It Is Friday

What a week.

I am SO looking forward to a looong weekend.

Famke has come down with whatever it is Jonge had.

Her poor little body was SO hot.

But, she is a tough little lady and was perfectly brave about the whole thing, as long as I held her. CONSTANTLY.

Have I mentioned lately that I do not mind that?

Anyway, the three of us plus the kitty all took our naps on the couch this afternoon.

So cozy.

I did not think it would last. It did. The four of us spent four straight hours on the couch in the den.

I finished reading "O Pioneers!" and enjoyed it very much. More than "The Awakening".

Tasha Tudor

click here

www.simplythrift.blogspot.com

No Title Night

My day was absolutely fantastic.

Right up until I took Jonge and Famke outside to smell flowers and look for bees.

I got one of those horrible eye migraines.

Thankfully, they happily walked back into the house with me. Sometimes, they do not want to come in, and act their ages about it.

This time, you would have thought they had been handed a script.

We cuddled up together on the couch and read Sandra Boynton books. They know those, so not much is required of me.

I must look AWFUL, as THGGM has been most kind and helpful all evening.

Oh, what am I saying, he is always kind and helpful.

(oh, no. might that be because i always look awful? no energy left to think on that tonight.)

I Know I Know

This is something like my forth post today, but, I have many random things to record.



THGGM is playing Bach's Adagio and I might just have a breakdown. That music is SO sad. He loves it, it calms him. Apparently, Bach is who the Dutch were listening to just before the German invasion. This CALMED them? I'm trying to get "It's a Small World After All" stuck in my head just so I can cope.



Tonight THGGM and I were reading in the backyard. It is just SO nice back there. We are so close to a busy intersection yet geese fly overhead, woodchucks chuck wood - or whatever it is they do, toads hop around and the neighborhood children make happy sounds. Our neighbor was playing the piano, beautifully. It was all going so well. Youngest Son even popped in after his soccer coaching duties were completed at the school down the street. THGGM made us strawberry shortcake. YUM. I was reading a short story by Willa Cather (stories that end in suicides should begin with a warning) because I liked her comments on "The Awakening". THGGM was reading C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce". It COULD have been a perfect night.



Except for a very large bat, I'm sure it was a vampire bat, flew at my head. I do not like bats. At least it was OUTSIDE.



Tonight I used my potholder loom, cotton loops and Klutz book (http://www.simplythrift.blogspot.com/) to weave a potholder. This is NOT a children's craft! So I only paid $1.50. If I were to sell that potholder I'd want to put at least $20 on it, for all of the duress it caused me. Yes, I remember making them as a child. Making them again reminded me that it wasn't all fun and games then either.



I learned a great new word reading "The Awakening". Befurbelowed. Meaning, you ask? Dressed, adorned, especially in petticoats or flounces. Befurbelowed. Say it with me. Befurbelowed. I like how it rolls off the tongue, and is perfectly useless in my life.

My dad reminded me today why old people do not need Facebook, MySpace or Classmates. They have the board at the entry to nursing homes. It's surprising how many old friends he finds that way. He met one again yesterday. Quite thankfully, his friends have only been there for rehab. But, it's a nice way for them to catch up.

Fun Times

I am forever on a hunt for fun games with stuff I have around the house. This one has the added benefit that it can help with speech impediments. I am not exactly sure how this works. Do I blow through the straw just before I have to give a speech, or what?

Anyway, Jonge has a small amount of difficulty with a few sounds. He comes by this honestly.

And, the game is great fun. Notice that I win this round.

The green stuff flying around are small bits of the feather boa Jonge carries around for comfort. He calls it his 'pink' because the first one came off of the handle of a gift bag Famke received, and it was pink.

This works with cotton balls too, if you happen to be out of green pinks!

If Jonge seems calm, he has a fever in this video, taken yesterday. Today his throat has developed red spots.

(before you come for dinner, i will scrub down the table)

Clowning Around

If I Could Save Clowns in a Bottle

Certainly I am not in the habit of leaving pill bottles laying around. But, yesterday was my day to reorder my monthly supply of 'happy pills'. Except, they do not make me happy. They 'help' to keep migraines at bay.

Famke found the bottle, and noticed how well her Little People fit inside.

I thought it would make a cute little portal into another dimention, but that is a hard concept to explain to a 12 month old.

