Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023

Just some end of the year fun.  Painting, crafting, eating A LOT, and just general Christmas cheer.

This poor kid got the stomach just before Christmas.  Min had it too earlier.  Poor babies, poor parents!

Playing with watercolors with Min.  Takes me back to Snicklefritz a few years ago when I started her on the watercolor journey.

 

The Alliday Show - The Day After

Yesterday was a big day.  It was the 3rd Annual Alliday Show that B produces.  It was a rousing success for all involved.  The Friday before we spent setting up and helping all the other vendors find their places and get set up.  Rio was a huge help in showing them her precious bright eyes and not hardly making a peep.  She endured two days of constant strangers smiling at her and oooing and awwing at her.  This poor little girl was a trooper and I'm sure this morning is still napping and resting. 

 

The publicity was awesome for the show with B on television several times, in local magazines and even in the Tulsa World newspaper Saturday morning!  Turn out was consistent and steady and I think everyone did well.  We are all exhausted but it is a good tired after a successful event.  Now on to next year.

 

Here's to Alliday 2013!

Party, Party, Party

This morning starts the week of endless parties and stuff to do.  Last week was pretty calm but this week, wow, we are busy.  Tonight is the huge cocktail party with our bank at Southern Hills Country Club!  I get to get duded-up tonight.  Spray that hair, rouge those cheeks and lips!  Tomorrow night is dinner with my dear high school bud S and I'm so looking forward to that one.  Wednesday is dance night.  I HAVE to make that one as I've missed like four classes in a row.  I may even stay for the whole two hours, maybe.  Thursday night we are having one of our customers over to the house to have a look-see at the new bathroom then we are out to dinner at the Celebrity Club!  Last time the guy spent a ton of money on us so of course The Hubby wants to pick up the tab on this one.  I hope he succeeds.  It's the power struggle over the bill between the guys!  Then Friday is a big work day for me at the office and the set up for The Alliday Show.  I will even have my own booth of art:  note cards, prints, originals, and even some handmade potholders!  If you are in the Tulsa area Saturday, come on by and see me and do some last minute Christmas shopping!

 

New Blog Site + More

It is 1:53 AM and here I sit in my chair typing a blog post.  You ask, "Why Jill, are you sitting in your chair typing a blog post at 1:53 AM."  I'll tell you why, because I am sick.  I have a cold, yet again.  I just had one a couple of months ago.  This one is a bit different, I can't breathe when I lay down and I can't make it better.  I'm exhausted, "Oh and Mr. W, you may not see me for a few days between this cold and YET ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW!!!!!"  Oh my gosh (would love to say that differently but I am going to use nice terms), I want spring and summer, PLEASE!  I have got to get better and get out so I can work out.  I have a 5K to get ready for NEXT MONTH! 

No it is not me but the oldest girly, B.  She has started a new blog and direction for her crafting ventures.  Check out her new blog and title...Bifftastica !  Her latest creation is what to do with those greeting, birthday, anniversary, wedding cards that you just can't part with...check it out on Bifftastica!

One Of My Famous Kiddos

Check out one of my famous kiddos.  She will be at Deluxe Indie Craft Bazaar this weekend and was interviewed for a blog Red Dirt Ruckus and I think The Oklahoman, newspaper!  How cool is that!  She has such fun with her crafting stuff and really has done very well with it.  I crafted once a very long time ago but she has taken it to a whole new level.  Go by and check out Deluxe if you are in Oklahoma City this weekend and say HI to our girl, B at Sheezkrafty.

This and That Weekend

This weekend has been kind of a blur.  Saturday was the Alpha Rho Tau luncheon, my art group.  You know it is kind of weird that I was the youngest "member" at the meal.  There were two others, students from TU (University of Tulsa), who joined us because we gave them scholarship money to further their education, but basically I think I'm the youngest in the group.  I seem to have that happen a lot in things I get involved in.  Sometimes I can be the oldest but that doesn't happen often.  After the chit chat and yum yum we, my neighbor and paint friend (75 years old) Sheila and I headed home.  I rushed into comfy clothes to meet my dear friend C at the movie theater.  We wanted to see Burlesque.  Good movie, not great but good.  I absolutely cannot figure out how in the world Christine Aquilera has that HUGE voice.  Amazing!  Cher sang a bit too and was really good although not the best too look at anymore.  I love Stanley Tucci, her sidekick.  As C and I sat watching the previews, my favorite part of the theater experience, we noticed people, women coming in.  There were probably not less that 15 women at least over the age of 70 parading in that darkened room.  Some were even struggling the stairs but they made it and settled in for the show.  We had them above us, beside us and below us so we could hear some of the comments!  One part where the object of Miss Aquilera's affection was down to his backside showing we heard, "Oh My!"  C and I giggled and then, "That's hot!"  Oh my goodness.  That was so funny and cute too.  Definitely a people watcher kind of experience wouldn't you say. 

