Colleen and I went to the Bid n Buy at her boss' church last night.
It's always fun -- I see a few people each year that I only see once a year (at the B n B).
A nice dinner and then the B n B.
We came home with a nice stash of loot -- felt like pirates!
She won a brandy new Coach purse.
And a gift basket with a piece of art from the Lucy The Elephant (a great piece of history here in Atlantic City) .
http://www.atlanticcitynj.com/lucy_the_elephant.aspx
I won a health basket, a footed Lenox bowl, a book, an exercse Pilates thingy and South Beach Diet book, a grouping of Mikasa crystal and a toaster.
Maybe it's good kharma, or good planning, or being in the right place at the right time!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Comes and Goes....
I'm still not happy with my BFAC.
I am not sure why this is tormenting me so.
Today it will get cut apart AGAIN for reformation number 3 (I think).
The shape is just not correct. I think there is a combination of what I have with what I WANT it to look like.
My problem is I am too darned picky with it. It has to suit ME and right now, it just is not suiting me.
Sometimes I envy people who just fling beads on -- there are a few that I know that have no patterns and bead 5 and 6 at a time (embroidery). I just can't do it that way. Each of the darned little buggers have to lay exactly right.
I am not sure why this is tormenting me so.
Today it will get cut apart AGAIN for reformation number 3 (I think).
The shape is just not correct. I think there is a combination of what I have with what I WANT it to look like.
My problem is I am too darned picky with it. It has to suit ME and right now, it just is not suiting me.
Sometimes I envy people who just fling beads on -- there are a few that I know that have no patterns and bead 5 and 6 at a time (embroidery). I just can't do it that way. Each of the darned little buggers have to lay exactly right.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
BFAC is now moving along
SLOWLY, but I am in the initial groove.
My new progress involved shaving it..... that is all I will say for now.
Today I will spend more time with it -- but I still am toying with a color to add.... a rich rich blue or a mango.
My new progress involved shaving it..... that is all I will say for now.
Today I will spend more time with it -- but I still am toying with a color to add.... a rich rich blue or a mango.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
?????
Could I possibly have too many beads?
If I find bags with bead in them... that I don't remember buying....... does that mean I have too many?
If I find bags with bead in them... that I don't remember buying....... does that mean I have too many?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Not groovin' on the BFAC thang ...
I am on the 2nd incarnation of my BFAC project.
I am NOT happy.
When Momma ain't happy, she just grumps around.
Nothing about it is making me happy.
NOTHING.
I can not find the groove and do something.
My goal is not to fling something together.
My goal has always been to make something different -- something that speaks KATE-ese.
I'm silent right now.
::: sigh :::
I am NOT happy.
When Momma ain't happy, she just grumps around.
Nothing about it is making me happy.
NOTHING.
I can not find the groove and do something.
My goal is not to fling something together.
My goal has always been to make something different -- something that speaks KATE-ese.
I'm silent right now.
::: sigh :::
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Adriana Trigiani
One of my favorite authors is Adriana Trigiani, who wrote, among other things, the Big Stone Gap trilogy.
In the 1980's I spent a lot of time in BSG, VA.
BSG is a warm family town.
It's a small town, a coal mining town, a good place to be from.
I still have friends that live there.
I have friends from nearby.
People who I can call and the conversation will pick up just like we left it the last time.
We laugh, we giggle, we get serious.
But most of all, we are friends.
Memory fails me as to exactly WHY I went out to Adriana's website -- perhaps something about the latest book. I just can't remember.
On a whim, I clicked on the button marked Appearances.
Good God ya'll -- she had an appearance scheduled for North Jersey!
I have too much vacation time to use before June 30 and made a split second decision to make the trip up.
(It also gives Himself the chance to see His kids).
The luncheon/tea/appearance/book signing was going to be at Blessed Sacrament Church.
I called and made the arrangements -- sent in my check to Vita, etc. Vita was specific in directions:
"Wear a hat and bring your teacup".
Hmmmmmmmm ...........
The trip up was uneventful. Just the basic 2.5 hour trip up the Garden State Parkway.
We were a half an hour early.
He decided to go off and spend His own time doing "His" thing while I had my time.
Sometimes it is a bit intimidating to do something alone.... but hey, that's part of the adventure!
There we were in the gym -- Vita took excellent care of me -- I was at Table 6 -- almost dead center and up very close.
It was a bit intimidating to sit at that table alone and not have anyone to chat with. Luckily a lady next to me was in almost the same boat. We began to chat and discovered we had similar views about books, libraries and reading. I enjoyed her tremendously.
