Just a chat, between you and me. I will tell you what is on my mind and heart and you may tell me. We can talk about our feelings, family, deepest thoughts and chocolate. We will share our success and cry over failure and if we need to rant and rave, we will feel free, knowing the other will just listen and comfort. If we only had a back fence that would be perfect, but this is 2nd best. Tilly here, lets chat.
my store at: http://zibbet.com/tillysbridge
or watch on YouTube: Barb Pollitt
One of new year resolutions was to be more faithful to the blog. As you can see, true to form, I failed in the first month. Why do I even think about resolutions? Why do I set myself up for failure? My February resolution is to never make another resolution for as long as I live. That gets easier to say the older I am, cause there is so little time left to be resolute ;)
I have been having some fun with my YouTube friends and my real life friends and family. We are in full throws of our oldest granddaughter's wedding plans. I have finished 200 origami German Bells, (thank you Bernadette aka Auntie Bernie on YouTube)
Would you believe I have no picture of the German Bells and went to Bernadette's blog and she doesn't have a finished picture either ;( I will take one when we get all the bows in them. They will be used on the tables with the wedding, candy almonds inside them. I am so honored to have been asked to do them. Her mother, our oldest daughter, is putting all the seam binding in them and her soon to be mother-in-law is taking care of the candies, I just love family togetherness!!! Have also been having fun with my craft site Creating the Crafty Life and have joined a Friendship Page Swap. We have made a front and back for our album and each month we will make a page, telling a little something about our selves and send it to a different partner. We will end up with 12 pages from 12 different members of the club. Each month will have a different theme, February was a Valentine theme and March will be a pink ribbon theme, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US. We have members from many different countries and it is so much fun learning a little about everyone. Will end this post with my front and back pages and the beautiful page I got from my swap partner for February.....huggles
First and foremost, let me wish you a healthy and content 2014. Folks, it is cold here in the mid-west, and I have been recovering from the Christmas craft and cooking frenzy. I was proud of the ornaments for the grandchildren this year.
With a cardboard circle and paper towel, water and flour, I made these old fellows. I attached a wire for hanging and painted them. They were fun to make and it brought back childhood, playing with the homemade paste ;)
With ornaments made it was time to start their baskets of homemade hot cocoa and coffee mix, candies, cookies and chocolate covered pretzels. I ran out of time before I ran out of items to make. Well there is always Valentine Day! I started getting back to crafting and found a video friend using a great little bottle with a metal tip and stopper that doesn't clog with dried glue and lays a tiny dot or line of glue. I ordered some for my self and was so pleased I contacted the couple in the UK that make and sell the fine tip bottles. Hubby and I decided to distribute them thru TILLYSBRIDGE on ZIBBET.
Our last outside show is over ;) You remember the last show it got to 98 degrees, well this one we set up on a cold, wet 36 degree morning. As the day went on, close to noon, it warmed up to the high 50's and the sun felt wonderful. However, those 4 hours were enough to send me to the Advil this evening. I know you keep hearing me refer to the 'Golden Years' being a myth, this is true. The cold got into these old bones and found a home. I believe some Advil and some warm blankets tonight may be a cure...at least for today. Hubby is happy the show is over, for he has a fishing trip to prepare for. A week of man against fish, is, for him, nirvana. And, a week on my own is my nirvana, hahaha I haven't told you about my blessing, yes, I have been blessed with a new, used Viking Topaz sewing/embroidery machine. I have had it for a week, but the prep work for a show and the fact that the machine scares the bejabbers out of me has kept me from touching it. There is a huge learning curve and I had better catch on quickly, for we sold many embroidered flour sack kitchen towels and I will need more before the next show. I believe this machine will even cook breakfast and make the beds, if I learn the right commands. It is the learning that is the problem. And, I may have as many lessons as I want, but I have to lug the 200 pound machine into JoAnns for each lesson. A great way to discourage learning!! But, I am determined and so a lugging I will go.
I can't believe this is really mine, but most of this week I have been just looking at it, afraid if I touch it, for fear I will break something. And, no, I will not be doing the bird anytime in the near future. I will have to learn how to transfer my patterns from .pes format to .vl2 (if you don't understand that last part, not to worry :) This is supposed to be easy, for my machine, to take one pattern format and transfer it into another compatible format. I hate when they say that. I do have some cute patterns, both red work and applique, that I would like to transfer to the new machine format, so I will be praying over the machine and take my long list of questions to my first class. I have told you about my cold, old bones and my blessing, so I will be off to search the blanket box for a comfy blanket and get a little rest tonight. A full report on class time to follow ;) Hope this finds you all happy and healthy, hugs....Tilly
Well the pool closed ;( and almost immediately the thermostat shot up to 99 degrees in the shade. It is now September 20th and it has been in the mid 80's or higher, all but about 3 days since the pool closed.
