Enjoying this week between holidays...

This was such a peaceful and wonderful Christmas. It's sad that we didn't get to have our grand baby here for her first Christmas. But her Daddy had to work... even on Christmas day. I felt sorry for them. But they dealt with it graciously. God is good. We will be able to see them at the end of January for a complete Christmas and Birthday celebration party! Big party! My husband is turning the big 50, my son's birthday is tomorrow (oops*) ... my daughter-in-law's birthday was 12/10 and mine was 12/17. So, I'm hoping to get some family together for a good time. (*Son's birthday is not until 1/30... my bad.. and as usual I'm always confused!)

I have new pics to show, but don't have time right now... maybe I'll get to them when I come home from work. I still need to download them from my camera. Progress is being made, slowly but surely on my hutch. I've placed an order for some glass door knobs, and resin drawer pulls. I'm also adding appliques. I don't want to overdo. I think a few properly placed pieces can have more of an impact than pieces placed on all the surfaces, i.e., drawers, doors, sides, you get the idea.

Gotta run... stuff to do before getting ready for work and a couple of errands to run before going to work.

Hugs all around,
Penny Sue

Project #1 set for completion in January 2011...

Since most of you know I'm the procrastination queen... (we all want to be queen of something, don't we?) I have started working on a project that will hopefully be done in a month.


Quite a few years back I received this old china cabinet/hutch from my Dad. It had been my Mom's to hold the "overflow" of home decorations which she kept in the basement. She would frequently change her cabinet decorations around, and this cabinet was well used. It's been through a couple of flooded basement fiascoes... smelled musty, and was just what I wanted! Really!

Anyhow, I painted it Antique White a long time ago, removed the musty smelling drawer felts, and have used it ever since. However, it's in need of a fresh coat of paint, attention to detail such as the hardware, a new bottom, a new shelf, and a top and back. If I'm going to paint this again, it's going to be done properly so as not to have to do it again in the near future.


Doors and drawers... this is the space that needs the new bottom shelf, and the recessed shelf to make a second layer for storage. The original shelf was very warped and the bottom is as well. The drawers just need their hardware back and a pretty drawer liner to cover the wood. I was thinking copies of sheet music that I have of melodies from the 40's. I love that old music. I have piano sheet music on hand, as I play the piano, so I won't have to purchase anything.


This top piece is not permanently attached to the base. It's the piece that is in need of the most visible work. There are two shelves and two doors that are not attached right now. I would like to put the doors back on but don't know what to use to replace the amber '70's looking glass I removed. I bought panes of glass to try to replace them myself and ended up breaking one using a glass cutter. I suppose I could take it to a glass business and pay them to do it. Since the doors will most likely be open a majority of the time, I was thinking about having lavender colored glass put in. When I get tired of the lavender (which will be NEVER) I can always get something else put in its place. Also, the entire piece will be embellished with appliques from "Do It Yourself Chic". They have a website that is referenced in some of my magazines. doityourselfchic.com. Their prices are reasonable, and they have so many beautiful appliques to choose from. That, for me, will be the hard part. Making a choice among so many pretty things.


Looking up through the top at the face of my printing press drawer, which is the only thing big enough I had to use as a makeshift top.


The peg-holes for the shelf supports. The shelves are removed for the time being.


The top portion removed and preparing to paint.


The bottom portion waiting its turn.

Oh, and the wallpaper? Not staying either. I'm not much into the oriental motif. People either love it or hate it. Guess which I am?

I'll take pictures along the way. Wait until you see the backing color I picked. There's a hint in the photos. :)

Hugs all around,
Penny Sue

The count down has begun...

And I'm not ready. Big surprise! The Master Procrastinator is here! I supposed maybe it's because I work so well under pressure... (not!). I'll be stressed tomorrow when I try to get more done in a day than I can possibly do... but always remembering that it is self-induced. Oh well... I wouldn't know how to be any other way, as much as I might like to try. In fact, after Thanksgiving company has left, that is one of my major goals. Get organized. You see, I'm organized in my head, it's just the follow-through that suffers immensely. My sister was born organized (and 5 sizes smaller, but we won't go there) and I love to go to her home to be inspired. Our tastes vary, but I glean the sense of order and comfort. I doubt she spends days looking for instructions she knows she found in some book or magazine or publication as to taking care/laundering/pressing/storing vintage and antique linens. She would have it in a file someplace, and go put her hands right on it should someone need it. Well, you get the idea.

