Getting Older

Well, yesterday was my birthday, and I'm feeling older this year.
I dyed my hair my actual color because YIKES I realized some of the blonde in my hair was SILVER!!
I am fairly healthy, loved and employed. Life could be worse.
Maybe it's the doldrums at the end of summer, my baby starting college or attitude, but my motivation just seems low lately.
I have a pattern sitting out, fabric and yet..........just can't get started.
My big accomplishments for today (my last day of a long weekend) was a few loads of laundry, picking out clothes for the rest of the work week and going through all the stuff in my hutch.
Ah well.
Tomorrow is another day.

Summer

Well, life keeps going, doesn't it? I seem to be really busy lately.
The hot weather is making some people very grumpy. I'm okay as long as I have air conditioning!!
We had a great party for my youngest daughter, who graduated from high school. Of course, being an outdoor party it rained.
My oldest daughter and DH are settling in to their new home. It's totally like a house I would like when I grow up! Gorgeous woodwork, three bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 bathrooms. Yep, I could live in that house!
Finished three of my dolls from Gala! One to go, but, not one I'm crazy about. I'll work up to it.
Still downsizing tons of STUFF. I sold some of it on ebay, but, gave alot away, too. Giving everything from dolls to kids bikes was way more fun than selling.
Here's a picture of three of my dolls - okay, one is half naked, but, what a great face!

The Gala

Had a wonderful time a the doll gala in Aurora Ohio! Four fabulous teachers, learned some great new techniques, visited with friends! Life is good.
Of course my dolling vacation is over tomorrow, back to work. But, I think the weight on my shoulders feels lighter! Dolling with like-minded friends will do that!
My daughter's tattoo is progressing, more gorgeous as color is added. I HOPE this one will fill her need for body art.
My oldest daughter and her DH are buying a house! Hurray!
Not sure when my extra 18 yr old moves out. Soon after graduation I'm hoping.

AN UPDATE: Now have only my DD at home!

Strange World

Well, this year is extremely hectic.
Our neighbor's daughter was kicked out after her 18th birthday, just because they could. So now I have two teenagers to get up for school, clean up after, feed and push to the goal line of graduation. My Elizabeth is getting great grades and seems like she has it pretty together. Although (groan) as a newly minted 18 she got a tattoo that she's been wanting for two years. It's beautiful, artistic and forever on her back.
I think it's easier when you've raised a child from birth to explain the basic principles of turning off lights, etc. I don't want the other girl to feel bad, or unwanted so I try to be patient.
Please give me patience.

Have Faith

Life does get better.
My daughters and I had a wonderful, peaceful Thanksgiving. No fights! No drama!
My work "friend" is trying to make up for her transgressions. It is going to be difficult I think. She's already a little pouty that we all haven't forgotten everything just because she admitted she was in the wrong. I guess she figured the sorry word would fix everything. We'll see.
Social Security continues to be a major headache. We're trying to work it out.
The washer died. New one gets delivered tomorrow.
Busy cleaning and organizing my house.
A really nice thing happened! I belong to a group called "Freecycle" where you recycle things instead of selling them or throwing them away. I was just telling my husband that I wish someone would list a hutch and voila! I now have a really nice hutch (and multiple sore muscles from carrying it down seventeen steep steps with DH, but I'll live)!!

UPDATE: Social Security is almost resolved. Love my (free) hutch.

Totally like my diary LOL

Okay, this is totally like a diary! I never kept them up-to-date either. I guess maybe I'm just not that interesting.
Anyway, have been helping daughter and her DH work on their new home. I now like it so much I want to live there myself!
I played with decoupage and I like the way it is coming. Don't like the glue, etc. on my skin but, found this cool glue remover that totally works without damaging my skin. Elmers makes it.

So I guess it's like a diary........................

So, I'm trying to get used to posting to this, before I start inviting others.
I found out I'm getting a new office this week. The exciting part of it, is that it has a window. Right now, the office I have is a small, windowless room where I face a wall! Not to worry - I have pictures galore, so I'm not too sensory deprived. I only share with one other person (the office that is). The new office is about three times bigger (plus window!) and I'll be sharing it with three people. Hopefully, the additional people won't make it too noisy, as my work requires a tremendous amount of concentration.
I had a positive week, plus I found time to paint a picture. It's more folksy than artsy, but, at least I was creative! My youngest daughter paints these great faces with just a few lines that are so evocative. I've already framed one and plan to frame another as soon as she signs it (always sign your work!!).