Saturday, August 31, 2013

A Whole Lotta......!!


     Is Saturday here already?!.....Yep! ^_^ I was out on the town in New York with my hubby last night...on my 'virtual' date. :-) I was kept up waaaaaaay past the time I'm usually in bed!...We saw a whole lotta balls flying!! And it was well worth the 'virtual' traffic....the chili dogs that still have my stomach gurgling this morning...and the lack of sleep! :-)
     The matches were great!!...Sloane Stephens defeated Jamie Hampton...6-1, 6-3...

 

     And SURPRISINGLY  Lleyton Hewitt beat Juan Martin DelPotro, 6-4 5-7 3-6 7-6 6-1!!!...

     WOW!! O_O Who knew that was gonna happen?!....NOT ME!!...In fact, I thought Del Po might go all the way this year, and give my 'baby boy' a run for his money!

      Speaking of my 'baby boy', Rafael Nadal, he's playing Ivan Dodig later today! :-) I've got to get another nap before then! ^_^...and also I have some other business to take care of this morning. But this afternoon.......LOOK OUT, TENNIS! ^_^

    Oh Yeah....I did get some crocheting done too! I made a few variegated lapel pins. Look at them and tell me what you think...




     If I can muster the energy...and get some more naps...and get my other business taken care of...^_^...I may make a few more of these variegated ones today. I kinda like the character the thread already has, without me having to rack my tennis-tired brain to figure out what colors to put together!! ^_^
    
       Okay...I'm gone! ^_^ Have a good Saturday, Everybody...and a good weekend if I don't see you!...or don't recognize you!...You might start looking like a tennis ball! LOL :-)

A Little Doze'll Do You!

I enjoy my sleeping, and a doze,
a nap, and such.
In fact I might enjoy a snooze
entirely waay too much!

At any time of day,
you'll find me like a weeping willow.
Head hung low and dragging,
looking for the nearest pillow.

No, there's nothing wrong.
I'm not depressed. I've still got bounce!
And I can stay awake and be
quite witty when it counts!

But I have been awake for things
when I could have been asleep.
And now my time's so valuable
I don't treat it like it's cheap.

My sleeping, dozing, napping,
is to my life a special key.
It unlocks and refreshes
and dispels anxiety!

Most people try to fill up
every hour in the day.
But me, I'd rather be asleep
and waste it all away.

There's plenty hours left
for all the flit and play and chore.
An hour for a nap right now?!
Why not?! There's 24!!

Friday, August 30, 2013

I'm Remembering My Teacher...


     I'm remembering a really smart lady, with a heart as big as all outdoors. A re-married mom of two cute little boys, one of which was from her present marriage...I'm remembering being at her home for my personal Bible study, and how great she was at paying attention to all of my clarity-seeking questions, while at the same time watching her oldest son go up and down the little culdesac (street closed at one end) where she lived.
   I'm remembering how funny she was, and how un-assuming...How not much flustered her, because her faith in Jehovah was so strong...I'm also remembering that she wasn't that great of a cook. ^_^ I'm remembering a dinner of boxed macaroni and cheese...only!...and how I kept looking for the MEAT! Ha! Ha!...and she reminded me that: "You don't HAVE TO have meat for it to be dinner!" ^_^
     I'm also remembering how one time she was making a cake, and half way through the process she remembered that she didn't have any eggs!...Oops! O_O...but how she grabbed some mayonnaise from the refrigerator, added a couple of dollops to the batter, and kept right on going!! Ha! Ha!...She said: "Mayonnaise is nothing but eggs and vinegar!" ^_^...I didn't tell her, but: "Uhhhhh...I don't like vinegar in my cake, though!!" LOL...I never tasted it, so who knows...it could've been good! ^_^
   I'm remembering that she taught me the real meaning of forgiveness...Something had happened with hubby and I years prior to me getting to know her,...something not important to me telling this story...and I was wielding the knowledge of that 'something' over my hubby's head all the time....my emotional power whip!...She reminded me, and showed me the scriptures to back it up, that if God held every bad thing I did like a whip, waiting to 'put me in my place' whenever he didn't like what I was thinking, I'd be DEAD!! O_O...Point taken...and point learned! I never wielded that whip again!!
   I'm remembering her face the day I got baptized...with no tears showing, but just joy...for me. :-]  And I'm remembering how she was always looking around to see where her boys were, and that they weren't misbehaving, even then! :-)
  I'm remembering her oldest son...a handsome little fella, who she said never knew his father, but yet walked just like him, and had quirky mannerisms just like him...I'm remembering that he was a sweet, smiley, quiet young man, who loved his little brother very much...even though they jostled around and fought sometimes...Oh, how she loved him!
   I'm remembering all of this today because I just saw the report that her oldest son, the sweet little first real love of her life....died. :-(  I'm remembering how long it's been since I've seen her....more than twenty years. Our lives took different paths...physically...but the same path spiritually.
    I've heard 'of' her, her husband, and the boys, from family and friends, in passing, over the years. They were all doing well. Both of her sons married...But I was not prepared to hear this...that her son, the sweet tugger of her attention, was dead.
    Now I have to remember how to comfort myself...how to write a letter of sympathy...how to pray for her, in specifics...and how to move forward, remembering that he is in God's loving memory, and death will be the distant memory soon...
      Revelation 21:4 says..."...he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain...The former things have passed away."
    I'm remembering how comforting the Bible can be when someone you love has passed away...And I'm remembering my dear friend....and teacher.

