Lacy...Snowy...Rainy...Foggy...Wet...Lying...Weekend!

(Light Grey Little Moons Crochet Earrings by Febystan)

         This weekend has been a mixed bag, if ever there was a mixed bag! We've had weather people 'lying'....like "Uh Oh!" lying!... all over the place, about what we already had, what was coming....and what was here now !!

     Although, I guess there could be a difference of opinion on whether they were actually 'lying' about things or not!...Uhhhh Yes! There "can" be a difference of opinion about that. I know...because me and hubby had one...a difference of opinion I mean! LOL...He says: "The weather people didn't 'lie'! They just "read" the weather patterns. They don't put 'em in place!"

     But I say: "Yeah, but if you read the weather pattern and you say a certain something is gonna happen...and it doesn't...isn't that 'lying'?!!...I mean, even if it's unintentional, isn't it still a lie?!!" O_O Hubby still says no it isn't!....I say: 'They lied!' LOL...You can choose for yourself! ^_^

      ANYWAY!!!!...It's been a mixed bag...The only good thing about it is that hubby didn't have to go out and work in it! :-] We've actually had a pretty relaxing, lazy, weekend. The tax info is all together to take to the preparer tomorrow. Some plans are in place for some great spiritual activity for March. And for some focus on my little crochet poetry business! :-)

     And......I have another item that's been picked for an Etsy treasury! :-] ...

 (Pink and Cranberry Crochet Brooch from Wuglyees)

         The treasury is entitled: Lacy Weekend...

       ...and it has some really pretty flowery, lacy items in it...including those pretty earrings in the header photo!...I also love that a lot of it is crochet!...See!

 (Sterling Silver Victorian Flower Necklace by inbarjewelry)

(Vintage Style "Blue Rose" Wooden Egg by NataliaDecor)

(Crocheted Lace Stones by Monicaj)

(Vintage Paragon Tea Cup and Saucer Trio by FabricatedFamily)

(Lace Covered Black Pebble Stone by Mintook)

       Thanks Osnat! :-) ...(Owner of the Etsy shop Omiya)

      Not much else is planned for hubby and I today, except for a meeting this morning, some crocheting this afternoon, and doing some laundry and grocery shopping.  All the real plans start as the new week will begin...Job hunting, a month of special activity as Bible teachers, getting the taxes done...finally!, and a little bit of this and that, with a healthy dose of giggling and music stuck in there too, with hubby around. We've got a lot of catching up to do. :-)

       What are your plans this week?!...Are you looking forward to it?!...Let's hope a weather person 'lying' to you is not on the list!! ^_^

Catching Up

I see life from my perspective.
And it's always a full cup.
I rarely see the glass half empty.
I don't let much interrupt.

But now I find this needs a change.
I have some catching up to do.
I have some things that need updating.
And some family bonds to glue.

Some things have lagged unmercifully.
They need some tweaking, not too much.
Just need to get back some perspective..
Get some family lines in touch.

This catching up will be wide ranging.
Out with the old, in with the new.
But when you're catching up with people,
there's still some old when you're all through.

Catching up sometimes is tiring.
Maybe that's why I've been waiting.
And, besides, when I'm all done,
there seems there's more that needs updating!

A 'Virtual Date Nght' Full Of Chocolate, Wine And Fondue!

(Tiny Owl Earrings by cynicalredhead)

        Besides the fact that these little earrings are just the cutest thing ever....and that they would make a great conversation starter ear accessory on a date!...I love the expressions on these little owl's faces...I think the expressions were totally 'spot-on' for hubby and I yesterday!

      After being inundated with falling snow in our area for....uhhhh....how many days is it now?! O_O...well...DAYS!...and then seeing report after report on the news about the tornadoes that swept through the midwest over the last two nights. :-( ...{The devastation and destruction is just terrible!! So many people injured, and dozens have died.} ... we couldn't wait to go on a 'virtual date' outta here!!!

      And when "we" go on a 'Virtual Date' to escape the news...and the weather... 

 (Romantic Rainy Dreamy Blue Fine Art Photograph by taraville)

             

            ...we go on a 'Virtual Date'!!!! ^_^ ...So, where did we go, you ask?!!...We went here!...

