Wow, 4 years since I have been here and posted........crazy.  I will try and catch up, somewhat, later.  Right now I want to post about my scrapbooking.  The past few years I have been in the blahs with scrapbooking.  I still host my monthly crops.  There are only 4 of us that get together regularly, but that is terrific.  I had accumulated so much STUFF, and my mojo wasn't real gung ho, so I was only buying the necessities and nothing was really giving me that oomph I needed.  A few weeks ago, the 4 of us, plus a couple others, got together at a retreat place in Des Moines.  I went down on Thursday afternoon, and came home on Sunday, with 40 completed pages.  As a reward I joined a kit club, http://www.scrap-room.com/  I got pretty excited when I received my first kit, and got busy.

Did these 4 layouts, and then decided to do the Monthly Challenge, with some of the left overs.

Now I am ready for the next months kit.  So much fun to work with new things.  Thanks for looking

TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL

Since I was a little girl I have wanted to go to Mackinac Island in Michigan.  My grandmother went there and talked all about it.  There are no motorized vehicles on the island, except police cars and ambulances.  Finally decided to go.  A beautiful step back in time.  It was amazing.  We left Ames and drove to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and spent the night.  Very lovely drive.  We then got up the next morning and drove to St. Ignace, Michigan.  We unloaded our bags, and they were taken and tagged by a couple of guys, and put on a cart.  We then boarded our ferry for the 6 mile ride to the island.

As we got closer to the island we could see the Grand Hotel.  Wow, what a gorgeous place.  We weren't staying there, but a very spectacular place.



When we arrived on the island, we met with the porter from our hotel, and then went and checked in.  We went off to explore, and the porter delivered our bags to our room.  Our hotel was two doors down from the dock where our ferry dropped us off, the Hotel Iroquios.

 
 Main Street was about 3-4 blocks long with lots and lots of stores and eateries.  Several places were along the way to rent bicycles.

Fudge is one of the really big items on the island, and there are several different fudge shops.  Watching this guy was so fascinating.  Poured it out onto the marble slab and then it was constant motion on his part, keeping it from the edges.  The muscles that this man had to have in his arms, wow.

Since there are no motorized vehicles, horses are used for all purposes.  This was a garbage wagon.  There was a hotel remodeling going on so all deliveries and pick-ups were done in this manner.

Another garbage wagon.  These horses are so very patient, and are also well taken care of.  There are 500 horses on the island during the season, so they don't work too many hours daily.  In the winter there are only 12.  It is just so wonderful to see these beautiful creatures, doing what they do best, and being so well taken care of.



Now, since there are all these horses, someone has to clean up after them, therefore you have to have street sweepers.  They are constantly riding up and down the streets, cleaning up the messes that the horses leave behind.  Also, they clean up well after all the tourists.  No litter and no cigarette butts anywhere.
For smaller deliveries, bicycles are used.  Couldn't believe the high heels this woman wore, to ride her bike.

We did take a tour, on this wagon, of the island.  This man was so good at his job, and had a great sense of humor.  The tour lasted about 1 1/2-2 hours, and was excellent.  Don enjoyed talking to him all about the horses.  Don had horses growing up and loves being around them.




This was one of the beautiful sites we got to see on our tour.  We got to get out and walk up and take pictures.  So beautiful.

Our hotel served a wonderful breakfast of juice, milk, and delicious pastries, every morning.  Such a beautiful old Victorian hotel, with such lovely rooms and a large wrap around porch.  Just such a nice relaxing place.


 This is a view from one of our windows, in our room.  We loved it.

There is a little light house out there, and I loved watching it in the late evening.




 
This bench was right outside out door.  Such a pretty setting.  We really had a wonderful time and talked about the next time, before we packed our bags to come home.  Highly recommend visiting this beautiful step back in time to anyone, wanting to get away for a couple of days.

Keep Junking

Joan and I just keep heading out on most Saturday mornings to find some treasures.  Teddy likes to go with us, unless he has a friend over.  I am actually running out of space to put things, but I also have redone a few things, so will be having a sale in a month or so to get rid of some of my cast offs, so I can go find more.  No I'm not a hoarder, I do get rid of stuff.

One of my favorite things I just found at the Junk Jubilee in Des Moines, last weekend.  I had seen a picture of a pick-up tail gate.  Someone had taken one and made it into a message board, and I thought it was so cool. http://www.myhomemystyle.com/enotes/2012/03/16/salvaged-magnetic-memory-board/?utm_source=MyHomeMyStyleEnotes&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5695   So, I've really been wanting to find one.  Low and behold, I spotted one at the J.J.  It was red and it was a chevy, and it was mine. Mine is going to be a head board, as soon as we open it up, get all the rust out, and I think hook up some lights.

