Frenzied Over Fibers

2011-09-29T12:52:00.000-05:00

Saturday Mom and I are off to New Hampshire to finally close out mine and Tommy's storage. After six years I don't know what I'm going to find, but I am finally going to close out that part of my life. I do know a few tears will be shed and memories remembered. I'm going to get to show Mom the cabin we lived in on top of Kimball Hill. We lived there for three wonderful months before being transferred to the Big Easy after "The Bitch" (Katrina) went through. Since we were supposed to return after five months we left most of our stuff in storage. We've never been able to afford to go back and get it. Mom has decided it is time for a vacation. She's never been to New England, so that's how this trip came about.

It's not going to be a long trip, well not in time anyway...we'll be gone a week. We are going to get a little sightseeing in, though. We will be staying in Hershey, PA our second night. Can anyone say chocolate overdose?? We're going to go through Lancaster County and see the Pennsylvania Dutch area. Wonder if I'll see any crazy quilts?? Probably not, but I may be wrong.

We are staying at the Best Western White Mountain Resort in Franconia, NH for two nights. The lady I spoke to while making reservations, said we will be there at peak color time.

On the home front, last Wednesday Zoe got the last two pins out of her little leg. We thought for a little that she might lose the leg, but the dr. discovered that the last two pins had loosened so much that they were causing her pain whenever she used the leg. So, now she walking better and not limping as much. She and Zax are going on vacation with us. They both suffer a bit from separation anxiety. They are very good travelers. I just hope they remember their manners when meeting those northern pups...lol.

While we are gone I am going to try to update this blog daily. I have two brothers who are having fits cause they can't go with us. They are both of the opinion that we can't survive without them to do everything for us. Jeremy is going to be here at the house to care for Lady and the birds and the mail and such.

2011-09-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

A quick update on Zoe. As of Wednesday the 21st, she no longer has any pins in her little leg. We are still having to be very easy but she is pin free. YEA!!!!!

2011-09-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

My mom, sister-in-law Paula, and I have opened a shop at Artfire.com. It's called CuLeaCu. That's for Cummings (my mom), Lear (me), Cummings (Paula). Everyone says it sounds kinda Hawaiian. I like it and I don't think we will have any competition for the name or much confusion. We tried to find a creative name that was memorable but most of them, or some variation, seemed to be taken. Mom decided to come up with the name and she sure did a winner. The address to visit our shop is CuLeaCu.Artfire.com.

Below are some of the things we are offering in our shop right now.

This is a flowered candle holder created by Paula. It's $18.

This is the Golden Blues, created by my mom. I think it is just beautiful. It's $26 with free shipping to the US.

This is an octagonal Jewel Tin and one of two I've got listed. It is $48.

We have lots of other things listed also. Drop by and see what we have. Remember Christmas is just over two months away.

2011-08-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share some pics with ya'll. I have been working on stuff for the artfire store my mom, sister-in-law, and I are opening. I've made three covered tins. I gave one to the wonderful lady that spent so much time getting my contacts just right so I can see clearly again. (I have keratoconus and need special rigid gas permeable lens.) Anyway, I don't have pics of the other two tins yet but here is the one I gave Susy.

This is an altered altoids tin. I've shown the top block previously on this blog, now the piece is complete.

The top of the lid is lined with black felt. The bottom is covered in black velvet with lace going around the sides.

I got this cute little cupid bead in a swap years ago.

After finishing the blocks for the purses, which I haven't put together yet, I went off on a wild tangent and made some brooches. Don't know what came over me but I did. As soon as blogger quits yanking my chain I'll have some pics to post.

2011-07-31T11:40:00.000-05:00

Finished Blocks

This is the block in progress.

This is the block finished. It will be made into a purse.

This is the block in progress.

This is the block finished. It will be made into a purse.

2011-07-20T10:19:00.000-05:00

After several months without one, I finally was able to replace the usb cord to my digital camera. There were lots and lots and lots of pictures on it. Thought I'd share a few with you. I'll try very hard to keep them in chronological order.

Zoie and her leg:

This was just after we brought her home from the emergency vet. She has a blue bandage around her neck and a splint and cast on her leg. My poor little girl.

This is 4 days later after she had to undergo surgery and had 5 pins put in. The blue thing is what they call a cage. It encloses the exposed ends of the pins.

She has had 2 of the pins removed. One in the top and one at the bottom. They may have to replace the one at the bottom.

They definitely gave her some really good drugs...lol.

She is a little trooper. Other than getting bored and whiney at times, she has taken this whole thing alot better than I have. But then what else can she do?

She is happiest sitting in the recliner, wrapped in her daddy's koala blankie.

.Zaxxie decided that since he didn't want to get attention the same way his sissy did, he'd have some wild hair days:

Blogger is trying to mess with my head and my pics this morning so I will break this post up. More pics to come.

2011-07-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

Here is Mom, Jeremy, and Ashley on Mom's birthday. I made her a trifle instead of a cake or cookie. She wanted it made in the punch bowl from her wedding (really the only large bowl we have). I think that sucker weighed out at around 8 lbs, minus the bowl. Used an angel food cake, 8 large bananas, 4 quarts of strawberries, 2 qts of blueberries and 2 pts of raspberries and one large tub of cool whip. Each layer was then drizzled with condensed milk. Everyone loved it. For a huge as that thing was, it only lasted about 4 days. The fresh fruit was awesome. Everyone wants me to make another one. I refuse to make one that big again....unless it's for a large party or something.

2011-06-20T00:18:00.000-05:00

Happy 69th Birthday, Mama!

I know your birthday was Saturday, but we were having such a fun and busy day, I forgot to post this. Hope you will forgive me...lol.

We all love you very much.

2011-05-30T15:06:00.000-05:00

This block is still in progress. I have ripped out nearly everything on it and started over. I like it alot better than originally. I'm calling this the cornfly block. My dragonfly at the lower left was causing me difficulties cause I had the wings but I couldn't find beads for a suitable body. Then one day, I came across these four corn shaped beads in my stash. They are the only ones I have and I have no clue where they came from, but they work so well. I think this may end up being a purse.

This is my little girl block. It is also in progress but all it needs is beading. I really like all the little flowers at the base of the piece of lace. I still need to add a spider to the web, also.

This block was shown earlier and I realized I left out three of the corners. So now those corners are beaded and don't feel left out anymore. I'm not sure what I'm going to make of it yet. Maybe a wallhanging.

I have three tins complete and ready to photograph. Our Artfire store is almost ready to throw the doors open on and welcome everyone in. I just have to get a new USB cord for my camera and finish all the "paperwork" for the store...excuse me, Fusion Studio.

Happy 53rd birthday, my dearest darling love. I miss you so much.

2011-05-05T01:11:00.000-05:00

Ok, I think we are officially down now. The hits just seem to keep coming. Last Tuesday when we had the powerful storms come through, we got 6 inches of rain in like four hours or so. Four inches of the water decided to go straight through the house. It was nasty. The sewers in the street backed up so that joined the rainwater. I do think we were fortunate, unlike our neighbors, that our toilet and bathtub didn't back up into the house. We lost clothing, fabric, doors...now badly warped, and a myriad of other things. My brother Harvey came from Texas Thursday to help out. Boy did we need him.

Friday, Mom and I went to Shreveport for my last contact appt. YEA!!!! I can now start going to the local clinic for my regular checkups.
While we were there, we visited Tommy...it was the year and a half mark. I had a nasty panic attack. Mom got a beautiful steel and bamboo windchime to hang for him. I miss him so much.

We spent Saturday morning at the vet with Zoe. She got xrayed today and everything is looking good. We don't go back for three weeks...much better than weekly visits.

Saturday morning a very dear dear friend of our's died. Her name is Velda Schmeer. We have gone to church with her for 30 years. She and Jeremy share a birthday. She fell in love with him the first time she saw him...he was only a few weeks old. He was quite attached to her also. They exchanged birthday cards every year and as he got older and started doing yard work, he did her yard. He was supposed to go do her yard Saturday morning but didn't make it over there. Her funeral is tomorrow at ten a.m. She was 89 years young. She made the trip to Haughton to Tommy's funeral. She will be sorely missed.

I think we have finally reached the saturation point. I don't think we can deal with anything else bad happening. Surely we have reached our limit....for the next few years anyway.

2011-04-19T22:02:00.000-05:00

Today is my 8th wedding anniversary. I sure wish Tommy were here to spend it with me. I miss you and love you so much, my darling.

2011-04-06T01:32:00.001-05:00

I finished the three pieces I showed a few days ago. Here are the pics:

To this block, I added the flowers in the middle of the top and bottom. I then added a small silver dragonfly and transparent gold beads. I'm really happy with it. It's now just waiting to be put on its tin.

