Crying a River Here!!!

I finished up all three of my Annies. They got packaged and photographed and sent out today. I also got my up-cycled apron done and packaged and shipped. I even got a couple of things from my Etsy shop packaged and sent off too. I took my sweet time and photographed each item. Guess what for some reason the photo card dropped some of my photos. I know the battery thing was flashing.. but it has never dropped photos before like this. So I will have to be more careful in the future to insure I have photos prior to shipping the items out ;) So if you receive an Annie or Up-cycled Angel-ed apron.. please send me a photo of them ;) I would be very grateful for your kindness ;) As I always keep a photo of each item that I hand make.. just for my own scrap book :)

Round Trip to see the Family today

My brother and I took a trip to the State of OK today. We went to the family grave site :) It is a short trip it only takes about 4 hours out of our day. I try and go with him at least 2-4 times a year if not more ;)
Today was different... I got up early and put out my Wonderful Red White and Blue American Flag. Then I got myself and the Pitty around so I could drive N of me 14 miles to my Bubba's house. As I drove I looked at the homes. I saw two other American flags flying on my mile block. I did not see another American Flag until I turned down my brothers dirt road to his home. Two homes on his street were flying flags. I am telling you that was 14 mile trip to his house and no other flags. I drove down a long stretch of road with several houses, without seeing my beloved American Flags. I walked in my brothers door and asked where in the H e double L ... his flag was. He said he didn't own one!!! I told him I was going to give him one and I wanted him to fly it to honor his Aunts and Uncles that fought in the war to keep us safe and from harm. His reply is I don't like the current president. I said what does that have to do with honoring your loved ones that were willing to fight and die for you!! He said nothing and I let it go. But I am telling everyone that is reading my blog... I am A RED NECK FLAG FLYING PATRIOT!!! And if you didn't have your flag flying today .. you need to move to a new COUNTRY!!! Shame on you if your flag is not out of all days........We are in War!!! We need to show the families of those that are fighting we are behind them and their loved ones 100%, let alone honor those that have passed to make this great country what it is today!!!
Ok enough of my B***h**g!!!
On a lighter note my brother was telling me a story about him when he lived in Ca with my Grandma Peachy and Sweet Aunt. It was a story about the night the SFPD arrested him.
My brother has this awesome Red 64 Chevy Pick up. Its a slick and smart looking low rider. In fact he still owns that truck :) It was a low rider before anyone in Ks knew what they were. Anyway it was all tricked out and sweet looking. He said he was driving down the road and the Cops in San Francisco pulled him over with red lights and guns drawn. He said they snatched him out of his truck and handcuffed him to a light pole. He said they didn't say anything but started going through his truck. Of course he said hey what the H are you doing??? They didn't say a thing.. only removed him from the pole and put him in the back of a police car and took him to the police station. Once there he got the good guy bad guy cop thing. The bad cop says we brought you here because your truck matches a truck that was seen at such and so drive in where two young gay guys were shot and killed. Well being the smart A.. my brother is he says... only two people would get up set about a gay being shot.... his mom or his lover.. which one are you the guy or the gal in the relationship??? Of course I was really laughing at this...Bubba said the bad cops veins were popping out he was so mad. Of course the good cop was laughing hysterically. They didn't believe Bubba when he told them he was no where around that place and that there were lots of red trucks with custom tail lights. Well he landed in jail for the night as he had no money for bail. When he walked in to the court room the next morning.... there sat a women on the bench. He thought I'm a goner for sure now. She picked up the file read it and look my biker brother over and said.. this was a travesty of justice and a false arrest. You could sue the city of San Francisco.. you would probably win lots of money... but you won't see any of the money until your at least 50... That was almost 30 years ago.
Now here is where this story takes a funny turn.. Bubba was laughing so hard telling me this colorful story until................ I said... hey Bubba just think you would be a rich man today if you had only sued the City of San Francisco. Oh my goodness you could have heard a pin drop in the cab of my little red Toyota truck. There was total silence!!! Bubba got this puzzled look on his face, turned red and then..... It came!!!! Damn!!! Your right and I would be living on easy street now!!! Of course we both started laughing again at how life really does turn out sometimes. Oh my.... we got such a good laugh out of that.. I had tears running down my face. My brother is a very smart and witty guy and I just pull one of my classic Fast ones on him!!! Tee hee hee!! I love it when I can pull a good one on him and he is speechless!!!

