Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Collector

She's "the collector"......she doesn't collect just anything. She collects things that make her feel good and things that she hopes make others feel good when they see them. She's been collecting for a very long time......when you ask about something on the shelf, or on the wall, or sitting in a corner, she doesn't reply with a noun. She replies with a story of where she got it and how. You come to understand who she is through the things she loves and the stories that make those things so special.


One of my favorite collections is her collection of needlework that she's so carefully hung on the walls throughout her cabin in the mountains. They all look like they are at home on those walls and they all make you feel good when you look at them.


The last time we were up, I took a few pictures of some of the needlework. Unfortunately, they weren't great pictures, but I hope you'll get an idea of who she is from the ones I did get. It is quite an extensive collection!

Below is a piece that has some gorgeous crewel work! Someone put alot of love in this piece....






This is the sibling of the one up above....it's so much more beautiful that it looks here....I really need to take those photography classes!




Another great example of my lack of photog skills.....but it does give you an idea of how much she loves these pieces....


Yes, she is a collector......and she loves each and every piece....and they make her feel good.....and they make me feel good. She my friend and I love her. Who? Why Melinda, of course!!!
Throughout this post I've been trying to think of something that I collect......initially I couldn't think of anything....then.......I realized that I collect cooking tools and cookbooks and Martha Stewart magazines and books! I love each and every one of them......and they make me feel good!

What do you collect?

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

25 Years Ago........


I was three weeks past my due date and still working......I had been sending out a weekly newsletter to the Realtors I worked with called "The Stork Report".....anticipation built starting at around 38 weeks.....and then the reports kept coming. My feet were so big that I was wearing men's slippers the last two weeks (the best I could find was navy blue) and I was worn beyond belief. At the time doctors just didn't want to "induce" a first delivery unless the baby was in distress.....and she wasn't.


I had been scheduled to go to the hospital on Monday morning for a "stress test", when on Saturday afternoon, while shopping for a new TV for my maternity leave, I went into labor....or so I thought (3.5 weeks late.....duh!!!!). I was at Circuit City and my salesperson asked when I was due...."3.5 weeks ago"...and he turned white. Being Columbus Day weekend, the place was packed and he moved me to the front of the line. TV...check....pizza delivery....check.


The next morning my contractions were 2-4 minutes apart, but very irregular. We went from Sandbridge (where we lived) to Great Bridge for a visit, but the contractions didn't let up. My thoughts? "Hey, let's just go on in....maybe they'll do the stress test and I won't have to be here tomorrow morning at 7 AM!!!"


When we arrived at the hospital, for some reason, I really didn't think "this is it"....what was I thinking? This baby is 3.5 weeks late!


And then, 9 hours later I heard the shout, "it's a girl".....and I became a Mom.


Happy Birthday, Shelby!!!! I'm a very lucky Mom....I brought into this world two great kids.....and today is 25 years from the day it all began. Thank you for making me a Mom. I love you!!!!!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Sooo....what am I doing this evening???

Carving pumpkins? Hmmm....no....probably a little early for that, I think.I'm making the centerpieces for one of Dennis' best friends' wedding tomorrow! She wanted fall colors....these look fall-ish, don't you think?Here's the finished product!
In the morning I'll be finishing up with two arrangements she wants for the buffet area.....wait and see!

Funny Friday #2!!!

Thanks to the same BFF that inspired Funny Friday, here's the newest laugh!





This really is funny.....posted by Denise Sutton on Facebook.....re-found on YouTube.com!



Friday, October 2, 2009

Funny Friday!

Common sense tells me this post should actually be a "Funny Monday" because we ALL need some humor on Mondays, right? But an old (as in how long we've known each other) friend of mine, Denise, posted this on Facebook a bit ago and so begins Funny Friday!

Check this out.....it is funny! Thanks, Denise!!!