This block also received a small dragonfly, gold this time. I scattered green transparent beads around.

To this block, once again I added a small dragonfly and clear beads.

I am very pleased with all three of these blocks.

I also did the following two pieces. The first one I actually thought I was finished with until I scanned it and looked at it on the monitor. Then I realized I totally forgot three corners. How silly.

I made this for a specific tin. It was a little too big but I figured that as I stitched that it would shrink. NOT! It is still too big. I am thinking of making this into a wall hanging when it's finished. I did alot more silk ribbon embroidery then I usually do. I love doing it but have always been kinda scared of it. Not anymore.

I do hate that the scanner squished my roses in the middle though.

This is the piece I am currently working on:

I'm happy with what I've done so far but now I'm kinda stumped as to what to do next. Any ideas?

Isn't that piece of lace just lovely? It was dyed specially for me by my very good friend Lesa, owner of the group CQ For Newbies. She did such a wonderful job and it fits this block very nicely. Thanks, Lesa.

2011-04-06T01:09:00.001-05:00

Had a death really close to home tonight. Sometime during the late evening, firetrucks and cop cars went down our street with sirens and lights. Jeremy came in a little later and told us that there had been a really bad accident at the end of our street. There had been a motorcycle/car accident (the car was driven by a 20 year old girl who fled the scene; she later turned herself in) and the young man riding the bike had died. Made us all stop and think. Jeremy rides a bike. He is safety conscious but accidents happen. He had one a couple of years ago that if it had not been for the quick thinking of a friend of his, he would have died.

A couple of hours later, Jeremy told Mom and I that the young man that died was not only someone he went to school with but is also the brother in law of Lyric's aunt. He was only 25. His name was Mitchell. He left behind a wife and a year old son.

Including Tommy, this is the 7th death in the last 17 months. Three of them were school mates of Jeremy's.

2011-04-04T14:14:00.000-05:00

Zoie update: It's been almost two weeks since Zoie's surgery. The vet is pleased with her progress. She has five pins in her leg. All of them stick out and are enclosed in what the vet calls a "cage". It is like a bar that all the pins are held in place by. I was really surprised that she was up and walking on it the day after her surgery. When mom and I got there to pick her up, they told us she had just come in from her daily constitutional and they were pleased with how well she was walking.

So, I take (read that as carry) her out to the side yard three to five times a day. She walks around a little bit and then does her business. I then carry her back in. She spends most of the day and all of the night on my bed. She is to be still (as best a dog can be) except when she goes outside. My bed is high enough that I know she won't jump off of it. Sometimes she wants to sit in the recliner. Have I ever mentioned how spoiled this pooch is? So whenever I am in the room, she gets to sit in the recliner. She jumped down from there yesterday. I don't think she was expecting the pain. She spent the rest of the day on the bed, cause I just don't trust her.

We go back to the vet once a week. They will re xray in six weeks, at which time they will determine if it is feasible to begin removing pins. Dr. Bell said he should be able to remove the last two pins in about 18 to 20 weeks. It's gonna be a long five months...lol.

I'll post some pics once I get them off my camera.

2011-03-22T02:34:00.000-05:00

This is my little Zoie. She was Tommy's baby girl. She is part jack russell and part chihuahua with the attitude of a rottweiller. The only thing I know she is scared of is my mom's german shepard, Lady. Lady wants to eat her. We work very hard at keeping them separate. Lady gets puts in mom's bedroom whenever Zoie goes out back for her daily constitutionals. Everyone is told that under no conditions do we let Lady out of her room while Zoie is out of hers.

Well, Sunday, Zax (who by the way loves Lady) and Zoie were in the front part of the house and Lady was in her room. Lyric, my brother Jeremy's girlfriend's (Ashley) 2 year old (3 next month) boy decided without telling anyone to free Lady. Yes, he does know better. It is something that has been drilled into his little head since he first set foot in this house...Lady must stay in her room when Zoie is out of hers. He knows this.

Well, we all know accidents happen. Before Mom, Ashley, or I even knew what was happening, Lady was on Zoie. It took Mom and I about five minutes to get them separated....seems like so much longer. We rushed Zoie to the Emergency Afterhours Clinic. Her little left hind leg below the knee was crushed. She also had puncture wounds in her scruff. The vet (very nice man) set her leg and put a cast/splint on it. He was able to realign the bones, but there were still splinters of bone that could slip out of place again. She also got a pretty blue bandage on her neck. Monday morning Mom and I took her to our regular vet as per instructions. Dr. David looked at the xray from the er vet. She wanted to take more xrays cause he had only included one view on the cd, so we had to leave my little girl there. After lunch, Dr. David called to tell us what the new xrays showed and what the next course of action should be.

Tomorrow afternoon, Zoie is having surgery to rebuild her leg. They are putting pins in it. Dr. David said some of them will be visible. She gives Zoie a real good prognosis. If for some reason something goes wrong, or the leg doesn't "take" after the surgery, then they will probably have to go back in and amputate. I was told that if this happens, she will have to relearn her center of gravity but she should be just fine without the leg since it's a rear one.

My poor baby girl. It is going to be a long six weeks...for both of us. I should get to bring her home Wednesday afternoon. When I talked to Dr David this afternoon, she said Zoie had taken both food and water. She also had her pain medication and was "feeling pretty happy". This is the first time she has ever stayed over night at the vet's. This is only the third time in her life that she has been away from mama overnight. Maybe someone should give mama something so she can sleep and stop worrying about her child...lol. Zaxie misses his sissy something awful.

2011-03-15T13:33:00.002-05:00

This past weekend was a long one for my family. My mom went to Texas to visit my brother Harvey and his wife Paula. They came and got her Friday night and Jeremy went and got her yesterday afternoon. Their truck had serious transmission problems that didn't become evident until the drive from their house and back Friday night.
So Jeremy and I had the house all weekend. I actually got quite a bit of work done. Here are some pics to see what I did. All three pieces are worked on silk dupioni...which I love love love to embroider on. None of them are totally finished. They are all tin toppers.
The first one is round and done on yellow dupioni.

This one is eight sided for a lovely vintage tin and worked on tan dupioni.

The third one is for an altoid tin and is worked on green dupioni

I'll show more later when I have more done.

2011-03-09T13:45:00.000-06:00

This is the picture I made for my brother Jeremy for Christmas last year. It was actually rather difficult as he doesn't like a lot of "bling" and I had never made anything "masculine". It was very hard not to put on some roses and such. But I did it and he loves it.

My brother Harvey and his wife Paula live in Diana, TX, just north of Longview. Harvey manages a feed store there. My mom is going to spend the weekend with them this Friday. Harvey is taking some of my stuff back to put in the store. I am so excited. I hope it does well.

2011-01-24T12:31:00.001-06:00

I mentioned in my last post, so very long ago, that I am taking an online "retreat" called Soul Restoration. One of the activities we do is to make truth cards. A new friend of mine from the class, waving hi to Evelyn, wants to see mine, so here they are. And yes, I know I misspelled believe on the card, just wanted to see if anyone else was paying attention...lol

2011-01-03T00:49:00.000-06:00

Just stopping in for a minute. I'm still sick as a dog. Move five feet or talk for a few minutes and I cough my head off for 20 minutes. I do think I'm getting better though, the congestion is pretty much gone. Unfortunately coughs seem to like to hang around for a while. I think I might even be able to get back to my stitching tomorrow, hopefully.

On the 11th, I am taking a 6 week online workshop called Soul Restoration through the Brave Girls Club. I am so looking forward to it. There is still time to sign up and I'm sure Melody and Kathy will be more than happy to have you. The art we will be making is going to be so far out of my comfort range...art journals. But I'm going to pull up my socks and learn something new. I can't wait!!!

I still have four bead journal pages to make and then to put them together in a wall display to hang beside Tommy's picture. I have an idea for a couple of the pages, but a couple are still a mystery. I am so glad I did the BJP last year. It really helped me remember times that I'd forgotten. It has also allowed me to make sure I never forget them again.

Before the week is over I will have finished pictures of my mom's bible cover that I made her for Christmas. I also have a couple of other small things I want to get done before I start Soul Restoration.

I'm going leave you with a couple pictures of flowers that we had in the yard of our house in Lafayette.

Til next time.

2011-01-01T18:47:00.000-06:00

Late on the first day of 2011 and all I have done is sleep and watch tv. I am so blasted sick it's not even funny. I am trying real hard not to swallow cause that hurts the worst. Coughing feels like I am ripping my throat out. Yuck. yuck yuck.

