Artists' Cafe- Winter Issue

I am very proud to announce that a previously published piece on my little altered book "Lyrical Interpretations" is being included in the Winter Issue of Artists Café!! (see the link on the sidebar).

We’re unveiling brand-new features in the newest installment of Artists’ Café, including the addition of artwork from bestselling publications, Somerset Apprentice, Sew Somerset, Art Journaling, and Somerset Workshop. You won’t want to miss Hanne Matthiesen's year of stitching project, the bright and brilliantly stitched art journal of Roxanne Padgett, or an up-close look at the portfolios of multiple top mixed-media artists.

I am very excited, and very honored.

I love this book, but I'll be darned if I know which box it's packed in... Which is a shame, because I still have some pages to be finished! Hmmm, I will have to go look for it.

Thank you, Stampington, for including me. It makes me want to create and submit again!!

PS- I will add picture soon!

Brave Girls Goodies

As I mentioned in my previous post, I was recently in Georgia at my friend Tammy's house. I knew I wanted to bring something for her and Luz. I received a very timely email from the Brave Girls Club shoppe, and voila!! (Let me just say that I love these women, love their site, and their philosophy! I get a daily inspirational email too).

I bought us each a matching little clutch. It's the perfect size for some cash, lipstick, and a credit card. In fact, I carried mine to the Country Living Fair.

I also bought Tammy and myself a necklace, as she was having a birthday. This one is mine, and it looked great with a crisp white shirt (gotta love some sparkles!). Tammy's is a bit different, but of course I forgot to take pictures of it!

 

The Brave Girls Shoppe has so many pretty things! I bought myself a great frame too. It all was shipped in a timely manner, and came lovingly wrapped in their signature tissue paper.

I would certainly recommend shopping there- and Christmas is coming!

Girls Weekend- 2013

A few weeks ago I took a much-needed mini-vacation to my friend Tammy's house in Georgia. Tammy and I have been friends since our days at Rosemont College! We lived next to each other sophomore year, and then lived together our junior and senior years.

I am embarrassed to say that I have not seen her in person in 5 years!! Five whole years!! We have Skyped, talked on the phone, but no in-real-life visits. So sad. Wow, can life really get in the way!

Another pal met us there- Luz Foster. Tammy and I met her at an Outer Banks scrapbook weekend in 2007 (I think). Then Luz, brave as she is, hopped on a plane and came to Girls Weekend 2008.

Tammy and her husband met Luz and I at the airport. Luz landed first, then I found them by the baggage area. I actually burst into tears seeing them! My Friend Gas Tank was seriously low.

We headed to Gladys' and Ron's restaurant in Atlanta for some traditional waffles and wings. Weird, right?? Who eats that stuff together? But after an early morning flight, the smell coming from this place was heavenly. YUMMY.

Then we headed back to Tammy's house and hung out by her glamper camper Rosie. We sat outside and talked, shootin' the breeze. It's amazing how we just picked up where we left off. Gotta love girlfriends!!

 

That night, we had a crafting night with more friends, and made some really cute stuffed skeletons for Halloween. Tammy has an amazing studio. She provided everything we needed for the night- including cupcakes and these hand-decorated bags that held our kits. This gal is an amazing hostess!! She thinks of everything.

Friday we drove a few hours north at hit the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain. We walked around for about 7 hours! It was cold out there, especially since most of the tents and vendors are set back in the trees. But, it was gorgeous out.

We took a lunch break, thanks to the (once again, amazing) lunch bags packed for us by Tammy.

There were tons of vendors there, lots of stuff to be seen and bought. I picked up a burlap runner and some old drawer pulls to tie them with, and some large bedsprings to use as candle holders. I have seen lots of small ones, but never ones as big as these.

Saturday we hit Hobby Lobby- my first time. We walked around for a long time, oohing and aaahing. Luz turned me on to Becky Higgins' Project Life scrapbook supplies- and I'm hooked. I have been really wanting to get back into scrapbooking again- and this was the perfect way to get started. We each bought a themed box, and split the stuff up amongst us.

Luz also turned both me and Tammy onto the whole Filofax craze, and we spend a good portion of the day looking for stuff- including these cool Bic pens with 4 colors of ink, and not just your standard blue red green black. Oh no, we got the pastel ones!

All this shopping goodness was followed by a fantastic Italian dinner out with Tammy and her husband Don. Gotta love a real man!

Sunday found me back on a plane, heading home. I had a great time. It's truly a blessing to have such wonderful friends. And Tammy, I promise you, it won't be 5 years before I see you again. xo

Summer Daze, with side of rain

The summer is flying by. It's amazing how the weeks just disappear.This time last year, we were in Maine, enjoying a much cooler summer. It's been hot and rainy here in Pennsylvania. It rains almost every day. We had over 10 inches of rain in June, with the normal being 3!

There is  a pool down the road from my parents, and when the weather was good, it was an absolute God-send for the kids. Both boys have turned into little fishies- such a big change from last year! I'm sure both boys would benefit from lessons.

 

Jason is riding every week at a local barn. His pony is too green for him, so I ride her. Yeah, me the giant on this little pony. But, I am light enough for her to carry, and so we do our best. It would help if the ring wasn't so muddy and slick! I am sure you're dying for photos, but I can't find one just now. I will post one later.

Enjoy your holiday weekend. I am on-call, so I have to stick close to home. I am thankful to live in this country!

{Lee}

Where has the time gone?

Holy crow, it's been a month since I've posted! I'd love to tell you I've been up to some cool stuff, but not really.

The end of school came blazing up so fast. Then the inevitable panic- what to do with the kids? I am on a completely different schedule now than I have been my whole nursing career. And honestly, working four days ina row every week is killing me. By Friday I am toast. So call me lame. Whatever.