THANK YOU FOR MY FREEDOM!!!!!

Rabbi Sherwin Wine:
There are two visions of America. One precedes our founding fathers and finds its roots in the harshness of our puritan past. It is very suspicious of freedom, uncomfortable with diversity, hostile to science, unfriendly to reason, contemptuous of personal autonomy. It sees America as a religious nation. It views patriotism as allegiance to God. It secretly adores coercion and conformity. Despite our constitution, despite the legacy of the Enlightenment, it appeals to millions of Americans and threatens our freedom.
The other vision finds its roots in the spirit of our founding revolution and in the leaders of this nation who embraced the age of reason. It loves freedom, encourages diversity, embraces science and affirms the dignity and rights of every individual. It sees America as a moral nation, neither completely religious nor completely secular. It defines patriotism as love of country and of the people who make it strong. It defends all citizens against unjust coercion and irrational conformity.
This second vision is our vision. It is the vision of a free society. We must be bold enough to proclaim it and strong enough to defend it against all its enemies.

On personal note:

Thank you to all the families and loved ones that are separated from their homes and family while away fighting for what WE as Americans believe in.

I also wish to thank our first responders (police and fire) that remain behind in the USA. They are the ones that are working and giving up their holidays to make our life a safer place to live.

MILKY WAY BROWNIES

Ingredients:

1 lb (4 sticks) unsalted butter

1 lb semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped semi-sweet chocolate

6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 Tbs instant espresso powder

7 large eggs

2 Tbs pure vanilla extract

2¼ cups granulated sugar

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbs baking powder

1 tsp salt

12 ounces mini Milky Way Bars (chopped)

1 full-size Milky Way Bar sliced thinly
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 12×18x1-inch pan. Line with foil or parchment that hangs over the sides for ease in getting them out (butter the foil/parchment).
2. In a heatproof, medium-bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, heat butter, and chocolates until melted and smooth; cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, espresso powder, vanilla and sugar. Stir the egg mixture into the slightly cooled chocolate mixture. Cool to room temperature.
4. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to batter. Stir chopped mini Milky Way bars into chocolate mixture. Then pour into prepared baking pan and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Place slices of the full-size Milky Way Bar onto the top of the brownie batter.
5. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean with a few crumbs attached; do not over bake! Let cool completely, then cover tightly and chill overnight. Chilled brownies are easier to cut.
Yield: At least a couple of dozen, depending on how large you cut your brownies.
Cooking Tips*These taste better the second day.**If it’s a warm day inside your house, you might consider chilling the Milky Way bars before you try to cut them.
Recipe Source: Adapted from Ina Garten

Wow what a bargain.. I took Denise up on this offer!!!

Denise White our Annie Pattern Designer is having a crazy fun Memorial Day Sale
Now through May 31!

http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

Purchase her Crazy Little Raggedy pattern and get another pattern of your choice for half price! You can add your half price pattern when you add her to your cart.

You can either purchase these patterns as and e-pattern or hard pattern its up to you ;)

Run over take a look and don't miss out on this wonderful deal she is offering :)

I got mine!!!

Thank you for giving me these wonderful awards

My first award was given to me by Turtle Trax Too. I received this award a while back.. and silly ole me.. I forgot to post about it. I am so sorry. I got busy working on Annies and Aprons. So please forgive my error. I have not been thinking or remembering to do a lot lately. But sometimes life gets too busy and you just plain forget. I will have to try and do better :) I don't like to leave anyone out.. I love all of you... that I have gotten to know. I love all of your wonderful work and your fun and exciting blogs ...

The Premio MEME Blog Award Rules:

1. list 7 personality traits about yourself.