About My Teachers

Let me tell you about my teachers!
Those who let my spirit fly.
Those who taught me self-control.
Those who always made me try.

My music teacher, small in size,
whose unsung words would sometimes sting;
He taught humility and patience,
while also teaching me to sing.

My English teacher, gregarious,
whose toothy smile was just as loud;
She taught me confidence and joy,
and to be fearless in a crowd.

My drama teacher, A or E,
from her I earned my hardest grade.
It was for letting out a scream.
From which I learned: 'Be Not Afraid'.

For basketball, and also Gym,
My coach would train us like a nut!
And though we lost, most every time,
I learned to try, no matter what.

I learned to cater and to waitress
from a crew who taught me well.
In fact, so many new experiences
that I now can hardly tell.

My Bible teacher too,
taught me how 'I must forgive';
And by teaching me God's laws,
also taught me how to live.

To my teachers, one and all,
bold, soft-spoken, shy or tough,
Thanks for teaching me the knowledge
that being 'me' is good enough!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

It's Not Tennis, But It Is Classic!


      Good Morning...for those of you in my time zone. ^_^ Hello!...for those of you NOT in my time zone. And for those of you who are used to stopping by and already seeing my blog.....Sorry. I got up early and got my mind deeply involved in some studying and research I was doing, and the clock got away from me! We have a meeting tonight and I wanted to be completely prepared! :-) 
      If I didn't tell you about the studying you would probably think I was off watching tennis or eating breakfast or something! ^_^ Well, not yet!! That's coming though!...Before then I wanted to share the classic treasury that one of my boutonnieres got picked for! :-) ...

(Classic Etsy Treasury curated by Nataliia St)


     It's been a while since someone wanted to put one of my little crochet 'babies' on display, so I'm very grateful! :-) ... as I'm sure the other shop owners that got chosen are too!...Speaking of which, the earrings in the header photo were chosen for the treasury...and so was this necklace (below)! :-) ... 

      Cool...and classic retro! :-)

     Prior to the treasury love, I was gonna be posting about the great tennis match yesterday where Sloane Stephens finally came into her own, and the heart-breaking loss of James Blake, his last ever...because he retired from tennis at this U.S. Open. :-(
     If you're not a tennis fan, you're probably thankful for my treasury! ^_^ But don't tell me. Shhhhh! I prefer to think that you all like the things I like, and are as crazy as I am! ^_^ ... Speaking of which, do you like my latest lapel pin...


       ...and my friend Cindy's gorgeous earrings?!...

       Click and Buy, if so! ^_^ Otherwise....see you tomorrow for the next installment of.....of.....of whatever comes into my head between now and then!! ^_^ Have a good day, Everybody!

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!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Me too!!!!!! :-)


     Do you like blogging?!...I do too!......Do you like tennis?!...I do too!......Do you like buttons?!....I do too!! ^_^
     Okay...I slipped the tennis part in there, because that's just how I roll these days!! LOL Today's blog post is not, however, about tennis!...and stop clapping!! LOL This blog is mostly about buttons...pretty buttons......creative buttons.....colorful and eye-catching buttons!! :-) 





     The bee button was the first one to snatch my neck around this morning, but the crayons and the ribbons did their share of neck-snatching too! :-]
     I think they caught my attention because I've been seriously thinking about going back to putting buttons on my flowers and boutonnieres. I think they need some character along with the colors! :-) 
     Unfortunately my customers haven't been that accommodating when it comes to buying my button-ieres! LOL They do buy my lapel pins and boutonnieres though. In fact, I got a nice sale yesterday...a lady's brooch and some lapel pins! :-) I think I just may try a few with some interesting buttons soon, and see how it goes!
     Right now, though, I have some studying to do, and some breakfast to eat, and some tennis to watch! ^_^ Have a good 'button-ed-up' day, Everybody! :-)

Vintage Buttons

Pull them from a shirt
that's been tossed into the pile;
Yank them from a dress
you haven't worn in quite a while.