Charlie and Colleen and baby are arriving sometime around Noon on Wednesday this week. Charles is supposed to be home around the same time. Since I have to work Wednesday evening, I'm planning on having a nice meal together for lunch, and perhaps some navy bean soup in the crock pot for their dinner whenever they get hungry. I'll be posting pics and info for "foodie" stuff on my other blogspot page... "Come join our table". As I've shared before, things have slowed down this year as far as the home entertaining goes, and I have not had much opportunity to post. However, this year has been a difficult year for us.

I received this past Friday the baby's Graco Pack-n-Play. It's a play-pen, crib, bassinet, changing station all in one. It's heavenly. And it's a bit larger than I had anticipated. I'll go take a picture of it to post here. Right now, I need to go get ready for work. I'll be back later. OK, I'm back, it's late, I'm tired, and I'll take the pic tomorrow.

Hugs,
Penny Sue

It's so cold!!!

And just like that... I'm sick. I went to work this afternoon, and within a half hour, I have caught a head cold. I hate having a cold. I've been sucking down the Vitamin C hoping to tweak up my immune system. I'm heading to bed... and I'm sure I'll sleep.

Finally, a good night's sleep...

I've been having difficulty sleeping for the past couple of weeks. I fall asleep, then wake up several times in the night. Or I can't fall asleep for hours. Then when morning rolls around, I'm exhausted, and don't want to get out of bed. Last night was marvelous. I slept well and completely. I'm so thankful.

Looking forward to these days before Thanksgiving day to clean, tidy, organize and get my house in order for coming family. Our son, daughter-in-law and grandbaby are coming for the holiday and I want everything to be perfect. Perfect is kind of far away right now.

Here's a pic of our first grandchild. Her name is Riley Anne Grace.

Good night everyone... rest well

Rain, rain, go away... and stay that way

It is yet another gloomy, dreary, wet kind of day. I saw the words "nor'eastern" on my "Weather Channel" for our area. It's not referring to snow. More like rain, rain, and more rain. Enough already! OK, I'm done whining. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.

Life is good. I'm approaching my 5-year anniversary mark for being considered "cancer free". Yay! Can't tell you how excited I am. I've been growing my hair out pretty much the entire 5 years and am going to celebrate my 48th birthday on December 17, 2010 by hosting a "locks-of-love" fundraiser. It will be in a salon in a location nearby... and I'll be recruiting volunteers to join me through our local newspapers. I was going to try to do this a few months back to get people interested to let their hair grow out. Anyhow... I thought it would be very appropriate to do something like this for charity. I benefited from a wig during my chemo since all my hair fell out within two weeks of starting my chemo. I didn't have the "balled is beautiful" courage. I did go out without my wig sometimes, but always had a bandanna on my head. Not to mention, my head was always cold without something on it. My official 5-year mark is December 19th. A good birthday celebration, don't you think? I'm looking forward to some of my friends supporting this as well as making new friends through doing it.

Enjoy this beautiful pink rose and remember the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Make and appointment and get a good friend to go with you if you are uneasy about going for a mammogram. It's a very good gift to give yourself. Peace of mind. And the best opportunity for survival is early detection. Don't wait another minute!

Hugs all around...
Penny Sue

Sunday... The beginning of a new week... with new possibilities

I am so glad to be here, in this place, sitting on my couch with 3 of my 4 dogs... my husband is on the other couch, resting comfortably. We have had a lot of stress in our lives the past 6 months or so. Very personal stuff, so I'm not going to go into it. I'm hoping for things to be looking up. I know that I am.

We are grandparents! Our son and his wife had their first child. She simply is amazing and beautiful. We were able to spend almost 4 days with family and our grand-daughter.

Still planning on getting my shop open before the end of the year. Tomorrow I'm going to have to look into my tax stuff. Gotta have that piece of paper that makes it legal for me to collect state taxes. Woo-hoo. Gotta love the IRS.

