It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like....

Home now! LOL :::: U KNOW u were singing Christmas weren't you?:::::

TGIF DearBlog Readers.. I am still buried in boxes however things are shaping up! I had a great time at Karens Graduation and pictures are in the capable Heather hands soon to come:) My Grands are growing at an alarming rate of speed and I wish they would slow down...(much like my laugh lines) I also spent time with parents, and sis and I staged a mock Thanksgiving with them since I wont be there, I'll be here! Bottom line: Much needed Heart Food. I did come home with a head cold.. go figure. I NEVER come home without some bug eh? I am so on germ warfare here, and STILL I get stuff. Maybe I should change my vitamins? Ok, what else is going on? Well, I still cant find some things like WINE GLASSES.... can openers and favorite knives. But I do have other boxes being made for a dang yard sale! I am so close to calling that HOARDERS show and telling them to bring a camera over here!
What else is going on round here? Oh! We had no internet, tv, or phone for a few frustrating days and we LIVE to tell about it! Imagine that!!! It has actually spawned a good thing. playing cards, looking at each other, and dare I say??? TALKING! I used to practice family night when the kids were growing. Games only. We have always had dinner round the table together, but then everyone split to do whatever....... I think I will dissconnect stuff once a week...lol. It makes me happy.. God knows I should do things to make me happy! sheesh!
I have a houseful coming next week, and I am nowhere near equipped for that YET. I am in hopes that the shop can go together with helpers. I'll bribe them with food:::wink::
I should get to work! Boxes are calling me and today..........I SHALL FIND THE WINE GLASSES! ( altho the juice glasses arent bad?)
PS: Anyone else getting a bang out of that commercial with the nekked turkey running through the store? ROFL>>> I think its a chicken broth ad.. not sure... which is funny too!

The Heart Of Life Still Good

It was a drunk driving accident. My James was only 26. Just horrid. A young life, no wife or children yet. A manager of Sprint cell phone stores. He loved to fish, and all outdoor sports really. His best friends were his dog "Dakota" and his brothers. He was best friend to all, and they all couldnt wait to tell me this. He adored his family and desperatley wanted one of his own. He was kind and sensitive, and loved his Mother ( & Father) very much.
I am forever changed and heartbroken. I truly believe that I have yet to find Gina anywhere that I look yet. I do find comfort in my art, and in the constant support network of friends,family, colleagues and customers, children, grands, and hubby. God knows this sustains me through an otherwise nightmare of a life. I wait patiently for peace, while I continue to live and ask why. One of the most often questions I ask is WHEN will the feeling of the other shoe dropping will subside. I want to scream "PLEASE do not take anyone else I love, PLEASE!"
Now you may be wondering why I am saying all of this today. Well....beyond the STILL incoming email questions that I get asking WHY.....
I am attending my daughters college graduation tomorrow. Its been a long road but she has finally become the nurse she has always wanted to be. I am so very proud of her as she is the FIRST college Graduate in my family on either side. Karen has always had what it takes to succeed in whatever she sets out to do. I dunno where she gets this from:::wink:::
I will proudly shed tears through smiles while still living vicariously through her! That cap and gown picture will hang in a predominant place in this home as a constant reminder that I helped to make that...lol
Also, I will see my grands, bring them dresses, sweaters, kisses oh my... and take comfort in all of this, for the heart of life is still good. Since most of the family will be in attendance, I am hopeful that Jamie will be too. I'll save a seat for him.
Look for blogabout next week of her beautiful smile, and mine:)
As always dear blog readers, thanks for the vent:)
LYG
G
Take care of you:)
Gina

Happy Veterans Day!

Thank you to all of them, and my Baby Boy too!

Not Moving Monday

The rocker recliner, Advil, coffee, and a list pad are my Monday Buddies. You knew that was coming right? A woman's got to know her limitations! I think I will take it easy today and try to re-coop a bit. I really think I am stronger than I am and hefting furniture and boxes seems fine, UNTIL the pain hits?
Major progress this week end was made. It's beginning to look like a home as opposed to a warehouse or estate sale. It's just nuts how much stuff we have accumulated and haul around! One thing I have noticed is that we doubled up on many items for 2 story home.. now we are back to one. ( Thank God!) The serious sense of urgency is weird I tell you. Maybe its because I am missing out on Christmas Quilting which is always fun. Or maybe because I must travel to the valley for Karen's Graduation ceremony? I'm so very proud of my daughter. She has worked her tail off sacrificing much to achieve this goal. I will begin hunting down the perfect high paying job for her on the central coast so they can relocate before its too late. I know all too well how your heels get dug in raising your family, educating your children, and you just get stuck in a place you really don't want to be. I miss them on a daily basis. Avi called yesterday to tell me about a movie she was watching with her lil friend. I wonder if she knows how much I love that?
Okay dear blog readers, I am off to make those lists and hopefully feel strong enough to hunt down those damn dishes! Have a Marvelous Monday, and I will too!
**Reminder**
The journey is everything, in everything give thanks.
MM's include