 (Vallée de Joux, Lake Joux and lake Brenet from Dent de Vaulion, from Wikipedia)

          ...To one of the richest countries in the world by per capita gross domestic product...In fact, this country, in 2010, had the highest wealth per adult of any country in the world (with $372,692 for each person)!...

 (Solid 14K White Gold Natural Swiss Blue Topaz Antique Ring by EESilverStudio)

           ...To the country that, in 2010, was ranked by the World Economic Forum as the most competitive country in the world...and was ranked by the European Union as Europe's most innovative country by far...

 (Lake Lugano seen from above Morcote (Ticino), from Wikipedia)

        It's Switzerland!!! :-) 

         Switzerland...with it's numerous lakes, making it an attractive place for sailing...Switzerland, with skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering among its most popular sports...Not to mention what has become an increasingly popular sport among the Swiss...Tennis!! :-)

 (Wikipedia)

        No doubt part of it's rising appeal has had something to do with the fact that Swiss players such as Martina Hingis and Roger Federer have won multiple Grand Slams!...In fact, in a seven year span, Roger Federer has won a record 16 Grand Slam singles titles, making him the most successful men's tennis player ever!

        Before I tell you some other things we learned about Switzerland, let me show you what two well-dressed people out on the town in Switzerland might be wearing! :-) ...The lovely lady might be wearing a pretty pair of earrings...

 (24K Gold and Rainbow Moonstone Earrings by Omiya)

        ....A beautiful necklace...

 (Green and Blue Mixed Gemstone Oxidized Sterling Silver Necklace by SurfAndSand)

        ...and a pair of comfortable walking shoes!...

(Ballet Flats Slippers by LaLaShoes)

        While the handsome, adventurous gentleman might be wearing a colorful and daring tie...

 (Orange and Aqua Necktie by petitepeanut)

          .....and a gorgeous watch, sorta like the ones worn on the moon by Apollo astronauts!...

 (Vintage Omega Speedmaster from Wikipedia)

        Which brings us back to some other things about our 'Virtual Date Night' destination: Switzerland is responsible for half of the world production of watches! :-)

--->  The Swiss are the world's largest consumers of chocolate.

--->  The most popular alcoholic drink in Switzerland is wine.

---> I'll just say one thing.... Gruyère cheese. YUM!!! :-)

--->  The Swiss are predominantly German-speaking.

--->  Geneva Switzerland is the birthplace of the Red Cross.

---> And Zurich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second and third highest quality of life in the world.

         The last thing I wanna say about Switzerland is......Fondue!

 (Wikipedia)

      Fondue is a Swiss dish of melted cheese served in a communal pot (caquelon) over a spirit lamp (rechaud), and eaten by dipping long-stemmed forks with bread into the cheese.

        Oh! I do sooooo love learning about new places! :-) ...

(Alphabet Disks by applenamos) 

        It was a great date night! ^_^ ...When we got back in town we still weren't tired. So we lit some lamps...

(Hyphae lamps by nervoussystem)

        ...and sat and watched "In Performance at the White House", the Broadway performance...It was so good. Such talented performers and singers!...including 80 something year old Elaine Stritch singing "I'm Still Here"...

      It beat sitting quiet and watching it rain or snow out the window! LOL ...What did you do on your Friday night?!! :-)     

I Love A New Experience

I love a new experience!
No matter how it's learned.
A fact that's new to me,
or a new food that I've burned.

A place I've never been,
or a person I've not known.
A book I've never read,
or a gadget on my phone.

A song that's not my norm,
or a craft I've never tried.
A veggie fixed a new way,
whether boiled, sauteed or fried.

I love a new experience!
A jolt for my old eyes.
To make my life worth living,
and each day a great surprise!

Just Taking A Moment......

(Kitten in Bowl Photograph by justamoment)

       I'm in slow motion today...as you no doubt can tell by the lateness of my post! LOL...if you're used to seeing it earlier I mean...Having hubby home is proving to be a challenge at the moment! He has on his mind what he wants to be doing, and I have a whole other thing on my mind. Now we just have to get the two 'twains' to meet! ^_^ We need a schedule that works for both of us. 

      Every time I get 'head-down' into the computer it dawns on me that I'm ignoring him. So, I have to get him involved in a project or send him on an errand.....Shhhhh! He doesn't know I'm doing that yet! ^_^ I'm wise beyond my years in the wife department!