Yesteday, daughter B and had the open house of handmade gifts at our home.  She invited a few other crafters and for 4 hours the house was a buzz of holiday buying and selling.  She wasn't as pleased with the turnout but several of the people I invited came and bought.  I had my paintings of which none sold but I did sell many of the note cards that are made from the paintings.  It was fun but my legs and feet were in such pain from standing and milling around that I could hardly sleep last night.  Throbbing!  They are a bit better now. 

This week will be another round of hosting a dinner party with the same menu as last week.  We also have a cocktail party at a neighbors and hopefully I will get my massage and facial.  My massage therapist has been very, very ill for the past three months and so no massage for me.  Sad and achy. 

Signing off for now but don't forget the giveaway which will end on Wednesday at midnight.  Comment (with email or way of contact) and maybe post a link on your blog to enter.  This is to celebrate my 1,000 post so you have to post on it please!!!!!  HERE!!!!!

#840

This is post #840 and tomorrow will be #841...my 4 year anniversary.  Please read to see what is up.

Yesterday B's show, The Alliday Show was a huge success.  The attendance was awesome and the vendors were awesome.  I had a wonderful time and I thank all of "our" friends and family for supporting her in her venture that she has worked so hard for.  You know this was not like the usual "Arts & Crafts" show that I've attended.  It was full of a lot of artisans and that is what makes the difference.  Next year my dear friend C asked if I wanted to share a booth with my oil paintings and her water colors.  I'm up for it but I had better get busy and PAINT!  Have to have some note cards too.

Today, I'm planning a huge family dinner for both sides of the fam to celebrate the homecoming of our youngest, A.  She has been here since Father's Day and leaves to go back to her home on Wednesday.  It has been a really wonderful visit with her and I don't look forward to her leaving.  Today I'm going to do an easy meal of baked spaghetti, wilted lettuce salad, bread and a cake from Reasor's called Tres Leches (wonderful).  Very simple.  The wilted lettuce salad I've made for years but I recently and accidently picked up maple flavored bacon and it was AWESOME on the salad so going to try it again. 

Tune in tomorrow for the anniversary blog here.

(It is 8:31 and The Hubby is still in bed...that is a new one.)

The Alliday Show

Don't forget to go to the Ford Arena at the Tulsa Fairgrounds tomorrow for B's Alliday Show.  It's free admission and should be fun.  She and her partner April were on Oklavision at noon today and in the paper Scene section, Tulsa World an article tomorrow (Saturday).  Do a little shopping.  There are a lot of interesting handmade stuff.  I know I'm shopping.

Ford Truck Arena
9-5
Tulsa Fairgrounds
Saturday, June 26

See you there!!!!!

Forwarding some info

I am forwarding this info from the oldest in her latest fun endeavor:



Greetings Family & Friends! I write you today to give you a little update and some news! As you know, I love to create things, have fun in life and stay connected within my community! As a result of this, and as a result of me thinking I don't already have enough to do, I've embarked upon the world of producing an arts and crafts show this summer! That's right, I must be insane! ;)


While the OKC area has multiple enjoyable and successful handmade fairs a year, Tulsa has only a couple, which are wonderful shows yet, I yearn for something more! Instead of waiting for more shows like this to pop up, I decided to take one on myself!

The show is being hosted by SheezKrafty, mine and April's jewelry business, and is called The Alliday Show! Our belief is that everyday should be celebrated as a holiday, as all days are special days, and that if you're going to shop, you should do it handmade! We are holding our fair at the Tulsa Fairgrounds in the Ford Truck Exhibit Hall on Saturday, June 26th from 9-5. This event will be FREE to the public and quite affordable for the artists as well! This will not be your typical potpourri and wreath fair but rather, offbeat, hip and an event not to be missed! I only anticipate that this event will grow and will become a permanent fixture in Tulsa!

So, why do I tell you all of this in a rambling e-mail? Well, for one, to spread the word! And two, to ask for your support! Perhaps you have a friend who has been wanting to give a show a try - let them know that they can apply now! Or perhaps you've been wanting to plan a shopping day with your loved ones - put this on your calendar for one-of-a-kind finds! Please feel free to spread the word by telling your friends and family, forwarding this e-mail, tweeting, status-updating, blogging or whatever it is you do!

Links can be found within the text above or right here:
The Alliday Show - http://www.allidayeveryday.com/
The Alliday Show Blog - http://www.allidayeveryday.blogspot.com/
The Alliday Show Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/allidayeveryday
SheezKrafty Etsy - http://www.sheezkrafty.etsy.com/
SheezKrafty Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/sheezkrafty

Goodness, lots of links! Please know that we appreciate your support over the years and can't wait for many more! Thank YOU for believing in us and in our new endeavor!

