Words to live by...

Love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

Open letter to my heart-adopted son...

Hey Baby Boy!

I am glad to hear from you:). I know what it is like to be somewhere where everyone I love is at work and I am at home......sucks big time. I also know you are one tough cookie and will make it through this. Always remember: This, too, shall pass.

Please tell Navy Man that I love and miss him...and Hev-G, too. And, please kiss Layla for me and tell her Mama to send me some photos.

Same ole shit around here...got screwed out of $250.00 on the first...now, imagine that!!!

Fif got her place so I have been going over there to hang out. Ummm....there is this maintenance man there...with eyes I could drown in...rotf.

Lij and Jen went to Homecoming...and looked awesome...they had a wonderful time. He got a job and should start soon. He is the perfect hire for a video store:).

We took Fif out for her birthday and had a great time...now I know why you kids like Lemon Drops. I was all puckered up and said, "Wow! This is delicious!" We drank, we danced, we hugged, and we giggled...all in all, we had a great time.

Alana painted one of the walls in the living room teal and, buddy, its gorgeous. I smile everytime I look at it.

I am okay, so do not panic when you read the next line. Somehow I managed to fall down the stairs yesterday. Even though I landed on my feet, I slammed into the wall at the bottom. It scared me more than anything. I was so shook up, I called Fif and she came to pick me up and we went to her place. How's this for timing? The maintenance guy came over to fix the shower while I was there. I told him we had to stop meeting like that:). Today I am so stiff I look like the Tin Man in dire need of some oil.

I am thrilled to know that you are using the book! You know, Kiddo, God doesn't care how He blesses us and that book is definately a blessing for you. Finding a safe place to go when we need to escape the daily grind is such a fantastic tool for you! Keep me posted on your progress and, please, keep writing to me.

Carry this little tidbit in your pocket and pull it out any time you need some encouragement: I love you very much and I am immensely proud of you!

Love and hugs,

Momma

Epiphany

a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

First of all, let me say that I love the word epiphany! I like the way it looks, the way it sounds, I love what it means, and most of all I am thrilled when I experience one.

Some of you have been writing to see if I am okay. Thank you so very much! I am doing well. This is such an introverted time in my life. I have been experiencing many emotions that are new to me some of which are expected and some not so much.

It seems that God has allowed my regular veins of support to be cut-off with the ultimate goal of my having to turn to Him for everything. This time, I can honestly say that I caught on rather quickly:).

I imagine some of what I am going through has to do with my age as I am approaching 49 shortly. With age comes changes in perspective and wisdom. Hopefully, the lessons I have struggled with will now be put behind me and will become issues I no longer have to deal with. Never more than now have I come to realize that while people may fail you or leave you God never will.

New Jammies...Forbidden Fruit

My latest fun...Forbidden Fruit...lol. The red part of the top is from a shirt that had...ummm...shall we say, gotten a little snug. I am gonna have the best jammie selection in Ohio at the rate I am going:). Am thinkin I am gonna make some short bottoms...for a change. I also found my "elephant leg" jammie bottom pattern...look out world!

Some of you have emailed in order to check up on me. Overall, life is good. Suffering a few minor finacial set-backs but am trusting my heavenly Father, who has never failed to take care of me. My health insurance got re-instated so I have been going to lots of appointments...both doctor and dentist. Now, we all know I would much rather be at home blogging or sewing, but I do what I gotta do:).

Hugs...and have an absolutely wonderful week~

Girly Wisdom~

Women over 50 don't have babies because they would put them down and forget where they left them.

A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she has 14 kids but doesn't really care.

One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then, your body and your fat are really good friends.

Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today.

Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my knicker's.

Amazing! You hang something in your closet for a while and it shrinks 2 sizes!

Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!' Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

--Snagged from an email:).

HUGS~

Weird mood...imagine that~

Having spent the night tossing, turning, and drowning in hot flashes I find I am in a weird mood today. These hormones are making me absolutely crazy. The NASCAR Race in my mind has slowed down some and for that I am grateful. I hate it when my mind races uncontrollably.

And...hot flashes? Are you kidding me? I haven't had the sheer pleasure(note sarcasm) of these suckers in quite some time and I am not having pleasure now. Top them off with nausea and you can see that it is quite the struggle to be in a chipper mood.

I am slowly but steadily making progress in the wreck that is my sewing/dining room. It looks like a disaster of epic proportions happened in there. Whew~ I am also doing some rearranging as my current system is obviously not working for me. I got some kewl things to reconstruct and instead of leaving them lying around, I have turned my downstairs closet into the Recon Closet. While all of the recon stuff is now nicely hanging in it's new home, I gotta move stuff to another spot. It never ends...lol.