        We'll work it out...flip some things....change some order....and we'll be back on a comfortable road again soon. :-) Be patient with me until then, okay?!...

   (Felt and Beadwork Owl by WilleWorks)

        Sending him out onto the roads today could be another challenge. Not because the roads are that full of snow, because even though it snowed all day, it only stuck on the off-road areas...like my backyard! The city was great about shoveling snow, putting salt down, and de-icing everything as the storm was going on this time....They probably were just itching for something to do! It's been 'THAT' kind of winter!

      But, because the temperature is below freezing this morning, it's a bit icy...And we have another mixed precipitation event due to come in overnight too. So, I won't think up any unnecessary errands for hubby today. LOL

(Illustration Print by lepetitelefant)

        I need to just keep good relations. :-) ... Speaking of good relations, when Tracy Roul, of CastAwayCollection, did her new treasury of Excellent Promoters...

        ...she included the beige and black men's crochet boutonniere from my Wuglyees shop!...

       Talk about good relations, right?! ^_^ ... Thank you Tracy!! ... And there were some other cute items in there that I really liked too...

(Flower Rose Felted Bag by jezek)

(Cat Eye Stone Bracelet by tinarosa) 

      Hmmmm....that bracelet would be pretty to wear for 'Virtual Date Night' tonight too! :-] I'll let you know about that tomorrow!

      Last, I just wanna show you the fingerless gloves. Yes! I finished them!! ^_^

       They're so tiny that I don't know who would be able to wear them though! LOL

      Reassure me.....Somebody will wear them, right?!.....RIGHT?! O_O

      If not, they'll be just one more thing in this house that needs to find a home! :-)) ... Speaking of which, we need to get our taxes done before we don't have a home to live in!! YIKES! LOL Do you like how I added that little reminder for myself right out of the blue?!! ^_^ Now I just have to remember it beyond the end of this post!! LOL

       Okay....I'm off to actually pay attention to my husband, and get some other things done too. Have a good weekend, Everybody! :-)

Have a good weekend!

Spend some time with your kids,
do the errands you been meaning to do,
do a little grocery shopping,
maybe make a chicken stew.

Organize your messy space,
clean the closets, throw things out,
watch a little mindless T.V.,
and replace the bathroom grout.

Take a walk around the park,
play some board games with your friends,
maybe even cut your hair
(but just a little bit, off the ends).

Take a trip to Grandma's house,
do some gardening in the yard,
give new projects a little finish,
but nothing that might be too hard.

It's the weekend, after all;
It's your week's tail, at a wag;
No need for scurry, hurry, rushing.
No! You want this time to lag!

"Heavy, Wet and Mashed Potato-Like......"

(Umbrellas Barrettes by cynicalredhead)

       Oh! If only it were just rain!! But nooooooooo! Overnight the backyard was blanketed with the kind of snow that the weather lady referred to as 'heavy, wet and mashed potato-like'! Great! That's just what I wanted in my backyard!...Snow potatoes!.....NOT!!

       We knew this storm was coming though. That's all the weather people have been talking about for about a week!...{They get so excited when there's something besides puffy clouds and sunny skies around! LOL}...So, since we knew it was coming, hubby took some photos of the backyard 'pre' storm...

      Not very exciting, right?! :-) But what it looked like then is nothing like what it looks like now!...What it looks like now is sorta like a mountain resort location. Somewhere you might wanna go on a vacation to go skiing, or snow-shoeing, or snow-mobiling or something!...See!...

       All we need now is some pretty snow Parkas (coats), puffy gloves, some knit ski hats,...and skis, ^_^...a ski lodge made of logs, with a huge fire in the fireplace, and an 'on call' waiter that's dedicated to toting hot chocolate and hot toddies to us all day! ^_^

     I say 'all day' because it's still snowing! And it's suppose to continue 'all day'! And it's suppose to freeze some too!...But guess what?! I'm not gonna say 'UGH!' or 'Aargh!' or anything like that...because I just saw the news and saw that the seven states in the mid-west got a slew of tornadoes last night...I think the news said 80 of them!! :-( The damage is terrible!!!...especially in Harrisburg Illinois!...And they're not outta the woods yet, because they're due to get the same thing today!!! O_O ...Soooooo, a backyard full of snow doesn't seem so bad in comparison! 