Inherit them from friends;
Get them as a gift of love;
Take them from the back
of one of Granny's vintage gloves.

Pluck them from old hats;
Tell their story with your tears.
Now ,use those vintage buttons,
that you've saved through out the years.

Old is what they're called;
Out of style, and retro too;
But when I put them on creations,
with my eyes, they look brand new!    

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

I Just Want To Share What She 'Felt'...


      I just felt like sharing some things that were 'felt'. That's why! ^_^ Yes, the clouds and birds in the header are from an Etsy shop specializing in...you guessed it!...'felt'! :-) And how creative!!!
      I figured I'd share what she felt instead of what I'm feeling about the rain we're getting right now!!...OUCH! So, here goes!...



      This is the cutest tree ever!!!! :-) It almost makes me long for Fall to get here faster! ^_^ And the expression on the owl's face, up top, is priceless! :-)


     Well, that's all I got today!...unless you wanna hear me go on and on about the great tennis matches at the opening day of the U.S. Open! :-) ... Oh Yeah! I can show you the two  items I crocheted in between matches!!...

      I crocheted a 3-layer brooch for ladies...


    ...and a tiny Lemon Lapel Pin for men!...
 

      They're both in my Wuglyees Etsy shop already...with some crickets that are wandering around in there! ^_^

      Okay...it's breakfast time at the 'Open'!!....LOVE!!!! :-) Have a good day, Everybody!

Emotions

Frustration, excitement,
Great anger, Pure joy!
Deep sadness, elation,
intent to annoy.

Loving, disgusted,
triumphant, afraid.
Affection considered,
uneasiness weighed.

Cheerful, proud,
optimistic, despair.
Euphoric, in anguish,
gloom hanging there.

Emotions experienced,
the good and the bad.
Without feeling, sincerely,
what life have you had?!

You need hope and peace,
kindness and love.
An unemotional life is
Not much to speak of.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Is Anything Else Going On Today.......?!


      Yes, I know!...there are lots of serious things going on in the world right now...LOTS of things!!!!...including the fact that IT'S DARK this morning! O_O Here comes the rain.....and here comes the Fall season!
      And there's all of the heartache and struggle of the firefighters trying to put the wildfire out near Yosemite National Park...


     ...Unfortunately the fire is winning right now. :-(

     There is good news out there too. Like the little Panda cubs that are being born all over the place!...Twin Panda cubs at Zoo Atlanta! :-)

    Uhhhh...let me see....Is there anything else going on today?!....Hmmmmmm... ^_^ ...Oh Yeah.....IT'S U.S. OPEN TENNIS time!!!!! Woohoo!!!!! ^_^


      Some of the tennis players have been in New York for a week already...including my 'baby boy', Rafael Nadal. :-) He's suppose to play Ryan Harrison this afternoon around 3:00 p.m. I think....I think! ^_^
      So, guess what I'm gonna be doing today! ^_^ Even if it rains...O-U-C-H!...I think it's gonna be a good day! :-) I hope it is for you too!...On a side note, in case he's reading my blog... "My heart is with you today 'Papa'! ♥♥♥ And the poem is for you today too!"

Be The Best You Can Be

I live my life every day,
trying to be the very best I can,
so that I am not affected
by the degrading words of man.

If "I" know who I am,
then I don't care what others think;
I don't end up in some bar,
trying to hide my pain with drink.

Oh Yes! THEY have opinions
on what THEY think you should do,
on how you wear your hair,
where you should go, also with who!

I nod and give a grin,
respecting what they want to say;
but it's my thoughts that count
at the end of the day.

It makes it so much easier
when I'm being the best I can;
Then I feel good about my choices;
I don't fear words from any man!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Things I'm Loving Right Now...And They Are NOT Pancakes!


     I wish I could start off 'Pancake Sunday' talking about how much I'm loving pancakes right now, but.....NOPE! That's because me and pancakes aren't friends right now! :-)) I woke up in the middle of the night having an itching fit because of eating a sandwich late yesterday evening!...UGH! Apparently the yeast level in my body is pretty high...again! Ugh! Ugh!
     Anywayyyy!!!...I'm gonna find something to love this morning if it kills me! ^_^ ...Actually, it wasn't that hard. :-) ...