A. I am a chocolate Addict :) This doesn't need any explanation ;)

B. I am some what funny and hold my own with the rest when its joke cracking time:)

C. I am very loyal to my friends and job!!

D. I believe in being honest and take responsibility for my errors :)

E. I love love love my God, Country, Creatures and Chocolate... and I should not forget my Pepsi :-)

F. I try to be a good and giving person.. I share and try to improve myself on a daily basis.

G. I never take a day of life for granite.. it should be lived to the fullest even if its only putting a smile on your face or someone Else's ;) Even if its a bad pain day.. I am always peachy and send a smile out with it ;) I have been told more than once... the people I work with look forward to seeing me because... my hello and smile makes their rough day better.

2. tag/award 7 blogs that deserve such fine recognition for the personalities that they share with the blogging world.

Here goes:

Khristina: http://sewprimkhris.blogspot.com/

Denise: http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

J0: http://scrapnstitch.blogspot.com/

Ani: http://ani-makes-dolls.blogspot.com/

Paula: http://thevilulateagarden.blogspot.com/

Tina: http://beansiebabbles.blogspot.com/

Trish: http://notjustbagsbytrish.blogspot.com/

My Second award is the Attitude of Gratitude Award
I received this wonderful Award from: http://backporchblessings.blogspot.com/
The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate a few bloggers who show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.
6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.My first award is the Attitude of Gratitude Award

As stated before I don't like to leave anyone out of receiving wonderful awards... Just remember your not being slighted if your not named. I love all of you and each and everyone of you make my life a wonderful place to be ;)I am going to Name the Five People that I have a lot of contact with:

#1 Nadine from http://apronvalleyroad.blogspot.com/ I never dreamed in a hundred years I would find such a wonder close friend on a blog ;) Nadine is funny, loving, caring, and very giving and an excellent seamstress :) Through Phone calls and emails we have found out we are very much a like in a lot of ways. My only regret is she lives so far away :(

#2 CJ from http://auntdaisyscottage.blogspot.com/ I first met CJ on Etsy. She had an item up for sale. I really liked it a lot. I sent her a post and asked if she was interested in doing a swap.. She said sure and that was the beginning of a fun and wonderful friendship. CJ was also the person that gave me an invitation to join Apronista ;)

#3 Ms S: http://faeriewysperer.blogspot.com/

I had the privilege of being a swap partner with Ms S. We have chatted and email each other often since our Christmas Ornie swap. Ms S is a very creative, giving, and loving person. She makes me laugh and smile on a regular basis :) If I have a question or just need a friend to chat with she is aways there :) Thank you Sweet friend :)

#4 Maria: no blog

I have to tell you Maria is my Angel in every way. She is so giving and creative. I have had the honor of owning several of her lovely aprons. I first met Maria on Swap-bot. I invited her to one of my apron swaps.. and she has been swapping with us since in every swap since that first invitation. We are very lucky to have her in our group of swappers. If I need help with an Angel package.. she always offers before I have to ask.. She is a dear heart and so giving of her time and talents. Thank you Maria.. you really are my angel :)

#5 Val: http://yarnigras

Val is one of the sweetest person that I have been given the chance to meet. I am always amazed at her wonderful aprons, mushrooms, and the way she love her children and family. Val was the driving force for me to start making toys for the toy society. Val has the kindness and a giving spirit that the world needs more of. Not to forget her children they are so talented. Thank you for all the wonderful and fun times we have shared this year ;)

LOL I have to stop there as I am getting all mushy... but just remember if you are not one of the persons listed... I am still very glad you are all in my life ;) Thank you sweet friends. :)

I have been working on this single post for almost 3 hours. My computer is acting silly or its the web site.. which ever if you see your award before I get you posted please take it!!! I am going to stop on this blog post for now!!!
Watch out computer.. I can unplug you!!!!!