We have one fair behind us, and yes, that Sunday was 99 degrees. I believe the only reason we had anyone show up was because the club house, craft fair central, is where the swimming pool is located. Many shoppers still had their 'floaties' on and a towel wrapped around them.
You all know I have been trying to figure out just a few items, and focus on them alone. I have been foiled every show. The altered sweatshirts, went like crazy, at one show last year. The little girl aprons were paying our entrance fee at another. The scarf and hat combo were a star at one fair. This last fair, the only thing we sold were the leather cuffs, and they were buying them 2 to 4 at a time. Now this is no help at all, how do I make any decisions based on what sells?????
As I talked about in the last post, I have added little boys 'daddy's little helper' aprons and had many positive comments. Only the intense heat kept shoppers moving quickly to return to the pool or their air conditioners. And truth be told, I didn't blame them.
DADDY"S LITTLE HELPER APRON
A little video of the fair:
Needless to say I didn't sell a single hat and scarf combo. I was heart broken at the couple who had an Alpaca booth. Their things were wonderful, but no one was in the mood to even try anything on, for the heat was so intense.
Our next show is the middle of October, with fingers crossed, it will be cooler than 98 degrees. Are there any takers on the bet that it will be 8 degrees????
Personal news, not much in the way of excitement. I am being faithful to the massage and compression stocking (what a fashion statement!!), and my legs and feet are, for the most part, normal size and the skin is back to normal, YEAH!!! As this improves, I get the news that the lesion on my face is basil cell carcinoma. Nothing to bother about, it will be burned off Monday, with a praise that it is not the nasty melanoma. What a praise!! And, the remaining freckles will help to hide the scaring.
Hubby has just left for the club to do a little fishing and target shooting. I am sure the guys will have everything wrapped up early to be in their rockers on the patio to listen to the ballgame on the radio. After all, we live in Cardinal Nation, and are rooting for a spot in the playoffs.
Children and grandchildren are knee deep in baseball, football, school activities and just everyday work and home chores. Life is progression as it should, grandchildren are so involved in church, school and play, that children are running to keep up with them. Grandpa just tries to keep a pocket full of Werthers Original hard candies, just in case someone drops by. And, we are both looking forward to a possible visit from Flossie and Mr. Wonderful in November.
The summer just flew and with the soft casts lasting till the 1st of August, I was looking forward to the compression stockings and the opportunity to get a little swimming pool time for the end of the season.
What do we say about Murphy?? So in the state of Missouri, August turned cool and rainy. Who ever heard of the month of August being cool, like 60 degrees in the evening, and rainy? Anyone, anyone???
It is just now turning warm again, but there is just a week till the pool will be closed for the year and I am knee deep in getting ready for the Fall craft fairs.
A few things that have been keeping me busy : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJKDLwj8x7E and yes there is more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i68XQPbdbNc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8rvl5El5-g
Off to the craft room, to finish my embroidery work, next week will be getting things in order and tagged and packed for easy transport. Shiver, shiver....first show is September 1st
Now I may have to turn my blog into a medical classroom. I am still protesting the phrase 'the golden years'. I have yet to find the gold, but am finding one new disease after another. Our visit with Flossie and Mr Wonderful was, as always, the highlight of our year. We not only have the most wonderful things to do and see, but we feel so comfortable, we can kick off our shoes and feel at home. From our dominoes game on the lanai, to the wonderful meals and the golf cart rides thru The Villages. This year we took the trolly bus tour to see and learn a little more about our (adult Disney World) Villages. It was well worth the time and was a tremendous amount of fun. We had newby's, visitors and homeowners and the funniest tour guide. I was able to visit the beautiful (adult only) pool just up the street and hubby was a regular visitor to the pond just at the end of the street. Fishing pole in hand, he pesters the fish on a daily basis. But, I have to say this years highlight was joining several hundred people at the American Legion, one fine evening, to welcome the return of an Honors bus.
