HOW I MET MY HUBBY

It was a beautiful fall night in September when I went to a Bradford High Football game with my girlfriend. We sat as high up on the left bleachers as we possibly could. I remember liking the excitment of being at a football game vs the actual game itself. I was more interested in the cute boys who were nearby. After a little flirting, I noticed the strap on my broke. A cute redheaded boy who I was talking to said, "Let me look at it". He did and fixed it right there. He also noticed I had a charm linked onto the purse with a chain. I had made it when I went to Celeron Park. You could dial up the letters and put anything you wanted to on the charm. I wrote " All boys call Peggy 22770. We talked some more and then he asked me if I wanted to go for a ride with him and his friend. So my girlfriend and I did. I remember we even kissed. The next day I got a call from him. Soon we were a couple. All through high school we dated and then when I was a senior he went into the Navy. That didn't dim our love but only make it stronger. We saw each other as much as possible all through my college days and as soon as I graduated we were married. We just celebrated our 42nd anniversary.

charms

A Necklace for Kay Other charms I made today

Decorating

What is more fun than decorating? Today was a dreary, wet February day. To fight off the blahs I decided to get some projects done that had just been sitting for awhile.

The first thing I did was make the shadow box. I put in a picture that I took of the rose arches at Monet's Garden in Giverney. When I look at it I can still remember the thrill of visiting this famous garden in France. My sister Linda and I chose Monet's Garden to visit while Charlie and my neice, Becky, went to the Palace of Versailles. The trip was about an hour by bus and we delighted in our pixie tour guide as she told us what we would be seeing. When we got there in mid summer the flowers put on a display that would rival anywhere in the world. My eyes were so full...so many different kinds of flowers, but the rose arbor leading up to the house was my favorite. The pink stucco house with green shutters looked just as if Claude would come meandering out at any moment. Then we visited the pond and walked across the famous Japanese bridge looking the same as it had for decades. What a thrill!

Next I put in a pamphlet from Aix-en-Provence, a city that I visited when I took my trip with Yrsa. The other picture is of the restaurant where we sat at a small table outdoors and watched the people.

And of course, the Eiffel Tower both in the postcard and the small metal tower that I purchased in France. The Arch de Triomph was a gift from Linda. When I want to be happy, all I have to do is think of the trips I made to France.

My second project was to frame the Biltmore photographs that I took while visiting Ashville in the fall. I am trying to learn to be a better photographer and I not only took the photos but used a photo program to manipulate the colors and intensity to make a better photo. I bought the frames at TJ Maxx and hung them on an empty wall space that was just crying out for pictures.

Then I was on a roll and began making metal and glass charms. I did well with cutting the glass and putting decorated paper between the layers. But then I had a hard time with the copper foiling process. It just didn't want to stick. So I walked away for awhile. When I came back I used a different roll of foil which worked splendidly and I was able to create four charms. Next I will solder them, but first I need to go to the store and buy jump rings. Tomorrow is another day.

KING CAT

What a life!

Do you have a dream?

This is my dream. For some reason I have always wanted a Vespa. I can see myself now tooling down to the library in the summer on this. It would be great for short trips to Walmart too. The only thing holding me back is that I can't imagine me on that thing. Too exposed. That's a good reason to lose 50 pounds!!

The Kitchen

Just a picture of the kitchen. I'm trying out a new posting system, just checking.

Good kitty, Bad kitty

The pink roses are from Don for our 42nd anniversary.

Our table set for Valentine's day.

Don worked on fixing Diane's sewing machine all afternoon. He is Mr. Fix-It and loves a challenge. he had to take it completely apart and bend something inside. He oiled it and greased it where needed and now it works perfectly. He's wonderful, isn't he? Today it was so nasty with rain/sleet.

Isn't Top Gun just the sweetest?

Everytime Don sits on the couch he runs over and stretches himself out on Don's legs. He will lay there as long as Don can sit. Good kitty!

Top Gun, however, has developed a very bad habit. When we are away he finds the highest ground he can and perches like a king. His latest throne is the library table in front of the back window. He was just sitting on the window sill, but lately has taken to pushing things aside on the table and laying just wherever he wants. Today I came into the room and there he was, the lamp almost tipped completly over and the picture and basket askew. Bad kitty!

A visit to the doctor

Yesterday I had an appointment with Dr. Tuller, the specialist who did my eye surgery last April. Since my cataract surgery I have had distortion and not been able to see very well. THe good news is the back of my eye is perfect. The problem is the implant and a wrinkle just behind it. Luckily it can be fixed quite easily, according to the doctor.
Today is such a bad weather day...sleet, ice, snow. It's a good day to stay in and read a book and cook a long, slow meal in the over. I'm thinking....chicken pot pie sounds good. I'm also going to play on the computer a little. I need to learn a little more about photoshop.

Dodging a bullet

We were lucky last night that the snowstorm that blew through Buffalo missed us. The wind howled during the night, but didn't blow trees down and put out power like to the north of us.

Our latest crisis is several breaks in our main water lines which caused the system to lose many millions of gallons of water which left the reservoirs dry. It will take a few days for them to fill back up. Meanwhile the whole city is conserving water. The schools shut down for two days as well as some of the major industries in town.

