So -- I signed up for the Bead Bead Hoarders Swap ---- I forgot to take pictures of the beads I sent.... way to go Kate! Here are sone shots of the bounty o' beads that I received -- the last picture is poor quality because I was trying not to show what I am working on . Well, I was going to upload them but for some reason Blogger is no longer very user friendly --- I am going to have to figure out how to get them up from the mac files to her grrrrr

Back in the saddle again

It took me a bit to re-surfac here .... but here I am. All shine and maybe not so new. But I'm going to give this a shot again My art is scattered to the winds now -- beading, quilting, embroidery, metal, tatting. And I have never strayed far from photography. But I am going to try harder to document.

Blah, Blah, Blah … " I's os great …. I have to write about it and tell you I am great…" Blah Blah Blahblabity Blah. as they say here in NJ: " ..Just saying' that;s all …….."

Life

For the record, I am afraid. For the record, I am scared. For the records, I am terrier. And I don't know what to do Our life is turned upside down. Today is day 21 -- Van has been in CCU for 21 days. I don't believe the doctors are helping . His surgeon has been on vacation for 2 weeks. The partner has yet to visit the room. I am sick to death of dealing with the nurse practioneer. I am confused, afraid and don'tknow what to do.

I have become interested in mini macrame. And also got sucked in to Pintrest. I tried so hard to "PIN" the link to KnotJustMacrame.com -- but could not seem to make it work. Those tiny little knots are amazing to me. http://www.knotjustmacrame.com People tell me that they could not bead -- I wonder if I can knot?? And there is something about them that reminds me of my life.

Catch up

I've neglected my blog. Badly. Perhaps I need to resurrect it in order to maintain some order in my life. Yeah ... THAT'S the ticket ... Ok To do So much going on. Van is in the hospital. 7 hour surgery yesterday. I am not sure what Colleen and I would do without each other. The three of us are family -- we need each other. No doubt about that -- we are critical to the life of all of us. Without either of them my life would be empty . 'Nuff said for now. I am going strong to stay positive.

I'm so bad about posting -- I tried. Must. Try. Harder. Must. Succeed. At any rate, the timed, they are a changing'. Two weekd from today, I will be married. Married. It is not something that the fat chick ever thought would happen. Be that as it may, I love, I am loved, and I have the most wonderful family that you could ask for. We survived the hurricane. And I am blessed for that. A bout with Vertigo has been somewhat tedious but I am determined to overcome that too. All in all, my life is wonderful.

Getting old and change ....

Sometimes .... sometimes I say ... I will admit that I harbor third, "ideas" ... ok... sometimes I harbor resentment.
Sheesh.
It's true.
I just read someone's blog in which they pontificated about what they do ... and believe me, this is NOT the norm.
It irritated me.
I wanted to add a comment and says ".. oh no you don't !!" .
But then I realized that maybe sometimes they do just that they say they do.
And maybe that time we spent together was NOT the norm for them.

Colleen tells me often that I need to let go of things.
I know I should.

My grandmother used to tell me that I was wasting emotion -- especially if the other person had no idea of the way I felt.

Ok -- this is Kate -- trying to let go of some resentment.
The person doesn't know how I feel ... and unless I have the opportunity to tell them, who is it irritating?
only me.

Only me.

Change is good, I guess....

... but I really do not like the new look of Blogger.
It makes it hard for this old woman to come back and try to update.

But I digress. I CAN do it.

I came back

Good lord, has it been this long since I was here? I must be more consistent with myself. This is MY record. And I need it. sigh.

Wedding Photographer

Did I fail to mention that I was NOT impressed with the photographer and his wife?
He was irritable and cranky.
Was rude to a lady in a wheelchair.
And took very few pictures.
When we took some, he stalked us.

I could have done better.

Wedding

We traveled to north Jersey yesterday, to the wedding of a dear friend.
Had a great time -- despite having to drive like a crazy person -- my hairdresser was late. I wanted my hair blown out nicely for the wedding.
She was late (even though "I" was early) -- took someone ahead of me.
I had to wait.
Should have let Colleen do it for me instead as it would have looked better, I think...

ANYWAY -- much fun and laughter.
Dancing ... and I have blisters on me tootsies!

and back to work tomorrow after a week off.
I need the structure back in my life.

Zoo -- quickie

We went to the Philly Zoo yesterday -- the FIRST Zoo in the United States.
Had a great time.
Weather was good!
Knee was not, but that is what it is.

I need to work the photo's and get them up.

Well said.

http://gothamist.com/2011/09/11/star-ledgers_eloquent_front_page_on.php#photo-2

Photo's

Colleen is SUCH a nag.
I worked on editing photo's yesterday.

I need to be more of a push for it -- I spend entirely too much time looking and thinking.. and looking and thinking some more.

My need is to look at it, decide and MOVE ON !!

Once that is done, I can be more confident in myself.
And eliminate the "but what about"s.....

For the record

... some whisks are just not made to have chocolate cake batter licked off of them...

that's all I am saying........

Self-Medication

I have decided to self-medicate with german chocolate cake -- albeit a small one -- because Ken Rudolph is leaving TVG.
Ken and Matt are the ONLY reasons I enjoy watching TVG -- well, other than the horses.
Their banter, the humor, and the down right good nature -- make it happen.
Some of the announcers drone on and on and on.

Ack !!
And before Breeder's Cup too...
::: sigh :::
what's a girl to do?

well, bake a german chcolate cake of course!
and none of that from scratch stuff.
I reached for the Duncan Hines and the canned frosting.... quick and easy.
self gratification, thy name is Kate.

Moving right along....

The weather is intensifing.
We've had a rainy day.
Now the wind is picking up.
I napped for about an hour because I am not planning on sleeping much tonight.
Might do another load of laundry.
Need to pack a bag to put in the car "just in case".

The Plan:
going back to the living room and will bead.
I'm hoping that we will get SOME of the Travers coverage.
I want to see that race!!!

Irene

I'll admit it. I am afraid.
Irene is terrifying me.

I have my family and my furbabies beside me.
But I am afraid.

The house is a house.
it is full of things.
our things.

our life.
our memories.
the state and national says this is a potentially 100 year storm.
i've been through hurricans in Florida.
but nothing with the flooding potential like this.
we are 3 blocks from the mandatory evacuation line.
my office is ON the road that is the mandatory evacuation line
and it is still open.

I am stressed.
we have supplies.
I love my family so much.

The Dragon came to visit

The Dragon came for a visit this week.
And tried to engage me in a small battle.
I refused to pick up the game piece when it was thrown down.
Refused to lift up my lance.

Several people commented on how miserable The Dragon looked.

I survived, but I think I had my first anxiety attack (and the second).