*The contents of my curio, may it always go where I go
*the steady return of Walt's health
*every store I need within a 5 mile radius
*80 degrees in November
* A beautiful home, just my size
*My lil sis always checking on me, times do change eh?
* Aviana's phone calls and candid photos

Moving Isnt For Me. Grunt

Two smallish goose eggs, one cut/broken middle toe, one smashed big toe, one knee football sized, so sore from top to bottom. Thats the move update so far. OMGoodness. At what point does one say they are too flippin old to do this? Here's what I think.... At 40 I declared no more tent camping,dirt sweeping, campfire cooking.... RVing only allowed for me now. At 50, I shall declare no more packing, unpacking,moving boxes, hefting furniture, building sheds, erecting shelves, and the like. PERIOD. Thats all I have to say about that. OUCH.
The rae of sunshine is that it is beautiful here. The sun comes up over the back fence illuminating the rolling hills of Arroyo Grande. Our coffee tastes so wonderful sitting under the finger palm trees watching this sight unfold. While its true all around us is organized chaos, it just doesnt matter much at all. At that very moment, for a few mornings in a row now, all that does matter is the feeling of hope for the future.
I am having to take more breaks this morning due to pain all over the place. SO I thought I'd come chat with you. I should be cleaning the kitchen as I cant get in there right now. We have gone from a commercial kitchen, maybe the size of a small house, to a U shaped space of a large bathroom...LOL. Wait a minute, thats not really very funny. Grunt. No matter, I'll figure it out. As long as I can always get to the coffee pot, who cares? I DO think my studio will share with kitchen items as they just wont fit in here. As the men were bringing in box after box marked kitchen we all laughed because they would look at me and say "Senora~, Mas Cucina?" Rofl, the room was filled floor to ceiling and no more could go in there. Consequently, The shop has rows of boxes, and nope... I have yet to find my good dishes. grunt. Ginger and I did the happy dance to find the can opener for her!
Walt has been outside since about 5 am...lol I dont think I will get him in here, but I'm glad he likes it out there too. Maybe it will aid in his recovery. He and I finished up the Pickford yesterday and hung the CLOSED sign on the front doors. We will make one more trip, pass through if you will, to make sure all is well.
Eight months of ....wow I dont even have the words to label those 8 months.... what a ride.
I should get back to it. I hope all is well with all of you. Happy Sunday.
Love yer guts, G

Begin Again

Good morning. I was thinking.:::rut ro:::When trying so hard to figure this all out. Maybe... just maybe we have been on an 18 month whirlwind tornado ride since the untimely death of my boy. Moving around, searching, hoping, trying to find answers or my way in life. Maybe its true what they say that after such a horrid experiance, one should never do anything RASH for at least 2 years? Living proof am I....hmmmmm
OK, so, we are home in AG and while the both of us are tired,sore, overwhelmed, flat ass broke, and in the biggest mess we have EVER seen, it feels right, good, and a huge sense of relief.Making breakfast consisted of 2 bagels, a lunchpail in my jammies hair flying. ( I know many of you GET that visual). No matter the mess, it is good. Now that I have my pals in the boxes ( computer & TV) What could be bad? Nuttin.
I am off to make a path between boxes... I'll be back soon, maybe I will find a camera?
LYG!

On The Move--->

And now a new countdown. I have miraculously finished all quilts (save one Christmas quilt) before the poor shop breakdown. Bittersweet I might add. I am so very happy to go, yet in fear of another move and my Greta being out of "sync" with me. You see... I had the greatest opportunity to have Jack Boersma ( Boersma Sewing in Oregon) come to visit and install my new fanfreakingtastic light bar and tweak Greta into a sweet spot that I have NEVER had before. I watched this man work some magic with a mallet on her..... in horror, only to have him call me over and say, "Ok, touch with one finger". I did this and I swear I heard Angels and harps. Since that day I have not had ONE tension issue, balance issue, level issue.. NO ISSUES. THIS, dear blog readers, is indeed miraculous! I haven't so much as bumped her nor sat a tool on her in fear I would mess her up! Now.... She's going for another ride. RUT RO. I don't think Jack would make the trip again, not even for ANOTHER arm and a leg. So, it falls to us to be ever so careful, and we will, BUT.
Prayer parrot post it note: Please Dear Father keep us all safe, including Greta, with lots of helpers, and help me to never move again. Well, unless you want me to, but I don't. Period.
Rudy is being a super pain in behind chicken as he senses things have gone nuts and is screeching each time one of his flock members leaves his side. Walt is being so good about giving him treats, but u cant fool a grey eh? He knows... good thing that he is adaptable. Ginger is sniffing boxes in search of her toys even though we left a few out for her. I guess they aren't the right ones?
Walt is gaining strength daily, thank God. He even showed me a muscle last night... cute lil skinny muscle it was too. He is becoming focused on the impending move, and I think he too has found a little hope.
The kids are darn near oblivious to whats going on as Karen is about to graduate into a full fledged nurse ( Nov 14) and Jake has opened his own business way over in Idaho. Julie has been to help with Dad a few times and wow was that ever needed. I wish they would come a runnin in the next few weeks huh? But I know they cant... :::big sigh:::
The quilters back in Pismo are so excited that hugs are a plenty when I appear. I love that. I love my "chosen" profession. Gemme hugs I tell ya... ( ok, and money)
I don't know how long I will be Internet challenged so I will be relying on my blackberry for emails and the like. Wish us luck, and I'll be back ASAP. I cant wait to see my dishes again, its been 8 months! ( its the little things u know) Love yer guts!

