wild ride weather

It was 48 degrees and pouring rain last night then arctic front came through and temps dropped to single digits, it snowed and blew and it was a icy, cold mess today. We even had a snow emergency at work--which meant that we were only 70-80% of staff showed and if you worked on patient areas, you couldn't go home until someone relieved you--most of the people in my department showed up-some a little late. It was another bad day at work--glad it is done.
It is just amazing how the departments is run NOT!!!
It is still cold about 14 degrees but not a windy--I did have a huge drift in front of the garage to shovel. I took some pictures last night, this morning and after work--the snow was sticking to the windows and doors.

The eagles that I watch each year on Maine coast are back cleaning up and landing on their nest, They have been there 13 years and raised 20 babies. Last year was real tragic because a bad storm came through and the babies didn't survive

Tuesday talk

Let's see--- Monday was the busiest Monday at work ever and that is saying a lot-- I worked late, went to Walgreens for my Mom and then Sandy and I went to her parents house to do some stuff then we went to our mission trip meeting at one of the gal's houses--way back from the road on a long twisty slushy driveway with no lights!!!! We had a great meeting and had an hour long conference call with out trip coordinator who lives in Arizona--Shauna Fox who has adopted 6 kids and her family has adopted 22 kids-mostly older ones--WOW We got a lot of good info from her and she answered a ton of our questions.
By 915 it was time to leave--we had to back down the driveway due to all the other cars and got stuck so we walked back up the driveway--in the pouring rain and got some guys to push us out. We got to my Mom's house about 945pm!!! She was tired but had waited up for me. So I didn't get home until 1030pm then I had to finish Sandy's album on Winkflash and have her double check it so she could order it today. I think it turned out pretty nice.

Her mom is still in the hospital but off IVs so should be going back to rehab soon. Her Dad is coming along slowly--they had a team meeting about him today.
Work today was a little better but had to finish up yesterday's stuff--Hello!!! I am having a quiet evening at home despite to invites--I need some quiet time--working on some digital stuff.
I did get my monthly ATC artdoll swap from England today--very cool!!

Sunday quiet

It is a gray day in Michigan although the sun just came out as it set--took some pictures. I have had a pretty quiet day. Read newspapers, ran the dishwasher, etc.
My good friend Shauna was in the GR Press today.
http://blog.mlive.com/runningwithneedles/2008/01/mixed_media_artist_shares_fabr.html#more

It was a good article and interesting. There has been a discussion on the Artella forums recently about depression and creative people--seems to occur more often. Even a book or two out there on it. I'll have to try the fabric postcards--did tell the gal writing the article I would like to do a swap!!
Finished my ATC artdolls with "wings" theme


I also made my paper artdoll with theme of snow


Sandy's Dad ended up in ED today with dehydration and severe weakness but back to the rehab center now--it never stops it seems--so stressful for her. Hard to understand it all.

Stamp On It Saturday

Since it was the last Saturday of the month, that means spending the day at SOI. Starting with Altered Book Club at 10am--although they diddled around and people trickled in until 1045 then we did covers for our Vintage Valentine fat book. Nellie showed us what she had done but not much instruction really--we did get little kits of materials to use. Ellen gave us all another page to make which I did. I still have to punch mine and put together but since I own a Rolli-bind, I felt I could wait. We did get a lot of really nice pages. we never did have any meeting or anything except sign ups for next fatbook--schoolhouse shape and theme. We then had an informational meeting about what to do re: ATC club. Apparently there are a number of people who are tired of ATCs--altho we never did too many it seemed. We filled out a questionnaire and consensus was to change it to a more broad based club including altered art, collage, other things.

We need to think up a name by next month. It sounds like someone will do a technique/project each month and it you attend, you can or don't have to--not sure how it will all work out. We may need more structure than that. Right away, someone did not like the project for next month because it was a book--what happens is that we don't do those kind of books in AB club anyway unless Mary says so--generally we just do collage backgrounds and the like. It will sort itself out I am sure.

Sandy's Mom is doing better and bowel obstruction has gone away, pain is better so back to Brookcrest soon I would think--her Dad is doing pretty well there. I need to finish making cards for them tonight.

We also swapped out our Unruly Skyline cards--Here are the ones I got----

100 years ago

As year 2007 came to a close , it was interesting to see what it was like 100 years ago when Americans were getting ready to celebrate the end of 1907.

The average life expectancy in the U.S. Was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of homes in the U.S. Had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.

A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.
Theater goers were still watching silent movies.