       Okay, enough about the weather! Let me tell you about a couple of other things. One being my blue and red crochet necklace...

       It got chosen for a new treasury!...

         According to Barbara Gene, of BagsnBling, it's one "item from one of my favorite shops"....Thank you Barbara. :-) ...You can click on the treasury photo above to go over and check out all of the great items she chose if you like. I liked this one...

(Gathered Clutch Bag by andreacreates)

      It's a handbag...with flowers! Is there any wonder that it caught my eye?! :-]

        My other news is announcing the winner of the Giveaway for today! :-) It was so hard wading through all the entries!... ^_^ Ha! If I was a sensitive sort my feelings might've been hurt at the fact that here I am giving away a book of my poems and I only got five entries. And of those five, there were only three individuals! LOL

       But I'm not the sensitive sort. I'm realistic. I know that not a lot of people are into poetry these days....and even less people are into reading a book of poetry! ^_^ So to those of you who entered the Giveaway....Thank You So Much For Making Me Feel Appreciated. :-) ...Now, the winner?!...

       It's YOU Cindy!! :-) I'll send it out to you right away...And because there were only two others...Becky and Velma...Guess what?! I'm sending you books too!!!! :-) Just send me your addresses please, to the email here. 

      Now, this month's Giveaway, for March 15, 2012, will be kinda different. This one is a thank you from me to you 300...301 as of today!...followers!! :-) Since I can't wrap you up in a big hug and say...in person...what a pleasure it's been swapping stories with you, then I want to send one of you something that "will" wrap you up! It's a soft, soft, charcoal gray and green afghan lap blanket that I crocheted myself! :-)

       Remember now.....my photo-taking skills are not that great!!!...

        I'll put another couple of photos, and the size and description of it, on the right-hand sidebar link a little later today.

        The rules for entering the Giveaway are different this time because for this one you just have to comment! For the next couple of weeks, all comments will become entries in the Giveaway for the afghan...unless you specify that you don't want to be entered.

      Lastly, a quick update: As of yesterday, hubby is filing for unemployment. A lot of paperwork and tedium, but necessary stuff. After talking it over with his representative, it became clear that games are afoot with his company. After all of the not so nice things that his manager,...boss, or whatever his title is....said,..including the fact that he didn't want him working there anymore...apparently he said to the representative yesterday that he was 'surprised' that my hubby is taking the position he's taking to ask for his vacation time and to be able to file for unemployment!....Really?!!....Surprised?! O_O

       What did they expect for him to do?! Say,..."Oh, I'm sorry. I'll come back to work and work all day long and kiss your feet and ring finger, sacrifice my wife's health and dedicate my life to this company. I was only kidding about all that stuff I said!!" O_0...Kinda unrealistic considering the fact that hubby was pushed into making this decision in the first place by unfair working conditions and broken promises!....Whatever. It's apparently done now. All of the paperwork is going in today....if hubby can get past the piles of snow to get to the mailbox that is! ^_^

        I'm not gonna think too deeply about it. I'm just gonna crochet! :-) I'm almost done with the second fingerless glove even!...

         Sorry that the post was so full today, but I've got other stuff to show you tomorrow, and a 'Virtual Date Night' to plan. I didn't wanna leave any of this till later. :-] So, have a good day Everybody!!...Leave me a comment and tell me all about YOUR weekend plans. It's a Giveaway entry too, don't forget! ^_^ {And believe it or not, the poem below was from last year! ^_^}

Snow TRAPPED!

TRAPPED! Another snow storm!
Will this "STUFF" never end?!
We've be wolloped, punched, and socked,
and now?! Another one on the chin!

'Adding insult to the injury',
there will be an inch of ice!
I guess winter thought we needed
just a little 'SCARY' spice!

Do I sound bitter? Sick of it?
About to lose my snowed-in mind?!
Well, that would be correct!
That is, the brain cells I can find!

TRAPPED! Sick of snow,
and it's icicles everywhere!
Good thing I have crochet!
It will replace my pulled out hair!

      On a side-note, I can't believe we're down a 'Monkee'. :-( Davy Jones died of a heart attack yesterday!!