No neck

Before I go any further, I need to give my readers a bit of background information.....

I have a short neck.  Glynn's neck is even shorter. He claims his head just sits on his shoulders. Sadly, our offspring have short necks as well.  (Daughter Stephanie thanks us, now and again....)

So, when I saw this chunky, cowled, neck warmer on Etsy.com recently, I went into a fit of laughter.  If any of the Howard four were to wear it, our head would not be visible!

Where did you learn to park?

I've ordered a package of these 'courtesy cards' to give to Glynn as a birthday present.  A typical male (allow me to generalize), he cannot help but make a snide comment when someone parks incorrectly. With these cards, he'll be able to slip one under a windshield wiper and feel like he's taught that person a lesson!
 

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

I caught Otis, sleeping along the back of the couch, catching some early morning rays.....

My bee balm (monarda) has grown to unprecedented heights this summer - at least 4' tall.  I like this photo of a bee balm flower, foreground, with apples in the background.

I hit a few garage sales today.  An 'over 55' mobile home park had a community wide sale and I was entertained by many of the older folks who told the story behind each item I bought!

I struck the mother lode with this container full of collage sheets & miscellaneous ephemera for $1.50!  (Judy: there is enough for both of us!  Collage sheets will be coming your way...)

I was very excited to find this vintage, vinyl Barbie traveling case for $5, circa 1962.  It isn't in mint condition but it will work perfectly to house my original 1962 Barbie and 1964 Skipper along with a few pieces of their wardrobes.  Once I arrived home from junking, I spent some time on the web looking for the value of the case.  It must be hard to come by because, although I located a picture of it on a collector's web page, I did not find one for sale. 

I had reason to locate my Barbie dolls.  Skipper, now 46 years old, has thinning hair. She was dressed in this swimsuit when I received her. I think it's cute! She's waving 'hello' to you!

Here is my original Barbie.  Unfortunately, I do not have the outfit she wore when new.  Also, as happens to many dolls, although her head stays on, her neck is slit. It doesn't seem to matter, as she never loses her calm and retains her cool pose!

Going through my Barbie clothes I came across some outfits my mother made for my Barbie doll.  Tiny collars, small seams, little snaps.  I certainly do not have that kind of patience.  Thanks, Mom!

Would you PLEASE answer your cell phone?!

This morning, as I pulled my cell phone from my purse, I saw that I missed 5 calls from my daughter on Saturday.

I sigh. Partly from remorse. But mostly from frustration for cell phone usage is a topic which blatantly reveals the generational gap between my kids and I.

Days will go by in which my cell phone remains on yet untouched in its pocket in my purse. Of course I answer it if I hear it ring. It's when I'm in the yard gardening, walking Otis, or even sitting out on the back deck without thinking to take my cell phone with me that I get into trouble. I become UNREACHABLE! (doomsday music sounds inserted here)

Apparently, this is inexcusable behavior for all human species, regardless of age or race or whether one even has limbs available to operate a phone.

I do not minimize the frustration of not being able to reach someone via phone when there is urgent business to discuss.  My kids ask me, 'why have a cell phone if you don't use it?' My argumentative response is that I do use it, when needed.  I simply choose not to treat it as a modern appendage, hanging from my belt or residing in my pocket 24/7.

Glynn and I discuss the possibility of surrendering our land line (which rarely rings anymore) and using our cells phones only as a means of contact.  Should this happen necessity will force me to change the location of my cell phone habitat.

Until that time, I remain (often) out of earshot range of my cell phone.

Wedding felicitation

Harrison (son of our good friends, Coe & AnMarie) married Leah last month in Minnesota. Wanting to send a more original felicitation than a typical wedding card,  I fashioned this declaration of their special day using two appliques I found. I think it turned out very cute!

I hear Leah is quite crafty. She created her own bridal bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquets, boutonnieres and crosages out of buttons, many of which belonged to her grandmother. Isn't that an amazing idea?

Dear tooth fairy....