Leaving you with a picture... and a wish for a great week.

Hugs,
Penny Sue

Zucchini Fritters - Yummy!

Living life and enduring it...

Hey there...

Life has been very unsympathetic this past summer... actually since February of this year. Not gonna go into details. Just wanted to say I've had enough. I'm mad as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore.

Working on a good post soon.

xo, Penny Sue

Wow... how the time passes by so quickly...

Well, it's been since April since I've posted anything. I was surprised to find that my account was still open and active.

I've been keeping busy with life and responsibilities. One of my highly prioritized responsibilities happens to be my position on borough council as a councilwoman. I'm a newbie. I've only been on council since Jan. of this year... and tonight's meeting was a true questioning between what the heck am I doing here/and am I going to be a positive force/influence here? I have been so upset about this since I came home from the meeting at 8:30 pm and it's now 12:56 am... and I cannot even allow myself to fall asleep. I tried to cry myself to sleep... and that didn't work either. How do moral/common sense beliefs combat "self-centered, I'm all-that, and if I can talk/yell louder than you, I win" beliefs? I'm so distraught right at the moment, I'm feeling the need to just say "fine, you guys deal with it, you don't give a hoot what I have to say anyway", and walk away. But, then I would just be a quitter.

There are times in these meetings that I actually start to talk and am trying to be a voice of reason or common sense and someone else in the council, or the audience has a difference of opinion and starts yelling/talking (mostly yelling) over me, (which I believe they are entitled to)... but at least let me FINISH what I'm trying to share and say. For this, I blame the "president" of council for not taking control and letting things get to the point where it becomes a shouting festival when NO ONE is heard or listened to. But I digress. Then, when I am done, I am more than willing to listen and keep MY mouth shut, while you voice your concerns and opinions. I have never encountered such a disrespectful group of people. Regardless of age and wisdom, and just common courtesy, I've never in all my life been so discouraged, dis-enlightened, and mostly, disappointed by my fellow equal. What say ye?

Ha... not really looking for an answer to that one. I think I should be looking for Divine Inspiration concerning that "What say ye" comment. The more I learn about some of the people I am in council with, the less comfortable I feel. One of the people on council constantly talks about their "being a single parent, working a job, and trying to fit it all into their schedule" and puffing themselves up and patting themselves on the back... and yet I hear more "gossip" about this "single parent" as to how they abuse their own teenager, which someone actually asked me what they could do about it, and I told them to call children and youth services and have it investigated. People that occupy apartments in the house of this person tell me that they hear this person beating and abusing their teenager. I encourage these people to call "children and youth" services, but they are afraid of this person that they might evict them. Is there something really messed up about that? Do we CARE... or do we NOT CARE! Where did our APATHY come from? I would be more willing to take a punch in the face than have this so-called "single parent" allowed to strike their own child/flesh and blood, and get away with it just because they portray themselves to be the "perfect" person in the public persona. Most everyone reads right through it anyhow, and knows what this person really is. If they are so perfect, well.. let them prove it. If I stick my neck out to help this teenager (and God knows they can be difficult, but don't deserve to be abused) and I get hit by the parent or "attacked" in some fashion, whether physical or "verbal" for trying to intervene, well... what do you think is REALLY happening in that house? What do you think is really happening to that child? Come on! Have or develop your own sense of "character" that is upstanding.

I remember the days when an agreement between two people was a handshake. Now it's two lawyers, a contract, and a signature! What the??? Are you as good as your word or not? Are men as worthy of trust as they used to be or not? Do they even want to be? Is it easier to be a sleaze-bag as opposed to being an honest forthright citizen? There is a point in our lives here in America AS American's that we say "enough is enough" and we want our freedoms and our RIGHTS BACK. Government keeps taking and taking... our money, our rights, our right to believe... and what are we doing about it???? But not only do we as American citizens need to stand up and say what we want, but we also need to have the moral character and fiber... the real stuff, that can stand up to whatever gale force might come our way... and just stand up for what is right and what we believe in. Can I just get one amen from someone out there? I'm feeling really discouraged... and I almost wish I didn't even live in America.

