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

Tonight is the eve of Christmas eve....

I have so much in my heart that I want to share. But, my concept of time has gone hay-wire. I wanted to continue our Christmas tree story... from once we got the tree home, in the stand and just let it settle for 48 hours. My dear husband had to go back to work for the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving, so we did the tree hunting the day after Thanksgiving, but decided to save putting the lights and decorations until he could be back with us Sunday afternoon/evening. I had a special dinner planned, and some tree trimming fun... and I think we finally got around to decorating the tree around 7 pm on Sunday... with our dear daughter-in-law having to travel 3 hours to get home that evening, as she had to be at work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for Monday morning. But, alas, everything worked out. Let me go see if there are ANY picks of the tree in the house that I've uploaded from the camera. Those pics might still be on the camera. BRB.

Nope, unfortunately, I need to upload pics from my camera. I remember taking a few, my husband took a few, and then my son took a few... so there should be a couple of pics I can add to this post once I upload them (when I have time... hopefully tomorrow). I'm already upstairs and in bed and relaxing.

Anyhow... just in case I don't get the opportunity to do the photos, I would like to reach out and share the joy and love of the season, which we traditionally call Christmas. Our Messiah, Saviour, King of Kings, Emmanuel had come... in the form of an innocent baby, helpless to help the helpless, dependent to help the dependent, needy - to help the needs of those around Him. He was a gift to us on one very special night, but it is a gift that lasts for all eternity. His love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meakness, goodness, and the other fruits of His spirit I cannot name at this late hour, because my brain is in denial, are gifts of who He is and what He freely gives to us. There is no guilt for taking part in this gift giving. It's all free. Let's just take a few moments of solitude and humbleness to remember what this day is truly about. It's not the money that gets spent, it's not about how many packages are under the tree (because I've learned that no matter how many there are under the tree, the kids think it's never enough). It's about a tiny baby born to be the Saviour of our souls. He lived a short life, by most peoples standards, but what a life!

I'm sleepy. I'll ad some pics tomorrow I hope. If not... Merry Christmas. Make it a good one. Let the peace that passes all understanding abide in your hearts and minds forever.

Hugs to all
Penny Sue