As I was blog hopping tonight, I ran across one entitled The Creative Notebook http://creativenotebook.com/. The day's entry is called Toot Your Horn Tuesday. Since I have been rather down on myself the last few days (weeks...), I thought I would take part. She said to simply list 10 things that you have accomplished in your life. Then she said:

"Now, take a look at that list. You did great! Look at all you’ve done with your life, with your time. You ROCK!!!!!!"

Well, I thought it might be a good idea for me to remember some of the things I have accomplished in my life, so here goes:

1. I graduated from high school. (Not really any big deal except that I am the only one of 5 children in my family that did it.)

2. Received my B.S. in Biology in 3 years after a 3 year sabbatical.

3. Received my M.S. in Biology with emphasis on Botany. Was within 2 months of graduating when my dad died unexpectedly. Almost gave it up.

4. Coordinated and ran the science fair for a school of 450+ below poverty level students.

5. Two years in a row had regional winners go to state competition in the Group category, where the previous 7 years had been won by a private school.

6. Took my mom on a Girls' Only Weekend trip to New Orleans.

7. Married a wonderful man.

8. Made a black velvet dress for a local entertainer without using a pattern.

9. Made clothes/quilts as all my Christmas gifts last year.

10. Still working on trying to figure out what goes at 10.

Tommy's Birthday at Bourbon House

What can be said about Tommy's birthday celebration at Bourbon House? Nothing really good...and for the price of dinner, that IS sad!!! We had to make reservations.....or so we were lead to believe. So we did.....for 8:30 pm Thursday, May 31st. Raf arranged to get off work early and Tommy had taken the day for his birthday. Raf walked to the restaurant and was already there when our cab got there. So we went in and were told that it would be about 5 minutes for our table to be ready. We decided to wait in the bar as the men wanted a beer. It is a really beautiful place with cool light fixtures, and grill work on the ceiling fans.
So here is Tommy and Raf waiting in the bar for our table.
Here is Raf falling asleep in the bar at 9:20 pm, while waiting for our table.
Tommy woke Raf up cause he was snoring:p
The last time Tommy and I went to Joann's, he picked out some fabric for me to make some clothes out of, for myself. He requested a blouse out of this material for this birthday. Well, here it is. Of course he didn't give me time to get ready to have my picture taken....like run.

Anyway, for a place that is supposed to have awesome steak, they only had one, a 14oz rib eye, on the menu....for $25. So the two men ordered that. I ended up with a $28 seafood platter. the catfish, shrimp, and crab claws were good but the oysters were not done enough. Don't get me wrong, I eat raw oysters. But I like them either fried or raw.....not some where in between. And would you believe the ONLY AND I DO MEAN ONLY vegetable they offered was french fries???? I mean come on, if I want fries I'll go to McD's....at least there I have a good chance of them being hot.
These are the lights and ceiling fans. The pic on the left was taken through a mirror that was by our table.

On the way out, I visited the ladies room. I know the other lady in there must have thought me strange. I took a picture of the tile floor. Hey, I think it's really pretty.

Something that was rather frustrating was that we past soooo many empty tables on the way to ours. And there were tables in the front of the restaurant that we could have sat at. By the time our waitress actually got around to taking our order, it was almost 10pm. I can guarantee we won't go back.

After we left the restaurant, we walked across the street to a little bar, like the ones that predominate Bourbon Street, and had another drink. By this time, the two guys were getting a little toasted, but they can never be faulted on their behavior. I had been drinking water all evening, as I don't drink, so I decided what the heck and ordered a frozen strawberry daiquiri. The first sip gave me brain freeze so I did little more than carry around til we got home and then I drank it as it melted.