There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S. and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
Four years earlier, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first sustained, controlled flights in a powered aircraft.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.

With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in the U.S. Was 22 cents per hour.
The average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year.
A dentist made $2,500 per year.
A veterinarian $1,500 per year.
And, a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. Took place at HOME.

Ninety percent of all U.S. Doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION. Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as "substandard".
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

The five leading causes of death in the U.S. Were: 1. Pneumonia and influenza 2. Tuberculosis 3. Diarrhea 4. Heart disease 5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars. Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 U.S. Adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
There were about 230 reported Murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.

One can only imagine what it will be like in another 100 years.My grandparents who were married in 1904.

Friday

Not doing much tonight, just cleaning up and re-arranging things on my computer. Thinking about paperdolls I have to make and gathering supplies. Made a new header for the blog. Continued cold but some sun today--I shoveled out more of the driveway.
Sandy's Mom landed back in the hospital with a bowel obstruction-a problem she has when she is on narcotics for pain--doing better tonight. Her Dad is doing pretty well in rehab so far. She is wiped out!!!

where has the week gone????

I can't believe it is Thursday already--it is my first night home all week. I have been working long hours and doing extra stuff. Sandy's parents were moved to subacute rehab yesterday so she has been busy getting them settled. We did get to go to the Civic Theatre last night to see "The Miracle Worker" which was wonderful--so well done.
I have been trying to catch up with everything tonight-finishing my swap for my Photo Art journal so it can get in the mail--just need to package it up now. I have been working on a 96page photo album online at Winkflash for Sandy's parents 65th wedding anniversary-- I need to have Sandy fill in some stuff them we can order it.
It have been cold, snowing and windy every day--first time this winter, we have big piles of snow out by the mailboxes. Streets have been slippery and icy. I did see a big full moon a few times the last 2 nights and mornings.
i bought some very cool hand made items from Marilyn in Clarkston that she made and selling to raise money for some friends--I got them today and love them--she also included a very cool card with a fabric ATC on the front. I need to take some pictures.

Healthy Level of Insanity

I think this will make my week----saw it online!!!

To Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It 'In.'
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write 'For Smuggling Diamonds'.
7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy.
8. Don t use any punctuation.
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat...use a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go.'12. Sing Along At The Opera.
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme.
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance , Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream 'I Won!, I Won!'
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, 'Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!'
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'

snowy Sunday

It snowed most of the day--very cold and windy. I think the high was 11 degrees. The cats cuddled together and slept on the bed except Max has been super hyper and naughty for 2 days--into everything!!!!!
I got caught up with talking with my Mom and Sandy's parents--all doing ok.
I worked on and finished my swap for ATC club next week called "UnRuLy SkYLiNe" We had to do 30 total so I did 15 of each--one is Grandpa's show repair after my grandfather who had a little shop in backyard by alley when I was little and did shoe repair--I still remember the equipment. The other one is Grandma's flower shoppe because I like flower shops. The second one shows the little doors open

Snow, wind, cold

That about says it all--it is currently 8 degrees, windy and wind chill is -4 degrees. I am so thankful for a warm house. My neighbor did snow blow the driveway and I did the front porch and edges but it was cold!!!

Let's see where did I leave off--Sandy's Dad is progressing some and is due to go to sub acute rehab--gets quite confused at night still--her brothers have been taking turns staying with him.

Thursday night after work, we went to serve at Trinity's Community kitchen which we try to do every few months--lots of people came--I just love to do this--it is so rewarding. All the people thank you and are so pleasant. I then went back to work to finish up for a couple of hours because I was so busy this week and so far behind!!! So another late night.

Friday, I had to be at the dentist at 830am--lots of ice on the roads and a little snow but sun came out. The dentist found a small cavity under an old filling so I have to go back and have that replaced. I did tell him that some of those old fillings were 50 years old!!!

I went to Sandy's house and helped her put Christmas stuff away then we went to church and met Ryan, Kim and Laura and we drove out to International Aid to shop for our trip. It was real interesting but not as big as selection as I would have thought--what we did find was already made up first aid kits in zip lock bags---- so we got 50 of them--light weight and easy to carry plus some books, first aid cream, formula. We decided we could get diapers cheaper at Sam's or Costco. Then back to the church and home--Sandy went up to the hospital. I worked on some pages I am doing for a red chunky book swap.

Sandy called about 930pm and said her brother just called to day her Mom had slipped going into the house and he had called 911--yes a broken femur it is --up by the hip. So back to the hospital for all of them. It was snowing real hard and roads were terrible all evening.