Cheers! B

SheezKrafty

I decided today to feature my oldest in her endeavour to promote her jewelry making. She and her friend repurpose and reuse vintage jewlery into new jewlery pieces. It is awesome and it is a creative outlet for her to pass her time and make a little money. Please check out her wonderful pieces at SheezKrafty...and She Writes!

Formal info

Yesterday I posted a picture of the crocheted formal that my mother made for my prom. I was at the cabin so did not have access to the magazine to show the actual magazine she got it out of so here it is. Oh, and by the way, no I did not marry my high school sweetheart. Actually, I really didn't have a sweetheart until I met The Hubby a year out of high school. The guy in the pic was just a guy I dated some, and was "in love" with as are most teenage girls. The cute guy was just a guy. Did you notice the date, 1971!



Excuse me a minute..............My stupid mouse is not working..........I dropped it last night on a hardwood floor and the roller thingy...is...just...not...working...awww, I found a tiny screwdriver and I have it apart....and...Yipee, I fixed it. Okay, now on to stuff.

This afternoon I attended yet another baby shower for a friends daughter. I've only met the girl a few times but she is a doll and her mother is probably the NICEST person I have ever, ever met in my entire life. I just had to make a blanket for her. I crocheted a cute little sea foam green one that was just perfect. She's having a boy so I'm almost through my stack of blue for boys. I need to have some girls to be born as that stack has not been touched lately. Everybody seems to be having boys.

This weekend we spent time with friends at the cabin and what a nice weekend it was. It was rather low key with a lot of wine, good food and down time with friends. When we drove up the first thing I noticed were my clematises that were blooming. Just beautiful. We have stone ring right off the front porch where once stood a great water oak tree. The tree did not like all the construction we had to do when relocating the nasty septic system and so he died. The Hubby had the top lopped off but left a 7-8' stump sticking out of the stone ring. I got the bright idea last year to fill it further with compost and soil and plant clematis. It gets full sun which are perfect for them. As my Granny used to say, "Heads in the sun, feet in the shade." So I planted and mulched and this year they are spectacular. Last year I planted giant zinnia's around and so when the clematis were through I had flowers all summer long. I will do that again this year but not so giant as they took over but they were stunning.

In the other flowerbed the hostas are up and the tulips are dying back.
My Italian Arum has started to die back. It came from my mother's garden which in turn came from my great grandmother's garden so it is a very old plant. It comes up and is a beautiful dark green with the cream marks about October or November and will stay green all winter until about May then you won't see it again.

Then The Hubby got busy and pulled a stump in another corner flowerbed that died last year. It was very diseased and just couldn't make it. I'm going to work the bed up and plant a Japanese Kerria Shrub there. It has beautiful yellow button flowers that bloom late spring and I've seem them bloom again during the summer. They have a wonderful green stem that stays green all winter long. If you get one BE SURE to get the double. The single is just not as pretty. I like to plant a flowering almond with it as they are smaller but have the same button flowers that are beautiful pink.

A Quiet Week

I have been pretty quiet this week. I've had a lot on my mind but it is not ANYTHING I can share right now. I can't stand that as I'm a pretty open person but my "lips" are tied. I guess I'll just blog about junk stuff.

Bowling this week: I kicked ASS! My average is 140 but this week I bowled 169, 159 and 134. I even had a turkey in the first game (3 strikes in a row). Our team is in first place this trimester and will probably will be in the roll off for 1st Place for the season! Woot, Woot! I love to bowl.

Of course I had the painting class which, as I have written before feeds my absolute soul. I can hardly wait to go to class each and every week. It's a time I look forward to each and every week but is sad that I can only do it once a week. I am attempting to create a space at home to set up my painting stuff to LEAVE out. This week I started to clean out my closet in MY room. It looks like my closet has thrown-up all over the place. I found my mother's sewing box. It was an old cigar box filled with brittle thread, buttons, needles and yellowed lace. I had to put it back up on the shelf because it made me sad and I was not in the mood to be sad. I had to continue on digging through stuff. I found old crochet yarn, knitting needles and old patterns that Granny and Momma used to use. In fact, I found the magazine of crochet that my mother used to make my prom dress.

My main objective is to sort through all the family history stuff and pictures and my girls stuff. I found their school papers, grade cards and school pictures. I'm just hugely nostalgic this week. It is going to take me weeks to get this all together but will so worth it.

Good Saturday Morning

Good Saturday morning too all. What an absolutely beautiful morning. The Hubby and I decided to stay in town this Easter weekend 1)to dog sit the granddog, 2)to have Easter dinner with my family. Really hate to miss such an awesome day at the cabin (tomorrow rain) but that's okay. Last night I fixed a nice dinner, we shared a great bottle of wine and then spent the evening watching Slumdog Millionaire. I finished yet another baby blanket while the movie was on. I have to keep my hands busy and watching a movie is the perfect place to crochet.