I came across these 3 letters to the tooth fairy, written by Stephanie & Nick years ago!

The above two are written by Nick. Notice the P.S.:  "Do not wake me up"! 

The tooth was in this envelope along with the small note (above).  The blue wings on the back of the figure must mean this is the tooth fairy!

Thrifty Stephanie has a decorating idea for the tooth fairy. Use a less than perfect tooth (cavity) in the dungeon!

Like most mothers, I have saved handmade cards, notes, pictures, and special school assignments. They tugged at my heart years ago.  They continue tugging today......

Days at the beach

For the past few summers, my extended family has gathered at a campground to spend a few days together. This year we decided we wanted a bit more comfort so we rented a home on the beach in Waldport, OR. (Waldport is situated about 15 miles south of Newport.)

Our rental home was located on that spit of land behind the bridge to the right of the picture. (Squint & you might see it!) If it wasn't for a large dune right out the back door, we would have had an unobstructed view of the ocean.

When we left Olympia on Wednesday morning the local weather forecast for the remainder of the week was HOT.  Naively, although we didn't expect HOT on the beach, we did expect sun and lots of it.  Sadly, if it is HOT inland, it is likely cool and foggy at the ocean as we discovered.  On a positive note, we had no rain!

Any day spent at the beach, regardless of the weather, beats a day spent inland!  Digging in the sand, strolling the streets of the small beach towns, hot tub soaks, putting the kids to bed (quietness!), fresh salt water taffy, being responsible for only one main meal per family thus being cook-free the other nights, simply spending family time together = PRICELESS!

4th of July fun

Dawn brought sunshine to Olympia on the 4th of July. This is significant because we have yet to experience summer-like weather. Glynn and I sat on the deck, enjoying the warmth while eating dutch babies.

Unfortunately, by 9 am, the clouds rolled in and remained with us throughout the remainder of the day.

Kim invited us to a barbecue at her home. Dad and mom, Nick, Courtney and Cooper, Uncle Gene and Jeanie plus 3 other couples with their children were in attendance.  Food was in abundance and energetic children kept the party hopping! I was busy hogging.....er, I mean holding baby Cooper so I did not take many pictures.



I did snap a photo of the children eating while Otis, wearing a patriotic kerchief, hovers nearby hoping for a hand-out.

Not be be left out, Cooper showed patriotism at his first 4th of July celebration by sporting a flag tee shirt.

Glynn and I left just as the kids, with parents in tow, began dragging out the boxes of fireworks.  Chloe put a few poppers under our car tires so we left with bang!

Handmade is best

Last month, I celebrated another birthday.

Growing up, I remember asking my mother what she wanted for her birthday. It was usually something she needed. One year I believe I bought her a showercap.  (I'm so sorry, Mom!) 

These days, I buy what I need (and what I want, generally speaking) so choosing a gift for me is likely a bit of a trial. The gifts I received this year were both functional and creative.

I asked my dad if he would give an old bird feeder of mine a makeover. The roof was in disrepair. This is the result! Notice the awesome details.... 

Stephanie took a photo of us and made a collage with it. 

Kim did paper crafting on canvas and look at this awesome creation!  That little girl with her life-sized doll is me at around 3 years old.  I likely named my dolly Barbara because I wished (past tense) for that name myself.

This cigar box was converted into a keepsake box by my friend, Judy. I'm using it in my craft room to as a place to house odds and ends. She also made a pincushion in a frame to help me keep my frou frou together in one place.

As usual, I feel love and appreciated by all.  Thank you friends and family!

Poppies, poppies, poppies!

I love poppies!

Blood red, orange, pale pink, ruffle petaled. Any type of poppy will do.

Could our wet, cool spring have contributed to the unusual amount of poppies 'popping' up randomly in my yard this year? 

Once the petals have fallen and the pod holding the seeds has dried out, I let it remain on the plant. This way the breeze distributes the minuscule seeds to every corner of my yard.  The following spring I find delight in each and every random poppy sprout!