We caught a cab and let me say what an experience that was. We generally take cabs when we go to dinner so no one has to be the designated driver and we don't have to deal with nonexistent parking by our house. We have always gotten really lucky and had very nice cabbies. Well, the one that brought us home, or to the corner closest to the house, was a trip. Every time we came to a stop light or sign, he fell asleep. Raf, sitting up front with him, had to keep waking him up and reminding of where we were going. Once we got off Decatur and into the Quarter, wrong turn, he kept wanting to let us out at each corner. We had to literally encourage him to go further, not this corner, but the next one.....one more and then turn left.....no.. your other left......now go to the stop sign.....stop sign, red metal piece with the word stop on it.....ok, we will get out here and walk the rest of the way....thank you so much...lol

Raf said that if he had spent one more minute beside that guy he would have been gagging. Apparently, he'd taken water rationing to the extreme.

Anyway, we all made it home safely. Tommy said he had a wonderful time cause he was with his wife, and his best friend.

Oh yeah, I finished the strawberry daiquiri around 2 am. I only had the one drink all evening. Man was I sick Friday morning....slept all morning after Tommy kindly got me Tylenol and refrained from saying I told you so as he tucked me back into bed. He really is a wonderful husband.

By the way, he is now 49 years old. Next year it will be the big 50. We will definitely chose a better restaurant!!!!!

It seems my last post upset some of my friends. I am so sorry for that. I have a tendency to be very highly critical of myself and my work. If someone else doesn't like it or doesn't "vote" on it, or whatever, I tend to go overboard on my reactions. Instead of pulling up my socks and getting over it, I pull the blankets up and disappear. I went and took all the webrings off my page and wrote a real "oh poor me!!!!" post. Some reason I had thought I was actually older than 13. Guess not....lol. Guess I'd better grow up fast....otherwise my husband might get into trouble for having married a child.....hehehe.

To Charlene, Gerry, Gail, and my dear friend Jo, thank you for your comments on my purse. I appreciate all your support.

I also promise to let a day or week go by before I write a post concerning my hurt feelings next time. I do get over them rather quickly (too much of a waste of time not to).

Oh yeah, I am NOT giving up cq, have waaaaaaayyyyyyy too much stash, and I do enjoy it so much.

Purse I made for the Crazy Quilt International Purse Contest

Well, I made this purse and entered it in to the CQI Purse Contest. I actually had high hopes for it. Unfortunately, as usual, I was wrong and no one liked it. It got one whole vote, and that one was mine. Isn't that pathetic? There are so many ladies in that group whose work I so admire that I guess I was hoping one of them might like mine.

So the question is now, do I keep doing it or do I try to find something else that I enjoy and might have a chance at being good at. Maybe I just need to stay out of the big league.

Life in the Month of June

I know, I know, it's not even the end of May yet and here I am talking about June. So much has changed lately. By the way, we found a new doctor and I am back on my hypothyroid and depression medication. Tommy says he can already tell a difference in my attitude....ain't that a man for you?? :p

Anyway on to the end of the May and the whole month of June. Tommy and I are going to Bossier City Sunday and Monday. When his nephew moved home, he left most of his stuff here, so we are taking that up to him. Wednesday, the 30th is Tommy's 49th birthday. He has to work 3p to 11p (of course). He is, though, taking Thursday off. Rafal is going to rearrange his schedule for Thursday and then we are taking the birthday boy to Bourbon House (one of the restaurants owned by the Brennan's) for steak. Last year we went to the House of Blues. It was quite an experience, especially for Rafal. There was a goth concert in the auditorium part of HOB. We had to walk past two blocks of goths in full regalia. Rafal had no clue!!!!! He was actually rather nervous. Gave Tommy and me a good laugh. Anyway, Bourbon House is supposed to have killer steaks, and that's what the men want. Me, I will have my salmon.

On the 4th of June, I go back to the dr. for an EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work. The following Monday, the 11th, we journey back to Bossier for Tommy to have his 6 month check up with his cardiologist following his heart cath last November. We both admit the trips to visit our parents, his in Bossier, and mine in W. Monroe, are long and tiring. Especially since we still haven't been able to get the air conditioner fixed in the truck.