2010-12-25T01:14:00.000-06:00

I wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

We had a busy day even though three of the five of us are sick. My mom and Jeremy both have what the dr calls the crud...hacking cough, stuffiness, sneezing, fever...you the Nyquil commercial. Ashley and Lyric were also here...of course. Lyric is sick and was running a fever. I actually did pretty good faking being happy. It wasn't til the presents started that I slipped and started to cry. But we all survived it.

Lyric and Jeremy both got lots and lots of clothes. Lyric's came from his aunt in Florida and Jeremy's came from Ashley. Mom got two parakeets from Jeremy...which she absolutely adores. She named them Sugar and Spice. I got a gift certificate from Threadart.com from Jeremy. Ashley and Lyric gave me a jigsaw puzzle and a tin of cookies. Mom got the same. Mom got Jeremy, Ashley and myself one of those digital frames. I am so excited to be able to put all my pictures of Tommy in there. Oh yeah, the babies got new food bowls from Grandma.

My gifts are still unfinished. It has been a really hard month. I was doing fairly good and on time until the 11th. A dear family friend died quite unexpectedly. We were all shocked by it. When we went to visitation, I could have sworn it was Tommy in the casket. His wife told me the same thing, before I told her. It took me several days to be able to pick up a needle again. I still haven't been able to get over all the depression and emotions. I don't remember last Christmas at all, with the exception of getting Tommy's death certificate on Christmas Eve.

Enough depressing talk for one night, especially tonight. God Bless each and everyone of you and yours. Even if you don't read my blog, I am wishing it for everyone in the world tonight.

2010-12-23T17:53:00.000-06:00

I just learned something tonight that absolutely pisses me off no end. Did you know that it is against the law (probably just in the stupid state of Louisiana) to have a candlelight church service??? Apparently the powers that be don't trust us not to set ourselves on fire. Every year my favorite service has been the one late Christmas Eve night where everyone gets a candle, lights it, and then sings Silent Night. I mean come on, we are not children who need to be protected from ourselves. I don't know anyone that would intentionally go to church on Christmas Eve to set themselves and everyone else on fire. I mean, yes, I know accidents happen, but come on. Next thing you know there will be a law saying we can't all leave at the same time cause someone might have a car accident or cause a traffic jam. The really sad thing is that the people who a making these assine laws were elected by the people they are trying to protect from themselves. Maybe we need a law prevent us from electing jackass into positions of power. But then I'm from Louisiana...can anyone spell CORRUPTION.

Ok, I'm finished ranting now.

2010-12-18T01:24:00.001-06:00

It's Zoe's 5th Birthday today!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, baby girl.

March 2006 3 months old

December 2010 5 years old

2010-12-12T11:39:00.000-06:00

Vintage Yoyo Quilt Giveaway

This absolutely beautiful vintage yoyo quilt is up for grabs over at Thearica's Pigtales and Quilts. She is giving it away on Christmas Eve for your favorite Christmas memory. Please be sure to mention that you found it here.

2010-12-07T18:38:00.000-06:00

I have to share this picture. This is Lyric. Isn't he so adorable?????

2010-12-07T18:36:00.000-06:00

I WON!!!!! I WON!!!!
I entered a blog giveaway over on Orna Willis' blog Ornaments. It is an Extraordinary Giveaway. It is the first time I have ever won a blog giveaway. I am so excited.
We had to leave a comment on our favorite Christmas tradition. My favorite tradition was, of course, with Tommy. Every Christmas Eve we would sneak away from wherever we were and go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. We would sit and talk, hold hands and just enjoy being with each other at a very special time of year. I miss that so much.

Here is a picture of what I won....doesn't it look wonderful!!!

2010-12-01T09:48:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures of my latest project. It is a cq'd bible cover for my mom for Christmas. I can show the pics cause she has seen them and knows what I'm making. I have the motif for the spine completed. I may add some beading to it, but my mom will worry about damaging it, so I may just leave it as is. What do ya'll think? The image came from one of the antique embroidery books that Sharon Boggon talked about on her blog.

It is done on a piece of satin. The scanner was being persnickety so the pic is not that good. I used silk threads for the leaves and wheat sheaves. The flowers are done in perle 8 from Threadart.com.

The motif for the front cover is a work in progress. I have some more details to add, along with beading, etc. I think, though, that I will go ahead and piece the cover before I do anything else on it. It is a large bible, which is why I did these two pieces before putting it together.

The Celtic knot cross is worked on dupioni silk with perle 8 threads from Threadart.com.

I'll show more as the project comes together. Right now I just have to find the right fabrics to use.

Today is my birthday. This is the second one without Tommy. I don't remember the one last year. My mom is getting me my first cake in 7 years. Tommy and I always celebrated birthdays by going to dinner.

I have noticed lately that it is getting easier to think and talk about my love without crying. I still miss him desperately, but it doesn't hurt so bad any more. Time really does heal the hurt, but that is truly the last thing one wants to hear. We made so many wonderful memories over the years. I kinda look at it like a gift from God and Tommy. The pain has lessened and now the memories are returning bringing with them smiles, laughter, and a few tears. I am so enjoying them

More to come. Have a wonderful memory filled day.

2010-11-30T10:54:00.000-06:00

August BJP

Eternally Knotted Together

For Christmas in 2007 Tommy bought me an Irish wedding ring. He had been looking for one for a few years but had not found one he really liked. This one was found at the Irish Shoppe on Toulouse St. in the French Quarter. This Celtic knot and the Gaelic words for Love is Eternal circle the band.

I still have four pages to make and will try hard to have them done by the end of the year.

2010-10-07T13:01:00.000-05:00

July Bead Journal Page

Love, New Orleans Style

April 2003

October 2005-March 2008

The weekend before we got married, Tommy and I went to Baton Rouge for a workshop I was doing with the LA Ag Dept. We checked into the hotel and headed to New Orleans, only an hour away. We took a horse drawn carriage ride through the French Quarter followed by beignets and hot chocolate at Cafe Dumonde. It was so romantic and wonderful.

August 29th of 2005, The Big Easy got hit by Hurricane Katrina. The company that owns the hotel Tommy was chief engineer at in New Hampshire also had a property in N.O. They wanted a chief with LA experience to be in charge of putting it back in order. So in early October, we left NH for NO. Between the time the storm happened and we were sent south, the chief at the NO property retired and a new one was promoted. Tommy went in as Asst. Chief, which suited him just fine. The hotel we were moving into was The La Pavillon on Poydras St.We lived here from early October til just after the first of December. I will never forget being introduced to the general manager and then being told by him that I was not to leave the hotel for any reason unescorted. New Orleans was under martial law. I could not even go across the street to the parking lot where our truck was parked alone. We had a nice room on the sixth floor overlooking Baronne Street.

Life in post Katrina New Orleans was something I hope to never experience in anyway again. I will never forget National Guardsmen with M-16s on every corner; hundreds of "drowned" vehicles under I-10; circles with X's through them made by the searchers looking for survivors or bodies; high water marks in the middle of buildings and homes; boats in the middle of levees, roadways, and highways; overturned cars in lawns; refridgerators lining the streets; gunshots at night; a sea of blue roofs (tarps).

There were also lots of good times. We lived in the French Quarter on Royal Street. There was a nice little Italian restaurant a block from us. The owners walked past our place each day on their way to work. They made friends with Zoe...and of course us. Each time we would get a pizza delivered they would include a little package for Zoe filled with pepperoni and cheese bread. She is so spoiled. Each Mardi Gras there were atleast a thousand or more colorly costumed people that paraded past the apartment. Tommy, Rafal, Zoe, and I would sit on the balcony and people watch for hours. Tommy wouldn't let me go downstairs til he knew I didn't have a pair of scissors in my hands...boy those costumes were beautiful and would have look wonderful on the floor of my studio and in my work...lol.

The gentleman who lived in the lower half of the house was the retired curator of the NO Jazz Museum. He was a great neighbor. Each Mardi Gras he would keep a sign in list for everyone who stopped by his place. The first year we were there, 2006, he had almost a thousand names on that list. My inlaws were visiting and my fil sat down there with him and loved every moment of it. He talked about it for years.

Looking back, New Orleans was a really happy time for us.

2010-09-07T08:55:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since my last post. I just can't seem to get up the enthusiasm to write here or anywhere else. I been going up and down with depression. The last really bad bout lasted most of the summer. Talking to my family and friends was hard enough, writing here was impossible. I still have two BJP pages to post and four more to make. I'm sure they will get done just don't know when.