Here she is showing you what to do for MINUTES of fun!

Add one Clown.

Press in firmly.

Shake.

Squeal with delight as the Clown flies through the air.

Jonge's fever returned on Sunday, and again on Monday. Poor boy.

Send in the clowns. Don't bother, they're here!

Christmas Is Four Months from Today

The Holland Christmas Tree

Fredrick Meijer Gardens

Domestic Happiness

Today I came upon another William Cowper (pronounced Cooper, for those who are interested in things like that) quote:

"Domestic happiness, thou only bliss

Of Paradise that has survived the fall!"

The pretty cup and saucer are from my mom's first set of 'good' dishes.

It seems that she out grew them, as I cannot really remember her ever using them. She gave me this cup and saucer shortly after THGGM and I married. I had a 'cup and saucer' shelf I was working to fill up with old dishes, and she handed me these. By then she had other 'good' china.

In my forays into antique and thrift shops, I am always looking for more. I came pretty close about 15 years ago, but the pattern was not quite the same. It was a cardboard box of odds and ends, many that were chipped, cracked and downright broken. The whole box was marked $25.00. That large man who drives me places would not let me buy them. Something about us needing to eat that week.

I cannot explain it, but I get a happy sort of feeling of being in the kitchen at the house I grew up in whenever I look at these. One of those 'feelings' when everything seems to be cast in a golden light (bliss?).

My mom thought they were ordinary, but if they were, why am I having such a hard time finding them?

Ah, domestic happiness...

...you elude me.

You Can Thank Me Later

Am I the last person on earth to have heard of this wonderful device?

Daughter had a Pampered Chef party in July, and since I was poor in July (and the other six months leading up to july) and also since I rarely purchase anything but underwear and food NEW, she was kind enough to surprise me with this!

This is a WONDERFUL can opener! Truly, until you have seen it in action, I highly doubt that you can say you have lived a full and rewarding life.

It removes the entire TOP of the can without leaving any sharp edges AT ALL.

I must confess that it took me an entire week of botched-up cans before I finally mastered it. Since I am nearly blind and must stick my nose right into something to fully SEE it, my only regret is that I practiced on cans of tuna and salmon.

And, it is a dream come true to FINALLY find a can opener that can be easily operated by someone who is left handed, like me.

Go. Get one.

Two Boys

I found this terribly cute picture of THGGM and uploaded it to his Facebook account. Won't he be surprised. Actually, he didn't even know he had a Facebook account until a few weeks ago.

This picture is at about the age he was when he busted into the bedroom one morning and yelled to his mom, "UP BANANAS!"

Apparently, that was his interpretation of "Up and At 'Em".

And, this picture REALLY shows how Jonge has the exact cowlicks as his Pake.

Sickness was not a good thing to have in the midst of potty training for Jonge.

Remember the chant "Pee for Pez, Two for Poo"?

Well. Recently he has been known to approach his mommy with this phrase:

"Looks like no candy for me!"

And he had been doing so well.

You Never Know

It has been a bit stressful in my corner of the world this week.

I don't seem to have the horribly way-too-busy-life stress so many people seem to have, but like water, stress seeks it's own level.

Understandably, it is stressful to watch my mom spiral downward. No, she isn't doing terribly, but it is becoming more difficult for her to speak. Sunday she had a very good day. Yesterday when my dad and I went to visit we were able to attend the hymn sing with her. Physically she looks very healthy. But, it's still a very sad disease to witness.

Just going to a nursing home is stressful to me. I have to work up the strength to go. Although it seems weird to say it, I'm glad that my mom isn't all that aware of her surroundings. She is always happy to see us, but except for my dad, we are all now "Grace" who is her twin sister who also has Alzheimer's. Thankfully, she is always happy to see 'her Grace'. Which really sounds funny, when you think about it. Ironically, when the aid asked me yesterday if I was 'her Grace', she did not curtsy.

My dad somehow joined something again that we have to get him out of. I think he has finally been convinced to not answer calls from UNKNOWN sources. And to think that he was always the one who told us to beware of things that sound to good to be true. And, then the 'gift' he was to recieve for joining this 'whatever' was stolen from his mailbox.

