New Year, New Table

~Some scenarios are fortuitous. Some are just pure luck. Either way, I wound up with a man who can create out of wood, just about anything I dream up. I love old, worn, humble pine furniture. No gloss...no shellac, no enamel. Just plain old painted wood. I often need a small piece of furniture to fit into one of the nooks and crannies that make up our old house.

~Such was the case just last week, when I complained for the 100th time or so, about all the wires that are visible on the floor from my laptop,the lamp, and the cell phone charger. .
"Can you make me a small table with tapered legs to fit into this space over here? Something to rest my laptop on? A place to set my coffee cup in the morning?" Next thing I know, the saw is going in the garage and I'm being asked what color paint I want!


~Here is the darling little table that hubby made for me. We did a crackle finish with Benjamin Moore Cottage Red and Olde Century Colors Lamp Black. Cute as can be and fits perfectly in the awkward space next to my easy chair.


~Happy New Year! Holy Cow!

Twas the week before Christmas...

~ Twas the week before Christmas and here on Cape Cod, Grandpa was reclining and giving a nod, to Grandma who was wrapping and trimming the tree, all bought with her shopping from an Internet spree.
~ The stockings were hung on the chimney with care, ready for Santa who would soon be there.
~ Cookies in the oven and pies on the sill.
~ Save some for Santa who undoubtedly will, arrive right on schedule with a splash heard by all, at the salt water's edge where he gives the call...
~ "Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Santa is here...bringing you gladness and holiday cheer.”
~ Grandma & Grandpa raise their glasses high, toasting another year of memories gone by.
~ With thanks for their blessings and health and good cheer.
~ "Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!"

SAD

~SAD...Seasonal Affected Disorder...a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the autumn and winter year after year. Hmmm...me thinks I see myself in this definition.
~For instance...the time changes back to Standard time this weekend. Happy to have the extra hour in the morning but not so much about the lack of light early in the evening. Sometimes, I wonder how I ever endured the winter months here in New England for most of my life. Not until we got to escape to sunny Florida each January, did I realize how "down" I get when the dreariness of winter sets in.
~Once upon a time, hubby and I enjoyed winter sports. We lived for snow so we could pile our skis into the car and brave the cold on some mountainside somewhere. It was a good way to spend quality time with our 4 children as well. And the clothes were cute.
~But now, the mere mention of snow and dropping temperatures depresses me. It means I can't ride my bike in the morning. It means I can't work outside in the yard. It means driving anywhere is going to be a pain in the neck. The trees are bare and the roadsides get messy with slush. I could whine about it all day.
~I will busy myself for now, decorating for Thanksgiving and then for Christmas. But after that, we're outta here...heading toward that sunshine that awaits us. Hmmm...warmth and sunshine. I like the sound of that.
~In the meantime, I'm also sewing aprons for the Holiday Gift Gallery that is held each year at the restored Highfield Hall mansion here in Falmouth. Part of each sale goes to benefit Highfield's restoration and the rest goes to little old me. Here's what I sewed up this week.


Bliss bouquet in teal





Meadowsweet Daisy Path




Check us out at www.apronsgonewild.etsy.com

Are You A Fish Out of Water?

~I saw this little blurb on a friend's facebook status today. It's a sweet reminder, perhaps, of how and why some people thrive while others spin in circles.
~There's a lot of discussion about praising kids for mediocre work these days. The effort is purported to be worth as much as the accomplishment. However, I'm always torn. While one kid is trying his hardest and struggling, is perhaps another just being lazy while both might be producing a low level result? How does a parent or teacher know the difference? IQ tests are not showing clear cut results anymore. Many adults find they have no interest in what a grade school achievement test showed them to be best suited for. Both hubby and I wonder what we were truly meant to do in life. Were we steered into careers or lifestyles that were what was expected of us? Or did we subconsciously achieve success because we were in the right place at the right time.
~People always bemoan later in life that they wish they'd followed their hearts when they were young rather than conform to the mold that society put them into. But I often wonder what part plain old fate plays in it all. I firmly believe that everyone is different and not all of us can throw a baseball or perform heart surgery. But we all don't have the drive to pursue our heart's desire either. Wishful thinking often takes up a lot of time. Blaming parents and teachers and friends for keeping hidden talents hidden is an easy out. If you look carefully, the fish usually knows it can't climb a tree so it expends its energy elsewhere. I can't build lasers or furniture like hubby can so I design and sew things that I need and like and I write stuff.
~Individuals usually find their own way. Being thoughtful about encouraging children is a good thing. But lavishing praise on everything might not be as worthy as acknowledging specific things in each child that are worthy of praise. Those who climb mountains often do it against the will of those closest to them. Not all success stories are products of a healthy, encouraging family life. We're not all good at everything and often, not even good at what we think we're good at! But most of us seem to find our way in spite of being told we can't.