     I'm loving these flowers!! (above) They kinda remind me of hubby's flowers in the backyard right now...sorta....kinda. ^_^ Except that these are more organized...more colorful...MORE!!! ^_^

    I'm also loving our weather right now. It's been practically rain-free for days! And not too much humidity either...We are due to get some rain tomorrow and Wednesday or Thursday, but that's okay. It's still getting that cozy Fall feeling in the air...


      And even though I'm not really watching the clock that much these days....*I'm just head-down, napping or crocheting*...I do love this clock!...


       It seems like I should have thought of doing this myself!...making a clock with a material!...but I didn't!...*snaps her finger in disgust*...I'll just have to be quicker in my thinking process for the next big thing!...whatever that brain-less thing is! LOL

     I'm loving crochet...and flowers...all the time, but I'm LOVING this flower hat pattern right now!...

        
      Ohhhh, the work, though!! :-] I'd have to really be loving some cute baby's little hat-less head to venture into this kind of tedious crochet 'water'! :-)) ... Yeah, it could happen! :-)

       And me loving a pillow right now....no surprise! I always love a pillow...and a nap! ^_^


       But come on!!!....this is the cutest pillow ever!!!! :-) 

     The color purple is another thing I'm loving right now!...I'm not talking about the movie, 'The Color Purple', with Whoopie Goldberg and Oprah. I'm talking about the color...the color purple!...you know...with maybe Crayola crayons, dye, or whatever!! LOL
     And since I'm loving purple, you know I'm loving this scarf!!...


     I'm also loving words and music right now...so these treble cleft earrings are right up my musical alley! ^_^ ...


     Last, but not least, I'm loving stripes, hearts, and red, right now. All of which are exhibited in the long sleeve pullover!...


       Coming and going, that's what I'm loving right now!....not pancakes!! ^_^ At least 'not pancakes' for the rest of today! :-) Who knows...I could be loving pancakes again by next Sunday and this post will then be a distant forgotten memory! ^_^ ...


        ...just like my love of rain! :-)) FORGOTTEN!!! ^_^ Have a good Sunday, Everybody!

I'm Loving It Right Now!

The 'Hunt for red October'?
No! My hunt's for hummingbirds.
I'm loving them right now,
So much, I hardly find the words!

Speaking of 'the words',
I'm also loving Poetry,
and I'm loving pretty journals
and my feelings all set free.

Speaking of 'set free',
I'm free of fondness now toward rain;
Yet I do love how the rain has focused
my creative brain.

Speaking of my brain,
With all this rain, I just say WOW!
'cause It's keeping me together,
and I'm loving that right now!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

So, What Does YOUR Saturday Look Like?!


      When hubby looked out the window this morning and saw that his flowers had bloomed he became a ball of emotion...but don't tell him I told you that! ^_^ Apparently when he planted these he wasn't sure they would even come up!...but they did! And WOW! They're so pretty!!
 



      Don't ask me what they are...because I have no idea! ^_^ They're pretty...and they're colorful...but they're not crochet! Sooooo.....my interest in the details kinda 'straight-lined' when he started talking about them! LOL
 


      Besides, I have other things on my mind this morning...like being able to do some talking about one of my other favorite subjects, the Bible! :-) And still having a hummingbird at the feeder...
 


      He, or she...O_O...no, I don't know the difference!...is very content to hang around near the feeder, sip a little every once in a while, and enjoy the scenery! :-) Occasionally...and you probably won't believe this...he'll see hubby walking near the window, and he flies over and 'dances' with him! ^_^
      Hubby does a back and forth head movement with the hummingbird, and makes rumbley whistle noises...*I think he thinks he's the head hummingbird, or something! ^_^*...The hummingbird isn't afraid of him. That's the surprise!! LOL I think if I was a hummingbird I'd be pecking at his eyes...making that crazy man noise!!!! LOL
      Anyway! ^_^ I'm off to eat a little somethin' somethin', and have my green tea. "HERE I COME, SATURDAY!!!!" :-) ... Have a good day, Everybody!

Do You Ever...

Do you ever watch the news...
then you find you get the blues...
or have it really light your fuse?!

Do you try to turn away...
try not to let it ruin your day...
and then it does anyway?

Did you see the earthquake come...
Where the planes were coming from...
Or is it all now just 'Hum Drum'?

Did you say: 'Doesn't bother me!'...
'No! I really didn't see!'...
'Oh! That surely couldn't be!'?!

Do you ever want to cry...
Roll up your sleeves and give a try...
make all the children never die?!

It's hard to sometimes see the good
with all the damaged neighborhoods...
See things the way you know you should.

The T.V. news won't fill the bill...
Doesn't give our hope the needed thrill.
But God...I know he can. And will!