mumsie

June 2017: Taking a break (sort of)... I have to take a break from swapping for a short time. I am in the process of buying a house with my 2 sons. It means some serious downsizing and sorting, etc. I am hoping to set up a kind of crafting storage area in a shed in the back yard area. There is a nice little shed in place on the property now that may work. Once I am organized I will be back on board enjoying our fun and wonderful swaps. Escrow closes in a couple of weeks then we begin the migration. It's actually next door to the house we are renting so that will be nice. I've already got a bet with my oldest that before a month is out I will have tried to park in my soon to be old parking spot at least once or twice. I am totally a creature of habit. Anyhow, on to sorting, packing, garage sale(ing), gifting and donating... All prayers are gratefully received!

Long overdue update: 28 August 2015

I am the mother of 4. Grandmother of 6 boys and 3 girls the oldest being 24 and the youngest just arrived on 4 August... A feisty little boy... Life is busy to say the least. I have 2 cats who are litter mates and make me nutty sometimes and my grandsons crazy lab/boxer mix who goes by the name of Doobie (he comes out of his full time coma anytime anyone enters the kitchen or is eating within a 3 room radius of him - dog has food-dar). I share a house with my oldest son, his bride, their 6 year old son, their 3 year old daughter and my youngest son. Plus the trio of 4 pawed family members. Our newest 4 legged guest is a goat named Chocolate. With the drought the only thing that grows is weeds and there is no one who has the time or interest in pulling them. My son showed up with the goat and he is a fantastic gardener. He's getting so fat it's amazing and we are practically weed free (there is one type he won't eat - which leaves a bit of maintenance on our part) We consolidated households 4 years ago in order to bring my 94 year-old father home. He was only with us for 3 months, but it was a blessed time for us all. He was as comfortable as possible and well cared for thanks to hospice care. My daughter-in-law was so inspired by the hospice workers that she went to school and in now a hospice worker herself.

My life seems to revolve around my amazing family and my work. Not to shabby if you ask me...

I have very ecclectic taste in music. My favorite singers are Ed Ames, George Strait, Reba, and to many others to even name. I love country, swing, big band, jazz, rock, blues... Different eras, different moods... About 6 months ago I discovered The Tenors (formerly the Canadian Tenors)... I absolutely love them. My commute is much less stressful, I put on their CD and blast away! I'm so excited they will be here in October and I got myself a ticket. I can't wait!!!

Oh my goodness... Where do I begin... Thanks to a mother who taught me to read young, I have always been a voracious reader. The kids dread when I go thrift store shopping. I head straight for the books. My girls got together and got me a kindle a couple of years ago... I didn't use it much at first until I found out about "free books" Believe me I use it all the time now... I read all kinds and types of books, from trash to classics, mystries, true stories, short stories, to whatever. I just discovered the Mitford Home Series of books by Jan Karon - They are wonderful and there are a bunch of them. I highly recommend them. Don't really like the gothic vampire genre that's popular right now, but there is so much good stuff out there, I don't feel like I'm missing anything...

I love classic films, musicals, big budget and tiny gems. Black and white, color... I'm not sure about all of the remakes that are coming out of the woodwork again... Some things should be left in the attic. Others were so wonderful it's hard to imagine them being remade and they suffer in comparison. I don't go to the cinema very ofen these days, I have great cable and Netflix fills the bill. I have a crazy collection of dvd's that my kids keep adding to. Heck I honestly am surprised at some of the movies I have or should I say, didn't know I had...

I don't watch much primetime TV. Been watching NCIS forever now and still enjoy. Love cooking competitions. My favorite is Chopped - that is one crazy show. Also enjoy Top Chef and Top Chef Masters (they have more fun), Master Chef, Hells Kitchen is letting me down - same stupid people with different faces. Project Runway is also rather fun to watch. Otherwise I have recently discovered DVR and am loving it. There are a couple of new stations that show retro shows that I remember seeing when I was a kid such as Hazel, Big Valley, Branded, and the Mothers-in-Law and I'm totally enjoying Touched by an Angel all over again. It's fun to record them and watch them either that night or whenever I'm in the mood. Very, very cool. I work so I don't watch daytime.

I love to do all kinds of things... Knit, crochet,sewing and/or whatever comes my way. I also enjoy cooking, I enjoy eating more. I think it is important to be creative and I love to make things... Can't do cross stitch anymore because of my eyes, same with fine beading... I am currently rediscovering macramé. I'd forgotten how intriguing it could be. I also want to find a bead loom so I can use the thousands of beads that my oldest daughter sent me from Sicily. I don't know how she got them all in the box. She packs like my mother - just stand back when you open - things have a tendency to come bursting out. And believe me you can never get them all back in. A real mystery.

What to I like...

Colors: Colors of nature: Rich, deep colors from the woods, light and bright from the beach, amazing colors of the ocean, the colors of sunset, just to name a few (dozen)

Food: Simple tea, not the spice or fruit kind, just plain old orange pekoe and irish or english breakfast teas (black tea?). Coffee is the same, just a good cup of plain black coffee can be so amazing. Of course a good biscuit (cookie/shortbread) or pastry along side of it doesn't hurt. An ice cream cone on a cold rainy day is heaven (so is a chocolate milkshake).

I find that keeping it simple is best, as long as good ingredients are used (i.e. real butter) and love and care are included, you can't really go wrong...

Misc: I'm kind of a magpie... I love pretty and unusual stuff... I adore Unicorns, sea shells, cameos, ladybugs, all things Merlin, eggs (all kinds of crafted or stone ones), boxes of all types and materials (I've found some limoge and other special ones at thrift stores and flea markets and bought them for a song)and anything made with thoughtfulness and care.

Things I find distasteful: Green Beans, rude people, sour dirty smells, self entitled people, bad manners, inconsiderate drivers - high beams & not using turn signals, apathy, bullies, oh and green beans. Arguments. People who can't say a thank you - I mean really - how hard is it.

I'm good right now...

Kid Swaps: My grandson Jacob Ray. He is 6 and loves anything that has wheels, makes noise, sticks onto his little sister, or is just plain messy. He loves treats and is a total blast to hang out with. He would absolutely love to receive something with his name on it in the mail (especially now that he can read it).

My granddaughter Alyssa Mae. She is 3 and her own girl. She is the ultimate tom-boy and totally fearless and yet loves her frilly skirts (with shorts underneath). Her favorite anything is pink. Doesn't matter what as long as it's pink or has pink in it. She is smart, fun and full of energy, she doesn't nap, she recharges.

We all live at the same house so mailing is easy.