Also found some cool letters and numbers, which of course will go on the wall above the head board.  I found the lock today, and thought it could be a Y.  The 8/11 is an auction paddle, I think.  Just happens that Don and I were married August 11, 1967.

 
I also found this beauty!  The color is what caught my eye.  It is actually fencing, made into a circle, and the cute little bottles attached to it.  I had so many people stop me and comment on it.  Another vendor even wanted to buy it.  I brought it home and wired it, and no have it hanging.  I will have to reveal it's spot some other time.



I have been wanting a bottle tree for a long time.  Not that I have many bottles, I don't, but I just think they are pretty cool.  Someone posted on Freecycle that they had 2 dozen cobalt blue beer bottles.  I notified them and within 15 minutes I had them.  I started checking online "bottle trees".  I found lots, but what caught my eye was a place that sells spikes to pound into your own stump or 4x4.  I had the perfect stump, and some gutter nails, and now I have a bottle tree.  It is right out side my scrapbook area, and when the sun hits it, it is gorgeous.

Not much new with the family and us.  Summer is close, and hope to get a vacation in with some of the grandkids.

APRIL, 2012

WOW, has it really been that long???????? September 17, 2011, my mom passed away. We hadn't spoken in 10 months. She chose to cut me and my family out of her life, and that is fine. I have spent my entire life trying to get her love, and it just never happened. I always felt like I was on the outside looking in. I had my brother Gerry, but he died in an auto accident in 1974, so have been on my own since then. I feel the biggest problem, I choose an honest life, and they choose to sweep everything under the rug. Since I was disowned, I have actually done okay. I just don't like to live a fake life. Anyway........

Don and I joined the gym Jan. 24, and love it. I am going in 3 times a week to do Aqua Fit. We have a personal trainer, Jessica, that we love, and boy is she teaching us a ton. It is a lot harder in our 60s, than it was in our 30s. Just want to be healthier, and be around to see these grandkids grown and being terrific adults.

Speaking of getting older, our oldest grandbaby turned 21, October 15, 2011. That just doesn't seem possible at all. Grace will be 13 in July, so time is marching on.

We have finally done some major work on our bathroom. The thing is 6'x8', so not a whole lot of room to do much. I didn't really want to tear out my tub or the surround. We replaced the shower doors, painted, put tin ceiling on the ceiling, and on the lower walls. New trim, and floor, and I love it.

Also replaced the vanity with a much smaller one, and we love it. Just makes the bathroom seem so much larger.
I found this Awesome scale at the Antique Mall in Story City. I thought it was perfect to hold my paper towels and the tin holder, which I keep my extra bar soap in.

This is the east wall. The bathroom is so small, I can't get it all in one picture, LOL.














Well, that is an update. I sure hope I don't wait another 7-8 months. Thanks for looking and will try and do better about keeping caught up. Any of you that know me well, and are on my Christmas card list know, I am usually a few steps behind. That is why they got Valentines cards, instead of Christmas............ Just me.

August 2011

Seems as though this summer just whizzed by so quickly. I have been in a funk for several months. Just have not felt very good at all. Have been so tired. I get out of bed, and usually just lay on the couch and doze until 10. I try and push myself to keep up with the house work, but that seems to be as far as I get. I have been to the Dr. several times, getting all sorts of tests done. Did get changes in allergy meds, since I was having some breathing issues. We are now trying to figure out why my hemoglobin is so low, and my liver and spleen are both enlarged. Had and endoscopy yesterday, just waiting for some biopsies. Dr. says everything looked fine, but they did have to dilate my esophagus. Hopefully things will improve soon, sick and tired of being sick and tired.

One thing that I have done a lot of this summer is spend my Saturdays with my daughter Joan. We have done a lot of garage sales, antique stores and just general junking. We have had a blast, and have done some more changes to the house.


In 2005 my granddaughter Katisha was staying with us so we painted the one bedroom pink. It has since been referred to as the Pepto room. It was time for a change. Don and I found the wonderful little desk at an antique store down in Valley Junction in Des Moines. A week later, found the little stool to go with it, at a different store in V.J. Don did extend the shelves to the ceiling, on the right. We tore out the carpet, and am going to leave the hardwood floors.

We painted the walls a darker green, Valspar Green Peppercorn. It turned out so gorgeous. It is perfect. This jewelry hanger, I made from an old window that we replaced a few years ago. I took all the glass out, put screen in the bottom panes, to attach pierced earrings on. I attached a small curtain rod, across the top panes for bracelets, and the bottom has 4 decorative knobs, from Hobby Lobby attached, for necklaces. It has a crackle finish to it. I first painted it red, then crackle medium, then white.