I have taken to setting myself short term goals and it seems to be working so far. Mom and I are doing two shows that are coming up. One is the Herbal Harvest Fest at St. Patrick's Episcopal Church, which is just down the road from us. This show is on October 23, the day after my brother's 25th birthday. The second show is at the WM Moose Lounge on Nov. 6th. My best friend, Allison, kinda signed me up for this one. The lady in charge of finding the vendors lives 5 doors down from her and is a good friend of her mother's. We are one of only 14 vendors at that show.

Of course right in between the two shows is the one year anniversary. I don't know if I am going to be able to survive it. Allison is taking the day off and coming to spend the night with me. She says the three of us are having a sleep over party...me, mom and Allison. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

I have been doing better on the crying front. I don't do it quite so often any more. Of course it doesn't take anything to make me bawl. But I can look at pics of my beloved without crying. I've gotten where I can talk about memories without crying. I know my mom is getting tired of hearing about things she already knows about but she is awesome and gets me to talk about our life together more.

We are planning on going to New Hampshire in April to clean out our storage...finally. My brother and Allison both say they are going with us. It will be my mom's first big vacation in just over ten years. We spent two weeks in Colorado in 2000. Had a wonderful time. I am hoping this trip will be just as good. I am, though, a little paranoid about bedbugs. Actually I seem to be getting obsessed with fear of them...of getting them on this trip. Who knows...just gives me something else to think and worry about.

Question: Why are people surprised I am still wearing my wedding ring? Is there a time limit to wear it? Why would I take it off? I had to stop going to grief counseling classes cause they kept telling me, 4 months after I lost Tommy, that I was to stop wearing my ring and stop telling people I am married. They kept tellign us we are single again and to start saying it and putting it on things that ask about marital status. That was one of the major reasons I stopped going. That and the fact that everyone else seemed to be having just too much fun.

Ok, I'm gonna stop rambling now.

2010-06-08T18:04:00.000-05:00

This is the pouch I made for the stash and stitch swap I hosted on the CQ4Newbies group. Including myself there were four swappers. Everyone's work was wonderful and they made some really nice pouches. Everyone will be pleased with what they receive.

2010-04-30T15:16:00.001-05:00

Yesterday at 10:40 pm made it six months since I last talked to my beloved Tommy. 13 minutes later made it six months since he drew his last breathe. I truly don't know how I made it or why I am still alive. I miss him so very very much and wish so much that I could be with him.

I had a lot of first in the last six months
first Halloween -- his favorite holiday
first Thanksgiving
my birthday
first Christmas
first New Year's
first Valentine's Day
first wedding anniversary -- our 7th

The last major event will be his birthday on May 30. Of course then comes the one year anniversary of losing him.

Maybe the second or third year will be a little easier. Maybe I can think of him without crying or losing my breath. Dear God, it has to be easier, just a little.

I am very grateful for the love and support of my mom and brother, my friends, both here and online, especially my best friends Allison and Lesa, and everyone of you who come and visit my blog. I don't know what I would do without any of you. Thank you so much for being there.

I love you and miss you so very much, my dearest darling love.

2010-04-26T13:39:00.000-05:00

June Bead Journal Page

BLIZZARD

FEBRUARY 2005

VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA

In February of 2005, Tommy and I went home to West Monroe for a visit. We were living in Williamsburg, VA. We took 1-64 south through the Monitor-Merrimac Tunnel into Norfolk and then on into Suffolk. The weather was a little chilly but having the window down to film the trip was still tolerable.

As we headed west toward on VA 58 going towards 85S, we approached a meadow on my side of the road. I was still filming and we were talking. I asked Tommy if he had any idea why the meadow was so foggy. He had no clue. The closer we got though, we realized it wasn't fog but SNOW!!!! We were both surprised by this as the day was so clear and fresh. But snow it was. The further we drove the more accumulation there was on the trees and the road. After a brief time, we caught up with other vehicles. They were all driving at a safe speed in the right hand lane. My husband grins at me and then moves into the unused, snow filled left lane....and no he never slowed down.

I quickly tightened my seatbelt and grabbed the oh shit handle. Tommy just laughed. Ok, so I'm a southern girl. This was more snow than I had ever seen at one time in my life and the stuff was still coming down. I wanted Tommy to slow down and get in the right hand lane where it was being cleared by the cars ahead of us. He refused. Said we were safer in the left lane. Finally we reached an overpass where we were forced by a state trooper to get in the right lane as the left was closed for emergency vehicles coming through. Yes, there had been an accident and yes it was in the right hand lane. Tommy reminded me of that every few minutes. After a while all the emergency people were there and the left lane began to fill up with 18 wheelers. They didn't slow down either. What is it with men that they think they can control any vehicle on any road in any condition at any time?

We finally made it 95 and decided to go south on it instead of continuing onto 85. Good thing too cause as we listened to the radio we heard reports out of Durham and Chapel Hill that traffic was so slow some people moved mere inches in several hours. They told of trucks trying to make it up the hills of 85 and sliding back down. Boy was I grateful we decided on 95.

Tommy laughed at me the whole time we were on icy roads. I was/am not afraid to admit I was terrified. He thought it was a blast. I'm not sure which he enjoyed more, the weather or terrifying me. He was a very safe driver and we were never in any danger but sheesh.

So this page is a small piece of that blizzard.

2010-03-30T17:48:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of Violet's completed winter season to season block that I did for her. This is for a swap on the CQForNewbies group.

2010-03-23T15:50:00.001-05:00

May's Bead Journal Project Page

Paradise

Kimball Hill

Whitefield, NH

July-October 2005

In July of 2005, Tommy got the job as Chief Engineer at Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, NH. It is a beautiful old resort that was built in 1865 by the Dodge Family. It is in New Hampshire's White Mountains.While we were there, we lived in a two room cabin ontop of Kimball Hill. The cabin was part of an old B and B. It was wonderful. There was a large meadow in front where all manner of wild animals grazed. An old stone wall split the meadow in two. From our front porch, Tommy could see all the way across the valley to the hotel. He enjoyed having his morning coffee out there while talking to whoever was already at work.

We had no television. Cable stopped about a mile from the road we lived on. We did have high speed internet installed. The cabin came furnished, so all we added were computer desks and a recliner. There was no air conditioning, but just put a fan in the window and it was quite cool. Compared to the other two rooms, the bathroom was so small, you had to come out of it just to change your mind. We spent most of time in the bedroom, which was where the computers and my sewing area was.

The town was so small and quaint. It only had a blinking red light and a stop sign. I had never been that far north or lived in a town that small. It was wonderful and so peaceful. Tommy had a little store that he stopped at to get cigarettes and gas. By the time he walked in the door, they had a pack of smokes on the counter for him. The little deli in the store made the best fried mushrooms and chicken strips. Once they got to know you, they were so nice and friendly.

We had planned on retiring there. Maybe not on Kimball Hill but in Whitefield.
We were there only three months. The company that Tommy worked for owned another hotel in New Orleans. After Katrina hit, they sent him to that property to restore it and make it able to withstand another storm of that size. We were told it would only be 5, maybe 6 months and then we could return to Whitefield. Unfortunately during that time, the company's CFO, who was running Mtn. View was arrested for bribery, frauding, skimming from the books and a couple of other things. He is still in prison. The company had to send in another general manager to take over. He took his own staff with him, so Tommy's job was no longer available. We were both devastated. We still have a full storage unit up there that we have not been able to get back to. I will one of these days soon.

2010-03-21T10:21:00.000-05:00

Two Into One

This is my April bead journal page. Tommy and I got married on Saturday April 19, 2003 at 3 pm in the chapel of Messiah Lutheran Church in Monroe, LA. Reverend Dale Farley performed the ceremony. My colors were royal blue and silver with touches of white. My mother made my wedding dress and my very dear friend, Dorothy Windham, loaned me her gorgeous 30" string of pearls. My brother Jeremy gave me away. My best friend Allison was my matron of honor. My cousin Jenie Tauber and good friend Cherry Thorne were bridesmaids. Tommy's nephew Jeremy was his best man and my brother Jeremy was his groomsman. We spent our wedding night at The Atrium in Monroe and our honeymoon in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

We spent the first night of our honeymoon at the historic Park Hotel. It's behind the Arlington Hotel on the road leading to the lookout tower. It is a beautiful old hotel. It has no air conditioning. There was a huge ceiling fan over the bed. It was set to turbo speed. Tommy turned it off at one point just to cut down on the noise a little. We found out then why it was set so fast. Without the sound of the fan going, you could everything in all the rooms around you as if you were actually in the room with them. Needless to say we kept the fan going.

