Fun Mail

I recently received some "fun mail" - that I have been meaning to post about. 

 I started reading one of Lorraine's blogs called Friday CPR (stories from an elementary school office which simply made me laugh - since I work in an elementary school office) . . . anyway - I started looking at her other blog and couple of weeks ago there was this post . . .http://papervernissage.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-little-piggy.html 

 I left a comment and in return had this pig mailed to me.  It is my job to decorate it.  I think I needed some "fun mail" - It seems like mail isn't as "fun" as it used to be.  I communicate through e-mails, and Facebook . . . thanks to cell phones - I can call my mom every day - without running up a huge phone bill like I did 30 years ago.  These things are nice - but there seems to be less "fun mail" . . . not as many letters or cards in the mailbox as their used to be.  So I received a boxed pig  and some things to decorate it . . . and even better it was in a box stamped with . . . Pigs - of course.  Receiving this pig in the mail was part of the fun for me.    I don't usually comment to do things like this - but maybe the "Iowa Girl" in me was drawn to this project of decorating a pig.  For whatever reason . . . I now get to decorate a pig - which I have started working on.   I will post that when I am finished.  Thanks Lorraine - great idea!

The crane fairy . . .

I folded this small crane for my friend Martha.

Her husband found this small brass fairy at a yard sale and she wanted her to be holding one of my cranes.  So she becomes a crane fairy . . . maybe she will grant some wishes.  Her she sits watching over Martha's grandchildren.

green paws

Sadie helped work in the yard today.  Which amounts to a whole lot of running around and barking . . . and barking . . . and barking.  We really have to be careful not to do yard work too early - so it doesn't wake anyone up.  She can hardly stand it when she know Richard is outside.  After chasing the lawn mower - her paws were green.  I have posted before what a sweet dog she is . . . she is starting to show her age a little bit which makes me sort of sad.  She was one happy dog today!

love grass

Jennifer sent me this picture today.  She said that she walks by this heart everyday . . . one of those small simple things that if you just take the time to notice - can make you smile.

Jake's Valentine

I can't believe I forgot to post a picture of the valentine he made for Kasey.  He simply printed out all the pictures he had of himself and Kasey in black and white on regulary paper - then cut them out and modge podged them on the large papermache "K".   He did a great job.  I am thinkning I need to make one of these with family pictures.  I love when he does stuff like this.

baby beanie

 I crocheted a little baby beanie last night - when I couldn't sleep.  I hate not being able to sleep - but at least I was making something fun.  I like how it turned out.  I am sure it will look much cuter on a baby than it does on my coffee cup - but that I will have to wait for that.  Until I know if I am making things for a boy or a girl - I just have to do things that will work either way.  I can always add a flower later.  I think the actual colors of this yarn are prettier than this picture shows . . . I am thinking I need to get some more and make a bag of some kind.

3 month check up

Yesterday was my 3 month appointment with my dermatologist.  I am now waiting on the results of 4 more biopsies.  So I will worry again until I get the results.  I really try not to worry - but seem to anyway.  I don't even know if worry is the right word to use.  It is more like melanoma is always floating around somewhere in my thoughts - so when I have a biopsy- it brings it all back again.  I was shocked the day I got the call that they had found melanoma - I never expected to hear that. (I guess no one ever does)  But now - I know that it could happen again.  I guess I have read too many stories where someone is diagnosed with melanoma and they are told that all of it was removed and it hasn't spread - then later - they find themselves dealing with this disease all over again. 
People tell me to quit reading so much about it. . . and maybe I should, but I read someones blog this morning - who talked about the same worries that I have - and it made me realize that it helps me to talk about my worries and concerns and that the more I read and get information and answers - the more it helps me.  My dermatologist is wonderful and takes the time to answer all of my questions and explains exactly why she biopsies something.  I do hope one day to go to an appointment without her taking a piece of me for testing - but I appreciate that she takes it serious enough to check everything. 
I know my personality - I'm going to worry sometimes . . .  So I may as well educate myself on this disease - and in the process I read people's stories and see how strong and amazing they are. My prayers go out to them.