I would move in an instant if I thought I could live out the rest of my years in peace and contentment without the MAJOR intrusion of government in my life. Just read the headlines of your local and surrounding urban area newspapers... as to what the budgets look like for this year... let alone what the next year is going to bring. I live in PA. PA sucks almost as badly as NY... both governors stink.... and their reputations stink too. And what do they personally have to lose. While they take away from their "state citizens" the will no DOUBT give themselves a little "something" on the side called a raise or a pay increase... at whose expense? Just because they can.

WAKE UP AMERICANS???!!! If you read this and you give a hoot about anything I've shared here.... please cut and paste anything that you would like and re-post it to your friends (or enemies) whichever it fits.

OK, I'm done venting.... but I'm sincerely upset about all of this. When does enough become enough? When do "we the people" become "we the people"... instead of "we the people blindly obey the government" ... or instead of being the "robotics age" of mindless creatures the government wants us to be, when do we stand up and say we are American's and we are the essential part of the land of the FREE and the HOME of the brave... and THIS country was founded on BIBLICAL principals... and by God, we are HUMAN. We are not mindless machines. Ellis Island welcomed people from foreign lands to find safety and security and acceptance within our boundaries... but never did we promise them the opportunity to overtake our foundational cornerstone of the original premise that people should be free of religious persecution. Somehow, I feel that in this day in age, those founding "fathers" never had it in mind that "gay" priests, preachers, pastors should be accepted just because they demand equal rights. I really don't believe that is what Martin L. King had in mind when he preached against oppression of "equal rights" either. That doesn't mean that the gay community (unless GAY means some form of religion) gets to overturn our original foundational religious beliefs either. When did all of a sudden the "masses" of "open-arms welcomed people" get to take over? We welcome them peacefully, and unabashedly, yet now, they turn on us like a rabid dog. The minority has a louder voice than the majority because among the majority a form of apathy has overtaken us and we just think that nothing is going to change... America is America. Well, let me inform you... America is always going to be America.... we just might not be the most successful/powerful country in all the world. I have so many friends and such who truly believe that America is heading straight towards becoming a 3rd world country within a handful of years. Don't believe it....???? Watch the news. Listen to the news. Read the newspapers and articles that have to do with our economical status. Our physical status (as far as floods and weather disasters that have "never" occurred before in history. How about our financial status.... How many times does Wall Street have to "crash" before we actually understand what that really means? OK, so I wasn't done venting :)

Completely disheartened,
Penny Sue

PS - By tomorrow I will probably be in handcuffs or on the America's Most Wanted list just for speaking my mind! Isn't that really funny??? Scary!!!??? Did you know that you could be jailed for speaking your mind? If it offends someone else... well you've just put yourself in the shoes of someone who has committed "character assassination". Look it up on google... you'll be surprised.

Going to bed a frustrated and upset woman. Sorry. Sorry also because there are NO pictures available to portray what I am feeling and thinking right now. Goodnight.

The son-father is coming to visit!!!

Well, tomorrow night I should have two of my favorite guys home for a couple of days. Our son is coming home for a couple of days and my husband will be home as well tomorrow night. I'm sorry and sad to let you know that my son's wife will not be making this trip. I will miss her very much. I'm trying to figure out what to make for dinner for my guys. I would like it to be something comforting and welcoming. I'll figure it out later. Right now it's 1 am. I'm watching re-runs of Hawaii-5-0... or whatever they call it. What poor acting we used to have to deal with. :) Just kidding. I understand that TV was a learning and growing and changing experience. Especially from what we know today in 2010.. eh'?

Just ramblin... and looking forward to my son being home and hearing about "baby Bump" as he fondly calls the new baby on the way. I love it. Baby Bump already has a name. :)

Hugs all around,
Penny Sue

PS - Hope to have some new pics for the next post. My computer crapped out, and then the batteries died on the camera. Hate when that happens.

Good News!

I'm finally able to share some wonderful and happy news. We're expecting a grandbaby! It's our first! We are so very happy and excited. A baby!