Monday Rambling Over Coffee

I think I should take up dog grooming. Poor Ginny looks like that furry bear on sesame street all the time. The good news is I will be going home and THATS where her forever groomer is! So maybe I wont. Good Monday morning dear blog followers. I am sorry I havent been diligent about writing. I could say that I have been busy, and its true, but I done told ya and told ya about my feelings on bummer blogabouts. I still hang on Perpetual Hope, and the tune from ANNIE. ROFL.
We have been busy looking for furniture on craigs list because if you can remember, when we moved here we had to downsize quite a bit to fit into the quarters. THIS, dear peoples, is no easy task, especially without a pick up truck! I have learned a few things.... ya cant trust peoples on craigs list to honor a "DEAL". Ya cant put a 6 foot dresser in the back of a convertable with the top down and go 60 miles an hour. :::u know u got a visual::: ( rut ro)
I tried very hard to win that Mega Million 200 million.. can u even BELIEVE that there was ONE WINNER IN VIRGINIA? Lucky bugger. I'm next. Mama needs some new fall boots dang it! OK, maybe just a washer/dryer. After I saw the boots to drool for, I found all my lil girls Christmas party dresses and had to have them, so there went one night stand eh....grunt. Again, I'm next.
I better move my butt... I have a huge list to make and attack. Thanks for the Java, Have a M M!

* craigs list good apples!
*Marshalls...sigh...
*Farmtown, I go there to rest, its a happy place.
*Perpetual hope
* New Michael Buble CD!
* My Fiskars anniversary rotary cutter, wowzers!
*Online shopping for the BEST "catch & Release" shopping.
*
Busy day today. I am on the last 3 quilts before breakdown!! woohoo!

Rain Is Big News M & M's

Now either its a slow news week, or all of the weathermen round here have gone bonkers. No matter what station I have on the TV or radio, the big news is rain for the next few days. Not just reporting news, but how to protect yourself. How to prepare your car. What to have on hand in the house, what to wear, and the right type of umbrella! Its kinda like when we first moved to the coast and I got the biggest kick out of a news alert mid day... saying, SURFS UP! Now we get, RAINS COMING! What the heck? Its just rain, its wet, and we need it. Done, lets move on. I remember several years ago Walt and I RVing to Big Sur in terrential rains. lol We couldnt get away from there fast enough. Opted for the Carmel Valley in a nice dry RV park with running water from a faucet instead of out your front porch..
Now heres the potential news says I.... When it rains here, its like Big Sur. The heavens open up and buckets pour in a short time span, causing fast floods and mudslides. Especially in the foothills where firestorms have been. Scary, noteworthy, and cause for preparation. It should all be over in 2 days they say.. I hope nothing above actually happens. For me personally, its a great time to sniff the air, and maybe a pot roast or fresh bread in the oven. BUT.... Not here because I can only be found quilting or packing these days. The bummer is that I have packed all of the good tools and for the next 18 days until we begin moving... we are on a short supply of everything.
18 days and the real mayhem begins, again. I dont look forward to it, and yet I cannot wait. :::Sybilness::: It's so sad here. No guests, pictures coming down, no good smells, feelings, or views. Yet on the other hand, perpetual hope. Walt is getting stronger, you wouldnt believe that he has just spent 20 days hospitilized and life so uncertain. Quilting getting caught up, and I think theres a rainbow just down the road. Truthfully, sometimes I think I'm just a village idiot for all of the perpetual hope about things. But its ok... I am the Arroyo Grande village idiot, and thats very OK with me.

Marvelous Mondays :

Rain, cause theres a rainbow somewhere
Matt N Jac, ( neice & nephew) Who cheer me up and dont even know it.
Phone calls from Avi who I can actually understand now.. (I would like to freeze her at this age:)
Live stream internet Radio ( because you get NO RECEPTION HERE)

Birthday With Rudy

Sorry he isnt seen too well.. I had to sneak the camera on him from afar. I think Andy Griffith is on here too. At any rate, he is cheap entertainment:) We have been piecing all day...ok and he has been making me laugh.. which is desperatley needed. Thanks Rudy, wish that everyone loved you as I do.