it's called family

i have a ton of pictures already

really?  lol

some on my camera i haven't been able to download because...............

i think i forgot my cord in california

(sounds like the title of a great county and western song, don't ya think?)

anyways, i will have to check my other suitcase back at Kasey's house and see if i was smart enough to remember to bring it.

but since this is the first blog since i got here... (it is, isn't it?)  i will give you an update of the happenings in date order..... here we go!

Last tuesday -  i flew into Raleigh at midnight.  Jeff picked me up at the airport, took me to Waffle House so that I could finally get some grits and limp bacon.  It's been over a year since I've had it and that was way too long in my opinion.

Wednesday morning, i drove to Winston Salem to Kasey's house where Mom had been since Monday.

and Nonnie & Poppie (aka Tim and Carrie, Micah's mom and dad) arrived from TN with Toyoji (yeah!!!!!)

We had sukiyaki for dinner and sat round all stuffed and laughed.  it's always fun to hang out with Carrie and Tim!!!

Carrie and Mom

Kasey, beer and Mom

i just realized there aren't any pictures of Tim and his awesome new hairdo!!!

Thursday was school shopping with Toyoji.  i was in charge of buying the backpack but i did bring him a pencil box for fun.

We also met the nanny on thursday.  Miss Leslie.  she's very nice and Toyoji was shy for about... umnnnmmmm four minutes and then he didn't stop talking for an hour.  amazing things were being shared with his new nanny.  hilarious

Friday was the first school day and i think everyone but Toyoji was nervous and excited.  Pack the lunch, pack the backpack, gather all the requested supplies to take.  i have some pictures of Oba and Toyoji in the parking but THEY'RE IN THE CAMERA.  now i think i'm mad about the cord.

he was a trooper!  i think he'll do just fine.  i promise i won't forget to post those other pictures.  

that afternoon while Toyoji was in school, i drove Mom to the Charlotte airport so that she could return home.  i wished she would have stayed longer but she can only take small doses of "out-of-her-routine" scenerios so it was time to go.  when i got back, Toyoji was home from school and full of information.  I asked how it was and he said, 

"it was awesome, you should have stayed!"

too freakin' cute

Saturday, we headed to Kingsport, TN because Eli (Micah's brother) was leaving for Air Force bootcamp.  actually, i'm still here.  it's Sunday morning and i wanted to catch up on this blog so i didn't forget anything.  everyone was here last night and even Jordon (navy officer in California) was here via facetime on the iphone.  technology is amazing.

so, i'm waiting for everyone to start waking up and then i'll do my bathroom visit and then head down stairs and see what today brings.  

here's some pics from yesterday and last night:

Toyoji with cousin Rachel and Ella

Rachel coloring

Toyoji coloring

Ella coloring

and sandbox toes

A few pictures from the last two days

leaving Denver FINALLY.....

watching the west coast sunset behind me

Oba, Me, Kasey and Toyoji

Me and Mom

Me and my little Picklebutt

Mom and my smooth rental car.  I finally got to drive a 300 and it is AMAZING!!!

Morning at Kasey's house

Nonnie and Oba

(Micah's Mom)

Sheesh

I do hate flying. Such stress and rude obnoxious people. Flying into Denver as a piece of cake but there must be 30 children under 5 years old on this flight. I managed to find a empty row and two middle aged women sat next to me. Believe me when I say the kids would have been better. These two women have not stopped talking since they got on. Sheeesh!!!

See

And.....

then when two pairs of shoes take up 1/4 of the suitcase and no bathroom stuff has been put in yet, you know you're on trouble

OMG

I can do this from my iPhone.
Now we are all in trouble!

Be prepared for candid shots from airport people watching and beautiful scenery while driving in North Carolina!!!!

my next project

something that just says happiness all over it

i leave tomorrow

okay, i got my kitty bag packed but my other bags.....

in my mind, i'm packed but

nothing's in the suitcase yet

still have no clue what i'm wearing to travel

i would love to travel in flip flops and yoga pants

my Mom has always said that i must "dress" for travel

and up until now, i have always "dressed nice" for travel

seriously thinking about the yoga pants and flip flops

two hours later..............

i've decided to DRESS to fly.  Got some gel inserts and skid-proof thingys for my Bebe shoes so i'm good to go!  

so silly that i stress about what to wear.  so yoga pants when i start driving wednesday morning is the plan

i do not like them Sam i am

i think i am

almost

ready

to

start

packing

lol

i'm trying to cram two weeks worth of clothes and SHOES into one suitcase since i won't have my favorite pack mule with me.  but i think i will be muscling two suitcases to be checked and my wheelie laptop bag and then my hello kitty bag.

i'm already tired

putting camera in hello kitty bag and lenses in checked suitcase and hope they don't get stolen.  cross your fingers with me please

i do not like traveling without jamie.

arriving at midnight, driving an unfamiliar car trying to find the hotel.

i'm already tired

but in the same breathe, i can't complain.  i get to see Mom and Kasey and Micah AND TOYOJI!!!!!

okay, i feel better now!

will keep you posted on everything little thing that happens via blog and photos

i will not lose my wallet this trip

Look what i found

my next journal

vintage vinyl journals located here!!!!

and then i found this on pinterest.com and i thought it was hilarious since "fuck" is my favorite cuss word.  i know i'm bad but i do know when and when not to use this wonderful cuss word!!!!  

if you've seen "The King's Speech", then you can appreciate the hilarity of this!!

and also

Pookie had his yearly something-or-other shot today and he was a champ!  The nice VetMan was so happy to see that Pookie's teeth looked good, his skin looked good and he weighs........ drum roll please!!!!

he weighs 15 and a half pounds!!!!