The day I found out, I went to the florist and bought myself a pretty little bouquet of white roses and lavender flowers. My fav! I just could not let that day go by without having something in my life to reflect on whenever I looked at it. My husband was gone at work for the week, and I was home alone with no one to share the happy news, except my Dad. We were sworn to secrecy until her 3rd month. So, we shall be expecting a new addition to the family towards the end of September. No set due date, at least not right now.

Here's a pic of my flowers... slightly edited. :)

My son and daughter-in-law told us just before they came to visit for birthdays. So it was an especially happy time. Dad was here for the birthday celebrations too. These are pics of the birthday celebration weekend just after we found out the good news. Smiles all around!

The table set for dinner!

My daughter in law being uncharacteristically camera shy! Usually she's a ham! But, not feeling up to it this day. Nonetheless, the Mama!

The proud Dad!

Grandpa, trying to soak it all in.

Me, the grandma in-waiting, and Great Grad-Dad!

My Dad is thrilled. It's his 1st Great Grandbaby. So... something to smile about for a while and as the time gets closer, wait with anticipation at what God has in store for each of us through this child. I cannot wait to learn more of His miracles through an innocent child.


Hugs,
Penny Sue

Spring has sprung...

I love spring! I love the smell of spring rain, I love the feel of spring wind, and I love how everything starts to turn green. It's amazing how I take for granted the color of green until the doldrums of winter have taken their toll... and everything you see is black, gray and white.

I've been gone for a long time, mostly due to the fact I have no computer of my own. My husband has been kind enough to leave his laptop at home with me when he goes to work for 5 days. For the past two weeks, I've had some contact with the outside world. Not much, as I'm sick with a nasty head/chest cold. I sound worse than I feel. I'm just exhausted from all the coughing and the heaviness in my upper chest area. I believe I might have some form of bronchitis, which, as I've researched, unless you contract a secondary bacterial infection, the bronchitis should go away after it's worked its way through your system. Hopefully, I won't need any extra meds. The over the counter stuff is bad enough.

Enough of my medical woes. Basically I contracted a computer virus through my facebook account. My account was hacked and it got to most everything... except, strangely, my computer files. Mostly it was internet stuff. But, my computer re-installation software is missing, tried one from the home computer, and cleared out my hard drive, but I cannot figure out how to get my laptop to communicate with my wireless. As I've said before, I'm computer challenged to say the least... and this is beyond my abilities. So, for now, I'm going to use the hub's laptop, and in moments of desperation, I can use the desktop computer (which is also on its last legs... it's very slow!)

Things that have been missed. Our house guest Phillip, a friend of my husband, who came to visit in January. He taught me how to make "Bot Boy" while he was here. It is a multi-generation recipe that has been prepared in his family from farmers to miners.

The beginning... preparing the chicken and stock... letting it simmer.

Phil is very generous with his sharing of such a traditional recipe. Anyone who wants to learn how to make bot boy only needs to ask. Here's Phil, The Bot Boy Master! Armed and ready to go.

One of my contributions to this meal. Pumpernickel bread bowl with dried chipped beef dilly dip... you can eat the entire thing... bowl and all.

Next came the "Bot Boy" part, the noodles, which are homemade and cut into pretty good sized squares. Phil worked up a good sweat hand mixing the dough. Then you drop the dough squares in a few at a time, stir and add a few more.... and stir, so they don't stick together.

The happy Bot Boy Student! (That's me!)

The Bot Boy Observer... it smells so good, he can't leave the kitchen!

Table set and ready to go... all that's missin' is the "Pot O' Bot"!

And finally... the reward and fruits of our labor... chow time!

With smiling faces like that, you know it's got to be good... and it sure was! Thanks Phil... you were great!

Hope to be back soon... because up next, well, it's the husband's turn! Too cute!

Hugs,
Penny Sue

M.I.A.

I'm sorry if anyone has missed me (not that anyone is reading this), but a girl can dream, eh? My laptop computer contracted a serious virus through a facebook disaster and I pretty much need to erase the hard drive and start over. I'm so not looking forward to doing this. The irony of all of this is the fact that my husband had just renewed our McAfee on his laptop, but hadn't gotten to the point of updating my computer. McAfee had this deal that the purchase would cover three computers. So, we ordered that last year, and the renewal came up. I was so close... but so far away. I'll be back soon.

