Hello Friends

Well, I am still here. I just have been so busy lately, with no motivation for blogging. Since my camera is on the blink it just doesn't seem as interesting. :-)
I am sitting here enjoying air conditioning. It is something I normally take for granted, but my HVAC unit went out earlier this summer. I have been enduring the summer without it, but finally was able to get the money to have a new one installed. My van has developed a leak in the oil pan, which will be fixed tomorrow. (I hope.) I got a new washing machine put in yesterday to replace the other new one which leaked water everywhere. As I mentioned, my camera is on the blink. My vacuum cleaner stopped working - but it was an easy fix - they pulled a Lego out of it! I have also had lots of financial and legal untangling to work on. I have also had people in to give me quotes on repairing all the water/moisture damage from downstairs. In short, I have just been too busy and distracted to blog.
Thanks for hanging in there and continuing to watch for my posts through my "bad spell." Next week I start back to work :-( But I am grateful for my job, which I really do enjoy. It is just that I enjoy staying home and doing what I want when I want more. TTYL,
Julie

In the Crown

Here is a photo of, from left to right, me, my niece Joy, and bff Anna. It was about 1988, and we were in New York City. We decided to make the climb to the crown, and had a nice man behind us take our picture. I love this picture. It was such a fun trip!They reopened the crown July 4th of this year. It had been closed since the terrorists did their cowardly deeds on 9 - 11. I have heard that it will only be open for a short period of time, so if you are in the NYC area anytime soon, schedule a trip to the crown. I don't think you can just show up and get in line anymore.
TTYL,
Julie

Checking In

Hi blog friends. I just wanted to explain myself. I have never abandoned my blog for this long. I have also been negligent visiting your blogs. I dropped my camera in the sand on the beach trip and I am afraid to get my pictures off it until I take it to a camera doc. So, no beach pics. But we did have a wonderful time. Just take my word for it, it was beautiful, and we can't wait to go back.
The next thing that has kept me away is that I am going through a divorce. I am dealing with a lot, not the least of which is that my ex-husband won't get his stuff out of my house. So I have not really felt like blogging. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy. I have had to put up with a lot over the years - I did it for the kids - but things happened that I could not put up with. Enough said.
I will be back to blogging soon enough. Stay tuned!
Julie

Gone to the Beach

We are going to Mexico Beach for a week. When this post shows up I should already be there. It is not crowded, and is family-friendly. We have a house right on the beach, by a turtle sanctuary - which we think is pretty cool. When I come back I will have pictures from our actual trip. Hope you enjoy your week!
Julie

Giveaway!!

Marion at Villa Kunterbunt is having a giveaway. You don't want to miss it so hop on over.

Pincushion Attempt

I decided to try making May Britt's pincushion. When done right it is so cute. Of course, I did it wrong! Her tutorial is here. As you can see, mine looks like a mini-hassock. It is still cute, and my kids like to toss it around the room like a ball.
I have been meaning to do it again. Now that I have made one, I know what my error was, and I can make one the right way.
I have been working in my yard most mornings since school is out. I have done a lot, but have so much still to do. I spend the rest of the day recovering from the heat, but at least I have a feeling of accomplishment. Inside, I have been working on replacing my heavy, dusty drapes with light, easy-to-clean curtains. It feels so much better to have all these dusty drapes out of the house. I will never, ever have drapes again. Ugh...
Julie

Giveaway from Deb at Works in Progress

Look at these fantastic vintage buttons.


Deb is having a giveaway. She found many treasures in her Aunty Jean's sewing box, and is giving away these beautiful buttons! So pop on over to her blog today and enter her giveaway!
Julie