This is better than Chocolate ;)

I have developed a rather obsessive passion for old vintage sewing machines, and vintage toy sewing machines. There is a lot of history and wonderful stories that come along with these old machines. Some of the Singers Featherweights were made in several countries before or during WW11. I have been wanting a Singer 301 sewing machine for a little over a year. I was bidding on this vintage Singer sewing machine this week on Ebay..... I am so excited I won her:) Isn't she a beauty a really nice 301. I haven't seen one this well preserved in a while. I can't wait to get her home and try her out :) (APP is jumping up and down and fling arms in a happy dance)
The 301 is very popular with quilters it has a built in handle so you can carry it easily from one spot to the other ;) It is well suited for those of you who like to attend quilting, sewing classes, or quilting groups. The 301 has a much stronger motor than its sister the 221 or 221A or 222 Featherweights. The reason the 301 machines are so highly sought is because they’re gear driven instead of belt driven, which makes them capable of handling incredible thicknesses of fabric. This machine also sews adjustable length straight stitch's and goes in reverse. You can drop the feed dog with the turn of a knob. For easy free motion quilting ;)

This is the next Singer sewing machine on my list its a free arm Featherweight 222K. This machine is referred to as the Queen of all the Singer sewing machines. It is highly desired by all sewing enthusiast. There was a limited number of them made in Great Brittan. I have been keeping and eye on these machines and you rarely see one up for sale.

Below you will find some history on the Singer Sewing Machine :)

Among all models manufactured by Singer, quite a few are still very popular. Singer antique sewing machine models 301a, 301, 221 and 222 - so called Featherweight and model 66 are the most popular. Of these, the Singer Featherweight 221 is a classic model introduced in 1933 at the Chicago World’s Fair and continued to be manufactured until 1960 in the US and until 1971 in Scotland.
It is a “collectible” of the first order even if that can be a pricey item. In case of looking for an antique sewing machine not from a collector’s point of view, the Singer 301 or 301a are as good as Featherweights and can be found for about a third of what the Featherweight might cost. Besides Singer, there are many other antique sewing machines manufacturing companies, like Bradbury, Jones, Frister and Rossmann.
Excerpts of history from: http://hubpages.com/hub/AntiqueSewingMachine

Please change out your swap button :)

We all get a lot of information on the Internet highway. We don't always remember where it comes from.. but sometimes that doesn't matter and sometimes it does. As you can see the blog swap button with the Annie has changed. It seems I didn't follow the designers rules and she is upset with me. I read the pattern several times to see if there was a disclosure on the pattern. I didn't see one... so I assumed when it was free it was free to everyone if your not selling it. I was not selling it.. I was sharing it. The only thing I saw on it was a copy right circle.
I can truly understand why she is upset with me...if you put your time in on designing a fun pattern, and not getting the credit for it that's wrong. So I really don't blame her for being upset with me!! She also took her time to make the wonderful example that I used for our swap button. Denise White deserves the accolades that goes along with this wonderful fun Annie pattern. I think that we should all go and visit her fun and wonderful blog. I have to tell you she has some fun fantastic Annie dolls and fantastic patterns for sale.

Denise White has requested that we use her link, if you want obtain the pattern. You must also link back to her web site as getting the free pattern from her. As she really does deserve the credit for her lovely and fun Annie Pattern.

http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

I have to be honest .. I can't tell you where I got this pattern from... some place off the net (maybe even off her site) or someone sent it to me via email. You know how everyone shares everything. Here is what she has up on her blog for this wonderful fun pattern:

This is one of the patterns featured on Creative Living with Sheryl Borden--you can try her out for free! Click the link below to open the file and print. Just don't sell the pattern and be sure to give me credit for the design!!
http://www.thecatspyjamaspatterns.com/

So ladies... I am giving 5 thumbs up to Ms. Denise White for this lovely and easy Annie pattern. Thank you for sharing it with everyone even if I did goof up on your requirements of its usage. Thank you Ms. Denise White on the behalf of my self and all the swappers of this Annie swap. Ladies don't forget to go visit her web site and say hello because she has some really wonderful fun stuff to offer:)

A dog’s near-death

Pitty Pat :)

This story is not about the Pitty!!!

Sorry if I confused you with her photo!