Hugs, Penny

Whew... I finally made a choice :)

I just spent the last hour and a half trying to find a different background through the "Background Fairy". My very first one I changed to was a beautiful lavender laurel wreath done by the "Background Fairy". I chose this mossy green design to enhance the greens in my posts and compliment all my various purple colors. It took forever to decide. If you get bored with your banners and columns, check out one of my favorite places... yep, the "Background Fairy". Pssst... and it's free!

I've got an appointment tomorrow with the borough secretary. I am supposed to be getting our "ordinance" book. I've seen this book, in a big honkin' three ring binder. I believe I might have to enlist the services of a pack mule if I'm to take it to the meetings with me. I do believe if you were to drop this book even near your foot, you might break a bone just from the shock wave factor! Anyhow, I'm looking forward to meeting with the secretary. No one knows anything better than the secretary... as we all know, they truly run the show, mostly because they are the only ones who know what's truly going on. Without them, the works would just fall apart. I'll let you know how the meeting went.

I have blood work to be done this week for my 6-month check in with my oncologist next week. I think I'm going to call the office tomorrow and ask if I can request blood work testing on my thyroid levels. My breast surgeon suggested I have that checked, after my telling him I don't have much gumption and energy any more. That I tire easily. My desire to do stuff is stifled, among other things. He told me I might be experiencing hypothyroid issues. I also realized, after my surgeon/breast care doctor suggested I have the blood work done for this, that I have a pretty extended family with various thyroid issues. Duh, eh? Sometimes I just don't know about me. My father, my sister, my sister's daughter (my precious niece), and a 1st cousin on my father's side of the family. Now about that blood work... Ya think?

Anyhow... we've got company coming this weekend and next weekend. I look forward to meeting my husband's friend on this coming Friday. My husband thinks a great deal about this friend, and I know he is really very happy to have him coming for a visit. I also happen to know that this friend is a true friend to my husband. And for that, I'm very thankful and grateful. The following weekend is birthday celebrations! Yay! Can't wait to see the "kids". Woo-hoo!

Hugs all around,
Penny Sue

Yes, it's a new look... but temporarily... I hope

Hey there. I've been checking out some of the free downloads for blog page graphics. I love the background fairy. I loved my last borders with the pretty lavender "Fleur De Lise" or other. My signature colors for my business at my shop are a very pretty lavender and a beautiful sage green color combined. I guess I wanted a change. I'll probably go back to my ol' fav if they don't come up with something different. I was just a little bored. The pink/red (they are calling it red) is very lively. But, it doesn't look so hot with the lavender and sage green that I had going. But hey, what do I want for free, eh? I'm thankful for what I can get from such talented people!! Too cool.

Hugs all around,
Penny Suzie

Ooops... I haven't been by in a while

I have been working a little bit on a different blog. I'm trying to maintain two. One about my life and business (whenever I get back to that)... and one about food, cooking, sharing and enjoying. There is so much we learn about life sitting around a table together, sharing a meal. It's not just the necessity of eating, but the love, communing, growing, laughter, debate, joys and sorrows that get shared around a table of food prepared with love. I'm hoping to do well with both posts.

I did go out to the shop a couple of times. I'm packing up some consignment stuff that I need to give back to a very dear friend. It belongs to her grandma who passed away... and I didn't realize how much stuff I had until I started packing it up. I think I have some up in my attic storage space out in the shop as well.

I'm going to hang on to another friend's stuff. She is now working full time and doesn't really have as much time for her crafts as she used to. I also realize that if I pack up all her stuff, my shop is gonna be pretty empty.

The hubs is encouraging me to do research for stuff to sell in my shop. In fact, we spent almost and hour over the phone going to various websites just looking for scents and oils for my candles. Time for a little more seriousness... I know.

Hope everyone is having a good beginning to a new year full of new possibilities. I love a new year. I don't do resolutions. I just love the idea of wiping the slate clean from the year before and being able to look at things with fresh inspiration, hope and vigor!

Hugs all around,
I miss you,
Penny Sue

Just wanted to say....

Happy New Year to you all.

Hugs,
Penny Sue