And, darling Jonge is not recovering as quickly from his mystery illness as we had hoped. The fever is gone, but in it's place is an extremely moody 2 1/2 year old. He will be just fine and sweet and helpful and adorable then SUDDENLY - and I do mean SUDDENLY - something will bother him severely and he becomes inconsolable. This is not behaviour he has ever exhibited, which has left his mommy and me totally bewildered.

Daughter is always a good source of 'interesting people' stories. Monday she had two very unusual customers. She was working the lunch shift when a strange guy came in. He had what she said could only be described as a 'homeless' look about him. Awhile later, a woman came in who also fit that description. Although, she said this woman looked like she was maybe 'not quite the full quid' or else a wee bit drunk. This is really a dilemma for people who work in restaurants. It's not considered polite to ask to smell someone's breath. So, Daughter stressed about this a bit and called her boss to give an assessment of the situation.

To make a long story shorter, the homeless looking man bought a beer for the homeless looking woman. Then, he admitted to Daughter that he was not able to drive home and could she call him a cab, which she very happily did. The homeless looking woman then asked the homeless looking man if she could share his cab.

He replied with a firm "No".

Daughter called another cab.

When the homeless looking man left he handed Daughter a note.

On it was scrawled this message.

"She mitt [sic] be Jesus. You never know."

Daughter's response - although he wasn't there anymore to hear it - was:

"Well if she WAS Jesus, YOU just bought her a beer, and then REFUSED to share your cab with her! So write yourself a note!"

I have no idea what this has to do with the stress in my life, except maybe that it gave me a good laugh and relieved some of it.

Not that I think that it's funny to laugh at people more unfortunate than oneself, but it is always very amusing to watch Daughter act out scenes from her incredibly interesting life.

On Tuesday Morning, Remembering Monday Morning

Mornings are quiet here, for now. Well, except for Friday which is garbage day. I do like to be up in time to watch the truck drop it's hooks around my trash receptacle. I'm weird like that. Amazed by how that works and disturbed that it eliminated someone's job. Someone who was generally quieter than the drop-hook-thingy will ever be. But, I digress. Hmmm. Digression is my middle name. And, isn't it also the better part of valor? No, wait. That is discretion. Of the two, that would be the better middle name to have (mine is lynn, for the record).

Anyway, back to mornings being quiet here, for now. Soon school will begin and noise will come earlier to my little world. I love to sit on my porch and watch the parents come around our corner to drop off high school students, and think, 'hey, that used to me!'. Then, I return to sipping my coffee and flipping through my magazine. Well. Actually, once I did that.

Yesterday in the hours before Jonge and Famke arrived I was perched on the end of my squeaky chair trying to figure out how to add to my sidebar this great quote that I found. Why things cannot work the same from blog to blog I shall never understand (don't try to tell me, i really do not care all that much). I still cannot get it to work.

It's a fabulous quote from a poem by William Cowper, but of course I could not just add the quote without learning about the poem it came from, and it's context. No one hates things taken out of context more than I.

So, I read the great Cowper poem about John Gilpin, and still felt the quote was worthy of a spot in my sidebar, in my blog read by Two everyday. www.simplythrift.blogspot.com. One of them being me. The other, ME (no, really ME is someone other than me).

The name William Cowper did seem familiar to me, but I did not want to quote from someone who was perchance extremely evil or something, so I continued on in my quest to find out more about this person who died in 1800.

It never surprises me to find poets who have bouts of serious depression. Actually, it never surprises me to find ANYONE who has bouts of serious depression. I have bouts about that. Doubts too, but mostly bouts (what's that about?).

And, yes. Cowper falls into that category. Armed with the fact that he was human like the rest of us, I continued on in my googlious search on Cowper.

Oh, William Cowper, I DO know you! You wrote one of my favorite hymns (i'm not talking to the dead here, just adding emphasis).

"There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood". I love that hymn. It even has a verse I'd not heard before.

One of the side effects of my personality is that I cannot stop researching things. I know many things now about William Cowper, things that I bet he wished were never going to be known. But, for someone like me 'those things' help me to appreciated his poetry even more. Especially how "There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood" was written after a time of immense pain.

Yet, he could still write a nice little quote like this:

"Though on pleasure she was bent, she had a frugal mind." - William Cowper.

And the Angel of the Day Award Goes To

Famke!

Poor Jonge, still struggling to recover from the evil virus that plagued him last week.

He is much better.

But, he whines so rarely I felt I needed to record this day as a reminder to myself that there is a reason I am so tired on Monday evenings.