My sleep last night was just full of dreams, lots of dreams. I woke up about 1:30 with a start. My heart was beating like you wouldn't believe. I dreamed I was being chased by a brown bear. There was roaring and running and screaming....AWWWWHHHHHH! Sorry, scared myself to death last night. I tried to go back to sleep but kept trying to go back to running from that stupid bear. Finally, I drifted back off and dreamed nice dreams, not sure what they were now but I didn't wake up scared again.

This morning we were up about 7:30. Got to sleep in a couple of hours. Nestled in with coffee and paper The Hubby started up the movie we began to watch last night, Letters from Iwo Jima. I think it is the opposite side of the movie we watched a few weeks ago, Flags of our Fathers. Intense movie I can tell you. So movie watching means begin another baby blanket.

Today The Hubby has left to hit the flea market and possibly go to the cabin. He can hardly stand it because it is time for the crappie to start biting. So he may or may not go and spend the night. I don't mind. I did tell him to come back before I had to leave in the morning for my Daddy's. I cannot manage to get the granddog, Mondo, into the garage to leave. He's just to big and will not budge. He will need to take Mondo back to his home and install him in his garage, which he likes. He does not like ours. We are going to have a family dinner at my Daddy's. He called me to let me know he had bought a huge ham and doesn't know what he is going to do with it. I took that as, "Please spend Easter here and eat." So I called the siblings and we are all going to show up. We will have the ham, again my famous oven roasted sweet potatoes (secret is jalapeno salt), oven roasted asparagus with red peppers, and deviled eggs. I am providing the veggies and eggs. The SIL is bring a salad and a dessert. I didn't ask Sis to do anything as she is is such a state of depression that would mean she would have to go out into the world. Ever since the heart scare she has been down the lowest I have ever seen her. They took her off her hormones and she has had the scare of her life so no wonder she is depressed. I hope the meds will kick in here pretty soon so she can get back to being the happy person she used to be.

Happy Bunny Day...

I start my day...(#496)

I start my day, rousing myself out of a nice comfortable bed to the sounds of The Hubby clinking his spoon in his oatmeal bowl and the History Channel blaring on the living room TV. I really don't mind. I usually I have to hit the bathroom so bad I can hardly walk. Plus, my carpel tunnel in my right hand has been driving me nuts all night long. It numbs and most of the time there is no pain. I guess I'm lucky there as most people have pain. Mine is from using the mouse all day yesterday playing ClubPOGO and crocheting a mountain of booties and baby blankets the last few months while watching TV.

Finally B will be in the office so I can at least have half a day here at home to work on my story and of course read some of my favorite blogs and post a new entry here. I pad off into the kitchen to get another cup of coffee and grab my story notes but as I stroll by the sink full of last nights dishes I decide I had better clear it out first.So I rinse off the dirty again and load my cute little drawer dishwasher (I have two, one on top of the other).

That accomplished I proceed to make my yummy coffee. I have a hot water dispenser. When we remodeled the house that was the ONE thing I insisted on was a hot water dispenser for my hot tea and our Toddy Coffee concentrate. The sun is finally shining through my window and it rejuvenates me this morning. I can get so very depressed this time of year but if I stay really busy it will pass. With all this ice, sleet and snow I missed my writing group, bowling, and tonight three of my oldest friends and I were going out to dinner but we decided to postpone till next week. I told The Hubby last night that since we canceled that HE is taking me out tonight. I have cooked dinner or added a dish to a group effort (at the cabin) for two weeks now and I am tired of eating my own stuff. I want sushi and a cosmopolitan! I thought we were going to the cabin this weekend but I think we will stay in town and let him finish catching up on his invoicing (more work for me on Monday.) I need to go see my daddy's new bathroom remodel and emphasize how much WE have spent on Daddy's house to my brother and especially my sister. They are definitely not forking out any money to help him but we have several times and when it comes down to the wire of where we have to put him, she has already said he would live with her! I will take her up on that though. It's funny, she gripes about me all the time to my Daddy, saying she doesn't approve or like the way I do things, well, I know who's the favorite! The contractor stopped by the office yesterday and he said that The Hubby and I were the ones Daddy talked non-stop about, over and over again! I'm really just kidding about the gloating thing. We three, B, D and I have a good relationship with each other and with our father. There is a little tension sometimes but we ALWAYS let the love for each other rule all our decisions and we are very fair with each other, sometimes. We'll see at a later date that I don't want to discuss now.

Boy, did I get off the beaten path here. I was just going to blog about my rather boring life and here I go ranting about sibling stuff! Cheers to the day!