The bed was a matter unto itself. The bed and the pillows were like laying on stone. When you put your head on the pillow you kind of expected it to leave an impression. Not on these pillows. We joked that a pillow fight would be deadly. Needless to say, beautiful hotel that it was, we only spent one night there.

We spent the next three nights at the Downtowner. My mom, brother and I spent Thanksgiving week there in 1997 after my dad died. I knew we would have comfortable rooms. They have a spa on the top floor with the mineral baths in the basement. It was really nice and the pillows were not deadly.

Next month will be our 7th anniversary. I am not sure that I will be able to survive it.

2010-02-07T21:38:00.001-06:00

HELL FREEZES OVER AS THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL 31 TO 17 OVER THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AND HOMETOWN BOY PEYTON MANNING ENDING THEIR 43 YEAR LOSING STREAK

GOD SAVE THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS FROM THE AFTER PARTY. HURRICANE KATRINA IS GONNA LOOK LIKE A SUMMER BREEZE BY COMPARISON. I SO WISH TOMMY WERE HERE TO SEE THIS.

2010-02-06T22:15:00.000-06:00

WARNING!!!! HELL IS ON THE VERGE OF FREEZING OVER. WARNING!!!!

Yep, you heard it...or rather read it...hell is getting cooler. Why??? The New Orleans Saints are going to the Superbowl. And this year they won't have to use their season tickets, either. They are actually being permitted to step onto the grass. And not as the half time comic relief act....they actually get to play football. Of course since I live in Louisiana, I should be a Saints fan right? Nope, sorry to disappoint...I don't follow football at all. But if they do win, I guess we know who might be responsible for all the snow and ice happening now. The devil will be pulling out the longjohns tomorrow night.

I am secretly hoping they win cause Tommy's best friend, Rafal has a bet going with the crew of the Le Pavillon, the hotel he worked at with Tommy. He still works there. Anywho, if the Saints win, Rafal has to get a fleur de lis on his tushie with about 20 people watching. Smart people, I wouldn't trust him to tell me the truth about getting it either.

GEAUX SAINTS!!! (just getting into the spirit of things)

2010-01-14T01:45:00.000-06:00

My mom was looking at my blog tonight and asked me why I did not tell everyone the names of my BJP pages. I simply forgot. I got so involved in memories and telling the stories behind the pages that I forgot to give their names. So to correct that omission, here are the names of my pages.

January--The Rage of a Frozen Heart
February--Peeping
March--Going Home

2010-01-10T18:06:00.000-06:00

FEBRUARY AND MARCH BJP PAGES

Once I started working on the first page, memories and images just started flowing. February's page is a fall colored tree.

From May 2004 to July 2005, we lived in Williamsburg, Virginia. During the fall of 2004, Tommy and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Everywhere we looked were these wonderfully colored trees. The colors were so bright and vivid, especially with the sun hitting them. It was so beautiful. We drove the parkway and laughed and talked. We would stop at various points and explore. We started at the beginning of the parkway just off I 64 and took it down to Roanoke, where we spent the night. The next day we visited an animal safari park and the Crystal Caves. It was a wonderful time and the memories will last a lifetime.

In 2005, from July to early October, we lived on Kimball Hill in Whitefield, New Hampshire. I had never been that far north before. We rented a two room cabin that was part of an 1865 farm "complex". Previous owners had turned the place into a bed and breakfast. Our cabin, along with a second one, were actually across the street from the inn. From the porch, we could see across the valley to the MountainView Grand Resort and Spa. This was where Tommy was working as Chief Engineer. He liked getting up early in the morning, especially on his days off, getting a cup of coffee, and sitting on the porch watching his hotel. He would call and talk to whomever was working and tell them that he could see the hotel from our front porch. By the middle of September, the leaves began changing. We could see two mountain ranges from our portch, the Green Mountains and the White Mountains. They seemed to catch fire as the leaves changed. The colors were so vivid and beautiful. Neither of us had ever seen anything like it before. (I'll post some pics when I find them). We were so very happy there. We always planned on returning, possibly retiring, there. It was our own slice of heaven.

MARCH BJP PAGE

This is the Lutheran Cross (actually one of a couple by that name). I am Lutheran. Tommy was a non practicing Roman Catholic. We were married in my Lutheran church and the same minister presided over Tommy's funeral. The little cross in the middle is supposed to hang straight. It is only attached at the top and whenever the scanner lid was closed it moved. Caused my mom no end of frustration. The date, 10-29-09, is when Tommy died. Two days before his favorite holiday. I also had this cross put on his marker.

I have two other pages in progress. Each one is filled with memories and is helping to ease the pain somewhat. None of them are going as planned, except maybe this one. If things keep going this way, I may have all my pages finished by the end of the month. I think Tommy would approve of what I've done so far.

2010-01-10T17:32:00.001-06:00

JANUARY 2010 BEAD JOURNAL PAGE

Here is my January BJP page. I finished it in about 6 hours New Year's Eve. I was missing Tommy so bad. My heart and soul just felt like they were encased in ice, yet so full of pain and agony, anger and despair. Death is so final but the pain and anguish of those left behind seems to be so unending. Tommy was my soulmate, the other half of myself. His death has left me lost, alone, and frozen in timeless pain forever.

2010-01-06T22:34:00.000-06:00

BEADED JOURNAL PROJECT 2010

I have joined the Beaded Journal Project for 2010. Tommy and I had been talking about my doing it and him designing some of the pictures for me to bead. Now I am using the project as a way to work through my grief and remember all the wonderful memories we made together. I had several images chosen to work for different months depending on what happened within that month..for example our wedding anniversary in April or his birthday in May. I was planning on doing an outline of each of the different states we lived in...things like that. Once I got started though, things have taken on a life of their own. I actually have the first three pages done. I am really quite happy with them. The fourth page is in progress and also going quite well. Of course, only one so far has gone as planned...but then aren't plans made to be broken or changed or whatever? I will post pics soon. Don't want to upset anyone by having so much done yet. It has just taken on a life of its own and when I'm working it just seems ot come pouring out.

2010-01-01T16:32:00.000-06:00

Happy 2010 to everyone. I hope everyone has a wonderful and creative year. I refuse to say this year can't be any worse than last year....cause it always happens. Although what could be worse than losing Tommy I truly don't know. It has been 9 weeks now and the pain doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

We had one heck of a scare here yesterday. I took my pups out in the backyard for their hourly constitutionals. I told my mom I was doing this. Her German Shepard Lady and my Zoe DO NOT get along at all. It was raining and so cold out. My children hurried up and did what they needed to do and then we came back in. I didn't realize that my mom had fallen asleep and didn't hear me. We came in the back door and Lady was immediately on Zoe. Had her teeth buried in the scruff of her neck and was holding her off the ground shaking her. It took my brother, Jeremy, at least 2 minutes to get Lady's teeth out of Zoe. Unfortunately I wasn't a big help...I was freaking out. Finally Lady let go. My mom got Zoe into my room and Lady was put in Mom's room. We got really lucky...really lucky with Zoe....there were no puncture wounds and other than being scared witless, she is okay. My brother on the other hand, ended up with punctures on each finger of his right hand. Of course being the adult male that he is, he refused to let anyone take care of him but himself. This morning everyone is okay. Zoe is now skiddish about leaving the bedroom. Zax has not left his sissy once. He is constantly by her side, licking the area Lady got ahold of. What a way to end the worst year of my life.

The pups and I spent the rest of the evening cuddling under a blanket in my recliner watching the Thin Man marathon on TCM. Tommy and I loved the series. He thought Asta (the dog) was the best character in the story.

2009-12-21T16:14:00.007-06:00

2009 CQForNewbies Victorian Boot and Ornament Swap

2009-11-26T11:49:00.001-06:00

Tommy and his Zoepuppa

2009-11-26T11:22:00.002-06:00

The last four weeks, since Oct. 29th, have been the hardest of my life. Not only did I lose my husband, I lost my best friend, my greatest supporter, my rock, my reason for being. Tommy was my whole life. I truly don't know how I am going to live without him. Each day is a struggle. I can't close my eyes without seeing him. Sometimes I swear I hear his voice. I still check my phone for missed calls or messages from him. I love him and miss him so very very much.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has called, sent cards, emails, thoughts and prayers. They mean so much to me.

I probably won't be around much til after the beginning of the year. I will post pics of the Victorian Boots and ornaments from those exchanges on the CQ4N group. Tommy always helped me with them and he enjoyed them as much as I did.

I wish I could hibernate for the next 6 months...through Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, New Year's, Valentines Day, our wedding anniversary and his birthday.

I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Please don't give up on me, I will be back...just not sure when.

