Once in a lifetime trip

I'll post more later but this past week has been unbelievable. All of us went to So Cal and spent most of our time in Disneyland.

Our Sophia won the Disney Suite on Wednesday. She and her family got to spend the night in the Disney Suite above Pirates. We all got to be in the parade.

This is our newest grandchild. He has the best personality and is a big flirt. The servers at the hotel really took to him.

Frustration

I just had to express a frustration I am dealing with lately. At the Dulles Airport my DS and I were going through security. Most of the employees, English wasn't their main language. For some reason the guard asked if I was bringing any fruits and vegetables. Between his English and my less than perfect hearing, my brain could not process it.

It has happened a couple of time. When I encounter people with a thick accent, I find I need to either ask half a dozen times or have someone interpet for me.

I have had to "read" lips for several years, even though I didn't realize I was doing it. Some peoples speaking tone just doesn't process, I need to watch their lips. Unfortuately I have a couple of kids that I can't "hear" unless they are looking at me. Why would a heavy accent make a difference if I am looking at them???? Doesn't happen all the time, but enough to frustrate me.

Hearing aid? Don't think that will work, with the ringing in my ears I think it will drive me crazy

Checking in

August seems to have blanketed our family with a malady. We just can't seem to get into gear on anything.

DH did get the Weber and got it set up, haven't used it yet
Have read several library books
Have done lots of charity crafting
Writing - none
Art - none
House cleaning - trying to make a master list and develop routines
Get pictures on charity list more often
Get houses in Jim and my names - not done
Get the rest of things out of the house - not done
Having DS paint two rooms - enough said
Get company to clean up racoon mess - ditto
Schedule rug cleaning
Writing this I realize that I am getting very negative. I'm tired and we as a family need to get over this and get things done.

Positive stuff:

We are going to Disneyland with all my family and I can hardly wait.
DS finally got his promotion (Hurray!) and finding management comes with hard responsibilities! DGS starts pre-school today.
My grandkids are all so talented, smart and good looking. I'm biased but it's true, just ask me.
Have done quite a bit of work on census extractions.


Next post I'll have more positive

Hot, fires and no air conditioning

Two fires locally, but I think were set by people with fireworks. The one at Y mountain is out I think, but the one by Bridal Veil falls, (up the mountain by the closed restaurant) is still going. They thought it was almost out, but then we got wind and a rainstorm.

I appreciate the wind and rain because our air conditioning went out. It was really hot in the house until Rob opened windows.

Got to work today and they had to shut down the power, hence no air conditioning at work. No lights, no computers, no phone so I went out to the car and got some cotton yarn and started a dishcloth.

It's back now, some of us have phones, some don't. I feel this has really been a wasted day.

I am trying to think just what I can do for dinner as using the stove it not in the picture.

#14 is here

Our 14th grandchild, the 5th boy, was born April 10, at approximately 6:15 p.m. I have to settle for pictures because they live 2,000 miles away. I am so grateful that mom, son, dad and big brother are fine.

DD and I went to Wallaby's for dinner before Special Needs Mutual, that is where we were when the proud father called. While DD was at her meeting I watched Martian Child. I fell in love with it. I was adopted also, but from birth, so I wasn't plagued with why "they" left me. This "Martian" child was so undone by it all he couldn't fuction.

His adopted father had lost his wife and decided to follow through on the adoption.

A journey for a man to become a father and a child to become a son, both becoming a family.

Starting all over again

Not sure why but my passion for art kind of waned a bit over the last 20 months. I tend to do that with all my interests.

However the last while (actually since my mom passed away in Jan) I have felt the tug and/or need to draw again. Problem with stopping sketching everyday? You lose confidence and forget skills.

I was babysitting 2 of my grandchildren the other night and brought my sketch pad and sketcing pencils. Not so good but I did start. Grandson had to add his art also. Last night DD and my "Girls Night Out" we went to the library with sketch pad in hand.

I started a contour drawing of my hand. I froze up and it didn't turn out too well. I did however end up with four fingers and a thumb. I did a quick sketch of a man (maybe homeless because several use the library as a base) that turned out very pleasing to me. Got brave and sketched DD. Found out an interesting thing, drawing someone you know is harder. I kept getting hung up on mistakes, a good lesson to me.