I saw this post on Joyful Day's blog. It was one of those storys that gets you where you live... so read it and enjoy it ;)

8 Lessons A Nearly-Dead Dog Taught Me About Living

“I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying.”
- George Bird Evans, “Troubles with Bird Dogs”

Yesterday I almost killed my dog. On the way up to my apartment after his evening walk, his leg slipped into the gap between the elevator and the landing. This had never happened before, and the leg was wedged deep into the elevator shaft.
I tried and tried and couldn’t get it out. It didn’t help that the elevator door kept shutting on me and since I was using both hands to try to free the leg I had to use my back to shield the dog, which made for a rather bruised back (mine, not the dog’s).
Thankfully a kind passer-by stopped to help by holding the lift door open, relieving me of one problem so I could focus on the other - the jammed leg. After a few minutes it still wouldn’t budge.
There I was thinking “This is it. I have to break the leg to get it out. I might as well call the vet right now and put the poor thing to sleep right here in the elevator shaft, much more merciful…” As I miserably planned his death, my dog was happily wagging his tail at all the attention.
Then another woman stopped to hold the door open, so the first passer-by could get down on his knees and help me. Finally he managed to free the leg, and the dog. When I got home I was trembling and just hugged my dog and cried at the thought of almost losing him. He soaked up the love, still merrily wagging his tail.
Lessons from a dog
Since my dog obviously dealt with the situation a lot better than I did, I’m going to spare you my own thoughts and share with you what I observed of his. (You can read a dog’s thoughts in its eyes and behaviour.)
When bad things happen, keep wagging your tail.
Be patient and still, and your problem will eventually be sorted.
Trust in the kindness of strangers.
Accept others’ help, because some things you cannot do yourself.
Humans worry about things that never happen.
Just because someone thinks about killing you doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.
Your partner makes mistakes, but she’s trying her best. Love her anyway.
Lick the people you love today, before you fall into another hole.
Do you see any other lessons in this story? What have your own pets taught you?

Acorn Pincushion

By Marie Browning
Here's a cute gift idea; stitch a bunch of these to strew in a basket you stick with needles, thread, scissors and of course - pins!
You will need:
Cotton fabric - in a variety of solids and pattern, in shades of browns and creams, Polyester Fiberfil, Tacky craft glue, Narrow brown satin ribbon
Assembling: Cut the fabric into 5" circles, use the solids for the nut and prints for the acorn's cap. Sew gathering stitches around the edge of the solid circle, do not cut the thread. Place a handful of stuffing in the center, pull up gathers tightly to form the base of the acorn. Tie thread ends to secure. Using pins, mark horizontal line around middle of base. Glue some stuffing above the pin marks, covering gathers. turn under 1/4" on edges of print circle. Sew gatherings stitches around edge; do not cut thread. place circle on base, pulling up gathering stitches so edge of circle is even with pin line, forming cap of acorn. Tie threads to secure. Stitch cap to acorn along gathering edges. fold a 2" piece of ribbon in half to form hanging loop, stitch to top of cap to finish.

Instructions For Making The Red-Heel Sock Monkey Toy

MATERIALS:
One pair of Rockford Red Heel Socks (see bottom of page)
Stuffing - cut up old nylon stockings, cotton batting, kapok, shredded foam rubber or polyester fiber.
Red knitting yarn.
INSTRUCTIONS: TURN THE SOCKS INSIDE OUT Sew a seam (A) 1/2 inch on both sides of the center of sock starting three inches from the white heel and across the end of the top. Cut the sock between the seams and to within 1-1/2 inches of white heel. This leaves an opening in the crotch.
Then turn the sock so the seams are on the inside and use the crotch opening to stuff the head, body and legs.
ARMS: Cut the upper part of the sock into two pieces. Seam, rounding the ends and stuff the arms.
MOUTH: Cut the heel from the sock, leaving a brown edge around the white. Fasten on lower part of the face, whip-stitching around the bottom; stuff and finish sewing around the top. The mouth can be improved by a running stitch of either black or white across the middle of the lips.
TAIL: Cut a one inch strip, taper to end of cuff on length of front of sock. Seam and stuff.
EARS: Cut the ears from the remaining brown part of the sole of the sock. EYES: Sew on moving eyes, buttons, felt, or embroider with black thread. (For very small children embroider the eyes.)
CAP: (Optional) Cut off toe of another sock, leaving 1/2 inch of brown to roll for a brim. Sometimes a fez is used for a cap.