At 9:00 I watch "Jon and Kate + Eight", and like a magic wand has been waved over me, I stop feeling so tired.

Monday!

We had a visitor today!

Who, oh who, could it be?!

It was Pa.

It took awhile for Famke to believe it, but sure enough, it was Pa!

Pa was VERY happy. Everyday that he visited my mom this week she was doing better and better.

And yesterday, she was very alert and happy.

I cannot say the same for myself, but, oh well.

Sweet Dreams

I snapped this picture of Jonge napping in the guest room tonight.

Today his fever did not return, so hopefully he is on the mend.

I cannot say exactly why, but this picture makes me think of an old-time hospital. Like, just out of the picture a nurse in a white cap should be hovering close.

But, instead he gets Beppe, hovering with her camera.

Oh Saturday, You Pass Too Quickly

Today was such a lovely day.

Truly, I cannot remember a more perfect summer.

Not that I go outside much, but still. It's so nice to recline in the worn-out comfort of an old couch on the breeze-way and talk to THGGM while he swings on his porch swing.

It's a great arrangement. I'm inside and have a lamp for reading, and he is outside dodging bats.

But tonight I have no one to talk to as I recline with my pile of newly thrifted books. He is at an IMAX showing of The Dark Knight with Oldest Son.

To stave off the extreme loneliness of having the ENTIRE HOUSE ALL TO MYSELF I started a blog. Yes. Another one. Not that I don't already have my fair share of blogs.

Let's see.., I have one for Jonge, one for Famke, this one, Plethora, and Inky Fingers. I shall keep Plethora, as it has posts from my Aunt and Uncle's charming country home in Wisconsin and many posts of our last home, which is no more. I'm not sure what to do with Inky Fingers, which means I probably should just delete it.

The new one, which I hope to add to on at least a weekly basis is Simply Thrift at www.simplythrift.blogspot.com

I have a few posts up already, so feel free to run along over there and see what I thrifted today!

A Good Day for Snuggling

I spent my day with these two today.

These pictures are from Famke's birthday party on Sunday, but we DID swing today, too.

Jonge is still sick with the very high fever, but when it drops he likes to go outside and swing. I believe that the breeze helps.

Famke is not sick. She is happy and energetic. Today she thought it would be fun to try running instead of walking. It's very funny to watch!

I'm catching many many words coming from her. Sunday, I plucked a leave from the tree we were sitting under, and she held it up and said "Back". Hmm. I could not put it back.

Today I heard "Plea" and "Tickle" and "Beppe". She is also getting very good with signing. Her favorite now is "More", but she would also look at her fevered brother and do the sign for "Hurt".

And I hate to be rude, but what kind of strange Olympics are being played during the day time hours? I thought we might have a grand time watching those, but really, have you ever tried to interest a sick little boy into watching Badminton? I tried getting him into the painting guy on PBS, but he wasn't into that either.

So, we snuggled. A lot. Me, fevered Jonge, always hot Famke and their beloved dog, Charley. All piled together.

THGGM had the day off. It would have been a beautiful day for going to the beach.

But, it was also a good day to snuggle.

Actually, there is never a bad day for that.

More Change of Plans

Daughter called early this morning to tell me that Jonge was still very sick.

THGGM dropped me off there on his way to work.

I got to be "Beppe" all day!

The doctor calls it a virus, and it must run it's course.

This puts an end to tomorrow's planned day at the beach with Jonge and Famke.

One does learn to be flexible when one makes plans that involve small children.

Hopefully, this virus will skip right over Famke.

So, when THGGM picked me up after work we stopped at our favorite thrift store. They were having an anniversary sale and everything was 50% off. One of my purchases was the hankie with "Grandma" on it. How COULD I pass it up, with my name stitched right on the front? I believe it cost me a quarter. And, for 50 cents I found a lovely vintage flannel baby blanket. I was hoping to find a doll that I saw there on Saturday, but it must be playing house today in someone else's home. Oh..,but the FUN we would have had...

My other purchase was a hardcover copy of "Peace Like a River" also only 50 cents.

Such fun.

So cheap.

My Plans Changed

Surprise! Tonight I did a little bit of rearranging. I'm looking forward to fall.

Not too much, yet.

