A lot has happened since I last posted. After multiple surgeries and 25 radiation treatments for benign brain tumors (short version)I think I am finally ready to start a new dialogue. I need to mention that during this three year period, I also lost my only son to ARDS, which is an acronym for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Basically his lungs filled up with so much fluid following a bad case of bronchitis that his heart could no longer function. Earlier this year I lost the most wonderful, kind and loving sister-in-law in all the universe to Stage 4 cancer. We actually would meet at the hospital at UCSF during our various treatments. It has been a tough several years. That is not to say that good things didn't happen, they did. My sweet loving husband of almost 28 years has been my rock and stability through all of it. My sweet sister became my driver, my ally my connection to the outside world and my driver because of vision problems associated with my condition I didn't drive for two and a half years. We have a beautiful daughter that was a constant source of the need to "man up" and carry one. With all that said, I have to tell you that I am extremely blessed. I am healthy now, I have a wonderful loving family and the best friends in the world. Paulette, here's looking at you. She drove 9 hours one way to be at my side through the toughest times and was ever a source of strength, patience and selfless devotion to my recovery and mental health. She is truly an angel. She's married to a pretty nice fella named Andy, he's a keeper too. :) I haven't done much crafting, although I have spent a lot of time thinking about it. Maybe now is the time to start doing it. I know I have 3 crochet afghans, 3 knit afghans, one block of the month quilts and at least a dozen, maybe two dozen books to read to get caught up. Time has just been flying and I better close now cause I have a lot of work to do. RRR

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Propserous New Year.

The girls were happy with their hand knitted hats. Other than working on seven tileboards for a friend and going to school every weekend for the last three months, I haven't done much crafting. But at least I am still alive and kicking. Blessing to you all.

RRR

Our "Southern Mansion"

I know, I know. Where the tarnation has RRR been and what has she been working on?

First let me say that my computer hard drive crashed and that put me out of business for quite awhile. There's a love/hate thing going on with me and computers.

Well, I haven't been doing a lot, but I have started working on Christmas presents :)

As you will see from the slideshow above, we have (ahem..DH has) been very busy sprucing up our humble abode. You will also see pictures of our greenhouse and our Jack in the Beanstock tomato plants (that term was coined by our neighbor).

"Them dern maters taste just like sunshine." I have put up several quarts of tomatos and salsa. We have given away AND eaten much more than I have put up though.

Anyway, just wanted to let you all know that life is going on somewhere in central Nevada.

Happy Trails to all
RRR

Look at My Latest Creation

Just taking a moment to show you my latest creation. Been working on tile boards again and wanted to try something a little different using decorative paper for the edging. Let me know what YOU think.

RRR

This Plan Will Work

This is from an article in the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday.

The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?"

I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander
the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the
following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!

If more money is needed, have all members of Congress and their constituents pay their taxes...

If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know.

If not, please disregard.

You should see my front yard

because it looks SOOO much different than it did two weeks ago. Two weeks ago I had 8 trees in my yard. Last week I had none and this week I have four.

We (DH) and I decided to start work on this fixer upper we live in. The trees were very old, some were diseased and some were just ugly. DH sawed them off and the backhoe pulled them out. I was most worried about the cinder block wall that my father built and was sure glad the backhoe operator didn't damage it. Thanks dude!

The same day DH was having the trees removed, I was on my way to buy new ones. In one of our past abodes DH had planted me a Purple Robe Locust and it turned out to be my all time favorite. It's blossoms are purple and hang down like grape clusters. It is a very fast growing tree and is beautiful and provides great shade. DH placed the 4 trees I bought to align with the center of each window on the front of the house so from every window I will be able to see a Purple Robe Locust. Isn't that just the best thing you've ever heard?

Yesterday we went out of town to pick up our 8X10 (I think that is the dimension) greenhouse. We also got a new window for my office as the other day when the wind was blowing just right, I could see the blinds blowing. Actually sounded like a Nor’ eastern was blowing thru my office.

It is going to be such a pain to put the new window in my office because I have this HUGE oaken desk and a plethora of electronic gadgets and files (quite the mess) to move so DH can get in here to work. UGH! Anyone volunteer to come help me move the stuff outta my office so I can get the new window installed? I didn't think so, wish I could be gone that weekend too. :)

I am so excited about the greenhouse. I know absolutely nothing about growing things in a greenhouse so any and all suggestions will be welcome. I did buy some starter plants yesterday, got two tomato plants and a pepper plant and some herbs. I was looking for Comfrey and you just don't see that at Lowe's or Home Depot. I want to make a salve out of that as it makes a great healing concoction.

On the way home yesterday I told DH that we should get some chickens to put in the yard once we get the fence reestablished. Boy did I get an ugly look............LOL.

I hate chickens, the only way I like chickens in frozen. I remember when I was a young lass, an old beat up ornery rooster used to attack me every time I tried to feed.............but that is a story for another time.

Also found some resin so I can do more tileboards. Had lunch at Red Robin. You have to remember that I live in the middle of rural Nevada and to go to the city is an all day trip, we try to make the most of it. All in all it was a great day.

Gotta go now and do my two miles on the treadmill. Sigh! Being beautiful and intelligent and talented and....takes so much effort. JK......have a GREAT week.

RRR

Just Back from Krafting Korner

If you have read many of my posts you will know that I love to do crafty things. All kinds of crafty things. I like knitting best of all but I do crochet, sewing, painting etc.

Maybe you remember me mentioning the college age kid got jewelry making tools for Christmas because of a class she was taking and she has had too much fun with it.

Not to be outdone I had to try it myself. Wire wrapping is more challenging than I expected and my friend Karen makes it look too easy. Guess I will just have to keep on practicing. Gives me something to do on my Fridays.

The pictures shown are of a wire wrapped dichroic pendant and a simulated white turquoise pendant. I really like how the silver wrap turned out and it was my second attempt.

Let me know what you think?