OMFG!  when we got him at two months (he's eight now), he was like 8 pounds and half as long!  i kinda miss those days.

So as a treat for such a good doctor's visit, he got TWO new tools today.

(not a great photo but the duck makes a real DUCK noice and the other just is just so cute when he carries it  around....  i couldn't resist!

AND i made him peanut butter poppers so that he can share with Jamie while i'm gone

I must

1)  get a sewing machine.

 i have found soooooooooo many things that require a sewingmachine.  it will be goal for next year.  a hello kitty beginners sewing machine to make things like this:

instructions for the headband from blog "craftiness is not optional" found here

Kathleen, aren't these the cutest!!!

2)   as soon as i get back from vacation (September 6th), I will do a quick tutorial for Stephanie on how to make the felt flowers.  Steph, i would gladly make anything you want with these felt flowers.  just tell me what you want and colors and stuff, and i will make it for you.  i will still put the instructions down for you too.  I found another easy version today that i will try and let you know about.

3)  when i get back i will also try making a headband from a tie for Amy.  i will probably not be able to get it done before her BIRTHDAY but i will make every attempt.  also, if she visits me in October then i will save up all the things i have for her birthday so i can give them to her in person (hint hint).

4)  speaking of October, i'm hoping that i may have someone that wants to rent our condo, long-term!   yeah!!!!  if that's the case, we will be leaving sometime in October.  sad and happy face all in one.  i will keep ya'll posted on that one.

and now on a lighter note:




Kathleen, i found this on etsy.com and i think Ava must have one for her birthday party!!!!

party hat headband

10 year wedding anniversary

we had lunch before going to the dentist appointment were instead of a root canal, they had to remove the tooth.  not happy

so we went to lunch at the New Orleans Creole Cafe in Old Town and it s now my favorite place to go.  the outside patio is fenced in for Pookie to prance around and change butterly shadows.  Yes, he chances their shawdows not the butterflies.  it was too funny.

across from the resturant, there's a little grassy lawn next door to the Whaley House.  and there is a beautiful old tree there.

here's the patio we sat and it was really great!

it was a good lunch and we will return for the great red beans and rice !!!! yummo

see picture below

now that i have your attention.....

how come i never get comments from you guys?

either you're not reading my updates (which is okay but i think you are)

or

you're keeping your comments to yourself.....

i know that if you were here sitting in front of me, YOU'D BE COMMENTING !!!!

I'm Just Sayin'

so please, say something!!!  it won't hurt

it will tell me you're alive over there

come on and just say something

ANOTHER hair ornament craft

and yes, it was made from a zipper!!!!!!

alert

okay, friends

i am on the hunt for BUTTONS,  ZIPPERS and ORNATE FRAMES

if you find any of the above, i will pay for shipping.  seriously

my latest project came out PERFECT.  i'll take a pic of it soon.  it's a hair ornament.  i think i'm stuck on hair ornaments.  but this one was made from a zipper and looks like a flower.  you're gonna LOVE it!!!

buttons and zippers -  any size, color, shape

frames - prefer wood, bigger than 8x10 and any color

i'm serious

if you come across a yard sale, see what you find.

i'll pay shipping AND handling

and make you something TOO

okay, i'm ready to leave town... NOT

first my poor little baby toe tried to remove it's nail COMPLETELY off by using a door frame and they wouldn't give me a pedicure today because i had an owie!  but i put a condom on it!!!!  it's okay, public health safety and all that shit but now i have to go back on sunday, if my little piggie is better.

and now i think i have a bad tooth.  i know, yuck.  it's been two days and it's just alittle throb but you know how those things work.  it's only going to get worse. 

either put on my big girl panties and drag myself to the dentist this week OR hope it goes away and don't go.  i'd prefer not to go.  i hate the dentist <insert me grimacing a very pained look on my face>; i don't want to go to NC with a tooth=owie!!!!

 i'll call them in the morning

and pookie doesn't like it when i'm not in the car.....

when the amazing trio aren't together, together.

update of stuff

well, i think my craft projects are done for now.  everything is ready to mail tomorrow with a big label on it.....

"DO NOT OPEN UNTIL I GET THERE!!!!!"  think she'll listen......

i finished the second scarf for Kasey today.  i can't believe how fast they can be made.  i will take a picture of her wearing it so if anyone wants to know how, i will gladly share the EASY details.

the second one was done with this really cool yarn called "boa".  I am in love.

Also....

a week from tuesday i will be on a plane to Raleigh-Durham.

I'm so excited

but i have a busy week ahead of me:

tomorrow - go to the tanning booth;  nails, toes and eyebrows; drop off dry cleaning; go by Penney's and find another pair of sunglasses (cheap)

tuesday - make more pookie peanut butter popper treats so he'll have enough until i get back

wednesday - can't remember what's scheduled for today but i'm sure there's something.  oh yeah, Pookie needs a flea treatment

thursday - lunch with Melinda then going to AT&T to get an iphone to take with me for Jeff.

friday - pick up dry cleaning

saturday - start packing;  Petco with Pookie for a shot and a weigh-in

project updates

it started with a paper mache box

first time i've tried something like this

and here's the front

and here's the inside

and here's the back

and here's a crocheted scarf i made for Kasey this afternoon.  i'm going to have her choose more yarn when i get there to make another.  it's the easiest thing i've ever made and it only took a couple hours.