I got an awesome enbroidered jean jacket that will make a darling purse, a huge man's button down shirt that will make a cute puffy-sleeved top for me, a pair of awesome black linen pants that are embroidered with cute flowers...not sure about them as I may just wear them before reconning them. There is a gorgeous green reversible jacket that is quilted and is fated to become the cutest & easiest tote bag of all times plus the mumu that will be a cute peasant top with the addition of some elastic and the removal of feet of fabric from the bottom. I may make a skirt from the bottom.

I also got me an adorable vintage skirt and a pair of vintage capris that I will definately be sporting this summer:). I love the bold fabrics and the zippers on the old stuff. I am trying to break out of the 'fashion'(or lack of fashion) rut I am in. Due to my size, I tend to dress rather plainly and well, it is so boring...lol.

I went shopping and found a pattern for a house/sun dress and one of the options is for a halter top on it. I am making that out of some pale blue fabric that is covered with white polka dots. I figure if I don't get the gumption to wear it out of the house, it will work for running around inside. I do love polka dots...and my Beloved will love it:). I also got more orange fabric...for some reason this year I am crazy about orange. I made a housedress out of some 'Finding Nemo' fabric and managed to cut the front too short...ugh~ So...I made an orange ruffle and put it on the bottom front and it is toooo cute. I swear I am gonna make a pair of orange jammie bottoms and put a ruffle at the bottom of them. Please note that any attempt on my part to go out in public in that get-up will be thwarted by my occasionally anally retentive children. I can just see me sneaking out...and giggling the whole time!

My Navy Man flew to Chicago yesterday to meet his fiance'. They are driving her car back to New Orleans and she will be staying in the hotel on base for 2 or 3 weeks! I will be surprised if she goes home before August 16th. They moved the wedding date up till then. This way she gets a happy medium between the wedding of every little girls dream and a quick to-do at the courthouse. I am thrilled they are getting married close to my house so I can be there~ And, yes, I will be making a dress for the wedding:). I am thinking something fun & flirty in a turquoise with white polka dots all over it...and turquoise shoes...cute ones!

I am hoping to squeeze in at least a one-week vacation to New Orleans between Heather's going home and my Beloved's visit here. I wanna go hang out with my Navy Man and will be sewing while he is at work. I am quite certain there are fabric shops in New Orleans:). When I told my Beloved about my plans, he began suggesting that I just go walking around base and informed me that surely I would meet new people. He stopped in mid-sentence. "Why am I telling you this? Stay in your room!" Gotta love a little jealousy. From a man whom I absolutely adore no less:).

I am also hoping that my Beloved is still here when the wedding rolls around. He has already promised to dance with me!

Clothing Reconstruction

I am the kinda person who hates to waste anything. Sometime ago I picked up an outfit(top and skirt) at the thrift store cos it had these gorgeous big plastic buttons on it and buttons printed in the fabric. I love buttons:)! Although I do admit that when I bought it I mostly wanted those plastic buttons, I simply could not toss the outfit in the trash. I was gonna use the fabric to make purse linings. Instead, I decided to make me a house dress. Last night once I started playing around with it, the house dress has morphed into a darling sun dress and shrug! It is so much fun to just play and see what comes out. I cut the top down, trimmed off the neckline, and am working on the sleeves. I am using a darling little seashell stitch to edge everything so there is NO hemming involved. The skirt and bottom of the top are becoming the sun dress which will fall below my knees. And for shoes to complete the ensemble? Why black flip-flops with the other two red buttons sewn onto them, of course!

Why Y?

Ever wonder how Generation Y got its name?
This about says it all!!!

In it's January 22, 2008 edition, the Quebec City newspaper, Le Soleil, had a topic about generations by age group.

Generations are grouped as follows:

The Silent generation, people born before 1945.
The Baby Boomers, people born between 1945 and 1961.
Generation X, people born between 1962 and 1976.
Generation Y, people born between 1977 and 1989.

For the last one, one can ask, "Why Y?"
A caricaturist explains it eloquently below...

How about a good old fashioned giggle?

Amazingly Simple Home Remedies:

1. Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop.

2. Avoid arguments with the females about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

3. For high blood pressure sufferers ~ simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. Remember to use a timer.

4. A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

5. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you'll be afraid to cough.

6. You only need two tools in life - wd-40 and duct tape. if it doesn't move and should, use the wd-40 if it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

7. If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

Daily thought: Some people are like slinkies - not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.

Note from Phyl...I love the last one. I have a very visual sence of things...you can admit it...who did you just imagine "slinking down the stairs?" Personally, I plead the 5th!

Rotflmao...Have a fabulously fun Friday:)!

Newest project~

Here is what I am working on:

This bag: (the red asterick marks the one)


From 3 of these fabrics: (From the left...1st, 2nd, 4th.)



What do you think?

Words on Wordless Wednesday

Leave it to me to come up with a way to run my mouth use words on Wordless Wednesday! Rotflmbo.