She had surgery today to put a rod in her femur and did well--so both parents in the same hospital--different floors. Sandy's 2 other brothers came home also so they can share the fun!!!

I have been working on my Vintage Valentine fat book pages for AB club at SOI next week and also my Unruly skyline swap for ATC club plus doing wash, etc. It was good to just stay in and get some things done

interesting week so far

Work has been super busy as usual--it is RSV bronchiolitis season plus all the usual illnesses!!! Monday night we got together with the rest of the group that is going to Guatemala, We shared a meal-tacos, chips, salsa, bean dip and some great desserts plus even Guatemalan coffee. We had Tony come and talk with us--he had lived there 2 years so shared his story and some photos. A few shared some of their research--I gave out my little journals--seemed to be a big hit. We learned about their flag, bull fighting. Discussed our itinerary, flights, etc. Didn't get done until after 930 so couldn't go to my Mom's house.

Tuesday I had to have a mammogram and then in the afternoon we had a team meeting which usually I try to avoid but had to attend--usual waste of time so was way behind on work. We picked up supper at Mr Burger and went and ate with my Mom and did her stuff. We had been there a while when Sandy got a call from her Mom that her Dad had collapsed and talking garbled so she had called 911 and ambulance about to take him to ED so we left and she dropped me home and went to ED. He is 96 years old and in pretty good shape but due to his atrial fib, he had thrown some small clots and was having stroke like symptoms--nothing showed on 2 cat scans so far. He is improving some but talking continuously-garbled and asking same questions over and over. Sandy stayed all night--no sleep for them--hard to keep him in bed!!! I went into work early to try and catch up some so worked about 9 1/2 hours today. Two of Sandy's brothers are flying in today so maybe she can get some rest. She made her Mom go home last night and sleep. The rehab people were in and feel he is a candidate for acute rehab but unsure if he has enough stamina to do it so time will tell.

It was a nice day today with sunshine and blue sky--in the mid 30s but it is going to get real cold this weekend and snow some more. I noticed the city finally has a big digger out in back and seem they might be starting to put in the sewer line connector they have been talking about for over a year--the reason we couldn't have a big garden this past summer. It would be nice if it got done before planting time.

catch up time

Today I had to do all the week's stuff I didn't do when I was sick!! Read all the newspapers, made 3# taco meat for potluck Monday night, ran dishwasher, watered plants, etc, etc Talked to my Mom several times--small talk. Finished my little journals for our meeting re: Guatemala I did some research on the arts and local hand work so included pictures of that kind of stuff. Here are a few of them--I used duct tape and electrical tape for color on the edges.

I saw this and felt it was so funny and true ------

Perks of being over 50

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

4. People call at 9 PM and ask, Did I wake you????

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 PM

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to payoff.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells are finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list

Great laugh for the day!!!

Snowed again today but doesn't seem to be staying--just a bit on the backyard

deep thoughts

It all started today with a funeral for a young man who died too young. One of the girls I work with-- son age 25, died the Friday before Christmas of an accident in the Philippines where he was visiting his girlfriend and baby--very sad and tragic. Today was the funeral. All I kept thinking was that he was "living " his life and that is all we can do!! Makes you stop and think about it all. Sandy and I had a conversation earlier about getting our houses clean, putting stuff away, etc so if you did die, no one would have to take care of it. She wanted this and was frustrated by never getting it all done. I don't care--I'll be dead -it is their problem but I want to live my life to the fullest right now--sure that would be nice to be totally organized, etc but it isn't going to happen soon. Although I did clean out a drawer of old bills and shredded them last week!!! I am sure that counts !!! Who wants to spend every minute when not working, cleaning, etc????
We have been having an interesting discussion on MIABA Yahoo group about future meetings, costs, where, when and how of everything, etc. We have grown so much that we have outgrown SOI. We will go there in March but we will see what happens after that. We probably can find a bigger place to rent--we have to pay at SOI now anyways. Some of the members want to split the group to east and west groups, have more structure, committees and have a yearly "convention" together. I wonder who is going to do all the work LOL!!! I just moderate the group so we shall see. I seem to attract controversy.
On to Guatemala, I am working on little journals for everyone to give out at our meeting Monday night. We had to each research a topic and I choose art--have been learning a lot about their painters, textiles and how they are made along with heritage of Mayans.
we have a potluck Monday night and decided the closest thing was Mexican food so we are all bringing stuff for tacos and chips and salsa. We have a speaker that lived in Guatemala for 2 years so should be interesting.
Today the sun did shine some and temps not bad--some snow on ground-sort of status quo. At least the roads are clear.
I have been working on my pages for the vintage Valentine fatbook for AB club at SOI on Jan 26th--got them printed, now need to finish them with embellishments.
This was written by a young girl with cancer-----

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,"Hi"
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry
through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Friday!!!!