I will try to post the pictures soon.

I am so excited, I ordered a laptop. I really don't like laptops (don't last as long, I drop all my electronic gadgets) but for various reasons that is what I ordered. I won't get it for about 2.5 weeks (I want it now, now, now).

I kept telling myself while dealing with mom's death that when it was over I could buy myself a laptop. It's not all over quite yet, but I got her taxes finished, so I ordered it. Has lots of bells and whistles, can't wait.

Next big project, buy my half of mom's house from brother and get it ready to rent. Not sure I'm really for the responibility but I'll muddle through. So far I have been able to get out of my comfort zone and done things I haven't wanted to do.

It's been awhile

I check my DD and dear DIL's blogs quite regularily, but it's been a few months since I have updated mine.

A while ago I was introduced to Firefly (the tv series) and found the only place to rent it was through Netflicks. Signing up I didn't realize that it would change so much of what I do. I have totally turned into a television series junkie. I haven't written, drawn, scrapbooked since I got hooked. My time hasn't been a total loss as while I have watch I have been charity crafting.
Their gain, my loss.

I was making so much progress in learning about art and I am missing not drawing. It seems like I'm so tired that by the time I get home from work that after dinner I just crash. Justifying the tv watching, I pick up my knitting or crocheting needles making baby hats, booties, sweaters . . .

I seem to put energy (what little I have) into whatever passion I have at the time. When it stops it is like I have hit a brick wall and I can hardly bear to get back into the project (s). I wish I could have balance. I make a goal, the written statement, but don't follow it up with the rest of the plan, nor follow the plan.

I am not one of the natural born organizers, it is a constant struggle. I make lists and plans and they go to garbage more often that not. Things out of sight are lost forever, or until I accidently stumble over them. Okay I'm rambling, but I do that alot. I decided I best get back into the blog scene. It may be a way to get my mind grounded, besides I miss reading my favorite blogs. And I almost didn't remember my password. Back to work, sorry for mistakes, not going to read this or I'll delete it.

BOL

Here is three of the sweaters I sent BOL

What kind of flower are you?

I have been working on new skills and old skills and unfortunately it hasn't been in the art area. Learning to use dpn and circular needles. Also been working on baby sweaters for Bundles of Love and Binky Patrol. (I have a large plastic tub with items that I need to get mailed to the appropriate charities). It is a lot of fun and I have been going through lots of tv on DVD's.

Love CSI, NCSI, Lost, Medium, Monk, House, Bones, Criminal Minds, Alias, etc. I have started The Unit. Didn't think I would like it, but I do.

I need to get a better schedule so that I can: draw, paint, read and study. But while I have been recovering from ulcerative colitus I have been at least enjoying good stories and lots of crocheting and knitting.

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Somewhat Hailey

I titled this Somewhat because it somewhat looks like Hailey. I need to work on using my eraser because in correcting a mistake I erased more than I wanted. Her nose and eyes looked more like her the first time.

The tiger is one that I drew at the library last week. I was just practicing so didn't try to put in all the stripes. It was a lot of fun. Maybe I can try drawing animals. 

This is my third post that I have tried to post both have lots of information in them. They got lost in cyberspace. It's all I can think. I may edit this when I decide what I wrote before.

This clip art is from pccrafters/hugware

WDE - Oct 20 - Scott

WDE - Oct 6

A apple study in colored pencil and graphite.
I am finally getting the idea of layering in both.

This is a sketch of an antique clock.

WDE Sailboat

Christopher Brandon is on the scene

Just had to pop in and record that Christopher Brandon made his appearance Oct 1, 2006 born in Payson. He has a ton of hair is tall and thin. His sisters are so excited.

He was born at 1:10 (I think), 7 1/2 lbs and 21 1/2 inches tall.

He looks like Brandon and Mark and has the Craner hands. Doesn't have the Craner head though. This may be a good thing.

I am the proud grandmother of 13 wonderful grandchildren. Funny is I don't feel old (actually I am not that old).

Apple for scavenger hunt done in soft pastels on pastel paper.

WDE (Weekend drawing event) Sept 29. Thought the background was a good idea at the time. Don't think so now.

Trying my hand at figures. This was from a California Closets ad.

This was a sketch from WDE on Wet Canvas. It's David and doesn't look a thing like him.