Anyhoo, my sis will be watching the kids, but I still have to try to come up with some constructive things for them to do. They both have summer packets to work on. Yay. But really, they just can't play all day, can they? hehehe Or play video games? Or on their Ipods? Oh yes, they can. And I'm going to NOT feel guilty about it.

There was a post  by Jen Hatmaker, about being a terrible mom. I'm sure you've read it. In similar fashion, I have thrown out so much stuff the kids have brought home. I mean, really- sending home a tiny piece of paper with some doodles on it?? In the circular file, friend. I threw out the bazillion copy books they made us buy (charter school= we buy everything), only half-used. Gasp!! Right? I'm sure some paper fairy just died a painful death. I have, in the past, saved them thinking the boys would draw in them, use them for scrap paper, or whatever, and they haven't. This year I just skipped that part and chucked! Like, a trash can full of crap paper.

So, summer is off the a busy start- riding ponies, horse shows, sleepovers, playing. I'm already tired, and it's not even hot yet.

In the meantime, I got sick of my hair and lopped off 4 inches. Buh-bye. It's fresher and easier- theoretically, anyway. When the humidity hits, I'll have a 'fro, but isn't that what pony tail holders are for?

Enjoy, Lee

Mail Call!

Gotta love getting fun stuff in the mail- and this bottle chock full of stuff is no exception!

What a wonderful surprise! In this day and age of electronic correspondence, I think we've all forgotten how fun it is to get REAL mail.

This wonderful treasure came from my blogger friend Terri Kahrs, from Pringle Hill Studio. I have long admired her work, and we became friends via tons of emails, texts, and phone calls. This is a woman I need to meet in person!!

THANK YOU Terri, for sending my such a wonderful pick-me-up! Now, let's meet up in New Hope and get some ART on!

What cool thing have you received in the mail??

Hugs, Lee

Some Things Are Free

A few weeks ago, I received an email asking me to review a medical scrub top. At first I ignored it, but when the company emailed me again, I agreed.

I chose a navy blue, 3 pocket v-neck tunic-style scrub top, from Adar Medical Uniforms.

We construct our medical uniform garments of superior poplin fabric that is substantially hefty, yet incredibly lightweight to wear. A 65% polyester/35% cotton blend ensures that our uniforms do not easily crease or stain but continue to look fresh after hours of wear.

I like this kind of nurses scrub top, due to the large pockets. Nurses carry all sorts of stuff, like syringes, alcohol wipes, scissors and lots more! This particular top also has a breast pocket, which is a great spot to hang your ID from.

The scrub top was neatly folded and packaged in plastic when I got. It was kind of stiff from the sizing, but it didn't have that chemical smell that they sometimes due when they are fresh out of the package.

I ordered a medium, and it is a bit large. It is not a universal scrub top, so I have to say that it runs a bit big. I don't like my tops too tight across the shoulders or underarms, but this is a bit boxy. I would probably try a small too.

I  washed the scrub top, and it held it's shape nicely. It doesn't look like it shrunk at all. The stitching is nice and tight. The only drawback to this top is that is comes out of the dryer a bit wrinkled. Now, I have to admit, I never iron my scrubs. Usually I take them out of hot dryer and they are fine. This time, the dryer had started to cool down a bit. so that may be the culprit.

I'd definitely by a shirt of this quality! They are offering a 15% discount on all merchandise, using this coupon code for this blog is: "trueblue" which is 15% off until July 31st 2013.

The scrub top is mine to keep, and I will happily wear it. I was not given any other compensation for this review. You can check the company out in these places:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniformedscrubs

The Ada blog: http://uniformedscrubs.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @UniformedScrubs Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/uniformedscrubs/

Happy Saturday

It's been a busy week! Jason had a riding lesson Monday. I worked Tuesday. Wednesday I was off, and headed for a much-needed doctor's appointment. Thursday and Friday were crazy at work!

My parents and sister are at a show this weekend in NY, so we've been getting ready all week too. We didn't go, for many reasons. I had to work, for starters. I also not sure that Jason is really ready to show, so why go and spend the money? So, I'm farm sitting on this beautiful Saturday!

Last night was Adam's Spring Concert. He and Jason both attend a charter school, so the concert was held at the local high school (in a brand new auditorium, I might add). I think the first graders do the same show every year, because each of the six groups has costumes, and the music is pre-recorded.

Adam was an Army ant! There were butterflies, lady bugs, grasshoppers, and a few others. Each group not only sang along with the music, but they each danced too!! The staff at Avon Grove Charter School did an amazing job!

All in all, it only lasted 45 minutes, but it really was entertaining. And seeing Adam up in stage just made me smile!

Enjoy Captain Toothless!

Giddy-up!

Last weekend was our first show of the season. It was a small, cut-down-the-costs, show-off-the-trailer, no ribbons kind of show. It was amazingly sunny out- and just as COLD!! We spent the full day outside- due to some verrrrrrry slow judges- and came home sunburned and windburned!

The first show is always kind of tough. Both the ponies and the kids were jittery. Jason rodes his cousin Matthew's pony Judge in the walk class. Jusge wasn't exactly cooperative, and Jason came out very frustrated, and quickly burst into tears. It was tough to see his heart break.

What he didn't unterstand is, as green as he is, he did a really good job with Judge. He received high praises from all of us, including one of his riding intructors. He got lots of hugs and kisses too.

I know how he felt. I used to have the same kind of temperament- type A all the way. I would get very upset if my ride wasn't perfect.

It is a hard lesson to teach anyone, especially kids. I wanted him to understand that he tried hard and did well- and that's the important part. Ribbons are not the end goal.

I'm not sure he beleived me, but I hope to keep working on that lesson. Try hard. Laugh at the bad days. And keep going!

Hugs,Lee