I hardly remember the lunch part -- a little turkey sandwaich and some olives. I had my teacup and had a nice cuppa.
Desert was cookies, I think. But not being a huge desert fan (unless we are talking Juniors cheesecake...), again my memory fades.
Before speaking, Adriana set up shop at a little table to sign books, etc.
I went over and stood in line (alone, remember). While in line I met two wonderful ladies: Janet and Joan.
Janet was holding a place in line for Joan (who was running late). We chatted and visited and it was quite pleasant. Joan arrived -- how can I describe Joan? She's older, high spirited and wearing a great straw hat.
We laughed and visited and bantered. Did I mention that I love to good-naturedly banter with someone?
At one point I told her that she just had to trust me --- "I'm a fun girl, you'll see".
They both lamented that they had not brought camera's. I had my little Luminix (the $35 bargain on eBay) and volunteered to take their pictures with Adriana.
Adriana -- a beautiful, funny, caring, amazing woman. When I first got to the table, just like everyone else, I told her that her books were fascinating. Then I told her that one of my dearest friends was Karen Kilgore -- she squealed and I squealed and then we began talking about BSG -- she knew from the things I said, that I KNOW Big Stone Gap. We both talked about the character that IS Karen in the last BSG book. The conversation was great. She signed the book I brought with me (the first in the BSG series) and the cookbook that I bought for Colleen.
A picture of us was taken -- with the promise that I would email it to Karen. Before I left, she made me write down my name and address and email. Who knows????
I hung around to take the pictures of Janet and Joan -- because I promised to email them.
Joan was such a sweetie -- her husband had just died three weeks ago. Janet told me that they had been married almost 60 years. That made me smile. Joan made me smile.
As we were walking back to our respective tables, I promised to send the pictures. Joan turned to me, in a serious voice and told me that I was "... one fine bitch."
That made me laugh out loud -- a deep laugh -- definitely a feel good laugh.
And I hugged her and told her that THAT was one of the best things anyone could ever say to me.
Adri's presentation was hilarious ! I laughed and felt like I had known her family forever !
On the way out, I stopped and said goodbye to Joan and Janet.
I told Joan that she made my day and was someone that I would think about with a smile because she certainly made my day. As I left, I can still see that wonderful beautiful smile.
What a great day I had.
In the 1980's I spent a lot of time in BSG, VA.
BSG is a warm family town.
It's a small town, a coal mining town, a good place to be from.
I still have friends that live there.
I have friends from nearby.
People who I can call and the conversation will pick up just like we left it the last time.
We laugh, we giggle, we get serious.
But most of all, we are friends.
Memory fails me as to exactly WHY I went out to Adriana's website -- perhaps something about the latest book. I just can't remember.
On a whim, I clicked on the button marked Appearances.
Good God ya'll -- she had an appearance scheduled for North Jersey!
I have too much vacation time to use before June 30 and made a split second decision to make the trip up.
(It also gives Himself the chance to see His kids).
The luncheon/tea/appearance/book signing was going to be at Blessed Sacrament Church.
I called and made the arrangements -- sent in my check to Vita, etc. Vita was specific in directions:
"Wear a hat and bring your teacup".
Hmmmmmmmm ...........
The trip up was uneventful. Just the basic 2.5 hour trip up the Garden State Parkway.
We were a half an hour early.
He decided to go off and spend His own time doing "His" thing while I had my time.
Sometimes it is a bit intimidating to do something alone.... but hey, that's part of the adventure!
There we were in the gym -- Vita took excellent care of me -- I was at Table 6 -- almost dead center and up very close.
It was a bit intimidating to sit at that table alone and not have anyone to chat with. Luckily a lady next to me was in almost the same boat. We began to chat and discovered we had similar views about books, libraries and reading. I enjoyed her tremendously.
I hardly remember the lunch part -- a little turkey sandwaich and some olives. I had my teacup and had a nice cuppa.
Desert was cookies, I think. But not being a huge desert fan (unless we are talking Juniors cheesecake...), again my memory fades.
Before speaking, Adriana set up shop at a little table to sign books, etc.
I went over and stood in line (alone, remember). While in line I met two wonderful ladies: Janet and Joan.
Janet was holding a place in line for Joan (who was running late). We chatted and visited and it was quite pleasant. Joan arrived -- how can I describe Joan? She's older, high spirited and wearing a great straw hat.
We laughed and visited and bantered. Did I mention that I love to good-naturedly banter with someone?
At one point I told her that she just had to trust me --- "I'm a fun girl, you'll see".