What???? My joke not funny enough????

What you didn't like my joke of the day?????

I thought it was funnier than all get out!!!

I know sort of nerdy.. but it was clean sorta :)

Hee hee hee :0)

Ok ladies.. you have forgotten to tell me if your Annies and Aprons have made it to your homes. Please email or post here letting me know you received your precious bundles of joy :) I still have a lot of them out there not accounted for. So please help me out look and see if your name is not showing received or sent ;) Please let me know so I can correct your status on your items :) That also includes the wonderful hand crafted aprons ;)
I can't go on enough about how fantastic these two swaps came out!!! I have to be honest... I wanted each and every Annie that I have seen they are adorable. Not to slight the Aprons either they are fantastic.. I love how your minds worked at creating these very creative up-cycled aprons. I am so selfish and wanted all of them. But alas... I can not!!
I am still looking for persons to join in on the 9 patch block swap. If you are interested or know another quilter that might be interested, let them know about the swap and send them my way ;) I am short about half my goal on swappers :( Thanks in advance for your efforts on helping me get swappers to participate in the swap :)
Speaking of swaps...... Thank you ladies...it was so wonderful having all of you joining in on my swaps.... Thank you so much. It's been a wonderful fun and exciting Winter/Spring on Aunt Pitty Pats. I met some really fun, loving, caring, creative, smart and giving women this year..... I am very proud to call you friends.... I look to the future to meeting some more new creative women and continuing my current friendships with all of you. Thank you ladies for giving me so much fun and wonderful encouragement. I look forward to restarting swaps again in Sept. So keep visiting the blog and see whats up :)

Ok here is the photo of the day.... for your daily dose of sweet...:)

Yes... you are seeing right it's a little white and tan rat :) Cute :)

Pitty Pat in baby play pen.

Now this is truely the daily dose of sweet!!! This is the Pitty Pat the first day she came home to live with me. The dog toy she has her head on is a toy that is about 6- 8 inches long. Wasn't she just the cutest little baby you ever seen??? She weighs less than one pound in this photo at 10 weeks old ;) She still loves this dog toy and sleeps with it quite often. She also has another dog that she likes in the winter. Its this wild colored spotted dog. It has this special heating thing inside and you pop it in the Micro so it warms up. She gets cold in the winter and her spotted dog keeps her toasty and warm :) Or even in the Spring when there is a nip in the air :0)

Joke of the day!!!!

A middle-aged woman Seemed sheepish as she Visited her gynecologist.. 'Come now,' coaxed the doctor,
'you've been seeing me for years!
There's nothing you can't tell me.'
'This one's kind of strange...'
'Let me be the judge of that,'
The doctor replied.
'Well,' she said, 'yesterday I went to the bathroom in the morning and heard a plink-plink-plink in the toilet and when I looked down, the water was full of pennies.' 'I see..'
'That afternoon I went to the bathroom again and, plink-plink-plink, there were nickels in the bowl.'
'That night,' she went on, 'I went again, Plink-plink-plink, and there were dimes and this morning there were quarters!
You've got to tell me what's wrong with me!,' she implored,
'I'm scared out of my wits!'
The gynecologist put a comforting Hand on her shoulder. 'There, there, it's nothing to be scared about.'

(Ready for this?)

(I'm warning you.....)

(Still not too late... to stop reading!)

'You're simply going through the change!

I have Veggie beds almost like this one...I built them several years ago.. and I love them!!!