Finally it is Friday I think I may be getting over this cold and sore throat--first morning I could swallow when I woke up!!! The weather has gone from dry and no snow to rain, sleet, and snow over night--should be a fun slide to work this am.
Yesterday, we had an appt at the Health Dept to get our Typhoid pills--I started them today--very specific--take on an empty stomach with full glass of water every other day for 4 doses-keep in refrigerator--if you do anything wrong, you have to start over and pay another $49. They did give us signs to put up for reminders.
Haven't done much this week as I have been so tired after working with this viral thing. I did get a strept screen but it was negative. I do have some projects this weekend to do

depressing

Between my sore throat, cough and all the rain, it is depressing. Yesterday it was up to 65 degrees and we had thunderstorms and lots of rain--we were even under a tornado watch---someone forgot it was winter here in Michigan!!! All the snow is gone and it is real gray--my grass is nice and green though. It is currently 55degrees and drizzling off and on. It is supposed to cool down.
We have been getting a lot of exciting emails about our trip to Guatemala in February. we have a ethnic food potluck next Monday and a speaker that lived there 2 years is going to give us some insight. I am working on my little cultural thing I am doing--about art of course!!
I have finished my Vintage Valentine fatbook page and it is printed--now to embellish --- the same with my Unruly skyline project--I decided on 2 different shops with little doors that open to interior--now to put it all together and embellish it.
I joined a 3for3 chunky book swap " the color red " that Lisa Vollrath is doing--all originals and will do more colors as year goes on--should have a nice book when we are done.
All the cats have done is sleep all day-occas they switch spots but that is about it!!!!

great retreat

Some very fluffy snow we had which is all melting as the temp today is 51 degrees--it must be the January thaw---

Despite my cold and sore throat, I had a wonderful time at Haworth Center in Holland with about 20 other scrapbookers Thursday through Saturday night--great food and accommodations. I was able to get 90 pages done while Sandy did some paper scrapping but mainly worked on a digital album of her parent's 65th wedding anniversary. I need to make a collage for the cover page. I am working on a trip to California I took in Feb 1998--did mostly San Diego pictures--lots of zoo and animal park pictures which are always fun.

Here are some pictures of the fun-- you will notice the good looking food!!!

My niece sent out New Years cards with the new baby--isn't she cute?

I am trying to get caught up with phone calls, newspapers and emails as I have to go back to work tomorrow which does not thrill me. I have been unpacking from 2 times away last week and the cats think they need to have some of my time also!!

sick!!!

Somehow I got a cold so eyes and nose running and I have to stop and blow my nose constantly--I hate colds. Just hope it is better before Thursday for our annual scrapbooking retreat at Haworth in Holland. I have been getting stuff ready for that--sorting some pictures and getting papers, etc. ready to go. I made some pocket cards out of Creative Memories paper that I got from Carol for every one that is coming--here is a sample of some of them------

It snowed all night and part of the day--lots of fluffy white snow. Some kids came to the door and wanted to shovel my driveway and sidewalk so I let them--paid them of course--did a great job. I have been taking down Christmas decorations and rearranging stuff- still have more to do.

Happy New Year!!!

Wow it has been a busy end of year and beginning of new year---it is hard to believe it is another year 2008. Yesterday, Sandy and I went out to Arnie's for breakfast-love their balanced breakfast and we had a coupon!! The to my Mom's for jobs and to do her pills then shopping then home for a bit to pack stuff. We then went to our friends Judi and Sue's condo where we talked, laughed, ate good food, rubber stamped cards, ATCs and calendars that we do every year.. We stayed up and watched the ball drop in New York then off to bed. I slept on the couch and Sandy got the spare bedroom, This morning we had a great breakfast of breakfast casserole, fruit and blueberry muffins then more rubber stamping, etc. We stayed until after Michigan won their bowl game!!! It had snowed a lot the previous night and was snowing again when we came home--quite treacherous actually. On of my wonderful neighbors had snowplowed my driveway!






Here are some pictures of birds from their window today







Here are some cool boxes my sister Phyllis made to give our gifts in this year---