A little more magic

As far as I am concerned  - the pictures speak for themselves  . . . Magic!

OK, I may be a little biased when it comes to this little Lily Bug.  I was blessed 22 years ago when I had the opportunity to baby sit for her mother and aunt . . . little did I know that this little bug would be such a big part of our lives.  Lily . . . I LOVE YOUR FACE!

Lily Magic

This little girl simply has won over my heart.  I guess she was feeling glamorous yesterday  or like a rock star . . . I love that the sleeves on her t-shirt are rolled up.  I love that she is silly, I love that she calls me Clare Helen, I love that she asks a lot of questions and that she likes "chappy" and nail polish and jewelry.  I love it when she comes over and wants to pet our cat, that she doesn't realize the cat has figured her out and really wants nothing to do with her - she just keeps trying to catch the cat and thinks the cat likes her too.  I love when she says, "I love your face".   I love that she plays with "cool beans" at my house and that sometimes when she is tired or upset and a little bit weepy she wants to come to me.  I love putting candy into the little tin can at my house so that she can find it and I love that she believes a fairy left it for her . . . and I love her smile every time she finds that candy - and then has to show me what was in the tin.  I love how she can get about anything she wants from Papa, Uncle Luke, and Uncle "Jabub". 
Little girls have a magic all their own.

Happy Birthday to Me!

 The wonderful ladies that I work with always make sure I have a wonderful birthday.  Decorations . . . with peace signs even . . . and a potluck at lunch time. 

And as I get older each year I just have to remember this . . . another year of fabulous!

hanging hearts

. . . . hanging hearts that our nurse hung up in her office.  Valentine decorations are the best . . . how can you not love a holiday that decorates with hearts. 

Love and Coffee . . .

Love and coffee . . . just what I need this Monday morning.  It would have been so easy to stay in bed this morning.  I haven't had a Monday morning feel like this in a long time - but then maybe staying up til midnight doesn't help and then Jennifer sent me a text at 1:30 - Lily was up and miserable with what is probably an ear infection.  Yawwwnnn . . . I think it's going to be a long day.  : )

Football Hearts

I thought these hearts were more appropriate for Super Bowl Sunday.

daisy wheels

Candy Gram Hearts at school.  So there's my heart for the day . . . but it is really all about these cute socks at the bike shop.

This little yoga girl is my favorite . . . and the blue ones below - love the daisy tires.

I may just have to go back and get a pair of these.  Although I think spending $12 on a pair of socks seems ridiculous . . . I know they are fast dry, most durable, amazingly wonderful socks - but I just think they are cute and I can find cute socks for under $12 . . . but on the other hand - those daisy wheels are really cute.

Peace Love and Adidas

We saw these great socks at the bike store the other night.  They had others that also were way cute - I'll post pictures of those another time.  For now just like the PEACE socks.

 I've been keeping my eye out for a new Valentine mug - I haven't found anything I like, but Starbucks always has cute tags if nothing else.

It's all about the three stripes.

I am looking forward to this weekend - although two days doesn't really seem to be enough after this past week.  We have so much to do - but hopefully can make some time to do play.  This little girl in the pink Adidas pants should be over this afternoon - and that is always FUN!

random heart

This is the kind of heart that I love to find.  I noticed this while I was walking yesterday.  It was obviously done on purpose - but finding it by accident makes it fun.  That someone would take the time to do this makes me smile . . . . gotta find joy in the small stuff. 

"All paths lead nowhere, so it is important to choose a path that has heart."  ~ Carlos Castaneda

love is everywhere . . .

Everywhere I go - hearts and flowers - and lovely Valentine goodies. 

the hearts begin . . .

February begins . . . and so does the month of hearts. 

What perfect little Valentine shoes our little friend Sophia had on today.