I made these two canvases for the Pepto room. Just decoupaged and added some of this and that.

Don also built shelves on the left side of the window. They just so happen to fit some of my suitcase collection. I numbered the suitcases, and I made tags so that I know what is in each one. Yup, do use them for storage and I love them. The photo on the right is the shelves Don extended. I also have a few more luggage pieces, and lots of my scrapbooks stored here. I am going to get some pipe and fix the ladder like a library ladder that slides from side to side. Will also be able to attach it to the shelves on the left side.

I was lucky enough to be looking at my emails one day when an ad for two old trunks were listed for FREE. I busted my backside and was lucky enough to get them both. The people had been moving them all over the country for years and decided they didn't want them anymore. This one made it's way to Russia in the 1920's. I love it. The violin, and case I got for $2.00 at a garage sale. The dress top was from my husband's grandmother's wedding dress. I have acquired the other items from thrift stores, junk stores, garage sales, etc.
This to die for mirror I got at Junk Jubilee. I totally love it so much. I was going to put it above the bed, but couldn't do it, so put it above the window. Have I said I love it?

This is the wall between the closet and the door to the room. The two cup and saucer holders were purchased at different times. And to be honest, when I purchased the first one, had no clue what it was for, lol. The cups and saucers were Don's grandmother's. The shelf I purchased at a Farmer's Market in MN. a couple years ago. The other things have been purchased here and there, thru the years. On the right is the headboard that Don and I made with our old fence boards. The red items were all purchased for a total of $6. I think they are so awesome. Love the patina.


I made these quilt wall hangings. No, I don't quilt. These are pieces of quilts that I cut up, and added some other things, buttons, lace, postcards and flowers. Love the look.

This is what you see when you walk in the door. Just want to lie down and rest.

Well that is the basics of my former Pepto room. I just love the way it has all turned out. Next you will see the "Red" room. Have made some changes there also. So til next time......

Way Behind, I know............

Last year as I was doing all the work in my basement, I also did our bedroom. When we bought the house, it only had two bedrooms upstairs, and a huge family room, with a fireplace downstairs. We put the girls in the bedrooms upstairs and we took the downstairs room for our bedroom. We had painted it before, but never put a whole lot of work into it.
When Katisha and Tyree were little we did put up the fence, and the three of us stenciled the flowers, insects and tree on the wall. Everyone wanted me to leave it all there, but I wanted to change the whole theme of the room. This is what I came up with.For the headboard, I used two old gates that were in our back yard when we moved in. I love the color, it is so soothing. The red baby buggy is a gift from Don, many years ago. I had spotted it in the Salvation Army window, and told him that I wanted it so bad. He surprised me with it for Christmas that year. The window with the 6 pictures is from our house, when we closed in the bathroom. The frame with 5 slots was my grandmother's. Just don't know if I want to put anything in it.

The Spinning wheel was brought over from Sweden by my great grandfather in the late 1800's. Most of the stuff was either hand me downs from family, or garage sale finds. This fireplace was the reason I loved this house and had to have it. The red jacket on the left was Don's when he was a little boy, back in the 40's. Wish I could find a picture of him wearing it. The yellow quilt was made for him by his Grandmother Perry, in 1957. It is dated on the back. The blue one was made for me by my grandmother Thomas, in the late 70's. The dresser was made by Don's great grandfather in 1876, and signed. The drop leaf table was my grandparents, the Thomas'. Figure they got it in the 1930s, when they got married. I love having these pieces that give us fond memories, of those that loved us.

We are all doing pretty well. Kids are growing like crazy, Teddy is now a teenager, and Grace will be 12 in July. Will try and post again, soon.

Hello Spring.........

Are you out there??? I haven't complained about this winter at all. I have actually enjoyed it, especially after last year. I am getting very anxious for some sunshine and spring. Haleigh did inform me that the rain today means it is SPRING, so I'm going with her on this. Although when I took Chester out a while ago, there was snow, not rain. Hey, it's IOWA.

Joan has had a complete recovery from her surgery in Dec. Blood work has been fine. Then, a month ago her Meniere's Disease flared up. While suffering from this she can't drive. She went back to the doctor and is now on more medication for it, and thought it was getting better, but then she got the bug that the entire family has had, except Katisha. We have run fevers, severe sinus headaches, coughing sore throat, just feeling crappy. We are all recovering, and Joan says that hopefully she can drive in the next few days.

So just trying to keep up with everything going on, and running constantly everywhere, not much else going on. Just wanted to update.