Dragonflys and Buttons

I've hit the big time...at least in my head I have. I am selling my creations at an kinda upscale boutique in the quaint little town of Orange, California. For those of you who are familiar with this area, this little boutique is at the Orange Circle, for those of you who are not familiar with this area....this is one of the few areas around here that antique stores line four major streets with a huge park area in the middle....hence, the circle. Seems I gave my number to someone at the flea market a couple of weeks ago not knowing it was the owner of said establishment.

Well, you coulda' knocked me over with a feather when she called and asked if I would like to join in on the Christmas Boutique Dec 4th and needless to say....I was happy and excited and then curious and finally....scared. But, Ima' gonna do it, because I got nothing to lose but my dignity and lord knows....that went out the window a long time ago.

So, wish me luck, say a prayer and send me good karma, cuz I don't know what the heck I'm doing....I'm Just Sayin'

Ahead of Myself

Yeah Yeah I know. It's not even Thanksgiving and I've got the Christmas blog up. Well, I've been super busy and I thought I'd get ahead of myself...guess it's better than being besides myself...lol

Anywho, I've sold some of my creations at a local Flea Market and I did quite good. I sold about 1/2 of what I made and met a bunch of good people. But more importantly, someone likes my stuff which is a huge ego booster. Thinking about doing it again...we'll see.

Raquel is coming down for a few days and I hope to actually see her. She's got hefty plans when she's here so let's hope we can actually visit, which brings me to Thanksgiving. I want to wish you all a very happy and stuffed free day. Enjoy your family and think about what you are thankful for.

Me? I'm thankful for a wonderful husband, two kind and intelligent daughters, three wacky squirrely grandsons, a plethora of great family members and friends who will always be there for me...

OH! and I'm thankful for another B~day on Friday...don't ask how old I am....I lost track in the 70's.

I'm Just Sayin'

This Is Why

Fall is my favorite time of year.

I imagine myself living here, surrounded by bright and dull and muted colors of the season

strolling down shadowy paths and not knowing where I'm headed

and coming home to this....

I can dream can't I?

I Fought the Law and The Law Won

I can talk about it now. I have been sworn under oath to not open my big O' mouth and spread the word of the court room. Yes people, I have been serving Jury Duty and not without a fight I might add.
It all started a year ago when I received a jury summons in which I promptly checked off the "I need an extension" box on the back. I kept them at bay for one year, yup, I have skills, I thought....till I didn't receive a response from the last extension I had sent. So you can imagine my surprise when I was notified that I did NOT show up for court and that I had to call them...ASAP! Yikes! I had totally forgotten and went on with my life when the popo caught up with me. Well, I called and I was told that I had 9 days to show up for jury duty, no and's, if's or but's, and believe me, I tried. I was also told that if I didn't show up, I'd be fined $1,000. I guess I fought the law and the law won.

So I show up at the court house at the crack of dawn thirty and make my way to the appropriate lines and window, then watch the cheesy film on our Court System and listen to a speaker go on about what an honor it is to serve on a Jury...then wait, and wait and walk around, eat lunch and wait some more. Finally got called and was asked to report to Court room #24 on the 7th floor ..and about 40 of us, looking like deer in head lights, waited patiently in the court room wondering what the heck is gonna happen.....

Too much to write right now...stay tuned for part deux...I'm Just Sayin'

Just Say No

It took me approximately 30 years of growing up for me to tell people "no". No, I can't, no thank you, no, don't really want to. Family was the hardest to say no to, especially my mother as I so wanted to please her....at my own expense. Didn't know it at the time, but she wasn't impressed, just self centered. It was also difficult to say "no" to the opposite sex because we as women, we all know that when you say "NO', it means time for negotiations and let the mind games begin. The world doesn't take no for an answer very well either. How could I be so selfish, so not a team player.

I thought I could do everything. Control everything....be liked and at the same time be nice and kind. I've seen that saying that states, " don't confuse my kindness for a weakness". That was me....so I thought. Nurture this person, nurture that person, do this, do that, fix this, go here, can you please?, I knew you would come through...but I couldn't do it anymore. I came to the realization that I came first and that saying yes to everyone and everything just brought on resentment, guilt and frustration and worse....not taking care of myself.

Which is why I am teaching my college living daughter to "just say no". NO...it's not to drugs, although that would be alright too. It's just say "no" to whomever and whatever that makes you uncomfortable, tired, off schedule and just plain crazy. Through our recent talks it seems that time has started to repeat itself. So, I tell her what no one bothered to tell me....It's OK to say NO! NO, I can't go to dinner, NO, I don't want a boyfriend, NO, I need to study and NO...I just don't want to....

I told her that if at anytime she didn't want my opinion, advice or 2 cents, that she is to tell me NO thanks.........I'm Just Sayin'

Little Big Man

Today is my #1 grandson's 9th Birthday. I wasn't there when he was born as I was at a funeral....ironic, I know...that's a whole other entry. But anyways, as our tradition goes, on each of my grandsons birthday day, I take them to any store and buy them anything (in moderation) that they want and in doing so, enjoying some one on one grandson Nana time. Over the years we've had some pretty good conversations...today's was no exception...


Me.........So, how's 4th grade?

Him........pretty good!

Me...... Any girlfriends yet?

Him..... No...but that will come in time I guess.

Me...... Do you like any girl?

Him......No...but you know Nana, the girls that like me chase me and bother me. That means
they like me.

Me.....ya know, your right!

Him.....I just can't figure out women.

Me.......and you never will

Him......ahhhh man!

Vintage Wreath

Being that I have a little more spare time on my hands, I've been a little busy bee here in Santa's Work Shoppe. Among many other items, I've created a vintage wreath using very old pattern paper. If your interested, here's how I did it...If your not...look at the pretty pictures.


I started with vintage patterns

and cut them into squares....you decide the size

then you fold them using the fan technique and secure them with whatever you have...I used raffia because I couldn't find my twine

it makes one of those "Old Skool" wedding flowers....remember?

I attached a ribbon and proceeded to glue gun them to a Styrofoam wreath. It actually looked pretty good as is.....

but I took it a step further....I sprayed the tips turquoise

and added some glitter

and Voila'...
a Sparkly and Turquoise Vintage Wreath. Super easy to make.
I'm Just Sayin'