I thought I would be spending the evening in the delightful company of Famke, but Jonge took ill and their evening plans changed. This little tablecloth was a dollar. I found it at a thrift store. It still had it's original price tag and label on it.

I'm finding it impossible to get the text to fit with the picture, so bear with me... The top left picture shows a very nice tablecloth I thrifted. It was two dollars. I realize it isn't Dutch, but I love it's vintage-ness and the colors should work with my kitchen plans.

The top right picture shows the two thrifted Fostoria plates that I glued to glass candlesticks. I never run out of ideas for things to display on them!

The old cheese grater was 69 cents. I love how it looks with a candle in it! My candle is a battery operated votive I bought when we were on vacation. Now I need to gather up all of my old cheese graters (what?) and look for a deal on the battery votives.

And the tablecloth to the right? It is actually a square pillow sham.

While we are on the subject, pillow shams make great sleeping bags for tired dollies.

Having Too Much Fun

Look at my fabulous thrift finds!

Finally, I have unpacked the last two boxes of stuff from the garage.

These were about the first two boxes I packed well over a year ago.

I knew I hadn't unpacked any of my cobalt blue bottles and dishes, but I had not remembered that I had used a drawer full of dish towels, doilies and tableclothes to wrap them in.

Oh! What a delight to find all of this!

Especially the set of embrodery napkins in the top left corner.

I was beginning to think that they were lost forever.

Now, the only thing that I have not found is a dozen velvet red roses that I had bought for Daughter's wedding, and then didn't use. I cannot imagine what happened to them. They looked lovely piled up in an old yellow ware bowl.

Now...about those other boxes in the garage...we need another garage sale, or two...

Smack-Dab In Front

Missing things that are right in front of me is something I deal with daily. I have actually gone on a search for something only to find that I am holding it in my hand. Oh, how I do hate to admit that.

I've also chased after many thing, CERTAIN that I must pursue them. Only to find after my conquests were completed that I was woefully negligent about what really needed my attention.

I think about this often when faced with the story of the Good Samaritan.

Priests and Levites were busy people. They had a calling on their lives. Places to go, people to see, important things to do. All good things, I'm sure.

Samaritans? Nobody cared much for them.

Most assuredly, Samaritans were not the 'target group', 'demographic' or 'unreached people of the week' in their day. And who knows about the poor guy on the side of the road.

What I love about the parable of the Good Samaritan is how it is Jesus who told this story. Not the Samaritan.

Is this quite possibly because, had the Samaritan told the story, it would have lost some of its inherent beauty? Would the humility have been lost? Or, was it so common in his life that it really did not seem like an event to record for all time and eternity?

I know, I know. Parables are tales of the Kingdom. Maybe it never REALLY happened. But even if the titles, occupations and ethnicities were changed, for Jesus to tell this story, it is true and it did happen. Still happens everyday, I am quite sure.

I also know that this story is read, preached about, talked about and retold in so many forms that there isn't much left to say about it today.

Except for maybe this one thing.

That Samaritan? He must have realized that at one time he was the injured man on the side of the road. The Priest and Levite? Hmmm. Much to ponder there.

So go get your neighbor. Yes. That one right in front of you. Now, all you need to do is give her what you were given.

Stir Together One Tired Famke, One Binky-less Jonge, and One Old Beppe

Oh, boy. What a Monday.

The birthday girl was exhausted. Being the center of attention does wear one out.

The birthday girl's brother forgot his binky. His mouth was 'popping' (no one knows just what that means) and he was in possession of the birthday girls new dolly, whose name is Ella.

He tried valiantly to get his sister to believe that it was best to have the two 'old' dolls, Jack and Sally, but she wanted her new baby. This is understandable. It is HER baby, and she knows it. He knows it, too.

Replay this scene ALL DAY LONG. That was my day.

Jonge had a very hard time napping without his beloved and ever-present-at-sleep-time-only binky (pacifier).

Since he couldn't sleep (in his words, "My eyes won't shut".) we had lunch a bit earlier than usual. We had apples, peanut butter sandwiches and milk.

I did not realize this until AFTER he finally DID nap, but the milk was bad.

For the rest of the day, the poor boy had a tummy ache. A NASTY BAD tummy ache.

The milk had another week to go, but it went. Back to the store. This is the second gallon of milk that has gone bad this month. It isn't even hot, and our refrigerator is more likely to freeze liquids.