The fun for June really starts on the 17th. Once again, we are going to Bossier. This time, though, we will be leaving again almost as soon as we get there. If we are lucky, we will be picking up Tommy's son Patrick. We will then head north to Perry, Oklahoma to pick up his daughter, Erin Ree. She is 8 (8 and a half, according to her). Patrick is 15. From Perry, we will continue north to Pratt, KS. Pratt is about 40 miles east of what used to be Greensburg, KS. In Pratt, we will be visiting Tommy's dad. This will be the first meeting for him and his two grandchildren. Tommy hasn't seen his dad since '99. According to him "the old man is dang near 80 years old". His wife died two years ago and he has no other family up there. I feel sorry for him being so alone. I am looking forward to meeting him. My mother in law has made me swear to take tons of pictures. We are also going to give the kids disposable cameras so they can take pics and show their points of view of the situation. Of course it will also be video taped. It should be quite emotional.

Oh yeah, in case you are wondering if we have lost our minds, we will be borrowing my mother in law's car with the air conditioning. We may be crazy but we are not masochistic at all.

Once we leave Pratt, we will go to Horatio, Arkansas. I just hope Tommy survives. We will see his oldest child there. Chelsa is 17. She will also be presenting Tommy with his first grandchild while we are there. Tommy will have all 3 of his children together in one place for the first time in roughly 5 years and then to have his first grandchild thrown in also. All this on top of having visited his dad. I think I will need several boxes of kleenex.

We will drop Patrick, and the car, back off in Bossier and come home. Then on July 1st, we have to take Erin Ree back to Oklahoma.

In case you are confused, yes, each of the children have a different mother. Tommy has been married 5 times. Of course, he saved the best for last...lol.

I am going to have to put together some small projects to take with me. I will be spending most of the time in Perry in the hotel. No matter how nice I am to her, Erin's mother is very antagonist to me. I don't want that to happen and ruin what is going to a wonderful two weeks together with Erin.

Well, I think that is all for now. I am busy making clothes for myself. All my summer clothes are still in storage in New Hampshire. Too long for a one day trip to pick them up. But then who doesn't like new clothes. I am also working on a cqed box and will post pictures soon.

It's done. I finally got up the nerve to send in the pictures of the purse I made for the Crazy Quilting International yahoo group's purse contest. I have had it finished for about two weeks now but was just too chicken to actually submit it. Well, it's submitted, like it or not.

When I originally started this project it was a totally different purse. I was originally going to use the one pictured above and to the left as my contest entry. I don't know why I didn't. Who knows. A friend of mine wants me to put this one in a frame so she can put it on the piano in the hotel where she performs and sell it for me. I think I am going to put it in a frame but then keep it for myself. I love it. I actually can't believe I create it.

I just finished a black velvet evening gown for the same friend. Still have to make her two more. As she wants all 3 to be identical, it won't be that hard. And yes, I'm getting paid to do it. Hhhmmm, getting paid to do something I love to do.....what a concept! The only thing is I forgot to take a picture to post. Oh well, I will remember with the next one.

CQ4 Newbies Special Project for JK and Jenny

Here are the pictures of the wallhangings that we did as get well gifts for JK and her mother in law, Jenny. I have to remember next time to check my pics before I package everything up. The beautiful pic on the left is of JK's wall hanging, taken by JK. The one on the right is of Jenny's taken by me. I am so ashamed.






















On JK's wallhanging the blocks were made by the following people (rowxrow, l to r)

row 1: Charlene, Jo, me
row 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
row 3: Erin C., Ati, Lesa
row 4: Lori K.





On Jenny's wallhanging the block were made by the following people (columnxcolumn, top to bottom)
column 1: Lori K., Jo, me
column 2: Lesa, Linda C., me
column 3: Lori K., Lesa, Erin C.

The bauble bags were made by Christy and filled with teas and wonderful Dove chocolates.
The tea/chocolate sets in the last picture were sent by June and the black/green tea bags were sent by Lori K.

Well, this answers a lot of questions :p

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Just to let you know: Mary's Special Project is winging its way west as we speak (read?). I will post pics on Wednesday or Thursday so it is still a surprise to its recipients.