The fantasy:



The reality:



The compromise:



Hugs...

Going on Hiatus~

I am in need of some time off the computer. See the to-do list to the left of this post? I truly need to whittle it down to nothing.

I won't be posting or blog hopping(gasp~) for a few days while I let real life interfere with my fun. For those of you who accuse me of being a blogger-on-steroids, here is your chance to catch up on all my posts...lol. (Hey GP!)

I will check my e-mail so if you need to get in touch with me do it that way:). I moderate a very busy quilt group and will be keeping an eye on that, of course.

And Mom aka Betty...if you need me you have my cell phone number and I know you know how to use it:).

Hugs~

Today I am grateful for...reason's to giggle.

Pilot checklist

After every flight, pilots fill out a form, called a gripe sheet which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some maintenance complaints submitted by pilots and the solutions recorded by maintenance engineers. By the way, the airline these came from is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

Pilot: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
Engineers: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

Pilot: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
Engineers: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

Pilot: Something loose in cockpit.
Engineers: Something tightened in cockpit.

Pilot: Dead bugs on windshield.
Engineers: Live bugs on back-order.

Pilot: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
Engineers: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

Pilot: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
Engineers: Evidence removed.

Pilot: DME volume unbelievably loud.
Engineers: DME volume set to more believable level.

Pilot: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
Engineers: That's what friction locks are for.

Pilot: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
Engineers: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

Pilot: Suspected crack in windshield.
Engineers: Suspect you're right.

Pilot: Number 3 engine missing.
Engineers: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

Pilot: Aircraft handles funny.
Engineers: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

Pilot: Target radar hums.
Engineers: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

Pilot: Mouse in cockpit.
Engineers: Cat installed.

Pilot: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
Engineers: Took hammer away from midget.

Today I am grateful for...

Maxine! She is such a hoot~

I would like to introduce you to my new personal assistant...

For years I have been running around like the proverbial headless chicken attempting the ever elusive state of total and utter organization. And yes, I even squawked, "I so need a personal assistant!"

Well, someone out there is obviously in tune with chicken squawking and have answered my plea. Her name is Sandy! The bonus is that I do not have to pay Sandy an exorbitant salary and this chick is so good that she can keep me, you, and everyone we know organized at the same time. She is totally customizable so that she meets my individual organizational needs. Now, that's amazing!

Here are some of the things people are saying about Sandy:

“Available 24 hours a day, Sandy never complains, and costs nothing; she's perfect! More seriously, this kind of service represents a real tendency today, and when you think about it, thousands of opportunities have to be developed on that type of application... Anyway, it's a wonderful tool for scatterbrain people!”
“The language is natural, as if you were talking to an actual human. ... The best part about Sandy is the messages you get back from "her"—helpful and fun, the tone truly makes you feel like have an assistant backing you up.
“Ok, this is really, really cool. iwantsandy.com offers a free personal assistant system that works by email. Need to be reminded to pick up your dry cleaning at 3:00? Send an email to your personal "Sandy" address and "she" will send you a reminder at that time. Need to add an item to a task list? Just email it and it will be added. Add the "@weekly" tag and you can get a weekly reminder. You can also get a daily email with tasks for the day. You can interact with Sandy through email, the web or even SMS text messages. The number of possibilities is huge. ”

I love Sandy! Click on her picture above, give her a try, and see she how she does. I would love to hear what you think.

Hugs...



Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with iwantsandy.com in any way. Just another satisfied and happily organized woman. Today I am grateful for Sandy!

I believe I can fly~

Lately I have mentioned FlyLady.net quite a few times. I love the premise that this site is based on! FLY stands for Finally Loving Yourself and FlyLady covers it all from organizing to cleaning to pampering yourself.

Are YOU living in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) like Franny in the pink sweats? Do you feel overwhelmed, overextended, and overdrawn? Hopeless and you don't know where to start? Don't worry friend, we've been there, too.

When you join FlyLady, you will receive daily FLYmail. Your FLYing Lessons will guide you through babysteps to help you set up routines, get rid of your clutter, and put your home and life in order. FlyLady's approach has worked for thousands. Join anytime you want (there is no cost involved)! You are not behind - you are just getting started!

I have learned that I am not lazy! What I am is overwhelmed and very busy. Quite frankly, it just doesn't always occur to me to clean house and when it does, I feel like I need to excavate instead of clean.

FlyLady has made me realize that I can clean and organize my home...a little bit at a time. Even if I get an email that I don't utilize right away, the thought of doing something gets in my mind and that's where it needs to start for me:).