Thankfully, Famke just started drinking milk, but her's was whole milk and brought from home, so she was spared the tummy trouble.

She would not sleep in her crib. Would NOT. Refused. Oh, yes you will, said I. But, she didn't.

There was weeping, there was wailing, there was gnashing of teeth.

She slept in a heap on my chest.

It was not a good day. But, I cannot say that I do not love holding a sleeping Famke.

After naps it never got any better. Poor Jonge had SUCH a tummy ache and Famke seemed to miss being 'queen for a day'.

When Jonge kissed me good-bye, his head smashed into my mouth and I ended up with two fat lips.

And now that they are gone, I miss them terribly (the kids. that is. i still have my lips.).

Famkes First Birthday Party

Famke had a wonderful time celebrating her first birthday (which was yesterday) with a party today!

The cute little ladybug cupcakes her mommy made were a big hit!

At times she looked like a princess holding court.
She's just crazy about all of her family.

Although, she does seem to wish that she had some cousins who were not dogs. But, you just cannot ask for cousins for your birthday.

And, well, now that you've heard us sing, can we still be friends?

While Thrift Shopping...

I found a case with these nine spools. All for a mere 69 cents!

The spools are very small, wooden and have embossed letters. They look like they are from an old sewing kit. Of course, what else could I do but buy them? 69 cents for NINE.


After I brought them home, I remembered a pink depression glass bowl filled with shells. Oh, shells. I do love those, too. Since I never go to beaches with shells, I cannot remember where I got them, but, do they not look absolutely wonderful as accessories?

Shell shoes, shell hats, shell arms...

Now that I have twenty of them, I truly am going to have to decide exactly WHAT I am going to do with them.

Except, of course, look at them and get all swoony.

Blue Sky with a Side of Fluffy White Clouds

Today is Famke's last day as an 11 month old baby. Tomorrow is her first birthday. It was a beautiful day to hold her close and watch the fluffy clouds roll by.

It Wasn't Supposed to Be Like This

No. It was not. Today I had plans to catch up on those jobs I find difficult if not impossible to do with the two original 'Little People' at my side.

But, that weird eye-migraine hit, and my plans changes.

Once I could move around, I still was hesitant to run up and down steps and necessary things like that, so I sat myself down and made some more "Borrowers".

I found some interesting accessories for them, and had a wonderful time in my own 'Little People' world.

But, after only a short while, the glue smell started to get to me, so I meticulously packed everything up and into a box for later. Tiny buttons, small spools, paper flowers, bits and bobs of what-not.

Quite by accident, I backed into the box and knocked it over. Yes. I did that. It is just SO me, how could I not have?

I really cannot imagine why everyone in the whole world doesn't want to make little Borrower people out of stuff found around the house.

Especially a girl with a marble glued to her tea-dyed-cheese-cloth head.

What's not to love about that?

I feel perfectly fine now. At 11:55 pm.

Your Questions Answered

I must apologize for doing such a poor job of answering questions and responding to comments. I've no excuse beyond the usual ones, but, I do still feel bad about it.

Question #1 - What are you reading now?

I am still reading "The Borrowers". And "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom", "Snuggle Puppy", and "Goodnight Gorilla" as they are presently Famke's favorites.

Question #2 - How is your mom doing?

Still on a steady decline into the blurry world of Alzheimer's. But, she seems to be relaxed and contented. Alzheimer's is a cruel disease.

Question #3 - How is it possible that Famke will be a year old in two more days?

I do not know. It seems like yesterday she was just a bouncing bump under Daughter's maternity top. Yet, I cannot remember life without her!

Question #4 - What chocolate chip cookie recipe do you use?

My chocolate chip cookies originate from the Betty Crocker Drop Cookie recipe. I replace the shortening with butter and use whole wheat flour for most of the flour. To this recipe I add a half cup of chocolate malt powder. Yum. Since I am diabetic, I rarely make these. They are 'to die for' but not 'to die from'.

Question #5 - Have you had any of those weird 'eye migraines' lately?

Funny you should ask! Yes, as a matter of fact, this very morning. Today is my only day home alone this week, and did I ever have plans! But, on my way into the shower, the shimmering dancing waving spirals of light took over my vision. I laid down instead.

Question #6 - What phot0 program do you use?