Click photo for complete instructions ;)

Raised beds make gardening easy. Filled with soil mix, they provide the excellent drainage needed to grow picture-perfect vegetables and flowers.
You can build the basic raised bed pictured above in a few hours, then add versatility by mounting PVC pipes inside to hold hoops that elevate bird netting or row covers over your crops. Orient your bed north-south for maximum sun exposure.
Use redwood or cedar ― both are beautiful and rot-resistant. You’ll need a table or power saw to cut the wood; after cutting, paint the wood on all sides with an oil-based sealer. An electric drill is helpful, though not required.
** Estimate on cost** Our total cost: $187.
DESIGN: David C. Becker
Materials
One 6-foot-long 4-by-4 ($15)
Six 8-foot-long 2-by-6s ($75)
One 10-foot-long 1-inch PVC pipe ($3)
Two 10-foot-long ½-inch PVC pipes ($6)
½ gallon semitransparent exterior oil stain ($15)
32 3½-inch #14 wood screws and 16 ½-inch #8 wood screws ($29)
One 4- by 10-foot roll of ¼-inch-mesh hardware cloth ($15)
Eight 1-inch galvanized tube straps (semicircular brackets; $3.60)
32 cubic feet (1 1/5 cu. yd.) planting mix ($25 in bulk or $100 in bags)

I loved this idea..What a clever mind!!!

When Suzanne Forsling moved to Juneau Alaska from Iowa, she found that it was a little bit harder to get her garden to grow. Frustrated by cold soil, scarce sunlight, hungry slugs, root maggots, porcupines, cats, bears and ravens she got resourceful. She got her crops off the cold ground and into the light by afixing gutters to the wood siding of her house on the sunny side and using them as planters.
This is really a great space saving idea for those with green thumbs and not enough yard to exercise them. Personally I think these would go great along a deck railing or cut down to be mini-window boxes. So next time someone you know replaces their gutters snatch them up and give them a new lives as planters.

INTERNET PARKING NOTICE

Offender : You!

Date: Today

Time: 3:00 a.m.

Offence # : in front of the computer TOO LONG!

Details of Offence : During our routine sweep of the Internet we, the Internet Police, have discovered that you have been on your chair in front of the computer TOO LONG!

You are HEREBY ORDERED to clean up that pile of cups, cans, wrappers and papers on your desk (yes, we can see you - sit up straight!) and after you have logged into the real world for a minimum of ten minutes you may log back on to the Internet. Failure to comply may result in loss of reality, carpal tunnel syndrome, and the requirement of a larger chair.

The timer starts NOW! Get off your butt - you'll thank us for it later.

UP DATE

I have been contacted by one of the 4 women I have been speaking about all day. She has requested I give her time to make the swaps right. She indicated the items were sent.. but she would remake items and put tracking numbers and signatures to receive on them this time. I agreed to give her time to make the swaps right and not file police reports. So we will see...

If my swappers get their items.. I will give a formal apology in writing here on my blog to the ladies!!!! For being such a jerk!!!!

I am so sorry all of you are having to be a part of this mess. I stand up for what I think is right. I also say I am sorry when I am wrong too!!!

LADIES I NEED YOUR HELP!!!

I have been informed by several of the Swap Mommies... the ladies that I have named on my side bar are bad.. we need to get this word out ASAP they are bad and are taking advantage of all of our good nature!!! Lets not let them get any more of our handcrafted with love items!!!

Thanks ladies.. read my side bar to see what I am talking about!!!

Hugs to all of my Great and Honest Swappers!!!

Loss Count as of this morning:

2 other apron swaps

Yarni-gras 2 swaps

Me ... Annie swaps 2

Me.....Up-cycled apron swap 4

Swap-bot too many for words!!!

So lets do something and get the word out there!!!!!

*****UPDATE I JUST RECEIVED A WEB LINK FOR THE FBI http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx. TO FILE AN INTERNET CRIME VICTIM REPORT AGAINST THESE LADIES. If you are a victim please report your crime at the above link***

I am a very honest person!! I hate it when bad people take advantage of my kindness!!! LOL at least I don't sit around on my hands!!! I do something about it!!!!

Hello sweet Bloggy ladies...

I just want to wish all of you a

Happy Mothers Day!!!

So now on with the rest of the story :)

I know I am going to be lazy and not do very much today.. I have been fighting the punies all week at work. Three of my co-workers came to work sick yesterday.. I complained and two went home.. One had been getting better!! Tell me why do people go to work sick???

