedrooms, one in the office and added one to the rec room.

I think I have it all covered now. I can't wait for the teenager to light his first incense and have the alarm go off! hehe. At least the entire house won't go WOOOOO WOOOOOOO WOOOOO and scare the wits out of us and the neighborhood!