Tonight I went to see the movie Attonement. It was well done and a movie that gave you something to talk about afterwards.

Early Valentine's Day card

Make a postcard - it's easy!

Good morning!

Just appreciating life today. Today is "catch up" day from the weekend..laundry, clean floors, etc. Don has gone fishing and I have the house to myself. I am able to clean better when he isn't around for some reason. I have found over the years that when the cleaning mood strikes I had better be ready because it doesn't come all that often. I am not one of those women who is fanatical and obsessed about cleanliness. I like a clean house that is straightened up, but I don't want to spend all my time working on that. I have too many other things to do. So I have struck a balance and clean when it needs it. It isn't the best system, but it works for me.
Today I made a step in the right direction. I joined Curves. I had gone to curves for several years when I retired and then wanted a change so I joined the Pitt Fitness Center. Well, after a few years of that I thought I needed a change again to shake things up and get a little more cardio workout than I got there. This will give me some new incentive to diet and lose some weight. When the pounds come on, like they have been lately, the burden of my addiction weighs heavy too. But...I don't give up. Wish me luck!

Garden Place

We stayed overnight at Garden PLace a motel associated with Salvatore's. The rooms were gorgeous and very large. We were very pleased when we walked down to breakfast and walked into a large hall which was very decorated. On the right side were house fronts with balconies all decorated in different styles..New Orleans, French, Greek, southwestern...with greenery, flowers, and lights like a fairyland.

A Night on the Town

Me at Salvatore's Gardens.

We had a very special romantic weekend in Buffalo. Here I am standing inside Salvatore's Gardens. The other picture shows the lobby all decorated for Valentine's Day. This was a great restaurant to go to for a special occasion. Everything about it was perfect, the food, the service, the music, the atmosphere. Don ate prime rib, while I had filet mignon. We enjoyed shopping and stopping at the casino on the way home. It was a nice way to get away from the cold and have a special time together.

FRIENDS FOREVER

Kay, Yrsa and I have been friends forever. I went to elementary school with Yrsa. Kay and I met in high school and became good friends. We have shared a lot over the years. Last night we went out to dinner to celebrate Yrsa's 64th birthday. When I write that I can hardly believe that number. It just doesn't seem like it could be that many years that have passed. I am so lucky to have such great friends.

A fun game

Here's something fun for you to do. Read the list of questions and my answers and then send me an email with your answers.


1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? A beach cottage on Cape Cod
2.What's your favorite article of clothing? my jeans
3.Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Eyes
4.What's the last CD that you bought or were given? Josh Groben
5.Where's your favorite place to be? in Provence
6. Where is your least favorite place to be? at the fitness center at Pitt
7.What's your favorite place to be massaged? my shoulders
8.Strong in mind or strong in body? Mind
9.What time do you wake up in the morning? 7 a.m.
10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? My cutter/chopper from QVC
11.What makes you really angry? rude people
12.If you could play any instrument, what would it be? Piano
13. Favorite color? green
14.Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? actually a van
15. Do you believe in an afterlife? yes
16.Favorite children's book? Winne the Pooh
17. What is your favorite season? Fall
18. Your least favorite household chore? vacuuming
19.If you could have one super power, what would it be? mind reading
20.If you have a tattoo, what is it? None of those for me yet
21.Can you juggle? No, but my son can
22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? My maternal grandparents
23. What's your favorite day? Saturday
24. What's in the trunk of your car? a map, some net cargo containers, a magazine
25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? one of my husband's famous onion burgers

January at Chris' house

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Family, first and foremost

I'm blogging from Chris' house this morning.

This is an image I got from a new site I'm trying out called picnik. It's a graphic photography free program where you can import images and manipulate them into beautiful works. I can't wait to get home and try it on some of my pictures. This has been a great weekend visiting with my family. While Don and Chris spent Saturday going to a Cabin Fever Show that had lots of engines and guy things, Dan, Scott, and I went shopping. We ate lunch at Panera Bread, one of my favorite places, then went to Walmart. Scott and I went to Pier One. He spent his Christmas money buying a reed diffuser and a glass goblet. Scott enjoyed browsing and seeing all the different things that were in that store. He told me thanks for taking him to a nice store. All his dad does is take him to car stores. I think Scott appreciates being with a female sometimes. Today we will watch the Patriots game and probably go home later or tomorrow. I do wish that the boys lived closer, but I am grateful that they are within driving time.

Seven Truths

This is a little game that bloggers play. They "tag" someone and ask them to post 7 truths about themselves. So here goes:
1. I am at my best when I am creating something, but I don't make time for that in my life much. (psychoanalyze that!)
2. Watching a panoramic view in a place I've never been before takes my breath away.
3. My secret indulgence is reading decorating books and magazines.
4. I'd rather have a hamburger in a great location than a $50 meal in a poor one.
5. I love visual treats for the eyes..art, decorations, landscapes.
6. Even if I had all the money in the world I wouldn't change a thing.
7. I worry more than people think.

A quiet January day

Make a postcard - it's easy!