2009-11-06T22:50:00.001-06:00

Tommy Neal LearBOSSIER CITY, LA - Tommy Neal Lear, 51, passed away Thursday, October 29, 2009, in Bossier City, Louisiana.Funeral service for Tommy Lear will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow. Reverend Dale Farley will be officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 3, 2009 from 5 until 8:00 p.m.Tommy was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Monroe, LA, and was employed as Chief Engineer at Days Inn on Monkhouse Dr. in Shreveport, LA.Tommy is survived by his wife, Mary Pauline Lear, daughters Chelsa Ann Lear and Erin Ree Lear, son, Patrick James Lear, Furbabies Zoe and Zax, granddaughter, Jaylee Lear, father, Tom Lear, mother and stepfather, Marie and Thomas McManus, brother, Jerry Lear, sister, Michelle Lear, nephew, Jeremy Lear, mother-in-law, Caroline Cummings, brother-in-law Jeremy Cummings, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.Pallbearers will be Jerry Lear, Jeremy Lear, Jeremy Cummings, David Harris, Gustave Von Bodungen, and Nelson Pothiere. Hill Crest Memorial

2009-09-20T18:24:00.002-05:00

Thank you to Lesa, Ann, and Karen for your kind comments on my last post. Things have changed since then.
We moved into the hotel for two weeks. I got a head cold that went straight to my chest and got really bad. Listening to me breath sounded like poprocks in my chest. We had no money so my mom mailed us some medicine so I started getting better and then wouldnt you know it, Tommy got sick!!!! Because he was working out in the heat, he got very sick very quickly. I gave all the medicine to him and wouldn't you know it....had a relapse myself. For two weeks I have been sitting in a tiny, dingy, moldy motel room being horribly sick. YUCK!!!
After a 2 week paycheck where the owner only paid him for 40 hours, we decided it was enough. Tommy was busting his ass for this guy. Putting in 10 to 18 hour days and that jackass only paid him for 40 hours....for TWO WEEKS work. So yesterday, Saturday, we packed up and moved in with my family. Tommy is going to take some time off and get well and then find a job around here until he finds his next big hotel job....which will hopefully be our last.
Gotta go move more things off the carport and into the house before nightfall. More later.

2009-09-05T10:17:00.002-05:00

Moving Day

Well, it has finally happened. After months and months of struggling and trying desperately to make ends meets, the ends have frayed beyond recognition and we have been forced to find a new way to make them meet. In other words, we have lost the house. We have until Monday to be out.

We have 3 options:

1. Tommy quits his job and we move in with my family.

2. Tommy quits his job and we move in with his family.

3. Tommy keeps his job and we move into the motel he works for.

We chose option number 3. So we are moving into a tiny, dingy room at a 50 year old Days Inn. The entire room, bathroom included, is about the same size as my studio now. If things work out, I might actually be able to carve out a small space to get some work done and maybe even have the internet in a couple of weeks.

For anyone who reads and is involved in either of my swaps on CQForNewbies, this has no affect on them at all. Of course so far there has been absolutely no interest in the ornament swap. I had actually hoped that would be a big swap. I would love to be able to cover a small tree in handmade ornaments. Oh well, cie la vie.

Well, better get back to packing so we can go on the road. I will be back and hopefully sooner rather than later. God Bless.

2009-08-18T09:53:00.002-05:00

The last block in the FFT #7 RR on CQI was for Diane in Canada. It was definitely a challenge to add to this. Everyone had done such a wonderful job and the block was so beautiful. It took me a long time before I could decide what to add. I added a floral spray with chain stitch roses (a new one for me and oooo do I like them) with Swaroski pearls. Then I added a couple of beaded flowers and a leaf. For some reason, Diane doesn't like butterflies...hhhmmmm. I added a piece of vintage lace with Swaroski coin beads and a couple of buttons with beads. I was relatively pleased.

I did learn something important about my self and my style....I HATE PASTELS!!!!!!!!! Most of the blocks in this RR were pastel and I had to really struggle to find supplies to add. Unlike others, I can't afford to go to the store and buy new things to add to blocks. I have to use what I have and I don't have any pastels.

I have also decided this will be my only RR. I got back a beautiful block but I lost interest. I guess a lot of it had to do with the pastel fact; but it was also a lot to do with what has been going on in my home life. I just can't concentrate on working my best on someone else's block. So this will be my last RR.

2009-08-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I got an unexpected surprise in the mail. It was from my dear friend in Kansas City...none other than Lesa. Just look at all the flavors...I mean colors....she sent me. I can't wait to use them. Thanks, Lesa, I love them.

2009-08-02T11:38:00.002-05:00

This is my completed FFT #7 RR block from CQI. It was worked on by Diane in Canada, Faye in Australia, Gerry K. in Washington state and Nicki in Massachusetts. Isn't it just beautiful? I think it will eventually end of being framed.

2009-07-23T16:42:00.002-05:00

This is the 2nd glasscase I've made. I am pleased with how this one came out.

I added the leaves and such on the back upper corner to tie into the front design. The seam treatment started out being cross stitch and some how ended up being what you see. I actually like it and am very sure I will never be able to repeat it...at least not without careful study of how I did it in the first place.

2009-07-21T15:02:00.002-05:00

This is my first eyeglass case. I kept it fairly simple and clean because I really like the colors and the feel of the fabrics.

I have 5 more pieced and ready to be stitched. Only took me about 5 hours to make the color choices and do the work, so it should not take me too long to work the others.

2009-07-20T21:10:00.002-05:00

These are the last 3 areas I worked on to complete the previous block.

I also have an eyeglass case complete, short of sewing of course, that I will show tomorrow.

2009-07-20T17:34:00.001-05:00

This block is complete. All I need to do now is to decide on the type of handle I want to use and put it together.

2009-07-19T14:09:00.003-05:00

My brother Jeremy and his new dirt bike.

My mom is having a blast riding the new bike, also. Jeremy is so protective of her he walks alongside her as she rides.

2009-07-18T16:36:00.002-05:00

Update on my current block

2009-07-16T13:00:00.002-05:00

I lied to everyone....the covered tin I made for Lorinda has been received by my friend. I don't have a friend named Lorinda or even know anyone by that name. The tin was really for my dear friend Lesa Farmer. She is one of the owners of the group CQ For Newbies. She always brightens my day and listens to me when I need to complain about life in general. I hope one day we will actually get to meet in person.

Thanks for being such a wonderful friend and I hope you enjoy your tin, Lesa.

2009-07-15T11:16:00.002-05:00

This is my current block after doing some work. I challenged myself to do all the stitching before doing any beading. That is very difficult for me.

Normally I stitch a seam and then bead. Then I have to fight with beads while working nearby seams and areas.

I have no clue yet what to do with the area above the motif or the green area to the right of it.

More later.

2009-07-13T15:13:00.002-05:00

This is the block I am working on right now. The lighting sucks cause the top light in my studio is burned out and the wiring is messed up. I am working by a lamp containing a 100 watt true light bulb. While giving really good directional light (shines right on the block) boy does that sucker put out some heat!!!

2009-07-13T15:08:00.001-05:00

This is the finished tin. It went in the mail today and hopefully will be with its new owner very soon. I do hope she likes it.

2009-07-09T12:19:00.002-05:00

This is the finished block for the top of my dear friends tin. Since Lorinda doesn't do "cyber" she won't see it. I do hope she likes it.

2009-07-07T13:35:00.001-05:00

I have a very good friend who is always there for me. I am making her an altoid tin. It is a surprise so I can't tell who she is. I hope she likes it when she gets it.

2009-07-07T13:33:00.001-05:00

My work on Faye's block in the FFT #7 Round Robin on CQI

2009-07-07T13:29:00.001-05:00

This is the altered altoid tin I made for a swap on the CQI site. It went to Shari in Colorado. I hope she likes it.

2009-07-07T13:27:00.001-05:00

Beaded butterfly I made. I was going to use it on a round robin block, but the block was more pastel than this, so it is just waiting for a place to land.

2009-07-07T13:24:00.001-05:00

My lovely stepdaughter Chelsa, left, and her best friend, Heather, came for a visit.

2009-07-07T13:17:00.002-05:00

My mom and her friend Mary came down for a day to pick fresh figs. Mom made 6 pints and 11 half pints of preserves. Can't wait to try them.

2009-06-22T12:14:00.002-05:00

LINES TO MAKE YOU SMILE

1.. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5.. Don't take life too seriously; no one gets out alive.
6.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
7.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9.. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10.. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11.. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
12.. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
13.. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
14.. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
15.. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
16.. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
17.. Procrastinate Now!
18.. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
19.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
20.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
21..They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
22.. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
23.. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
24.. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
25.. I smile because I don't know what the hell is going on.

Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Life is too short and friends are too few.

2009-06-15T08:44:00.002-05:00

Are you listening to me, mama?

Ok, here's the deal, Lady, we can be friends as long as you don't eat me.

But, Zax, you look so tasty.

Thank you; but I'd just be a hairball. Why don't we just pretend you ate me and leave it at that?

Hhmm, ok.

Don't step on me, Ladybug.

I won't, I'm just following you.

Why?

Cause you are so small and cute.

Aaww, I like you too, Ladybug.

Sissy, if I can handle Gramma's Ladybug, I can handle you with one paw tied behind my back.

OOOOhhh, I'm soooo scared.

Mama, Daddy is ignoring me.

2009-06-15T08:33:00.003-05:00

Christmas Wreath I am working on

2009-06-15T07:42:00.002-05:00

Purse I made for the CQI purse contest

The front is silk and satin while the rest is brocade. I'm actually keeping this one.

2009-05-05T23:25:00.003-05:00

On January 1st I started a project that stretched my comfort zone. I wanted to make a free standing "doll". I used some wire that Tommy bought me and wrapped it with quilt batting. I used yarn to tie the batting on.

I know, the first pic is upside down, but I took it that way trying to get a good view of the limbs.

I used batik fabric as the covering. I love batiks. I tied the strips on the trunk. I cut the leaves from the same fabric; used fabric paint to make the veins. I then tied all the leaves onto the branches.....all 10 of them.

I used glitter gel pens to draw the face on unbleached muslin.

She still needs some embellishing but everyone who has seen her likes her.

2009-05-05T23:15:00.002-05:00

This is my FFT's RR block for CQI after Diane in Canada has worked her magic. I love the chain stitch aqueduct (did I mention my hubby is a structural engineer who used to build bridges and loves the ancient Roman aqueducts).

2009-04-25T13:16:00.002-05:00

This is my work on Nicki's block for the CQI FFT RR #7. I sure hope she likes it. I had fun doing it. I tried out a new stitch. It is the blue perle fiber stitch over the fish. I found it on Sharon B's blog PinTangle. She calls it a pagoda chevron. The fish motif is one of the first things I ever dyed. I did it while we were still in New Orleans.

2009-04-24T22:47:00.002-05:00

I changed the name of my blog (not the web address, just the name). Southern Breeze was the name I used when I first started trying to find a craft that I was good enough at to do craft shows, etc. Ya know, make a little money for the family, for spending, etc. I started making bath and body products. We were living in Williamsburg, VA at the time. I wanted a name that showed my Southern heritage. No matter where I ever live, I am a southern girl. I came up with Southern Breeze. It seemed like a good name for bath and body products.

When I started my blog, the only name I could think of to call it was Southern Breeze. For the last few weeks I have been thinking of a new name for my blog, something that has meaning to my life and what I do now. Why the word frenzied came into play I have no clue, but I like it. Of course pretty much everything I do has to do with fibers, so that word was a given. Frenzied Fibers? Fiber Frenzy? How about Frenzied over Fibers? That works...at least for now....lol.

2009-04-20T17:46:00.002-05:00

As of yesterday it's been 6 years....6 years of laughing, loving, crying, moving, arguing, making up, late night meals at Waffle House, road trips....6 years of being married to the most wonderful, thoughtful, kind, sexy man in the world. I thank God for each and every day with him and pray for another 160 years.........lol.

2009-04-09T14:44:00.000-05:00

This is a prim doll I made for the Making Dollz group. It went to Rosa.

2009-04-09T14:38:00.002-05:00

While we were living at the Hotel Acadiana, I was asked to make some homemade gifts for the employee party. I made some stockings, crackers, and angels. I also made a larger stocking for a door prize.

2009-04-09T14:20:00.002-05:00

My victorian boot for my 3rd annual swap on CQ4Newbies group.

My crackers for the CQI Christmas cracker swap.

2009-04-09T13:53:00.004-05:00

In January, after living in hotels in Midland, Texas and here in Lafayette, we finally found the perfect house to rent. It is actually managed by the grandparents of a good friend of ours who lives across the street from us. It is a lovely yellow house with a huge yard. It is on an island unto itself. There are streets surrounding us on all sides. The ones on the right and left form a "v" so our yard is actually a large triangle. There are plants, shrubs, trees, etc surrounding us all the way around.

These ferns are under our bedroom window along the back patio.

Tommy standing off the patio.

The side of our home, from the patio toward the front. That is an orange tree.

This is along the back of the house toward the patio.

Our fig tree at the back of the yard.

The french doors out the dining room onto the back patio.

The back of the house. We have bay windows in the dining room.

The honeysuckle is covering the fence and gate. The whole area is perfumed by it.

Our plum tree is laden with fruit.

2009-04-09T13:48:00.002-05:00

For the first time since we have been married, we actually spent Christmas with my family.

My best friend for 24 years, Allison.

My brother Jeremy, his girlfriend Ashley and her son Lyric.

My mama.

2009-04-09T13:32:00.002-05:00

When we were living in Midland, Tx, we got a new child. His name is Zax and he is a long haired chihuahua. He is mine. We were a little worried about how he would get along with Zoe. We didn't have to worry long, they get along wonderfully. They play and fight just like siblings.

Mama, put the camera up, I'm so seepy.

Daddy thinks it is so funny to give Zax a mohawk and hide his ears.

Zax was not happy with mama after I gave him his first bath. Boy is he ticked at me....lol

2009-04-09T13:27:00.002-05:00

Believe it or not it actually snows in South Louisiana....January 2009

These were taken at Hotel Acadiana where we were living at the time.

2009-04-06T11:11:00.002-05:00

I have actually broken one of my rules....I joined a round robin!!!!!! I am a member of the Fabulous First Timers Round Robin #7 on Crazy Quilting International.

The block to the right is Nicki's block and the first one I get to work on. It is really pretty and blue. I got some pretty blue beads that kinda look like beach glass. I don't know what I am going to do yet, but I sure hope she likes it.

2009-04-06T00:24:00.003-05:00

2009 CQ FOR NEWBIES NEEDLE BOOK/PINKEEPER/SCISSOR FOB SWAP
(2 POSTS)

2009-04-06T00:11:00.002-05:00

2008-12-24T22:27:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas to all my dear friends and everyone who finds their way here. I have been MIA for so long now and I do apologize. In the previous post we were living in Midland, Texas. Since the 14th of October, we are in Lafayette, Louisiana. We are living at the hotel Tommy is working at. There is no internet except for wifi and neither of our computers have it. There are absolutely no dial up numbers for aol in our area code.........go figure that one out. So, I am internet deprived ( and going cold turkey is hell!) I miss everyone so much and can't wait to get back online. Hopefully that will be by the middle of January.

Stay safe and warm this holiday season. May God be with you and yours. I hope to see everyone next year.

2008-10-06T03:57:00.002-05:00

A quick update on our lives. Tommy has been working nonstop for over two weeks. One of his guys is on vacation (known about before he was hired) and the other one is sick. I must say I admire the one on vacation. This is a 24 year old young man, married with a little boy. He is driving to Disney World in California with his family and his in laws. He definitely has more nerve than I do. They actually got back Sunday, so Tommy is taking Monday and part of Tuesday off so he can help me pack. YEA!!!!!!!

Well, Friday will be Tommy's last day here. We will pack the truck early that afternoon and leave. Tommy has some pics he wants me to take on the way. But we don't want to hit DFW at rush hour either. Our truck has no air conditioning. We will get to the inlaws very early Saturday morning. Sunday I get to go see my family Then Monday night we will drive to Lafayette. It is only about 3.5 to 4 hours from Bossier City depending on traffic.

I am really hoping our room there is bigger than our room here. My main concern is that there is absolutely no grass at all around this hotel. My babies need grass to do their business and play around in. Oh well, they sometimes seem to adjust to new things better than I do.

2008-10-06T03:44:00.003-05:00

I now have pictures of the pinkeepers I made for the CQI pinkeeper swap. Remember you can click on the picture to enlarge it. These were the first ones I have ever made. I can't wait to see which ones I get in return. If you would like to see all of them, just visit Lyn Gaskill's blog at quiltinglion.blogspot.com. She is the hostess.

2008-09-24T19:02:00.004-05:00

Well, it has been another extended period of time since my last post. My life is even crazier now than before. We are most likely going back to Louisiana. DH has a job offer in Lafayette that is willing to pay more than he is making here. They have called him 12 times in the last two weeks.