Ovet the course of yesterday I did my laundry, found my kitchen,(much to my delight there really was a sink in there!), and cleaned the dining room. The house even feels better! And I am smiling~

Hugs...hope to see you FLYing,


DISCLAIMER: I am in no way affiliated with FLyLady. net. I am just a happy subscriber and convert:). She offers many wonderful tools to assist FlyBabies in their quest to get-it-all-together. I can't afford them, so I am doing this sans tools and so can you:).

Fabric Diet 2008

Last night as I was moving mountains of fabric from the dining room(where I sew) to the basement(where the fabric is supposed to be kept)I realized that I need to do something besides move this stuff all the time!

The above button is from Hanne's blog. It is free to take because in her words, "the more stash users the merrier!!"

Here is the code for you to copy & paste where ever you want it to show up:). It is linked to Hanne's blog.

<a href="http://www.hannequilt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">
<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT6jWrr5ghRP67u9wosVznIOCdwZSnH-vm87hx4EN2oRF1bbQCUBYQAckd8R3fBb8UhsPPX9ScVUV-jzEeLgorIKEGtprmyPpDF99L2ZLTOSzX4bQNXDfDnv2iGk79JD2O-DAAw3jofQE/s320/2008+Fabric+Diet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5168001036861937938" /></a>

I am making a slew of purses and then I am gonna give tons of fabric away. Do you get tired of using the same fabric over and over? I need to deplete my supply so I can justify replenishing...lol.

In stitches,

Hello, Content Woman.

You know how I say all the time that God doesn't care who He uses to bless us? And that everytime I seek an answer He gives me one? Today I am grateful to God for making me all that I am and for putting Valencia Roner in my Internet path.

I DID NOT WRITE the following. Obviously, I can not relate to being a black woman. I have 2 daughters who can. What I can relate to is being a woman...a content woman. This has not always been the case.

Read on and please visit the blog linked at the bottom. To Valencia Roner I say this: You can not see me but I was just on my feet giving you a very loud standing ovation:). You go, girl~

What Makes a Content Woman?

By: Valencia Roner

What is the one thing women want today more than anything else? They
want to be happy. They want to be content.

My favorite Bible scripture comes from Philippians 4:11: "For I have
learned, in whatever state I am, to be content."

"What does it take for a woman like me to be content, no matter what?"
Since asking myself this question 2 ½ years ago, I have made it my
life's mission to know contentment while also helping others know it
for themselves.

So, who exactly is a Content Woman?

First of all, she is really O.K. with who she is, where she is, in
life. And if not, she's not afraid to do something about it.

A Content Woman is so secure with herself, she won't allow negative
outside influences to override the peace and contentment she cherishes.

Next, she loves being happy and she loves to laugh. She focuses on
those things, activities and people that contribute to and supports
happiness. She tends to do what she loves for a living.

A Content Woman is a woman who has made a commitment to being at peace
with God. She knows all life challenges are temporary and not
intended to last.

While embracing the efforts to be kind and loving to all, a Content
Woman is no push over. The worse thing anyone can do is take a Content
Woman's kindness for weakness.

She knows how to communicate with difficult people who insist on
trying to disrupt her life. A Content Woman does not allow things
outside of her to define who she is whether it is a job, money or people.

She's comfortable with setting boundaries when it comes to how people
treat her. Disrespect and mistreatment are not acceptable. When
someone insists on being disrespectful, the Content Woman walks away
or ends a phone conversation by politely hanging up.

She enjoys paying compliments to others. A Content Woman is content
with showing love to others without compromising herself.

A Content Woman is extremely comfortable in the fact that she does not
have the answers to all of life's mysteries. She knows that each and
every one of us are the mere sum total of our experiences and believes
we all are really doing the best we can to get from one day to the next.

A Content Woman seeks to live a life of spiritual truth, dealing in
things that are only real. Fake and phony circumstances and people do
not attract her although she is committed to loving people where they are.

Finally, a Content Woman lives a life of trust. She trusts life and
its process. With sound wisdom, she trusts the humanity of all
people. A Content Woman also trusts and loves God unconditionally
because she knows it is his favor that has allowed her to make it this
far in life.

To know and trust one's self is to know peace.

Hello, Content Woman.

Valencia Roner is the host of the Content Black Woman Show, the #1
Current Events Program on BlogTalkRadio.com. She is the creator of
the popular blog Why Black Women Are Angry(http://whyblackwomenareangry.blogspot.com) – a blog committed to
combating the stereotype of the "Angry Black Woman". She can be
reached at contentblackwoman@yahoo.com.

I actually got this info thru flylady.net, but it is right on time with where I am in my own personal journey. Hugs...

OH...I lost my new template!!!!

Some of you saw the wonderful new blog I had....well, somehow i managed to mess it up. I am so mad at myself. Cyn has graciously agreed to reload everything once she returns from her vacation.

I miss my three colums and the work she did!

Hugs,

Phyl

New Christmas Poem~ snagged and dedicated to Martail

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,

"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq