Sweater Makeover

This sweater is hideous. And, yes...I admit to purchasing it myself...brand new. Clearly, it was a mistake purchase. The appeal for me was the softer than soft fabric that was also in colors that I like. Perhaps you are thinking that I just need to unzip it and it will suddenly be lovely:


Nope. Still ugly! So, if I'm never going to wear it...what's the harm in chopping it up and seeing what will happen? Here is the "first" cut. I cut off the tight part of the sleeves and the tight band at the bottom:


Nope. Still ugly. Hmmmm. Is that it? Time to toss it? Let's cut it again....shorter:


Well, that's better. But, what's up with those sleeves? I don't like them at all! Off they go! I removed the long zipper and cut it down and YAY! I love the outcome. I will certainly wear this.


What else do I have that I don't wear? Where are those scissors?

Phoenix Arizona

Well, I visited "Summer" this past weekend. It's fall here at home....with nice cool temperatures and falling leaves. In Phoenix, it was 102!! Ugh! I had a great time, even while sweating, and NOW I'm ready for cold. So, bring it on!!

May I say, it's good to be home? I missed my pillow and my bed....and my husband (of course). Traveling is fun, and it's grueling at the same time. Lugging suitcases around is not my idea of fun! And, I don't much care for flying. I always fly Southwest as my dear daughter is a flight attendant and gives me FREE flying privileges. I should go more places!

Here we are a few months ago....pay no attention to my hair-do...or lack thereof. Hey it was windy outside!! Isn't she precious?

Pink Saturday ....again!!!

I'm in a "pink" state of mind, thanks to Beverly at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com
She hosts the wildly popular Pink Saturday. If you want to see more pink, pop on over to her blog to see the entire list.


I LOVE this pretty bunny lady. She really should have a name. Hmmmm.



I just acquired this place mat and napkin set at the thrift store. I can only say they seem to be brand new!! What a find!! Pink heaven!!



Close up on the napkins...aren't they great?


Earl wanted to be the director of the photo shoot.


However, he would not pose for a picture...darn.



I was born with a problem we shall call brown thumb or over/under water-em. Yes, I....am a plant killer. I am in rehab for this and my current project is this set of 3 african violets. I looked up on the internet and am following the directions (pretty much)....and taaa daaa, they are not only alive, but blooming. Yay! The pot on the left has been broken by the above mentioned kitty. I'm sure he's sorry. Ya think?


Happy Pink Saturday to you!! Have a very Pink Day!!

What is your "Theme Song"

I've been UP and I've been DOWN. I've been "in" and I've been "out". I've been "on top of the world" and I've "been down at the bottom". And, I am always working my way back to the top. Getting up beat and positive takes constant effort....for me anyways. It just doesn't come natural to me. I will tell you for CERTAIN that is pursuit is WELL worth it.

Those days when everything is going great??? Well, those days are a gift and I think we should go out and really enjoy it. And, those days where one thing after another seems to be threatening my happy mood.....those days call for a THEME SONG!

Have you ever noticed how music can uplift your spirits? Have you ever noticed that you can hear a certain song and be transported to a different time and place...or be reminded of someone or something.

For Me, if I am not as happy as I want to be....music goes a long way toward solving that! Have you ever heard that your "inner world" creates your "outer world"? So you really are....what you think about. Can I brainwash myself in to being happy and positive? Well I am on that track!!

My current "theme song" is Viva La Vida by Coldplay. I love the tune and the beat! And, MY interpretation of the words is that .....I have ruled the world, and I have had it all go away. This song reminds me that I am the ruler of MY world , RIGHT NOW!! If you want to hear it...scroll down on the right and press play.

So, find your Theme Song, turn it up and Dance Like Nobody's Watching.

Tell me what your theme song is.....and why....I really want to know!!

The Narrator

There is a narrator in my head. You know, a voice (that is really me) and this voice is describing everything I'm doing. I think it's getting even stronger since I started blogging. I can hear myself sort of writing a blog in my head about whatever I'm involved in at any given moment. Now, very VERY few of these imaginary blogs ever actually make it in to reality. It's funny to me. I love reading blogs by those very talented writers who can make anything sound interesting or funny. Most of the time, I just sit here at my blank screen wondering....what do I have to say? Think. Think. Think. Yep. Nothing. But, hop in the car and go somewhere and do something...and then the narrator starts right back up, creating wonderful words to convey an entertaining, witty story to tell....only to be forgotten as soon as I sit down to the computer.



This is a sweatshirt that I re-made into a jacket. I cut off the sleeves and the bottom and I put on some fleece from a blanket, oh, I also added some darts in the front and back. I was going to put in a zipper, but I couldn't work that out, so I chose to put some ribbon ties on it instead. I think it's going to be nice and cozy when it gets a little cooler. Watch for more of these sweatshirt re-dos...I bought a bunch of sweatshirts as soon as they started showing up in the stores. Of course, it's the same situation as the paragraph above. When I can't find any sweatshirts in any store...anywhere...well, then I have tons of fun ideas for remaking them. Now, that I have a bunch of them...I'm drawing a blank!

It's Fall In the Mountains!

Hot Jeans!

Last week, it started getting cool, so I wore my jeans for the first time since summer. Oops. I was so hot! One of my rituals is to switch out my clothes every fall (Labor Day) and every spring (Easter). This is not something that most of my friends do here in California. I actually pack away my clothes each season, so it's fun to get them out. I haven't done that yet, because it has still been pretty warm. Well....that seems to be changing quickly now.

Fire...

We had our first fire in the fireplace. We rely on wood heat pretty much. It's cozy and warm and constant. When it starts getting cold, we will just keep the fire going, nonstop. When hubby built the fire, we were both commenting on the smell...just love that! I can do it...but I'm not that great at starting a fire...hubby says I use too much paper (he doesn't use ANY paper!).



What's that sound?

I was walking outside yesterday and the wind came through the trees. We have lot's of pine trees, really tall ones and lots of oaks. When the wind comes through it makes a roar. Wish I could tape it for you, it's one of those sounds that is INCREDIBLE.


One time some friends were visiting from the city and the husband said he could hear the "rain". It wasn't raining...he had never heard the trees "roar" before. OOoo I can hear it right now. Nice.

Leaves



They are a-fallin again. They do it every year! And, every year we strive to get them off the driveway before it rains and makes them all messy. Where's my rake?

Fall makes me think of....

Cozy fires, warm sweaters, hot tea, trees "raining" leaves....and I guess I better start figuring out what I'm getting everyone for Christmas! I'm SO not good at gift giving.

What does fall make YOU think of?

It's Pink Saturday!

And, I'm so excited! This is the first event that I have attended in "blogland".

I am seeing PINK everywhere. Have you ever noticed that? When you are thinking about something, it shows up all over the place? I just happened to change my blog to pink a few days ago. And, I see that I am wearing pink in my current photo. Geez, I think I will fit in with folks who like pink!!


This pretty lady is the symbol for Beverly's Pink Saturday. You can read all about it on her blog howsweetthesound.typepad.com . Thank you Beverly for allowing me to participate!! click on the photo to go to her blog:


I am looking forward to visiting all of the Pink Saturday blogs over the next few days. What a blast!

This is my favorite pink thing. I love chenille and I LOVE birthday cake with REAL frosting! Doesn't this look good enough to eat? Interestingly, Pookie thought so too and he ATE the little piece of cake that you see in the photo. I was (and still am) so sad about that! I have since found a very pretty, glass covered cake plate to protect what's left. To console myself, I found the lady who made it on Ebay and bought a chocolate cake. Is there a Chocolate Day?


This is my best friend, Connie and me. We didn't plan this....it just happened that we both wore Pink. Well, admittedly it happens a lot...because I love pink and Connie...well she LOVE'S pink. Note to Connie: I'm looking forward to our fun trip on Friday!! Can't wait!! Miss you!


This beautiful rose is one of my husband's photographs. He is so talented. And, I'm so lucky!!


Is there a pink "state of mind"? If there is I imagine that it is fun, lighthearted, bright, loving and feminine. Care to add to that?

Think Pink!!