Me ... I think I am the first person that will catch any illness that is going around. I am kind enough to stay home when sick. Hoping that no one else will get sick with what I have. LOL my sick leave shows it too!!! I never have more than a couple of weeks saved up on the books.

Yes.... you saw right I closed the Christmas in July swap. Do to lack of interest or discontent about the swap fees. I am sorry if you had interest in that swap. I was so looking forward to it. But alas even good plans go a rye.

I think as soon as these current swaps are completed I am going to take a break through the summer on holding swaps. I have added work on my plate right now. I live alone and I have all the yard chores that have been cutting in to my sewing time. I also have some home repairs that need to be done. The house needs painted or at least touched up so the wood doesn't get bad. Trees are in need of desperate grooming. Limbs are hanging on the lines of the house... they need to be trimmed off there before I loose my services!!! I am wanting to take a Vacation to California too before long. So I hate to have swaps going on during that time. I would like to try and get one more trip in before something happens to my Grandma Peachy :)

After all of these boring facts.. my open swaps will end at the end of July and I will start them up again in Sept :) I will start the Halloween season for my first swap.

I am thinking about doing a themed Annie Swap and an Apron swap to start out with. All of them will have Halloween in mind :)

I want to do a Annie/Andy dressed up in a Halloween costume as the swap... let me know what you think.... fun or not fun???

I would also like to hold a couple of Seasonal Fat Quarter swaps :) I just love trading Fat Quarters. It's so fun to have different little materials on hand to use on your projects.

I also have in mind to do a quilt as you go Flannel quilt block swap... so start saving those Flannel fabrics for this swap :) I am thinking this will be my November swap... so we can all stay warm and toasty in the winter months :)

I am trying to find the exact pattern we can all use as a group for this block swap :) If you have one send me the instructions please :)

If you have any suggestions on things that would be fun to have as a swap... send me an email as most of you already have my email address :)

Suggestions will be very welcome :)

Thank you everyone for making this past year fun and exciting ;)

I will be here blogging but just not as much... lots to do around the

Oleo Ranch..

(one of the cheaper spreads)

I didn't want anyone to worry.... as most of my followers know I blog almost everyday :)

Hugs

Aunt Pitty Pat :)

Stop by and take a look :)

Guess what ladies.....
You have to just go by to find out!!!! ........
If you have not stopped by the Flickr groups that I set up for the recent swaps.. you are missing out on some wonderful Handcrafted Annies, and Fantastic Up-cycled Aprons.. so just click on the Annie button and the Don't ditch it re-stitch buttons and it will take you right to the swap groups... stop look and leave your comments.. I am sure the women will love hearing about their fantastic items, they have been working so hard on. I tell you I am so amazed at all the wonderful things that have been made in my recent two swaps... Yazz Yazz way to go girls... GREAT JOB!!!!

Redneck Skeet Shooting

Swine Flu Warning!!!!

Subject: Public Health Announcement

IN ADDITION TO WASHING YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AND OFTEN...... CDC Warning:

***DO NOT DO THIS!!!***

Everyone should follow Cowboy Rules

Cowboy rules: As most of my close bloggy friends know.... I am a True Red Neck and a Cowgirl.. These rules are nothing new to me!! These rules are want I believe in.. so I thought I would share them with all of you :)

Cowboy rules for Arizona, Texas , Colorado , New Mexico , Wyoming , Montana , Utah , Idaho , Kansas and the rest of the Wild West are as follows:

1. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-80, I-70, I-10 & I-40 go east and west, I-25, I-17 & I-15 goes north and south. Pick one and go.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. Every person in the Wild West waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of geese/pheasants/ducks/doves are comin' in during the hunts, we WILL shoot it outa your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10. We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah . . We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat . . IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Giants, the Yankees, the Mets, the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards - it spooks the fish.

16. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!

A true Westerner will send this to at least 10 others ( me I'm posting it on my blog) and a few new friends that probably won't get it, but we're friendly so we share in hopes you can begin to understand what a real life is all about!!!