Back with a Vengeance.

Okay...so I'm back. Back with a vengeance.

Seems the political season has heated up already. In spite of the fact that I often get into trouble with my offspring regarding voicing my political opinions, I've decided to go with it, rather than fight it. Guess it comes with age; speaking up, that is. I will celebrate my 70th birthday next week. I think I'm developing a bit of attitude. I remember my dad, who lived to be 98, saying things like, "I paid for this road, I can drive however I want!" Or..."I've lived longer than you so I know what I'm talking about."

My dad also loved to argue about politics. He and I came from different points of view. We would often argue until I was blue in the face. (Note that I said, "I" was blue in the face. Dad would just sit back, relax, and enjoy every minute of my frustration.)

But something happened to me throughout those years of arguing, discussing, whatever you might call it. I learned that it's important to have a political opinion and to voice that opinion, even when it's not popular. Standing up for one's beliefs is often difficult. It can cause hurt feelings (and migraine headaches)! But if we're all passive and constantly worried about being politically correct, we risk being run over by a giant truck called government.

There are two camps in politics. One believes in the individual. The other believes in government. Individual liberty versus socialization are two firm positions that come with plenty of fodder for argument. The argument is good and extremely important...and the argument shouldn't be stifled.

Missing In Action

~While I've been personally feeling guilty about neglecting my own blog, I can't help but notice that a few of the other bloggers whom I follow haven't been posting new material much either. I wonder what it is? Have we grown weary of writing about stuff? Or are we just getting lazy? In my own case, it seems that I just can't find the time anymore. Blogging is almost like keeping a diary;
the kind of thing where you write down your thoughts each day and muse over the things you've done as well as the people with whom you've interacted. It should be simple and fun. When it becomes a chore, you begin to neglect it. I guess I'm going through the chore phase. Each night I tell myself "You'd better write a new post!" But I end up shutting down my laptop and going to bed instead.
~Perhaps it's because the spring and summer seasons are hectic around here and there doesn't seem to be a good block of time alone to write? Or perhaps it's because we haven't done any new projects recently so I don't have as many stories to share. Or...I'm just getting lazy. In any event, I know how disappointed I get when I go to a blog that I enjoy reading only to find that I've already read their last blog post two or three times! Maybe we've all contracted some sort of blogger virus that's keeping us from updating things for our readers? I hope the enjoyment of writing new posts hasn't run its course for me; I hope I'm just going through a phase. And I hope the bloggers I follow haven't fallen into the same trap. I'll keep looking each day, hoping for updates. And I'll keep nudging myself to get back into the swing of it. We'll see.

Criminal Minds

Scary and Gory things make me uncomfortable and I hate to cry when I'm watching a movie. You know...that knot you get in your throat trying to hold it back? But for some unknown reason, I am addicted to the TV series, Criminal Minds. Talk about scary and gory!
Last night, I almost sobbed out loud when one of the main characters, JJ, was forced to leave. Then there's Dr. Reed, a quirky somewhat gawky young genius who has a eidetic memory and can rattle off facts a mile a minute. Hotchner, the leader of the group, almost never, ever smiles. But the episode where his wife is murdered, opens up a wave of emotions that let you know he does feel things, after all. Garcia comes off as the wacky but sweet and brilliant computer gal who can check out a profile online quicker than you can say, "Gotcha." But she's got a great big heart and a special relationship with the hunky Derek Morgan. Emily is the smart, serious one, who wears her weapon with style and doesn't hesitate to use it when needed.
Criminal Minds involves the FBI's behavior analysis bureau. Their job is to analyze clues and information gathered from a crime scene to figure out the personality, temperament and intent of the killer in an effort to prevent another murder that is certain to happen in short time according to the plot. I think I'm more addicted to the characters than the stories. Whatever it is, I find myself sitting up alone at night, wide eyed while munching on something or other watching the BAU do their stuff. As soon as hubby goes to bed, I walk around and lock all the doors, even the garage entry door (because that's how a lot of criminals find their way into the house), making myself nice and safe knowing that I'm going to hear noises that really aren't there for about an hour. Since stalkers are one of the more consistent profiles in Criminal Minds, I find myself wishing I didn't hate curtains as much as I do. Our windows are bare because it's a look I love. But at eleven o"clock at night, when I'm sitting all alone in the dark, I wish I could close the blinds that don't exist.
Chalk it up to quirkiness, I guess. For me, it's the best entertainment on TV at the moment!
Of course, I should be making more aprons and blouses for my etsy.com online shop instead of sitting watching television.

Check us out at http://www.apronsgonewild.etsy.com/. We have a new ruffled blouse that can be worn on or off the shoulder.