My Two Front Teeth

Don't drink and drive EVER.
Way back in the time machine.

Treasures from Vintage Marketplace

My very good friend, his girlfriend
and I met up to go to a party.
I had just finished my evening waitress shift.

We headed out, he drove his little
truck and I drove my first nearly
new car. Seventeen with the
world ahead of me.

What I didn't know was he
was under the influence.
He thought it might be funny
to play chicken on the road.
I didn't see the humor and
tried to slow down and then
speed up to get away.

He tapped my vehicle's front end,
I swerved into the center divider,
and totaled my vehicle.
Trauma to my face and chest.
At seventeen, I didn't understand
it good enough to have my life spared.

Fast forward, eventually my
jaw bone would deteriorate from
the trauma.  Over the last two years, 
I have had donor bone graphs,
three surgeries and finally implants.

Just received the final dental invoice.
Feeling guilty for spending so much
money when there were more important
things we needed.

For my birthday I am
going to try to let it go and feel
only gratitude for the bone donor and for
the amazing team who gave me my smile
back.  Yes, all I wanted was my two front teeth.

Visiting Susan Branch, Girlfriend

A Fine Romance Van

A trip to San Luis Obispo (SLO) to see one of my favorite authors.

Mr. Lee stood in line for 3 hours.

Meet wonderful Mr. Joe Hall, Susan's husband.

Susan Branch, perfectly lovely. Genuine.  She is even better in person. Gracious. 

Love you, Susan.

Petey and Jack. 

Remnants of the Past

Entering the Season

Be grateful... It's the only totally reliable get-rich-quick 
scheme.   Ben Stein

This holiday season, my goal
is to slow things down by being
mindful of each day.  By commenorating
the moments.

Here's a couple of great
ideas to assist you in slowing down
by documenting
the specialness of the every day:

Check out Ali Edwards December Daily or
Pam Garrison's Project Life.

Another way to slow things down
is with a creative online class.

Amy Powers' Crafty Happy from BigPictureClasses
offers a weekly assignment for the whole family to enjoy.
We share the experience of reading instructions,
watching class videos, shopping for materials,
and making.  Attend local events to pepper virtual experiences.

Last weekend we visited the University
of California, Riverside's Botanical Gardens.
The children were invited to attend a free
faerie garden class.

Making Fairie Gardens

Holly earned faerie wings.

Best part of our adventures is meeting wonderful people along the way.

Experts are willing and able to provide assistance
simply for the asking.  Jacob asked for help
selecting his science project specimens.

Halloween rounded out our week.
Jacob created his scary scarecrow costume.

Holly wore her store bought garden faerie.  She loved
the silky and fluffy textures.

Happy endings to a beautiful opening to the holiday season.

Counting Blessing

Every morning on the way to work I pray.

First, I lift His name in praise.
I thank Him for another glorious day,
I pray for family and friends by name, and finally,
I share the intentions of others who have asked me to pray.

Today, we will meet our friends, Todd and Jessica,
to lift a glass in congratulations, celebration, and
to say so long.  Mr. Lee and I are vested
in the well-being of this young and precious couple.
We, our entire family, love them dearly.

As their officiant.

They are moving to start a new adventure.
Many many blessings my dear creative ones.
We will miss your close proximity.


Remember to listen to your intuitive spirit,
seek support from like-minded people,
enjoy liquid gold (coffee), register to vote,
don't trust women with baby voices,
be served occasionally, continue making
pickled veggies (they are delicious),
and leverage your talents for good.


And dance wildly when you are sad,
What sound the fox make?

We are only a phone call or text away.

 

Pumpkin Patch

An Autumn tradition.  

Nothing closer to my heart than searching a pumpkin patch
for the perfect pumpkin.  It's how I grew up. 
Hopefully, we are planting the
same seeds with our children. 

Thrift Store Passion

There is a satisfaction in the pursuit of
unknown treasures.

An unplanned visit to Palm Springs this weekend
yielded surprises.  A swim for Jacob and Holly.

Palm Springs is brilliant this time of year.
Warm but not too warm.  The quiensstienal
old Hollywood essence. There are fashionable hotels,
restaurants, and mid-century houses.

Mr. Lee and I relax by searching
the  shelves of thrifts stores.  Vintage sheets,
books, music for him, plastic pumpkins made in the USA
for me, granny chic, crochet doilies,
Madonna statues, and Pyrex.

Although, through the years, Mr. Lee has been
less hospitable to Pyrex.

Goodwill, Palm Springs

What a Country, What a Date

Saturday, was date night.
Mr. Lee carefully planned each detail of
our date in Los Angeles.  (In my head it
sounds like X's song).


First up:

French General, 
the pièce_de_résistance
craft mecca
extraordinaire. For years, we patiently waited  to visit.
Finally, I got to ring the door
bell.

Molly Meng met us at the door.  Swoon.  Be still my heart.

We're planning on a future craft class date.
Craft yummies, look at all
the beads and charms. Inspiration at every turn.

Class projects below.

French General was better than we imagined.

Then for a  morsel and an adult beverage,
we visited Amalfi Ristorante &
Bar  for a tasty bite and
super friendly service.

Yokov Smirnoff, was up next, in his Happily Ever 
Laughter  tour based on his graduate
work in psychology.
His premise, the secret to a happy relationship is
laughter. Oh, yeah we agree.

  

Etsy's No Place Like Home

Our people, Hannah.  I don't know Hannah personally,
but visiting her cottage makes me feel right at home.
Most of my family and friends are minimalist and feel anxiety
visiting Pumpkin Cottage. Joe flatters me and has purchased
some of my favorite things like the bird clock.

Pumpkin Cottage and everything collected within
wrap us in comfort.

Pretending we are aristocrats

Do you recall the Hollywood episode of I Love Lucy?

Joe sent me the link...visit  Hannah's cottage.
What Hannah says is true about collecting,
it happens over years.

Jennifer Perkins' Cottage

Tina Spangler's Lake Cottage

Community of Marfa, Texas

Mr. Lee and Other Favorite Things

For the first year I knew Mr. Lee, long
before a twinkle entered either of our eyes,
his name was "Rodj."

The retailer, where we worked,
said he could use any name he wanted.
So he did.

These are a few of my favorite things

After our children got old enough to
speak, we started referring to each other
as Mommy and Daddy.  The older
boys had always referred to him as Lee.
The little ones were starting to choose Lee over
Daddy.
Not going to happen.

Black Sheep...ahhh, Poodle

Mr. Lee has a bigger than
life presence.  Strangers call him:
Boss, Chief, or Jefe.  Seriously.
At first it was weird but after
16 years I understand.

Bees knees in love.

 
It maybe out of respect or fear
but almost everyone else calls him
Mr. Lee.

So now you know. 

Sunday at Matilda's Mouse, Valley Center

It was hot hot on Sunday in Valley Center.
No matter, so enjoyable.

I hate to think I missed anything.
Make it a great day.