They both lamented that they had not brought camera's. I had my little Luminix (the $35 bargain on eBay) and volunteered to take their pictures with Adriana.
Adriana -- a beautiful, funny, caring, amazing woman. When I first got to the table, just like everyone else, I told her that her books were fascinating. Then I told her that one of my dearest friends was Karen Kilgore -- she squealed and I squealed and then we began talking about BSG -- she knew from the things I said, that I KNOW Big Stone Gap. We both talked about the character that IS Karen in the last BSG book. The conversation was great. She signed the book I brought with me (the first in the BSG series) and the cookbook that I bought for Colleen.
A picture of us was taken -- with the promise that I would email it to Karen. Before I left, she made me write down my name and address and email. Who knows????
I hung around to take the pictures of Janet and Joan -- because I promised to email them.
Joan was such a sweetie -- her husband had just died three weeks ago. Janet told me that they had been married almost 60 years. That made me smile. Joan made me smile.
As we were walking back to our respective tables, I promised to send the pictures. Joan turned to me, in a serious voice and told me that I was "... one fine bitch."
That made me laugh out loud -- a deep laugh -- definitely a feel good laugh.
And I hugged her and told her that THAT was one of the best things anyone could ever say to me.
Adri's presentation was hilarious ! I laughed and felt like I had known her family forever !
On the way out, I stopped and said goodbye to Joan and Janet.
I told Joan that she made my day and was someone that I would think about with a smile because she certainly made my day. As I left, I can still see that wonderful beautiful smile.
What a great day I had.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
There is something wrong with me....
I know that it is ME.
There is something wrong with me
Someone I know --- barely has a 'real' job.
no benefits.... no way to consider preparing for the future.
But yet, he has every new toy to hit the market.
A Droid,
a new 35mm SLR camera,
now a new iPad.
The person doesn't have a car.
This person EXPECTS the kindness of others.
I don't get it.
Am I a freak of nature -- that I am responsible?
Am I just a freak ??
Am I a tightwad?
I won't spend $30 a month for internet access on a cell phone.
Who's the freak here??
There is something wrong with me
Someone I know --- barely has a 'real' job.
no benefits.... no way to consider preparing for the future.
But yet, he has every new toy to hit the market.
A Droid,
a new 35mm SLR camera,
now a new iPad.
The person doesn't have a car.
This person EXPECTS the kindness of others.
I don't get it.
Am I a freak of nature -- that I am responsible?
Am I just a freak ??
Am I a tightwad?
I won't spend $30 a month for internet access on a cell phone.
Who's the freak here??
Ephiphany
Well, I didn't really have one....... but Colleen sort of had one for me.
Again, I was struggling with BFAC.
Last night I changed everything I was working on -- including an added bead.
New project.
New attitude.
Yes, I am on my way (again....)
Again, I was struggling with BFAC.
Last night I changed everything I was working on -- including an added bead.
New project.
New attitude.
Yes, I am on my way (again....)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Author: Adriana Trigiani
I adore her books.
With the exception of the young adult book, I have read them all -- and love them all.
Can't pick a favorite -- Lucia Lucia is high on the list, so is Rococo.
But then the entire Big Stone Gap series holds a wonderfully warm place in my heart.
I KNOW BSG -- spent many nice times there -- and one of my dear friends is in the last book.
Adriana Trigiani makes me smile, makes me think, makes me laugh, makes me sad sometimes too.
At any rate, here is a quote from the most recent book, Brava Valentine:
"Next is a small purse of filet mignon in pastry, then a fresh salad of greens and pignoli nuts with sliced oranges.
I forget my troubles and slights, and do what I do best no matter what else is happening in the universe: eat. I enjoy every single bite.
Every once in a while I look down to the end of the table where Carlotta and Gianluca are engrossed in conversation, and shovel in another bite in their honor."
With the exception of the young adult book, I have read them all -- and love them all.
Can't pick a favorite -- Lucia Lucia is high on the list, so is Rococo.
But then the entire Big Stone Gap series holds a wonderfully warm place in my heart.
I KNOW BSG -- spent many nice times there -- and one of my dear friends is in the last book.
Adriana Trigiani makes me smile, makes me think, makes me laugh, makes me sad sometimes too.
At any rate, here is a quote from the most recent book, Brava Valentine:
"Next is a small purse of filet mignon in pastry, then a fresh salad of greens and pignoli nuts with sliced oranges.
I forget my troubles and slights, and do what I do best no matter what else is happening in the universe: eat. I enjoy every single bite.
Every once in a while I look down to the end of the table where Carlotta and Gianluca are engrossed in conversation, and shovel in another bite in their honor."
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