I use the Corel Photo Album 6 which came with my Dell laptop. At first I did not like it, as figuring out new things when the old things were working perfectly for me is not at the top of my 'want to do' list. But now I LOVE it. Especially now that I've figured out how to add text to a picture. This is probably because I LOVE to label things. My camera is a Fuji that I have dropped soooo many times that I am in a state of constant amazement that the beloved thing still works.

Question #7 - Compared to last summer, how is this summer going for you?

Let's see...last summer Oldest Son and Daughter-in-law moved. Daughter and Son-in-law moved. We purchased a house and moved. Daughter had a baby. My mom went into rapid decline. So, I would have to say that compared to last summer this one has been heaps and heaps of less boxes better!

Question #8 - Didn't you say once that you planned to open an Etsy account and attempt to sell the weird stuff you make?

I do say a lot of strange things. I've been reading the sellers information on Ebay but I haven't put anything up yet. Etsy somehow sounds more fun. And, if you know me, you know that I am ALL ABOUT fun. Hah. That is, of course, MY IDEA of fun. Which is to glue stuff to other stuff and then take pictures of it.

Question #9 - What are you planning to do with your spool 'Little People'?

Secretly, I'm planning to make millions of dollars selling them to people who will love them as much as I do. In reality, I will probably add them to a shelf until the day THGGM finally says 'How long do we have to keep these out?' Then, I will add them to my collection of stuff that seemed like a great idea at the time, but now just looks like a 'Judy-thing'.

Question #10 - Do you realize how lucky you are that you and THGG(Y)M both enjoy antique and thrift shopping together?

I must be honest here. THGGM has come to loath thrift shopping. He goes because he likes to see where his small change is being spent. He does enjoy a good romp through an antique mall though. But, I feel I must share with you that we do not actually shop together. In fact, we rarely see each other until suddenly he appears at my side saying something like "I need to lay down". We both like it that way. He cares not a twit to pick through sewing notions, ephemera, or old games. He has not even a passing interest in old books. What he has is a great eye for furniture and since he is handy with paint, he does remarkably well scouting for finds that are improved with his magic. But, he has declared 'no more' and is sticking to it nicely.

There. Now, if I did not answer your question, or you have another for me, please feel free to ask away. And, I will answer - God willing (and the creek don't rise).

The Original Too Too Cute Little People

It was another fun day at Beppe's house. Jonge was a big boy helper for me today. He made pudding for us to have for dessert! Famke is much like a burr. She hangs on and cannot be shaken loose. Not that I mind!

Too Too Cute

Today was "Dad Date Day". I hope dad has as much fun as I do. For him, it also means a doctor's appointment. This time to the cornea transplant doctor who saw everything that he had done, and behold, it was very good.

While waiting for dad to pick me up for lunch (i drive, once he gets here) I dug around for more wooden spools of thread and other things to create more 'little people'. Once I finish reading "The Borrowers" I wonder, will I still have this interest in making tiny things out of found objects? They are just too too fun to make! Notice the feet that are not buttons. They are broken pieces of star anise! I know, I know. You are amazed.

I probably could do better on the hair. But, that would require that I spend more time on it than I do on my own hair, and I just cannot justify doing that. I DO have my principles to uphold.

This last one is my favorite. I think if I do anymore they will be more like this one. Her collar is a yo-yo I made from a damaged vintage table cloth. I love the color. And, because there is Someone who puts the perfect needed craft item into the thrift stores at just the time I need it, there was a velvet ribbon that matched perfectly.

And, LOOK AT THAT TINY STRAIGHT PIN! I have never seen one quite THAT small! (please be impressed, be VERY impressed!)

Now, back to "Dad Date Day". We went to lunch at Old Country Buffet. It is never even a question of where we should go, we just go there. Friday we have ANOTHER date day, this one to the primary care doctor. No lunch though. One weekly stop at the OCB is the limit.

And just so you know, I HAVE had a few profound and deep thoughts recently. I just cannot remember what they were. I would write them down, but in the past when I started keeping a tally of those profound and deep thoughts, when I would sit down to write something all I could think was, "Huh?"

Anyway...

So far the highlight of my week was getting Jonge excited to pee on the potty - so he can get a Pez from his (i know, youngest son, it is REALLY yours!) Bob the Builder Pez thingy.

Ah. My NEW mantra: Pee for Pez! Get two for poo!

(how'm i doing at raising boring to an artform?)