This was the time I just had goose bumps from beginning to end. What a wonderful sign of respect to the returning Vet's after a great, world wind, trip to Washington to see the memorials of the wars they served our country so well.
The Villages know how to do everything right,
for some of the veterans returning from their tour received a much belated honored welcome. One they never received when they returned from their actual return from service. For many of us still remember the dishonorable way they were welcomed back after Vietnam. That was a 'serve your country and return to be spit on and denounced as killers'. What a black eye on the citizens, who sat comfortably at home while these men and women did what their country ask of them.
Enough of my rant, watch the video above if you would like to see a little heart tug, well deserved reception.
Now for the comfy time: The sweet relaxation place ;)
Now, it is home and back to real life Flossie has a beautiful new knee and is working really, really hard to hop, skip and jump (well ok at least walk) with her new knee.
But, I got into a little trouble for not letting her know about my discovery. My excuse was, not to give her any bad news while she was recovering. But, the little (I never get on the computer) stinker, got on the computer and saw my post :{
My first question is, who ever heard of Lymphedema??
This is how I will spend the rest of my summer. Needless to say I am not as happy as the pleasant days we spent at The Villages. My darn doctor just catches everything ;) It is really a praise that he recognized just what it was and started me on the path of control, for there is no cure, but there are steps to be taken that will help to keep it under control. For the best explanation I have found see: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-center/lymphedema-pdq-supportive-care-patient-information-nci.aspx Don't just assume if you have swelling, redness and weeping of blisters as just water retention, or dry skin. Talk to your doctor. As with so many things, the earlier it is caught, the better chance you have to keep it under control. If this helps just one person, I will be so happy. Needless to say, with no swimming in my near future, I have been doing a little more crafting, which is my second most fun thing to do in the summer. And, have been ordering the material I will need to start building my inventory for our craft fairs this fall. I have learned that it is a real mistake to think, fall is so far away, no need to be in a hurry starting on the crafts to be sold. For the earlier in the summer I start the better off I am when time flies thru summer and bingo it is fall and time for the shows :{ I will be adding some new crafts this year, I have some embroidered flour sack dish towels (I have always loved them, now lint left behind), and some boys B-B-Q aprons, like Dad's. As well as a tool type apron for little boys. I had several people, last year, ask for, not just little girl things, but something for the little guys!! I will also be doing some for the butcher aprons for the men. Why, oh why, was I leaving the male sex out of my crafting. Do we not buy gifts for our guys and our little guys?? Maybe because they don't have ruffles and frills, we don't think of them, but this year the men will have a few things to choose. And, the embroidery designs, I believe will make them a little out of the ordinary. For who, I ask, likes our guys in 'ordinary'? Of course I will have photos to share when I have some made, am waiting for the material to be delivered and then off I will go. And that is just what I will be doing right now, for I have bent your ear (eye) too long, as always, this is Tilly signing off Hope this finds you happy and healthy
It has to be close to Summer, for we have scheduled our yearly visit to The Villages. It has been too long since we spent time with Flossie and Mr Wonderful! My dear Flossie will be having a knee replacement next month, then we will really be twins. I do not fly, I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the ground, but my Flossie loves to fly and Mr Wonderful's post retirement employment was as a steward (is that a male stewardess?) He loved the fun of going to different cities, he did his research and if there was enough layover time he would visit the special sites. No grass growes under Mr Wonderful's feet. I am just wondering what that metal will do to the detectors at the airports??
And, maybe I should explain a post retirement job. This is a job you always thought would be fun, but couldn't do because you were already employed for 30 years at a job that is not so fun. Once you retire, you are free to try for the 'fun' job till your body tells you it has had enough ;) It is now time to do things in your own time, sleep late if you wish, jump into a hobby with both feet, or travel and read all the things you said, 'I want to read that, when I have the time'.
Now this trip has started to mean the beginning of Summer to me, so it is a double good thing. Not that I don't enjoy the chill of the Winter, the color of Fall and the bloom of Spring, but as you might have read previously, we downsized to a condo with a pool, and the pool was a dream of mine since childhood. I did not take much advantage of the pool last summer, for that 'being seen in a swim suit' thing got into my head. This is not going to stop me this year!! I am going in my swim dress and tent cover up ;)
We will be picking up our son's GPS, this is a device that keeps husband and wife still speaking to each other at the end of their road trip, truly a boon to any marriage ;}
Signing off to start packing, this has to be done in spurts, you know, not to much, not to little but just enough!
