Army Pants????

About a year ago, I found out that you could make purses out of Army shirts! But.....It is quite expensive to have them made. I have really seen some beautiful ones on the internet, but was not willing to pay to have it done, when I figured I could do it myself. So when Clint was here in February, he purposely left a pair of his pants so I could make purses for Noelle and myself. At first I was a little dissapointed that he gave me pants and not a shirt for this project. After all, I had only seen bags made out of shirts, not pants. Well.........it took me a few months to figure out how to cut up the pants in order to make two purses. (I didn't want Noelle to get the only one, LOL I had to have one also!) Finally I figured it all out! Both purses are nearly alike, just some small differences. Like the pockets inside are different. Every part of the pants were utilized in this project. I used the waistband on my bag. It made a great strap in which I can hook my phone or keys to the belt loop. In fact, I can even shorten my strap because of the ties that would make it fit tighter to the waist. On the outside, is the very large pocket that is normally on the thigh of the pants. The inside is a patriotic themed material, then the extra pockets sewn on top of that, to put little goodies in. In the end, I made two purses, and three little pouches for a total of $2.00. (price of lining material). A lot better than a price of $50.-$80. I would say! Now.......there are only tiny scraps of those Army pants left! Thanks Clint!

Chatting With Squirels

(need I say any more about us seniors?)

Only The Shadow Knows

Ithink this picture is kind of interesting. And scary, and I will be glad when the Shadow is no longer possible to be seen on the desert sands of Iraq! The Shadow is my 27yr old son. He does not need to be a Shadow on the sand! I don't need him to be in Iraq. I need him in the United States! But, the United States needs him in Iraq. The Army needs him to be a Shadow. The Army needs him to use the Big Boy guns, and the Big Boy stryker vehicles. The Army owns him now, not me. Not that I ever did own him. He was just on loan to me for a number of years, until he became a Big Boy. One more month to go. Then the Big Boy will be back in Fairbanks, AK. Clinton............I am so darn proud of you, my whole being just swells with that pride! Love, Hugs, and Kisses as usual, and always............my son.

Sunflower Kids

Here is Joey and Julia, my grandchildren from Western New York. These sunflowers only bloom every other year. (Not sure why) So, every other year, my daughter takes her children over to this field and photographs them. How they both have grown over the years since she started doing this. Funny thing, the sunflowers don't look as tall as usual. Or.......maybe the kids are just taller!

Jumping Monkey

Remember the old Jumping Jacks we had as little kids? You know, it was two sticks, a little guy on string, and when you squeezed the sticks, the little guy would flip and flop all over the place? Well, that was maybe 50-60 yrs ago. Now this toy in the picture, is on the same order as those Jumping Jacks. Only, it is 90+ yrs old! My grandfather made this toy for my dad, when he was a wee one. I don't remember if my dad or my grandmother gave this to me when I was little. But I have treasured it forever! At least 50-55 yrs or so. (thats forever hehe) When you hold it and push up on the square piece, it kinda flips into a few different positions. It is somewhat hard to see the face, but it is there. It is all original, except for one screw and nut. I also have to replace a screw and nut on the back arm one of these days. Hmmmmm...........what should I do with this..........who should I give it to? It is the only toy I have from my childhood. Funny how we only save certain things.

All Time Fave Pic Of My Babies!

Yes! I did say babies! You all know the doggie is Billy (I think you all know). The curly red-headed boy is my youngest son Gregory. (by the way, it took me having four kids to finally have a redhead!) Greg is twelve yrs old here, and boy, he sure did love Billy! In fact, he still asks how Billy is quite often. (Greg hates this pic, cause of his curls hehe) Of course, I always have this picture displayed for anyone to see it. Now, I actually have put it on the internet! (Greg would disown me for doing this hehe) Billy will be taking the road trip to MA in Oct, with us. What a happy time that will be! (My two babies seeing each other for the first time in two and a half years). Oh yes, Greg will be 24 in December, Billy will be 12 in November. Ahhhhhh........a mother's youngest children. (They have kept me young).

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My Pretty Rock!

When I was a young girl, my dad got into quite a unique hobby. He became a rock hound. We use to go traveling all around to rock shows and different places to find all different types of rocks. Sounds kinda boring huh? Actually, it wasn't. He would get "slices" of so many different types, then cut them into shapes, grind them, polish them, and make them into beautiful jewelry. My Mom and us two girls had many pieces of his handmade items. After he died, I saved quite a few of his uncut rocks. Especially some of the ones he had lining the front walk. This picture is one of them. It is a piece of rose quartz. The picture really doesn't do it justice, believe me. It really is a very nice shade of light pink. I also put it outside, near my flowers or wherever I think it would look nice. Every place I have lived in since, sports this rock as a welcome to my home. I will take it with me, when we go fultime RVing, and put it out whenever I can. It is in memory of my wonderful daddy and the beautiful memories he gave me.

Like DUH (me)

Oh my.........I must be getting nearsighted.........or the memory of my childhood pets has really dimmed..........or...........whatever! The reality of this comes, after two nights of only 4-5 hours of sleep, working evenings......working...............working................................oh yeah.........and I am working some more...............11hr shifts today and the next three days, with a special client of mine. (care giving) Possibly the same next week too. So since my head is not clear on the difference between grasshoppers and a praying mantis.................I decided to work some more................I mean................take a three day break from trying to come up with a subject for this blog...................and then work..................ah...................try again. Cause then in three days................I maybe can think again for two days....................or maybe not. Did any of that make any since? If not, that's OK................cause I don't care at this minute.............I'm going to bed..............and maybe get 7 hours of sleep. See ya soon Buds...................sleep tight and don't let the grasshoppers bite!

So How Come He's not Praying?

When I was a child, I use to keep Praying Mantises for pets. I let them crawl all over me and my room. Once in awhile, they would hop to get away from me, and I wouldn't be able to find them for hours, even days. The outcome after days of missing, was not always very good either. Now you ask, why was I drawn to these insects? I just always have been drawn to their beautiful graceful bodies. I loved the way they looked when they were "praying". And most of the time, they actually seem to enjoyed my company! (I think......). So, now I am wondering why this particular guy, or gal, is not in a praying position? Could be, he/she is cleaning him/herself, (after a nice dinner of what ever it ate.) Or.........maybe they don't pray in Florida? Or.........maybe it really isn't a Praying Mantis after all!!!

Save Me Some!

Our Billy really loves Ice Cream! In the evening, when we have our little treat, he is at our feet, just waiting to lick the dish clean. There is not usually much left, but he enjoys it anyway. I will have to get him some of that special ice cream for dogs again. He enjoyed that also. I wonder if it comes in different flavors now?