The hotel here is already having problems. The owners are refusing to pay expenses. We are owed 6 weeks of expenses. Plus we are paying for an apartment that we can't move into cause we don't have our stuff here. The company has now said we have to move our stuff here and then maybe MAYBE MAYBE they would refund us our expenses.

I am going so crazy. Staying in this hotel room is starting to feel like living in a box.....a very small box with two lively dogs and a man who is constantly changing his mind about everything. Dang, just thinking about it is making the box smaller each second.

I have been working. I made two pinkeepers for the CQI Pinkeeper Swap. I am working on a purse for the CQI purse contest for next year. YES that's NEXT year.....told you I was going insane.

It is also time for 3rd Annual Victorian Boot Swap over at CQForNewbies. That is one thing I have not started on yet. That will probably be the first thing I do in Lafayette.

2008-08-09T20:52:00.002-05:00

It has been almost 3 months since my last post. Life is a little more certain for us now. We are living in Midland, Texas. Tommy is working as chief engineer for two hotels, the Courtyard by Marriott (opening soon) and the Hampton Inn. He is also going to be overseeing the openings and possible parts of the construction of 4 to 7 other hotels. Most of them will be here in Texas.

We have been living at the Victorian Inn and Suites (don't let the name fool you) since July 7th. Do to the oil boom, most of the housing here is taken up. We have finally found an apartment we are in the process of applying for. It is a two bedroom. The second bedroom will actually be my "studio". I am so excited and hope we get the place.

I am tired of living in this motel and eating out twice a day. Most people think I am weird that I don't enjoy living in a hotel and eating out all the time. It gets old having to get dressed everytime we want dinner or even a snack. About the only thing Tommy and I argue about is where in the world are we going to eat this time. I am looking so forward to being able to cook again. So is Tommy.

We added another member to our family today. We got a 7 week old long haired male chihuahua. Poor Zoe is scared of him. He is so tiny. I named him Zax. Now we have Zoe and Zax. Once I get a new digital camera (dh and mil lost mine in Florida--long story) and get my computer and hi speed again, I will post pics (lots of them I'm sure). I know that I wrote we had gotten a pug but we didn't. When we got him, we were living with the inlaws. My fil fell head over heels for him. He swore he didn't like him, just like he did Zoe, but then gets down on the floor with him, just like with Zoe, and plays with him. As much as I loved him, I would not have hurt my fil for anything in the world by taking that pup away from him. Of course, my mil loves chihuahua's and we know she is going to try to steal Zax, or even trade the pug for him (yes, she would try that). But that would definitely be a no go, no matter how much she begs.

More later.

2008-05-24T18:34:00.003-05:00

I said when I returned I would have lots of pictures to show what I've been up to. Boy did I lie. I have been doing things, just not as much as I had planned. My work area went from two tables and half our bedroom in New Orleans, to a table just a little bigger than a legal size notepad. I also think I accidently left my muse in New Orleans cause I just can't seem to find her lately.

I do have two pictures to show you. The first one is from the Season to Season Spring swap Gerry is hosting on CQ for Newbies. This is Gerry's block that I worked on.

I added the flowered vine, the spider web and spider, the buds on the stems in the black vase and the red bird. I also added a few charms here and there and the blue sequin butterfly. I hope she likes it.

This is my block for the STS Summer swap. I know it is so different, but that's what came out as I worked on it. I actually like it. It is going to Ati in Norway. She is a wonderful stitcher. I wonder what she will add.

My mom took some pictures of other things I've been working on, but her camera is fighting with her computer and refuses to give up the images. Mom has to reload the software. With her new job, she just hasn't had the time yet.

2008-05-24T18:09:00.002-05:00

WOW!!! Two months and two days since my last post. I wish I could say alot has happened since then, but I'd be lying to you. We moved in with my inlaws and are still there. Tommy has never had this much trouble finding a job before. It is quite frustrating for both of us, but for him especially. I pray day and night for him to find a job. If we have to stay there much longer I may end up in deep trouble. My mother in law is getting a little out of hand. I had to get almost rude with her the other day over her yelling at Zoe for absolutely nothing. It did have it's advantages though. My father in law has totally changed the way he treats Zoe. He never treated her bad, he just didn't praise her or anything. Now, he is always petting her and telling her what a good girl she is. She now loves going outside with Grandpa Mac when he gets home from work.

We have ended up with a new puppy, a pug. He wandered up to the door with several big dogs that were roaming the neighborhood. When my mil, Marie, opened the screen door, he just came right on in. We looked for weeks for his owner, but was unsuccessful. He is a dark chocolate brown. We have had him for about 5 weeks now. My in laws say he is their's but their idea of taking care of a dog is to put it in the backyard, feek it and maybe talk to it for a few minutes a day. This little boy is just full of love, and I have to admit, I am his favorite. He comes in the house and comes right to me, even though Marie is calling him. Tommy says when we finally leave, he is going with us. He and Zoe get along so well, also. He follows her all over the yard when she goes out. Zoe will sleep next me on the couch, when we are watching tv, and the pug will climb up beside her and put his head on her and go to sleep also. It is so cute. I have to find cameras in storage so I can take pictures. The inlaws call him Pugsly, cause he is a pug. Tommy named him Buggly cause he is, to Tommy's way of thinking, Butt Ugly. Personally, I think he is adorable.

A few other things have happened over the last two months. My brother Jeremy had his pit bull put down cause he accidently bit my mom in his sleep. She ended up with stitches on her upper lip and butterfly bandaids on her nose and cheek. It was totally an accident, but Jeremy always swore if Flip ever hurt mom he would put him down. And he did. We all shed a lot of tears that week.

April 19th was mine and Tommy's 5th wedding anniversary. May 22nd, Tommy's oldest child, Chelsa, graduated from high school. And this Friday, the 30th, my sweet, wonderful husband turns 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy do I have plans for that night too...hehehe.

2008-03-22T17:10:00.002-05:00

This will be my last post for a while. Tomorrow we are breaking down my puter and putting it in storage. If nothing happens, a job comes through, etc, we will be moving in with my inlaws on Thursday or Friday of this coming week. Most everything else, with the exception of the furniture, is in storage. I do have stuff to work with and on while we are homeless.

I thought, for this last post for a while, that I would leave you with a story. On July 4th, 1995 I got two 5wk old kitty sisters, PJ and Mitten. PJ is very friendly while Mitten is very shy and reserved. When Tommy and I first got together in 2002, PJ would have nothing to do with him. Mitten, on the other hand, latched onto him like she had never seen a human before in her life. That is HER man. He calls her Miss Mitter. He doesn't really like PJ, she doesn't mind at all, but he does adore his Miss Mitter.

Some where along the line, Tommy came up this image of Mitten dressed in a leather teddy, stileto heels, fish net stockings, riding crop, and a little Nazi hat. He says that whenever we go out of town, Kitten Kink (Mitten) makes her appearance. She runs the Slaves of whereever we happen to living at the time. Currently that is the Slaves of New Orleans. It is a high priced call kitty service/videos/etc. As we walk out the door, he tells her to be sure to have the place cleaned up before we get home and to leave his cut under his pillow.

A couple of days ago, my mom saw this little bag in the store and had to buy it for Tommy because it made her think of Kitten Kink.

It's just too funny.

Well, be good and get lots of stitching done. Hopefully, I will have lots to show when I get back online.
God Bless.

2008-03-21T14:33:00.006-05:00

2008-03-20T01:03:00.004-05:00

I have seen this on so many blogs and wanted to join in, but for some reason never did. Now, when we are homeless at the end of the month, I join in. Silly, huh? But you know, I love giving people things, rather I know them or not. I've always been the odd one with my friends and family because I truly do enjoy giving more than receiving. I always have. So here goes:

"Pay It Forward rules: I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs.I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward meaning you will do the same for three people who comment on your blog."

As soon as we are settled again, I will make you a lagnaippe (a little something extra).

Thanks to Jackie at http://beaded-creations.blogspot.com/ for offering me this opportunity.

2008-03-08T15:22:00.000-06:00

Well, I know I don't post as often as I'd like to, maybe that will get better some day. For now, I have to be gone for a while. Tommy lost his job due to the childish stupidity and insecurity of his boss. Jerk didn't believe Tommy didn't want his job and in fact wants out of the city. Set him up and then fired him. So we have given our notice on the apartment and Tommy is looking for another job elsewhere. We are putting most of our stuff in storage close to my mom and may end up living with his parents til a job comes through.

I wish everyone a wonderful, glorious and blessed Easter. I hope to be back soon and have something to show other than a sore body from packing and moving.

2008-02-26T10:59:00.002-06:00

This is a doll I designed and made. Tommy says her name is FAB because of the position of her arms.