I thought I would share a few pictures with you of what I've been working on. I will be visiting Hobby Lobby next week and will be looking for just the right stuff to use as handles so I can finish these.

I call this my birdhouse block.
This is just a little black velvet bag.
These are eyeglass cases.
This is a little gold satin pouch.
This is my Under the Sea bag.

Well, it's now been over a month since I have blogged anything. I have been working on stuff and getting some things accomplished. Unfortunately, depression seems to have taken hold and only lets me free for brief spurts of time. Tommy's nephew has come to live with us. He is one of the few people in the world that I don't get along with. Guess where he is "living" within our apartment? That's right, our computer room! Ain't life grand.

On top of that going on, Tommy is depressed. He wants to get out of New Orleans so bad it hurts. Oh he has lots and lots of interviews and people saying you are just what we are looking for but no offers. Of course, if he were to take a steep decrease in pay, I'm sure we would get offers out the wazzoo. But I refuse to let him sell himself short, or for less than what he is worth. The man works his ass off for his employers. And he is only the second in charge. He came home last week and told me that a couple of people he works with just met Tommy's boss. They didn't know the jerk existed and he has been there for something like 5 years. He hides in the basement and does nothing except shoot the breeze with his "boys". I've met him and don't think a lot of him.

I think spring has by passed New Orleans and we are into summer. Temperatures this past week have been in the mid to upper 80's with 90 to 100 % humidity. For those unfamiliar with this part of the world, 100 % humidity does not mean rain!! You can walk outside and be totally drenched, clothes and all within seconds. Happy happy joy joy.

One bright spot in the whole sordid mess that is my life right now....my 4th wedding anniversary is the 19th of this month. It is on a Thursday, so Tommy will actually have the night off!!!! I am so excited. This will only be the second anniversary we will have been able to spend together. I think I will send him flowers to work. For our first one, he was working in Williamsburg, VA and I was living with my mom and brother finishing my teaching contract here in Louisiana. I sent him a dozen balloons attached to a bucket filled with all his favorite snack foods. He was living in the hotel he was working at, so it went to the front desk. The ladies made a big deal over it and him. Of course they were scandalized when they found out all he had done was to call me and tell me he loved me. Little did they realize that meant the world to me. I thank God everyday for Tommy.

I thought ya'll might enjoy some pictures from Mardi Gras. We didn't go to the parades. These were taken from the balcony of our apartment on Royal Street. Several times yesterday the street was packed with with over 1000 costumed locals. Some of the pictures I took simply for the costumes. There was a lot of work put into the costumes.

Today when Tommy was walking to the little store on the corner, he pasted an Egyptian souvenir store. He stopped in and bought me this beautiful blue velvet beaded pouch. He said it was for inspiration. Isn't he so sweet and isn't it beautiful?

T.A.S.T and the Feather Stitch

This week's stitch for T.A.S.T. is the feather stitch. This is one of my all time favorite stitches. It is so versatile. Making one change in it changes the flow totally. I love making the circles with it. These are not finished. I will either add beads at the end of each branch or another stitch. I am still undecided. On the first block below, I am adding detached chains to the feather vines.

I am totally addicted to making those cute little 3 inch squares. These are the ones I have made so far. I am sure there are many more in my future. They also seem to be getting smaller and smaller. I do believe I will lay the blame for these directly on Lesa's doorstep. And I am not even in her swap.

One of these days I will remember that when I have to break a post into more than one post to put my "title" on the final post.

Anyway.....

This bag is what I call my butterfly bag. Here on the front I have 3 small butterflies with a size 6 bead on them beside a double row of cretan stitches. In the middle upper section, I filled it in with cross stitches and then in the spaces between the two rows I placed a bead. On the blue section I have alternating lengths of buttonhole topped with a French knot on the longer stitches.



On the inside of the bag, I added 3 more butterflies.













On the back of the butterfly bag I did double chevron, on the upper left, triple cretan on the right, and then the blue with red flowers on the lower left, I beaded the flower centers.







Since one of the colors for Project Spectrum is blue, I made a set of bookmarks with varying shades and textures of blue fabric.